We’ll explore a different destination for each Book Club, and a lucky Silver Travel Book Club reader can win a free copy of that month’s book.
Note: This prize draw is now closed.
This month the Silver Travel Book Club, proudly sponsored by AE Expeditions, is reading South: The Endurance Expedition by Sir Ernest Shackleton.
South: The Endurance Expedition by Sir Ernest Shackleton is the factual blow-by-blow narrative of the ill-fated polar expedition of the Endurance from the mouth of the Captain, Sir Ernest Shackleton, himself.
The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition was perhaps the most ambitious, elaborate and confident of all the British attempts to master the South Pole. Like the others it ended in disaster, with the Endurance first trapped and then crushed to pieces in the ice and its crew trapped in the Antarctic, seemingly doomed to a slow and horrible death. In the face of extraordinary odds, Shackleton, the expedition’s leader, decided on the only course that might just save them: a 700 nautical mile voyage in a small boat across the ferocious Southern Ocean in the forlorn hope of reaching the only human habitation within range: a small whaling station on the rugged, ice-sheeted island of South Georgia.
Part adventure tale, part story of survival, the British explorer’s detailed journal is one of the most gripping tales of heroism and survival in the face of almost certain death to have ever been told.
“In Shackleton’s Footsteps” with AE Expeditions
Follow in the footsteps of ‘the Boss’ on this quintessential 20 day polar voyage, from the serene ice of the deep south to the subantarctic wildlife paradise of South Georgia. Experience the Antarctic Peninsula and set foot on the continent before making your way north to the spectacular Antarctic Sound, gateway to the Weddell Sea. Embrace the adventure as you voyage further east, navigating as far as possible into the Weddell Sea, where Shackleton’s Endurance met its fate. From here set a course to Elephant Island, the desolate outpost where Shackleton and his men finally made landfall after 497 days at sea.
On the final leg of your voyage, follow the course of the James Caird across the Scotia Sea to South Georgia, where Shackleton’s voyage reached its remarkable conclusion. As you retrace the steps of this historic voyage, your expert expedition team will be by your side to enrich your journey with insights, wildlife-spotting tips and stories of Shackleton’s epic adventure.
To find out more, call our Silver Travel Advisors on 0800 412 5678.
How to win a copy of
South: The Endurance Expedition by Sir Ernest Shackleton
South tells the story of an astonishing expedition. Comment below to tell us about an expedition cruise you have enjoyed or are keen to experience. The best entry will win a copy of this book.
A winner will be chosen at random in early February 2024.
The competition closes on 31 January 2024.
Read more about all our Silver Travel Book Club reads.
26 Responses
I haven’t done an expedition cruise but would love to try one.
Would love to cruise from Clhile to Argentina
Hurtigruten round britain: “remote islands and diverse coastlines” was fascinating and a zodiac landing on St Kilda was a real treat.
Somewhere different
Shackleton is one of my heroes – Elephant Island is such a bleak place. How those men survived there for so long is nothing short of a miracle. I was mesmerised by the wonders of the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. There was so much to take in on my trip, being up close to the wonders of this earth, from having a penguin stand on my foot, to observe glaciers slowly slipping into the sea and visiting the whaling stations where men endured a hard life. On the Falkland Islands I met an old man who was one of the last to work at a whaling station as a young man. I would love to go back!
It would be amazing to experience a polar voyage and see South Georgia, Elephant Island, the Antartic wildlife with Emperor penguins – those majestic giants on the ice, and the various types of whales at sea. Following in Shackleton’s footsteps this would be a great trip, and a super book to read.
My only cruise was 5 days on the Yangtze River – beautiful scenery, loads of stop off places en route, jolly times spent on the boat!
Would love to explore the regions in Alaska to see the beautiful scenery and of course the wildlife.
This would be a dream of mine with my husband
A really good read by the info you have given
Earlier this year I was lucky enough to go on a cruise from BA, Argentina. We went down to the Cape, and then on towards Antarctica. We were very fortunate with the crossing both ways, as it was very calm, and although not warm, with decent clothing on, we could go out on deck.
We did not get off the ship, like some of the very expensive expedition cruises. But we did still manage to awe at the sight of Antarctica and Elephant Island.
I have visited the arctic so it would be interesting to learn about the Antarctic since I know there are systems in place to ensure visitors create as little disturbance as possible in this wild region. Also Shackleton is one of my heroes from history.
I would love to one day do the Hurtegruten cruise to Svalbard – I’ve watched the webinar about it and am in awe. I love their eco credentials and educational aspect too.
We are looking forward to seeing the Fjords this Summer. I have always wanted to see them since Geography lessons in school 60 years ago. I do not think we will be disappointed,
A river cruise on a smaller boat would be my ideal and I would love to just close my eyes to pick the region to go as I have never been on a cruise.
Antarctica is where I would like to visit
Antarctica has a lot to teach us about how Mother Nature works on our home planet.
Sir Ernest Shackleton was always a childhood hero and I remember reading this book more years ago than I care to remember. I would love chance to win a copy.
I’ve been to Greenland and the highlight was a midnight boat trip from Ilulissat sailing among the ice bergs. I remember the silence with the occasional thump as part of an iceberg broke off. I’ve never been to Antarctica but would love to go and see the penguins and ice flows and to get a feel of what it must have been like for Shackleton and his men.
Had an amazing trip to the Antarctic with NCL. It sent shivers down my spine to see the beach where Shackleton’s men camped whilst he went off to get help. Absolutely awesome.
Having been to Costa Rica and had a journey on a river boat to an isolated camp, my trip I would be keen to undertake would be to travel the mighty Amazon to see the wildlife and experience the culture of the indigenous peoples.
I am keen to go to the Galapagos Islands and experience wildlife watching not available anywhere else on Earth.
I’ve never done a cruise but have always wanted to do a cruise exploring the Greenland and northern Canada. Seeing the northern lights from a cruise ship would be amazing.
I’m afraid expedition cruising doesn’t appeal to me – far too cold! I’d much rather head for sunny climes.
Would love to try an expedition, haven’t done one yet.
I loved our trip to Alaska followed by a cruise south to Vancouver. We’ve never been south of the equator yet but I’d really fancy the Falkland Islands & South Georgia.
Although I admire the bravery of Sir Ernest Shackleton and other explorers I have no wish to go on an expedition to the Antarctic or Arctic regions so my choice would be a Hurtigruten Expedition (now known as HX) – one of their Southern Caribbean/Central America Expeditions, which appeal to me far more than a cruise to cold waters.
I’d like to see what really lies beneath Antarctica and beyond the ice wall as long as I don’t disappear into a ‘portal!’ There is much activity and information emerging from this region.
Comments are closed.