Yes, You Can Actually Visit the North Pole-Here's Everything You Need to Know About Traveling by Ship, Skis, or Dog Sled

"With all the lore and wonder surrounding the North Pole, it may seem like a place of pure legend. But this frozen edge of Earth is very real-and for the most daring travelers, it's an exhilarating destination. "We're definitely seeing a strong uptick in interest in the North Pole," says Alex Mudd of Swoop Arctic, a travel agency specializing in polar holidays."

"No, you won't find a toy workshop or an elf village here, but the few who've made the journey say it's as magical as any Christmas fantasy. You might toast your arrival with champagne on the deck of a luxury icebreaker, or reach the Pole on skis after days of hauling your sled across shifting Arctic sea ice. Either way, you'll stand where only a tiny handful of humans have been before."

"Contrary to what you might think, December isn't the ideal time to go knocking on Santa's door-it's dark 24 hours a day and the daily highs are just above zero degrees Fahrenheit. Instead, the season kicks off in April and stretches into summer, when the Arctic sun doesn't set and the sea ice is (relatively) stable. So if you've always dreamed of reaching the top of the world, now's the time to start planning."

The North Pole attracts growing interest from daring travelers seeking extraordinary experiences. Visits range from luxurious icebreaker cruises with high-end amenities to demanding ski expeditions across shifting Arctic sea ice. December is generally impractical due to continuous darkness and extreme cold; the practical travel season runs from April into summer when continuous daylight and relatively stable sea ice improve conditions. Travelers can celebrate arrival with champagne on deck or spend days hauling a sled to reach the Pole. Le Commandant Charcot currently operates as the only passenger vessel capable of reaching the North Pole while offering spa services and fine dining.

Read at Travel + Leisure