Costa Rica - Natures Paradise (Uncle Bucks Travel Tips and tricks Book 3)

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It gives you enough information to plan your own tour. If you choose to do one of the package tours, use this guide to do your own additional sightseeing, shopping, eating and recreation activities, while taking advantage of the group hotel rates and transportation that are possible with such tours. The well developed tourist industry caters to a wide range of physical competence for all ages - from mild exertion on jungle walks and hot air ballooning to adrenaline packed activities like sky-diving, zip-lining, and river rafting.

The variations in topography and culture in Costa Rica require some pre-travel preparation, but Costa Rica visitors will settle into vacation mode with great ease. They can be reached through tour packages either on a fly and drive stay, or a package which provides complete transportation between hotel destinations at the major sites. The moderate overall cost and exotic venues described here make a trip to Costa Rica well worth your attention, and your visit will be much easier and much more affordable with this guide.

Trip preparation details are itemized in the following pages, profusely illustrated with color photographs so that you can easily identify all listed attractions. A well-planned trip to Costa Rica will leave you feeling that you have taken a much longer vacation, and have got the most value for your money.

Read more Read less. Kindle Edition File Size: Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a product review. Get to Know Us. Not Enabled Word Wise: However, with this trip all the guesswork is taken out of the equation! Just show up and everything is taken care of!! Sit back, relax and enjoy! The natural beauty, wildlife and preservation of the area was the most memorable. So were the wonderful crew, staff and the super knowledgeable naturalists! The most memorable parts were bear viewing at Silver Salmon Creek Lodge, flight seeing over Denali, the vastness, solitude, wilderness and beauty of Denali National Park, the unspoiled nature of the Inside Passage, and skipping all the touristy ports that the larger ships stop at.

The guides and naturalists at all 3 of our destinations were top notch. They knew the area, the wildlife, they were concerned for the safety of their guests as well as the wildlife. Everyone was concerned with preserving the wilderness and the wildlife for future generations. Phoenixville, PA Jul Our 6th trip to Southeast Alaska and each one was different. The most memorable part was being able to share the magnificent scenery and magical wildlife encounters with our family. We sighted 9 bears on our Glacier Bay day and had 7 different Orca encounters, including a couple where they swam right under the ship.

Zodiac tours through ice choked fjords and forest walks among incredibly green moss draped trees, combined with exploration of the inter tidal zones allowed us to have a totally immersive experience of everything that is so special about Southeast Alaska. As I mentioned this was our 6th trip, and yet we were able to visit 3 areas that we had not had the opportunity to visit before.

The staff from the Captain to the stewards were very friendly and incredibly attentive. The naturalist staff was fantastic with a broad set of expertise that was enthusiastically shared with the guests. The expedition leader, Stephanie Martin, was amazing! Her knowledge and experience opened us to new destinations and the off ship activities were diverse and timed perfectly. Expedition Ship Ocean Adventurer charter. Mississauga, Canada Jun We would absolutely recommend this adventure to anyone.

The most memorable parts were wildlife, polar bears, glaciers, icebergs, hikes, kayaking and so many other adventures. The landscape is stunning. The service was exceptional. We thoroughly enjoyed the presentations and clinics. ExpeditionTrips answered all questions promptly and hammered out all details prior to arrival. Exploring the different islands was most memorable with guides that were wonderful—patient and knowledgeable. Cambridge, New Zealand May Some fantastic experiences involving bear, birds and marine mammals especially the bear on the last night while out walking on shore.

Being on the water in the zodiacs watching the glaciers calving—the water amplifies the experience dramatically. Hearing it, feeling the wave from the impact, hearing the popping of thousands of year old air escaping the ice. Really enjoyed being alongside the naturalists on excursions.

Lovely people with great knowledge and a great, casual way of conferring information. Prompt responses from Marybeth and thorough details provided by the whole ExpeditionTrips team. Excellent service from top to bottom. Seeing the geography and the stark contrast from the world we know, and learning more about how and why what happens here affects the rest of the globe was fascinating. We received so much valuable information from Expedition Trips.

Others on our trip booked through different, but very reputable travel sites, and we felt we were prepared better than anyone else. This was a very active trip—lots of snorkeling, walks, kayaking, etc. The staff and the guides were excellent. The guides were very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the trip.

Everyone went out of their way to make our trip special. Excellent communication from ExpeditionTrips with us throughout the entire process. If we called, you were always kind, professional, and reliable. We had an opportunity to visit cultures unlike any we've interacted with.

The hosts on each island were so accommodating and friendly. The snorkeling was excellent with clear, warm waters to explore and the beaches were divine. The staff was excellent at their specialty areas nature, birds, history, etc. ExpeditionTrips left no stone unturned, and all of my questions were answered accurately and in a timely manner.

The documents were thoroughly prepared and covered all aspects of the trip. One of the numerous highlights of this trip was interacting with the local fishermen as they plied their trade on the river. They enjoyed talking to us and displaying their catches. We marveled at the variety and color of species they caught. The crew took the time to get to know each and everyone one of us, and calling us by our first names made us feel right at home.

All three naturalist guides were extremely knowledgeable. Juan was truly a character, and kept us in stitches with his unique humor. Powder Springs, GA May The most memorable moments were the mating rituals and coloring of the red-footed boobies, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and frigate birds; and snorkeling with hammerhead sharks, penguins, and sea lions. ExpeditionTrips' info package on the tour was so complete, just about every question you could ask had already been included.

Your air department was excellent. They booked exactly what we wanted very efficiently. I recently traveled to the Galapagos with you and that cinched me on travel with your company. Any time anyone asks about good tour companies, you are the one I mention first. We love nature and we've found the perfect company to help us get close to it and learn all about it.

Excellent - Five Plus stars. We loved all the hotels we stayed at. The canals on the Caribbean side, the birds, monkeys, especially howler monkeys. Our guide and driver were both amazing - very knowledgeable, fun, personable, and always there to help us. The farm we visited was great! Expedition Ship Galapagos Legend.

The wildlife was amazing! The staff and guides were excellent. Everyone was more than helpful and seemed to love their jobs. ExpeditionTrips was very helpful in guiding us to the best cruise for our family and answering all of our questions. The intimate interaction with nature this allows. Perfect time of year, everything was mating, nesting or raising their young. They don't dress in costume, those are the clothing traditions of the people who live on the land.

Produce market - Urubama was an unscheduled visit recommended by our driver! Enigma driver and especially guide were amazing!!! All staff and guides were excellent. Naturalist were especially wonderful! Everyone of them was so knowledgeable and so personable. Loved having the photographer on board too. The whole experience was amazing but swimming with the sea lions was a dream come true! If you are in Quito for the day get a guide All of the staff were very professional.

The guides had a vast breadth of knowledge and made the whole trip more interesting. Their energy and enthusiasm were contagious. Each island is a unique experience Everyone was friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, and passionate about their work. Adding the two days in Mashpi was awesome. ExpeditionTrips' Olivia and Sarah were responsive, informative, and helpful at all times.

I would recommend them to anyone!!! The scenery and activities were wonderful. Great snorkeling and swimming. The level of expertise form all staff was wonderful. People were eager to make you comfortable at all costs. Phoenixville, PA Mar There are few wildlife experiences that can top a mother and baby gray whale seeking out a small panga [boat] to look at you eye-to-eye while being touched.

On this photo expedition we opted for multiple pre-dawn excursions to capture amazing sunrises and the golden light on some of the most dramatic landscapes on the planet. The expedition leader for this trip, John Mitchell, did an incredible job planning the expedition. We visited multiple islands with landings that were not destinations on any of our previous trips. As with every one of the Lindblad trips we have been on, the naturalists on staff are top notch.

The crew was excellent as well, taking care of all our needs. Beyond the trip of a lifetime! All of the staff of the ship were so friendly. Everything was truly coordinated and planned out that you did not have to worry about anything but enjoying the trip. Naturalist was warm, patient, and gave constant education and passion for the Galapagos. Isle of Palms, SC Feb The sites were amazing. We learned so much. Liked the small boat and attention to detail by the crew. Expedition Ship Ocean Endeavour.

You must experience this untouched continent. My first footstep onto the Peninsula brought tears to my eyes. The seals, whales, and especially penguins were plentiful and their sense of freedom brought such joy to me. One fact that surprised me is through the Antarctica Treaty, only tourist are allowed on the continent at one time.

Staff and guides were excellent!!! First of all, your expedition team is way more than you'd ever expect. For the passengers aboard, there are about 23 [staff and guides] who give you the experience of a lifetime. They educate you through interesting lectures and even have a yoga instructor on their team. You always have someone around on the ship to help you, and they are the kindest people you will ever meet.

At ExpeditionTrips, Olivia Zimmerman was off the charts with her dedication to making our trip perfect. She helped make the trip a complete success and was always there to help assist us in every way. Sarah, who made sure our info was complete, was excellent also. Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Feb Postcard scenery every time I looked around. Wonderful, laid-back staff who honestly enjoy their jobs and want you to have the most amazing trip of a lifetime.

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Victoria, BC, Canada Feb Flying over the Drake was a good thing to do. It gave us more time in the Antarctic. Going South of the Polar Circle was also fabulous and few cruises do that. The scenery was unique. The hotel staff and food on board were great. The kayaking was fabulous. Scenic Exploration Vessel Fram. The trip was fantastic! I am very impressed by the high quality of the expedition team. The members were very professional and shared lots of experience and knowledge with us. My friends and I are from Hong Kong and this was our first visit to Antarctica. The expedition coordinator and leader answered all of our questions with patience.

Expedition Ship Island Sky. The most memorable parts of this expedition were taking the Zodiacs and seeing the wildlife. The level of service could not have been better. Expedition Ship Ocean Adventurer. Our trip was absolutely incredible. We feel very lucky to have had such an amazing experience.

Words can't describe how beautiful it is down there! It's hard to pinpoint a highlight because it was all unlike anything we had done before. I think seeing icebergs, watching the curious Gentoo penguins running around, spotting 4 or 5 species of whales, and just having a completely different adventure every day were all highlights. The Quark team did such a great job, we couldn't have asked for a better crew. They were so knowledgeable and friendly, and made sure we all had the best possible experience. ExpeditionTrips sent quick responses and offered the best deal for us!

The whole process felt very personalised. Thanks again for helping us book a life changing experience! The expedition staff were amazing. They shared their knowledge, making our trip a much richer experience. We had some incredibly close interactions with humpback whales while we were in our zodiacs that were amazing and unforgettable. Also, in mid-to-late February, the penguin chicks were old enough to be left alone by their parents. They were extremely curious and interactive. Nearly everyone who wanted an up-close and personal experience got a visit from a chick who wanted to peck at their pants, backpack or trekking pole!

All done within the rules to ensure the safety of chicks and guests! There were always people on the outside decks of the ship taking pictures, scouting for wildlife, and sharing their experiences. The atmosphere on the ship was excellent and there was a good mix of ages, friends, family, abilities, and fitness levels. Everyone had a good attitude and was interested in meeting other passengers and learning from each other. We made several new friends from far-flung countries. The Quark Expedition staff was simply amazing. They were energetic, friendly, fun, and knowledgeable.

They were constantly available to interact, answer questions, share experiences, and have a drink. During the excursions, I always learned a lot, had fun, and felt safe. They made the extra effort to eat meals with the guests and share their exciting experiences. Planning through ExpeditionTrips was very easy.

All of my questions were answered promptly and fully. The provided materials were comprehensive and very helpful. The entire trip was amazing. I specifically enjoyed Antarctica's wildlife and beautiful scenery, the outstanding service and professionalism of the staff, and their willingness to assist in making my expedition a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

All necessary information was provided by ExpeditionTrips in a timely manner: Thank you so much for your exceptional service and support during the entire journey. It was a peak vacation; a life-altering combination of learning and activity, hiking and snorkeling with impassioned and knowledgeable naturalists, on a well-designed ship with a crack crew and a kitchen intent on presenting local cuisines.

It was also wonderful to escape civilization and see evolution in action on islands isolated from plastic, urban noise, and the internet. We were mostly alone with the flora and fauna. Top notch all around. The naturalists were dedicated, often witty, teachers who taught us a lot. This was by far the best cruise we've ever taken. It's hard to imagine a better vacation.

Research Ship Spirit of Enderby. This trip is for those who desire to see the real Antarctica, as close to the South Pole by hundreds of miles as you can get by sea, in the most pristine water in the world. For spectacular history, close-up encounters with wildlife that could care less whether or not you're there, and being the only 50 people within miles around you, there's no place else you can possibly go. So what if it's a month at sea without news or internet?

Great food, wonderful mates. The staff was excellent. There were many lectures on history and Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic animal life. On our trip we needed strong experienced sailors to help us on and off our Zodiacs. The Russian staff was great. We did some outstanding hikes especially in the Sub-Antarctic Islands and never saw any other people other than at Macquarie Island, which had a few visitors.

Food was varied and very good. There were also great parties. There were many amazing things about this trip but seeing the Ross Ice Shelf is otherworldly and gives you a sense of the greatness of our planet. My top days were probably when we got up-close and personal with Emperor penguins, and the day we saw Emperor penguins and at least twenty-five Orcas swimming in the ice cracks and along the ice edge.

I also watched albatrosses and their mating rituals. The service onboard was excellent. The guides were excellent; interesting, funny, good-natured, and kept us informed and entertained. The staff was always thinking of us and helping us in a variety of ways.

I have never been treated better by a kitchen staff on any of my numerous trips over the past 25 years. The whole experience was well thought out, well-structured, and organized. The leader cared greatly about us getting to see things, our health, and our safety -- and it showed.

Having lectures and fun quizzes about what we were seeing all contributed to the experience. The trip was great! And the sand dollars on Sand Dollar Beach were wonderful! We had several families on board and the crew did its best to see that everyone had a great time. Everything was planned perfectly. There was no confusion from baggage claim to customs to changing luggage from plane to boat. The level of service from the staff and guides was outstanding. This is the fourth cruise I've been on and by far the best. We landed on Deception Island. I actually set foot on the continent of Antarctica.

Planning through ExpeditionTrips was excellent. I had to do very little myself except make arrangements to get there. I appreciated that this trip was eco-friendly and the staff focused on environmental protection.

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Staff and guides were professional and ExpeditionTrips was very good with fast responses. Kfar Saba, Israel Feb Landing ashore, exploring, and seeing whales were all memorable parts of my trip. The guides, in general, were professionals devoted to their mission. The staff on the boat including the kitchen and dining room personnel were the very best I've experienced. The organization on the whole was really great. Above what I expected. The crew were very knowledgeable and helpful with a good sense of humor. The most memorable part was seeing all the animals and marine life.

Terrific naturalists, photographers, officers, and crew. Wonderful accommodations and food. The trip of a lifetime -- it fulfilled all bucket-list expectations! The ExpeditionTrips staff was very knowledgeable, extremely helpful when last-minute changes were necessary, and always available to answer questions or provide advice.

The most memorable parts were the knowledge and passion of the naturalists; the incredible animals and beauty of these islands, and being on a boat for a week. The service provided by everyone was excellent, friendly, and professional. Amazing having the naturalists on board, walking with the penguins, the lectures, witnessing small avalanches, and watching the ship cut through the ice.

The level of service that the staff and naturalist guides delivered during the trip was excellent - beyond compare to any other cruise I've been on. Trip planning with ExpeditionTrips is mindless for the consumer. Everything was organized, timely, and easy to navigate. Scenic Exploration Vessel Midnatsol. The most memorable parts of our trip were getting so close to the whales and penguins, and sailing past giant icebergs.

All the staff were amazing. My favorites were Dom, the photographer, and Sam, the marine biologist. Olivia at ExpeditionTrips was awesome; efficient and very fast to respond. Manila, Philippines Jan The most memorable parts of my trip were seeing glaciers, icebergs, penguins, and kayaking. Service from the staff and guides was very good. My experience with my Expedition Specialist and Travel Coordinator was excellent. Expedition Ship Ocean Diamond.

Especially enjoyed Antarctic Peninsula Some unforgettable encounters with humpback whales while we were in the Zodiacs. Ship crew and staff were outstanding--very hardworking, efficient, and always good-natured. Guides were enthusiastic and well grounded in their topics-- Justine historian , Dany whales , Jean, Annie, and Kit were especially capable. Ben the guest service coordinator was very good as well.

Enjoyed all their presentations. Averill Park, NY Jan Everything about this trip exceeded our expectations. The animals, the animals, the animals! It was a privilege to walk among them. Also, a pretty small group of like minded travelers provided for great table talk, shared experiences, and new friendships - some that will last a lifetime.

I would not trade a day of it, even those just at sea. Don't miss South Georgia Island!!! We have no idea how they did it, but the staff of Hebridean Sky was first rate in every way. Superb food and service. The staff has been trained to give personal service and many of them took time to learn our names and preferences.

Every one of them blew us away.

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Ecublens, Switzerland Jan ALL landings and zodiac cruises were exceptional: Especially impressed by the giant king penguins and black browed albatross colonies on South Georgia Island. Expedition Ship Island Sky charter. All of our many questions were answered promptly by ExpeditionTrips. As a third person joining two others on the expedition months after they signed up, you worked quickly to get me on the same tour. Two Zodiac cruises stand out. The first was a Zodiac cruise through icebergs of all shapes and sizes. Many had seals or penguins resting on them.

The ice was an incredible blue. The second most memorable part was another Zodiac cruise at dusk to see Humpback whales feeding on krill. They were tumbling through the water and showing us their tails. During that expedition, the cruise director, and several of the crew met us out in the bay with their own Zodiac outfitted with hot chocolate and optional Baileys.

The level of service was superb. The crew on the ship was so eager to please and make us feel welcome. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. We enjoyed touring with them in the Zodiacs, having meals with them, and attending their lectures. Can't believe how accomplished they all were. We felt privileged to be in their company.

Jennifer and Sarah were responsive, knowledgeable and professional. Jennifer was able to assist in weeding through all the expedition companies and routes to provide what we were looking for. She also had kayaked in Antarctica and had recommended it — so glad we did. Highlight of the trip. And their patience and quick response to our myriad of questions.

Very thankful for their help. From incredible scenery with snow capped mountains, a menagerie of icebergs of immense proportions and shapes; Minke whales checking us out in the zodiacs as we checked them out, kayaking as penguins porpoised by us, the tranquility; humpback whales diving under our kayaks as gentle giants and appearing on the other side; the ship's crew and it's captain Oleg; incredible meals and waitstaff; expedition staff: Kayaking guides were professional and experienced.

Getting us on the water whenever safely possible. We were fortunate to have 2 penguinologists on our expedition, Tom and Al; also experts on mammals who did research in the "off season" and taught us about whales and seals; an ornithologist, Lilianna who answered all our questions and taught us so much about the penguin behavior plus the giant petrals, skua and even the tiny pippit.

Huntington Beach, CA Jan It was a special addition to the Antarctic Peninsula. I would hate to have missed them. Everyone should make the effort to include them. I was very impressed at the level of experience and knowledge our guides shared. Extensive documentation provided online.

Abby and Sarah promptly responded to every question I had. Prince Albert, CA Jan Everything was so good. The expedition specialists were absolutely fantastic. Very knowledgeable, friendly, humorous, and kind! I like that is they sat down with us at lunch, etc. They enjoyed the trip as much as we did! I am just so excited to tell people about this trip! And I loved everyone who worked before with me and during. You people all deserve medals!! Guides were the best! The level of service was a 10 plus The trip was amazing.

The ship exceeded our expectations for accommodations, comfort, food, etc. The ship and expedition staff all went above and beyond to satisfy any needs. ExpeditionTrips listened to our specific needs and suggested the ship and itinerary that was perfect for us. Exposure to wildlife exceeded my imagination. Whether I was viewing whales around the ship, encountering penguins by the thousands after a landing, coming upon a seal lounging upon the ice or hiking to nesting seabirds, the intimacy of contact was surreal.

The staff was incredible as were the guides. Some of the best service and experience I've received. The staff was always on top of the guests needs and the guides were so thrilled and energetic.

I travel a lot and this was the best expedition I have ever done. The staff and naturalist guides and incredibly well organized and dedicated to customer service. The planning assistance was quick and accurate. We were on the Antarctic peninsula for four days and went kayaking for one outing each of the days. I would highly recommend kayaking to anyone considering going onboard the Ortelius. Out of passengers or so, only 14 of us were kayakers and we readily "bonded" with our daily activity.

Chris, thank you for finding a trip that had the "right level of activity" for a guy like me. I'm not yet ready to just cruise on a Zodiac all day and make a few landings. I wanted to do more, and the kayaking and camping were the perfect compliment. Rosebery, Australia Jan The most memorable parts of this expedition were the penguins, the glaciers, icebergs and the comforts on the ship. I was daunted by the number of options that were available for this destination—when to go, what ship to choose, how small the ship should be etc. Abby painstakingly explained about the various options which made this process relatively easy for me.

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Once I had decided on the ship, there were still many questions which I had and Abby was very prompt and thorough in replying to my hundreds of emails. The most memorable parts of this expedition were the stunning landscapes, the peace and tranquility, kayaking, the thrill of being surprised by a humpback whale as it surfaced right next to us, long chats and camaraderie with all the interesting and friendly people on the voyage, and the great guides with their fascinating lectures and stories.

Olivia exceeded my expectations in terms of customer service. Even though I booked late, she secured me a highly sought after kayaking spot, and even got me a discount on the trip. She explained everything that was needed and provided tons of interesting and useful information through the Dropbox account. Before and after the trip, Olivia kept checking in at appropriate moments to ensure everything was on track. Olivia's highly personalized, enthusiastic, professional, and friendly approach made me feel like she was with me every step of the way.

I chose this trip because I wanted to see half a million penguins on South Georgia Island. One really could not believe the sight. But what really surprised me was the beauty of the landscape once we reached the Antarctic Peninsula. They say, "Your first trip to Antarctica is to see the penguins; the second trip is for the ice. I had high expectations. I had waited years for the opportunity to go to the 7th continent, done my research and was prepared for a trip of a lifetime.

My expectations were exceeded in every way. The scenery and wildlife were more amazing in person than anything I had seen in pictures. I have traveled on other expedition ships and the Ocean Diamond was the best to date. I don't think you could find a finer Expedition Team starting with the Team Leader, the guides and support staff. Many of the Expedition Guides held PhD's, were research scientists, authors and adventure specialists. The Falkland Islands and South Georgia were such a fantastic surprise. The wildlife viewing was phenomenal in both places, and the islands are so beautiful.

Anyone going to Antarctica without visiting these other gems would be missing out on a huge opportunity. This trip lived up to my very high expectations. All of the ship's crew provided excellent service. The naturalist guides really make it a special trip. They share their knowledge with you both in lectures and while you are out cruising in the zodiacs.

It was a super experience but also very educational in a fun way. The scenery, wildlife, and landings were beyond what we could have imagined. I am so happy we chose to do the full itinerary of South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and Antarctica, rather than the shorter Antarctica-only itinerary.

Also, going in late January to early February was perfect as we saw so many young penguin chicks and cute fur seal pups. Our ship, Le Soleal , was the highest level of service and food we have ever experienced at sea -- true luxury. The expedition team went above and beyond to make our days wonderful, over and over. Trip planning was handled wonderfully by ExpeditionTrips. Dalkey, Dublin, Ireland Jan Most memorable was the sea kayaking program. It made a huge difference to have nine amazing two-hour outings close to the water, ice floes, seals, and penguins -- really unique, serene, and memorable.

The staff and guides were great; very interesting lectures, always available on deck to explain a sighting or anything to you, very knowledgeable. Jennifer Santoyo was enthusiastic about the trip, and very interactive in looking at options and following up with me. Her professional support exceeded my expectations. I finally committed to taking my voyage of a lifetime! I would spend hours on deck just staring at the incredible landscapes. Prepare for frequent changes to the schedule due to weather and ice conditions, and don't get frustrated by them -- it's all part of the experience.

Incredible and plentiful food -- way better than I was expecting. Five-star service from the crew and staff made for a memorable trip. Our comfort and safety could not have been looked after better, whether on-board or on excursions.

I appreciated the little touches like hot chocolate after excursions and chocolates on pillows. ExpeditionTrips kept us informed every step of the way up to departure, and were responsive to any questions. The scenery is so unlike anything else you will ever see anywhere in the world. You spend two days only seeing water and then you wake up and see icebergs. The trip exceeded my expectations and I feel an incredible sense of accomplishment.

If you can only go on one "expedition" in your life, this is it. The Island Sky sets the stage. The staff onboard were amazing. They learned our individual names within a day.

They cleaned our rooms twice daily. The food and service were amazing. I will try to always find trips on this ship, especially with Zegrahm. I cannot say enough about the trip, the staff, the experts, the ship, the whole experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Olivia remembered everything we discussed. She researched options to meet the list of things I desired to accomplish. She excels at her job.

The huts from which Scott and Shackleton launched their expeditions were amazing. Also, the quiet, the colors of the ice floes on the breathing sea, the number of animals going about their business, such as blue whales, Emperors penguins, thousands of Adelies, King penguins, and petrels. So for me, the most memorable parts of the trip are: The staff and guides were spectacular. I think we had four PhDs on the staff. Regardless of formal education, the staff was passionate about their various subjects. Lisle and Sarah were clearly in love with the birds, and their enthusiasm was contagious.

Olga knew so much about the marine mammals. And between Rodney and Captain Dmitri, we had about a century of experience in those waters. Stephen Hicks brought an incredible amount of historical knowledge to our group. Let's not forget the chefs, who managed to serve rack of lamb and birthday cakes when the ship was enjoying a 30 degree roll. The other passengers were wonderful: To see Mount Erebus with no clouds, to experience several penguin breeding colonies, to walk on an iceberg, and to stand in Scott's hut I guess I now have to figure out how to participate in a Mars mission, because I don't know if this trip can be topped on Earth.

This trip should not be missed. I feel ExpeditionTrips went above and beyond, which was noted by the details. Apparently I had mentioned that my birthday fell during the trip, because a lovely bottle of wine appeared in my room with a card. That was much appreciated. Swimming with sea lions - or they with us - had to be the most memorable moment for me. Very often when we snorkeled, we'd be joined by one or more playful sea lions. All of the creatures were wonderful, the islands beautiful, and the entire cruise ran like a well-oiled machine.

The level of service went beyond any expectations I could have had. The staff was knowledgeable, passionate, interesting, and professional. Overall, the trip was outstanding. The up-close and personal adventures with nature were unforgettable. Our naturalists were very knowledgeable, and the accommodations were terrific.

We loved that our boat of twenty had eight students, ages 17 to The level of service was top notch. The food was excellent, the cabins were cleaned to perfection, and the hospitality was outstanding. Of course a trip to Antarctica is going to be, literally, wondrous.

But what made it really special was the expedition staff. Every last one of them was great -- knowledgeable, personable, and fun. I had not known about Zegrahm at all -- never heard of them. When I told Alison Ashton what I was thinking about, she introduced me to them. Furthermore, she did not push them on me. She simply told me about them as another trip to consider. I greatly appreciated that. Broadview Heights, OH Jan The most memorable parts of my trip: Staff and guides were 5-STAR! Super friendly and efficient staff, delicious meals with a wide variety and superb presentation, extremely informative lectures from friendly, mingling guides.

ExpeditionTrips continually assisted us and offered helpful suggestions. The most memorable parts were: More and more humpbacks with every moment, and the bow of the ship filled with explorers, running back and forth from port to starboard and cheering at each new breeching of the whales. The service was excellent—from cabin attendant, to dining room staff to expedition staff. From the welcome as we trooped on board to the parade of the staff after the final dinner.

The expedition staff seemed consistently friendly, and remarkably knowledgeable. The educational component of the trip, whether on the Zodiacs or in the meeting hall, was well beyond expectations. The number of travelers who would show up to a late afternoon lecture, was testament to the quality of the speakers.

Initial discussions with Chris Meyer when I was not yet committed to the trip were friendly and convincing, along with offering several choices and helping me choose the right one for me. Being able to set foot on this remote continent was incredible, and I very much enjoyed the attentive and knowledgeable cast and crew. The naturalists' presentations were informative, entertaining, and a great addition to an already wonderful adventure. I genuinely cannot imagine better service than I received from the staff and naturalists.

They were friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, and fun. The team at ExpeditionTrips made me feel extremely comfortable and well prepared for this unusual journey. In particular, Marybeth C. This was one of the best trips of my life - truly, it could not have been better. Thank you so much! The wildlife was extraordinary! The expeditionary nature of the trip was something that we appreciated.

The captain and expedition leader were flexible and able to make changes based on what was happening around us in real time. We spent two hours watching a pod of Orcas hunt a crab eater seal. The captain kept the ship in position so we could watch the drama as it unfolded.

By the way, the seal got away! We loved the knowledgeable naturalist guides. They were also available to answer questions.

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We appreciated the excellent service on the ship. So amazing to see the glaciers, icebergs, and of course all the penguins! The level of service by the staff was exceptional. The guides were all so well informed and made the trip a wonderful experience. Any questions I had were answered promptly.

I found that the ExpeditionTrips staff returned e-mails in a timely manner, always answering questions posed, and behaved in a very businesslike manner. We would use ExpeditionTrips again for a future trip. The Beluga ship was very clean, well maintained, and had a well trained helpful crew. The openness and vastness of Antartica cannot be described. The small ship meant we had a lot of flexibility to access places and explore as the only people there. It is a trip of a lifetime with unbelievable beauty and wonder.

The service was over the top excellent! Everyone on the ship went out of their way to make us feel welcome and cared for. The ExpeditionTrips team was always responsive - we would definitely plan future trips with them. Cliffside Park, NJ Dec Research Ship Akademik Sergey Vavilov. The surprising part of the trip was seeing tabular icebergs during our days at sea.

I dreaded the long days at sea between landings. In reality, they were just as memorable because of the people and wonderful staff keeping us busy with fun and interesting activities. It was all breathtaking. Many of us on the ship were literally speechless staring out the windows our first few days of the trip. We have seen things that very few of the world's population will ever witness. Pictures and words cannot accurately describe what an amazing, awe inspiring journey it is.

The staff and naturalists were wonderful and very informative. I also appreciated their honesty when they felt they could not academically answer a question properly. My experience with ExpeditionTrips was excellent. In my case, Olivia handled the unusual request of coordinating a book signing onboard for my book. She was very helpful and instrumental in getting the books on board, and with the arduous task of coordinating payment for the books.

The variety and quantity of penguins, seals, whales and birds was astounding. The scenery was absolutely breath taking. The icebergs in their creative shapes and sizes, and the shades of blue were spectacular. The naturalists were all very experienced, friendly and knowledgeable. The whole crew was awesome. The whole trip was absolutely amazing. Logistics were impeccable, the travel was supremely comfortable.

The expedition staff were amazingly knowledgeable and provided a wonderful and fun learning experience. Above and beyond anything I had expected. Service felt very personal, with bar and wait staff getting to know us and our preferences and fulfilling our needs even before we needed to ask for things.

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