Boutique campsite offers glamping in Antarctica

If you've ever dreamed of experiencing the frozen plains of Antarctica then you may have to pinch yourself - a travel company is offering tourists the chance to visit the South Pole in comfort and style.

White Desert is the only luxury camp on the icy continent and boasts a library, bar and in-house chef who has worked for F1 champion Lewis Hamilton.

And forget about huddling with the huskies in a freezing tent – guests stay in cosy fibreglass pods with en suite bathrooms.

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Founded by polar explorer Patrick Woodhead and his wife, Robyn, White Desert has been offering a luxury taste of the Antarctic for ten years.

"The concept started when I was skiing across Antarctica on an 80-day expedition," Woodhead said. "We were hungry and tired - the idea of amazing food and a soft bed was all I thought about."

Visitors have included Prince Harry and Bear Grylls - and two intrepid lovebirds even staged their wedding at the camp.

Despite the five-star treatment, however, Woodhead's ethos is to make sure visitors have a chance to get up close to the wild beauty of the Antarctic interior, which is rarely seen by tourists.

Experienced guides lead trips to Emperor penguin colonies and ice grottoes and guests can also try rock climbing and kite-skiing in the great white yonder.

Four signature Emperors and South Pole tours are scheduled for this autumn and winter, offering wildlife lovers a rare opportunity to visit a remote penguin colony during hatching season.

As of writing, there are still places available for the 18-29 November and 14-22 December sessions, priced at €64,000 (£54,920), which includes food, drink and return flights from Cape Town.

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