Penguin spotting in Antarctica is the highlights of an expedition cruise

Antarctic coasts and sub-Antarctic islands region is gaining in popularity as travellers seek to see animals in the wild. Luxury cruise operator Panache Cruises says it has seen a boom in bookings for penguin spotting tours, a trend that it has called "the Sir David Attenborough effect".

Expedition cruising is one way that nature lovers can access some of the world's remotest areas, and Panache's small ships are designed to have minimal impact on the delicate environment in which they operate. 

For travellers keen to spot a penguin in the wild, the company has revealed the seven best places to catch a glimpse of the flightless birds are Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctic Sound, Penguin Island, Elephant Island, Deception Island, South Georgia, and the Drake Passage.