Unique experiences

Some of the world's most remote and exciting destinations are not to be found in dense jungles, on airport-less islands or atop towering mountain ranges, but rather in regions near, or even north of, the Arctic Circle. It might be fair to characterize this part of the Earth as stark and barren, but if you look past the weather, there is a lot going on in the Arctic. Destinations like Greenland, Scandinavia, Alaska and the Russian Far East offer plenty of adventure, beautiful natural landscapes and an abundance of wildlife. The waters of the Arctic Ocean, meanwhile, are home to some of the least-seen marine species on the planet. The cold weather of the Arctic can be a turn-off for some travelers, but the top of the globe is one of the most unique and unvisited places on Earth. Here are eight places to find adventure, nature and completely unique experiences in the Arctic. (Text: Josh Lew)