Explore New Surroundings
Explore the whole world with Ponant Cruises. It goes without saying that you need to travel, and a long way at that… But, most importantly, you need to get off the beaten track. There is still a whole host of remote destinations that provide curious travelers with the chance to rediscover their inner adventurer. And there are so many desert islands all over the world that evoke the spirit of Robinson Crusoe thanks to their remote locations and protected wildernesses. Visiting these places at the ends of the Earth is not just a journey but an experience.
You can head to the actual end of the Earth: Patagonia. Located between Chile and Argentina, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field (Campo de Hielo) is the largest continental ice mass in the world after Antarctica and Greenland. It has produced 49 glaciers and offers visitors the chance to go ice trekking, the peacefulness of which soothes the soul. The sun and ice seem to interact with each other. Consisting of white beech trees (‘lengas’) and steppe, the tenacious flora blends harmoniously with the steep peaks and predominately white colour scheme. Crossing this field is both a spiritual and physical experience, and you’ll return having earnt your “white walker” stripes.
Explore Preikestolen
A different hemisphere provides different feelings. The life of an adventurer at the ends of the Earth does not have to involve the idyllic landscapes of the southern hemisphere. It can be experienced just as well at an altitude of 604 metres on Preikestolen, in Norway. In English, the name of this cliff overlooking the Lysefjord means “Pulpit Rock” or “Preacher’s Chair” after the raised part of the church from which priests preach to the congregation. That says it all. Climbing this iconic rock is an adventure in itself: from the summit, unspoilt, powerful nature reveals 10,000 years of history, as this natural hideout was formed during the last Ice Age.
Five hours from Glasgow, where Loch Moidart meets the Atlantic Ocean, you can enjoy Highland spirit at its purest in the splendour of untouched ancestral Scotland. At 5 km², the island is home to mountains that peak at nearly 300 m and dense forests filled with frolicking deer, otters and squirrels. Well-hidden on the western shore, a white sand beach bathed by the turquoise water of the ocean is the realm of a small band of seals. The island offers what you might call a “spiritual detox” where powerful, generous nature reigns supreme.
