Norwegian Coastal Voyage onboard Hurtigruten including the Northern Lights
TV celebrity Joanna Lumley recently travelled above the Arctic Circle to fulfil a life long dream of seeing the Northern Lights in Norway’s far northern regions. Her visit was filmed by BBC1 and last Sunday, 5.9 million people tuned in to watch ‘Joanna Lumley – in the land of the Northern Lights’.
The programme highlighted the many adventure experiences that can be enjoyed in the region as Joanna learns to ride a snowmobile, is pulled by husky sledge and even rests her weary head at an ice hotel all whilst searching for the Northern Lights.
Follow in her footsteps with specialist operator, Hurtigruten who offer a dedicated programme of Northern Lights trips in Norway and Spitsbergen. From sailing through the stunning Lofoten Islands and staying in a fisherman’s Robru, just as Joanna did, to a night in an ice hotel or even a longer snowmobile safari. There is even a special Northern Lights Festival package to celebrate the first dawn of the year in Tromso.
The Hurtigruten ships are an ideal viewing platform from which to search for the Northern Lights as the lights are set against the dark sky, away from artificial light. To avoid missing out, the ships also offer a ‘wake up’ service so you can be woken whatever time should the lights appear.
A TASTE OF THE ARCTIC - £447pp – Depart Stansted on selected dates from October to March for a three night voyage from Tromsø to Trondheim as you search for the lights. Priced from £447 to include return flights, three nights half board on the ship, transfers and all taxes. Dog Sledging can be added from £125pp and Polar Evening and Huskies from £70pp.
NORTH CAPE AND ICE HOTEL ADVENTURE - £1049pp – Depart Heathrow on selected dates between January and March 2009 for a three night short break that includes a stay at the Alta Igloo Ice Hotel and a voyage from Tromsø to Honningsvåg. Activities that can be added include dog sledging (£130pp), Snowmobiling (£110pp) and much more – then it’s into the sauna and hot tub to relax! Priced from £1049 to include return flights, one night on the ship with breakfast, one night in Honningsvåg on a B/B basis, and one night’s half board in the Alta Igloo Hotel, transfers and all taxes.
NORTHERN LIGHTS FESTIVAL - £971pp – Depart Heathrow on 20 January 09 to enjoy a six night trip that includes time to enjoy the Northern Lights Festival. Regarded as the largest cultural event within the Arctic Circle and a feast for the senses, this international music festival takes place to celebrate the Northern Lights and the return of daylight to the region after two months of darkness. Priced from £971 to include return flights, four nights half board on the ship, two nights in Tromsø on a B/B basis to enjoy the festival, transfers and all taxes. Dog Sledging can be added from £125pp.
Phil's Comment: Both myself and Janine have experienced Hurtigruten and the Norwegian Coastal Voyage,
please feel free to call us and we will share our experience with you. Tel. 01253 341014
This is a cruise blog entry by Phil
