10 Day Northern Lights of Scandinavia

Welcome to Helsinki, with its excellent museums
and pretty seaside buildings. This beautiful city is
set to be your home for the night. Our stay begins
at the grand Home Hotel Jugend. Decorated in a
distinctive Art Nouveau style, this charming four-star
hotel is the ideal place to sit backand relax before
your Scandinavian adventure begins. Meet your
Travel Director for a drink and mingle with your
fellow travelling companions.
 

Today you’ll take a flight to Ivalo, a small yet
important centre in Finnish Lapland, 250km above
the Arctic Circle. The Gateway to the North, Ivalo is
set on the Ivalo River, where the first Lapland
Goldrush took place in the 19th century. You’ll
enjoy a dinner at your boutique hotel, Aurora
Village, famed for its cabins with a glass roof,
offering sweeping views of the night sky. Look out
for the dancing northern lights, as you gaze
through the glass ceiling from the comfort of your
room. Please note that the northern lights are a
natural phenomenon and therefore sightings cannot
be guaranteed.
 

Today you’ll be heading further north through the
winter Lapland landscape. Cross the Finnish–
Norwegian border as you make your way to
Honningsvåg, the northernmost and smallest city in
Norway. Your drive will take you along the mighty
Porsangerfjord, the fourth largest fjord in Norway.
You will take the subsea Nordkapp Tunnel to the
island of Magerøya, to reach your hotel in this
small fishing community. Explore the quaint city by
taking a stroll along the waterfront before retiring
to your hotel and enjoying a delicious dinner.
 

Enjoy a leisurely day to discover more of
Honningsvåg. Take a walk to the 19th century
church that survived the destruction of World War
2, a true rarity in Northern Norway. Perhaps take an
Optional Experience to learn about king crabs and
enjoy a fresh, sea-to-table lunch of this delicacy.
Take your chance to visit the northernmost point of
Europe, the famous North Cape and sip on bubbles
and delight in exquisite caviar with your fellow
travellers (weather permitting).
 

Today’s journey will take you along an ever
changing landscape from barren lands through
highlands to the shores of the Altafjord. It was in
Alta where the world’s first northern lights
observatory was built at the end of the 19th century.
With increasing tourism the city is going through
quick development offering a wide range of
activities. Start your adventures with a visit to one
of the first ice hotels in the world and enjoy a
chilled beverage with your fellow travellers. Your
comfortable hotel is located next to the modern
and iconic Northern Lights Cathedral in the heart of
the city.
 

You’ll enjoy a leisurely day in Alta to continue with
your activities. Maybe you’ll choose to visit the
UNESCO World Heritage listed Alta Museum
famous for its prehistoric rock carvings. Later, you’ll
visit a working husky farm and get to know the
Lyrek family and champion sled dogs. Learn about
the Alaskan huskies and the challenges they face
competing in the marathon long Arctic dog sled
races. Indulge in a delectable oven-baked lunch
before meeting the dogs themselves.
 

Today you’ll head to Tromsø, northern Norway’s
largest city, located on the island of Tromsøya.
You’ll be surrounded by snowcapped mountains
and ethereal water views.
 

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you
meet members of the Indigenous Sámi community
of Scandinavia. Delve into the history of Arctic
Norway and join a Sámi guide for an immersive
journey through their camp, with an invitation to
help feed their reindeer herd. You are invited into a
lavuu (a traditional Sámi tent) to hear stories of
Sámi life and folk songs around the fire, after
enjoying a traditional meal with hot drinks.
 

In the morning, take a flight from Tromsø to Oslo, a
modern city located on the shores of the Oslofjord.
Surrounded by forested mountains, city dwellers
and visitors alike have easy access to nature all year
round. On your orientation see the Oslo Opera
House and the new Deichman Library in the
contemporary Bjørvika district. Join your fellow
travellers at a local restaurant to make a toast to
newfound friends and a wonderful journey, over a
Celebration Dinner with wine.
 

It’s time to say farewell to your fellow travellers.
Your trip ends after breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast