What a Trip to Antarctica Looks Like with Antarctica21

When Marie Kubin left her home in Miami, Florida, to travel to Antarctica this February, she had no idea she’d leave the Last Continent with a book idea: a coffee table book titled Hidden Antarctica: A Photo Journey Through Untouched Beauty. As the owner of Rent My Wedding, a nationwide event rental company based in the U.S., and an avid photographer for over 20 years, she had her sights set on cataloging her journey and Antarctica’s landscapes in all their glory.

Photo of a Wedell Seal by Marie Kubin, author of the book Hidden Antarctica: A Photo Journey Through Untouched Beauty.

For their big adventure, Marie and her husband chose the Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise itinerary on Magellan Explorer. They elected to travel with Antarctica21 for many reasons, especially because of the small group size our vessels offer. “Most Antarctica trips tend to be giant cruise ships with hundreds of people,” says Marie. “But not Antarctica21, which I wanted to travel with because of its smaller expedition ships. I love adventure, and being able to really experience a destination was of top importance. Antarctica21 was the perfect fit.”

While Marie and her husband experienced many incredible moments on their journey, one stands out above the rest. “I remember the moment I saw my first penguin,” says Marie. “We were able to do a mainland excursion on the very first day of our trip. The weather turned a bit cold and rainy, so I had my face covered with my hood for the boat ride to shore. Because of this, I didn’t get a good look at the shoreline. But once I set foot on the beach, I looked up and saw my surroundings for the first time. There were hundreds of penguins — everywhere!” Marie recalls this memory as completely surreal and a trip highlight she will never forget.

Photo of a Wedell Seal by Marie Kubin, author of the book Hidden Antarctica: A Photo Journey Through Untouched Beauty.

As an avid adventurer to off-the-beaten-path locations, Antarctica had been on Marie’s bucket list for quite some time. Her trip to Antarctica was so amazing that it inspired her to write a book! The full-color coffee table book Hidden Antarctica: A Photo Journey through Untouched Beauty is available for presale now, featuring over 200 pages of photographs and lively adventure stories. Photos include rarely visited sites in the Weddell Sea, such as a penguin supercolony and the first hut built by explorers in Antarctica. It also features stunning landscapes, adorable wildlife, ice sculptures crafted by nature, and more.

“If you’re thinking about booking a trip to Antarctica, then this book is a great way to see what a trip may look like and decide whether to take the plunge,” says Marie. “Trust me, you’ll want to — Antarctica is truly unlike any other place on Earth!” As for Marie, she believes visiting Antarctica with Antarctica21 was life-changing.

“Traveling on Antarctica21’s small expedition ship was hands-down the best way to go,” says Marie. “It definitely would not have been the same experience on a big cruise ship. I would especially like to thank my expedition leader, Bob Gilmore. He went out of his way to plan an amazing itinerary. Also, every single staff member was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and a lot of fun. I will never forget this trip!”

Interested in learning more about Marie’s journey? Order her book on today!