New Year in Antarctica: Swan Hellenic In-Depth Expedition [12 Days 11 Nights] (2026)

The DeWonder Travel team ventures deep into Antarctica's icy realm to explore this magnificent yet fragile ecosystem. Our itinerary not only covers Antarctica's most popular sights, but has also specially invited Chris Leung as a travelling guest to share his knowledge of ecology and biology. Along the way, by observing a variety of wildlife such as penguins, seals and whales, we gain a deeper understanding of the roles these species play within the ecosystem, appreciate their importance, and examine the threats that climate change poses to Antarctica's unique ecological environment and biodiversity.

Chris Leung is a travel programme host and producer who has helmed numerous ecology-focused travel programmes over the years, including ViuTV's "Trek" series and J2's "Backpacking" series. With rich knowledge of ecology and extensive experience in wildlife observation, he holds an undergraduate degree from Princeton University in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. He has interned at wildlife reserves on the East African savannah, watched whales up close within the Arctic Circle, camped on Alaskan glaciers, trekked through the Amazon rainforest at night, observed Komodo dragons in Indonesia, sought giant tortoises and hammerhead sharks on the "evolution islands" of the Galápagos, and tracked anteaters across the South American grasslands. Living by the spirit of "the world is vast, it would be a waste not to see it," he earned his "Divemaster" qualification in 2018, and in 2020-2021 delivered two rounds of eight academic-themed online zoology lectures. In 2019 and 2023 he published two written works respectively: "And So, I Backpacked the Earth." and "Once Again, Roaming the Earth." Better a safari than a Ferrari, better a tank-toting dive than free-flow drinks—the natural world is what truly reigns supreme.

Swan Hellenic broke new ground as the pioneer of cultural cruise expeditions. In the 1950s, it toured Greece alongside renowned scholars—an innovative and groundbreaking journey that proved a great success, leading to the development of many more routes thereafter. Swan Hellenic's journeys are bold and fascinating, its onboard lectures distinctive, and its settings refined and comfortable, earning it a growing reputation across the industry. For over seventy years, it has continued with unwavering passion, artfully blending geographical exploration, cultural discovery and scientific enquiry to inspire every guest.

Set sail with Swan Hellenic to remote and singular destinations, accompanied throughout by onboard lecturers who are each leaders in their respective fields with profound expertise—historians and naturalists, as well as meteorologists and ornithologists—for an unrivalled travel experience. These experts are also warm and approachable: you can exchange ideas over dinner, share a coffee together at dawn, or attend their lectures to hear their captivating insights. The expedition team's unique perspectives are sure to make the journey all the more enriching and memorable.

Buenos Aires → Ushuaia → Drake Passage → Antarctic Peninsula → Drake Passage → Buenos Aires → Ushuaia