High above coastal Norway under the midnight sun lies the archipelago of Svalbard, a wilderness region that few Americans know. It's a study in contrasts. An arctic desert, Svalbard gets little rainfall, yet there are 165 species of plants – the loveliest of which bloom during our season there. Although ice covers 60% of Svalbard, the warm North Atlantic Drift makes the waters surprisingly inviting for 350 miles north of the Arctic Circle. And that's good, because the clever disguise some of the fjords use – turquoise water, white sand beaches – trick guests, especially after a brisk hike, into thinking 'Ah, Caribbean.'

Why we love it here: Isbjorn. ("Ice bear" in Norwegian, and polar bear to most of us.) These magnificent creatures are supremely at home here amid the pack ice. Spectacular when viewed from the bow of our expedition ship, deadly if surprised on land, these are unhabituated, wild bears. We have been exploring the region for sixteen years and our record – 76 bears sighted last season alone – ensures that you'll 'catch'' several, too.

Why you might want to visit Svalbard: Ice bears. Life seldom gives you the "state of grace" feeling you'll get when you see these fascinating animals evidence as much curiosity about us as we feel toward them.

Why you'll want to go with us: In addition to the magical ice bears, there are huge walrus, bearded and ring seals, 'bird walls' of mega–proportions, mammoth tidewater glaciers, reindeer, fjords and tiny fishing villages. It's a hauntingly beautiful landscape – whether it's mysterious in morning fog, or lit with glowing warmth of the midnight sun. Just as it takes skill and experience to spot a white bear on several thousand intervening white ice, it takes knowledge to bring you to where 'it all' is in any given season. We have what you need to insure a richly textured experience, full of sights and insights.

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