Why Antarctica was the Trip of a Lifetime

Travel and photos of Antarctica by Manfredi Gioacchini

Late 2019, I embarked on my trip to Antarctica with Antarctica21 on board the company’s new vessel Magellan Explorer. The concept of exploration to remote lands has always fascinated me and, while I have traveled to many places around the globe, Antarctica was not one of them. I must admit now, this trip was the most beautiful experience of my life.

My work as a photographer is focused on portraits, human interaction, and documentary film. Antarctica is isolated from the rest of the world and its landscapes are so breathtaking it can seem daunting to try and capture their magnificence. I found the silent and monochromatic environment a perfect subject to challenge myself as an artist. I was very curious to see and capture the continent’s raw beauty – experiencing so many shades of whites and blues in the icebergs and glaciers was fascinating.

I like most travelers brought my digital camera along with my iPhone and took some great photos of Antarctica with both of those tools. However, I also brought along my Hasselblad film camera, the same camera that was used by the first manned mission to the moon. Which is just how the experience felt to me – being in Antarctica was like going to another planet.

Of course, getting there was a bit more comfortable. The quick two-hour flight across the Drake Passage and then boarding my expedition ship right from the Antarctic Peninsula allowed me to really focus on the destination and my photos of Antarctica . The Magellan Explorer was my home for the trip. It is a stylish and cozy boutique experience away that allows you to get away from it all. And as an Italian, I very much appreciated the good amenities and comfortable spaces to relax. This Antarctica trip was an adventure of a lifetime.