1. ARCTIC DESCENT
Those who are prepared to brave the cold will be rewarded with unbelievable sights, sounds and animal encounters. A dive beneath an ice-topped sea is an eerie, yet colourful marine excursion attended by urchins, starfish and glittering jellyfish. Icebergs are seen from a fresh perspective, and a lucky few may even meet a graceful beluga whale, orca or an elusive narwhal on their descent. Aurora Expeditions now facilitates this experience aboard its Arctic voyages, but it’s reserved especially for those holding Advanced Open Water Diving credentials with a minimum of 30 logged dives. auroraexpeditions.com.au
2. ANTARCTICA BY TALL SHIP
You’ll need the hardiest of sea legs to set sail on this 20-plus day adventure, where learning the ropes takes on a whole new meaning. The only triple-masted tall ship to sail to Antarctica, Bark Europa is a hands-on experience where you’ll climb the rig, hoist the sails and help with maintenance – but you’ll be rewarded with endless ice shelves, dramatic turquoise blue ocean, glaciers, and extraordinary wildlife encounters, including whales, penguins, seals and all manner of birdlife. And you’ll have tales to tell until the end of time. barkeuropa.com
3. DRAGON QUEST
Charter Aman Resort’s private flagship yacht, Amandira, on a seven-night Komodo Expedition and you’ll be able to visit the only two islands in the world where the Komodo dragons are found. You’ll also be treated to the Nusa Tenggara Archipelago for diving and snorkelling experiences, which are amongst the world’s most biologically diverse and acclaimed underwater sites. Enjoy the onboard perks of a private chef, waitstaff, PADI-certified instructor, and luxury accommodations. aman.com
4. LOCAL FLAVOUR
Pelegrini is a Michelin-starred fine dining establishment in the Croatian city of Šibenik. The ever-changing menu presents the Dalmatian way of life, and you can now take this culinary experience on a scenic sojourn of the Croatian coast. Rent a Pelegrini boat with a Michelinstar chef as your skipper who will guide you through the sights of Šibenik’s archipelago. After a
