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The aurora borealis, or Northern Lights are one of the world’s most spectacular phenomena. They occur as a result of solar particles reacting with the upper atmosphere, which creates an incandescent ring of vivid light around the pole - a spellbinding sight for those lucky enough to see the show from the ground, and a true must-see experience for discerning travellers with a sense of adventure. Whilst it is always a matter of luck whether the aurora appear or not, the winter of 2013/14 should follow a ‘solar maximum’, which means that there is an especially high chance of experiencing this unforgettable display first hand. Winter in Scandinavia is a magical time of year and whatever the weather in the UK, you can be sure of deep powdery snow, thick pine forests and crisp fresh air. The region’s towns and cities also offer delicious Nordic cuisine and atmospheric craft markets.
Our Recommended Itineraries We have selected three itineraries in the best destinations for a front row seat, including hand-picked hotels and experienced local guides who have the knowledge and tools to give you the best chance of being in the right place at the right time. However, we would be happy to tailor-make an itinerary to your requirements should you wish to fly from a regional airport or extend your holiday – perhaps to include a sailing along the spectacular Norwegian coast on a Hurtigruten cruise. Please ask your independent travel agent for a tailor-made quotation. Prices are per person and include flights, transfers, accommodation with breakfast and meals & sightseeing as described.
NORWAY Experience two days in the cosmopolitan, cultural Norwegian capital Oslo, home to over 50 museums, and a wide array
of world-class music venues including the striking new Opera house. Then fly north to the Arctic Circle where you will embark on a tour of the magical Lofoten Islands; an archipelago of beautiful islets stretching out from the Norwegian mainland. Here you will stay for three nights in a converted fisherman’s cottage overlooking the water, known as a ‘Rorbu’, and the tour will include the chance to spot some wonderful local wildlife, learn about the Viking history of the area, and a ‘hunt for the Northern Lights’ as well as a visit to the unique ‘Polar Light Centre’ which conducts research into the aurora. The islands’ remoteness and extreme northerly latitude make them an excellent place for catching the Northern Lights at their most dramatic, yet these islands experience a relatively mild climate, with temperature rarely below freezing in the winter.
What’s Included:
Traditional ‘Rorbu’ cabins at Svinøya Rorbuer
• Return flights to Oslo and Oslo to Evenes with SAS • Private car transfers in Oslo • 2 nights’ accommodation with breakfast at the 4* Rica Grand in Oslo • Shared transfers from Evenes airport to Lofoten • 3 nights’ accommodation with breakfast staying in a traditional Rorbu at Svinøya Rorbuer • 3 evening meals in Lofoten • Visit to the Polar Light Centre including lecture and Northern Light alerts during your stay • Lofoten Nature Safari including a light lunch • North coast guided tour including a ‘hunt for the Northern Lights’
Price from: £2,165 per person Fortnightly departures available: 1,15, 29 Oct; 12, 26 Nov; 10 Dec 2013; 7, 21 Jan; 4, 18 Feb; 4, 18 Mar 2014
To book or request a brochure please contact your independent travel agent Published August 2013
Your No.1 specialist Malvern Worlddisabled Travel holidays Tel 01684 562406 email malvernworldtravel@hotmail.co.uk
http://malvernworldtravel.co.uk
SWEDEN Enjoy two days in the beautiful Swedish capital with its excellent restaurants offering fresh Nordic cuisine and visit the pretty Christmas market in the atmospheric mediaeval old town, Gamla Stan. From Stockholm, a short flight takes you to the heart of Swedish Lapland where the Northern Lights are at their most visible. Stay for two nights at the incredible Ice Hotel where you can try your hand at snowmobiling or dog-sledding, or perhaps a more relaxing reindeer sled ride through the pristine countryside. One night will be spent in the Ice Hotel itself (warm clothing and sleeping bags provided) and one night in one of the adjacent ‘warm’ rooms. The Northern Lights are often seen in the night sky over the Ice Hotel, but for the ultimate experience, why not take an optional evening excursion to a wilderness camp where you will enjoy a three-course meal and hunt for the Northern Lights with the assistance of experts from the Swedish Institute of Space Physics.
What’s Included: • Return flights to Stockholm and from Stockholm to Kiruna with SAS • Private car transfers in Stockholm • 2 nights’ accommodation with breakfast at the 4* Hotel First Reisen in Stockholm • Shared transfers to the Ice Hotel • 2 nights’ accommodation with breakfast at the Ice Hotel (one night staying in a snow room and one night in a warm hotel room) • Kirker Guide Notes to restaurants and sightseeing in Stockholm • Optional Northern Lights excursion: £260 per person including transfers, guide and a three-course meal The Ice Hotel
Price from: £1,596 per person
ICELAND One of the world’s most unique destinations, Iceland has a huge
variety of dramatic scenery and natural phenomena, and is also perfectly located beneath the auroral oval, making it the ideal destination for a short winter break. Fly direct to Reykjavik and stay in the centre of this charming Nordic town at the 4* Hotel Borg. Our expert local guide will take you on a hunt for the Northern Lights on the first evening, using local knowledge and weather reports to find the best area for viewing. The next day, experience the natural drama of Iceland including the world-famous geysers and spectacular waterfalls on a tour of the so-called ‘Golden Circle’ by 4x4 ‘super jeep’.
What’s Included: • Return flights to Reykjavik • Private car transfers • 3 nights’ accommodation with breakfast at the 4* Hotel Borg in Reykjavik • Evening Northern Lights excursion with experienced local guide • Full day ‘super jeep’ excursion to the Golden Circle with an English-speaking driver/guide
Price from: £1,246 per person
Hotel Ranga
Optional Extension: Extend your stay with
two nights in the south of Iceland at the countryside Hotel Ranga, which offers the chance to see the Northern Lights from the luxury of open-air Jacuzzis. • 2 nights’ accommodation with breakfast at the 4* Hotel Ranga • Private car transfers • Full day ‘super jeep’ excursion to the South Shore with an English-speaking driver/guide
Price from: £828 per person
Hurtigruten - Norwegian Coastal Cruises Get even closer to the beautiful shores & dramatic coastline of Norway Since 1893 Hurtigruten has linked Norway’s coastal communities, with departures every day, all year round from Bergen to Kirkenes - deep within the Arctic circle. The ships visit 34 ports on their schedule delivering freight, local passengers and intrepid travellers to bustling coastal towns and small rural hamlets. The comprehensive optional excursion programme offers a wide range of itineraries, from cultural city tours to dog sledding. Clients can choose a Classic 6 night Northbound, a 5 night Southbound or a complete round voyage. We can also organise shorter port to port options as part of a multicentre itinerary, and for winter departures we would recommend the 4 night voyage from Bergen to Norway’s Arctic capital, Tromsø. Hurtigruten is not a typical cruise experience and will appeal to discerning travellers who want to discover Norway’s coastline and wildlife aboard a comfortable, intimate working vessel. We would recommend talking to a Kirker expert to find out more about one of the world’s most beautiful voyages. A 7 night package including return flights, private transfers, 4 nights on board a Hurtigruten vessel in an outside cabin, 1 night in Bergen and 2 nights in Tromsø starts from £1,594 per person
This is just a small selection from the wide range of holidays that we feature in destinations throughout Europe & beyond. To book or request a brochure please contact your independent travel agent
Agents details:
01684 562406 Malvern World Travel, 44 Somers Park Avenue, Malvern, WR14 1SD malvernworldtravel@hotmail.co.uk www.malvernworldtravel.co.uk Published August 2013.Terms and conditions apply. Prices are per person based on 2 sharing. Subject to availability.