The Best of Northern Norway - 10 Day Self-Drive Tour
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Viewed: 23 Sep 2021 The Best of Northern Norway - 10 Day Self-Drive Tour HOLIDAY TYPE: Flexible Dates BROCHURE CODE: 5215 VISITING: Norway DURATION: 9 nights In Brief Our Opinion Explore Northern Norway’s dramatic and diverse scenery on this 10-day self- If I had to pick one word to sum up this amazing trip drive holiday. Visit Senja ‘the fairy-tale it would be WOW! Everything from the destinations island’, the stunning white sandy along the self-drive route to the accommodation and beaches surrounding Sommarøy, the the optional activities I tried, were simply outstanding. I village of Andenes – a fantastic whale finally got to fulfil a lifelong dream and witness whales watching spot and the historical town in their natural habitat which was beautiful to watch. The of Narvik. Travel between the end of routes along the way are stunning and offered some May to July to also experience the contrasting and dramatic views which were perfect for magic of the Midnight Sun. those 'kodak' moments. Amy Hope Speak to us on 01670 785 085 [email protected] www.artisantravel.co.uk PAGE 2 What's included? • Rental car: standard two person\two door car hire included (upgrade available) • Accommodation: 1 night at Clarion Collection Aurora, 1 night wilderness glamping in Kvaløya, 2 nights at Hamn I Senja, 1 night at Hotel Marena Andenes, 1 night at Scandic Harstad, 1 night at Scandic Narvik, 2 nights at Sommarøy Arctic Hotel • Meals: 9 breakfasts, 1 light evening buffet and 1 dinner • A roadmap, route description, ferry schedules and times are all provided What's not included • Flights are not included in your holiday, but our Travel Experts will happily make arrangements on your behalf, please just ask for a quote • Ferry tickets and car parking charges are not included and need to be paid for locally Trip Overview Our 'Best of Northern Norway' certainly lives up to its name and combines many of the destinations which make Norway such a firm favourite here at Artisan Travel. With stunning fjord views, dramatic mountain landscapes and beautiful white sandy beaches you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to scenery. We have designed this self-drive holiday using our local guides' expertise and our own experiences in this unforgettable region. Summer in Northern Norway sees the onset of the Midnight Sun, where sunlight reigns 24 hours a day. It occurs between late-May through to the end of July, meaning that you can spend so much more time in The Great Outdoors and really make the most of your stay. For one night during your holiday, you will stay in a picturesque wilderness camp on the island of Kvaløya. Your rather luxurious tent accommodation has windows above the beds so that you can admire the mountain views until later at night, even after you have retreated to your duvet (of course there are also blinds to block the light when you do want to sleep). Speak to us on 01670 785 085 [email protected] www.artisantravel.co.uk PAGE 3 Culturally, Northern Norway is fascinating. This self-drive holiday will give you an insight into the lives of the local people, from the cosmopolitan city of Tromso and the historical town of Narvik, to traditional fishing villages on the islands of Sommaroy and Senja, you will experience an all- encompassing view of this region. Northern Norway is rich in wildlife and we would recommend heading to the coastline in Vesterålen, close to the village of Andenes, to try to catch a glimpse of the numerous species of whale and seabird. For information on guided whale watching tours run by an expert, local guides; please see our ‘Personalise’ section. This self-drive holiday really does give you ‘the best of Northern Norway’. The dramatic landscapes and diverse flora and fauna are appealing enough, but you can also tailor your holiday and choose from a range of additional activities with a focus on enjoying the outdoors and embracing the long summer days. The details of the available options can be found in the ‘Personalise’ section of the holiday page.. © Credit Reiner Schaufler, Frank Andreassen, www.Nordnorge.com, K.A. Fredriksen, Hamn I Senja & Tromsø Adventure, Frithjof Fure, Jelorent Foap, Visitnorway.com, Innovation Norway Michael Simon & Douglas Bardwell Agenda Please note the order of activities is subject to change DAY ARRIVAL IN TROMSØ 1 Tromsø, which is often referred to as the 'capital of the Arctic', is the starting point for your 10-day self-drive holiday. This lively city which is located on the island of Tromsøya offers a beautiful natural setting, modern architecture and a range of museums and attractions for visitors to enjoy. Perhaps the most famous attraction is the Polaria Aquarium which is the most northerly aquarium in the world and is home to an array of fascinating marine life. Your car will be available for you to collect at the airport before you make your way to the Clarion Collection Hotel Aurora, your centrally-located base for your first night in Norway. The hotel's restaurant closes at 9 pm. If you arrive before 9 pm you can either enjoy a light evening meal at the hotel (included) or alternatively, and for those arriving after 9 pm, you may choose to explore the delights of this city's culinary scene. The hotel staff will be happy to recommend some local restaurants. Included Meals: Dinner DAY TROMSØ TO KVALØYA (APPROX. 55 MINUTES’ DRIVE) 2 Speak to us on 01670 785 085 [email protected] www.artisantravel.co.uk PAGE 4 Following breakfast, you will have more time to explore the city of Tromsø before making your way to Kvaløya Island later in the day. En route, we can arrange for you to visit one of the local sled dog centres where you can meet the huskies or perhaps take part in their puppy training sessions – the details of the available options can be found in the ‘Personalise’ section of the holiday page. Your final destination today is a wilderness camp surrounded by jaw-dropping mountain scenery. You will spend the evening in a comfortable tent with cosy big beds and windows over-head which provide fabulous views of the wilderness outside. You can really embrace the silence of the surrounding nature and the glowing light of the Midnight Sun. A home-cooked dinner which includes some locally cured meats will be provided. Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY KVALØYA TO SENJA (APPROX. 2 HOURS AND 50 MINUTES’ DRIVE) 3 Enjoy a relaxed breakfast amidst the silence of nature and the dramatic mountains before departing for the ‘fairytale island of Senja’. You will drive to Brensholmen ferry terminal, before taking the 30-minute ride to Botnhamn ferry stop (approx. 280 NOK for standard size car including driver plus 84 NOK for additional adult passenger). From here you will head to Senja, Northern Norway's hidden gem, which still remains very much off the beaten tourist trail. You will soon see why it was given the nickname ‘fairytale island’. The island offers an awe-inspiring mix of crystal clear ocean views, jagged mountains, white sandy beaches and traditional fishing villages. We include two nights here as there is so much to enjoy including a variety of local hiking trails. An optional Midnight Sun Kayaking tour is a fantastic way in which to explore the dramatic scenery, whilst also enjoying the orange glow from the late evening sunshine. Please see the ‘Personalise’ section for more details. Your accommodation at Hamn I Senja includes breakfast. Half board upgrades are available should you wish to enjoy dinner at the restaurant. Parking is available on site at approximately 125 NOK per day. Included Meals: Breakfast DAY SENJA 4 Following Breakfast, you will have the full day to explore this stunning island. Speak to us on 01670 785 085 [email protected] www.artisantravel.co.uk PAGE 5 We would highly recommend visiting Skaland which you will find marked on your route map. Here you will find a white sandy beach with crystal clear water. It looks almost tropical, just with fewer palm trees and cooler water. Another area we would recommend is Tungeneset which is at the very tip of the island. Once here you can follow a man-made walkway along the coastline until you arrive at a stunning viewpoint with sharp edged mountains rising from the water. This place is picture perfect so make sure your cameras are fully charged. You will overnight at Hamn I Senja. Included Meals: Breakfast DAY HAMN I SENJA TO ANDENES (APPROX. 2 HOURS AND 20-MINUTES’ DRIVE) 5 After enjoying a leisurely breakfast, you will drive to Gryllefjord ferry terminal before setting sail on the 11am ferry to Andenes (approx. 571 NOK and 220 NOK for an additional adult passenger) which takes roughly one hour and forty minutes. Andenes is famous for whale watching: you could be lucky enough to spot killer whales, pilot whales, humpback whales and a whole range of other species. During your stay at Andenes, we would recommend a whale safari to try and catch a glimpse of these beautiful animals and you can find full details of how to add this in the ‘Personalise’ section of the holiday page. Alternatively, you can enjoy the coastal views up the 148 steps to Andenes Lighthouse. The panoramic outlook is certainly worth the climb. Your stay this evening will be in the Hotel Marena Andenes. Included Meals: Breakfast DAY ANDENES TO HARSTAD (APPROX. 3 HOURS AND 20 MINUTES’ DRIVE) 6 After breakfast, you will follow the stunning coastline before heading inland and continuing on towards the charming coastal town of Harstad.