NORDIC EXPERIENCE Arctic Adventures

Sleeping on Ice ™ Husky Safaris ™ Arctic Wildlife Snowmobiling ™ Northern Lights ™ Winter Iceland Festive Occasions ™ New Year Fireworks ™ White Weddings

Winter 2011-2013

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WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU Your Nordic Experience travels with you, rather than disappears when you’ve paid your invoice, because we In the first instance, that any tour you choose from us has provide a comprehensive Travel Guide detailing everything been designed by a team, one or all of whom, have been you need to know. So you get the most from your holiday to the places featured in it. So when talking to us you’ll experience. And last but not least a Personal Concierge who know you are doing so with somebody who has first hand is always on hand to talk to you about your booking up until knowledge of where you’ll be going. And along with that you the day you travel. have the benefit of the Scantours heritage whose business we acquired in 2010. We only fly you on scheduled airlines (SAS, Blue1, Icelandair, Finnair, BA, Norwegian, Estonian Air and Air And if you need advice on where to go and what’s right Baltic) because they invariably offer better value for money for you, ours will be completely unbiased because we’re than so called ‘low cost’ carriers or charters. They also the only UK travel company specializing in ALL the Nordic offer a better choice of, and more flexible, departure times countries. We’re independent of any group or company. So and either include on-board cabin service or offer a better we don’t have a preference for one country over another: standard of ‘Pay on Board’ service. each has its merits. Finally, any tour you book with us is financially secure You’ll stay in hotels that we’d stay in ourselves. If it’s in the (however far in advance you book) because we hold an city it’ll be close to the centre so you don’t waste time or ATOL licence (No 6558) and are members of ABTA (No money shuttling back and forth to where you want to be. And W879X). In simple terms this means in the unlikely event if it’s out in the wilds, your accommodation will be authentic, of our insolvency either the CAA or ABTA will see to it that, in a picturesque setting and family run. if you were on holiday at such time, you could continue, or alternatively any money you had paid in advance of a tour would be refunded.

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91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 2 21/10/2011 15:07 The Nordic Winter Experience

As the polar night lengthens and the snows fall along the 66th parallel, an arctic adventure playground slowly takes shape across Lapland and Iceland stretching from Norway’s watch towered Russian border in the East to Greenland in the West.

For thirty-something’s, husky mushing and glacier snowmobiling will probably pass muster as an adventure. But of course for a five year old, meeting Father Christmas is an adventure like no other. And for the seasoned traveller either would be old hat but a trip round Nordkapp, Europe’s most northerly point, might count. Whatever you think of as an adventure; whether you’re looking for a ‘been there-done that’ experience or just somewhere to gaze at the Northern Lights, have a flip through these pages. And enjoy.

WHAT’S NEW THIS WINTER SANTA LUCIA IN STOCKHOLM & SANTA PERE IN LAPLAND Each year we take a fresh look at our past itineraries, re-visit A visit to Stockholm to witness the crowning of this year’s destinations to check they haven’t been plasticised or over Santa Lucia followed by two days in Swedish Lapland developed, check back with what our Clients have told us for a visit to Santa Pere (with apologies to the Academie and see what we can improve. Above all we try and search Francaise) staying at a delightful family run pension. Details for things new exciting and different, so this year we have:. on page 38.

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS EVERY NIGHT & AND ARCTIC ROOMS WITH A VIEW WILDLIFE EVERY DAY An uber cool few days combining nights at Stockholm’s Our exclusive direct flight to Northern Norway will take you luxiest hotel, an Art Suite at the ICEHOTEl and a UFO room high up above the Arctic Circle to the Lofoten Archipelago at the TREEHOUSE in Swedish Lapland. The perfect answer for daily Arctic wildlife safaris and a search for the Northern for anybody who’s done everything been everywhere. Details Lights every night. Details on page 13. Limited places. on page 20.

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WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE WHERE CAN YOU SEE THEM

From a NASA space shuttle the Northern Lights appear like Generally anywhere within a 10 degree latitudinal arc along emerald green halos circumscribing both magnetic poles. the Arctic Circle (rather more below than above) although From the earth’s surface variously like shards of spectrum during geomagnetic storms this arc of visibility expands coloured light jaggedly pointing down from the sky; trailing which accounts for tales of people having seen them in ribbons of green light making a stellar pathway to a single Bradford!! For the traveller this means that Norwegian, point on the distant horizon; swirling concentric circles; or Swedish and Finnish Lapland all have good spots from which ribboned drapes hanging from an invisible curtain rod above to see them as does Iceland. Most importantly the thing to the stars. bear in mind is visibility is in the hands of the Gods or more prosaically dependent on cloud cover, so don’t try and box Most commonly visible colours are blue or green at altitudes clever with lunar charts, long term isobar charts or sun spot between 100km to 200km, red at higher ones and crimson activity predictions. lower down. They can creep up slowly from the horizon like skeletal claws or dance across the night sky at, literally of Decide what sort of holiday you’ll enjoy the most: urban city course, the speed of light. Sometimes they open like time break, ‘sleeping on ice’ weekend, activity tour and then let us lapse flower photography, and others flutter like an ensign in guide you through our options. the wind or pile up as if in the hands of a cosmic juggler. Of Tromso in Norway and Iceland’s Reykjavik are great locations course you can ignore all this prose as it’s truly the case of a for an urban city break with all sorts of snow safaris and picture being worth a thousand words. excursions on the side; in Finnish Lapland we work only with artisan suppliers who love what they do and lay on husky mushing, snowmobiling and reindeer safaris in wilderness terrain untouched for a thousand years.

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91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 4 21/10/2011 15:07 Shows on Earth

WHEN CAN YOU SEE THEM WHAT CAUSES THEM

If you’ve paid any attention to the previous paragraphs you’ll If your interest in how things work and what causes know that the Northern Lights are always there, it’s just a phenomena is limited to fancying Richard Hammond and question of when you can seen from earth. Things start you’ve never heard of Fred Dibdah then you can skip this lighting up around the Autumn Equinox and carry through paragraph; ditto if you have a Masters in Astrophysics!. to the Spring one in March and snow starts to fall in late For a simple understanding of the principles behind them, November early December, laying down a carpet on which to cast your mind back to the school lab and the iron filings snowmobile, mush and reindeer safari. experiment to show up a magnetic field. Now think of the sun bombarding the earth with something akin to invisible Building work on snow and ice hotels starts around the iron filings (called ions), some of which hit the earth’s beginning of December although, with the exception of magnetic field and follow it down to the earth’s poles. ICEHOTEL in Sweden, we generally adopt a cautious approach to booking them because of the uncertainty over Some of these penetrate the upper atmosphere colliding with the condition of the permafrost and the condition of the snow oxygen and nitrogen atoms which are literally ‘excited’ at (it has to be a special kind). So anytime from the beginning being bashed into. Oxygen atoms at higher altitudes glow red of November is good for Iceland; mid-December for Norway, when so excited and green lower down in the atmosphere. ICEHOTEL and Finnish Lapland. Nitrogen ones glow green at mid altitudes, blue the higher up they are and crimson lower down. So you’ll see various suggested departure dates throughout this brochure, which are as much about what you can do in different places as they are about your chances of seeing Aurora. We can’t guarantee you’ll see them but we’ll tell you when you’ll have the best chance.

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ICEHOTEL SORRISNIVA IGLOO HOTEL (SWEDISH LAPLAND) (NORWEGIAN LAPLAND)

As the Besam automatic ice doors slide apart to reveal With building beginning as the snow falls across the vastness the Hall of Pillars, ICEBAR, a labyrinth of corridors leading of the Finnmark plateau, the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel opens to Snow Rooms, Ice Rooms and elegantly sculpted Art its door in January each year and melts away again in the Suites, you enter not just a hotel but a unique interior. Now spring. The structure includes just 20 or so rooms and a celebrating its 22nd year the ICEHOTEL, a one time modest few suites, ice lounges and sculpture gallery, an exquisitely igloo that was the brainchild of today’s CEO Yngve Bergqvist decorated ice bar and a consecrated chapel. for a local Sami heritage project, has today morphed into Annexed to the hotel is something akin to a giant, tent a hotel proper with the distinction of being built from the shaped, pine cabin with an open fire, sauna, changing uniquely translucent, turquoise ice cut from the adjacent cubicles and restaurant serving Sami inspired dishes from Torne river. aquatic fowl to chanterelle mushrooms.

In the hotel’s warm areas you can relax in a Republic of Fritz Surrounding the Igloo Hotel, in the heart of Norwegian Hansen egg chair; savour the taste of Absolut vodka infused Lapland, is the Finnmark plateau with its undulating tundra with lingonberry juice, dine in the ICEHOTEL or Homestead marked only by the old trekking trails and lushly scarred by restaurants, both of which use local ingredients such as river valleys with pine, spruce and birch trees. This is where arctic raspberries, white fish roe and venison occasionally you can hear ‘the sound of silence’; be awestruck by the even served on ice plates. density of stars on a clear night in the canopy above you and watch the blue, pink and yellow cold air.

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91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 6 21/10/2011 15:08 Hotels on Earth

KIRKENES SNOW HOTEL KAKSLAUTTANEN IGLOO VILLAGE (NORWEGIAN LAPLAND) (FINNISH LAPLAND)

With just 15 suites, exquisitely sculpted ice art and double Just 100 metres from the Kakslauttanen Log Cabin Hotel its beds topped with reindeer pelts, the Kirkenes Snow Hotel owner and architect Jussi Eiramo creates each year his very has undeniably become the ‘boutique’ of the world’s Ice own igloo village with a magnificent ice gallery at its centre. and Snow Hotels. Just outside Kirkenes, characterised by There are both snow igloos, with an inside temperature of rather utilitarian architecture, is the awesomely stark Gabba -3˚C/-6˚C and, as a gesture to modern life, 20 glass igloos Reindeer Park where the Kirkenes Snowhotel is just a ‘kick with a comfortable bed, wc and a panoramic view of the sled’ ride away. Here, as you eat your supper in a traditional night sky. In these the temperature is a tropical +21˚C. Sami ‘lavvo’ under the arctic night, it’s hard to imagine this Never content with letting the ground freeze under his feet, being one of the Cold War’s most incendiary flash points, Jussi has also built the world’s largest smoke sauna and an which the watch towered Norwegian Russian border still ice restaurant. bears testimony to.

In the surrounding plains of Norwegian Lapland you can enjoy a cocktail of adventures: snowmobiling over the mountain ridge to observation point 247 where NATO faced down the Russian Bear for half a century; or husky safari under (hopefully) the Northern Lights and snowmobiling out over the ice to fish for Giant Crabs unique to the Barents Sea.

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Prices from £695pp

Northern Lights Experience DEPARTURES DAILY NOV-APR

Witness the extraordinary phenomena of the ‘Northern Lights’ in Tromso, Norway’s ‘Paris of the North’. By night, enjoy the effervescent atmosphere of the world’s most northerly university town and sample fresh fish dishes in myriad local restaurants. By day, enjoy a thrilling husky safari, go ice kicksledding, ice fishing or innumerable other safari excursions.

‘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. And it was from an observatory, just North of Tromso, the Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland gave the world the first scientific explanation for the Aurora. He observed how electron rays from the sun collided with the earth’s magnetic field and followed it down to the magnetic poles creating 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. RICA ISHAVSHOTEL SCANDIC HOTEL In the heart of Tromso The Scandic’s hill top setting on the the Ishavhotel’s futuristic western side of Tromso Island, 4kms maritime inspired design away from the glare of the urban lighting and wharf end location in the city centre, is perfect for “Northern overlooking Tromso Lights” spotting. All 146 non-smoking Sound, the inner harbour rooms are furnished in a functional and The Arctic Cathedral Scandinavian style and equipped with makes it probably one of telephone, radio, TV, hair dryer, iron and the swishiest places in private wc/shower. - Hilltop location - Non town. The hotel has two smoking rooms - Lobby bar restaurant - restaurants (one a brasserie and the other a la carte) and two bars both at Sauna - Distance from Airport 1km - Distance from city centre 4km the fjord end of the hotel with spectacular views out over the Sound. All 180 rooms have TV, telephone, mini-bar, trouser-press,hairdryer and priivate WC/ HOTEL WITH shower are styled in a modernistic Nordic fashion with the twins furnished in The Hotel With is down close to the pine and with muted hessian and brick red fabrics. quayside in the city centre with Tromso Waterfront location - 2 Restaurants - 2 bars - central location Sound on one side and the city’s historic centre on the other. Close by WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled SAS are the Arctic Botanical gardens, Mack flight(s) from Heathrow to Tromso via Oslo - All airport departure taxes and passenger Brewery, Arctic Cathedral and several service charges - 3 nights hotel accommodation in twin room with private WC/ shower - 3 Scandinavian buffet breakfasts and 3 buffet suppers (Hotel With only) restaurants and bars. All 76 rooms have ARCTIC CLOTHING PACK Windproof, water resistant thermal suit with inner & outer air conditioning, telephone, cable TV and pockets and hood. Non slip Arctic boots with removable inner pocket. Deer flapped private WC/shower. - Waterfront location - tight knit woolen hat Leather gloves. £75pp (up to 4 days) Non smoking rooms - Restaurant

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91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 8 21/10/2011 15:09 Norwegian Lapland Pre-bookable Safari Excursions

NORTHERN LIGHTS SPOTTING border. The emphasis is firmly on hunting Aurora nomadic sami style is served en-route. Rica Escape the city’s urban lighting and travel out where they are most likely to occur, so the trip Ishavshotel pick-up at 09.30 or 17.00, transfers to the Troms Wilderness Centre where you can can last for anything up to 8 hours. During the to Camp Tamok, protective clothing and ‘Davy’ enjoy the warmth of a Sami lavvo’s open fire over evening you move location two or three times helmet and hot meal. 7 (4½) hours £185pp. which you can grill sausages and sip hot local to provide different backdrop settings, avoid berry juice, in between spells lying on reindeer light pollution and hunt out the best aurora skins staring skywards for the Northern Lights. experience. Ideal for photographers whatever In between aurora sightings you can also visit their competence, we provide tripods and our the centre’s husky kennels and enjoy an optional guide helps you with your camera settings to traditional supper of Bidos (stewed reindeer). produce memorable shots. We provide thermal Departs from Radisson SAS Hotel at 18.15. 4 (3) suits, hand warmer, hot meal and drinks. NB We hours £59pp. regret having to point out in this litigious age that we use the word ‘guarantee’ here as a simile for ‘best chance you can get’. Departs from Radisson SAS Hotel at 18.30. 6-8 hours £139pp.

SNOWSHOE TREK Exploring the spectacular winter landscape of Tromso’s surrounds, on a self guided trek trip. NORTHERN LIGHTS ARCTIC CRUISE We supply you with snowshoes, an easy to read Cruise offshore in the evening blackness on the map of the area and suggested routes. You’ll fishing boat ‘Havcruise’, spotting for the aurora to catch sight of the fjords surrounding Tromsø and burst out over the Sound. Light supper on board perhaps get a close look at some Arctic Wildlife! & hotel pick-up at 20.00 hrs included. 3 hours Back at base you can rest up in a traditional Sami £140pp. tents or enjoy a warm lunch of traditional ‘Bidos’ made from reindeer and served with ‘flattbrod’. Coffee brewed over the fire Norwegian style and HUSKY SAFARI chocolate cake for dessert rounds off the day. Including a traditional dinner by an open fire in Pick up from Radisson SAS Hotel at 09.45. 3½ a Lavvo (tent). Hotel pick-up (9.45 or 18.15 – hours £52pp. please advise preference), protective thermal clothing and traditional Sami light supper included. 3½ hours £154pp.

SNOWMOBILE SAFARI Through the Finn valley along a 15km trail from Camp Tamok (a commune of Sami tents and hospitality cabin) to Lake Tamok where you can try your hand at ice fishing. Driving in pairs you can swap round half way so each person can have a go driving. The contrast between tundra, lake and mogul like terrain provides the ultimate snowmobile experience from speeding ARCTIC TRIATHALON BLUE LIGHT ARCTIC CRUISE to crawling. A hot meal round an open fire in Starts with a scenic flight over the Lyngen Alps Cruise in Tromsø Sound and catch surrounding to Storslett where you are met by our guide who landscapes in the clear blue light of an Arctic takes you down to a reindeer corral to try out afternoon onboard the custom built catamaran your lassoing skills. Follow on with a snowshoe ‘Havcruise’. See the island of Sammaroy on one trek along the Reisa River’s frozen bed to a side and the majestic Lyngen Alps on the other. known Eagle nesting spot and then a snowmobile Light fish meal on board. Departs from harbour safari in the foothills of the Lyngen Alps. Your quayside close to Hotel With at 12.30. 3 hours trio of activities is broken with a traditional £114pp. Sami supper around a Lavvo’s open fire during which your hosts tell of the nomadic life of the NORTHERN LIGHTS SEARCH Norwegian Sami and of their culture perilously Our trip with as close to an Aurora guarantee as clinging on to the coat tails of the modern world. we can give. Our local guide picks you up from Return to Tromso by Hurtigruten steamer. the city centre at 6.30pm and, depending on the Protective thermal clothing, hot lunch, necessary level of cloud cover, heads North to a spot with equipment, hot drinks and cookies provided. the Atlantic to one side of you and the Lyngen Rica Ishavshotel pick up at 09.30. 9/12 hours Alps the other or East as far as the Finnish £225pp.

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Prices from Northern Lights at the Top of the World £1995pp Travel around the top of the Norwegian peninsula for a very special adventure. Snowmobile DEPARTURES DAILY DEC-APR across Norwegian tundra; fish for king crabs; sail along the Norwegian coast to the Russian border; sleep on ice in the world’s most northerly snow hotel. Enjoy fish straight from the sea in a quayside restaurant and reindeer cooked over an open fire in a traditional Sami Teepee. And much more besides.

NORTH EAST BY NORTH TOUR

DAY 1 UK – TROMSO Scheduled SAS flight(s) and re-embarking on your ship. Sail across the HOTEL WITH via Oslo to Tromso on the edge of Norwegian Kjollefjord, clad yourself in thermal outerwear and The Hotel With is down Lapland. Self transfer to & overnight at Hotel With. snowmobile with your guide across the Nordkyn close to the quayside in the city centre with Tromso Buffet supper at the hotel. peninsula to the tiny fishing village of Mehamn. Sound on one side and the DAY 2 TROMSO Day at leisure in this uni town Dinner and overnight in a waterside Rorbu. City’s historic centre on the other (see more on p8). set down by Tromso Sound: the Arctic and DAY 4 MEHAMN – KIRKENES Time to savour Polaria museums and Fjellheisen cable car with this uniquely remote spot and its rugged MEHAMN RORBU its seascape view of the city and Tromso Sound Fjord side fisherman’s surroundings before re-embarking on the huts in the world’s most are all worth it. And of course you shouldn’t Hurtigruten and cruising overnight above the 70th northerly fishing village leave Tromso without having fish in one of the parallel to Kirkenes on the Norwegian/Russian renovated with all mod cons quayside restaurants. Early evening departure border. and panoramic views of the by Hurtigruten sailing north along the coast to Barents Sea. Honningsvag with overnight accommodation in an DAY 5 KIRKENES – SNOW HOTEL Disembark HURTIGRUTEN inside 2 berth cabin with private WC/Shower. early morning and transfer to Rica Arctic Hotel. Norway’s everyday maritime Early afternoon husky safari over by the Russian bus service dropping off DAY 3 HONNINGSVAG – NORTH CAPE- border with a hot snack lunch en route. Upon people, post and packing KJOLLEFJORD-MEHAMN Late morning arrival cases all along the coast. return transfer to the Kirkenes Snow Hotel with in Honningsvag and then by bus north to the (see more on our website). a guided tour on arrival followed by dinner in a vertiginous cliff face, christened North Cape KIRKENES SNOW nearby Kota followed by a night sleeping on ice in and labelled Europe’s northernmost point (even HOTEL one of the hotel’s exquisitely sculpted snow suites. though it isn’t!) by English explorer Richard With just 15 exquisitely sculpted snow suites and ice DAY 6 KIRKENES – UK Warm up with a sauna Chancellor. On arrival toast your intrepidity beds topped with reindeer in champagne and gaze out across the eerie before breakfast and transfer to the airport for hides this is the boutique of Arctic Ocean before returning to Honningsvag return flight to the UK. the ice hotel world (see more on page 19).

WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices include return scheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Tromso and Kirkenes to Heathrow via Oslo - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - 2 nights accommodation in twin room(s) with private WC/shower - 2 nights onboard Norwegian Coastal Steamer in 2 berth cabin with private WC/shower - Overnight in a Snow Suite at Kirkenes Snow hotel - 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 3 dinners - Excursions in Nordkap, Kjollefjord and Kirkenes as per itinerary - Local transfers as per itinerary - Protective clothing during snowmobile safari

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SOUTH WEST BY WEST TOUR

DAY 1 UK – OSLO Scheduled SAS flights to Oslo. Self transfer to Grand Hotel and overnight. DAY 2 OSLO – KIRKENES Time to look around this, the Viking Capital, before late afternoon flight to Kirkenes close by the Russian border. Self transfer to and overnight at Rica Kirkenes Hotel. DAY 3 KIRKENES After breakfast sail out into the local fjord and catch your lunch of giant King Crab, some of which have a ‘claw span’ of 2 metres. Late afternoon transfer to the Gaba around midnight. Self transfer to and overnight at Reindeer Park for a traditional Sami supper Hotel With. round an open fire in a Kota before spending DAY 6 TROMSO – LYNGENFJORD After the night in an exquisitely sculpted suite at the breakfast, enjoy an epic guided adventure Kirkenes Snow Hotel. mushing your own dog sled in the foothills of the Lyngen Alps through a snow-covered landscape with fantastic views. Afternoon at leisure before a short flight over the Lyngen Alps north to Storslett. Continue with a local guide who takes you to a spot on the Lyngenfjord shoreline which locals hold to be the best for seeing Northern lunchtime cruise in Tromsø Sound for stunning Lights and where Joanna Lumley spent a night seascape views in the blue half light of an Arctic filming them for her BBC programme. Supper & winter afternoon. overnight in a cabin with private WC/shower and DAY 4 KIRKENES – AT SEA Embark at mid-day Round off your tour with the ultimate hunt for the sauna. on a Hurtiguten steamer for a scenic voyage Aurora. Our Guide takes you dodging the strato, along the Ice Age sculpted Norwegian coast, DAY 7 LYGENFJORD – TROMSO After breakfast alto and nimbocumulus clouds from the North stopping at Vardø, Båtsfjord and Berlevåg en return by private car to Tromso and check-in at Atlantic searching for the best place to see the route. Overnight in a twin outside cabin. Hotel With for 2 nights. Afternoon cable car ride Northern lights, whether on the coast or over by to Mount Storsteinen for fantastic ariel views of the Finnish Border. DAY 5 AT SEA – TROMSO Continue south Tromsøya, the island on which the city stands. calling at Mehamn, Kjøllefjord, Honningsvåg, DAY 9 TROMSO – UK Transfer to airport for Oksfjord and Skjervøy before reaching Tromso DAY 8 TROMSO – UK Morning at leisure before return flight to UK.

WHAT’S INCLUDED Scheduled return flights with SAS from London Heathrow to Kirkenes via Oslo and return from Tromso - 1 night at Grand Hotel (Oslo) - 1 night at Rica Hotel (Kirkenes) - 1 night at the Snow Hotel (Kirkenes) - Overnight Hurtigruten voyage Kirkenes to Tromsø in an outside cabin with private WC/shower - 3 nights at the Hotel With (Tromsø) - Lodging in twin rooms with private WC/shower - Breakfasts throughout, 3 light lunches & 3 buffet suppers - King Crab Safari (Kirkenes) - Husky Safari (Tromso) - Lyngenfjord overnight excursion - Cable Car(Tromsø) - Arctic Light cruise (Tromso) - Aurora Spotting (Tromso)

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Prices from £795pp

Adventures under the Northern Lights DEPARTURES DAILY DEC-APR

Snowmobile across the Arctic tundra in the heart of Norwegian Lapland under the mystical phenomena of the Northern Lights. Fashion your trip exactly as you would like it from our range of excursions including husky mushing, reindeer sled racing, mountain sledging and more.

Alta is a superb base camp for THON HOTEL ALTA snow adventures and spotting the The Thon has the standards you’d expect from one of Norway’s leading Northern Lights. Dubbed ‘the hotel chains and is set in the centre of town. All 150 rooms have TV, radio, last great wilderness in Europe’, telephone, mini bar, private WC/shower. In the public areas there is a the landscape and scenery breakfast room and lounge. 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. VICA HOTEL PREBOOKABLE EXCURSIONS After some inhospitable hotel experiences as a young itinerant music teacher, Knut Rydningen firmly believes that a hotel should be ‘home from SORRISNIVA IGLOO HOTEL BY SNOWMOBILE following a trail through home’ and it shows. In the sympathetic renovation and extension of the forest, valleys and across vast snow covered plains with a visit to the original farmhouse building; in the individual fabrics and decoration of the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel. Hotel pick up, protective thermal clothing included. just 24 rooms; in the ‘Haldde’ restaurant where you can eat crab to die for. 3½hrs. 2 departures daily mid Jan-Apr. Evening Northern Lights trip or And, naming the hotel after his daughters Vibeka and Camilla! daytime including lunch. £130/£145pp SNOW SHOEING try your hand at the traditional Sami way of getting around WHAT’S INCLUDED in the snow. Easy and lots of fun. Hotel pickup, protective thermal clothing Prices are in £ per person and include and snow shoes included. 3 hrs. Mid Dec – Apr. Daily £60pp return scheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Alta via Oslo HUSKY SAFARI through the forest and along the banks of the Altaelva - All airport departure taxes and passenger river, mushing your own team of huskies. Hotel pick up, protective thermal service charges clothing, cake and hot drink included. 2½ hrs. Mon-Fri mid Dec-April - 3 nights hotel accommodation in twin (Evenings Mon-Thu). £120pp room with private WC/shower - 3 Scandinavian buffet breakfasts SNOWMOBILE SAFARI across the Finnmark plateau with traditional - Buffet dinner (Vica Hotel) included on Sami lunch included. Hotel pick up, protective thermal clothing and lunch arrival night included. 3½ hrs. Twice daily (mornings and evenings) Dec – April. £125pp

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91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 12 21/10/2011 15:10 Norway’s Lofoten Archipelago

Price £1195pp The Northern Lights every night & DEPARTURE 23 FEBRUARY Arctic Wildlife by day

Fly on our exclusive direct flight up high over the Arctic Circle to Northern Norway’s Lofoten/ Vesterålen archipelago for a unique chance to discover Arctic wildlife, meet the Sami people of the islands and see the Northern Lights overhead every night.

YOUR TOUR

DAY 1 UK – photo opportunities and then make a stop for with some off-shore fishing: cod, haddock, LOFOTEN/ breakfast which he will prepare around an on coalfish, redfish, wolf fish, salmon, herring, ling, VESTERALAN open fire. Dinner back at your hotel. Evening flounder and halibut are all to be found here. Exclusive chartered hunt for the Aurora. Private transfer by bus to Narvik airport in the late afternoon for direct return flight to London flight from London DAY 4 THE SAMI BY DAY AURORA BY NIGHT Gatwick. Gatwick direct to After breakfast in your hotel private bus transfer Narvik in Northern to Inga Sami Siida, a Sami farm whose owners SORTLAND HOTEL Norway. Private will tell of the history and culture of the Sami Sitting in the embrace of Langoya’s mountains transfer with cinnamon people in Vesteralan. Lunch will be in a lavvo buns and coffee served and fjords, the Sortland has a simple, functional on board to Sortland exterior with a traditionally old fashioned interior on the Vesteralen and rooms with private WC/shower, radio & TV Islands, part of the along with a staff whose reputation is that of Lofoten archipelago. Overnight for 4 nights at the genuine friendliness and helpfulness. There is a Sortland Hotel. restaurant serving hearty Norwegian food using local ingredients a bar serving hot beverages as DAY 2 EAGLES BY DAY AURORA BY NIGHT well as drinks. After breakfast in your hotel, private bus transfer to the fishing hamlet of Ringstad. Offshore your WHAT’S INCLUDED guide will lead you to a spot where white tailed Prices include return chartered flight from London eagles search for their prey. Razorbills, guillemots, Gatwick to Narvk - All airport departure taxes and shags, herons are other fascinating and exclusive passenger service charges - Private airport/hotel features among the ocean fauna. Dinner back at with food prepared from local ingredients and return transfers - 4 nights accommodation at the your hotel. Evening hunt for the Aurora. cooked over an open fire. You will help feed their Sortland Hotelt - Lodging in twin room(s) with private reindeer and have a chance to learn how to lasso WC/shower - Breakfasts & Dinners throughout - DAY 3 MOOSE BY DAY AURORA BY NIGHT Moose & Eagle safaris, Moose grazing grounds safari, a reindeer. Dinner back at your hotel. Evening After breakfast in your hotel, private transfer as off-shore boat excursion & Sami encampment visit as hunt for the Aurora. dawn breaks to Vesteralan Islands and begin per itinerary including open fire lunches - AURORA searching for moose. Once we find their feeding DAY 5 THE SEA BY DAY – RETURN TO UK HUNTING EXCURSIONS ON EACH OF 4 EVENINGS - Local qualified guides throughout grounds your guide will frequently call a halt for After breakfast the final day of the tour ends

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Prices from £995pp

Our Ice Break DEPARTURES DAILY 3 DEC-14 APR

Experience the extraordinary, unique and glistening ICEHOTEL at Jukkasjarvi deep in the heart of Swedish Lapland. Enjoy traditional Sami cuisine; 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 YOUR TOUR morning scheduled flights with SAS via Stockholm for a three night stay to DAY 1 UK – ICEHOTEL Early which you can add excursions to suit your needs (and budget). morning scheduled SAS flights via You can try your hand at ice sculpting under the tuition of an accomplished Stockholm to Kiruna in Swedish ice sculptor or test drive a Saab turbo on an ice track used by professionals. Lapland. On arrival, transfer to All of the options shown opposite are pre-bookable and for those Jukkasjarvi, check in, collect thermal involving the use of an animal or something with an engine we strongly clothing and enjoy a guided tour recommended doing so, as all get booked up very early. Extending your stay of the ICEHOTEL and its environs. at the ICEHOTEL and safariing in the wilderness for an overnight stay in a Choice of optional excursions. Later log cabin is just one of the more adventurous options that are available and that evening retire to your ICEHOTEL that we’ll be happy to talk through with you. Snow Room for the most unusual Each December, the night of your life. celebrated ICEHOTEL is DAY 2 ICEHOTEL Wake up to sculpted from 30,000 tons a hot cloudberry juice, take a of snow and ice only to sauna (optional) and breakfast melt away each spring. across at the Inn. Choice of Each year’s design differs, optional excursions. Overnight the final detail being accommodation in either a Nordic revealed only when the last cabin, Northern Lights chalet or ice block is in place and Kaamos room for 2 nights. the last bedroom finished. DAY 3 ICEHOTEL After breakfast, once again a choice of optional The hotel consists of the Absolut Bar, art gallery, consecrated chapel, ‘hall of excursions are available or you can just watch the day go by. pillars’ and a choice of snow rooms, ice rooms or art suites all sculpted from DAY 4 ICEHOTEL – UK Breakfast followed by transfer to the airport and ice. Guests sleep in special thermal Arctic sleeping bags on frame beds return flight(s) to the UK. topped with reindeer skins.

WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices are in £ per person in twin room accommodation and include return scheduled SAS flights from Heathrow to Swedish Lapland via Stockholm - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - Overnight in a Snow room - 2 overnights in a Nordic cabin, Northern Light Chalet or Kaamos hotel style room (Prices based on Kaamos room) - 3 breakfasts - Airport/Ice hotel transfers in Lapland - Protective thermal clothing for the duration of your stay in Jukkasjarvi - Guided tour of the ICEHOTEL

14 Call us on 01206 708888 visit www.nordicexperience.co.uk or see your Travel Agent

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PRE-BOOKABLE SAFARIS HUSKY SAFARIS MOOSE SAFARI AA01 A 1½ hour safari along a 13 km trail AA08 A 6 hour trip, initially by minibus and through the surrounding forest with only the thereafter by snowmobile, to the grazing pastures swish of the sled’s runners to be heard. En of the moose. £256 pp route, stop for coffee and cake by an open fire. £141 pp REINDEER SAFARI AA02 A 4 hour husky safari along 28 km of marked trails in the surrounding wilderness. AA09 A 3½ hour trip by snowmobile sled A stop for a traditional Sami lunch by an open to a traditional Sami encampment including fire is included before returning to Jukkasjarvi. instruction, short reindeer safari and traditional £268 pp Sami lunch in a Lavva. £135 pp

ICE TRANSFERS ICE SCULPTING AA03 BY HUSKY Start your visit to the AA10 A 3 hour back to ICEHOTEL with a very special and unique form primary school session of airport transfer! On arrival, you will be kitted learning how to fashion out with protective thermal clothing and your your own sculpture out luggage taken separately to the hotel, whilst you of a single block of ice. enjoy your first taste of tranquil Sami landscapes Tuition by somebody on a husky sled. (based on 4 people sharing) SNOWMOBILE SAFARIS involved in building the £132 pp AA04 After a short instruction period with hotel. AA07 BY SNOWMOBILE Start your visit to the your guide, this snowmobile safari, lasting £58 pp icehotel with a high speed, hardcore transfer: approximately 1½ hours is fun for boys and girls a snowmobile safari along marked trails in the alike. £81 pp DRIVING ON ICE boreal forest of spruce and pine and on the AA05 A 3 hour guided snowmobile safari along frozen surface of river Torne. £156 pp AA11 Discover your inner Jeremy Clarkson in 28 km of marked trails in the surrounding a Saab Sport Turbo on an ice test track a short wilderness. A stop for a traditional Sami lunch distance from the icehotel. Supervised driving at by an open fire is included before returning to up to 100km per hour Fri & Sun only. Jukkasjarvi. £143 pp £264/£95 pp AA06 A 4 hour guided evening tour in search of the Northern Lights with a traditional Sami light supper at a wilderness encampment. £161 pp

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Prices from £1359pp

Our Classic Ice Break DEPARTURES DAILY 3 DEC-14 APR

Our Classic Ice Break is the ideal way to enjoy the ICEHOTEL with a night in Stockholm to help you unwind before the short flight to Kiruna the next day in time for a light lunch.

In Sweden’s capital you stay at the family 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.

YOUR TOUR

DAY 1 UK – STOCKHOLM Scheduled SAS flight to Stockholm. by an open fire before returning to Jukkasjarvi. In the afternoon, Overnight at Hotel Esplanade; small, discrete and on the you can choose further optional excursions either by husky or waterfront. Explore the cobbled alleyways of Gamla Stan, dine snowmobile. The final night of your “Classic Ice Break” is spent on scented reindeer or just relax and dream about the adventure either in a Kaamos, Nordic or Northern Lights room. The local ahead. Inn serves Lapp specialities and has both table d’hôte and à la carte menus. DAY 2 STOCKHOLM – ICEHOTEL Breakfast in the hotel’s art nouveau breakfast room before late morning flight to Kiruna and DAY 4 ICEHOTEL – UK Breakfast at the Inn. Morning free for a transfer to Jukkasjarvi and the ICEHOTEL. On arrival, check in brief walk around the village, with its traditional Sami buildings and lunch at the local Inn, after which collect thermal clothing and church, before transfer to Kiruna airport and return flight(s) and take a guided tour of the ICEHOTEL and its environs. Later, via Stockholm to the UK. start the evening with a guided snowmobile tour through the forest with the possibility of the Northern Lights in the night sky above. Traditional Sami soup at a wilderness encampment before returning to Jukkasjarvi. Then, it’s into the “Absolut Ice WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices are in £ per person and include Bar” to enjoy a special drink (payable locally) – a “Northern scheduled return SAS flights from Heathrow (Manchester on request) to Kiruna via Stockholm - All airport departure taxes and passenger Lights” or a “Wolf’s Paw” – before retiring to your ICEHOTEL service charges - Stockholm hotel overnight in twin room with private room for the most unusual night of your life. WC/shower - Overnight in Snow Room - Overnight in a Nordic cabin, Northern Light chalet or Kaamos hotel style room (Prices based on DAY 3 ICEHOTEL Wake up to a hot cloudberry juice, take a Kaamos room) - 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 light supper as per sauna (optional) and breakfast across at the Inn. Afterwards, you itinerary - Excursions and services as per itinerary - Airport transfers can enjoy an optional reindeer sled safari through the forest and in Kiruna - Protective thermal clothing for the duration of your stay in across the fells to a “Lavvo” (tent) for a traditional Sami lunch Jukkasjarvi - Guided tour of the ICEHOTEL.

16 Call us on 01206 708888 visit www.nordicexperience.co.uk or see your Travel Agent

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Prices from £1625pp

Super Classic Ice Break DEPARTURES 3 DEC-14 APR

Do the ICEHOTEL in style with our Super Classic Break staying in the chic Hotel Anglais in Stockholm and an individually designed Art suite in Jukkasjarvi, with transfers throughout. Ideal for a special occasion, anniversary or just a treat for yourself: our 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. THE ANGLAIS HOTEL We can adapt your Super Classic trip in any way you want including a transfer by husky or snowmobile On Humlegardsgaten just round the corner from on arrival in Kiruna; private guided tours in Stockholm and a hotel upgrade there to the Nobis Hotel Stureplan, one of the city’s smartest spots, the and/or business class flights with SAS. Please ask us for tailor made arrangements. Anglais is ideally located for an overnight stay with restaurants, shops and bars all within a few YOUR TOUR minutes walk. The hotel’s decor is ultra cool Scandinavian done DAY 1 UK – STOCKHOLM scheduled SAS flight themed by an award winning ‘ice artist’ and with a throughout in different textured white and black to Stockholm. Private transfer to and overnight at double sleeping bag. materials offset with red fabrics. All the twin Hotel Anglais. DAY 3 ICEHOTEL Wake up to a hot cloudberry rooms are larger than average with a desk and DAY 2 STOCKHOLM – ICEHOTEL Breakfast juice, take a sauna (optional) and breakfast across armchair and have private WC/shower, deposit in the hotel before private transfer to the airport at the Inn. Afterwards, get ready for your reindeer box, hair dryer, TV, iron and wireless internet for a late morning flight to Kiruna and transfer to sleigh safari through the forest and across the fells access. Jukkasjarvi and the ICEHOTEL. On arrival, check to a “Lavvo” (tent) for a traditional Sami lunch by in and lunch at the local Inn, after which you an open fire before returning to Jukkasjarvi. In the WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices are in £ per person and collect thermal clothing and take a guided tour afternoon, you can choose optional excursions include scheduled return SAS flights from Heathrow of the ICEHOTEL and its environs. Later, start the either by husky or snowmobile. The final night of (Manchester on request) to Swedish Lapland via evening with a guided snowmobile tour through your “Super Classic Ice Break” is spent either in Stockholm - All airport departure taxes and passenger the forest with the possibility of the Northern Lights a Kaamos, Nordic or Northern Lights room. The service charges - Private transfers in Stockholm - Stockholm hotel overnight in a superior twin room in the night sky above. Traditional Sami soup at local Inn serves Lapp specialities and has both with private WC/shower - Overnight in an Art Suite - a wilderness encampment before returning to table d’hôte and à la carte menus. Overnight in a Nordic cabin, Northern Light chalet or Jukkasjarvi. Then, it’s into the “Absolut Ice Bar” DAY 4 ICEHOTEL – UK Breakfast at the Inn. Kaamos hotel style room (Prices based on NL Chalet) to enjoy a special drink (payable locally) - 3 breakfasts, 2 light lunches and 1 light supper Morning free for a brief walk around the village – a “Northern Lights” or a “Wolf’s Paw” – before - Excursions and services as per itinerary - Airport with its traditional Sami buildings and church, transfers in Kiruna - Protective thermal clothing for the retiring for the most unusual night of your life in before transfer to Kiruna airport and return flight(s) duration of your stay in Jukkasarvi - Guided tour of the your Art Suite, specially sculpted and individually via Stockholm to the UK. ICEHOTEL.

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Prices from £1335pp

The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel DEPARTURES DAILY 9 JAN-14 APR

Discover the intimate charm and intricate ice architecture of the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel. Snowmobile across the Arctic tundra; mush your own husky team under the Northern Lights and feast on ptarmigan, smoked reindeer and crab.

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 open fire, sauna, changing cubicles and restaurant serving Sami inspired dishes from aquatic fowl to chanterelle mushrooms. Surrounding the Igloo Hotel in the heart of Norwegian Lapland is the Finnmark plateau with its undulating tundra marked only by the old trekking trails and lushly scarred by river valleys with their pine, spruce and birch trees. This is where you can hear ‘the sound of silence’; be awestruck by the density of stars on a clear night in the canopy above you; watch the cold air – blue, pink and yellow but never black.

VICA HOTEL YOUR TOUR After some inhospitable hotel DAY 1 UK – ALTA experiences as a young music Scheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Alta in Norwegian Lapland via Oslo. Self transfer to the Vica hotel for two nights. teacher, Knut Rydningen firmly believes that a hotel should be DAY 2 HUSKY SAFARI Breakfast and private transfer to local Husky ‘home from home’ and it shows. Kennels to try your hand at mushing with your own team of dogs along the In the sympathetic renovation banks of the Alta River. and extension of the original DAY 3 SNOWMOBILING & IGLOO HOTEL Breakfast followed by morning farmhouse building. In the transfer to the Sorrisniva Igloo hotel for an exciting day and night. The day individual fabrics and decoration of the just 24 rooms. In the ‘Haldde’ starts with a snowmobile safari following a forest and valley trail out and restaurant where you can have locally caught crab. And, naming the hotel across vast snow covered plains. Late lunch at the Igloo Hotel. Afternoon at leisure in these idyllic surroundings on the banks of the Alta river, take after his daughters Vibeka and Camilla. a walk, go for a kick sled ride or spend some time in the outdoor hot tub gazing at the starry skies perhaps even seeing the Northern Lights. Dinner in the Lavvu shaped restaurant specialising in Sami cuisine, followed perhaps by a fortifying drink in the Ice Bar before settling down for one of WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled SAS the more unusual nights of your life; sleeping in an igloo. flight(s) from Heathrow to Alta (via Oslo) - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - 2 nights at Vica hotel in twin room(s) with private shower/WC - 1 DAY 4 ALTA – UK Breakfast at the Alta Igloo hotel. Transfer to Alta and overnight in Sorrisniva Igloo hotel in standard snow room - 3 breakfasts - 1 lunch the Vica hotel for a last taste of Norway, before self transfer to the airport for - 1 dinner - Snowmobile and husky safaris as per itinerary including transfers and return flight(s) via Oslo to the UK. protective thermal clothing - Luggage storage whilst overnighting at Igloo hotel.

18 Call us on 01206 708888 visit www.nordicexperience.co.uk or see your Travel Agent

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Prices from The Snow Hotel at the Top of the World £1365pp

DEPARTURES DAILY At 69ºN, The Kirkenes Snow Hotel is the world’s most northerly Ice Hotel. With just 15 suites 15 DEC-2 APR exquisitely sculpted, ice art and double beds topped with reindeer pelts, the Kirkenes Snow Hotel is – we think – undeniably 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. In the surrounding plains of Norwegian Lapland you can enjoy a cocktail of adventures: snowmobiling over the mountain ridge to observation point 247 where NATO faced down the Russian Bear for half a century; husky safariing under (hopefully) the Northern Lights and snowmobiling out over the ice to fish for Giant Crabs unique to the Barents Sea. All in all, a real ‘been there – done that’ experience.

YOUR TOUR

DAY 1 UK – KIRKENES Scheduled SAS flight(s) to Kirkenes via Oslo. Norwegian/Russian border. Along the way stop for an open fire lunch of Transfer on arrival to safari station and then kick sled to the Gabba Reindeer venison washed down with hot coffee, before continuing out to the Barents Park and Kirkenes Snow Hotel. Supper in a traditional Sami ‘lavvo’ before Sea. Late afternoon return to Kirkenes for some relaxation in the hotel. retiring to your ice suite for the night – sleeping in a giant igloo at the top of DAY 4 KING CRAB SAFARI Breakfast and morning at leisure before the world. getting ready to meet up with the sub aquatic albatross of the Barents Sea: DAY 2 KIRKENES & HUSKY SAFARI After breakfast in the Snow Hotel, the two metre claw span King Crab. From Lars Petter Øie’s place alongside kick sled back to Kirkenes and check in to the Rica Kirkenes hotel for the fjord you travel by snowmobile or RIB to the edge of the ice where your 3 nights. Afternoon at leisure and evening husky safari in surrounding driver guide vanishes beneath the water, re-surfacing with a crab for you to wilderness including traditional dinner. take back to the quayside, cook & enjoy. Late afternoon return to Kirkenes. DAY 3 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI After breakfast, a day long guided DAY 5 KIRKENES – UK Breakfast and morning free before transfer to the snowmobile tour over the mountains and alongside the watch towered airport and scheduled SAS flight(s) via Oslo to UK.

WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Kirkenes via Oslo - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - Overnight in Snow Hotel and 3 nights at Hotel Rica in twin bedded room(s) with private wc/shower - 4 breakfasts, 1 dinner and 2 lunches - Welcome drink (1st night), Husky safari, snowmobile safari & king crab safari as per itinerary - Protective thermal clothing for all safaris - All transfers in Kirkenes. SNOWMOBILE SAFARI SOLE DRIVER SUPPLEMENT £90 NB *Weekday flight schedules necessitate an overnight stay in Oslo on the outbound flight at a supplement.

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Prices from £2499pp

Rooms with a View DEPARTURES DAILY 3 DEC-31 MAR

Combine a room in Stockholm’s newest luxury hotel Nobis, with an Art Suite at the ultra chic ICEHOTEL followed by 2 nights in the uber cool TREEHOTEL all products of innovative Swedish designers.

The Nobis is in the heart of the most prestigious part of Stockholm with designer shops, restaurants and clubs on your doorstep, although with the scent of truffles in the hotel’s dining room you may not want to eat out. ICEHOTEL has been used by Herb Ritts and Versace for photo shoots, stayed in by just about everybody that’s anybody and spawned ICEBARS from Milan to London and just celebrated its 21st anniversary. The TREEHOUSE is somewhat younger having opened just last year but is destined (we feel) to become just as edgy. And whilst in between rooms you’ll have a chance to catch the Northern Lights, snowmobile in Lapland’s forest wilderness and much more besides.

YOUR TOUR

DAY 1 UK – STOCKHOLM Scheduled SAS flight to Kiruna for the train to Harads where your NOBIS is owned and run by the people behind to Stockholm. Private transfer to and overnight at private guide will be waiting to take you to the Operakällaren and Café Opera and housed in 2 late Nobis Hotel. Take a wander round to Stureplan for TREEHOTEL. On arrival check in to your chosen 19th century buildings in Norrmalmstorg. The interior a mocha or more and then on to the Spy Bar or TREE room (that featured here is the UFO). Dinner and rooms were designed by stellar Swedish architect Claesson Koivisto Rune and styled with a palette of Sturecompagniet. (payable locally) in the restaurant at the adjacent slate grey, stark white and wood brown in a classic Pensionat. DAY 2 STOCKHOLM – JUKKASARVI Breakfast modernistic style. and private transfer to the airport for a flight to DAY 4 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE SAMI A visit Kiruna and transfer to the ICEHOTEL.On arrival, ICEHOTEL has morphed over the years from a to Flakaberg in the Rame valley and the family simple igloo built as part of a heritage project into check in and lunch at the local Inn, after which home of Lars Eriksson for a day with his family an international phenomenon. Today each Art Suite collect thermal clothing and take a guided tour recounting tales of a past Sami life and showing is individually crafted by a designer picked from a of the Ice Hotel and its environs. Later, start the you his family’s present one. They’ll take you to pre-season competition. Walls are covered with ice evening with a transfer to Esrange. Dinner is their reindeer corral where you can try your hand sculptures; themes ranging from Art deco to a River around an encampment alongside Lake Salmijärvi at reindeer lassoing; take you on a snowmobile Legacy; from a Dali retrospective to a futuristic computer to look for you favourite star constellations and design. hopefully the Northern lights. Return to the safari along Lake Gorgini to a Kota for a traditional ICEHOTEL for a nightcap in the Absolut Bar before meal around an open fire and above all endow TREEHOTEL with its modernistic design principles, futuristic and funky sauna in a tree contrasts with the snuggling into your sleeping bag in your Designer you with the warmth of their hospitality. Return to renovated wooden clapboard Britta’s Pensionat that Ice Suite. TREEHOTEL. Dinner (payable locally). provides the hotel’s reception and dining room. Featured DAY 3 JUKKASARVI – HARADS After a hot DAY 5 STOCKHOLM – UK Self transfer to here is the UFO whose interior is spread over two floors berry juice, warming sauna and breakfast transfer Stockholm’s Arlanda airport and return flight to UK. with 2 separate bedrooms and private WC/shower.

WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices include scheduled return SAS flights from Heathrow to Kiruna/Lulea (via Stockholm) in Swedish Lapland - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - Private transfers in Stockholm and Swedish Lapland - 1 night at Nobis Hotel - 1 night at ICEHOTEL - 2 nights at TREEHOUSE - Lodging in twin rooms with private WC/shower (excluding ICEHOTEL). 4 breakfasts, 1 dinner and 2 light lunches according to itinerary. Protective clothing for duration of stay at ICEHOTEL AND TREEHOUSE. Full day Sami Life excursion including Snowmobiling and local services as per itinerary.

20 Call us on 01206 708888 visit www.nordicexperience.co.uk or see your Travel Agent

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Prices from £1699pp

Greenland Adventures DEPARTURES SUN, WED & THU JAN-MAR

Kangerlussuaq, set at the head of a deep fjord on Greenland’s west coast, is your base for some of the most extraordinary adventures in the world. Get up close and personal with Wild Musk Oxen; drive up on top of the Greenland inland icecap; husky sledge in the time honoured manner of the Innuit or snowmobile in the style of their contemporary descendents. Marvel at the awe inspiring scenery and watch out for one of nature’s most extraordinary phenomena, the Northern Lights.

YOUR TOUR PRE-BOOKABLE EXCURSIONS

DAY 1 UK – COPENHAGEN Scheduled SAS ICE FISHING in the Innuit fashion, travelling to a frozen fjord by flight to Copenhagen and overnight at Hilton snowmobile. Pick-up, thermal protective clothing and hot snack included. Copenhagen Airport Hotel. 4 hrs. £65pp DAY 2 COPENHAGEN – KANGERLUSSUAQ SNOWMOBILE SAFARI up to Kokkenfjord mountain driving your own Departure by Air Greenland at 09.15 to snowmobile. Pick up and thermal protective clothing included. 2½ hrs. Kangerlussuaq. Lunch served on board. £105pp Arrival 09.55 local time. Meet and greet NORTHERN LIGHTS SPOTTING from a cabin by Lake Ferguson where service by local guide. Check in at Hotel your guide recounts Greenland Sagas whilst waiting for nature’s lightshow. Kangerlussuaq. Information meeting. Pick up and refreshments included. 2½ hrs. £41pp DAY 3 KANGERLUSSUAQ Optional excursions. DOG SLED SAFARI with your guide and his pack of huskies in the manner DAY 4 KANGERLUSSUAQ Optional excursions. of the Innuit. Pick up and thermal protective clothing included. 2 hrs. £109pp DAY 5 KANGERLUSSUAQ – COPENHAGEN Departure by Air Greenland at 11.10 to Copenhagen. Lunch served on board. Arrival in Copenhagen THE INLAND ICE CAP is a historical reservoir, time capsule and much 19.30 local time. Overnight at Hilton Copenhagen Airport Hotel. more than a 3km3 lump of ice. Travel across awesome arctic landscapes to its very edge. Pick-up & refreshments included. 4/5 hrs. £65pp DAY 6 COPENHAGEN – UK SAS flight to Heathrow. MUSK OXEN SAFARI to their grazing grounds close to Kangerlussuaq for a chance to photograph the world’s largest population of these magnificent HOTEL KANGERLUSSUAQ animals. Along the way take in Reindeer, Polar Foxes and Hares as well. 1½ Think utility and base camp location rather hrs. £30pp than hotel anywhere in Greenland, not least in Kangerlussuaq, where its eponymous hotel is within WHAT’S INCLUDED the air terminal. Formerly a barracks it’s comfortable, Prices include return scheduled SAS flights from Heathrow to Copenhagen - Return clean and to an extent the only show in town but all scheduled Air Greenland flights from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq - In flight cabin 69 rooms have private wc/shower, radio and TV. service including lunch Copenhagen/Kangerlussuaq return - All passenger service charges and airport departure taxes - 5 nights accommodation in twin room(s) with - Swimming pool - Restaurant - Cafeteria - Bar - private WC/shower - Breakfasts throughout - Meet and Greet service on arrival in Offsite bowling alley & night club Greenland.

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Prices from £795pp

Fell Fun and Skiing DEPARTURES DAILY

Play on and around the foothills of one of Lapland’s most picturesque fells surrounded by the dense pine of the Syote National Park and marked in winter with snow sculptures clinging to the trees in elaborate formations. Whatever your wish list of winter activities Iso- Syote’s unique position in the southern part of Lapland provides offers them all, from high speed snowmobiling to reindeer caravanning; cross country to alpine skiing; from snow shoeing to husky mushing. Ideal for a couple who want to try everything or a family whose every member has a different agenda.

ISO-SYOTE if you have a wish list we can design something different for you. And of Sitting on top of Lapland’s course you may want to ski!!! southernmost fjell is the village Running down from the top of the fjell by the side of the hotel are no less of Iso-Syote cloaked throughout than 12 illuminated ski slopes; both half and quarter pipes; snowboard winter in deep white snow park; children’s slopes and sledding hill: facilities in other words for just and with breathtaking views of about every level of experience. So you could stay here just for the skiing or glistening pine covered valleys by extend your stay to add some on. day and, if the Gods are with you, the Northern Lights by night. At YOUR TOUR its heart, the Iso- Syote Hotel with its panoramic restaurant serving DAY 1 UK – LAPLAND Scheduled up Sami cuisine, swimming pool, Finnair flight to Kuusamo or saunas and bar with gregarious Finns offers an Aga like comfort at the end Rovaneimi via Helsinki. Transfer to of a day’s safari-ing whether by husky, snowmobile or reindeer. As well as 1 Iso-Syöte (app 1 /2 hrs) and check rooms proper the hotel has an assortment of traditional log cabins and 2 in to your chosen accommodation storey houses huddled around it. The former have twin beds, shower and choice before dinner in the hotel WC, TV and small sitting area; cabins can sleep up to 4 (2 on a sofa bed restaurant. and 2 in a separate bedroom) and have shower/WC, clothes drying closet, sauna and veranda frontage whilst the log houses are built with deadwood DAYS 2 – 4 ISO-SYOTE Safari activities of your choice and/or skiing. Dinner. log pine in the same traditional style have. DAY 5: ISO-SYOTE – UK After breakfast, transfer to the airport for return During a stay here you can turn your hand to any number of snow flight to the UK adventures: snowmobiling through fells, across frozen tundra and lakes; day long husky mushing in the surrounding National Park, hunting for the elusive Aurora; ice fishing; kick sledding; caravanning by reindeer and ice rally driving. Our itinerary illustrated here uses a 5 day trip plan for a Sunday WHAT’S INCLUDED Return economy flights from London to Oulu, Kuusamo or departure from the UK with specified activities over the ensuing days since Rovaniemi including current taxes and charges - Airport/hotel transfers in Finland - 4 each operates on different days of the week. This is but a template and night’s accommodation in your own log cabin - Full board

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PRE-BOOKABLE SAFARIS

SNOWMOBILE SAFARIS HUSKY SAFARI If huskies You can snowmobile any are your thing then on day of the week (apart a Wednesday you can from Sunday) and choose pick up a 30/40km mush between a 25km wilderness through the Syote National safari downhill from Iso- park along trails weaving Syote across frozen lakes their way across frozen and over forest moguls on swamp land and through a Monday, Friday (pm) or snow clad pine forests. Saturday; evening 45km Periodic stops allow you to Aurora spotting ones on a take turns as the musher Tuesday or Wednesday; a and en-route you’ll have lunch around an open fire in the traditional Sami 45km adrenaline pumping manner. £175pp. high speed, sole driver safari on a Thursday or a 100km hardcore full day REINDEER SAFARIS Every Friday across challenging terrain with a stop for a campfire lunch and warm up. morning sees a traditional reindeer Fridays £79, £100, £105 and £175pp respectively. caravan leaving Iso-Syote for a trek through the forest to a clearing where coffee and traditional Sami snacks are served in a “kota” teepee. £85pp. AND STILL MORE You can try ice fishing on a Friday or Saturday, transferring to one of Finland’s more beautiful lakes glistening in the winter sunlight and where you drill your hole, lower your line, wait and watch the day go by. Or why not have a go on a Tuesday at kick sledding down the Iso-Syote fell to a Kota serving up hot berry juice and ‘pulla’ around an open fire. (No you don’t – a car takes you back up the hill afterwards). SNOWMOBILE COMBI SAFARIS If the agony of choice gets on top of you Slightly more rigorous is snow shoeing no worries: you can combine snowmobiling for 20km with a 6km husky on a Thursday with, after a short safari on a Tuesday; with a 35km snowmobile safari to a reindeer corral on a professional tuition session, a trek Thursday or a 20km one to a frozen lake to try your luck at ice fishing on a through deep snow flanked by snow Wednesday. Prices £145, £100 and £99 respectively. sculptures that from as the snow freezes on the trees.

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Prices from £1345pp

Adventures by Lake Inari DEPARTURES SUNDAYS DEC-APR

Lake Inari is infused with the mysticism of Sami culture and the village of Nellim lies at its very heart. Here in this most tranquil of settings, an Inari Sami family create a warm and magical atmosphere for you in which to enjoy snowmobile and husky safaris and practice the ancient Sami arts of snow shoeing and skiing.

YOUR TOUR

DAY 1 UK - NELLIM Scheduled Finnair flight(s) to Ivalo via Helsinki. Private transfer by car to Hotel Nellim. Programme briefing, dinner and overnight for 5 nights. DAY 2 A DAY WITH A REINDEER HERDER Snowmobile out in to the forest to meet your reindeer herder, tending and feeding his herd in the wild. Continue along the shores of Lake Inari with a stop for lunch with some local fishermen before continuing back to Nellim (50km/5 to 6 hours). Dinner at the hotel. DAY 3 OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS & AURORA EVENING SNOWMOBILE Choice of optional activities during the day before an evening snowmobile out to a special WILDERNESS HOTEL NELLIM spot by the Lake to stake out the Northern Lights (20km/3 hours). The Wilderness Hotel Nellim is owned and run DAY 4 AT LEISURE Today is free for you to soak up the unique atmosphere of this by the Lappalainen family: Jouko and Mari. Here special spot with its mix of Sami cultures; play snow games down by the side of the they have converted the old school house into lake; test your prowess on snow shoes or enjoy an excursion of your choice. Dinner a home for travellers looking for adventure and at the hotel. tranquility. 12 simply furnished hotel rooms and DAY 5 HUSKY SAFARI After breakfast it’s time to meet Christopher’s pack of Alaskan huskies whose 8 cosy apartments with private WC/shower; fresh kennels are just a short walk from the hotel’s front door and whose excited barking slowly magnifies food from the lake or forests and an authentic as you approach them through the trees. Adults mush their own team of dogs: as the dogs pull you Sami family welcome characterise the hotel. along a snow-carpeted trail the silence is broken only by the whooshing sound of slicing sleigh runners. Lunch cooked en route over an open fire. (10 km/4 to 5 hours) Dinner at the hotel. DAY 6 NELLIM – UK Breakfast and private car transfer to Ivalo airport for scheduled Finnair flight(s) via Helsinki to Heathrow.

WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled Finnair flight(s) from Heathrow to Ivalo via Helsinki - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - In-flight cabin service - Airport/Hotel return transfers - 5 nights accommodation in twin room(s) with private WC/shower - 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners - Excursions as per itinerary - Services of experienced local wilderness guide(s) - Protective thermal clothing for duration of stay.

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Prices from £945pp

Huskies in Harriniva DEPARTURES SUNDAYS 2 JAN-14 APR

Enjoy the informal family hospitality of one of Lapland’s oldest wilderness hotels by the Muonionjoki marking the border with Sweden and home to the largest husky breeding kennels 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 YOUR TOUR hills and forests typify a Lapland untouched for 1,000 years. Here, alongside DAY 1 UK – KITTILA the border with Sweden, the Pietikainen family have offered hospitality Scheduled for over 25 years to travellers, fishermen, skiers and adventurers as well Finnair flight(s) to Kittila via as rearing Siberian Huskies. Your adventure includes safari opportunities Helsinki. Private transfer to the through some of the world’s most beautiful scenery in the midst of Lapland’s Harriniva Wilderness Hotel. Dinner fells and forests. and overnight for 4 nights. DAY 2 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI After breakfast it is time to meet your guide who will give you full instructions on how to drive a snowmobile before setting off. The distance driven is around 30kms and the journey covers perfect fell scenery with forests and frozen lakes. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. DAY 3 HUSKY SAFARI After breakfast your guide will take you to meet the huskies and after a lesson in ‘mushing’ you set off on an exciting 17km tour through the snow clad forest driving your own dog team. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. DAY 4 OPTIONAL SAFARIS Day at leisure or for optional excursions. DAY 5 KITTILA – UK Breakfast and private car transfer to Kittila airport for scheduled Finnair flight(s) via Helsinki to Heathrow. 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 WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled apartment style rooms which can accommodate up to 6 people available on Finnair flight(s) from Heathrow to Kittila via Helsinki - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - In-flight cabin service - Airport/Hotel return request. There is a restaurant, a bar and a wellness centre with sauna and transfers - 4 nights accommodation in twin room(s) with private WC/shower - use of outdoor hot tubs. sauna - 4 breakfasts and 4 buffet dinners - Programme as per itinerary - Services of experienced guides during all tours - Protective thermal clothing included throughout your stay.

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Prices from Snow Adventures at Kakslauttanen £1499pp

DEPARTURES Enjoy the authentic atmosphere of Finnish Lapland high above the Arctic Circle in our favourite DAILY JAN-APR log cabin hotel. Safari by reindeer, husky and snowmobile by day and enjoy Lappish hospitality and cuisine by the restaurant’s open fireplace at night.

HOTEL KAKSLAUTTANEN YOUR TOUR Jussi Eiramo came to Kakslauttanen as a young man for a summer’s fishing and has stayed ever since. Today the 35 log cabins, restaurant and adjacent DAY 1 UK – IVALO Scheduled Finnair flight(s) from London via Helsinki to Ivalo in Northern Finnish Lapland. Arrive 19.20 and transfer to hotel. Settle igloo village are all testimony to Jussi’s passionate attention to detail. The in to your private log cabin and dinner at the hotel. cabins, of varying sizes, are all equipped with shower, toilet, kitchenette, open fireplace and sauna and set amongst trees around a central building. DAY 2 HUSKY SAFARI After breakfast, start your days of Lapland magic with a husky safari through and across the enchanting wilderness. All This has a fully licensed restaurant with an open fireplace, around which equipment and clothing will be provided and a picnic lunch is included. local specialities are cooked, and a small handicraft/souvenir shop. Sleds Dinner at the hotel. are available for everyone’s free use and cross-country skis and snowshoes DAY 3 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI Today’s adventure is an evening Northern can be hired from the hotel. Lights Snowmobile Safari up to a spot on the fells known locally as an ideal spot for the Aurora to appear. Dinner at the hotel. DAY 4 NORTHERN LIGHTS SNOWMOBLE SAFARI & IGLOO NIGHT Today you can either try your hand at tobogganing, snow shoeing or cross country skiing. In the early evening, snowmobile up to a spot on the fells known locally as ideal for spotting the Aurora. Return to the hotel for dinner and then settle down in your glass igloo with its special thermal glass through which you can see the night sky. DAY 5 IVALO – UK Breakfast and morning at leisure before transfer to Ivalo and return flight(s) via Helsinki back to London.

WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled Finnair flight(s) from Heathrow to Ivalo via Helsinki - In-flight cabin service - All KAKSLAUTTANEN IGLOO VILLAGE airport taxes and passenger service charges airport/hotel transfers - Accommodation Just 100 metres from the hotel, Jussi creates each year his very own igloo in log cabin with private WC/shower, own logwood fireplace and sauna - Breakfasts, village with a magnificent ice gallery at its centre. There are both snow picnic lunches & dinners as per itinerary - Reindeer, husky & snowmobile safaris igloos, with an inside temperature of -3˚C/-6˚C and, as a gesture to modern as detailed in itinerary including thermal clothing and any special equipment required. *Small cabins are 40sq.mtrs with a separate twin bedroom and bunk beds life, 20 glass igloos with a comfortable bed, wc and a panoramic view of in the living area. **Large cabins (for 3-5 persons) are 65sq.mtrs with 2 separate the night sky. In these the temperature is a tropical +21˚C. Never content bedrooms, 1 with twin & 1 with bunk beds and a sofa bed in the living area and with letting the ground freeze under his feet, Jussi has also built the world’s Large cabins (for 2 persons) are 44sq.mtrs with a studio bedroom/living room. NB largest smoke sauna and an ice restaurant. Hire of thermal clothing for 5 days including complete set of protective suit, boots, mittens and scarf £75 pp.

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Prices from £1359pp

Skiing & The Ice Hotel DEPARTURES FRIDAYS FEB-APR

Take a ski break with a difference and combine a 3 night stay at the Ice Hotel with one night in a Snow room and a 4 night ski break at the Arctic resort of Björkliden. Lying close to the Abisko National Park, Björkliden’s setting is truly awesome with its 23 runs latticing mountains against a panorama of the frozen Lake Tornetrask and the Lapporten gap, a unique glacial valley that was the Sami reindeer herders trail to their winter grazing grounds.

With good snow depth from the beginning of February along with a good range of pistes (8 blue, 2 green, 11 red and 3 black) the skiing is suitable for all ability ranges and the resort’s proximity to the magnetic North Pole provides good chances of seeing the Northern Lights, skiing under which is something you’ll never forget. Hotel Fjället sits at the foot of the slopes, is somewhat utilitarian in appearance from the outside but the lounge bar with its log fire is the focal point of Björkliden’s après ski life and testifies to the warmth of the hospitality here. All 48 rooms have TV, telephone and WC/shower and are simply furnished in Scandinavian style. There is a sauna, gym, solarium and ski shop.

YOUR TOUR

DAY 1 UK – KIRUNA Early morning scheduled SAS flights via Stockholm optional excursions is available or you can just to Kiruna in Swedish Lapland. On arrival, transfer to Jukkasjarvi, check in, watch the day go by. collect thermal clothing and enjoy a guided tour of the Ice Hotel and its DAY 4 ICE HOTEL – BJÖRKLIDEN Transfer by environs. Choice of optional excursions. Later that evening retire to your train/taxi (payable locally) to Hotel Fjallet for a 4 Snow Room for the most unusual night stay. night of your life. DAY 5/6/7 BJÖRKLIDEN Skiing in Björkliden. DAY 2 ICE HOTEL Wake up to a hot cloudberry juice, take a DAY 8 KIRUNA – UK Transfer by train/taxi to Kiruna airport (payable sauna (optional) and breakfast locally) for return flight(s) to UK via Stockholm. across at the Inn. Choice of optional excursions. Overnight WHAT’S INCLUDED accommodation in either a Nordic Prices include scheduled return SAS flights from Heathrow (Manchester on request) cabin, Northern Lights chalet or to Kiruna via Stockholm - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges Kaamos room for 2 nights. - Overnight in a snowroom - 2 nights in a Nordic cabin, Northern Light chalet or Kaamos hotel style room - 4 nights at Hotel Fjalett - 7 breakfasts - Arrival airport DAY 3 ICE HOTEL After transfer in Kiruna - Protective thermal clothing for the duration of your stay in breakfast, once again a choice of Jukkasjarvi - Guided tour of the Ice Hotel.

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Prices from £1380pp

Husky Mushing DEPARTURES SUNDAYS DEC-APRIL

Mush your own team of pedigree huskies through the sparkling white vistas of the Tornedalen valley; swoosh past pine & birch forests, across 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 famous ICEHOTEL.

Mushing teams of Alaskan or Siberian huskies is one of the oldest ways YOUR TOUR 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, DAY 1 UK – KANGOS Scheduled SAS flights to Kiruna in Swedish Lapland reindeer and fox. Overnight accommodation is in traditional log cabins with via Stockholm. Private transfer with lunch en route to Kangos where you bunk beds. Above all this is a shared intimate experience - group size is meet up with your guide/hosts. Briefing around an open fire and when never more than 6. you feel comfortable about things, harness up and mush away into the Johan Vaisanen & Sara Ljunggren are an item, showing passion about nature wilderness. Dinner and overnight in a log cabin. as well as for each other. Born in Kangos on the Lainiojoki riverbank, Johan DAY 2 MUSHING Start the day by checking on the dogs, helping with their learnt to mush in Alaska where he lived in remote splendour for a year breakfast and over yours, discussing the trails lying before you. Harness up before returning home to work with his own huskies. Sara grew up in Gota and mush for 2 to 3 hours with lunch in the wild before continuing to your (population 500), found it too urban and joined Johan in Kangos (population next overnight cabin. Supper and overnight. 300). Between them, they can ride, ski, kayak, canoe, fish, climb, mountain bike and of course mush, so you couldn’t be in better hands. DAY 3 MUSHING With the experience of the last two days under your belt, today’s mush will feel as relaxed as that magic moment when learning to drive a car your foot depressed the clutch without thinking about it. After soup round an open fire you trail through reindeer feeding grounds before reaching your next cabin. Sauna, supper and overnight. DAY 4 KANGOS – UK Short mush back to Kangos and the dog kennels before private transfer to the airport and return flight to the UK OR to the ICEHOTEL for a final night in a snow room, leaving for home the following day. (See page 14)

WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Kiruna via Stockholm - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - Private transfer from/to Kiruna/Kangos - 3 overnights in shared log cabin accommodation (min 2 people; max 6 people) - 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners - Services of experienced dog handler/guide during the husky tour - Arctic clothing for dog mushing NB Supplement for ICEHOTEL extensions from £150pp dependent on room type.

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Prices from £1890pp

Driving on Ice DEPARTURES SAT, MON & WED 7 JUN-31 MAR Indulge your inner Jeremy Clarkson with our Driving on Ice tour with an overnight stay in a Designer Ice Suite at the 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 (test) standards under the supervision of experienced and qualified instructors. They then lead you around the looped course where you can test the cars 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 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. YOUR TOUR DAY 1 UK – STOCKHOLM Scheduled SAS flight to Stockholm. Private 100km/hr. Coffee and cake in Sami-style. transfer to and overnight at Anglais Hotel. Take a wander round to Stureplan Afterwards switch vehicles and terrain, swapping your Turbo Saab for Polaris for a mocha or more and then on to the Spy Bar or Sturecompagniet. Ranger and ice track for rough cut track through the forest. Follow a route DAY 2 STOCKHOLM – ICEHOTEL Breakfast in the hotel before private through the pines and check out your skills against the competition. transfer to the airport for a late morning flight to Kiruna and transfer to Your final night is spent either in a Kaamos, Nordic or Northern Lights room. Jukkasjarvi and the ICEHOTEL. On arrival, check in and lunch at the local The local Inn serves Lapp specialities and has both table d’hôte and à la carte Inn, after which collect thermal clothing and take a guided tour of the menus. ICEHOTEL and its environs. Later, start the evening with a transfer to Esrange (or if necessary to Aurora Sky Station depending on weather conditions). DAY 4 ICE HOTEL – UK Breakfast at the Inn. Morning free for a brief walk Beginning with a welcome drink a 3 course dinner is prepared around an around the village with its traditional Sami buildings and church, before encampment alongside Lake Salmijärvi whilst you study the night sky with transfer to Kiruna airport and return flight(s) via Stockholm to the UK. binoculars, look for your favourite star constellations and hopefully the Northern Lights. Return to the ICEHOTEL for a nightcap in the Absolut Bar WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices are in £ per person & include scheduled return SAS before snuggling into your sleeping bag in your Designer Ice Suite. flights from Heathrow (Manchester on request) to Swedish Lapland via Stockholm - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - Private guided airport/hotel DAY 3 ICEHOTEL Wake up to a hot cloudberry juice, take a sauna (optional) transfers in Stockholm - Stockholm hotel overnight at Hotel Anglais in twin room with and breakfast across at the Inn. Afterwards, head off to the specially built ice private WC/shower - Overnight in a Designer Art Suite - Overnight in a Nordic cabin, track to drive your Saab 9-3 Sport Combi under the supervision of a skilled Northern Light chalet or Kaamos hotel style room - 3 breakfasts, 2 light lunches and instructor. Begin with manoeuvring tests on the ice which push the ABS and 1 three course dinner - Excursions and services as per itinerary - Airport transfers stabilization systems to the limit. Out on the track your instructor guides you in Kiruna - Protective thermal clothing for the duration of your stay in Jukkasarvi - Guided tour of the ICEHOTEL. around a course to test the car, its systems and your own abilities at up to

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Prices from £395pp

A Brief Encounter with Reykjavik DEPARTURES DAILY

Reykjavík, with its long time ‘cool’ reputation and the destination of choice for a 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) and 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.

HOTEL PLAZA THE CENTRUM HÓTEL REYKJAVÍK In the heart of the old city on “Ingólfstorg” HÓTEL A modern, centrally located, standard the main square with restaurants, Stylish modern hotel class hotel with a pleasant informal shopping and nightlife on your doorstep, inside with an exterior atmosphere. All 78 rooms have private the Plaza’s glass edifice is unmissable. sympathetically in keeping WC and shower/bath, telephone, radio, The hotel has recently been given a with its surrounding mini-bar and satellite TV. - Central complete makeover and renovated to clapboard buildings. Bang in the centre of town but location - A la carte restaurant - Café - Lounge bar provide a bright modern décor marked by in a quiet enclave (more than useful on a Friday or contemporary oak furnishings and bright fabrics. All Saturday night). Close to restaurants and shops. HOTEL KLOPP 180 rooms have their own free high-speed internet All 89 rooms are furnished and fitted out in a In Reykjavik’s 101 district, the city’s connection, TV, WC/shower, hairdryer, tea & coffee Scandinavian minimalist but warm style and have most fashionable area, and within making facilities and much more. private WC/shower, radio, TV, telephone. walking distance of the city’s main - City Centre - Lobby bar - Breakfast restaurant - City Centre - Quiet location - Icelandic cuisine attractions: stylish bars, cafés, - Café/bar restaurants, museums and shops all GRAND HOTEL REYKJAVÍK at your fingertips. The décor in all 46 The Grand is the perfect union between HÓTEL BORG rooms is modern Scandinavian with wooden floors quiet surroundings and proximity to the The Borg is to Reykjavík and black slate bathrooms. All 40 rooms have private city centre (about a 20-minute walk). All what the George V is WC/shower, mini-bar, hairdryer; satellite TV, high- 209 rooms in the new tower block (where to Paris or Claridges speed internet access. our room allocation is), are particularly to London: plush, lush - Just off main shopping street - Lobby bar spacious with either twin, queen or king sized beds and with phones in the - Breakfast restaurant and private WC/bath tub/shower with heated tile bathrooms! All 56 rooms HOTEL ODINSVE floors, radio, telephone, satellite TV, hair dryer and are elegant and uniquely furnished and have private mini-bar. WC/shower, TV and telephone. A stylish gem tucked away close to the - Quiet convenient location - A la carte restaurant - - Central location - Restaurant - Everything city centre with the most complimentary Bar - 24hr room service - Spa - Non smoking rooms renovated from top to bottom guest book remarks you’ll ever read. All 40 rooms are stylishly furnished and have cable TV, radio, mini-bar, trouser WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, press, hairdryer, a free wireless internet access and Glasgow* or Manchester* to Reykjavik - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - Pay on board complimentary tea and coffee. The hotel’s Braudbær cabin service - 3 nights accommodation in twin room(s) with private WC/shower - 3 breakfasts - Airport/Hotel arrival restaurant serves traditional Icelandic cuisine served and departure transfers - Departure transfer via Blue Lagoon supplement £25 in stylish surroundings

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91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 30 21/10/2011 15:13 Winter Iceland Pre-bookable Safari Excursions

REYKJAVÍK SIGHTSEEING GOLDEN CIRCLE CLASSIC GOLDEN CIRCLE SUPER JEEP CLASSIC

An ideal orientation to the capital including Available all year round and an all-day scenic The white-knuckle ride of all time - a whole day the little fishing village of Hafnarfjördur. Visit extravaganza that bombards the senses. First tour following the classic Golden Circle (see panel the cosmic looking Perlan nestling on a hill stop the landscapes south of Lake Pingvallavatn opposite) route of Gullfoss, Geysir, Pingvellir and overlooking the city; continue to Hafnarfjördur via before the National Park Pingvellir. From there the Kerid crater in a specially equipped Icelandic the Presidential Residence and the fish market; continue to Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, Super Jeep. Your giant SUV reaches the parts then to Hotoi, the Lutheran Cathedral and with its foaming, thundering waters invariably other vehicles don’t - the ultimate boy’s toy day Hallgrim’s Church. Hotel pick-up at 8.30 am for over-arched with a rainbow. Continue to the out. Every view from one is that little bit more 2½ hours. £35 per person Geysir area with its spouting water geysers and special - every journey that little bit more exciting. bubbling mud pots with time for lunch (payable £159 per person BLACK SAND BEACHES & locally). Return to Reykjavík via the cathedral at SUPER JEEP LOBSTER FEST MÝRDALSJÖKULL GLACIER Skálholt, the extraordinary crater Kerid and the greenhouse community Hveragerdi. Hotel pick- Iceland’s Southern shore is an exquisite contrast up at 8.00 am for 8 hours. £65 per person between the hay meadows lying back from the shoreline, the backdrop of the Hekla volcano and the Mýrdalsjökull glacier; black sand beaches AURORA OFFSHORE CRUISE fringed with white foaming sea and the plunge waterfalls Seljandfoss and Skogafoss. Your day takes in all these as well as the bird cliffs alongside Vik (trivia note: vik is old Norse for bay, hence the etymology of Viking-people of the bay). Return via Hveragerdi, the greenhouse village Iceland’s lava fields are so surreal they seem heated geothermally, back to Reykjavik. £169 from another world but when illuminated by the per person blues and greens of the Northern Lights, they take your breath away. Negotiating the tricky NORTHERN LIGHTS mountain tracks from the comfort of a luxury Super Jeep (a specially converted version of Climb aboard for an Cruise offshore for one of the best chances the world’s largest SUV, complete with four-foot evening hunt for the Reykjavik offers of seeing the Northern Lights wheels and deflatable tyres for gliding across beautiful auroras known showing against a mountain backdrop and (if the ice), is the way to experience them in true as the Northern Lights. you’re double lucky) reflected in the waters style. Leave Reykjavik just as the sun begins to Sometimes white, wispy around you. The Rosin is a specially built boat set, and drive under the stars down to the fishing and elusive and at offering virtually uninterupted vistas from the village of Fjorubordid and round off the evening others rainbow coloured, poop, midships and foredeck to catch the with a platter of freshly caught lobster in butter swirling and dramatic. Aurora however fleetingly they appear. In the and garlic. Hotel pick-up at 6.30/7.00. £199 per The Norwegian, who saloon below comfort seating, flat screen TV’s person first gave an explanation and wide vista windows allow you a 360 degree as to how they came view of the night sky even when you’re taking time out for a hot cocoa. Waterproof clothing BLUE LAGOON, about was driven mad GULLFOSS & GEYSIR (literally) by them: if you and hot cofee,cocoa and tea included. Thursday A full day excursion are lucky enough to catch & Saturdays. Hotel pick up at 8.30. £39 per beginning with the Blue a sighting your reaction person Lagoon whose warm, may be a touch more muted! Hotel pick-up at turquoise blue waters 19.30 for 3/5 hours. £45 per person. By Super BLUE LAGOON AND lie amongst the black Jeep £75 per person KEFLAVÍK TRANSFER rocks of a lava field. An ideal way to make From here you travel EXCURSIONS LIKE NO OTHERS the most of your last to Pingvellir where the few hours in Reykjavík. As well as the excursions showcased here early Viking settlers decided to stop raping and Hotel pick-up at 10.30 we have others ranging from horse riding pillaging and set up a parliament instead. And am leaving the Lagoon to glacier snowmobiling; caving amongst then on to Gullfoss, in winter a giant mass of at 2 pm for your icy stalactites to floating amongst icebergs. frozen stalagmites and stalagtites overflowing flight back to the UK. These are all featured on a special link on our with foaming water, before arriving at the famous Entrance to the Blue website www.nordicexperience.co.uk and in a Geysir area. Return to Reykjavik. Hotel pick-up Lagoon payable locally. leaflet available on request. at 8.30 for 10 hours. Entrance to Blue Lagoon £35 per person payable locally. £85 per person

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Prices from £790pp

Iceland in a Nutshell DEPARTURES DAILY OCT-APR

Experience Reykjavík’s cutting edge everything; take in Iceland’s best known natural attractions: Gullfoss, Geysir and Pingvellir all glistening in a winter coat of snow; do a little culture vulturing up by Reykholt, 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.

YOUR TOUR

DAY 1 UK-REYKJAVÍK Scheduled flight to Reykjavík. Transfer to Hotel Centrum for 2 nights. DAYS 2 REYKJAVÍK Time to chill out, hang out or take a city tour including Hafnafjord. DAY 3 REYKJAVÍK – HAMAR Courtesy transfer to collect your hire car. Drive through the Whale Bay Tunnel via Borgarnes (dripping in Saga mystery) to Hamar and overnight at Hotel Hamar for 2 nights. DAY 4 SNAEFELLSNES Tear yourself away from the hotel’s exquisite views and drive alongside the Snæfellsnes peninsula whose mountain spine is a kaleidoscope of colours. Circumnavigate the peninsula and don’t miss Arnarstapi with its rock arches, basalt rocks, cocktail of wildlife and Dritvík’s ‘lifting stones’. DAY 5 HAMAR-FLUDIR Drive down to the Northern end of Pingvellir, across to Geysir, where Strokkur’s eruption every 5 to 10 minutes captivates, and then up to Gullfoss the Golden Falls, where Hvítá’s glacial waters fall 32 metres in a wide curtain. Continue to Hotel Fludir for a final night. DAY 6 FLUDIR-KAFLAVK-UK After breakfast, stop off at Hveragerdi, the horticultural and botanical village sitting on hot springs, and then to the Blue Lagoon, for a bathe in its pastel turquoise waters before dropping of your car at the airport and return flight to the UK.

WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled flight(s) from Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow* or Manchester* to Reykjavík - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - Pay on board cabin service - 5 nights accommodation in twin room(s) with private WC/shower - 5 breakfasts - 4 days (4 x 24 hrs) car rental (group A, Toyota Yaris or similar) including unlimited mileage; theft protection; collision damage waiver insurance and all local taxes - ROAD ATLAS. 82 PAGE mini guide. * Flight schedule may dictate amended itinerary.

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Prices from £695pp

Glaciers & Waterfalls under DEPARTURES DAILY OCT-APR the Northern Lights Soak up Southern Iceland’s unique cocktail of sights: the falling water curtains that are Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, the glacial snowmobiling rink that is Mýrdalsjökull & the foam pounding on Dyrhólæy’s black sand beaches. And then by night enjoy food to die for and afterwards soak in a hot tub under the Northern Lights.

WHAT TO SEE SKÓGAFOSS AND SELJALANDSFOSS. Seljalandsfoss spills straight off the fell side dropping into a shallow pool. Skógafoss similarly drops straight down into a pool in front of you. THE GOLDEN CIRCLE. An unmissable trio of sights that are a ‘must do’ for every Iceland visitor. The double fall at Gulfoss makes it unique; the eponymous Geysir area gave the world the name. Last but not least Pingvellir, where the early Vikings gave up rape and pillage in favour of parliamentary democracy. DYRHÓLÆY. The southernmost tip of Iceland signatured with a rock arch that the sea has eroded from the headland. Puffins and eider ducks are prolific here but the cliffs are multicultural with fulmars, guillemots and kittiwakes all vying for space with each other.

YOUR TOUR HÓTEL RANGÁ Set in lush meadowland against a backdrop of Mount Hekla, the Ranga which started life as a DAY 1 UK – REYKJAVIK Scheduled private fishing lodge has over the years spawned Icelandair flight to Reykjavik, collect hire de-luxe rooms, a restaurant with a ‘Surf a Turf’ car and drive to Hotel Ranga for 3 nights. signature dish; outdoor hot tubs; suites themed DAY 2 HELLA At leisure. and furnished around the six continents, Royal Suite and Lounge Bar. Notwithstanding such development the hotel has done it DAY 3 HELLA At leisure. all whilst keeping its very personal owner driven style and ambience.

DAY 4 HELLA – REYKJAVIK Drive WHAT’S INCLUDED to Reykjavík via Gulfoss and Geysir, Caption Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled Icelandair flight(s) from alongside Pingvellir and into Reykjavik for Heathrow, Glasgow* and Manchester* to Reykjavik - In-flight cabin service - All an overnight at Hotel Centrum. passenger service charges and airport departure taxes - 3 nights accommodation at Hotel Ranga and 1 night at Hotel Centrum in twin room(s) with private WC/ DAY 5 REYKJAVIK – UK shower - 4 breakfasts - 4 days (4x24hrs) car rental (group A, Toyota Yaris or similar) Morning at leisure before including unlimited mileage; theft protection; collision damage waiver insurance driving out to the airport for and all local taxes, pick up Keflavik airport and drop off Reykjavik - Hotel/airport bus scheduled Icelandair flight transfers - ROAD MAP, CD AREA GUIDE - 82 PAGE MINI GUIDE BOOK. *Flight schedule may dictate amended itinerary and supplement. to UK.

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91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 33 21/10/2011 15:14 Festive Iceland

Prices from £759pp

Reykjavik New Year Fire & Ice DEPARTURE DATE 29 DEC

Celebrate New Year in a style peculiar to Icelanders that attracts visitors from around the world not least because unlimited fireworks can be had by anyone which Icelanders take maximum advantage of and garland the city with displays. Start the evening with our ‘Buffet on Ice’; blow out the Old Year on our bonfire tour; bring in the New with champagne and fireworks and then dance the night away. Choose between staying at the Plaza in the centre of town or in the spacious Grand Hotel where the New Year’s entertainment takes place.

Over the next few days, snowmobile across YOUR TOUR a glacier, search for the Northern Lights or simply chill out in the Blue Lagoon. 29 DEC Scheduled Icelandair flight from Heathrow, Gatwick or HOTEL PLAZA Manchester to Reykjavik. Transfer on arrival to Grand Hotel for In the heart of the old Reykjavik is an unlikely city to warrant the 4 nights. city on “Ingólfstorg” description “as hip and happening as it is the main square with possible to be”. The shops are stylish and 30 DEC Optional private Aurora cruise restaurants, shopping and nightlife on your according to A.A. Gill, the women are “the 31 DEC Optional excursions (see page 31) doorstep, the Plaza’s glass edifice is most beautiful in the world”. The locals unmissable. The hotel has recently been have developed a legendary and prodigious given a complete makeover and renovated reputation for being able to enjoy themselves. New Year’s Eve programme to provide a bright modern décor marked 5.30 Sparkling wine and strawberries reception by contemporary oak furnishings and This ultra-modernity and party town bright fabrics. All 180 rooms have their atmosphere dramatically contrasts with the 6.30 Buffet on Ice accompanied by Icelandic folk own free high speed internet connection, island interior with its geologically sculpted entertainment TV, WC/shower, hairdryer, tea & coffee scenery; glacial ice fields, sand deserts, lava 9.00 Optional guided tour around the best of the city’s making facilities and much more. fields, volcanoes, waterfalls and geysers. All of bonfires, blowing out the Old Year in Reykjavik’s time GRAND HOTEL REYKJAVIK which you can see either by horseback, Super honoured manner. Return to hotel. The Grand is the Jeep, snowmobile or, for the fainthearted, from 10.15 Dessert and coffee perfect union the comfort of a reclining coach seat. between quiet 11.45 Sparkling wine and canapés on hotel’s 4th floor surroundings and balcony with one of the city’s best views for watching the WHAT’S INCLUDED Price includes return proximity to the scheduled Icelandair flight(s) from Heathrow, fireworks display and midnight countdown. city centre (about a 20-minute walk or 10 minutes in a Gatwick or Manchester to Reykjavik - Pay on 12.30 Dancing and live music in the hotel’s Gullteigur cab), especially for 30 somethings. All board cabin service - All airport departure ballroom taxes and passenger service charges - 4 nights 209 rooms in the new tower block (where accommodation in twin room(s) with private WC/ 2.00 To bed or bar our room allocation is), are particularly shower - 4 breakfasts - New Year’s Eve Buffet spacious with either twin, queen or king Dinner and programme as per itinerary - Blue 1 JAN Optional excursions (see page 31) sized beds and private WC/bath tub/ Lagoon excursion. Optional Aurora Cruise £39pp. shower with heated tile floors, radio, Bonfire tour £45. 2 JAN Morning at leisure before transfer, via the Blue Lagoon, telephone, satellite TV, hair dryer and for a relaxing bathe. Continue to Keflavik for return flight to UK. mini-bar.

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Adults £1299pp A New Year by Lake Inari Children £910pp

DEPARTURE DATE 29 DEC The kaleidoscopic mix of cultures in Nellim with its Inari, Skolt and Northern Sami roots and the possibility of the Northern Lights swirling around over the pine forest, make a New Year here something of a culinary & festive riot. YOUR TOUR

DEC 29 UK – LAPLAND Depart Heathrow at 10.20 on Finnair scheduled from the Barents Sea and flight(s) to Ivalo via Helsinki. Arrive 17.35 local time and transfer to Nellim. cloudberries from the Inari Check into your room, welcome drink, programme briefing and dinner. basin. Celebrations are not constrained by time zones: the DEC 30 HUSKY SAFARI This morning it’s time to meet Christopher’s pack New Year comes in early for of Alaskan huskies whose kennels in the forest are just a short walk from the Skolt, an hour later for the the hotel and whose excited barking slowly magnifies as you approach them Inari Sami and an hour after through the trees. Adults mush their own team of dogs and as the dogs pull that for the Northern Sami. As you along a snow-carpeted trail the silence is broken only by the whooshing the evening wears on there sound of slicing sleigh runners. En route, enjoy lunch cooked over an open will be fireworks, dancing and fire. Later spend an afternoon of games in the snow on the sloping bank fortunes told from the shapes running down to the formed by melting tin! lake with snow shoeing, tobogganing, ice fishing NEW YEAR’S DAY and reindeer lasso Leisurely,late breakfast before a visit to a nearby reindeer corral to meet a throwing practice. Dinner herder along with his herd, help feed them and listen to Sami tall stories! at the hotel. In the evening take a valedictory snowmobile out to a special spot by Lake Inari to stake out the Northern Lights for perhaps one of nature’s dazzling NEW YEAR’S EVE After light shows to end your stay (20km/3 hours). breakfast, climb aboard your snowmobile for a JAN 2 LAPLAND – UK Breakfast and time for a last toboggan before safari through the pine transfer to Ivalo and return flight(s) via Helsinki to Heathrow, departing at forests surrounding 13.20 and arriving at 17.10. Lake Inari and a lunch of salmon soup washed WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled down with hot berry juice Finnair flight(s) from Heathrow to Lapland - In-flight cabin service - All airport taxes in a clearing in the forest and passenger service charges - Airport/hotel transfers - Accommodation in twin room(s) with private WC/shower - Welcome drink - Breakfasts, lunches and dinners around an open fire. New as per programme including special New Year festive dinner - All activities and Year’s Eve is celebrated excursions as per itinerary including any special equipment required - Complete set with a menu of trout from of thermal clothing including mittens, boots, scarf and hat - Services of local guide in Lake Inari, King Crab Lapland.

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Adults £1395pp Christmas in Harriniva Children £1025pp DEPARTURE 23 DEC

One of the very few remaining family owned hotels in Lapland, Harriniva shows all the merits of being so. Informal, intimate and with somewhere or other a 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.

YOUR TOUR

DAY 1 Depart Heathrow at 10.20 on Finnair scheduled flight(s) via Helsinki to Kittila. Arrive 17.40 local time and transfer to Muonio. Check-in to your room where your thermal clothing will be available. Buffet supper. CHRISTMAS EVE After breakfast walk to the dog kennels to begin your husky mushing adventure: your team will bark excitedly before you set off only to fall instantly silent as they pull you through the forest with the only sound being that of the sled’s runners slicing through the snow (17km 3hrs). Lunch back at the hotel after which children help search for the perfect Christmas tree which they can then decorate and bake cookies with the elves. Traditional Christmas dinner culminating in a visit by Father Christmas who will have a small present for everyone. CHRISTMAS DAY After breakfast set off on a family snowmobile safari along snow clad forest trails (50 km 3½ hrs). Stop midway for a warming berry juice by an open fire and then return to the hotel for late lunch. Afternoon at leisure. Buffet supper. BOXING DAY Morning at leisure with kick sleds, toboggans, snow shoes and ice fishing lines all available by the side of the hotel in what amounts to a giant playground made from snow. Lunch in the hotel after which there is an optional horse drawn sleigh ride through the forest following a winding trail through snow clad pines. Buffet supper. DAY 5 After breakfast, time for the children to have one last play in the snow before your transfer to Kittila airport for Finnair scheduled flight(s) to Heathrow where you land at 17.10 local time.

WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices are in £ per person and include return scheduled Finnair flight(s) from Heathrow to Lapland - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - Pay on board cabin service - Airport/Hotel return transfers - Twin/family room accommodation with private WC/Shower - Breakfasts, lunches and dinners as per itinerary - Festive Christmas Dinner and visit from Father Christmas - Smuggle Santa a Present facility - SAFARI EXCURSIONS AS PER ITINERARY - Complete set of protective termal clothing, inc. mittens, boots, scarf & hat, from arrival in Lapland to departure.

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Adults £2089pp Christmas in Kakslauttanen Children £1899pp DEPARTURE 22 DEC

Jussi Eiramo came to Kakslauttanen as a young man for a summer’s fishing and has stayed ever since. Today, the 35 log cabins, 5 Queen Log suites, honeymoon turf chamber, restaurant and adjacent ice gallery and igloo village are all testimony to Jussi’s passionate attention to detail.

The deadwood log cabins of varying sizes are all equipped with shower, toilet, kitchenette, open fireplace and sauna and set apart from one another amongst trees around a central building. This has a fully licensed restaurant with an open fireplace around which local specialities such as Arctic char and sautéed reindeer are cooked and a small handicraft gallery/souvenir shop. Outside there are sleds for everyone’s free use and cross-country skis and snowshoes available for a small fee. For larger families and small groups there is a log fired sauna and three restaurants: Kota, Snow and Sauna.

YOUR TOUR

22 DEC berry juice and, after making known your wishes, visit Rudolph and the other Fly To Your Dreams Scheduled flight(s) from London via Helsinki to Ivalo in reindeer in their corral and take a sleigh ride with Dancer or Prancer. You can Northern Finnish Lapland. Arrive early evening and transfer to hotel. Settle in also toboggan down a special magic hill before returning to Kakslauttanen by to your private log cabin and dinner at the hotel. bus for lunch at the hotel. 23 DEC Carol Singing and a Visit from Santa In the late afternoon there is an optional Mush a Husky Team After breakfast, start your days of Lapland magic with a carol service at Tieva Chapel, a simple wooden chapel built from dead pine husky safari through and across the enchanting wilderness. Adults mush their logs from the old prayer house at Ivalo. Afterwards there is a traditional Sami own team of dogs and children ride in a sleigh behind your guide and, as the Christmas Eve Dinner served in the main log house before Father Christmas dogs pull you along a snow-carpeted trail, the silence is broken only by the arrives on his sleigh and delivers a small present to everyone, adults and whooshing sound of the sleigh’s runners slicing through the snow. En route, children alike. enjoy a lunch cooked over an open fire. Dinner at the hotel. CHRISTMAS DAY CHRISTMAS EVE Snowmobile through the Forest After a leisurely breakfast it’s time for a Find and Meet Santa After breakfast you set wilderness snowmobile safari following your guide along a trail amongst the off by snowmobile for a twenty minute ride to magnificent fells, broad mires and backwoods lying at the edge of the Urho Santa’s home where you are welcomed with hot Kekkonen National Park with adults paired together and children wrapped up chocolate and gingerbread cookies by an Elf. He under warm reindeer skins in a specially built sleigh. Lunch en route by an then escorts you across a bridge once Bridge open fire in the nomadic Sami manner before continuing back to the hotel. Keeper Elf has granted you special permission Afternoon at leisure and dinner in the hotel. to cross a secret sunken bog under the snow. BOXING DAY Once on the other side you meet the Gold Elves Take Your Dreams Home After breakfast you’ll have time for a last play in the who strike gold nuggets in their forge which snow before carefully packing up your dreams and transferring to Ivalo for fly with messages all over the world. Then you your Finnair scheduled flights to Heathrow where you arrive early evening are greeted by Santa in his home with a hot local time.

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Adults £1395pp Santa Lucia in Stockholm Children £979pp & Santa Pere in Lapland DEPARTURE 12 DEC Enjoy Stockholm in its winter coat of frosted snow glistening from the spires and roof tops of the Old Town for the crowning of Santa Lucia, before retreating to Lapland for a couple of days to meet Santa and mush huskies along a forest trail. Coinciding with winter’s longest day the Santa Lucia tradition stems back to the 18th century when children baked saffron buns for their parents and dressed their hair with candle wreaths.

Whatever the truth of its antecedence today it’s one of Stockholm’s most charming occasions with the year’s Saint Lucy passing through the city to Kungstradgarden. Contrast with a couple of days to meet Santa, mush huskies, play in the snow, bake gingerbread cookies and enjoy the tranquility of Swedish Lapland. YOUR TOUR

12 DECEMBER SAS flight in economy After lunch, you can try building your seating from London Heathrow to own snow castle or igloo, with the help Stockholm’s Arlanda airport. On arrival of an experienced instructor, toboggan your driver guide will be waiting for you and kick sled.. Dinner at the hotel. and take you to Stockholm’s Anglais 15 DECEMBER After breakfast and Hotel. Overnight (2) in a Superior room. then it’s time to mush your own team 13 DECEMBER After breakfast in of huskies along a snow carpeted trail the hotel’s restaurant overlooking the through the forest with the children AURORA RETREAT harbour, the morning is free for you to tucked up on a sleigh behind your This wooden, clapboard former vicarage and bakery, 100km north look around this most beautiful of cities, guide, the silence being broken only of the Arctic Circle, now converted into a rustic guest-house is truly in particular Gamla Stan the ‘Old Town’. by the whooshing sound of the slicing a ‘retreat’ in every sense of the word. Dating back to the 1920’s the building has six simple, elegantly furnished double rooms and In the afternoon your guide will pick sleigh runners. a lounge area overlooking the adjacent river. Two of the bedrooms you up and take you to Skansen where Return to the Aurora Retreat for lunch have private bathrooms whilst the other four share two common this year’s recently crowned Saint Lucia after which it’s is time to walk through bathrooms. Dotted around are quiet, comfortable nooks and crannies will visit amidst traditional celebrations the forest and find Santa’s cabin where to relax in after a day out in the snows of Swedish Lapland. Run by before leaving for the Kungsträdgården one of his elves will serve pancakes with your hosts Maya and Mikael whose passion is a pantry stocked with (the city’s main lawned square with ice berry jam. After letting him know your fresh fish from local rivers and lakes and wild reindeer and elk meat. rink) and further festivities. wishes, back at the hotel your host will 14 DECEMBER Private airport transfer help you make, bake and decorate your WHAT’S INCLUDED own Gingerbread cookies before dinner. Price includes: SAS return flights from London to Stockholm/Lapland 2 for a flight to Swedish Lapland (Kiruna) nights at the Anglais Stockholm in a family room (superior) - Private airport and transfer to the Aurora Retreat, a 16 DECEMBER Breakfast and transfer hotel transfers in Stockholm - Transfers in Stockholm to Skansen for the St. one time vicarage and bakery now a 6 to Kiruna airport for return flight(s) home Lucia celebrations. Transfers in Swedish Lapland - Breakfasts throughout 2 bedroom restored traditional log house. via Stockholm to London Heathrow. lunches 2 dinners - Excursions as per itinerary.

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91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 38 21/10/2011 15:15 Weddings in Sweden

Prices from £2295pp

The Ice Hotel Weddings DEPARTURES DAILY 5 JAN-5 APR

Consecrated each January after the season’s Icehotel is built, the chapel with its glistening ice pews strewn with reindeer skins and translucent altar gives the words ‘White 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.

YOUR TOUR

DAY 1 UK – STOCKHOLM Scheduled SAS flight to Stockholm, private transfer to and overnight at The Elite Plaza, stylish, contemporary and bang in the centre of town. Explore the cobbled alleyways of Gamla Stan, dine on Optional Services scented reindeer or just relax. at the Ice Hotel DAY 2 STOCKHOLM – ICE HOTEL Breakfast in the hotel’s art nouveau s Photographer/commemorative style restaurant before airport transfer and morning flight to Kiruna, where album from £700 you will be met on arrival and transfer to the village of Jukkasjarvi. Guided tour of Ice Hotel and its environs before checking in to your cosy log cottage. s Bridal bouquet from £80 DAY 3 ICE HOTEL Your big s Champagne in Absolut Bar from £85 day. After breakfast, your local s Wedding Cake, per person from £15 guide will escort you into Kiruna s Husky transfer from Kiruna airport and deal with the necessary on arrival (2 persons) £240pp but simple formalities. With these out of the way, return s Excursions by snowmobile, reindeer to Jukkasjarvi. Time to settle sleigh and husky, please see page 15 the butterflies and prepare All optional services are bookable in for your special moment - the advance and payable locally (with the wedding itself - in the glistening exception of safaris and excursions). precincts of the Ice Hotel Chapel with its’ reindeer skin pews and frozen altar. A special Wedding Breakfast can be arranged at the local Inn and your Eve and Martin Lee wedding night will be in one of the hotel’s spectacular ice suites. DAY 4 ICE HOTEL Day at leisure with time to explore either the village WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices for wedding couple include return scheduled SAS of Jukkasjarvi or perhaps take a snowmobile, husky or reindeer safari. flight(s) from Heathrow to Kiruna via Stockholm - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - Overnight at Elite Plaza in a double room with private Overnight in Aurora cottage. WC/shower - 2 nights in a Nordic cabin, Northern Light chalet or Kaamos hotel style DAY 5 ICE HOTEL – UK Breakfast at the Inn, after which it’s time to say room - Overnight in an Art Suite (warm accommodation as back up) - 4 breakfasts - Wedding ceremony in the Ice Church incl. prior arrangements with the local registrar’s ‘goodbye’ to the coolest place in Sweden. Transfer to Kiruna for your return office in Kiruna - Airport transfers in Stockholm and Kiruna - Protective thermal flight, via Stockholm, back to the UK. clothing for the duration in Jukkasjarvi - Guided tour of the Ice Hotel.

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91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 39 21/10/2011 15:15 Weddings in Norwegian Lapland

Sara and Lee Chadwick

Prices from £2595pp

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel Weddings DEPARTURES TUE, WED, THU, FRI JAN-MAR

The Sorrisniva Igloo Ice Chapel with its exquisitely decorated ice sculptures and altar, is consecrated each January by the Bishop of Nord-Hålogand and weddings are conducted by the local 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.

YOUR TOUR

DAY 1 UK – ALTA Scheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow Optional Services to Alta in Northern Norway via s Photographer including pictures Oslo. Private transfer to Hotel from £410 Vica for dinner and overnight. s Hairdressing from £100 DAY 2 ALTA Breakfast s Bridal bouquet from £110 and day at leisure before afternoon transfer to Sorrisniva Optional services are bookable in Igloo Hotel. Late afternoon wedding in the Ice Chapel. Time for advance and payable locally. photographs followed by an aperitif in the Ice Bar. Wedding Breakfast in the adjoining Laksestua restaurant before retiring to the Igloo Hotel’s very special Honeymoon Suite. DAY 3 ALTA Morning sauna and breakfast. Snowmobile safari on the Finnmark Plateau. Transfer to Alta and the Vica Hotel for a romantic dinner and overnight. DAY 4 ALTA Breakfast. Transfer to the Husky Farm for a dog sled trip through the forests and along the banks of the Altaelva river. Final dinner and overnight at the Vica Hotel. DAY 5 ALTA – UK Breakfast and private transfer to Alta airport for your return flight(s) to Heathrow via Oslo.

WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices for wedding couple include return scheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Alta via Oslo - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - 3 overnights at Hotel Vica (one before the wedding and two after) in twin/double room with private shower/wc - 1 night in the Honeymoon suite at Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel - 4 breakfasts and 3 dinners - Wedding Breakfast - Wedding ceremony in the Ice Chapel - Snowmobile and Husky safaris as per itinerary - All transfers in Alta.

40 Call us on 01206 708888 visit www.nordicexperience.co.uk or see your Travel Agent

91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 40 21/10/2011 15:16 Weddings in Iceland

Couples £1495pp Oddi Church & Hotel Ranga Weddings Guests £799pp DEPARTURES SUN-WED ALL YEAR Imagine a tiny church set amongst snow clad farmland, topped with a spire and overlooked by an ivory capped glacier. Picture a log cabin hotel and a room with a veranda, 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.

YOUR TOUR

DAY 1 UK – RANGA Scheduled HÓTEL RANGÁ Icelandair flight to Reykjavik. Pick up Set in lush meadowland against a hire car on arrival and drive to Hotel backdrop of Mount Hekla, the Ranga Ranga overlooking the winding river of which started life as a private fishing the same name. Welcome drink and lodge has over the years spawned de- overnight in de-luxe room for 4 nights. luxe rooms, a restaurant with a ‘Surf a DAY 2 RANGA Day at leisure to explore Turf’ signature dish; outdoor hot tubs; and enjoy some of Iceland’s most iconic suites themed and furnished around the six continents, Royal Suite and attractions: the rock arch and bird cliffs Lounge Bar. Notwithstanding such development the hotel has done it all at Dyrholaey; Myrdalsjokull on which whilst keeping its very personal owner driven style and ambience. you can snowmobile and Seljandsfoss, the waterfall you can walk behind. DAY 3 WEDDING DAY Morning free to prepare for your special day. Afternoon transfer by Super Jeep to and from Oddi Church for a traditional Lutheran wedding ceremony followed by a Wedding Breakfast at the hotel. DAY 4 RANGA After breakfast you can drive up to the Geysir area where Strokkur spouts every few minutes; gape in awe at Gullfoss and drive through Pingvellir National Park.

DAY 5 RANGA – UK After breakfast WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices for wedding couple include return scheduled drive to the Reykjanes peninsula for a flight(s) from Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow* or Manchester* to Reykjavík - In-flight memorable bathe in the Blue Lagoon. cabin service - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - 4 nights Return hire car at the airport and return accommodation in chosen room category with private WC/bath - 4 breakfasts - 4 days (4x24hrs) car rental (4 WD, group F, Toyota RAV4 4WD or similar) including flight to UK. unlimited mileage; theft protection and collision damage waiver insurance; all local taxes and airport collection/drop-off charges - Lutheran wedding ceremony in Oddi church including Super Jeep transfers - Wedding Breakfast and Champagne. OPTIONAL SERVICES ON REQUEST *Flight schedule may dictate amended itinerary

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91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 41 21/10/2011 15:16 Weddings in Iceland

Couples £1595pp A Glacier Wedding Weddings Guests £799pp DEPARTURES SUN-WED ALL YEAR Iceland’s Langjökull glacier, reachable from Rekjavík in just a couple of hours by Super Jeep, is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a literally ‘whiter than white’ wedding. The vast 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.

YOUR TOUR

DAY 1 UK – REYKJAVIK Scheduled Icelandair flight to Reykjavík. Private transfer to Hotel Borg and overnight for 4 nights. DAY 2 REYKJAVIK After breakfast the day is yours to either take an excursion, make last minute preparations for your big day, be pampered or just chill out in the ‘Capital of Cool’. DAY 3 WEDDING DAY Leave by Super Jeep through the whale tunnel with your guide for the day, stopping off at HÓTEL BORG Borganes to sort out your wedding license formalities and then The Borg is to Reykjavík what the George V climbing up across the mountains to Langjökull. Arrive at our is to Paris or Claridges to London: plush, lush ‘Room with a view’ for your wedding and seafood Wedding and with phones in the bathrooms! All 56 Breakfast, after which slip into a fetching Bibendum outfit for rooms are elegant and uniquely furnished and a snowmobile safari across the glacier. Super Jeep back to have private WC/shower, TV and telephone. Reykjavík. Every single thing in the place has been renewed, renovated and replaced over the DAY 4 REYKJAVIK Day at leisure. Optional excursions available. past three years. DAY 5 REYKJAVIK – UK After breakfast, private transfer to Keflavík airport for return flight to the UK. - Central location - Restaurant

WHAT’S INCLUDED Prices for wedding couple are in £ per person and include return scheduled Icelandair flight(s) from Heathrow , Glasgow* or Manchester* to Reykjavík - In-flight cabin service - All airport departure taxes and passenger service charges - Airport/hotel return transfers in Reykjavik - 4 nights accommodation in De Luxe double room at the Hotel Borg with private WC/bath - 4 breakfasts - Wedding formalities - Super jeep transfer to glacier and ceremony - Wedding Breakfast including wedding cake - Snowmobile safari on the glacier including protective clothing - Services of driver guide & chef throughout wedding day. * Flight schedule may dictate amended itinerary.

42 Call us on 01206 708888 visit www.nordicexperience.co.uk or see your Travel Agent

91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 42 21/10/2011 15:16 NORDIC EXPERIENCE Summer Adventures Preview Selection

Norway ™ Iceland ™ Sweden Finland ™ Russia & The Baltics Greenland & Spitsbergen

2012

91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 43 21/10/2011 15:17 Summer Norway

See more suggested itineraries on our website or Norway speak to us about tailor made options

An almost mystical land of glass flat water fjords, of sweeping pine and spruce forests and towering mountains reaching up across the Arctic Circle into Lapland, where its once nomadic Sami people still live a life, and in a world, apart. In spring orchards blossom in the country’s southern fertile valleys giving way in summer to melt water cascading in gossamer threads down vertiginous mountain sides.

Along the skerried coastline, Hurtigruten’s (literally express route) passenger carrying ships sail each and everyday in a sort of glorified shuttle service stopping to deliver post and packets at 32 different ports between the Hanseatic town of Bergen and Kirkenes on the Russian border. Serpentine roads crisscross the smooth rock topped mountains plunging down through valleys clad with birch clinging perilously to their sides and encircle tranquil lakes glistening green and blue in the sunlight.

Across the great mountain arch between Oslo the ‘Viking Capital’ and Bergen the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’ the Bergensbanen cruises along its tracks providing spectacular views of a mountain canopy stretching as far as the eye can see.

Across the Roof of Norway - 5 or 7 day (Self Guided) Images of Norway - 7 days (Part Escorted)

One of our most popular tours to Norway, Explore the Hanseatic delights of Bergen; combining Oslo with Bergen by travelling along discover Oslo with its extraordinary Vigeland the spectacular rail route that literally crosses the scuplture par; cruise on the world’s longest fjord ‘Roof’ of Norway. The Bergensbanen is one of and through Western Norway’s archipelago; the great rail journeys of the world: the highest stop off at the old working farms for a glimpse of line in Europe it climbs up to 4000 feet across Norwegian life and take in the extraordinary Flam Hardangervidda before descending through lush mountain railway. valleys to the coast.

PRICES FROM £795pp PRICES FROM £1195pp

Fjords, Lakes & Mountains - 9 days (Independent) Hardangerfjord, Voss & Sognefjord - 8 days (Self-drive)

Explore some of Norway’s spectacular scenery Experience the beauty of the Hardangerfjord on this tour: the dramatic Geirangerfjord with its to the mountain plateau Hardangervidda; then overhanging waterfalls, the emerald green waters climb up to Viss from where you can cruise on of Lake Loen, the unparalelled Kjendal Glacier the Naeroy and Aurland fjords before crossing a and the Sognefjord. vast plateau down to the Sognefjord. Cruise up to the Fjaerland glacier, visit Urnes Stave Church and take in the stunning surroundings en-route.

PRICES FROM £1370pp PRICES FROM £1395pp

44 Call us on 01206 708888 visit www.nordicexperience.co.uk or see your Travel Agent

91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 44 21/10/2011 15:17 Summer Iceland

See more suggested itineraries on our website or Iceland speak to us about tailor made options

From Iceland’s capital Reykjavík a road skirts Faxafloi Bay through Borgarnes and along the shore of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, topped at its tip with an eponymous glacier dubbed by an English explorer ‘the pyramid of eternal snow’. Further north poking out into the Denmark Straits is a fjorded peninsular ending at Látrabjarg, a vertiginous rock face of bird cliffs with more puffins than you can shake a stick at it.

The Northeast corner is dominated both literally and metaphorically by Lake Myvatn, a vast placid sheet of water dotted with islets like giant water lilies and with a shoreline surreally skirted by cones, craters and other strange shaped volcanic detritus. Just up the road is Húsavík, the best place for whale spotting and Ásbyrgi, a huge horseshoe shaped cliff face left by Odin’s eight legged horse!

Behind Myrdalsjökull, Iceland’s fourth largest glacier, is Porsmörk, a long series of valleys fed by melt water and forested with willow and birch set in a carpet of wildflowers. Inland is Gullfoss, Geysir and Pingvellir are often referred to collectively as The Golden Circle: Gullfoss invariably overarched with a rainbow, falls 10 metres before turning at right angles and streaming down a 2 km long canyon. The eponymous Geysir gave the world the name; Pingvillir is a National Park and also site of the old Viking Parliament Althing.

The Scenic South with Reykjavik - 5 days (Self Guided) Southern Highlights and the Magic of Myvatn - 6 days (Self Guided)

Soak up Southern Iceland’s unique cocktail of Discover the dramatic landscape of Northeast sights including the waterfalls of Skogarfoss and Iceland’s Myvatn region with its surreal water Seljalandsfoss, the rock stacks at Reynisdraugar; filled volcanoes, boiling mud pots and sculptured Vestmannaeyjar; Thor’s Wood; the Golden lava formations. Add in whale watching from Circle’s trio of spectaculars and Reykjavik. Husavik, visit to Gullfoss, Geysir hot springs and the famed Blue Lagoon.

PRICES FROM £950pp PRICES FROM £1481pp

Iceland in a Nutshell - 6 days (Self-drive) Glaciers, Geysirs and Waterfalls - 6 days (Locally Escorted)

Take in Iceland’s best known attractions: Take a trip on a glacial lagoon; marvel at Gullfoss, Geysir and the serenity of Pingvellir, spouting hot springs in the Geysir are and get visit to Reykholt, drive along the Snaefellsnes up close and personal with the mighty Gullfoss peninsula, whale spotting at Olafsvik and round waterfall. An ideal trip for the first time visitor to off with a bathe in the Blue Lagoon. Iceland, with the option of extending your stay in Reykjavik for time to enjoy the ‘capital of cool’ or take an excursion of your choice.

PRICES FROM £895pp PRICES FROM £1095pp

Call us on 01206 708888 visit www.nordicexperience.co.uk or see your Travel Agent 45

91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 45 21/10/2011 15:17 Summer Sweden

See more suggested itineraries on our website or Sweden speak to us about tailor made options

Sweden is a land of elegant cities inseparable from the exquisite beauty of its countryside. Almost touching Denmark at its most southerly point, the country stretches above the Arctic Circle to conflate with Finland and Norway at its apex and its countryside vistas move from sand dune beaches through forested woodland to cobble topped mountains. From Stockholm to Goteborg on the west coast the Gota Canal unites the country’s two port cities along its multi-locked canal route stepping up the famed water staircase at Trollhatan, crossing Lakes Vattern and Vanern and along the coast. Carefully manicured fields and meadows are peppered with ochre coloured clapboard houses and Lutheran spired churches.

Stockholm with its mix of gabled medieval buildings and uber modernistic areas lying across 13 islands and is the country’s ‘Jewel in the Crown’. Every trip to Sweden can begin or end there giving many of our tours a unique ‘Town and Country’ flavour. We know about Stockholm Archipelago’s 24,000 islands; Gotland where Sweden’s A list hang out and Marstrand on the opposite coast; where the best places to be over mid-summer, are and other little known gems around which to plan the holiday you want.

Images of Sweden - 9 days (Independent) The Gota Canal - Sweden from Coast to Coast - 6 days (Partially escorted)

Discover Sweden from coast to coast: Discover Sweden from coast to coast travelling on stylish Stockholm and its 24,000 island a Gota Canal steamer in true grand 19th century archipelago; the beauty of the Swedish style; crossing the country’s great lakes; drifting countryside and the wooden clapboard village through its tranquil countryside and navigating of Grythyttans; the serenity of Lake Vanem and Stockholm’s southern archipelago. maritime Gothenburg.

PRICES FROM £1187pp PRICES FROM £1465pp

Soul of Lapland - 5 or 7 day (Independent travel) Sweden from East to West - 5 or 7 day (Independent travel)

Explore the natural beauty of Swedish Lapland Enjoy some of the places the Swedes keep to and learn of the traditional Lapp culture on themselves: The smoothly skerried western this carefully tailored tour starting in Stockholm coastline where the nation’s smart set have and then travelling across the Arctic Circle on their summer houses; the ‘can hear a pin drop’ Sweden’s famous Inlandsbanan inland railway. meadowland close by its great lakes, the cobbled Along the way, you will have the opportunity alleyways of Stockholm’s Old Town and its to contrast Stockholm’s sophistication with the second city Gothenburg. rugged beauty of Sweden’s Northern provinces.

PRICES FROM £1195pp PRICES FROM £1195pp

46 Call us on 01206 708888 visit www.nordicexperience.co.uk or see your Travel Agent

91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 46 21/10/2011 15:17 Summer Finland, Russia & The Baltic

See more suggested itineraries on our website or Finland, Russia & The Baltic speak to us about tailor made options

Indisputably the land of the Midnight Sun bathing late evening landscapes with a blood orange glow, Finland is also the land of golden cloudberries and arctic salmon, of a thousand lakes and majestic forests, inspired architecture and civilized living. Anthropologists often argue how and why the Finns came to be there (their impenetrable language has linguistic affinities with only Estonian and Hungarian) but spend a few days here and you’ll discover why they stayed.

Just around the corner from Helsinki at the top of Gulf of Finland is St Petersburg with its onion domed Cathedrals, Catherine the Great’s astonishing stash of loot in the Hermitage Museum and the last Czar’s extravagant Summer Palaces. Along the interconnected waterways leading to Moscow dominated by its infamous Kremlin you’ll find Russia delivers all its Tolstoy drama in spades. Barely 2 hours away by high speed catamaran lies Tallinn and Estonia, one of the trio of countries known as the Baltic States. From there you can easily take in Latvia and Lithuania whose capital Vilnius exquisitely expresses ‘in its eclectic mix of architecture’ the multi-ethnic nature of the old Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth.

The Charms of Finnish Lakeland - 8 days (Independent) The route of Kings and Czars - 8 days (Independent)

Enjoy quintessential Lakeland Finland with Follow the route of Kings and Czars along the overnight stay in family owned country hotels. Hansea Trail from Stockholm through the Aland Along the way, cruise on Lake Saimaa, visit islands to Turku, the ancient capital of Finland, Ovanlinna Castle and see the berry wine makers and ending in Helsinki ‘Daughter of the Baltic’. art. A leisurely car tour showing the best of Highlights include a cruise through the Finland’s heartland. Stockholm Archipelago and a stay in Mariehamn.

PRICES FROM £1139pp PRICES FROM £745pp

A Baltic Odyssey - 11 days (Partially escorted) St Petersburg to Moscow by Rail - 8 days (Escorted)

Discover four of the Baltic Sea’s contrasting Join us on our fully discovery tour of Russia’s capitals: Riga with its medieval town and two major cities with an atmospheric rail journey renovated Art Nouveau districts; Stockholm, between them. Highlights include Red Square in the island capital justifiably dubbed ‘Beauty on Moscow, St.Petersburg’s spectacular Hermitage Water’’; Helsinki with its unique blend of East and Museum and Peter the Great’s summer palace. West and Tallinn, the small but perfectly formed Hansae port with its narrow cobbled streets.

PRICES FROM £990pp PRICES FROM £1675pp

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91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 47 21/10/2011 15:17 Summer Greenland & Spitsbergen

See more suggested itineraries on our website or Greenland & Spitsbergen speak to us about tailor made options

One of history’s more flagrant examples of misrepresentation (Greenland being 80% Ice Cap but its discoverer Erik the Red needed to persuade his farmer followers to follow him there from Iceland) the largest island in the world is a cornucopia of wild life, calving icebergs, deep water fjords flora and fauna. The fleeting summer brings migratory birds and whales offshore whilst Polar Bears creep down to the edge of the ice sheets to feed. For students of climate change Greenland is one giant resource centre with a new island known as ‘Warming Island’ being revealed in 2007 as the ice sheet retreated.

Equally awesomely remote is the Svalbard archipelago, whose largest island Spitzbergen and capital Longyearbyen is the most northerly point in the world reachable by scheduled flight and is a cornucopia of mountain rock formations, heat hardened seabed’s thrust up from the equator over millennia and glacier walls some as long as 200km. The old trappers huts made from drift wood brought down from the Barents Sea bear witness to winter’s hardships here; for ornithologists there are some 200 Arctic avian species to be found here and for ornithologists a multitude of Guillemots, auks, king elders, gulls, snow buntings and more.

East Greenland - 6 days (Escorted) Ilulissat - The Town of Iceberg - 7 days (Escorted)

Huskies baying outside brightly painted Giant icebergs, calving glaciers, baying sleddogs houses,melted pack ice drifting down the and magnificent wild life, includingseals musk fjords andmajestic scenery characterise East oxen and eagles, makeGreenland quite unique. Greenland.Get up close and personal with poeple Walk up on the inland Ice Cap and fly up across whostill fish and hunt in their traditional way. the ArcticCircle to Disko Bay.

PRICES FROM £1399pp PRICES FROM £1935pp

Spitsbergen Expedition Cruises - 9 or 12 days (Escorted) Adventures in Spitsbergen - 7 days (Escorted)

Follow in Amundsen’s footsteps to these Take a zodiac cruise to the Bird Mountain; islands of extraordinary beauty with their glacial hike up over a glacier; cruise down the fjord landscapes, migratory bird life and remote to Barentsburg; kayak on Adventurefjorden or settlements. Here, where the sun never sets in trek over to Kap Linne from Longyearbyen, the summer, you lose touch with time, savouring a jumping off point for some of the 19th c Arctic mountainous beauty unmatched anywhere in explorers. The settlement’s 3 pubs, 1 shop and the world. cinema that opens only on Sunday all add to the frontier feel in this remote Arctic region.

PRICES FROM £3195pp PRICES FROM £1095pp

48 Call us on 01206 708888 visit www.nordicexperience.co.uk or see your Travel Agent

91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 48 21/10/2011 15:18 The Small Print

BROCHURE DESCRIPTIONS be responsible if any member of your party is not permitted temperature, sea state, cloud cover, rainfall and terrain to enter any country. You should therefore make necessary conditions are just some of the factors that can effect the The descriptions of areas and hotels in this brochure have arrangements well in advance of your departure date. operation of excursions, visibility of natural phenomena been compiled as a result of inspection by our staff or For FCO advice contact www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo and sightings of wildlife. Tour validity and excursion/safari agents and checked to ensure they are accurate. However, or ABTA Information Line Tel: 0901 2011 5050 (calls are dates are given in good faith based on our experience and changes may occur after the date of publication. In addition charged at 50p per minute). that of our suppliers. However we, or our agents, may there may be occasions when accommodation owners, have to change itineraries or cancel excursions at any proprietors of facilities etc. may decide to withdraw some of SPECIAL REQUESTS time prior to departure or during a tour. If we do so, it is the facilities. These are regrettably beyond our control and with your interest in mind and we regret the necessity of we therefore reserve the right to change the particulars at If you have any special request, (e.g. dietary requirements having to point out that we do not accept any liability for any time before we confirm your booking. We will inform or a need for special assistance), please inform us. We compensation in respect of such changes or cancellations. you of any such change at the time of booking, or, if you will always do our best to meet such requests but cannot have already booked, you will be contacted before your guarantee to do so, and in no circumstances will any CLOTHING departure if there is time. Public holidays particularly such request be accepted by us so as to form part of our contractual agreement. Temperatures in the Nordic countries and Northern Europe Christmas, New Year and religious festivals may also affect can vary considerably from day to day or even in a day and the availability of centre and hotel facilities. BOARD & TRANSFERS conditions can change unexpectedly and rapidly; the terrain is often hazardous and ground conditions frequently difficult. MINIMUM NUMBERS All our tours include open style Scandinavian buffet You should take suitable clothing with these conditions in breakfasts. These will include cereal, juices, fresh rolls, mind particularly good quality wind/rain proof outerwear; Certain tours require a minimum number of people to bread, cheeses and cold meats. Picnic or snack lunches strong walking shoes or boots, gloves and sufficient and enable them to operate. We will check whether these and buffet suppers are provided where indicated in the varied clothes to enable you to ‘layer up’. Many of our tours, minimum numbers have been reached no later than 6 price panel sub text and itinerary. Transfers are included particularly in Iceland and Greenland, involve walking or weeks before the relevant tour departure date. We shall where necessary or if we can organise them economically. medium grade hiking and you may find it useful to invest in a inform you immediately if the minimum number necessary Otherwise they are payable locally and by public transport, good pair of boots, broken in well before departure. If you’re has not been reached for your tour and in that event we fly bus services or taxi, for which we provide detailed in any doubt as to what to take, we’re always happy to talk it reserve the right to cancel your holiday and refund all information in your travel pack. through with you. monies which you have paid to us. YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ACCOMMODATION CORRESPONDENCE We will normally send all your travel documents The nature, style and standard of accommodation we and itineraries to either yourself or your travel agent If you make your booking through a travel agent, all use for our tours varies according to country, location and approximately two to three weeks before your departure. communications between you and Nordic Experience must itinerary: please check the thumbnail sketches provided in PLEASE check them carefully. In some cases, the timings be through that travel agent. If you book your tour direct each case. In respect of hotels we do not endorse any local may have changed from those on your holiday confirmation, with us we will send all correspondence direct to you. star rankings since they do not, in our opinion, provide an and the correct timings will appear on the tickets Please quote the reference number shown on your invoice accurate reflection of style, atmosphere or location. Please themselves, or on accompanying documentation. in any communication. note the description ‘twin room’ refers to a twin bedded room and that a shower rather than a bathtub is the norm TOUR PRICES HEALTH, VISAS AND DOCUMENTS throughout Scandinavia. Whilst some hotel rooms can take an extra bed this will invariably result in the room being Full details of what is included in the price of your tour are a) You must ensure that you and all members of your cramped. In some areas/countries single rooms may be shown in the panel on each page and will be reconfirmed party have a valid passport and visas and any inoculations inferior in standard to twin rooms. on your confirmation invoice. Prices include all appropriate and health certificates for all countries to be visited. Your local taxes and any mandatory charges. This brochure was passport must be valid for at least six months following your CLIMATIC CONDITIONS published in 2011 and the details and prices are valid for arrival at your foreign destination. departures in 2011/2012. The following exchange rates Many of the tours in this brochure depend for their have been used in calculating prices in this brochure: GBP/ b) We will offer reasonable assistance and advice as to how successful accomplishment on suitable climatic and EUR 1.14 GBP/NOK 8.9 GBP/SEK 10.4 GBP/ISK 178 to arrange such items, but we cannot in any circumstances weather conditions both prior to and during operation. Air (Source Financial Times 09/08/2011).

INSURANCE COVER C Cancellation or Curtailment £5,000 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 Failure of flight connections £150 insurance that protects your safety and travel enjoyment. If you Interruption of Transport £300 already have such insurance or prefer to buy it from a third party E Personal Effects £1,500 then all we ask is that you notify us of the name of your insurer (Valuables limited to £350) when you complete you booking form. Alternatively, we are an (Single Article limit £250) Appointed Representative of NJ Heritage Partnership Ltd and we (Disc Collections £200) are able to provide travel insurance covering all the destination Money £250 and activities featured in this brochure. NJ Heritage Partnership Tickets £1,000 Ltd are specialist Insurance Brokers whose cover is provided by Passport and Visas £250 International Insurance Company of Hannover Ltd. The cover Damage to Hired Sports Equipment £750 includes a 24 Hour Worldwide emergency Medical Service with F Legal Expenses £15,000 experts providing friendly and professional emergency help. G Winter Sports Extension Optional Your premium should be forwarded to us with your tour deposit in order to ensure immediate protection under the holiday cancellation section of the insurance. The details below show only a summary PREMIUMS (INCLUDING INSURANCE PREMIUM TAX) of cover; full details of the cover provided are shown on your policy PER PERSON document which will be sent to you upon receipt of payment of Period of cover: up to 9 days £40.00 per adult premium; please read it carefully to ensure you understand the Children under 2 years on date of departure are insured free of cover provided which includes certain terms conditions, exclusions charge. Children under the age of 18 on departure are insured at and warranties. Should you wish a specimen, a copy will be made half the adult rate. Adults aged 66 or over at the date of departure available prior to purchase upon request. If the insurance does not can be insured at twice the appropriate premium. Winter sports meet your requirements you may return the documentation within cover is available to people under 65 years at twice the normal rate. 14 days of the purchase or prior to travel if this is sooner and, provided no claim has been made, obtain a refund. IMPORTANT

TRAVEL INSURANCE SUMMARY OF COVER This policy includes certain terms, conditions, exclusions and excesses. In particular cover is excluded for any defined pre-existing medical condition (Sums insured are per insured person) from which you or any person upon whom travel depends are suffering. If in A Medical Expenses £5,000,000 doubt please contact the medical helpline in confidence on 0844 826 2686, as Inpatient Benefit £200 additional cover may be purchased directly from the insurer’s medical screening Criminal Injuries £5,000 helpline for certain pre-existing conditions. Should you wish a specimen, a Inability to Dive £250 copy will be made available upon request or alternatively a copy is available for Personal Liability £2,000,000 download from our website www.nordicexperience.co.uk. The policy contains B Personal Accident £10,000 a 14 day ‘Cooling Off’ Period and details of how to make a claim and who to Permanent Loss of Sight £25,000 contact in the event of a medical emergency. Both NJ Heritage Partnership Ltd and International Insurance Company of Loss of Limb(s) £25,000 Hannover Ltd and authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Permanent Total Disablement £25,000 This can be checked on the FSA’s website www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by Death £10,000 contacting them on 0845 606 1234. Nordic Experience and Scantours are (Limited to £1,000 for persons aged over trading names of Colchester Travel Ltd who are Appointed Representatives of 65 or under 16 years at time of death) N J Heritage Partnership Ltd.

Call us on 01206 708888 visit www.nordicexperience.co.uk or see your Travel Agent 49

91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 49 21/10/2011 15:18 Booking Conditions

1. WHEN BOOKING to cover agents’ commission if applicable. If this means that you would have to pay an increase of more than 10% of the price of When you make your booking you must complete a booking form, your travel arrangements, you will have the option of accepting a accepting on behalf of all your party the terms of these booking change to another arrangement if we are able to offer one (if this conditions, and pay the appropriate deposit. If booking through a is of equivalent or higher quality you will not have to pay more but Travel Agent all monies paid to that agent are held by them on our if it is of lower quality you will be refunded the difference in price), behalf at all times. A contract between us will exist when we issue or cancelling and receiving a full refund of all monies paid, except our confirmation invoice, is governed by English Law and both for any amendment charges. Should the price of your arrangement parties shall submit to the jurisdiction of English Courts at all times. decrease due to the changes mentioned above, (by more than 2. PAYING YOUR BALANCE 2% of your invoice paid) then any refund due will be paid to you. However, please note that travel arrangements are not always The balance of the price of your tour must be paid at least ten purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no weeks before your departure date. If the balance is not paid in time impact on the price of your travel due to contractual arrangements. we reserve the right to cancel your tour, retain your deposit, and Should you decide to cancel for this reason, you must exercise your apply the cancellation charges set out in paragraph 4 below. right to do so within 14 days from the issue date printed on your 3. AMENDING YOUR BOOKING final invoice. The price of your travel arrangements was calculated using exchange rates rate of GBP/EUR 1.13. If, after our confirmation has been issued, you wish to change 7. CANCELLATION AND VARIATION TO ARRANGEMENTS to another of our tours or change the departure date, we will endeavour to make any such change, provided the request to do so It is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your is received in writing from the person who signed the booking form arrangements, but we do plan them many months in advance. or from your Travel Agent at least ten weeks before departure. This Occasionally changes occur, but most are minor, and we will advise must be accompanied by a payment of £50 to cover administration you or your travel agent at the earliest possible date. Flight timings costs. Alterations cannot normally be made within ten weeks of and carriers in the brochure are subject to change as a result departure and any such request for an alteration will be treated as a of airline procedures. Final details will be shown on your tickets cancellation of the original booking and subject to the cancellation and/or in the accompanying documentation. If a major change charges set out in paragraph 4 below. Please note that certain becomes necessary, we will inform you or your travel agent as soon travel arrangements cannot be changed after a reservation has as reasonably possible if there is time before departure. When a been made and any alteration will then incur a 100% cancellation major change occurs (such as the alteration of your outward/return charge and be treated as a new booking. flights by more than 12 hours, changes of hotel or a reduction in 4. IF YOU CANCEL YOUR BOOKING the standard of accommodation), provided it does not arise from circumstances amounting to force majeure (see below), you will You, or any member of your party, may cancel your tour at have the choice of either accepting the change, taking another any time providing that the cancellation is made by the person available arrangement from us, or cancelling your arrangement set out in clause 6. If any payments to you are due from us, any signing the booking form and is received by us in writing. As this and receiving a full refund. In the interests of our clients, we payment made to you by the airline will be deducted from this incurs administrative costs, we will retain your deposit and apply reserve the right to cancel itineraries, or to substitute alternative amount. If your airline does not comply with these rules you should cancellation charges up to the maximum below: accommodation, if the arrangement, unamended, would then in complain to the Air Transport Users’ Council on 020 7240 6061 our opinion suffer, or be in some way impracticable. However, in no www.auc.org.uk PERIOD BEFORE DEPARTURE AMOUNT OF CANCELLATION case will we cancel your arrangement less than six weeks before 9. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY TO US WITHIN WHICH WRITTEN CHARGE SHOWN AS A the scheduled departure date except for reasons of force majeure CANCELLATION IS MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE OF or failure on your part to pay the final balance (circumstances In accepting a booking and entering in to a contract with us RECEIVED BY US THE TOUR PRICE amounting to force majeure include war, the threat of war, riot, you are provided with statutory protection under English and More than 71 days Deposit only civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear European Law and various International Treaties. In providing 70-42 days 50% disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, or withdrawal of suppliers you with such protection you agree to satisfy our conditions for within 42 days 100% facilities) In circumstances where we are unable to provide the so doing. In particular we accept no responsibility for any claims 5. PROBLEMS arrangement booked, we will return to you all monies paid, or offer for compensation that would have been met under the terms of an alternative arrangement of comparable standard the Personal Travel Policy we offer in relation to the programmes If you have a problem during your holiday, please inform and tours featured in this brochure or any tailor made variations to In accordance with EU Regulation 2111/2005 we are required them, irrespective of whether you take such policy or not. the relevant supplier (e.g. hotelier, excursion operator, etc.) to advise you of the airline operating your flight/connecting flight/ immediately, who will endeavour to put things right on our behalf. transfer which we do by detailing this on your confirmation invoice. When on any tour featured in this brochure you agree to abide If your complaint is not resolved locally, please follow this up Any changes to the airline used after you have received your by any advice given by our accompanying courier and/or any of within 28 days of your return home by writing to us at 39 Crouch tickets will be notified to you as soon as possible and in all cases at our agents locally. You further accept and agree to accept your Street, Colchester CO3 3EN giving your booking reference and check-in or at the boarding gate. Such a change is deemed to be a responsibility as being ‘in loco parentis’ for any children under the other relevant information to help us identify the problem(s) you minor change. Other examples of minor changes include alteration age of majority travelling with you and appearing on your Booking encountered. It is strongly recommended you communicate any of your outward/return flights by less than 12 hours, changes to Form. In respect of all safaris, excursions and activities you further complaint to the supplier of the services in question and if possible aircraft type, change of accommodation to another of the same accept responsibility both for yourself and any accompanying keep a written account of having done so. If you fail to follow this standard. children for listening and/or reading instructions given to you both simple procedure we will have been deprived of the opportunity to on usage of equipment (including but not limited to equipment investigate and rectify your complaint whilst you were on tour and 8. OUR RESPONSIBILITY & LIABILITY TO YOU used in connection with animals), health and safety. this may affect your rights under this contract. If the contract we have with you is not performed or is improperly 10. ASSISTANCE WHILST ON TOUR It is unlikely that you will have a complaint that cannot be settled performed by us or our suppliers we will pay you appropriate amicably between us. However, disputes arising out of, or in compensation if this has affected the enjoyment of your travel If the contract we have with you is not performed or is improperly connection with, this contract which cannot be amicably settled arrangements. However we will not be liable where any failure performed as a result of failures attributable to a third party may be referred to arbitration under a special scheme which, in the performance of the contract is due to either you or a third connected with the provision of the services, or as a result of though devised by arrangement with ABTA, is administered quite party unconnected with the provision of the travel arrangements failures due to unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond independently by IDRS part of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. and where the failure was unforeseeable or unavoidable; or our control, the consequences of which could not have been It provides for a simple and inexpensive method of arbitration on unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, avoided even if all due care had been exercised, or an event which documents alone with restricted liability on you in respect of costs. the consequences of which could not have been avoided even we or our suppliers, even with all due care, could not foresee or Full details will be provided on request or can be downloaded if all due care had been exercised; or an event which we or our forestall, and you suffer an injury or other material loss, we will offer from the ABTA website. The scheme does not apply to claims suppliers, even with all due care, could not foresee or forestall. you such prompt assistance as is reasonable in the circumstances. for an amount greater than £5,000 per person. There is also a Our liability, except in cases involving death, injury or illness will be 11. LOCALLY BOOKED EXCURSIONS & SAFARIS limit of £25,000 per booking form. Neither does it apply to claims limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to (a) The which are solely in respect of physical injury or illness or their contractual terms of the companies that provide the transportation For any excursion or safari that you book locally, your contract will consequences. The Scheme can however deal with compensation for your travel arrangements and (b) Any relevant international be with the operator of that excursion or safari and not with us claims which include an element of minor injury or illness subject convention, for example the Montreal Convention in respect of irrespective of whether the operator is one used by us or not. We do to a limit of £1,000 on the amount the arbitrator can award per travel by air, the Athens Convention in respect of travel by sea, not accept responsible for the provision of any such excursions or person in respect of this element. The application for arbitration the Berne Convention in respect of travel by rail and the Paris tours or for anything that happens during the course of its provision and Statement of Claim must be received by IDRS within nine Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation, which by the operator. months of the date of your return from the holiday. Outside this limit the amount of compensation that you can claim for death, time limit arbitration under the Scheme may still be available if injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage. 12. FINANCIAL PROTECTION & STANDARDS OF CONDUCT the company agrees, but the ABTA Code does not require such We are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours agreement. For injury and illness claims, you may like to use the compensation contained in these or any conventions. ABTA / Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Mediation Procedure. This Regulations 1992 require us to provide security for the monies is a voluntary scheme and requires us to agree for mediation to go Although we do not control or operate any airlines, own any that you pay for any tours booked with us and for your repatriation ahead. The aim is to help you resolve your dispute in a quick and coaches, hotels or other facilities mentioned in our brochure, in the unlikely event of our insolvency. We provide this security by cost effective way. Details on request or from www.abta.com . or directly employ staff of those organisations, we do take all way of an ATOL 6558 administered by the Civil Aviation Authority reasonable steps to ensure that such organisations maintain and a bond held by ABTA. When you buy an ATOL protected air 6. SURCHARGES standards which are acceptable to us within the bounds of holiday you will receive a Confirmation Invoice from us (or via our possibility in each locality. No third party has the authority to make, authorised agent through which you booked) confirming your We reserve the right to alter the prices of any arrangement featured on our behalf, any promise or representation to you concerning our arrangements and your protection under our Air Travel Organiser’s in our brochure or on our website. You will be advised of the tour or travel arrangements. We do not accept liability for any such Licence. The CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad current price of any arrangement you wish to book before your arrangements changed without our consent, or make any refund and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an contract is confirmed. for unused travel, accommodation vouchers or excursion vouchers advance booking. For further information visit the ATOL website at Changes in transportation costs, including fuel costs, taxes or fees other than at our absolute discretion. www.atol.org.uk We are a member of ABTA, membership number chargeable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation or W879X and are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to The texts of the transport companies’ contractual terms, or you by virtue of their Code of Conduct. disembarkation fees at ports and airports and exchange rates mean international conventions are available on request. that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you 13. OTHER TERMS have booked, but there will be no change within 30 days of your Under EU law (Regulation 261/2004) you have rights in some departure. circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline The conditions, terms and obligations outlined in this brochure and However we will absorb and you will not be charged for any in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full on our website www.nordicexperience.co.uk under the heading increase equivalent to 2% of the price of your travel arrangements, details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also “the small print” shall be deemed to be included within these which excludes insurance premiums and any amendment charges. be available from airlines. However reimbursement in such cases conditions. Nordic Experience is a trading name of Colchester You will be charged for the amount over and above that, plus an will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday cost Travel Ltd with whom your contract is and which is governed by administration charge of £1.00 per person together with an amount from us. Your right to a refund and/or compensation from us is English Law and the jurisdiction of the English Courts.

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EXPERIENCE 39 Crouch Street Colchester CO3 3EN Tel 01206 708888 Fax 01206 508899 Booking Form e-mail: [email protected]

DEPARTURE DATE DEPARTURE POINT RETURN DATE TOUR 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 ......

Next of Kin......

SPECIAL REQUESTS I ENCLOSE A CHEQUE PAYABLE TO NORDIC EXPERIENCE OR GIVE CREDIT CARD AUTHORITY FOR:

Deposits (£150 minimum per person travelling depending on tour booked) £

Total Amount (if within 10 weeks of departure) £

Travel Insurance Premiums (see page 15 for rates) £

TOTAL AMOUNT PAYABLE £ I certify that I am authorised to make this booking on behalf of all those named above and that I am responsible for ensuring payment of all monies due in respect of this booking. I have read and accept the Company’s ‘Booking Conditions’ and ‘Small Print’ as being incorporated within the terms of the contract between us.

I WISH TO PAY BY: CREDIT CARD/DEBIT CARD 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 Experience’s recommended policy covering the arrangements Deposit(s) only featured in this brochure, I agree to indemnify the Company as to any costs that might arise which would otherwise have been Deposit(s) & Insurance Premiums met had such insurance been in place. Confirmation invoice total (if within 10 weeks of departure) My alternative travel insurers are: Balance 10 weeks before departure

Card Number:

Expiry Date: CC Security Code:*

Start Date: Issue No:* 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

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91746 Winter 2011_FP.indd 51 21/10/2011 15:18 Lapland Dreams NORDIC & EXPERIENCE Father Christmas Adventures Summer Adventures

Norway ™ Iceland ™ Sweden Finland ™ Russia & The Baltics NORDIC Greenland & Spitsbergen EXPERIENCE

Small Groups and Private visits

www.nordicexperience.co.uk

NORDIC EXPERIENCE

39 Crouch Street, Colchester CO3 3EN 01206 708888 [email protected]

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