Some of us look forward to the arrival of winter so we can snuggle up in our cozy fur coats. My feeling is...why wait? For the next few weeks, the editors at furs.com will bring you our summer series on the best places to go NOW where you can be the first to show off the pre-season furs that you've been itching to break out of your closet!

If you want guaranteed snow and ice, then it probably makes sense to go straight to the source: Antarctica. Antarctica is described as the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and iciest continent on earth. For adventurers who want to really put their new pelt-styled furs to the test, I suggest a trip down to Volstok Russia which set the world's record for lowest temperature on July 21, 1983: -129°. This week, Volstok temperatures will reach a low of -92 and a high of -68. Get your fur out of storage...it's TIME to hunker down into your fur coats!

The only hitch? Getting to Vostok is not easy. Located near the South pole, Vostok is one of the most established research stations on the Antarctic continent, and is operated by Russian, American and French scientists. There are no direct flights and unless you are a scientist, you'll have to be satisfied to visit the nearby wildernesses of Antarctica. Adventure Network International (ANI) can take you to see the Arctic at its most authentic. ANI offer trips to the Antarctic interior, a frontier of vast desolate and dramatic beauty. They can arrange private flights to the geographic south pole (so you, like the great explorers Shackleton and Scott and Amundsen can leave your very own flag). They will bring you to meet Emperor Penguins and take you climbing on the highest peaks so you can look over the endless ice and snow. You stay in expedition style base camps that sleep up to 50 people at a time or couples can pick the luxury aluminum framed insulated tents where they line your sub-zero sleeping bags with linen sheets.

It's a trip back in history for two reasons: not only are the landscapes unchanged but so is the plumbing. There are no showers - only the old-fashioned sponge bath or if you're desperate: a snow bath. How authentic! The four hour private flight to Antarctica leaves Punta Arenas Chile (book through Adventure Network on 801 266 4876). Nothing will break in your new fur coat like an adventure in Antarctica. Next week, we'll show you which are the best fur coats to take with you to the Arctic.

TOP OF PAGE