83993 Cover 22/09/2010 08:35 Page 1
NORDIC EXPERIENCE Arctic Adventures (featuring the Scantours programme)
www.nordicexperience.co.uk
Icehotel • Igloos • Husky Safaris • Arctic Wildlife NORDIC Snowmobiling • Northern Lights • Winter Iceland EXPERIENCE New Year Fireworks • White Weddings
39 Crouch Street, Colchester CO3 3EN 01206 708888 2010-2011 ABTA No.W879X [email protected] 83993 Cover 22/09/2010 08:35 Page 2
ARCTIC ADVENTURES
NORDIC EXPERIENCE 39 Crouch Street Colchester CO3 3EN Tel 01206 708888 Booking Form Fax 01206 508899 e-mail: [email protected]
DEPARTURE DATE DEPARTURE POINT RETURN DATE TOUR CODE AND TITLE
TITLE FIRST NAME SURNAME DATE OF BIRTH CLIENT’S ADDRESS (IF UNDER 18) OR ABTA AGENT’S STAMP
AGENT’S ABTA NO AGENT’S REF
CLIENT’S EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Daytime ......
Evening ......
Mobile ......
TRAVEL INSURANCE SPECIAL REQUESTS THE NORDIC EXPERIENCE I understand that it is a condition governing acceptance of this booking that I and all others named on this form are covered by comprehensive travel insurance. If I decline to take Nordic WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU your holiday experience. And last but not least a Experience’s recommended policy covering the arrangements Personal Concierge who is always on hand to talk to you featured in this brochure, I agree to indemnify the Company as In the first instance, that any tour you choose from us has to any costs that might arise which would otherwise have been about your booking up until the day you travel. met had such insurance been in place. been designed by a team, one or all of whom, have My alternative insurers are: been to the places featured in it. So when talking to us only fly you on scheduled airlines you’ll know you are doing so with somebody who has We (SAS, Blue1, first hand knowledge of where you’ll be going. Icelandair, Finnair, BA, Norwegian, Estonian Air and Air Baltic) because they invariably offer better value for And if you need advice on where to go and what’s right money than so called ‘low cost’ carriers or charters. They for you, ours will be completely unbiased because we’re also offer a better choice of, and more flexible, departure Signed: the only UK travel company specializing in ALL the times and either include on-board cabin service or offer a Nordic countries. We’re independent of any group or better standard of ‘Pay on Board’ service. company. So we don’t have a preference for one country I WISH TO PAY BY: CREDIT CARD/DEBIT CARD I ENCLOSE A CHEQUE PAYABLE TO NORDIC EXPERIENCE OR GIVE CREDIT CARD AUTHORITY FOR: over another: each has its merits. Finally, any tour you book with us is 100% financially Deposits (£150 minimum per person travelling secure (however far in advance you book) because we depending on tour booked) £ You’ll stay in hotels that we’d stay in ourselves. If it’s in hold an ATOL licence (No 6558) and are members of Deposit(s) only the city it’ll be close to the centre so you don’t waste Total Amount (if within 10 weeks of departure) £ ABTA (No W8779X). In simple terms this means in the time or money shuttling back and forth to where you want Deposit(s) & Insurance Premiums unlikely event of our insolvency either the CAA or ABTA Travel Insurance Premiums (see page 45 for rates) £ to be. And if it’s out in the wilds, your accommodation will Confirmation invoice total (if within 10 weeks of departure) will see to it that, if you were on holiday at such time, TOTAL AMOUNT PAYABLE be authentic, in a picturesque setting and family run. Balance 10 weeks before departure £ you could continue or alternatively any money you had paid in advance of a tour would be refunded. For further Card I certify that I am authorised to make this booking on behalf of all Your Nordic Experience travels with you, rather than Number: those named above and that I am responsible for ensuring payment disappears when you’ve paid your invoice, because we information please check with the Civil Aviation Authority of all monies due in respect of this booking. I have read and accept Start Date: Expiry Date: CC Security Code:* provide a comprehensive Travel Guide detailing at www.atol.org.uk or the Association of British travel the Company’s ‘Booking Conditions’ and ‘Small Print’ as being everything you need to know. So you get the most from Agents at www.abta.com. DD Issue No:* incorporated within the terms of the contract between us. Signed: Signed: Date:
There is no charge for payments made by Debit Card; Credit Card payments are surcharged at 2.4%; American Express payments at 3.6%. *for security reasons may be telephoned through
2 Nordic Experience Nordic Experience 47 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:42 Page 3
ARCTIC ADVENTURES
OUR WINTER EXPERIENCES
As the polar night lengthens and the snows fall along the Northern Lights at the Top of the World 66th parallel, an arctic adventure playground slowly takes (everything Joanna Lumley did & more) 19 shape across Lapland and Iceland stretching from Kirkenes Snow Hotel 20 Norway’s watch towered Russian border in the East to Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel 21 A Lofoten Wildlife Safari 22 Greenland in the West. In the Footsteps of Whalers 23 For thirty-something’s, husky mushing and glacier OUR FINLAND EXPERIENCE 24 snowmobiling will probably pass muster as an adventure. The Sounds of Silence 25 But of course for a five year old, meeting Father Kakslauttanen (Log cabins, igloos & safaris) 26 Christmas is an adventure like no other. And for the Lakeside Vistas and Fell Adventures 27 seasoned traveller either would be old hat but a trip Adventures at Harriniva 28 Adventures by Lake Inari 29 round Nordkapp, Europe’s most northerly point, might Christmas in Harriniva 30 count. Whatever you think of as an adventure; whether New Year by Lake Inari 31 you’re looking for a ‘been there-done that’ experience or just somewhere to gaze at the Northern Lights, have a OUR ICELAND EXPERIENCE 32 Reykjavik Brief Encounters 33 flip through these pages. And enjoy. Reykjavik Excursions (Days out like no other) 34 New Year in Reykjavik 35 OUR SWEDEN EXPERIENCE 5 Romantic Getaway 36 The Ice Hotel 6 Glaciers and Waterfalls under the Northern Lights 37 The Ice Hotel 7 Iceland in a Nutshell (All the island’s iconic attractions) 38 Our Ice Break 8 Safari Adventure by Super Jeep 39 Ice Hotel Excursions 9 Classic Ice Break (the classy way to do the Ice hotel) 10 WHITE WEDDINGS 40 Super Classic Ice Break (give yourself a treat) 11 Ice Hotel (Swedish Lapland) 41 Driving on Ice 12 Sorrisniva (Norwegian Lapland) 42 Husky Mushing 13 Oddi Church (Southern Iceland) 43 The Tree House 14 A Glacier Wedding (Iceland) 44 Aurora Retreat 15 The Small Print (Printed big so you read it) 45 OUR NORWAY EXPERIENCE 16 Booking Conditions (Our commitments and your rights) 46 Northern Lights Adventure 17 Booking Form 47 Northern Lights Experience 18 Back Cover 48
Nordic Experience 3 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:42 Page 4
ARCTIC ADVENTURES
OUR OTHER EXPERIENCES
CLICK AND GO HAND MADE TOURS Our web site www.nordicexperience.co.uk with its downloadable print pages and extended flip-through digital brochure features lots of additional tours and arrangements to those countries featured here and beyond. You’ll find an exclusive arrangement flying to Swedish Lapland and down to Stockholm to see the crowning of this year’s Santa Lucia; a tour with Norway’s leading Husky Musher following trails once taken by nomadic Sami tribes with their reindeer; glacier walking excursions in Iceland; tours to Greenland where the Northern Lights appear in their most colourful garb and more. Lots more. Just click and go.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for to any of the countries we specialize in then let us HAND MAKE one for you tailored exactly to your requirements. You get all the benefit of our exclusive and confidential rates we use for our published tours in one designed exactly the way you’d like. We like to think of it as the travel equivalent of Saville Row bespoke tailoring at ready to wear prices. Just give us a ring; fill in the simple form on our web site or send us an e-mail. And every one of our hand made tours comes with our inclusive Travel Guide.
4 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 22/09/2010 09:14 Page 5
ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLAND
OUR SWEDEN EXPERIENCE
A land of elegant cities inseparable from the exquisite In the village of Harads you’ll find the new and ultra chic beauty of its countryside. In winter the celebrated Treehotel with a sauna up ICEHOTEL opens its doors and Swedish Lapland is in the trees whilst over by Junosuando you’ll find the carpeted with snow trails for husky mushing; tracks along contrastingly traditional frozen rivers for snowmobiling and grazing grounds for clapboard hotel Aurora SWEDEN reindeer and moose. Retreat where you can BJORKLIDEN relax in style. JUKKARSJARVI You can stay in one of the ICEHOTEL’S's elegantly sculpted Art Suites; combine a stay there with husky And on the way up to JUNOSUANDO STOCKHOLM mushing across open tundra or skiing in nearby Swedish Lapland you can HARADS Bjorkliden. stop off in Stockholm LULEA where Lake Malaren’s water In the evening you can eat, sleep and safari under a meets the Baltic ‘Gamla canopy of stars and hopefully the Northern Lights Stan’ (the Old Town) with beneath them variously either wispy white swirls, rainbow beautifully preserved narrow coloured curtains sliding down the sky or white seahorses cobbled streets. For those dancing across the constellations. in search of retail therapy the city’s two large pedestrian precincts offer a host of elegant shops and boutiques. For an “adventure” or “adrenalin” weekend there’s nothing to beat the Saab test track near Kiruna where If you can’t find exactly the Swedish Lapland adventure you can put your skills to the test in a high performance you’re looking for let us use our experience to design an car with its ABS and stabilization systems calibrated to itinerary tailored specifically to your requirements. your personal skills.
Nordic Experience 5 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:42 Page 6
ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICE HOTEL
EXPERIENCE THE COOLEST H
MORE THAN JUST A HOTEL ingredients such as arctic raspberries, white fish roe and venison occasionally even served on ice plates. As the Besam automatic ice doors slide apart to reveal the Hall of Pillars, ICEBAR and a labyrinth of corridors All of our arrangements to the ICEHOTEL combine a leading to Snow Rooms, Ice Rooms and elegantly night (generally the first because you just won’t want to sculpted Art Suites, you enter not just a hotel but a wait) in what we refer to as a “cool” room followed by unique interior unmatched by imitators anywhere on the one or more in a “warm” one. Both come in three planet. versions with substantial differences between cool rooms which we will be happy to talk through with you. Warm Now celebrating its 21st year the ICEHOTEL, a one time rooms have identical furnishing and fabrics but vary as to modest igloo that was the brainchild of today's CEO size and number of beds. Yngve Bergqvist for a local Sami heritage project, has today morphed into a hotel proper with the distinction of being built from the uniquely translucent, turquoise ice COOL ROOMS cut from the adjacent Torne river. SNOW ROOMS Designed like a mini-igloo with a double bed illuminated Across the last two decades fashion photographer Herb from below and a rug hung across the door for privacy. Ritts has used the ICEHOTEL as a backdrop for a Versace shoot; a Sami repertory company has staged Hamlet in ICE ROOMS an ice replica of the Globe Theatre; Absolut Vodka Are slightly larger than snow rooms with the principle established the world’s first ICEBAR and the ICEHOTEL difference being the addition of wall sculptures and ‘ice’ has become a magnet for ice sculptors from Chile to furniture. Osaka. And ICEHOTEL’S involvement in space tourism at Space City Kiruna 2020 means the hotel may be the ART SUITES coolest hotel on another planet before long! Literally what it says: suites of art and suites in themselves. More than double the size of an ice or snow In the hotel’s warm areas you can relax in a Republic of room each is individually and imaginatively designed by Fritz Hansen egg chair; savour the taste of Absolut vodka visiting award winning international designers and the infused with lingonberry juice, dine in the ICEHOTEL or ICEHOTEL’S own Art Design group. The walls are Homestead restaurants both of which use local covered with ice sculptures; the lounge area fitted with
6 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:42 Page 7
ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICE HOTEL
T HOTEL ON THE PLANET
ice furniture and each has a theme which can be FOOD AND DRINK anything from the New York skyline to something done by Dali. Cutting edge fibre optics bathe each one in ABSOLUT ICEBAR surrealistic lighting. Every winter people from around the globe meet up at the ICEHOTEL and break the ice over a drink or two at WARM ROOMS the frosty counter of the world-famous ICEBAR in Jukkasjärvi, sponsored by Absolut Vodka. NORDIC CHALETS Equipped with two bedrooms [one double & one bunk ICEHOTEL RESTAURANT offers a gastronomic bedded] these chalets are furnished in a simple, clean adventure and a high-end a la carte menu in a bright and Scandinavian style with tiled floors and walls lined with modern atmosphere. The Restaurant’s cuisine has been Swedish Pine. Each has an en-suite bathroom, small featured in international gourmet food magazines and lounge area with TV and kitchenette with fridge & hot been awarded the prestigious Werner Vögeli Statuette. beverage making facilities. OLD HOMESTEAD RESTAURANT overlooking the NORTHERN LIGHTS CABINS Torne River is an authentic, charming timber building built So called because each bedroom has a skylight over the in 1768 and serves a traditional Swedish dinner buffet. bed in the double room [there is also a single] through WARM LOUNGES The Main Lounge, which is open until which you can see the stars and, if the positioning and one in the morning serving sandwiches, drinks and atmospherics are right, the Northern Lights. Cabins also coffee, is somewhere to relax, have a drink, chat with the have an en-suite bathroom, small lounge and other guests or just curl up on a comfortable couch. The kitchenette/dining area. Dressing room Lounge (so called because it’s where you KAAMOS ROOMS change before staying in your cool room) is adjacent to Named after the Swedish for ‘winter lights’, the half light the ICEHOTEL and has comfortable seating set around a that comes from reflected snow, these are self contained crackling fire rooms set in groups of four around a common private ®ICEHOTEL is a registered trade mark of ICEHOTEL AB reception area.
Nordic Experience 7 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:43 Page 8
ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLAND
xperience the extraordinary, Eunique and glistening OUR ICEHOTEL at Jukkasjarvi deep in the heart of Swedish Lapland. Enjoy traditional Sami cuisine; Ice Break the Absolut Ice Bar; and snowmobile, reindeer and husky safaris for a thrilling holiday with a difference.
Our ‘Ice Break’ takes you up to the IceHotel in Swedish Lapland on early morning scheduled flights with SAS via Stockholm for a three night stay to which you can add your excursions to suit your needs (and budget). You can try your hand at ice sculpting under the tuition of an accomplished ice sculptor or test drive a Saab turbo on a an ice track used by professionals. All of the options shown opposite are pre-bookable and for those involving the use of an animal or something with an engine we strongly recommended doing so, as all get booked up very early. Extending your stay at the ICEHOTEL and safariing in the wilderness for an overnight stay in a log cabin is just one of the more adventurous options that are available and that we'll be happy to talk through with you. Each December, the celebrated ICEHOTEL is sculpted from 30,000 tons of snow and ice only to melt away each spring. Each year’s design differs, the final detail being revealed only when the last ice block is in place and the last bedroom finished. The hotel consists of the Absolut Bar, art gallery, consecrated chapel, ‘hall of pillars’ and a choice of snow rooms, ice rooms or art suites all sculpted from ice. Guests sleep in special thermal Arctic sleeping bags on frame beds topped with reindeer skins. ICE BREAK
DAY 1 UK - ICEHOTEL Early morning DEPARTURE DATES scheduled SAS flights via Stockholm to Kiruna in Swedish Lapland. On arrival, 10 Dec-14 Apr transfer to Jukkasjarvi, check in, collect thermal clothing and enjoy a guided tour of the ICEHOTEL and its environs. Choice ICE BREAK AA08 of optional excursions. Later that evening retire to your ICEHOTEL Snow Room for the most unusual night of your life. PRICES FROM £8950000pp
DAY 2 ICEHOTEL Wake up to a hot DATES MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN cloudberry juice, take a sauna (optional) 10 DEC-31 MAR 965 995 1050 1095 1095 1060 995 and breakfast across at the Inn. Choice of optional excursions. Overnight 1 APR-14 APR 895 950 990 1040 1040 995 960 accommodation in either a Nordic cabin, WHAT’S INCLUDED Northern Lights chalet or Kaamos room Prices are in £ per person in twin room for 2 nights. accommodation and include return scheduled SAS DAY 3 ICEHOTEL After breakfast, once flights from Heathrow to Swedish Lapland via Stockholm All airport departure taxes and again a choice of optional excursions is • passenger service charges • Overnight in a Snow available or you can just watch the day go room • 2 overnights in a Nordic cabin, Northern by. Light Chalet or Kaamos hotel style room (Prices based on Kaamos room) • 3 breakfasts • Airport/Ice DAY 4 ICEHOTEL - UK Breakfast hotel transfers in Lapland • Protective thermal followed by transfer to the airport and clothing for the duration of your stay in Jukkasjarvi return flight(s) to the UK. • Guided tour of the ICEHOTEL
8 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:43 Page 9
ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLAND
PRE-BOOKABLE SAFARIS HUSKY SAFARIS MOOSE SAFARI
1 AA01 A1 ⁄2 hour safari along a 13 km trail AA08 A 6 hour trip, initially by minibus through the surrounding forest with only and thereafter by snowmobile, to the the swish of the sled’s runners to be heard. grazing pastures of the moose. £256 pp En route, stop for coffee and cake by an open fire. REINDEER SAFARI £141 pp 1 AA09 A3 ⁄2 hour trip by snowmobile sled AA02 4A hour husky safari along 28 km of to a traditional Sami encampment including marked trails in the surrounding wilderness. instruction, short reindeer safari and A stop for a traditional Sami lunch by an traditional Sami lunch in a Lavva. £135 pp open fire is included before returning to Jukkasjarvi. £268 pp ICE SCULPTING
AA10 A three hour ICE TRANSFERS SNOWMOBILE SAFARIS back to primary school AA03 BY HUSKY Start your visit to the AA04 Aftera short instruction period with session learning how ICEHOTEL with a very special and unique your guide, this snowmobile safari, lasting to fashion your own 1 form of airport transfer! On arrival, you will approximately 1 ⁄2 hours is fun for boys and sculpture out of a be kitted out with protective thermal girls alike. £81 pp single block of ice. clothing and your luggage taken separately Tuition AA05 A 3 hour guided snowmobile safari to the hotel, whilst you enjoy your first taste by somebody involved along 28 km of marked trails in the of tranquil Sami landscapes on a husky sled. in building the hotel. surrounding wilderness. A stop for a (based on 4 people sharing) £132 pp £58 pp traditional Sami lunch by an open fire is AA07 BY SNOWMOBILE Start your visit to included before returning to Jukkasjarvi. the ICEHOTEL with a high speed, hardcore £143 pp transfer: a snowmobile safari along marked DRIVING ON ICE AA06 A 4 hour guided evening tour in trails in the AA11 Discover your inner Jeremy search of the Northern Lights with a boreal forest Clarkson in a Saab Sport Turbo on an ice traditional Sami light supper at a wilderness of spruce and test track a short distance from the encampment. £161 pp pine and on ICEHOTEL. Supervised driving at up to the frozen 100km per hour Fri & Sun only. surface of £264/£95 pp (passengers) river Torne. £156 pp MORE EXCURSIONS www.nordicexperience.co.uk
Nordic Experience 9 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:43 Page 10
ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLAND
ur Classic Ice Break is the Oideal way to enjoy the ICEHOTEL with a night in Our Stockholm to help you unwind before the short flight to Kiruna the next day in time for a light Classic lunch. In Sweden’s capital you stay at the family Ice Break owned Esplanade hotel overlooking the harbour and at the ICEHOTEL a full programme of excursions and activities is included with an overnight in a Snow room and another in ‘warm accommodation’. At the ICEHOTEL your snow room is formed in the shape of an igloo with a double frame bed, resting on blocks of ice illuminated from below and topped with a thermal mattress covered with reindeer skins.
OUR CLASSIC ICE BREAK DAY 1 UK - STOCKHOLM Scheduled SAS Paw” – before retiring to your ICEHOTEL DEPARTURE DATES flight to Stockholm. Overnight at Hotel room for the most unusual night of your life. Daily 10 Dec-14 Apr Esplanade; small, discrete and on the DAY 3 ICEHOTEL Wake up to a hot waterfront. Explore the cobbled alleyways cloudberry juice, take a sauna (optional) of Gamla Stan, enjoy good food or just OUR CLASSIC and breakfast across at the Inn. Afterwards, AA1001 relax and dream about the adventure ICE BREAK you can enjoy an optional reindeer sled ahead. safari through the forest and across the PRICES FROM 0000pp DAY 2 STOCKHOLM - ICEHOTEL fells to a “Lavvo” (tent) for a traditional £1130 Breakfast in the hotel’s art nouveau Sami lunch by an open fire before DATES MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN returning to Jukkasjarvi. In the afternoon, breakfast room before late morning flight 10 DEC-31 MAR 1175 1215 1270 1270 1240 1195 1150 you can choose further optional excursions to Kiruna and transfer to Jukkasjarvi and 1 APR-14 APR 1130 1170 1220 1220 1195 1150 1095 the ICEHOTEL. On arrival, check in and either by husky or snowmobile. The final lunch at the local Inn, after which collect night of your “Classic Ice Break” is spent WHAT’S INCLUDED thermal clothing and take a guided tour of either in a Kaamos, Nordic or Northern Prices are in £ per person and include scheduled the ICEHOTEL and its environs. Later, start Lights room. The local Inn serves Lapp return SAS flights from Heathrow (Manchester on request) to Kiruna via Stockholm • All airport the evening with a guided snowmobile specialities and has both table d’hôte and à la carte menus. departure taxes and passenger service charges tour through the forest with the possibility • Stockholm hotel overnight in twin room with of the Northern Lights in the night sky DAY 4 ICEHOTEL - UK Breakfast at the private WC/shower • Overnight in Snow Room • Overnight in a Nordic cabin, Northern Light chalet above. Traditional Sami soup at a Inn. Morning free for a brief walk around or Kaamos hotel style room (Prices based on wilderness encampment before returning the village, with its traditional Sami Kaamos room) • 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 light to Jukkasjarvi. Then, it’s into the “Absolut buildings and church, before transfer to meal as per itinerary • Excursions and services as per itinerary • Airport transfers in Kiruna • Protective Ice Bar” to enjoy a special drink (payable Kiruna airport and return flight(s) via thermal clothing for the duration of your stay in locally) – a “Northern Lights” or a “Wolf’s Stockholm to the UK. Jukkasjarvi • Guided tour of the ICEHOTEL.
10 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:43 Page 11
ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLAND
o the ICEHOTEL in style with Dour Super Classic Break staying in the chic Hotel Anglais Super in Stockholm and an individually designed Art suite in Jukkasjarvi, with transfers throughout. Ideal Classic for a special occasion, anniversary or just a treat for yourself: our Ice Break Super Classic pampers you at every stage of your trip.
The designer Art Suites at the ICEHOTEL are something to behold: designed by the hotel’s own design team or by international ice artists all have imaginative themes, sculptures, mood lighting and a spectacular bed with double sleeping bag. We can refine your Super Classic trip to suit your requirements including a transfer by husky or snowmobile on arrival in Kiruna; private guided tours in Stockholm and a hotel upgrade there to the Grand Hotel and/or business class flights with SAS. Please ask us for tailor made arrangements. THE ANGLAIS HOTEL On Humlegardsgaten just round the corner from Stureplan, one of the city’s smartest spots, the Anglais is ideally located for an overnight stay with restaurants, shops and bars all within a few minutes walk. The hotel’s decor is ultra cool Scandinavian done throughout in different textured white and black materials offset with red fabrics. All the twin rooms are larger than average with a desk and armchair and have private WC/shower, deposit box, hair dryer, TV, iron and wireless internet acess.
SUPER CLASSIC ICE BREAK DEPARTURE DATES DAY 1 UK Stockholm- scheduled SAS double sleeping bag. 10 Dec-14 Apr flight to Stockholm. Private transfer to and DAY 3 ICEHOTEL Wake up to a hot overnight at Hotel Anglais. cloudberry juice, take a sauna (optional) SUPER CLASSIC AA1101 DAY 2 STOCKHOLM - ICEHOTEL and breakfast across at the Inn. Afterwards, ICE BREAK Breakfast in the hotel before private get ready for your reindeer sleigh safari transfer to the airport for a late morning through the forest and across the fells to a PRICES FROM £14500000pp flight to Kiruna and transfer to Jukkasjarvi “Lavvo” (tent) for a traditional Sami lunch and the ICEHOTEL. On arrival, check in by an open fire before returning to DATES MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN and lunch at the local Inn, after which you Jukkasjarvi. In the afternoon, you can 10 DEC-31 MAR 1495 1550 1655 1655 1655 1595 1495 collect thermal clothing and take a guided choose optional excursions either by husky 1 APR-14 APR 1450 1495 1555 1555 1555 1515 1450 tour of the ICEHOTEL and its environs. or snowmobile. The final night of your Later, start the evening with a guided “Super Classic Ice Break” is spent either in WHAT’S INCLUDED snowmobile tour through the forest with a Kaamos, Nordic or Northern Lights Prices are in £ per person and include scheduled the possibility of the Northern Lights in the room. The local Inn serves Lapp return SAS flights from Heathrow (Manchester on night sky above. Traditional Sami soup at a request) to Swedish Lapland via Stockholm • All specialities and has both table d’hôte and airport departure taxes and passenger service wilderness encampment before returning à la carte menus. charges • Private transfers in Stockholm • Stockholm to Jukkasjarvi. Then, it’s into the “Absolut hotel overnight in a superior twin room with private Ice Bar” to enjoy a special drink (payable DAY 4 ICEHOTEL - UK Breakfast at the WC/shower • Overnight in an Art Suite • Overnight Inn. Morning free for a brief walk around in a Nordic cabin, Northern Light chalet or Kaamos locally) – a “Northern Lights” or a “Wolf’s hotel style room (Prices based on NL Chalet) Paw” – before retiring for the most unusual the village with its traditional Sami • 3 breakfasts, 2 light lunches and 1 light dinner night of your life in your Art Suite, specially buildings and church, before transfer to • Excursions and services as per itinerary • Airport sculpted and individually themed by an Kiruna airport and return flight(s) via transfers in Kiruna • Protective thermal clothing for the duration of your stay in Jukkasarvi • Guided tour award winning ‘ice artist’ and with a Stockholm to the UK. of the ICEHOTEL.
Nordic Experience 11 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:43 Page 12
ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLAND
ndulge your inner Jeremy IClarkson with our Driving on Ice tour with an overnight stay in a Designer Ice Suite at the Driving on Ice ICEHOTEL; a test drive on Saab’s professional ice circuit; a race along a forest trail in an ATV and dinner at the Esrange Space Centre with binoculars at the ready to search for the Northern Lights.
Your Saab test drive starts with setting ABS functions and stabilization systems to the test standards under the supervision of experienced and qualified instructors. They then lead you around the loop where you can test the car systems and your own ability. Your ATV drive is in a Polaris Ranger RZR the gold standard vehicle in ‘side by side’ ATV vehicles with tilt steering and the lowest centre of gravity and power to weight ratio on the market, for the ultimate adrenaline flush drive. The Swedish Space Corporation’s Esrange Centre is just outside of Kiruna and in a spot that needs to be clear enough for satellite launches so the chances of seeing the Northern Lights are exceptional. The designer Art Suites are designed by the hotel’s own design team or by international ice artists all have imaginative themes, sculptures, mood lighting and a spectacular bed with double sleeping bag.
DRIVING ON ICE DAY 1 UK - STOCKHOLM Scheduled SAS and breakfast across at the Inn. Afterwards, flight to Stockholm. Private transfer to and head off to the specially built ice track to overnight at Anglais Hotel. Take a wander drive your Saab 9-3 Sport Combi under round to Stureplan for a mocha or more the supervision of a skilled instructor. and then on to the Spy Bar or Begin with manoeuvring tests on the ice Sturecompagniet. which push the ABS and stabilization systems to the limit. Out on the track your DAY 2 STOCKHOLM - ICEHOTEL instructor guides you around a course to Breakfast in the hotel before private DEPARTURE DATES test the car, its systems and your own transfer to the airport for a late morning abilities at up to 100km/hr. Coffee and Wednesdays and Fridays flight to Kiruna and transfer to Jukkasjarvi cake in Sami-style. Jan 2nd – Mar 29th and the ICEHOTEL. On arrival, check in and lunch at the local Inn, after which Afterwards switch vehicles and terrain, swapping your Turbo Saab for Polaris collect thermal clothing and take a guided DRIVING ON ICE tour of the ICEHOTEL and its environs. Ranger and ice track for rough cut track AA1201 Later, start the evening with a transfer to throught the forest. Follow a route through Esrange (or if necessary to Aurora Sky the pines and check out your skills against PRICES FROM £1790pp Station depending on weather conditions). the competition. A 3 course dinner is prepared around an Your final night is spent either in a WHAT’S INCLUDED encampment alongside Lake Salmijärvi Kaamos, Nordic or Northern Lights room. Prices are in £ per person & include scheduled beginning with a welcome drink whilst you The local Inn serves Lapp specialities and return SAS flights from Heathrow (Manchester on study the night sky with binoculars, look has both table d’hôte and à la carte request) to Swedish Lapland via Stockholm • All for your favourite star constellations and menus. airport departure taxes and passenger service charges • Stockholm hotel overnight at Hotel hopefully the Northern Lights. Return to DAY 4 ICE HOTEL - UK Breakfast at the Anglais in twin room with private WC/shower the ICEHOTEL for a nightcap in the • Overnight in a Designer Art Suite • Overnight in Inn. Morning free for a brief walk around Absolut Bar before snuggling into your a Nordic cabin, Northern Light chalet or Kaamos the village with its traditional Sami hotel style room • 3 breakfasts and 1 dinner sleeping bag in your Designer Ice Suite. buildings and church, before transfer to • Excursions and services as per itinerary • Airport transfers in Kiruna • Protective thermal clothing for DAY 3 ICEHOTEL Wake up to a hot Kiruna airport and return flight(s) via the duration of your stay in Jukkasarvi • Guided cloudberry juice, take a sauna (optional) Stockholm to the UK. tour of the Ice Hotel.
12 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:43 Page 13
ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLAND
ush your own team of Mpedigree huskies through the sparkling white vistas of the Tornedalen valley; swoosh past Husky Mushing pine & birch forests, across & THE ICEHOTEL frozen lakes and through reindeer pastures. Stay overnight in traditional log cabins; eat around open fires; discover the soothing, soporific warmth of a logwood sauna and, if you fancy, finish off with a night in the world’s most famous igloo.
Mushing teams of Alaskan or Siberian huskies is one of the oldest ways of travelling in the Arctic and on this tour you will learn to both care for and drive your own dog team, as well as picking up the tracks of moose, reindeer and fox. Overnight accommodation is in traditional log cabins with bunk beds. Above all this is a shared intimate experience - group size is never more than 6.
HUSKY MUSHING & THE ICEHOTEL DAY 1 UK – KANGOS Scheduled SAS flights to Kiruna in Swedish Lapland via Stockholm. Private transfer with lunch en route to Kangos where you meet up with Johan Vaisanen & Sara Ljunggren are an your guide/hosts. Briefing around an open item, showing passion about nature as well fire and when you feel comfortable about as for each other. Born in Kangos on the things, harness up and mush away into the Lainiojoki riverbank, Johan learnt to mush in wilderness. Dinner and overnight in a log Alaska where he lived in remote splendour cabin for a year before returning home to work DAY 2 MUSHING Start the day by with his own huskies. Sara grew up in Gota checking on the dogs, helping with their (population 500), found it too urban and breakfast and over yours, discussing the joined Johan in Kangos (population 300). trails lying before you. Harness up and Between them, they can ride, ski, kayak, mush for 2 to 3 hours with lunch in the DEPARTURE DATES canoe, fish, climb, mountain bike and of wild before continuing to your next Sundays 5 Dec-3 Apr course mush, so you couldn’t be in better overnight cabin. Supper and overnight. hands. DAY 3 MUSHING With the experience HUSKY MUSHING of the last two days under your belt, AA1301 & THE ICEHOTEL today’s mush will feel as relaxed as that magic moment when learning to drive a car your foot depressed the clutch without PRICES FROM £1295pp thinking about it. After soup round an WHAT’S INCLUDED open fire you trail through reindeer feeding grounds before reaching your next Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Kiruna via cabin. Sauna, supper and overnight Stockholm • All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges • Private transfer from/to DAY 4 KANGOS – UK Short mush back Kiruna/Kangos • 3 overnights in shared log cabin to Kangos and the dog kennels before accommodation (min 2 people; max 6 people) private transfer to the airport and return • 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners • Services of flight to the UK OR to the ICEHOTEL for a experienced dog handler/guide during the husky tour • Arctic clothing for dog mushing final night in a snow room, leaving for NB Supplement for ICEHOTEL extensions from home the following day. (See pages 6 to 9) £150pp dependent on room type.
Nordic Experience 13 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:43 Page 14
ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLAND
iscover something quite like Dnothing on earth: the newly THE opened Tree Hotel is sophisticated design and living Tree Hotel amongst and in Swedish Lapland’s boreal forest whilst echoing the dreams of your childhood. Here you can luxuriate in über cool hotel rooms styled, lit and furnished by award winning Swedish designers whilst communing with nature. Enjoy time with an authentic Sami family, a snowmobile safari and finish off your break with time in Stockholm.
The Tree Hotel with its modernistic design principles contrasts with the renovated wooden clapboard Britta’s Pensionat that provides the hotel’s reception and dining room and which makes extensive use of local produce such as reindeer, salmon and wild berries. Along with wood fired outdoor hot tubs and an atmosphere only an owner driver such as Britta can provide, makes the Tree House experience truly special. The Blue Cone Room is a split level 22sqm tree room with double bed on the lower level and singles above, sitting room and private WC. The room is linked to the mountainside by a short bridge and clasped to three separate conifers. Others available at the time of going to press are the Mirror Cube, Cabin Nest and Room with a view. Our itinerary uses the SAS direct flight to Lulea to whisk you from London Heathrow to Swedish Lapland in just 3½ hours and rounds off your break with a couple of days in Stockholm at the Elite Plaza.
DEPARTURE DATES
Sundays Dec - Apr THE TREE HOTEL BREAK DAY 1 UK - LULEA Scheduled SAS flight DAY 3 LULEA - STOCKHOLM Mid-day direct to Lulea in Swedish Lapland. Private SAS flight down to Stockholm, self transfer THE TREE HOTEL AA1401 transfer to the village of Harads and a to and overnight (2) at the Elite Plaza. guided tour of the Tree Hotel before DAY 4 STOCKHOLM At leisure in this, the checking in to your chosen Tree Room. PRICES FROM £1450pp most sophisticated of the Scandinavian Dinner at the hotel. capitals. Take a stroll in Gamla Stan (the WHAT’S INCLUDED DAY 2 TREE LIFE AND A SAMI LIFE A Old Town) with its narrow cobbled streets Prices include scheduled return SAS flights from visit to Flakaberg in the Rame valley and and gabled, hanseatic buildings. Not to be Heathrow (Manchester on request) to Lulea in the family home of Lars Eriksson for a day missed is the Vaasa, Sweden’s version of Swedish Lapland (OUTBOUND DIRECT AND VIA STOCKHOLM ON RETURN) • All airport departure with his family recounting tales of a past the Mary Rose, a perfectly restored 16th taxes and passenger service charges • Private Sami life and showing you his family’s century Galleon lifted from the harbour transfers in Swedish Lapland • 2 nights present one. You’ll see a reindeer corral sea bed and now housed in Djurgarden, accommodation at Tree Hotel in the Blue Cone room with private WC/shower (alternative rooms at (and perhaps try your hand at reindeer the one time Royal Hunting grounds. a supplement available on request). 4 breakfasts, lassoing); thrill at your snowmobile safari DAY 5 STOCKHOLM - UK Self transfer to 1 snack lunch, 2 dinners according to itinerary. along Lake Gorgini to a kota for a Protective clothing for duration of stay at Tree Stockholm’s Arlanda airport and return traditional meal around an open fire and Hotel. Full day Sami Life excursion including flight to UK. Snowmobiling and local services as per itinerary. above all enjoy the Eriksson’s family 2 nights accommodation in Stockholm at the Elite hospitality. Plaza Hotel in twin room with private WC/shower.
14 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:43 Page 15
ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLAND
etreat to the quiet of RSwedish Lapland for a break from the modern world in an arboreal setting barely changed Aurora Retreat in a thousand years. Stay in this small intimate guesthouse where you’ll never be short of exciting things to do. Enjoy a silence you can hear along with adventures in the forest snows surrounding the tiny village of Junosuando. Relax by an open fire and enjoy home cooked food prepared from local ingredients.
AURORA RETREAT This wooden, clapboard former vicarage and bakery, 100km north of the Arctic Circle, now converted into a rustic guest- house is truly a ‘retreat’ in every sense of the word. Dating back to the 1920’s the building has six simple, elegantly furnished double rooms and a lounge area overlooking the adjacent river. Two of the bedrooms have private bathrooms whilst the other four share two common bathrooms. Dotted around are quiet, comfortable nooks and crannies to relax in after a day out in the snows of Swedish Lapland. Run by your hosts Maya and Mikael their passion is pantry stocked with fresh fish from local rivers and lakes and wild reindeer and elk meat.
AURORA RETREAT DAY 1 UK - LAPLAND cheduledS SAS forest with the silence broken only by the DEPARTURE DATES flight(s) from London Heathrow to Kiruna whooshing sound of the slicing sleigh Daily Dec - Apr in Swedish Lapland via Stockholm. Private runners. Stop for a snack lunch en route transfer on arrival to the village of and stretch your auditory senses to the Junosuando and Aurora Retreat. full. (3 to 4 hours). Return to the Aurora AURORA RETREAT AA1501 Retreat. Dinner at the hotel. DAY 2 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI egin B your retreat with a snowmobile safari out DAY 4 OPTIONAL CHOICES ayD at leisure across frozen wetlands on which you can either to just watch the day go by; snug up PRICES FROM £1285pp rev up a bit and along trails in the forest with a book in a quiet corner; visit a moose WHAT’S INCLUDED (2 hours). Return to the hotel and soak up park, ski, meet up with a reindeer herder, the rural ambiance in this little corner of try your hand at making bread or felt Price are in £ per person and include SAS return flights from London to Stockholm/Lapland • All the world where time has stood still. handicrafts, build an igloo or enjoy a airport departure taxes and passenger service Dinner at the hotel. massage charges • Private airport/ hotel transfers in Lapland • 4 nights accommodation in twin room(s) with DAY 3 HUSKY SAFARI fter A breakfast it’s DAY 5 LAPLAND – UK Breakfast and shared W/C and shower • 4 Breakfasts • 1 lunch time to mush your own team of huskies transfer to Kiruna airport for return flight(s) 2 dinners • EXCURSIONS AS PER ITINERARY along a snow carpeted trail through the • Protective thermal clothing for all excursions and home via Stockholm to London Heathrow. activities.
Nordic Experience 15 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:44 Page 16
ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLAND
OUR NORWAY EXPERIENCE
A magical land of tranquil shimmering fjords, of sweeping Joanne Lumley created considerable excitement pine and spruce forests and towering mountains reaching searching for the Northern Lights in a programme made up across the Arctic Circle into Lapland, where its once for the BBC travelling to many of the places we feature nomadic Sami people live a life, and in a world, apart. and our ‘Northern Lights at the Top of the World’ follows much of her journey. Further North still, at the apex of their ancestral home, is GAMVIK Nordkapp, the most Northerly point in Europe where the NORDKAPP TANAFJORDEN MEHAMN BERLEVÅG jaw-dropping Northern Lights dance across the night KJØLLEFJORD HONNINGSVAG sky.(It was a Norwegian, Kristian Birkeland, who first gave BATSFJORD VARDO HAMMERFEST the world a scientific explanation of them from PORS ANGEN observations he made in the Kafjord near Tromso). NORWEGIAN LAPLAND VARANGERF JORDEN
As the Aurora lights appear in the night sky, as if KIRKENES
escaping from a genie’s bottle, Norwegian Lapland FINNMARK TROMSO ALTA FINNISH PLATEAU NORWAY becomes an adventure playground cloaked in glistening, LAPLAND RUSSIA crystal snow with trails for husky mushing, snowmobiling and reindeer safariing particularly in the tundra around If you can’t find exactly the Norwegian Alta and Karasjok. Lapland adventure you’re looking for let us use our experience to design an December sees the building of the Sorrisniva Igloo itinerary tailored specifically to your OSLO Hotel and the Kirkenes Snow Hotel for a 'once in a requirements. lifetime' experience of sleeping in a hotel that literally melts away in spring.
16 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:45 Page 17
ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLAND
nowmobile across the Arctic Stundra in the heart of Northern Lights Norwegian Lapland under the mystical phenomena of the Northern Lights. Fashion your trip exactly as you would like it Adventure from our range of excursions including husky mushing, reindeer sled racing, mountain sledging and more. Alta is a superb base camp for snow adventures and spotting the Northern Lights. Dubbed ‘the last great wilderness in Europe’, the landscape and scenery is awesomely varied both by geography and season: running the gamut of Gulf stream bathed fjord waters through vast snow clad plateaux and from the reds and golds of autumn to the slate white of winter. It’s proximity to the magnetic North Pole means you also have one of the best chances on earth (literally) of seeing the Northern Lights.
RICA ALTA HOTEL AA1701 VICA HOTEL AA1702 PRE-BOOKABLE The Rica has the After some EXCURSIONS standards you’d inhospitable hotel expect from experiences as a SORRISNIVA IGLOO HOTEL BY Norway’s leading young itinerant SNOWMOBILE following a trail through hotel chain and is music teacher, forest, valleys and across vast snow set in the centre Knut Rydningen covered plains with a visit to the of town. All 241 firmly believes Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel. Hotel pick up, rooms have TV, that a hotel should be ‘home from home’ protective thermal clothing included. radio, telephone, mini bar, private and it shows. In the sympathetic renovation 1 3 ⁄2hrs. 2 departures daily mid Jan-Apr. WC/shower. In the public areas there are 2 and extension of the original farmhouse Evening Northern Lights trip or daytime restaurants, lounge bar, cocktail bar and building; in the individual fabrics and including lunch. £130/£145pp night club. decoration of the just 24 rooms; in the SNOW SHOEING try your hand at the ‘Haldde’ restaurant where you can have traditional Sami way of getting around in crab to die for. And, naming the hotel after the snow. Easy and lots of fun. Hotel his daughters Vibeka and Camilla! pickup, protective thermal clothing and snow shoes included. 3 hrs. Mid Dec – DEPARTURE DATES Apr. Daily £60pp Daily 1 Dec - 30 Apr HUSKY SAFARI through the forest and NORTHERN LIGHTS along the banks of the Altaelva river, AA1701 mushing your own team of huskies. Hotel ADVENTURE pick up, protective thermal clothing, cake 1 and hot drink included. 2 ⁄2 hrs. Mon-Fri mid PRICES FROM £690pp Dec-April (Evenings Mon-Thu). £120pp AA1701 AA1702 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI across the DATES 3rd CHILD 3rd CHILD TWIN ADULT (4-12) TWIN ADULT (4-12) Finnmark plateau with traditional Sami lunch included. Hotel pick up, protective ALL 690 660 485 765 650 545 1 thermal clothing and lunch included. 3 ⁄2 WHAT’S INCLUDED hrs. Twice daily (mornings and evenings) Dec – April. £125pp Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Alta via Oslo • All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges • 3 nights hotel accommodation in MORE EXCURSIONS twin room with private WC/shower • 3 Scandinavian buffet breakfasts • BUFFET DINNER www.nordicexperience.co.uk (VICA HOTEL) INCLUDED ON ARRIVAL NIGHT
Nordic Experience 17 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:46 Page 18
ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLAND
itness the extraordinary Wphenomena of the ‘Northern Lights’ in Tromso, Norway’s ‘Paris of the North’. By Northern Lights night, enjoy the effervescent atmosphere of the world’s most Experience northerly university town and sample fresh fish dishes in myriad local restaurants. By day, enjoy a thrilling husky safari, go ice kicksledding or ice fishing. ‘The Northern Lights’ or ‘Aurora Borealis’, to give them their proper name, are a natural phenomenon, totally unpredictable but a magnificent spectacle when atmospheric conditions are just right. The Norwegian scientist, Kristian Birkeland, first gave the world an explanation for the Aurora by observing how electron rays from the sun collided with the earth’s magnetic field, followed it down to the magnetic poles and created an explosion of light. Visible from November to April, Tromso is one of the world’s best spots from which to see the lights as well as being a city, (first christened ‘The Paris of the North’ by visitors in the 19th century), in which to enjoy yourself. We can’t guarantee you’ll see the Northern Lights (no-one can) but we can promise the best chance possible - and numerous excursion options to make your trip one to remember.
PRE-BOOKABLE EXCURSIONS NORTHERN LIGHTS KICKSLEDDING At preference), protective thermal clothing of 100 years ago and traditional Sami light 1 Holmsletta Farm. Try a traditional kick sled, and traditional Sami light supper included. snack included. 3 ⁄2 HRS - £99 PP. 1 the Nordic Winter substitute for a bicycle! 2 3 ⁄ HRS - £154 PP. NORTHERN LIGHTS ARCTIC CRUISE The distance, between 2-15 kms, is decided NORTHERN LIGHTS SPOTTING TOUR at Cruise offshore in the evening blackness on by you. A superb way to catch the Northern the 100 year old Holmesletta Farm far the fishing boat ‘Havcruise’, spotting for Lights in a rural farm landscape. Traditional away from the urban lights of Tromso. the aurora to burst out over the Sound. Sami light supper with coffee and cake Light supper on board & hotel pick-up at served afterwards. Hotel pick-up at 19.00 Hotel pick-up and “coffee and cake” 1 included. 3 HRS - £55 PP. 20.00 hrs included. 3 HRS - £140 PP. hrs. 3 ⁄2 HOURS. £75 PP. HUSKY SAFARI including a traditional POLAR NIGHT SLEIGH RIDE TOUR ona dinner by an open fire in a Lavvo (tent). horse-drawn sleigh from Holmesletta MORE EXCURSIONS Hotel pick-up (9.45 or 18.15 – please advise Farm. Folklore tales from the farm’s days www.nordicexperience.co.uk
NORTHERN LIGHTS AA1801 EXPERIENCE PRICES FROM £670pp SCANDIC HOTEL AA1801 HOTEL WITH AA1802 AA1801 AA1802 DATES 3rd CHILD 3rd CHILD The Scandic’s hill top setting on the western The Hotel With is down close to the TWIN ADULT (4-12) SINGLE TWIN ADULT (4-12) SINGLE side of Tromso Island, 4kms away from the quayside in the city centre with Tromso glare of the urban lighting in the city centre, Sound on one side and the city’s historic ALL 670 575 395 745 695 585 495 795 is perfect for “Northern Lights” spotting. centre on the other. Close by are the Arctic WHAT’S INCLUDED All 146 non-smoking rooms are furnished in Botanical gardens, Mack Brewery, Arctic Prices are in £ per person and include return a functional Scandinavian style and Cathedral and several restaurants and bars. scheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Tromso via equipped with telephone, radio, TV, hair All 76 rooms have air conditioning, Oslo • All airport departure taxes and passenger dryer, iron and private wc/shower. telephone, cable TV and private WC/shower. service charges • 3 nights hotel accommodation in twin room with private WC/ shower 3 Scandinavian • Hilltop location • Non smoking rooms • Waterfront location • Non smoking rooms • buffet breakfasts and 3 BUFFET SUPPERS (HOTEL • Lobby bar restaurant • Sauna • Distance from • Restaurant WITH ONLY) Airport 1km • Distance from city centre 4km
18 Nordic Experience ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLAND
ravel around the top of the TNorwegian peninsula for a very special adventure. Snowmobile across Norwegian tundra; fish for king crabs; sail along the Norwegian coast to the Russian border; pop into the world’s most northerly snow hotel and husky safari along its watch tower lined border. Soak in a hot tub: enjoy fish straight from the sea in a quayside restaurant and reindeer over an open fire in a traditional Sami Teepee. And that’s just the half of it. HOTEL WITH The Hotel With is down close to the quayside in the city centre with Tromso Sound on one side and the city’s historic centre on the other. (more on p 17) FOLDALBRUKET A listed former fish processing warehouse with a museum and a few characterful rooms, sauna and hot tub. An authentic taste of Norwegian maritime life in the 50’s with all sorts of nautical memorabilia. HURTIGRUTEN Norway’s everyday maritime bus service dropping off people, post and packing cases all along the coast (more on our website). NORTHERN LIGHTS AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD
DAY 1 UK - TROMSO Scheduled SAS Crab now immortalised by Gordon Ramsey, flights to Tromso via Oslo . Self transfer & before re-embarking on the Hurtigruten and overnight at Hotel With. Dinner at the cruising above the 70th parallel overnight to hotel. Kirkenes on the Norwegian/Russian border. DAY 2 TROMSO Day at leisure in this uni DAY 5 KIRKENES & THE SNOW HOTEL town set down by Tromso sound; great sea Disembark early morning and transfer to food, the Polaria museum and Fjellheisen the world’s most northerly Snow Hotel (see cable car with its overview of the city are all page 14) before kitting up for a husky safari worth it. Early evening departure by over by the Russian border with a hot snack Hurtigruten sailing up the coast to lunch en route. Return in the afternoon for Honningsvag, overnight accommodation in a tour of the Snow Hotel, dinner in a nearby an I2 cabin. Kota and a night in one of the hotel’s DAY 3 TROMSO – NORTH CAPE - exquisitely sculpted snow suites. KJOLLEFJORD Late morning arrival in DAY 6 KIRKENES – UK Warm up with a Honningsvag: travel by bus north to the sauna before breakfast and transfer to the vertiginous cliff face, christened North Cape airport for return to the UK. by English explorer Richard Chancellor, which is Europe’s northernmost point. On arrival toast your intrepidity in champagne and gaze out across the eerie Arctic Ocean before re-embarking on your Hurtigruten steamer and sailing across open water into the tiny Kjollefjord for a night at charming Foldalbruket. Hot tub & dinner. DAY 4 KJOLLEFJORD - KIRKENES This morning sail out into the fjord on a local trawler to catch your lunch, a giant red King
Nordic Experience 19 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:47 Page 20
ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLAND
t 69ºN, The Kirkenes Snow AHotel is the world’s most The northerly Ice Hotel. With just 15 suites exquisitely sculpted, ice Snow Hotel at the art and double beds topped with reindeer pelts, the Kirkenes Top of the World Snow Hotel is – we think – destined to become the ‘boutique’ of the world’s Ice Hotels.
Just outside Kirkenes, characterised by rather utilitarian architecture, is the awesomely stark Gabba Reindeer Park where the Kirkenes Snowhotel is just a ‘kick sled’ ride away. Here, as you eat your supper in a traditional Sami ‘lavvo’ under the arctic night, it’s hard to imagine this being one of the Cold War’s most incendiary flash points, which the watch towered Norwegian Russian border still bears testimony to. Kirkenes sits 400km north of the Arctic alongside the Barents Sea at the apex of the Scandinavian peninsula where Norway meets Russia and Finland. THE SNOW HOTEL AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD
DAY 1 UK – KIRKENES Scheduled SAS flight(s) to Kirkenes via Oslo. Transfer on arrival to safari station and then kick sled to the Gabba Reindeer Park and Kirkenes Snow Hotel. Supper in a traditional Sami ‘lavvo’ before retiring to your ice suite for the night – sleeping in a giant igloo at the top of the world. DAY 2 KIRKENES & HUSKY SAFARI After breakfast in the Snow Hotel, kick sled back to Kirkenes and check in to the Rica Kirkenes In the surrounding plains of Norwegian hotel for 3 nights. Afternoon at leisure and Lapland you can enjoy a cocktail of evening husky safari in surrounding adventures: snowmobiling over the wilderness including traditional dinner. mountain ridge to observation point 247 where NATO faced down the Russian Bear DAY 3 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI After for half a century; husky safariing under breakfast, a day long guided snowmobile (hopefully) the Northern Lights and tour over the mountains and alongside the snowmobiling out over the ice to fish for watch towered Norwegian/Russian border. DEPARTURE DATES Giant Crabs unique to the Barents Sea. Along the way stop for an open fire lunch of Daily Dec 15 - April 20* All in all, a real ‘been there – done that’ venison washed down with hot coffee, experience. before continuing out to the Barents Sea. Late afternoon return to Kirkenes for some relaxation in the hotel. THE SNOW HOTEL AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD AA2001 DAY 4 KING CRAB SAFARI Breakfast and morning at leisure before getting ready to PRICES FROM pp meet up with the sub aquatic albatross of £1649 the Barents Sea: the two metre claw span WHAT’S INCLUDED King Crab. From Lars Petter Øie’s place Prices are in £ per person and include return alongside the fjord you travel by scheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Kirkenes snowmobile or RIB to the edge of the ice via Oslo • All airport departure taxes and where your driver guide vanishes beneath passenger service charges • Overnight in Snow Hotel and 3 nights at Hotel Rica in twin bedded the water, re-surfacing with a crab for you to room(s) with private wc/shower • 4 breakfasts, 1 take back to the quayside, cook & enjoy. dinner and 2 lunches • Welcome drink (1st night), Late afternoon return to Kirkenes. Husky safari, snowmobile safari & king crab safari as per itinerary • Protective thermal clothing for all DAY 5 KIRKENES – UK Breakfast and safaris • All transfers in Kirkenes. SNOWMOBILE SAFARI SOLE DRIVER SUPPLEMENT £80 morning free before transfer to the airport NB *Weekday flight schedules necessitate an and scheduled SAS flight(s) via Oslo to UK. overnight stay in Oslo on the outbound flight at a supplement.
20 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:47 Page 21
ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLAND
iscover the intimate charm Dand intricate ice architecture of the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel. The Snowmobile across the Arctic tundra; mush your own husky Sorrisniva team under the Northern Lights and feast on ptarmigan, smoked reindeer and crab. Igloo Hotel
With building beginning as the snow falls the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel opens its door in January each year and melts away again in the spring. The structure includes just 20 or so rooms and a few suites; ice lounges and sculpture gallery; an exquisitely decorated ice bar and a consecrated chapel. Annexed to the hotel is something akin to a giant, tent shaped, pine cabin with an VICA HOTEL open fire, sauna, changing cubicles and restaurant serving Sami inspired dishes from After some inhospitable hotel experiences aquatic fowl to chanterelle mushrooms. as a young music teacher, Knut Rydningen firmly believes that a hotel should be ‘home Surrounding the Igloo Hotel in the heart of from home’ and it shows. In the Norwegian Lapland is the Finnmark plateau sympathetic renovation and extension of with its undulating tundra marked only by the original farmhouse building. In the the old trekking trails and lushly scarred by individual fabrics and decoration of the just river valleys with their pine, spruce and 24 rooms. In the ‘Haldde’ restaurant where birch trees. This is where you can hear ‘the you can have locally caught crab. And, sound of silence’; be awestruck by the naming the hotel after his daughters Vibeka density of stars on a clear night in the and Camilla. canopy above you; watch the cold air – blue, pink and yellow.
THE SORRISNIVA IGLOO HOTEL DEPARTURE DATES DAY 1 UK – ALTA Scheduled SAS Hotel. Afternoon at leisure in these idyllic Daily 16 Jan-20 Apr flight(s) from Heathrow to Alta in surroundings on the banks of the Alta river, Norwegian Lapland via Oslo. Self transfer take a walk, go for a kick sled ride or to the Vica hotel for two nights (see spend some time in the outdoor hot tub THE SORRISNIVA AA2101 opposite). gazing at the starry skies perhaps even IGLOO HOTEL DAY 2 HUSKY SAFARI Breakfast and seeing the Northern Lights. Dinner in the private transfer to local Husky Kennels to Lavvu shaped restaurant specialising in PRICES FROM £1195pp try your hand at mushing with your own Sami cuisine, followed perhaps by a WHAT’S INCLUDED team of dogs along the banks of the Alta fortifying drink in the Ice Bar before River. settling down for one of the more unusual Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Alta (via nights of your life; sleeping in an igloo. DAY 3 SNOWMOBILING & IGLOO Oslo) • All airport departure taxes and passenger HOTEL Breakfast followed by morning service charges • 2 nights at Vica hotel in twin DAY 4 ALTA – UK Breakfast at the Alta room(s) with private shower/WC • 1 overnight in transfer to the Sorrisniva Igloo hotel for an Sorrisniva Igloo hotel in standard snow room • 3 exciting day and night. The day starts with Igloo hotel. Transfer to Alta and the Vica breakfasts • 1 lunch • 1 dinner • SNOWMOBILE a snowmobile safari following a forest and hotel for a last taste of Norway, before self AND HUSKY SAFARIS AS PER ITINERARY INCLUDING TRANSFERS AND PROTECTIVE transfer to the airport for return flight(s) via valley trail out and across vast snow THERMAL CLOTHING • Luggage storage whilst covered plains. Late lunch at the Igloo Oslo to the UK. overnighting at Igloo hotel.
Nordic Experience 21 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:47 Page 22
ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLAND
ly up high over the Arctic FCircle for a taste of the picturesque Lofoten Islands, spectacular Arctic wildlife and hopefully the Northern Lights Lofoten overhead. The adjacent Vestfjorden is overflown by Wildlife Safari herring gulls and sea eagles whilst onshore are some of the finest fish restaurants in the world.
Our tour bases you in Svolvaer in the heart of the island’s fishing community so you can enjoy some of the best fish you'll ever eat; savour the unique Lofoten atmosphere, spot wildlife by day, the Northern Lights by night and tour round the archipelago.
SVINOYA’S RORBUER Originally fisherman’s huts, Svinoya’s collection of 30 or so ‘Rorbu’ cabins have been painstakingly restored, or rebuilt using reclaimed timber, to provide some really ‘atmospheric’ accommodation at the water’s edge in the heart of Svolvaer’s fishing community. Each cabin has beds for up to 6 and a modern bathroom with private WC/shower. Nearby, one of the old warehouses has been similarly renovated and now hosts a lovely little restaurant DEPARTURE DATES turning out home cooked traditional fish dishes. Thursdays Oct - Apr
WILDLIFE AND THE NORTHERN LIGHTS WILDLIFE AND THE NORTHERN LIGHTS AA2201 DAY 1 UK – LOFOTEN ISLANDS this dramatic archipelago’s coastline with Scheduled SAS flight to Bodo via Oslo and its multi-coloured fishing huts and white PRICES FROM £995pp Wideroe to Svolvaer. Private transfer to sand beaches set against a vertiginous your Rorbu accommodation in Svolvaer. mountain backdrop. Highlights include WHAT’S INCLUDED Henningsvaer, Kabelvag, Eggum, Prices are in £ per person and include return DAY 2 WILD LIFE SAFARI Your safari day Stamsund and Nusfjord. Return to Svolvaer scheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Bodo begins with a shore side presentation on for R & R. Evening visit to the Polar Light via Oslo • Flight by Wideroe from Bodo to the mammals and wild life of the area Centre in Laukvik for a multi-media Svolvaer return • All airport departure taxes and including the local maritime mystery of the presentation and exposition of the Aurora passenger service charges • Airport/hotel return transfers in Svolvaer • 3 nights Rorbu missing herring and Orcas and then 4/5 and then down to the beach to wait accommodation with private WC/shower hours at sea in a converted trawler with a hopefully for a sight of the real thing. • Breakfasts throughout • Wildlife safari as per fish lunch on board. Unlimited coffee to itinerary including fish soup lunch, coffee and snack on board ship • Full day escorted tour of keep you warm. DAY 4 LOFOTEN ISLANDS - UK Transfer the Lofoton Archipelago between Heeningsvaer to Svolvaer airport and return flights to the and Nusfjord • Evening Northern Lights visit to DAY 3 SVOLVAER Guided day exploring UK via Bodo and Oslo. the Polar Centre
22 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:47 Page 23
ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLAND
ail in the manner and IN THE Sfootsteps of trappers, hunters and whalers on the western edge of Spitsbergen, an archipelago of Footsteps OF extraordinary beauty with unique glacial landscapes and remote Whalers A N D Hunters settlements just 600 miles from the North Pole. As well as the chance of savouring a mountainous beauty unmatched anywhere in the world this proximity to magnetic North gives you one of the finest chances you’ll have of seeing the Northern Lights.
THE NOORDERLICHT The MS ‘Noorderlicht' was originally built and rigged as a three-masted schooner spending most of her commercial life carrying grain in the Baltic before being bought in 1991 and completely refitted and re-rigged by her IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF WHALERS AND HUNTERS current Dutch owners. Today the ‘Noorderlicht' is a well-balanced two-masted DAY 1 UK - OSLO Scheduled SAS flight to DAY 7 BARENTSBURG Dock and schooner with a blue water capability and Oslo. Overnight at Clarion Oslo Airport disembark in Barentsburg, the only ice class strengthened bow crewed by Dutch Hotel. inhabited Russian settlement in Spitsbergen officers and men. Down below, the ship has or in Colesbukta, an abandoned Russian DAY 2 OSLO - LONGYEARBYEN twin cabin accommodation for 20 coal mining settlement. passengers in 10 cabins, all fitted with upper Scheduled SAS flight from Oslo to and lower berths, frosted glass portholes in Longyearbyen. Transfer and embark on MS DAY 8 ISFJORD Sail into the inner reaches the deckhead, hand basin with hot and cold Noorderlicht. Mid afternoon sail for of the Isfjord system, where on a clear night water and hanging locker. There are 5 heads Alkhornet, a high cliff below which there temperatures drop to -10 degrees C and and 4 showers. More comprehensive details, are often Arctic Foxes and Reindeer. new ice forms at the heads of the fjords. Continue to Trygghamna and visit the deck plan and specifications are available on DAY 9 SPITSBERGEN – OSLO – UK remains of a 17th century English whaling our web site or on request. Disembark and departure by SAS scheduled station and an 18th century Pomor one. flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo for return SPITSBERGEN DAY 3-6 SPITSBERGEN Sail from onward flight to UK. Tryghamna early in the morning to the Spitsbergen is the largest of the Svalbard north side of Bell Sund. Bell Sund is a fjord archipelago’s islands, whose capital, system with two major branches (Van Longyearbyen, is the most northerly point in DEPARTURE DATES Mijenfjord, Van Keulenfjord) and a smaller the world reachable by scheduled flight and side bay (Recherchefjord). The geology Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 2011 where in winter the sun never rises. The here has created amazing landscapes, such 2010 departures sold out largest settlements are Longyearbyen, with a as the long, narrow island of Akseloya that population of about 1400, the Russian almost completely blocks Van Mijenfjord. mining town of Barentsburg that is frozen in IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF In Fridtjofhamna, the calving glacier AA2301 time and Ny Ålesund from where Amundsen WHALERS AND HUNTERS Fridtjofbreen is surrounded by picturesque began his epic voyage across the North Pole mountains. The area’s rich wildlife has by airship. attracted hunters across the centuries: walk PRICES FROM £1655pp in their footsteps and see remains of their WHAT’S INCLUDED huts, for example at Ahlstrandhalvoya. Recherchefjord has the highest Prices are in £ per person and include scheduled return SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Longyearbyen concentration of historical sites, dating via Oslo • All airport departure taxes and back to 17th century whalers and the passenger service charges • Overnight mining period of the early 20th century. accommodation in Oslo as required by itinerary The glacier Recherchebreen ends at a • Accommodation on board ship in twin cabins with upper and lower berths • All meals throughout lagoon, likely to be frozen in October, with voyage from embarkation on Day 2 to many smaller icebergs. Polar bears are disembarkation on Day 9 Day including snacks, likely to be present anywhere in the coffee and tea • Shore excursions and activities by Zodiac RIB as conditions allow • Services of Bellsund area, as are Belugas (White experienced expedition leader from arrival in whales). Longyearbyen to departure.
Nordic Experience 23 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:47 Page 24
ARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLAND
OUR FINLAND EXPERIENCE
A land of Golden Cloudberries and Arctic Salmon, of a Everything here is INARI thousand lakes, majestic forests, inspired architecture and owned by the KORPIKARTANO NELLIM (INARI) civilised living. In winter, Finland means Lapland, Pittakainen family: the JERIS legendary home of Father Christmas and a vast hotel itself, husky KAKSLAUTTANEN ruggedly beautiful place spread above the Arctic Circle, breeding kennels; HARRINIVA where the snow falls in some parts from as early as snowmobiles and all (MUONIO) September and a white Christmas is all but guaranteed. services provide by long ARCTIC And this is a world so quiet that you can hear the silence, standing local staff. CIRCLE all the more so if you live in or close to a city. In Korpikartano FINLAND The Lapps or Sami as they are more correctly called overlooking Lake welcome travellers with a genuine hospitality. In Nellim, Menesjarvi, the silence is where Inari, Skolt and Northern Sami peoples have palpable; a quiet so clear mingled for centuries, you can enjoy snowmobile and that you constantly ask husky safaris; try your hand at snow shoeing or cross yourself what it is. And country skiing and camp out on Lake Inari waiting for the there's just no end of Northern Lights. At Kakslauttanen you'll find the finest things to do from snow HELSINKI example of dead wood pine log cabins to be found shoeing to skiing and ice anywhere in Lapland, an Igloo village with glass and fishing to ice dipping. And snow igloos as well as Santa's Resort where Elves guide when you've finished with your adventures you can you around and show you how to pan for gold. discover the rejuvenating powers of the Sauna and the native cuisine built around Arctic Salmon, water fowl, wild Harriniva on the banks of the Muonionjoki is altogether mushrooms and Arctic berries. something special and unique being the only place in Lapland where everything you do is on your doorstep, If you can't find exactly the Finnish Lapland adventure be it husky safariing, snowmobiling, driving a reindeer you're looking for let us use our experience to design an sleigh; tobogganing; ice fishing and much more. itinerary tailored specifically to your requirements.
24 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:47 Page 25
ARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLAND
iscover a silence you can Dhear in the wilderness THE around Lake Menesjarvi and the Lemmenjoki River close to the OF Sami village of Inari. Enjoy a Sounds snowmobile adventure safari across frozen lakes and spend time with people whose way of Silence life and belief system is unchanged from that of their nomadic ancestors. Meet a Sami reindeer herder and help him feed his herd in the wild. Kick sled down to the lake shore and wait patiently for the Northern Lights to appear. And above all enjoy the silence ADVENTURES IN THE WILD
DAY 1 UK - LAPLAND Scheduled Finnair flight[s] from London Heathrow to Ivalo in Finnish Lapland via Helsinki. Private transfer on arrival to Korpikartano. Overnight for 7 nights. DAY 2 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI After breakfast set off along a forest trail and across frozen lakes to Lemmenjoki. Spend time in a local atelier seeing Sami traditional handicraft as well as with a reindeer herder’s family, before snowmobiling across frozen lakes. Return to Korpikartano (3 to 4 hours). Dinner at the hotel. DAY 3 DAY WITH A REINDEER HERDER Travel by sledge to local reindeer feeding grounds where we meet a local Sami herder, and help him feed his herd in the wild and listen to his life and times, and those of his reindeer, around an open fire (4 hours). Dinner at the hotel. DAYS 4 -7 OPTIONAL ADVENTURES You’re really spoilt for choice across these days with a plethora of activities to choose from. Not to be missed is a visit to Inari, the Sami cultural capital, the Museum there and a visit to a Reindeer herder’s DEPARTURE DATES home on the way back. You can learn to cross country ski; take an adventure trip Sundays Dec - Apr into the wilderness by snowmobile; ski and HOTEL KORPIKARTANO sled; spend a guided night out in a Originally a local school at the confluence ADVENTURES wilderness hut in the forest or on a fell or AA2501 fish for perch and then cook your catch of two lakes but now sympathetically IN THE WILD over an open fire. You can even take a trip renovated using local pine and traditional to the edge of the Arctic Ocean travelling carpentry, Ari Honkavuori and his family PRICES FROM £1490pp through the historic lands of Inari, Skolt have created a wilderness hotel in grounds and Northern Sami. If you fancy yourself as stretching down to the lake shore. WHAT’S INCLUDED hard man you can even arrange for a Consisting of two main buildings, a Kota, Price are in £ per person and include Finnair return guide to take you on a survival course. glazed roof hut from which to watch and scheduled flights from Heathrow to Ivalo in Finnish Lapland via Helsinki All airport departure taxes Dinner at the hotel wait for the Northern lights; two saunas • adjacent to the hotel and a wood fired and passenger service charges • 7 nights DAY 8 LAPLAND – UK Breakfast and accommodation in LAKESIDE twin rooms with sauna with hot tub down by the lake shore. private WC/shower • 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches (snack private transfer to Ivalo airport for return There are just 30 lakeside and fell side lunches when on safari) and 7 buffet dinners flight(s) home via Helsinki to London rooms including apartments suitable for • SNOWMOBILE & A DAY WITH HERDER SAFARIS Heathrow. • Protective thermal clothing for duration of stay larger family groups all of which have • Use of toboggans, kick sleds, hotel sauna and private WC/shower; TV and radio. lakeside hut for Northern Lights watching.
Nordic Experience 25 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:48 Page 26
ARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLAND
njoy the authentic Eatmosphere of Finnish Lapland high above the Arctic Snow Adventures Circle in our favourite log cabin hotel. Safari by reindeer, husky and snowmobile by day and at KAKSLAUTTANEN enjoy Lappish hospitality and cuisine by the restaurant’s open fireplace at night.
HOTEL KAKSLAUTTANEN Jussi Eiramo came to Kakslauttanen as a young man for a summer’s fishing and has stayed ever since. Today, the 31 log cabins, restaurant and adjacent igloo village are all testimony to Jussi’s passionate attention to detail. The cabins, of varying sizes, are all equipped with shower, toilet, kitchenette, open fireplace and sauna and set amongst trees around a central building. This has a fully licensed restaurant with an open fireplace, around which local specialities are cooked, and a small handicraft/souvenir shop. Sleds are available for everyone’s free use and cross-country skis and snowshoes can be hired from the hotel. KAKSLAUTTANEN IGLOO VILLAGE Just 100 metres from the hotel, Jussi creates each year his very own igloo village with a magnificent ice gallery at its centre. There are both snow igloos, with an inside temperature of -3˚C/-6˚C and, as a gesture to modern life, 20 glass igloos with a comfortable bed, wc and a panoramic view of the night sky. In these the temperature is a tropical +21˚C. Never content with letting the ground freeze under his feet, Jussi has SNOW ADVENTURES DEPARTURE DATES also built the world’s largest smoke sauna AT KAKSLAUTTANEN Daily and an ice restaurant. Dec - Apr DAY 1 UK – IVALO Scheduled Finnair flight(s) from London via Helsinki to Ivalo in Northern Finnish Lapland. Arrive 19.20 NEW YEAR and transfer to hotel. Settle in to your private log cabin and dinner at the hotel. December 30th DAY 2 HUSKY SAFARIfter A breakfast, start your days of Lapland magic with a husky safari through and across the SNOW ADVENTURES enchanting wilderness. All equipment and AT KAKSLAUTTANEN AA2601 clothing will be provided and a picnic lunch is included. Dinner at the hotel. PRICES FROM £1320pp DAY 3 SNOWMOBILE SAFARIoday’s T adventure is an evening Northern Lights WHAT’S INCLUDED Snowmobile Safari up to a spot on the Prices are in £ per person and include return fells known locally as an ideal spot for the scheduled Finnair flight(s) from Heathrow to Ivalo via Helsinki • In-flight cabin service • All airport taxes and Aurora to appear. Dinner at the hotel. passenger service charges • Accommodation in log DAY 4 REINDEER SAFARIfter A breakfast, cabin with private WC/shower, own logwood fireplace safari today at a more leisurely pace - by and sauna • Breakfasts, picnic lunches & dinners as per itinerary • Reindeer, husky & snowmobile safaris as reindeer. Lunch is provided during your detailed in itinerary including thermal clothing and any safari before free time in the afternoon, special equipment required. *Small cabins are either just to relax or try your hand at cross- 40sq.mtrs with a separate twin bedroom and bunk beds in the living area. **Large cabins (for 3-5 persons) country skiing. Dinner at the hotel. are 65sq.mtrs with 2 separate bedrooms, 1 with twin & DAY 5 IVALO – UKreakfast B and 1 with bunk beds and a sofa bed in the living area and Large cabins (for 2 persons) are 44sq.mtrs with a morning at leisure before transfer to Ivalo studio bedroom/living room. NB Hire of thermal and return flight(s) via Helsinki back to clothing for 5 days including complete set of London. protective suit, boots, mittens and scarf £75 pp.
26 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:48 Page 27
ARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLAND
iscover the wild, rugged Dbeauty of the Pallas- Yllästunturi National Park at Jeris Lakeside Vistas set down on its very edge. Enjoy days of snowmobile, husky and snow shoe safaris followed by & Fell Adventures the soothing warmth of a lakeside pool overlooking the frozen vista of Lake Jerisjarvi. Choose from either the conviviality of the hotel itself or the privacy of a cabin with its own sauna and open log fire.
LAKESIDE VISTAS & FELL ADVENTURES DAY 1 UK – KITTILA Scheduled Finnair DAY 6 AT LEISURE Spend the day either flight(s) to Kittila via Helsinki. Private just relaxing by the lakeside or practising transfer to Jeris Hotel or Cottages. your newly acquired snow shoe skills. Overnight for 6 nights. DAY 7 KITTILA – UK Breakfast and private DAY 2 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI After car transfer to Kittila airport for scheduled breakfast it’s time to meet your guide who Finnair flight(s) via Helsinki to Heathrow. will give you full instructions on how to drive a snowmobile before setting off. The distance driven is around 30kms and the journey covers the most perfect fell scenery with forests and frozen lakes. Afternoon at leisure. DAY 3 SNOW GAMES Cross country trails start from outside the hotel and its here your guide for the day will show you the basics of his craft and take you for a short guided trip suitable to your skill level. JERIS HOTEL AND Lunch at the hotel followed by a similar COTTAGES DEPARTURE DATES exercise, only this time with snow shoes. The Jeris hotel, wood fired sauna, heated Sundays DAY 4 REINDEER SAFARI Drive to a indoor pools and illuminated ice pool sit on Jan - Apr traditional Lapland Manor where our local the shoreline overlooking Lake Jerisjarvi with reindeer herder's family has lived since the its cottages clustered on the sloping fell side LAKESIDE VISTAS 19th Century. There will be a short film behind. The hotel itself has 27 rooms & FELL ADVENTURES AA2701 presentation describing the importance of rustically clad in local pine with private reindeer in Lappish life before visiting the WC/shower, TV, telephone and clothes reindeer farm. At the farm you can try your drying locker. The restaurant where you take PRICES FROM £1430pp hand at lassoing before setting off in a your meals whether staying in the hotel or reindeer-pulled sleigh for a 3km safari. cabin serves local fare using reindeer, locally WHAT’S INCLUDED Lunch by an open fire in a traditional caught fish, wild berries, forest mushrooms Prices are in £ per person and include return Lappish kota is included. and indigenous plants and herbs such as scheduled Finnair flight(s) from Heathrow to Kittila via Helsinki • All airport departure taxes and DAY 5 HUSKY SAFARI After breakfast Angelica. The cabins come in 3 different passenger service charges • In-flight cabin service your guide will take you to meet the configurations suitable for parties up to 7; • Airport/Hotel return transfers • 6 nights hotel huskies and after a lesson in ‘mushing’ you the smallest has a pull out sofa bed for two accommodation in twin room(s) with private set off on an exciting 17km tour through WC/shower • 6 breakfasts, 5 light lunches & 6 buffet on the ground floor plus a sleeping alcove dinners • Programme as per itinerary • Services of the snow clad forest driving your own dog for two more. All have lounge/kitchenette, experienced guides during all tours • Protective team. sauna, shower and toilet room, fireplace, thermal clothing included throughout the stay. drying cupboard and TV.
Nordic Experience 27 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:48 Page 28
ARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLAND
njoy the informal family Ehospitality of one of Lapland’s oldest wilderness hotels by the Muonionjoki marking the border Adventures with Sweden and home to the largest husky breeding kennels at Harriniva in Europe. Thrill at mushing your own husky team; snowmobile, reindeer safari and ice fish against a backdrop of the wild rugged beauty of Finnish Lapland’s western fell country.
Harriniva lies in the beautiful rolling fell land of Western Lapland where the hills and forests typify a Lapland untouched for 1,000 years. Here, alongside the border with Sweden, the Pietikainen family have offered hospitality for over 25 years to travellers, fishermen, skiers and adventurers as well as rearing Siberian Huskies. Your adventure includes safari opportunities through some of the world’s most beautiful scenery in the midst of Lapland’s fells and forests.
HARRINIVA Harriniva has 46 pine-clad rooms all with their own private WC/Shower. In addition there are 6 larger rooms with private saunas and 12 two floor apartment style rooms which can accommodate up to 6 people available on request. There is a restaurant, a bar and a wellness centre with sauna and outdoor hot tubs. DEPARTURE DATES Sundays 2 Jan - 14 Apr
ADVENTURES AT HARRINIVA ADVENTURES AT HARRINIVA AA2801 DAY 1 UK – KITTILA Scheduled Finnair DAY 3 HUSKY SAFARI After breakfast flight(s) to Kittila via Helsinki. Private your guide will take you to meet the transfer to the Harriniva Wilderness Hotel. huskies and after a lesson in ‘mushing’ you PRICES FROM £830pp Dinner and overnight for 4 nights. set off on an exciting 17km tour through WHAT’S INCLUDED the snow clad forest driving your own dog DAY 2 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI After team. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Prices are in £ per person and include return breakfast it is time to meet your guide scheduled Finnair flight(s) from Heathrow to Kittila who will give you full instructions on how DAY 4 OPTIONAL SAFARIS Day at via Helsinki • All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges • In-flight cabin service to drive a snowmobile before setting off. leisure or for optional excursions. • Airport/Hotel return transfers • 4 nights The distance driven is around 30kms and accommodation in twin room(s) with private DAY 5 KITTILA – UK Breakfast and private the journey covers perfect fell scenery WC/shower • use of sauna • 4 breakfasts and 4 car transfer to Kittila airport for scheduled with forests and frozen lakes. Afternoon at buffet dinners • Programme as per itinerary Finnair flight(s) via Helsinki to Heathrow. • Services of experienced guides during all tours leisure. Dinner and overnight at the • Protective thermal clothing included throughout hotel. your stay.
28 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:48 Page 29
ARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLAND
ake Inari is infused with the Lmysticism of Sami culture and the village of Nellim lies at its very heart. Here in this most Adventures tranquil of settings, an Inari Sami family create a warm and by Lake Inari magical atmosphere for you in which to enjoy snowmobile and husky safaris and practice the ancient Sami arts of snow shoeing and skiing.
ADVENTURES BY LAKE INARI
DAY 1 UK - NELLIM Scheduled Finnair to soak up the unique atmosphere of this flight(s) to Ivalo via Helsinki. Private special spot with its mix of Sami cultures; transfer by car to Hotel Nellim. play snow games down by the side of the Programme briefing, dinner and overnight lake; test your prowess on snow shoes or for 5 nights. enjoy an excursion of your choice. Dinner at the hotel. DAY 2 A DAY WITH A REINDEER HERDER Snowmobile out in to the forest DAY 5 HUSKY SAFARI After breakfast to meet your reindeer herder tending and it’s time to meet Christopher’s pack of feeding his herd in the wild. Continue Alaskan huskies whose kennels are just a along the shores of Lake Inari with a stop short walk from the hotel’s front door and for lunch with some local fishermen before whose excited barking slowly magnifies as continuing back to Nellim (50km/5 to 6 you approach them through the trees. hours). Dinner at the hotel Adults mush their own team of dogs: as the dogs pull you along a snow-carpeted DAY 3 OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS & trail the silence is broken only by the AURORA EVENING SNOWMOBILE whooshing sound of slicing sleigh runners. Choice of optional activities during the Lunch cooked en route over an open fire. day before an evening snowmobile out to (10 km/4 to 5 hours) Dinner at the hotel. a special spot by the Lake to stake out the Northern Lights (20km/3 hours). Dinner at DAY 6 NELLIM - UK Breakfast and DEPARTURE DATES the hotel. private car transfer to Ivalo airport for scheduled Finnair flight(s) via Helsinki to Sundays Jan - Apr DAY 4 AT LEISURE Today is free for you Heathrow. ADVENTURES BY LAKE INARI AA2901 WILDERNESS HOTEL NELLIM The Wilderness Hotel Nellim is owned and PRICES FROM £1255pp run by the Lappalainen family: Jouko and WHAT’S INCLUDED Mari. Here they have converted the old Prices are in £ per person and include return school house into a home for travellers scheduled Finniar flight(s) from Heathrow to Ivalo looking for adventure and tranquility. 12 via Helsinki • All airport departure taxes and standard hotel rooms and 8 cosy passenger service charges • In-flight cabin service apartments with private WC/shower; fresh • Airport/Hotel return transfers • 5 nights accommodation in twin room(s) with private food from the lake or forests and an WC/shower • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners authentic Sami family welcome characterise • Excursions as per itinerary • Services of the hotel. experienced local wilderness guide(s) • Protective thermal clothing for duration of stay.
Nordic Experience 29 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:48 Page 30
ARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLAND
ne of the very few Oremaining family owned hotels in Lapland, Harriniva Christmas in shows all the merits of being so. Informal, intimate and with somewhere or other a Harriniva Pietikainen to look after you at all times. Harriniva lies at the heart of a devout Lutheran community making Christmas here something just that bit magical for grown ups and children alike
CHRISTMAS IN HARRINIVA
DAY 1 Depart Heathrow at 10.20 on Finnair CHRISTMAS DAY Morning at leisure with DEPARTURE DATES scheduled flight(s) via Helsinki to Kittila. kick sleds, toboggans, snow shoes and ice Arrive 17.40 local time and transfer to fishing lines all available by the side of the December 23rd Muonio. Check-in to your room where your hotel in what amounts to a giant playground thermal clothing will be available. Buffet made from snow. Lunch in the hotel after CHRISTMAS supper. which there is an optional horse drawn sleigh AA3001 ride through the forest following a winding IN HARRINIVA CHRISTMAS EVE After breakfast walk to the trail through snow clad pines. Buffet dinner. dog kennels to begin your husky mushing PRICES FROM £1080pp adventure: your team will bark excitedly BOXING DAY After breakfast set off on a before you set off only to fall instantly silent family snowmobile safari along snow clad WHAT’S INCLUDED as they pull you through the forest with the forest trails [30 km 21/2 hrs] . Stop midway Prices are in £ per person and include return only sound being that of the sled’s runners for a warming berry juice by an open fire scheduled Finnair flight(s) from Heathrow to slicing through the snow [17km 3hrs]. Lunch and then return to the hotel for late lunch. Lapland • All airport departure taxes and back at the hotel after which children help Afternoon at leisure. Buffet dinner passenger service charges • In-flight cabin service • Airport/Hotel return transfers • Twin/family room search for the perfect Christmas tree which DAY 5 After breakfast, time for the children accommodation with private facilities • Breakfasts, they can then decorate and bake cookies lunches and dinners as per itinerary • Festive to have one last play in the snow before with the elves. Traditional Christmas dinner Christmas Dinner and visit from Father Christmas your transfer to Kittila airport for Finnair Exclusive SAFARI EXCURSIONS AS PER culminating in a visit by Father Christmas who • scheduled flight(s) to Heathrow where you ITINERARY • Complete set of protective termal will have a small present for everyone. clothing, inc. mittens, boots, scarf & hat, from land at 17.10 local time. arrival in Lapland to departure.
30 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:48 Page 31
ARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLAND
he kaleidoscopic mix of Tcultures in Nellim with its Inari, Skolt and Northern Sami by roots and the possibility of the A New Year Northern Lights swirling around over the pine forest, make a Lake Inari New Year here something of a culinary & festive riot.
A NEW YEAR BY LAKE INARI
DEC 29 UK – LAPLAND Depart Heathrow lunch of salmon soup washed down with hot at 10.20 on Finnair scheduled flight(s) to berry juice in a clearing in the forest around Ivalo via Helsinki. Arrive 17.35 local time and an open fire. New Year’s Eve is celebrated transfer to Nellim. Check into your room, with a menu of trout from Lake Inari, King welcome drink, programme briefing and Crab from the Barents Sea and cloudberries dinner. from the Inari basin. Celebrations are not DEC 30 HUSKY SAFARI This morning it’s constrained by time zones: the New Year time to meet Christopher’s pack of Alaskan comes in early for the Skolt, an hour later for DEPARTURE DATES huskies whose kennels in the forest are just a the Inari Sami and an hour after that for the 29 Dec short walk from the hotel and whose excited Northern Sami. As the evening wears on barking slowly magnifies as you approach there will be fireworks, dancing and fortunes them through the trees. Adults mush their told from the shapes formed by melting tin! A NEW YEAR AA3101 own team of dogs and as the dogs pull you NEW YEAR’S DAY Leisurely,late breakfast BY LAKE INARI along a snow-carpeted trail the silence is before a visit to a nearby reindeer corral to broken only by the whooshing sound of meet a herder along with his herd, help feed PRICES FROM £1095pp slicing sleigh runners. En route, enjoy lunch them and listen to Sami tall stories! In the cooked over an open fire. Later spend an evening take a valedictory snowmobile out WHAT’S INCLUDED afternoon of games in the snow on the to a special spot by Lake Inari to stake out Prices are in £ per person and include return sloping bank running down to the lake with the Northern Lights for perhaps one of scheduled Finnair flight(s) from Heathrow to snow shoeing, tobogganing, ice fishing and nature’s dazzling light shows to end your stay Lapland • In-flight cabin service • All airport taxes reindeer lasso throwing practice. Dinner at [20km/3 hours]. and passenger service charges • Airport/hotel transfers • Accommodation in twin room(s) with the hotel. JAN 2 LAPLAND – UK Breakfast and time private WC/shower • Welcome drink • Breakfasts, NEW YEAR’S EVE After breakfast, climb for a last toboggan before transfer to Ivalo lunches and dinners as per programme including aboard your snowmobile for a safari through and return flight(s) via Helsinki to Heathrow, special New Year festive dinner • All activities and the pine forests surrounding Lake Inari and a departing at 13.20 and arriving at 17.10. excursions as per itinerary including any special clothing required • Complete set of thermal clothing including mittens, boots, scarf and hat • Services of local guide in Lapland.
Nordic Experience 31 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:49 Page 32
ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELAND
OUR ICELAND EXPERIENCE
A land of fire and ice: a wild, romantic place with narrow fjords; deep ravines; vast glaciers surrounded by jumbles of moraine; black sand deserts; volcanoes; glacial lakes and spluttering geysers.
For geology students, amateur or professional, the island is like an interactive encyclopaedia: bubbling here, cracking open there, frozen solid in places and with water cascading everywhere. The interior is uninhabited and uninhabitable and despite some forest clearances over the centuries must look pretty much as it did a thousand or more years ago.
No more than 3 hours flying time from your choice of 5 UK airports, Iceland lies in the middle of the Atlantic just enjoy the south's spectacular attractions by Super Jeep below the Arctic Circle with two thirds of its charming with a local guide or spot for Northern Lights from a hot and welcoming population living in or around Reykjavik. tub outside your room at the Ranga, one of our favourite The capital is a cool chic place, teeming with life over the hotels run by some of our favourite people. And there’s weekdend and with restaurants serving up both no better place to spend New Year when the city is traditional and modernistic dishes based around the garlanded by bonfires before fireworks at midnight. island's staples of fish and lamb. If you can't find exactly the Icelandic adventure you’re You can stay there for a few days and enjoy both looking for let us use our experience to design an adventure safaris and more leisurely excursions day; itinerary tailored specifically to your requirements.
32 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:49 Page 33
ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELAND
eykjavík, with its long time R‘cool’ reputation and the destination of choice for a A Brief Encounter with cognoscente including Jeremy Clarkson, Eric Clapton, Jamie Oliver and Reese Witherspoon, is now ‘chilled and sparkling’ with stylish hotels, modish design and cutting edge everything. With a milder climate than other cities on the same latitude (even in winter it can be warmer than Vienna or New York), the weekend nightlife spills affably out on to the streets. The seafood is out of this world (everything from shark to salmon); the people just delightful and welcoming. And on Reykjavík’s doorstep are wild and romantic places with narrow fjords, deep ravines, vast glaciers with jumbles of moraine, dormant volcanoes, thunderous waterfalls and spouting geysers. If God had designed a theme park this would surely have been it. THE CENTRUM HÓTEL HÓTEL REYKJAVÍK Stylish modern A modern, centrally hotel inside with located, standard an exterior class hotel with a sympathetically in pleasant informal keeping with its atmosphere. All 78 surrounding rooms have private clapboard buildings. WC and shower/ Bang in the centre of town but in a quiet bath, telephone, radio, mini-bar and satellite TV. enclave (more than useful on a Friday or • Central location • A la carte restaurant Saturday night). Close to restaurants and • Café • Lounge bar shops. All 89 rooms are furnished and fitted in a Scandinavian minimalist but warm style and have private WC/shower, radio, TV, telephone. HOTEL PLAZA • City Centre • Quiet location • Icelandic cuisine • Café/bar In the heart of the old city on “Ingólfstorg” the main square with restaurants, HOTEL KLOPP shopping and nightlife on your doorstep, the Plaza’s In Reykjavik’s 101 glass edifice is unmissable. district, the city’s most The hotel has recently fashionable, and within been given a complete walking distance of the makeover and renovated to provide a bright city’s main attractions: HOTEL ODINSVE modern décor marked by contemporary oak stylish bars, cafés, furnishings and bright fabrics. All 180 rooms restaurants, museums A stylish gem tucked away close to the city have their own free high-speed internet and shops all at your fingertips. The décor in centre with the most complimentary guest connection, TV, WC/shower, hairdryer, tea & all 46 rooms is modern Scandinavian with book remarks you’ll ever read. coffee making facilities and much more. wooden floors and black slate bathrooms. All NORDICA HOTEL • City Centre • Lobby bar • Breakfast 40 rooms have private WC/shower, mini-bar, hairdryer; satellite TV, high-speed internet restaurant Few hotels pull off the blend between ‘local access. atmosphere’ and ‘elegant’ but the Nordica • Just off main shopping street • Lobby bar does – and in style. GRAND HOTEL REYKJAVÍK • Breakfast restaurant The Grand is the A BRIEF ENCOUNTER AA3301 perfect union WITH REYKJAVIK between quiet HÓTEL BORG surroundings and The Borg is to proximity to the city PRICES FROM £395pp centre (about a 20- Reykjavík what the minute walk). All George V is to Paris WHAT’S INCLUDED 209 rooms in the new tower block (where our or Claridges to Prices are in £ per person and include return room allocation is), are particularly spacious London: plush, lush scheduled flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, with either twin, queen or king sized beds and Glasgow* or Manchester* to Reykjavik • All airport and with phones in departure taxes and passenger service charges private WC/bath tub/shower with heated tile the bathrooms! All 56 rooms are elegant • Pay on board cabin service • 3 nights floors, radio, telephone, satellite TV, hair dryer and uniquely furnished and have private accommodation in twin room(s) with private and mini-bar. WC/shower, TV and telephone. WC/shower • 3 breakfasts • Airport/Hotel arrival • Quiet convenient location • A la carte and departure transfers • Departure transfer via Central location Restaurant Blue Lagoon supplement £25 *Flight schedule may restaurant • Bar • 24hr room service • Spa • • dictate amended itinerary • Non smoking rooms • Everything renovated from top to bottom
Nordic Experience 33 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:49 Page 34
ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELAND
EXCURSIONS & SUPER JEEP SAFARIS
REYKJAVÍK SIGHTSEEING NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPER JEEP LOBSTER FEST An ideal Climb aboard for an evening Iceland’s lava orientation to hunt for the beautiful fields are so the capital auroras known as the surreal they seem including the Northern Lights. Sometimes from another little fishing white, wispy and elusive and world but when village of at others rainbow coloured, illuminated by the Hafnarfjördur. swirling and dramatic. The blues and greens Visit the Norwegian, who first gave of the Northern cosmic looking an explanation as to how Lights, they take Perlan nestling they came about was driven your breath away. Negotiating the tricky on a hill overlooking the city; continue to mad (literally) by them: if you are lucky mountain tracks from the comfort of a Hafnarfjördur via the Presidential Residence enough to catch a sighting your reaction luxury SuperJeep (a specially converted and the fish market; then to Hotoi, the may be a touch more muted! Hotel pick-up version of the world’s largest SUV, complete Lutheran Cathedral and Hallgrim’s Church. at 19.30 for 3/5 hours. £45 per person. with four-foot wheels and deflatable tyres 1 Hotel pick-up at 8.30 am for 2 ⁄2 hours. BY SUPER JEEP £75 per person for gliding across the ice), is the way to £35 per person experience them in true style. Leave BLUE LAGOON AND Reykjavik just as the sun begins to set, and KEFLAVÍK TRANSFER drive under the stars down to the fishing village of Fjorubordid and round off the If you want GOLDEN CIRCLE CLASSIC evening with a platter of freshly caught some time for lobster in butter and garlic. Hotel pick-up at last minute 6.30/7.00. £199 per person shopping this is a short form of our other Blue GOLDEN CIRCLE Lagoon SUPER JEEP CLASSIC excursion leaving out the Reykjanes Peninsula, so you need not check out of your hotel until Available all year round and an all-day midmorning. An ideal way to make the scenic extravaganza that bombards the most of your last few hours in Reykjavík. senses. First stop the landscapes south of Hotel pick-up at 10.30 am leaving the Lake Þingvallavatn before the National Park Lagoon at 2 pm for your flight back to the Þingvellir. From there continue to Gullfoss, UK. Entrance to the Blue Lagoon payable the Golden Waterfall, with its foaming, locally. £35 per person thundering waters invariably over-arched with a rainbow. Continue to the Geysir area BLACK SAND BEACHES & with its spouting water geysers and MÝRDALSJÖKULL GLACIER bubbling mud pots with time for lunch The white-knuckle ride of all time - a whole (payable locally). Return to Reykjavík via the Iceland’s Southern shore is an exquisite day tour following the classic Golden Circle cathedral at Skálholt, the extraordinary contrast between the hay meadows lying (see panel opposite) route of Gullfoss, crater Kerið and the greenhouse community back from the shoreline, the backdrop of Geysir, Þingvellir and the Kerið crater in a Hveragerði. Hotel pick-up at 8.00 am for 8 the Hekla volcano and the Mýrdalsjökull specially equipped Icelandic Super Jeep. hours. £65 per person glacier; black sand beaches fringed with Your giant SUV reaches the parts other white foaming sea and the plunge waterfalls vehicles don’t - the ultimate boys toy day Seljandfoss and Skogafoss. Your day takes out. Every view from one is that little bit BLUE LAGOON, GULLFOSS in all these as well as the bird cliffs more special - every journey that little bit & GEYSIR alongside Vik (trivia note: vik is old Norse more exciting. £159 per person for bay, hence the etymology of Viking- A full day people of the bay) and a hardcore drive up excursion on the Mýrdalsjökull glacier on which you ÞÓRSMÖRK BY SUPER JEEP beginning with can snowmobile(optional and payable Iceland’s Southern shore is an exquisite the Blue Lagoon locally). Return via Hveragerði, the contrast between the hay meadows lying whose warm, greenhouse village heated geothermally, back from the shoreline, the backdrop of turquoise blue back to Reykjavik. £169 per person the Hekla volcano and the Mýrdalsjökull waters lie glacier; black sand beaches fringed with amongst the EXCURSIONS LIKE NO OTHERS white foaming sea and the plunge waterfalls black rocks of a lava field. From here you Seljandfoss and Skogafoss. The star travel to Þingvellir where the early Viking As well as the attraction here is Þórsmörk where melt settlers decided to stop raping and excursions showcased waters converge in the Malkarflöt river pillaging and set up a parliament instead. here we have others which empties black volcanic sand on the And then on to Gullfoss, in winter a giant ranging from horse beaches by Skogar. A protected nature mass of frozen stalagmites and stalagtites riding to glacier reserve surrounded on 3 sides by glaciers overflowing with foaming water, before snowmobiling; caving and mountains, the torrenting streams make arriving at the famous Geysir area. Return amongst icy stalactites for adventurous crossings amongst the to Reykjavik. Hotel pick-up at 8.30 for 10 to floating amongst carpet of dwarf birch covering the ground. hours. Entrance to Blue Lagoon payable icebergs. These are all Hotel pick up at 08:30 for locally. £85 per person featured on a special link on our website 10 hrs. £165 per person www.nordicexperience.co.uk. 34 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:49 Page 35
ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELAND
elebrate New Year in a style Cpeculiar to Icelanders that attracts visitors from around the world not least because unlimited fireworks can be had Reykjavik by anyone which Icelanders take maximum advantage of and garland the city with displays. New Year Start the evening with our ‘Buffet on Ice’; blow out the Old Year on our bonfire tour; bring in Fire & Ice the New with champagne and fireworks and then dance the night away. Over the next few days, snowmobile across a glacier, search for the Northern Lights or simply chill out in the Blue Lagoon. Reykjavik is an unlikely city to warrant the description “as hip and happening as it is possible to be”. The shops are stylish and according to A.A. Gill, the women “the most beautiful in the world”. And the locals have developed a legendary and prodigious reputation for being able to enjoy themselves. This ultra-modernity and party town atmosphere dramatically contrasts with the island interior with its geologically sculpted scenery; glacial ice fields, sand deserts, lava fields, volcanoes, waterfalls and geysers. All of which you can see either by horseback, Super Jeep, snowmobile or, for the fainthearted, from the comfort of a reclining FIRE AND ICE NEW YEAR coach seat. 29 DEC Scheduled Icelandair flight from GRAND Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester to HOTEL Reykjavik. Transfer on arrival to Grand Hotel REYKJAVIK for 4 nights. 30 DEC Optional excursions (see page 31) The Grand is the NEW YEAR’S EVE PROGRAMME perfect union 5.30 Sparkling wine and strawberries between quiet surroundings and proximity to reception the city centre (about a 20-minute walk or 10 minutes in a cab), especially for 30 6.30 Buffet on Ice accompanied by Icelandic somethings. All 209 rooms in the new tower folk entertainment block (where our room allocation is), are 9.00 Optional guided tour around the best of particularly spacious with either twin, queen or the city’s bonfires, blowing out the Old Year king sized beds and private WC/bath in Reykjavik’s time honoured manner. Return tub/shower with heated tile floors, radio, to hotel. telephone, satellite TV, hair dryer and mini-bar. 10.15 Dessert and coffee FIRE AND ICE • Quiet convenient location • A la carte 11.45 Sparkling wine and canapés on the NEW YEAR AA3501 restaurant • Bar • 24hr room service • Spa hotel’s 4th floor balcony with one of the city’s • Non smoking rooms best views for watching the fireworks display PRICES FROM pp and midnight countdown. £685 12.30 Dancing and live music in the hotel’s WHAT’S INCLUDED Gullteigur ballroom Price includes return scheduled Icelandair flight(s) 2.00 To bed or bar from Heathrow or Manchester to Reykjavik • Pay on board cabin service All airport departure taxes and 31 DEC Optional excursions (see page 31) • passenger service charges • 4 nights accommodation 1 JAN Optional excursions (see page 31) in twin room(s) with private WC/shower • 4 breakfasts 2 JAN Morning at leisure before transfer, via • NEW YEAR'S EVE PROGRAMME INCLUDING GALA DINNER AS PER ITINERARY • Blue Lagoon the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing bathe. excursion • CENTRUM HOTEL SUPPLEMENT £70pp Continue to Keflavik for return flight to UK. • OPTIONAL BONFIRE TOUR SUPPLEMENT £40pp
Nordic Experience 35 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:49 Page 36
ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELAND
ake your loved one away for Ta romantic break with a bit of an edge; stay at Hotel Holt one of Reykjavik’s finest hotels Romantic hitherto reserved for locals; pamper her with a manicure and Getaway facial at Badhusid, a women’s only spa founded by a former Miss Iceland; wine and dine her at Sjavarkjallarinn one of Reykjavik’s chicest and luxiest restaurants serving Icelandic fare with an Asian fusion twist. Add to the occasion as you will with Icelandair flight upgrades and Super Jeep Safaris.
HOTEL HOLT Something of an Icelandic institution the Holt is both where anybody who is anybody has their celebratory occasions not least because of its restaurant which, with its specialities such as toasted cod, arctic char, langoustine bisque and toasted pigeon terrine. From the moment you walk through the front door the leather backed chairs, original art on the walls and effortless superiority speak of an understated elegance. All double rooms are individually furnished with signature walnut inlaid headboards on King size beds and have minibar, satellite television, hairdryer, telephone, safe and wireless internet. BAÐHÚSIÐ is a ladies only health spa founded Linda Pétursdóttir, a former Miss Iceland, offering scented oil massage, luxurious facials, beauty treatments, the steam room or a "rest-nest" with plants, candle light and soothing music. A facial and manicure for your wife or female partner is included in the price of your stay. SJAVARKJALLARINN Bathed in cool warm neon light, the menu is eastern-inspired with a snappy freshness. Its signature dish is a Kilner jar inside which steams a slice of foie gras, a ROMANTIC GET-AWAY langoustine tail fused with scented fresh herbs from the organic hothouses at Hveragerdi. DAY 1 UK – REYKJAVÍK Scheduled Dinner for 2 here is included during your stay. Icelandair flight from Heathrow to DEPARTURE DATES Reykjavík. Private transfer by Super Jeep Sundays 2 Jan - 14 Apr on arrival to Hotel Holt for 3 nights. Arrival night 3 course dinner including prior wine tasting amidst the hotel’s 4000 strong wine ROMANTIC collection in their Vinkjallarinn. GET-AWAY AA3601 DAY 2 REYKJAVÍK Hang out, chill out and take an excursion or safari [see page PRICES FROM £830pp 34 for details). DAY 3 REYKJAVÍK Morning at leisure or WHAT’S INCLUDED optional excursion. Later the love of your Prices include return scheduled flight(s) from life pampers herself with a facial and Heathrow, Glasgow* or Manchester* to Reykjavik All passenger service charges and airport manicure safari before your evening meal • departure taxes • Pay on board cabin services at Sjavarkjallarinn. • Super Jeep arrival transfers and Flybus return DAY 4 REYKJAVIK – UK Time for a last • 3 nights hotel accommodation in double room(s) with private WC/bath • 3 breakfasts • Arrival night look around Reykjavik before Flybuss dinner including wine tasting • DINNER AT transfer to the airport and return flight to SJAVARKJALLARINN FOR 2 • 1 MANICURE & the UK FACIAL AT BADHUSID.
36 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:50 Page 37
ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELAND
oak up Southern Iceland’s Sunique cocktail of sights: the Glaciers & Waterfalls under the falling water curtains that are Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, the glacial snowmobiling rink that is Mýrdalsjökull & the foam Northern pounding on Dyrhólæy’s black sand beaches. And then by night Lights enjoy food to die for and afterwards soak in a hot tub under the Northern Lights.
HÓTEL RANGÁ Set in lush meadowland against a backdrop of Mount Hekla, the Ranga which started WHAT TO SEE life as a private fishing lodge has over the years spawned de-luxe rooms, a restaurant SKÓGAFOSS AND SELJALANDSFOSS. with a ‘Surf a Turf’ signature dish; outdoor Seljalandsfoss spills straight off the fell side hot tubs; suites themed and furnished dropping into a shallow pool. Skógafoss around the six continents, Royal Suite and similarly drops straight down into a pool in Lounge Bar. Notwithstanding such front of you. development the hotel has done it all whilst THE GOLDEN CIRCLE. An unmissable trio keeping its very personal owner driven style of sights that are a ‘must do’ for every and ambience. Iceland visitor. The double fall at Gulfoss makes it unique; the eponymous Geysir area gave the world the name. Last but not GLACIERS & WATERFALLS UNDER least Þingvellir, where the early Vikings gave THE NORTHERN LIGHTS DEPARTURE DATES up rape and pillage in favour of DAY 1 UK – REYKJAVIK Scheduled parliamentary democracy. Daily 10 Oct-30 Apr Icelandair flight to Reykjavik, collect hire DYRHÓLÆY is the southernmost tip of car and drive to Hotel Ranga for 3 nights. Iceland signatured with a rock arch that the GLACIERS & WATERFALLS AA3701 DAY 2 HELLAt Aleisure. sea has eroded from the headland. Puffins UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS and eider ducks are prolific here but the DAY 3 HELLAt Aleisure cliffs are multicultural with fulmars, PRICES FROM £695pp guillemots and kittiwakes all vying for DAY 4 HELLA – REYKJAVIK Drive to space with each other. Reykjavík via Gulfoss and Geysir, alongside WHAT’S INCLUDED Þingvellir and into Reykjavik for an overnight Prices are in £ per person and include return at Hotel Centrum. scheduled Icelandair flight(s) from Heathrow, Glasgow* and Manchester* to Reykjavik • In-flight DAY 5 REYKJAVIK – UK Morning at cabin service • All passenger service charges and leisure before driving out to the airport for airport departure taxes • 3 nights accommodation scheduled Icelandair flight to UK. at Hotel Ranga and 1 night at Hotel Centrum in twin room(s) with private WC/shower • 4 breakfasts • 4 days (4x24hrs) car rental (group A, Toyota Yaris or similar) including unlimited mileage; theft protection; collision damage waiver insurance and all local taxes, pick up Keflavik airport and drop off Reykjavik • Hotel/airport bus transfers • ROAD MAP, CD AREA GUIDE • 82 PAGE MINI GUIDE FLY BOOK. *Flight schedule may dictate amended Overnight stop(s) DRIVE itinerary and supplement.
Nordic Experience 37 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:50 Page 38
ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELAND
xperience Reykjavík’s cutting Eedge everything; take in in a nutshell Iceland’s best known natural attractions: Gullfoss, Geysir and Þingvellir all glistening in a winter coat of snow; do a little culture vulturing up by Reykholt, Iceland shrine to Saga author Snorri Sturluson; drive out along the Snæfellsnes peninsula topped at its end with an eternal ‘pyramid of snow’ and round off your trip with a bathe in the Blue Lagoon.
ICELAND IN A NUTSHELL DAY 1 UK-REYKJAVÍK Scheduled flight Geysir where Strokkur’s eruption every 5 to to Reykjavík. Transfer to Hotel Centrum for 10 minutes captivates and then up to 2 nights. Gullfoss: the Golden Falls, where Hvítá’s DAYS 2 REYKJAVÍK Time to chill out, glacial waters fall 32 metres in a wide hang out or take a city tour including curtain. Continue to Fludir for a final night. Hafnafjord. DAY 6 FLUÐIR-KEFLAVÍK After DAY 3 REYKJAVÍK - HAMAR Courtesy breakfast, stop off at Hveragerði, the DEPARTURE DATES transfer to collect your hire car. Drive horticultural and botanical village sitting on through the Whale Bay Tunnel via hot springs, and then to the Blue Lagoon, Daily Oct - Apr Borgarnes (dripping in Saga mystery) to for a bathe in its pastel turquoise waters Hamar and overnight at Hotel Hamar for 2 before dropping of your car at the airport ICELAND IN nights. and return flight to the UK. A NUTSHELL AA3801 DAY 4 SNAEFELLSNES Tear yourself away from the hotel’s PRICES FROM pp exquisite views and drive £820 alongside the Snæfellsnes WHAT’S INCLUDED peninsula whose mountain Prices are in £ per person and include return spine is a kaleidoscope of scheduled flight(s) from Heathrow, Gatwick, colours. Circumnavigate the Glasgow* or Manchester* to Reykjavík • All airport peninsula and don’t miss departure taxes and passenger service charges Arnarstapi with its rock • Pay on board cabin service • 5 nights arches, basalt rocks, accommodation in twin room(s) with private WC/shower • 5 breakfasts • 4 days cocktail of wildlife and (4 x 24 hrs) car rental (group A, Toyota Yaris or Dritvík’s ‘lifting stones’. similar) including unlimited mileage; theft DAY 5 HAMAR-FLUÐIR FLY protection; collision damage waiver insurance and Drive down to the northern all local taxes • ROAD ATLAS. 82 PAGE MINI DRIVE GUIDE.CD AREA GUIDE. * Flight schedule may end of Pingvellir, across to dictate amended itinerary.
38 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:50 Page 39
ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELAND
ullfoss’s frozen stalactites; GPingvellir valley’s lead grey lake; Vatnajokull on which you A Safari Adventure can take a gentle hike and Jokulsaron glacial lagoon with its calving bergs are just a few of by Super Jeep the iconic sights you’ll see on our Safari Adventures by SuperJeep. Guided by Haukun Snorrason (an accomplished photographer) and with hospitality provided at his renovated farmhouse to the east of Vik by his wife Hadda. This is a unique opportunity to see Iceland’s dramatic scenery in its winter cloak and experience personal Icelandic hospitality.
A SAFARI ADVENTURE BY SUPER JEEP
DAY 1 UK-REYKJAVIK – HVERAGARDI woodland, glacial tongues and melt water Scheduled flight to Keflavik where you’re rivers at the edge of Vatnajokull, Iceland’s met by your guide/host and led along the largest glacier. Take an easy walk on the moss clad Reykjanes peninsula to the Blue glacier itself and search for ice caves Lagoon for a bathe in its translucent, before continuing to Jokularson lagoon turquoise waters. Afterwards continue to with its icebergs calving off and changing DEPARTURE DATES Hotel Eldhester close to the greenhouse shape over the years before they drift out Thursdays village of Hvergardi for the night. to sea. Return to Hrifunes for dinner. Oct 7 Nov 4 & 11 2010 Feb 17 March 24 Apr 21 2011 DAY 2 HVERAGARDI – HRIFUNES FARM DAY 4 HRIFUNES – REYKJAVIK Drive Follow the Pingvellir valley with its slate along the south coast past Vik in Myrdal to grey lake bordered with snow capped Dyrholaey and the black sand beaches A SAFARI ADVENTURE AA3901 mountains to Geysir with its spouting where Reynisdranger’s basalt sea stacks BY SUPER JEEP plumes of water and bubbling mud pits dominate the seascape. Continue past before arriving at Gullfoss, the Golden Skogafoss and Seljandafoss, two of PRICES FROM £1245pp Waterfall, whose foaming waters drop Iceland’s waterfalls, the latter having a down a double fall into a gorge marking pathway along which you can walk behind WHAT’S INCLUDED the rift between East and West tectonic the curtain of water dropping off the Prices are in £ per person and include return plates before continuing down through fellside. Continue to Reykjavik for a scheduled flights from Heathrow, Gatwick*, South Iceland. Enjoy two nights at Hrifunes convivial evening at Haukur and Hadda’s Manchester* or Glasgow* • All passenger service charges and airport departure taxes • Pay on board Farm. Enjoy dinner cooked by Hadda. home before transferring to the Hotel cabin service • 4 nights hotel accommodation in Reykjavik for the night. twin room(s) with private WC/shower (shared DAY 3 SKAFTAFELL & JOKULSARON facilities at Hrifunes Farm • 4 breakfasts, 3 dinners After breakfast continue your Super Jeep DAY 5 REYKJAVIK – UK Morning at and 2 snack lunches • FULLY GUIDED SUPER JEEP adventure to Skaftafell National Park with leisure before transfer to Keflavik and SAFARI ACCORDING TO ITINERARY to end of Day 4 • Return airport transfer on Day 5 • *Flight its contrasting landscapes of dwarf birch return flight to UK. schedule may dictate amended itinerary
Nordic Experience 39 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:50 Page 40
ROMANTIC EXPERIENCES
WHITE WEDDINGS
YOUR WEDDING framework around which your personal arrangements can Imagine a carpet of snow stretching as far as the eye can be planned. see. A silence so pure you can almost hear it. Picture a NEED TO KNOW hotel with its own chapel sculpted from glistening ice or The legal, residency and documentary requirements for a reindeer corral by a log cabin. Close your eyes and getting married in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland listen for the haunting sound of a Lappish folk song. are fairly simple and straight forward. However, all the Imagine the sound of huskies barking and the swish of necessary documentation needs to be with the Civil sleigh runners through the snow. Or the gentle swirl of a Authorities well beforehand so we generally can’t arrange river winding its way from glacier to open sea. Picture weddings with less than 10 weeks notice. Please ask us your wedding as YOU would like it to be – and we’ll help for an Information Pack for a specific country’s make your dream come true! requirements. The wedding programmes we illustrate can Our favourite white wedding spots are the Ice Hotel in be modified in any way, shape or form. Please just get in Swedish Lapland; Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland, Oddi touch. and the Langjökull glacier in Iceland, each unique in their FIRST THINGS FIRST own special way. We have arranged weddings at all of When considering dates for your wedding, please consult them and can answer most of those small but important us in the first instance. The Pastor’s duties, both temporal questions you will have. We are here to help make “your and pastoral, take necessary precedence over weddings dream come true”: we just need to know what that for foreign nationals and in the case of civil weddings, dream is to help you choose which suits you best. the local magistrate may not be available on certain days The itineraries shown on the following pages provide a of the week.
40 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:51 Page 41
ROMANTIC SWEDISH LAPLAND
onsecrated each January Cafter the season’s Icehotel is built, the chapel with its The glistening ice pews strewn with reindeer skins and translucent altar gives the words ‘White Ice Hotel Wedding’ a very special significance. Ceremonies are conducted by the local pastor and your honeymoon night spent in one of the hotel’s extravagantly sculpted ice suites.
THE ICE HOTEL DAY 1 UK – STOCKHOLM SCHEDULED SAS to flight Stockholm, private transfer to and overnight at The Elite Plaza, OPTIONAL SERVICES stylish, contemporary and bang in the AT THE ICE HOTEL centre of town. Explore the cobbled alleyways of Gamla Stan, dine on scented Photographer/commemorative album from £700 reindeer or just relax. • Bridal bouquet from £80 DAY 2 STOCKHOLM – ICE HOTEL • Champagne in Absolut Bar from £85 Breakfastin the hotel’s art nouveau style • Wedding Cake, per person from £15 restaurant before airport transfer and • Husky transfer from Kiruna airport on morning flight to Kiruna, where you will arrival (2 persons) £240pp be met on arrival and transfer to the • Excursions by snowmobile, reindeer sleigh and husky, please see page 9 village of Jukkasjarvi. Guided tour of Ice Hotel and its environs before checking in All optional services are bookable in advance and payable locally (with the exception of safaris and to your cosy log cottage. excursions). DAY 3 ICE HOTEL big Your day. After breakfast, your local guide will escort you DEPARTURE DATES into Kiruna and deal with the necessary 3 Jan - 3 Apr but simple formalities. With these out of the way, return to Jukkasjarvi. Time to settle the butterflies and prepare for your THE ICE HOTEL AA4101 special moment - the wedding itself - in the glistening precincts of the Ice Hotel Chapel with its’ reindeer skin pews and PRICES FROM £2245pp frozen altar. A special Wedding Breakfast can be arranged at the local Inn and your GUESTS FROM £995pp wedding night will be in one of the WHAT’S INCLUDED hotel's spectacular ice suites. Prices for wedding couple include return scheduled DAY 4 ICE HOTEL at Day leisure with SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Kiruna via Stockholm time to explore either the village of • All airport departure taxes and passenger service Jukkasjarvi or perhaps take a charges • Overnight at Elite Plaza in a double room snowmobile, husky or reindeer safari. with private WC/shower • 2 nights in a Nordic cabin, Northern Light chalet or Kaamos hotel style Overnight in Aurora cottage. room • Overnight in an Art Suite (warm DAY 5 ICE HOTEL UK – Breakfast at the accommodation as back up) • 4 breakfasts Inn, after which it’s time to say ‘goodbye’ • Wedding ceremony in the Ice Church incl. prior to the coolest place in Sweden. Transfer arrangements with the local registrar’s office in Kiruna • Airport transfers in Stockholm and Kiruna • to Kiruna for your return flight, via Protective thermal clothing for the duration in Eve and Martin Lee Stockholm, back to the UK. Jukkasjarvi • Guided tour of the Ice Hotel.
Nordic Experience 41 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:51 Page 42
ROMANTIC NORWEGIAN LAPLAND
he Sorrisniva Igloo Ice Chapel Twith its exquisitely decorated ice sculptures and altar, is consecrated each January by the Sorrisniva Bishop of Nord-Hålogand and weddings conducted by the local Igloo Hotel priest. Beautiful and intimate, a wedding here is about as romantic as it gets. The adjacent Laksestua restaurant is perfect for your wedding breakfast and your honeymoon night is spent in the hotel’s very special bridal suite.
Sara and Lee Chadwick
SORRISNIVA IGLOO HOTEL OPTIONAL SERVICES DAY 1 UK - ALTA Scheduled SAS • Photographer including pictures from £410 flight(s) from Heathrow to Alta in Northern • Hairdressing from £100 Norway via Oslo. Private transfer to Hotel • Bridal bouquet from £110 Vica for dinner and overnight. Optional services are bookable in advance and DAY 2 ALTA Breakfast and day at leisure payable locally. before afternoon transfer to Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel. Late afternoon wedding in DEPARTURE DATES the Ice Chapel. Time for photographs Daily 4 Jan - 21 Mar followed by an aperitif in the Ice Bar. Wedding Breakfast in the adjoining SORRISNIVA Laksestua restaurant before retiring to the IGLOO HOTEL AA4201 Igloo Hotel’s very special Honeymoon Suite. DAY 3 ALTA Morning sauna and breakfast. Snowmobile safari on the PRICES FROM £2455pp Finnmark Plateau. Transfer to Alta and the GUESTS FROM £810pp Vica Hotel for a romantic dinner and overnight. WHAT’S INCLUDED DAY 4 ALTA Breakfast. Transfer to the Prices for wedding couple include return scheduled Husky Farm for a dog sled trip through SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Alta via Oslo • All airport departure taxes and passenger service the forests and along the banks of the charges • 3 overnights at Hotel Vica (one before the Altaelva river. Final dinner and overnight wedding and two after) in twin/double room with at the Vica Hotel. private shower/wc • 1 night in the Honeymoon suite DAY 5 ALTA - UK Breakfast and private at Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel • 4 breakfasts and 3 dinners • Wedding Breakfast • Wedding ceremony in the Ice transfer to Alta airport for your return Chapel • Snowmobile and Husky safaris as per flight(s) to Heathrow via Oslo. itinerary • All transfers in Alta.
42 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:52 Page 43
ROMANTIC ICELAND
magine a tiny church set Iamongst snow clad farmland, topped with a spire and overlooked by an ivory capped glacier. Picture a log cabin hotel Oddi Church and a room with a veranda, & Hotel Ranga outside of which there is a hot tub with the Northern Lights overhead. Then let us help you plan everything the way you want it to be for a traditional Lutheran wedding in the dramatic surroundings of Southern Iceland.
HÓTEL RANGÁ Set in lush meadowland against a backdrop of Mount Hekla, the Ranga which started life as a private fishing lodge has over the years spawned de-luxe rooms, a restaurant with a ‘Surf a Turf’ signature dish; outdoor Stephanie and Steven Taylor hot tubs; suites themed and furnished around the six continents, Royal Suite and Lounge Bar. Notwithstanding such development the hotel has done it all whilst keeping its very personal owner driven style ODDI CHURCH and ambience. & HOTEL RANGA DAY 1 UK – RANGA Scheduled Icelandair flight to Reykjavik. Pick up hire car on arrival and drive to Hotel Ranga overlooking the winding river of the same name. Welcome drink and overnight in de-luxe room for 4 nights. DEPARTURE DATES DAY 2 RANGA Day at leisure to explore Sat - Wed and enjoy some of Iceland’s most iconic Oct - Apr attractions: the rock arch and bird cliffs at Dyrholaey; Myrdalsjokull on which you ODDI CHURCH can snowmobile and Seljandsfoss, the & HOTEL RANGA AA4301 waterfall you can walk behind. DAY 3 WEDDING DAY Morning free to PRICES FROM £1410pp prepare for your special day. Afternoon transfer by Super Jeep to and from Oddi GUESTS FROM £670pp Church for a traditional Lutheran wedding WHAT’S INCLUDED ceremony followed by a Wedding Prices for wedding couple include return scheduled Breakfast at the hotel. flight(s) from Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow* or DAY 4 RANGA After breakfast you can Manchester* to Reykjavík • In-flight cabin service drive up to the Geysir area where Strokkur • All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges • 4 nights accommodation in chosen room spouts every few minutes; gape in awe at category with private WC/bath • 4 breakfasts Gullfoss and drive through Pingvellir • 4 days (4x24hrs) car rental (4 WD, group F, Toyota National Park. RAV4 4WD or similar) including unlimited mileage; theft protection and collision damage waiver DAY 5 RANGA – UK After breakfast drive insurance; all local taxes and airport collection/ to the Reykjanes peninsula for a drop-off charges • Lutheran wedding ceremony in Oddi church including Super Jeep transfers • memorable bathe in the Blue Lagoon. Wedding Breakfast and Champagne. OPTIONAL Return hire car at the airport and return SERVICES ON REQUEST *Flight schedule may flight to UK. dictate amended itinerary
Nordic Experience 43 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:52 Page 44
ROMANTIC ICELAND
celand’s Langjökull glacier, Ireachable from Rekjavík in just a couple of hours by Super Jeep, A Glacier is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a literally ‘whiter than white’ wedding. The vast Wedding desert ice cap stretches as far as the eye can see in every direction, snugly visible from our exclusive mobile glazed lodge with panoramic windows from floor to ceiling. Ceremonies are conducted by a local registrar, followed by a seafood buffet and an exhilarating snowmobile across the glacier.
HÓTEL BORG The Borg is to Reykjavík what the George V is to Paris or Claridges to London: plush, lush and with phones in the bathrooms! All 56 rooms are elegant and uniquely furnished and have private WC/shower, TV and telephone. Every single thing in the place has been renewed, renovated and replaced over the past three years.
• Central location • Restaurant
DEPARTURE DATES Sat - Wed Oct - Apr
A GLACIER WEDDING AA3801 A GLACIER WEDDING DAY 1 UK – REYKJAVIK Scheduled formalities and then climbing up across the PRICES ON REQUEST Icelandair flight to Reykjavík. Private mountains to Langjökull. Arrive at our transfer to Hotel Borg and overnight for 4 ‘Room with a view’ for your wedding and WHAT’S INCLUDED nights. seafood Wedding Breakfast, after which Prices for wedding couple are in £ per person and slip into a fetching Bibendum outfit for a include return scheduled Icelandair flight(s) from DAY 2 REYKJAVIK After breakfast the snowmobile safari across the glacier. Super Heathrow , Glasgow* or Manchester* to Reykjavík day is yours to either take an excursion, • In-flight cabin service • All airport departure taxes Jeep back to Reykjavík. make last minute preparations for your big and passenger service charges • Airport/hotel return transfers in Reykjavik • 4 nights day, be pampered or just chill out in the DAY 4 REYKJAVIK Day at leisure. accommodation in De Luxe double room at the ‘Capital of Cool’. Optional excursions available. Hotel Borg with private WC/bath • 4 breakfasts • Wedding formalities • Super jeep transfer to DAY 3 WEDDING DAY Leave by Super DAY 5 REYKJAVIK – UK After breakfast, glacier and ceremony • Wedding Breakfast Jeep through the whale tunnel with your private transfer to Keflavík airport for including wedding cake • Snowmobile safari on the glacier including protective clothing • Services of guide for the day, stopping off at Borganes return flight to the UK. driver guide & chef throughout wedding day. * to sort out your wedding license Flight schedule may dictate amended itinerary.
44 Nordic Experience 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:52 Page 45
ARCTIC ADVENTURES The small print
Brochure descriptions any inoculations and health certificates for all in each case. In respect of hotels we do not enable you to ‘layer up’. Many of our tours, countries to be visited. Your passport must be endorse any local star rankings since they do particularly in Iceland and Greenland, involve The descriptions of areas and hotels in this valid for at least six months following your not, in our opinion, provide an accurate walking or medium grade hiking and you may brochure have been compiled as a result of arrival at your foreign destination. reflection of style, atmosphere or location. find it useful to invest in a good pair of boots, inspection by our staff or agents and checked Please note the description ‘twin room’ refers broken in well before departure. If you’re in any to ensure they are accurate. However, changes b) We will offer reasonable assistance and to a twin bedded room and that a shower doubt as to what to take, we’re always happy may occur after the date of publication. In advice as to how to arrange such items, but we rather than a bathtub is the norm throughout to talk it through with you. addition there may be occasions when cannot in any circumstances be responsible if Scandinavia. Whilst some hotel rooms can accommodation owners, proprietors of any member of your party is not permitted to take an extra bed this will invariably result in Your travel documents facilities etc. may decide to withdraw some of enter any country. You should therefore make the room being cramped. In some the facilities. These are regrettably beyond our necessary arrangements well in advance of areas/countries single rooms may be inferior in We will normally send all your travel control and we therefore reserve the right to your departure date. standard to twin rooms. documents and itineraries to either yourself or change the particulars at any time before we your travel agent approximately two to three For FCO advice contact www.fco.gov.uk/ confirm your booking. We will inform you of Climatic conditions weeks before your departure. PLEASE CHECK any such change at the time of booking, or, if knowbeforeyougo or ABTA Information Line THEM CAREFULLY. In some cases, the timings you have already booked, you will be Tel: 0901 2011 5050 (calls are charged at 50p Many of the tours in this brochure depend for may have changed from those on your holiday contacted before your departure if there is per minute). their successful accomplishment on suitable confirmation, and the correct timings will time. Public holidays particularly Christmas, climatic and weather conditions both prior to appear on the tickets themselves, or on New Year and religious festivals may also affect Special requests and during operation. Air temperature, sea accompanying documentation. the availability of centre and hotel facilities. If you have any special request, (e.g. dietary state, cloud cover, rainfall and terrain requirements or a need for special assistance), conditions are just some of the factors that can Tour prices Minimum numbers please inform us. We will always do our best to effect the operation of excursions, visibility of Certain tours require a minimum number of meet such requests but cannot guarantee to natural phenomena and sightings of wildlife. Details of what is included in the price of your people to enable them to operate. We will do so, and in no circumstances will any such Tour validity and excursion/safari dates are tour are shown in the sub text of the relevant check whether these minimum numbers have request be accepted by us so as to form part of given in good faith based on our experience price panel and reconfirmed on your been reached no later than 6 weeks before the our contractual agreement. and that of our suppliers. However, we or our confirmation invoice. Prices include all relevant tour departure date. We shall inform agents may have to change itineraries or appropriate local taxes and mandatory you immediately if the minimum number Board & transfers cancel excursions at any time prior to charges. This brochure was published in 2010 departure or during a tour. If we do so, it is with and the details and prices are valid for necessary has not been reached for your tour All our tours include open style Scandinavian your interest in mind and we regret the departures in 2010/2011. The following and in that event we reserve the right to cancel buffet breakfasts. These will include cereal, necessity of having to point out that we do not exchange rate has been used in calculating your holiday and refund all monies which you juices, fresh rolls, bread, cheeses and cold have paid to us. accept any liability for compensation in respect prices in the brochure. meats. Picnic or snack lunches and buffet of such changes or cancellations. suppers are provided where indicated in the Iceland ISK 188/£ Correspondence price panel sub text and itinerary. Transfers are If you make your booking through a travel included where necessary or if we can organise Clothing Norway NOK 9.30/£ agent, all communications between you and them economically. Otherwise they are Temperatures in the Nordic countries and Sweden SEK 11.25/£ Nordic Experience must be through that travel payable locally and by public transport, fly bus Northern Europe can vary considerably from Eurozone EUR 1.17/£ agent. If you book your tour direct with us we services or taxi, for which we provide detailed day to day or even in a day and conditions can Denmark/Greenland 8.85/£ will send all correspondence direct to you. information in your travel pack. change unexpectedly and rapidly; the terrain is Please quote the reference number shown on often hazardous and ground conditions ScanSaver Prices your invoice in any communication. Accommodation frequently difficult. You should take suitable The nature, style and standard of clothing with these conditions in mind Prices shown are based on lowest airfares and Health, visas and documents accommodation we use for our tours varies particularly good quality wind/rain proof are therefore only a guide. Please ask for prices a) You must ensure that you and all members of according to country, location and itinerary: outerwear; strong walking shoes or boots, based on the best available airfare at the time your party have a valid passport and visas and please check the thumbnail sketches provided gloves and sufficient and varied clothes to of booking.
INSURANCE COVER D Delayed Departure or Arrival £100/£1,000 We have both a legal obligation under legislation covering the travel Hi-jack of Aircraft £3,000 industry to ensure your travel is covered by comprehensive travel insurance Failure of flight connections £150 that protects your safety and travel enjoyment. If you already have such Interruption of Transport £300 insurance or prefer to buy it from a third party then all we ask is that you E Personal Effects £1,500 notify us of the name of your insurer when you complete you booking form. Alternatively, we are an Appointed Representative of NJ Heritage (Valuables limited to £350) Partnership Ltd and we are able to provide travel insurance covering all the (Single Article limit £250) destination and activities featured in this brochure. NJ Heritage Partnership (Disc Collections £200) Ltd are specialist Insurance Brokers whose cover is provided by International Money £250 Insurance Company of Hannover Ltd. The cover includes a 24 Hour Tickets £1,000 Worldwide emergency Medical Service with experts providing friendly and Passport and Visas £250 professional emergency help. Damage to Hired Sports Equipment £750 Your premium should be forwarded to us with your tour deposit in order to F Legal Expenses £15,000 ensure immediate protection under the holiday cancellation section of the insurance. The details below show only a summary of cover; full details of the G Winter Sports Extension Optional cover provided are shown on your policy document which will be sent to you upon receipt of payment of premium; please read it carefully to ensure you PREMIUMS (INCLUDING INSURANCE PREMIUM TAX) PER PERSON understand the cover provided which includes certain terms conditions, Up to 4 days £20.00 exclusions and warranties. Should you wish a specimen, a copy will be made available prior to purchase upon request. If the insurance does not meet your Up to 9 days £25.00 requirements you may return the documentation within 14 days of the Up to 17 days £30.00 purchase or prior to travel if this is sooner and, provided no claim has been made, obtain a refund. Children under 2 years on date of departure are insured free of charge. Children under the age of 18 on departure are insured at half the adult rate. Adults aged 66 or over at the date of departure can be insured at twice the appropriate premium. Winter sports Travel Insurance Summary of Cover cover is available to people under 65 years at twice the normal rate. (Sums Insured are per insured person) A Medical Expenses £5,000,000 IMPORTANT This policy includes certain terms, conditions, exclusions and excesses. In particular Inpatient Benefit £200 cover is excluded for any defined pre-existing medical condition from which you or any Criminal Injuries £ 5,000 person upon whom travel depends are suffering. If in doubt please contact the medical Inability to Dive £250 helpline in confidence on 0844 826 2686, as additional cover may be purchased Personal Liability £2,000,000 directly from the insurer’s medical screening helpline for certain pre-existing conditions. Should you wish a specimen, a copy will be made available upon B Personal Accident £10,000 request or alternatively a copy is available for download from our website Permanent Loss of Sight £25,000 www.nordicexperience.co.uk. The policy contains a 14 day ‘Cooling Off’ Period and Loss of Limb(s) £25,000 details of how to make a claim and who to contact in the event of a medical emergency. Permanent Total Disablement £25,000 Both NJ Heritage Partnership Ltd and International Insurance Company of Hannover Death £10,000 Ltd and authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. This can be (limited to £1,000 for persons aged over 65 or under 16 years at time of death) checked on the FSA’s website www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by contacting them on 0845 606 1234. Nordic Experience and Scantours are trading names of Colchester Travel C Cancellation or Curtailment £5,000 Ltd who are Appointed Representatives of N J Heritage Partnership Ltd.
Nordic Experience 45 83993 Nordic Experience__ 21/09/2010 18:52 Page 46
Summer ARCTIC ADVENTURES ADVENTURES Booking Conditions
1. When booking Changes in transportation costs, including fuel costs, taxes or fees chargeable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation or When you make your booking you must complete a booking form, disembarkation fees at ports and airports and exchange rates mean that accepting on behalf of all your party the terms of these booking the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked, conditions, and pay the appropriate deposit. If booking through a but there will be no change within 30 days of your departure. Travel Agent all monies paid to that agent are held by them on our behalf at all times. A contract between us will exist when we issue However we will absorb and you will not be charged for any increase our confirmation invoice, is governed by English Law and both equivalent to 2% of the price of your travel arrangements, which excludes parties shall submit to the jurisdiction of English Courts at all times. insurance premiums and any amendment charges. You will be charged for the amount over and above that, plus an administration charge of £1.00 2. Paying your balance per person together with an amount to cover agents’ commission if The balance of the price of your tour must be paid at least ten weeks applicable. If this means that you would have to pay an increase of more before your departure date. If the balance is not paid in time we than 10% of the price of your travel arrangements, you will have the option reserve the right to cancel your tour, retain your deposit, and apply of accepting a change to another arrangement if we are able to offer one the cancellation charges set out in paragraph 4 below. (if this is of equivalent or higher quality you will not have to pay more but if it is of lower quality you will be refunded the difference in price), or 3. Amending your booking cancelling and receiving a full refund of all monies paid, except for any We are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of If, after our confirmation has been issued, you wish to change to amendment charges. Should the price of your arrangement decrease due compensation contained in these or any conventions. another of our tours or change the departure date, we will endeavour to the changes mentioned above, (by more than 2% of your invoice paid) to make any such change, provided the request to do so is received then any refund due will be paid to you. However, please note that travel Although we do not control or operate any airlines, own any coaches, in writing from the person who signed the booking form or from your arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some hotels or other facilities mentioned in our brochure, or directly employ Travel Agent at least ten weeks before departure. This must be apparent changes have no impact on the price of your travel due to staff of those organisations, we do take all reasonable steps to ensure accompanied by a payment of £25 to cover administration costs. contractual arrangements. that such organisations maintain standards which are acceptable to us Alterations cannot normally be made within ten weeks of departure within the bounds of possibility in each locality. No third party has the and any such request for an alteration will be treated as a Should you decide to cancel for this reason, you must exercise your right authority to make, on our behalf, any promise or representation to you cancellation of the original booking and subject to the cancellation to do so within 14 days from the issue date printed on your final invoice. concerning our tour or travel arrangements. We do not accept liability charges set out in paragraph 4 below. Please note that certain travel The price of your travel arrangements was calculated using exchange for any such arrangements changed without our consent, or make any arrangements cannot be changed after a reservation has been made rates rates of: [EUR 1.88, NOK 9.30, SEK 11.25, ISK 188, DKK 8.85] refund for unused travel, accommodation vouchers or excursion and any alteration will then incur a 100% cancellation charge and be vouchers other than at our absolute discretion. treated as a new booking. 7. Cancellation and variation to arrangements The texts of the transport companies' contractual terms, or 4. If you cancel your booking It is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your international conventions are available on request. arrangements, but we do plan them many months in advance. You, or any member of your party, may cancel your tour at any time Occasionally changes occur, but most are minor, and we will advise you Under EU law (Regulation 261/2004) you have rights in some providing that the cancellation is made by the person signing the or your travel agent at the earliest possible date. Flight timings and circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline in booking form and is received by us in writing. As this incurs carriers in the brochure are subject to change as a result of airline cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details administrative costs, we will retain your deposit and apply cancellation procedures. Final details will be shown on your tickets and/or in the of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available charges up to the maximum below: accompanying documentation. If a major change becomes necessary, from airlines. However reimbursement in such cases will not we will inform you or your travel agent as soon as reasonably possible automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday cost from us. Your PERIOD BEFORE DEPARTURE AMOUNT OF CANCELLATION if there is time before departure. When a major change occurs (such as right to a refund and/or compensation from us is set out in clause 6. If WITHIN WHICH WRITTEN CHARGE SHOWN AS A the alteration of your outward/return flights by more than 12 hours, any payments to you are due from us, any payment made to you by the CANCELLATION IS MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE OF changes of hotel or a reduction in the standard of accommodation), airline will be deducted from this amount. If your airline does not RECEIVED BY US THE TOUR PRICE provided it does not arise from circumstances amounting to force comply with these rules you should complain to the Air Transport Users' More than 71 days Deposit only majeure (see below), you will have the choice of either accepting the Council on 020 7240 6061 www.auc.org.uk 70-36 days 50% change, taking another available arrangement from us, or cancelling within 35 days 100% your arrangement and receiving a full refund. In the interests of our 9. Assistance whilst on tour clients, we reserve the right to cancel itineraries, or to substitute If the contract we have with you is not performed or is improperly 5. Problems alternative accommodation, if the arrangement, unamended, would performed as a result of failures attributable to a third party connected If you have a problem during your holiday, please inform the relevant then in our opinion suffer, or be in some way impracticable. However, with the provision of the services, or as a result of failures due to supplier (e.g. hotelier, excursion operator, etc.) immediately, who will in no case will we cancel your arrangement less than six weeks before unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the endeavour to put things right on our behalf. If your complaint is not the scheduled departure date except for reasons of force majeure or consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due resolved locally, please follow this up within 28 days of your return home failure on your part to pay the final balance (circumstances amounting care had been exercised, or an event which we or our suppliers, even by writing to us at 39 Crouch Street, Colchester CO3 3EN giving your to force majeure include war, the threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial with all due care, could not foresee or forestall, and you suffer an injury booking reference and other relevant information to help us identify the dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse or other material loss, we will offer you such prompt assistance as is problem(s) you encountered. It is strongly recommended you weather conditions, or withdrawal of suppliers facilities) In reasonable in the circumstances. communicate any complaint to the supplier of the services in question circumstances where we are unable to provide the arrangement booked, we will return to you all monies paid, or offer an alternative and if possible keep a written account of having done so. If you fail to 10. Locally booked Excursions & Safaris follow this simple procedure we will have been deprived of the arrangement of comparable standard opportunity to investigate and rectify your complaint whilst you were on In accordance with EU Regulation 2111/2005 we are required to advise For any excursion or safari that you book locally, your contract will be tour and this may affect your rights under this contract. you of the airline operating your flight/connecting flight/transfer which with the operator of that excursion or safari and not with us irrespective It is unlikely that you will have a complaint that cannot be settled amicably we do by detailing this on your confirmation invoice. Any changes to of whether the operator is one used by us or not. We do not accept between us. However, disputes arising out of, or in connection with, this the airline used after you have received your tickets will be notified to responsible for the provision of any such excursions or tours or for contract which cannot be amicably settled may be referred to arbitration you as soon as possible and in all cases at check-in or at the boarding anything that happens during the course of its provision by the under a special scheme which, though devised by arrangement with gate. Such a change is deemed to be a minor change. Other examples operator. ABTA, is administered quite independently by IDRS part of the Chartered of minor changes include alteration of your outward/return flights by Institute of Arbitrators. It provides for a simple and inexpensive method less than 12 hours, changes to aircraft type, change of accommodation 11. Financial Protection & Standards of Conduct of arbitration on documents alone with restricted liability on you in respect to another of the same standard. The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations of costs. Full details will be provided on request or can be downloaded 1992 require us to provide security for the monies that you pay for any from the ABTA website.The scheme does not apply to claims for an 8. Our responsibility & liability tours booked with us and for your repatriation in the unlikely event of amount greater than £5,000 per person. There is also a limit of £25,000 If the contract we have with you is not performed or is improperly our insolvency. We provide this security by way of an ATOL 6558 per booking form. Neither does it apply to claims which are solely in performed by us or our suppliers we will pay you appropriate administered by the Civil Aviation Authority and a bond held by ABTA. respect of physical injury or illness or their consequences. The Scheme compensation if this has affected the enjoyment of your travel When you buy an ATOL protected air holiday you will receive a can however deal with compensation claims which include an element of arrangements. However we will not be liable where any failure in the Confirmation Invoice from us (or via our authorised agent through minor injury or illness subject to a limit of £1,000 on the amount the performance of the contract is due to either you or a third party which you booked) confirming your arrangements and your protection arbitrator can award per person in respect of this element. The application unconnected with the provision of the travel arrangements and where under our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence. The CAA will ensure that you for arbitration and Statement of Claim must be received by IDRS within the failure was unforeseeable or unavoidable; or unusual and are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you nine months of the date of your return from the holiday. Outside this time unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences have paid to us for an advance booking. For further information visit the limit arbitration under the Scheme may still be available if the company of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk We are a member of ABTA, agrees, but the ABTA Code does not require such agreement. For injury exercised; or an event which we or our suppliers, even with all due care, membership number W879X and are obliged to maintain a high and illness claims, you may like to use the ABTA / Chartered Institute of could not foresee or forestall. Our liability, except in cases involving standard of service to you by virtue of their Code of Conduct. Arbitrators Mediation Procedure. This is a voluntary scheme and requires death, injury or illness will be limited in accordance with and/or in an us to agree for mediation to go ahead. The aim is to help you resolve identical manner to (a) The contractual terms of the companies that 12. Other terms your dispute in a quick and cost effective way. Details on request or from provide the transportation for your travel arrangements and (b) Any www.abta.com. relevant international convention, for example the Montreal The conditions, terms and obligations outlined in this brochure and on Convention in respect of travel by air, the Athens Convention in respect our website www.nordicexperience.co.uk under the heading “the small 6. Surcharges of travel by sea, the Berne Convention in respect of travel by rail and print” shall be deemed to be included within these conditions. Nordic We reserve the right to alter the prices of any arrangement featured in our the Paris Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation, Experience and Scantours are trading names of Colchester Travel Ltd brochure or on our website. You will be advised of the current price of the which limit the amount of compensation that you can claim for death, with whom your contract is and which is governed by English Law and arrangement that you wish to book before your contract is confirmed. injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage. the jurisdiction of the English Courts.
46 Nordic Experience 83993 Cover 22/09/2010 08:35 Page 2
ARCTIC ADVENTURES
NORDIC EXPERIENCE 39 Crouch Street Colchester CO3 3EN Tel 01206 708888 Booking Form Fax 01206 508899 e-mail: [email protected]
DEPARTURE DATE DEPARTURE POINT RETURN DATE TOUR CODE AND TITLE
TITLE FIRST NAME SURNAME DATE OF BIRTH CLIENT’S ADDRESS (IF UNDER 18) OR ABTA AGENT’S STAMP
AGENT’S ABTA NO AGENT’S REF
CLIENT’S EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Daytime ......
Evening ......
Mobile ......
TRAVEL INSURANCE SPECIAL REQUESTS THE NORDIC EXPERIENCE I understand that it is a condition governing acceptance of this booking that I and all others named on this form are covered by comprehensive travel insurance. If I decline to take Nordic WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU your holiday experience. And last but not least a Experience’s recommended policy covering the arrangements Personal Concierge who is always on hand to talk to you featured in this brochure, I agree to indemnify the Company as In the first instance, that any tour you choose from us has to any costs that might arise which would otherwise have been about your booking up until the day you travel. met had such insurance been in place. been designed by a team, one or all of whom, have My alternative insurers are: been to the places featured in it. So when talking to us only fly you on scheduled airlines you’ll know you are doing so with somebody who has We (SAS, Blue1, first hand knowledge of where you’ll be going. Icelandair, Finnair, BA, Norwegian, Estonian Air and Air Baltic) because they invariably offer better value for And if you need advice on where to go and what’s right money than so called ‘low cost’ carriers or charters. They for you, ours will be completely unbiased because we’re also offer a better choice of, and more flexible, departure Signed: the only UK travel company specializing in ALL the times and either include on-board cabin service or offer a Nordic countries. We’re independent of any group or better standard of ‘Pay on Board’ service. company. So we don’t have a preference for one country I WISH TO PAY BY: CREDIT CARD/DEBIT CARD I ENCLOSE A CHEQUE PAYABLE TO NORDIC EXPERIENCE OR GIVE CREDIT CARD AUTHORITY FOR: over another: each has its merits. Finally, any tour you book with us is 100% financially Deposits (£150 minimum per person travelling secure (however far in advance you book) because we depending on tour booked) £ You’ll stay in hotels that we’d stay in ourselves. If it’s in hold an ATOL licence (No 6558) and are members of Deposit(s) only the city it’ll be close to the centre so you don’t waste Total Amount (if within 10 weeks of departure) £ ABTA (No W8779X). In simple terms this means in the time or money shuttling back and forth to where you want Deposit(s) & Insurance Premiums unlikely event of our insolvency either the CAA or ABTA Travel Insurance Premiums (see page 45 for rates) £ to be. And if it’s out in the wilds, your accommodation will Confirmation invoice total (if within 10 weeks of departure) will see to it that, if you were on holiday at such time, TOTAL AMOUNT PAYABLE be authentic, in a picturesque setting and family run. Balance 10 weeks before departure £ you could continue or alternatively any money you had paid in advance of a tour would be refunded. For further Card I certify that I am authorised to make this booking on behalf of all Your Nordic Experience travels with you, rather than Number: those named above and that I am responsible for ensuring payment disappears when you’ve paid your invoice, because we information please check with the Civil Aviation Authority of all monies due in respect of this booking. I have read and accept Start Date: Expiry Date: CC Security Code:* provide a comprehensive Travel Guide detailing at www.atol.org.uk or the Association of British travel the Company’s ‘Booking Conditions’ and ‘Small Print’ as being everything you need to know. So you get the most from Agents at www.abta.com. DD Issue No:* incorporated within the terms of the contract between us. Signed: Signed: Date:
There is no charge for payments made by Debit Card; Credit Card payments are surcharged at 2.4%; American Express payments at 3.6%. *for security reasons may be telephoned through
2 Nordic Experience Nordic Experience 47 83993 Cover 22/09/2010 08:35 Page 1
NORDIC EXPERIENCE Arctic Adventures (featuring the Scantours programme)
www.nordicexperience.co.uk
Icehotel • Igloos • Husky Safaris • Arctic Wildlife NORDIC Snowmobiling • Northern Lights • Winter Iceland EXPERIENCE New Year Fireworks • White Weddings
39 Crouch Street, Colchester CO3 3EN 01206 708888 2010-2011 ABTA No.W879X [email protected]