Clients’ comments

“Our trip was very well organised from beginning to end. Fiona clearly knows how the ship works and so we had the best holiday experience ever!”
Jenny Kaye-Blake, Crossing the Circle, Antarctica

“The trip was fantastic, we were incredibly lucky with the weather and conditions with calm crossings and sunny skies. A wonderful experience and everything went like clockwork. Thanks for your help in organising this trip of a lifetime.”
Helen Halliday, Antarctica

“Good pre-departure advice from Fiona. Holiday itself was excellent – a superb wildlife and scenic extravaganza. Plancius was a good boat and about the right size. Excellent team on board. Thanks again for your help in organising a wonderful experience. We’ll be living off the memories for a while yet. I would most certainly consider coming to Arcturus/Far Frontiers Travel again.”
Mike and Kathie Killingley, Antarctic Peninsula, Falklands and South Georgia

“I’ve seen the most wonderful aspects of mother nature in the most inhospitable area of the world, also the most heartrending part in the fight for survival in the animal kingdom. The service by Fiona was second to none and I would not have accomplished half of it by doing it myself. Everything I needed was at my fingertips before I left the UK without having to worry that I had forgotten anything.”
Rhona Cox, Crossing the Polar Circle, Antarctic

“I have never travelled abroad on my own, but the years are ticking by, so it was Go, Now. I was surprised to be alone, but the arrangements were so clearly laid out that I decided that this was all part of my ‘pioneering spirit’. The escorts could not have been better, especially at Buenos Aires where I was initially nervous of city life. They took me under their wing, looked out for me, and were always at my side when I needed them. They were just great. And on board the expedition ship, the camaraderie was so terrific that all my earlier worries just evaporated. Thank you Arcturus for my wonderful experience.”
Clare Keast, Antarctica and the Patagonian Coast

“Your arrangements for our recent trip worked well and we had outstanding help from our guide in Buenos Aires.”
James and Shelagh Westwood, Argentina

Excerpt from an email sent to their guide by our clients:
“We should like to thank you for all the hard work and research which you did, particularly on my behalf, to find out all that you discovered about my grandfather, my uncle and my aunt. Your guided tours each day in Buenos Aires were excellent (it must be so difficult to know what to show clients of your fascinating city) and your choices of where to take us and what to show us were perfect. I now have a much clearer picture of my family background and, thanks to you, have learnt so much more about the Cromwell roots. Once again, enormous thanks for all that you did to help to make our visit to Buenos Aires so unforgettable.”
James and Shelagh Westwood, Argentina

“Having arrived back overnight, I was going to email you, but you got there first! It was a wonderful trip. Awasi, in particular, was amazingly good in every respect. I’ll get to the questionnaire in due course, but I did want to say thank you and how much we enjoyed ourselves. I do hope we will get to travel with Arcturus again”.
Andrew and Hilary Reicher, Argentina and Chile

“The whole trip was successful and memorable. I was very pleased with the private guides you arranged who were charming and helpful. The drivers were excellent and all very polite and pleasant. I had the services of the same guide three times in Buenos Aries and she was she was very keen to make sure that I was safe before she left.”
Eileen Turner, Argentina

“We had a fabulous holiday, the scenery and wildlife were fantastic. I think I can now recognise all the different penguin and seal species! The ship and the crew were very good, no problems. Thank you for organising the holiday for us, and I’d have no hesitation in recommending you for any future trips.”
Mr and Mrs Glen Anderson, Antarctic voyage

“The holiday was great and met all my expectations – all the connections worked like clockwork. The cruise was fantastic and we landed on all except the South Orkneys which were ice bound. Food was very good and plenty of it – Iguazu was really good and connections etc worked well – the room was fantastic with Falls view as specified – at the end of the day it was good to relax by the pool and enjoy the Bacardi and coke as you do. Thanks for organising the trip it was one in a lifetime.”
Allen Cooper, The Falklands, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands, Antarctic Peninsula discovery cruise

“As you know, I have waited 60 years for this and the whole Plancius experience on the exact centenary of Scott’s last expedition was just magical. Absolutely brilliant.”
John Sharples, Antarctic Peninsula

“In December 2012 I was able to fulfil my dream of setting foot on Antarctica despite my age (83 and eight months) and disability. Thanks to Fiona’s meticulous planning and the resulting support of guides and the Plancius crew at every step en-route and on the boat, I was able to travel there and back alone, and to enjoy shore landings and zodiac rides. A truly stunning experience. I realise how blessed I was to have so much encouragement and help both from Fiona and the expedition team.”
Dr Grete Gross, Antarctic Peninsula voyage

“It was a fascinating voyage with lasting impressions. The wildlife both on the Falklands and on Antarctica is incredibly rich. The organisation on board the ship was very good. Among the talks given by the scientific crew I enjoyed the witty talks by Robert Headland the most. The familiar atmosphere in the lodges on Sea Lion Island and on Carcass Island was very nice indeed. Last but not least I should like to thank you for the impeccable organisation on your part.”
Mr Hubert Kalf, Epic Antarctica icebreaker voyage

“Most helpful, informative, and friendly service at all stages. Absolutely spectacular trip which exceeded my already high expectations. Brilliant value for money, notwithstanding the high cost. It says it all that I was looking at your brochure for a future trip, as soon as I got back!”
Judith Philip, Antarctic Peninsula

Fiona’s travel tips

TOP TIP: Dress in layers – you will need them.

BEST TIME TO GO: The best time of year to visit the Falkland Islands is during the Austral Summer, particularly between the months of December to February. This is the peak of wildlife activity and, usually, the warmest time of the year.

WHY NOT: Combine your voyage in the South Atlantic with a fabulous trip to Argentina or Chile – we have plenty of suggestions!

DON’T MISS: Camping overnight on the peninsula to experience Antarctic weather close up. It might seem tough at the time but you won’t regret it! Don’t forget to pre-book as it’s popular.

LET US KNOW: If you have a former connection with any of the polar regions we visit by ship. Perhaps you or a relative lived on one of the bases, or were a member of a past expedition? We can offer you the chance to share your experiences, diaries or photographs with others on your voyage. In the past we’ve even got the ship to make unscheduled visits to tie in with such an event.

MUST READ: Endurance by Alfred Lansing