arctic adventures swedish lapland - Nordic Experience

NORDICE X P E R I E N C EArctic Adventures(featuring the Scantours programme)Icehotel • Igloos • Husky Safaris • Arctic WildlifeSnowmobiling • Northern Lights • Winter IcelandNew Year Fireworks • White Weddings2010-2011

ARCTIC ADVENTURESTHE NORDIC EXPERIENCEWHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUIn the first instance, that any tour you choose from us hasbeen designed by a team, one or all of whom, havebeen to the places featured in it. So when talking to usyou’ll know you are doing so with somebody who hasfirst hand knowledge of where you’ll be going.And if you need advice on where to go and what’s rightfor you, ours will be completely unbiased because we’rethe only UK travel company specializing in ALL theNordic countries. We’re independent of any group orcompany. So we don’t have a preference for one countryover another: each has its merits.You’ll stay in hotels that we’d stay in ourselves. If it’s inthe city it’ll be close to the centre so you don’t wastetime or money shuttling back and forth to where you wantto be. And if it’s out in the wilds, your accommodation willbe authentic, in a picturesque setting and family run.Your Nordic Experience travels with you, rather thandisappears when you’ve paid your invoice, because weprovide a comprehensive Travel Guide detailingeverything you need to know. So you get the most fromyour holiday experience. And last but not least aPersonal Concierge who is always on hand to talk to youabout your booking up until the day you travel.We only fly you on scheduled airlines (SAS, Blue1,Icelandair, Finnair, BA, Norwegian, Estonian Air and AirBaltic) because they invariably offer better value formoney than so called ‘low cost’ carriers or charters. Theyalso offer a better choice of, and more flexible, departuretimes and either include on-board cabin service or offer abetter standard of ‘Pay on Board’ service.Finally, any tour you book with us is 100% financiallysecure (however far in advance you book) because wehold an ATOL licence (No 6558) and are members ofABTA (No W8779X). In simple terms this means in theunlikely event of our insolvency either the CAA or ABTAwill see to it that, if you were on holiday at such time,you could continue or alternatively any money you hadpaid in advance of a tour would be refunded. For furtherinformation please check with the Civil Aviation Authorityat www.atol.org.uk or the Association of British travelAgents at www.abta.com.2 Nordic Experience

ARCTIC ADVENTURESOUR OTHER EXPERIENCESCLICK AND GOOur web site www.nordicexperience.co.uk with itsdownloadable print pages and extended flip-throughdigital brochure features lots of additional tours andarrangements to those countries featured here andbeyond. You’ll find an exclusive arrangement flying toSwedish Lapland and down to Stockholm to see thecrowning of this year’s Santa Lucia; a tour with Norway’sleading Husky Musher following trails once taken bynomadic Sami tribes with their reindeer; glacier walkingexcursions in Iceland; tours to Greenland where theNorthern Lights appear in their most colourful garb andmore. Lots more. Just click and go.HAND MADE TOURSIf you can’t find what you’re looking for to any of thecountries we specialize in then let us HAND MAKE onefor you tailored exactly to your requirements. You get allthe benefit of our exclusive and confidential rates we usefor our published tours in one designed exactly the wayyou’d like. We like to think of it as the travel equivalentof Saville Row bespoke tailoring at ready to wear prices.Just give us a ring; fill in the simple form on our web siteor send us an e-mail. And every one of our hand madetours comes with our inclusive Travel Guide.4 Nordic Experience

ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLANDOUR SWEDEN EXPERIENCEA land of elegant cities inseparable from the exquisitebeauty of its countryside. In winter the celebratedICEHOTEL opens its doors and Swedish Lapland iscarpeted with snow trails for husky mushing; tracks alongfrozen rivers for snowmobiling and grazing grounds forreindeer and moose.You can stay in one of the ICEHOTEL’S's elegantlysculpted Art Suites; combine a stay there with huskymushing across open tundra or skiing in nearbyBjorkliden.In the evening you can eat, sleep and safari under acanopy of stars and hopefully the Northern Lightsbeneath them variously either wispy white swirls, rainbowcoloured curtains sliding down the sky or white seahorsesdancing across the constellations.For an “adventure” or “adrenalin” weekend there’snothing to beat the Saab test track near Kiruna whereyou can put your skills to the test in a high performancecar with its ABS and stabilization systems calibrated toyour personal skills.In the village of Harads you’ll find the new and ultra chicTreehotel with a sauna upin the trees whilst over by Junosuando you’ll find thecontrastingly traditionalSWEDENclapboard hotel AuroraRetreat where you canBJORKLIDENrelax in style.JUKKARSJARVIJUNOSUANDOAnd on the way up toSTOCKHOLMSwedish Lapland you canHARADSstop off in StockholmLULEAwhere Lake Malaren’s watermeets the Baltic ‘GamlaStan’ (the Old Town) withbeautifully preserved narrowcobbled streets. For thosein search of retail therapy the city’s two large pedestrianprecincts offer a host of elegant shops and boutiques.If you can’t find exactly the Swedish Lapland adventureyou’re looking for let us use our experience to design anitinerary tailored specifically to your requirements.Nordic Experience5

ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICE HOTELEXPERIENCE THE COOLESTMORE THAN JUST A HOTELAs the Besam automatic ice doors slide apart to revealthe Hall of Pillars, ICEBAR and a labyrinth of corridorsleading to Snow Rooms, Ice Rooms and elegantlysculpted Art Suites, you enter not just a hotel but aunique interior unmatched by imitators anywhere on theplanet.Now celebrating its 21st year the ICEHOTEL, a one timemodest igloo that was the brainchild of today's CEOYngve Bergqvist for a local Sami heritage project, hastoday morphed into a hotel proper with the distinction ofbeing built from the uniquely translucent, turquoise icecut from the adjacent Torne river.Across the last two decades fashion photographer HerbRitts has used the ICEHOTEL as a backdrop for a Versaceshoot; a Sami repertory company has staged Hamlet inan ice replica of the Globe Theatre; Absolut Vodkaestablished the world’s first ICEBAR and the ICEHOTELhas become a magnet for ice sculptors from Chile toOsaka. And ICEHOTEL’S involvement in space tourism atSpace City Kiruna 2020 means the hotel may be thecoolest hotel on another planet before long!In the hotel’s warm areas you can relax in a Republic ofFritz Hansen egg chair; savour the taste of Absolut vodkainfused with lingonberry juice, dine in the ICEHOTEL orHomestead restaurants both of which use localingredients such as arctic raspberries, white fish roe andvenison occasionally even served on ice plates.All of our arrangements to the ICEHOTEL combine anight (generally the first because you just won’t want towait) in what we refer to as a “cool” room followed byone or more in a “warm” one. Both come in threeversions with substantial differences between cool roomswhich we will be happy to talk through with you. Warmrooms have identical furnishing and fabrics but vary as tosize and number of beds.COOL ROOMSSNOW ROOMSDesigned like a mini-igloo with a double bed illuminatedfrom below and a rug hung across the door for privacy.ICE ROOMSAre slightly larger than snow rooms with the principledifference being the addition of wall sculptures and ‘ice’furniture.ART SUITESLiterally what it says: suites of art and suites inthemselves. More than double the size of an ice or snowroom each is individually and imaginatively designed byvisiting award winning international designers and theICEHOTEL’S own Art Design group. The walls arecovered with ice sculptures; the lounge area fitted with6Nordic Experience

ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICE HOTELHOTEL ON THE PLANETice furniture and each has a theme which can beanything from the New York skyline to something doneby Dali. Cutting edge fibre optics bathe each one insurrealistic lighting.WARM ROOMSNORDIC CHALETSEquipped with two bedrooms [one double & one bunkbedded] these chalets are furnished in a simple, cleanScandinavian style with tiled floors and walls lined withSwedish Pine. Each has an en-suite bathroom, smalllounge area with TV and kitchenette with fridge & hotbeverage making facilities.NORTHERN LIGHTS CABINSSo called because each bedroom has a skylight over thebed in the double room [there is also a single] throughwhich you can see the stars and, if the positioning andatmospherics are right, the Northern Lights. Cabins alsohave an en-suite bathroom, small lounge andkitchenette/dining area.KAAMOS ROOMSNamed after the Swedish for ‘winter lights’, the half lightthat comes from reflected snow, these are self containedrooms set in groups of four around a common privatereception area.FOOD AND DRINKABSOLUT ICEBAREvery winter people from around the globe meet up atthe ICEHOTEL and break the ice over a drink or two atthe frosty counter of the world-famous ICEBAR inJukkasjärvi, sponsored by Absolut Vodka.ICEHOTEL RESTAURANT offers a gastronomicadventure and a high-end a la carte menu in a bright andmodern atmosphere. The Restaurant’s cuisine has beenfeatured in international gourmet food magazines andbeen awarded the prestigious Werner Vögeli Statuette.OLD HOMESTEAD RESTAURANT overlooking theTorne River is an authentic, charming timber building builtin 1768 and serves a traditional Swedish dinner buffet.WARM LOUNGES The Main Lounge, which is open untilone in the morning serving sandwiches, drinks andcoffee, is somewhere to relax, have a drink, chat with theother guests or just curl up on a comfortable couch. TheDressing room Lounge (so called because it’s where youchange before staying in your cool room) is adjacent tothe ICEHOTEL and has comfortable seating set around acrackling fire®ICEHOTEL is a registered trade mark of ICEHOTEL ABNordic Experience7

ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLANDExperience the extraordinary,unique and glisteningICEHOTEL at Jukkasjarvi deep inthe heart of Swedish Lapland.Enjoy traditional Sami cuisine;the Absolut Ice Bar; andsnowmobile, reindeer and huskysafaris for a thrilling holiday witha difference.IceOURBreakOur ‘Ice Break’ takes you up to the IceHotelin Swedish Lapland on early morningscheduled flights with SAS via Stockholmfor a three night stay to which you can addyour excursions to suit your needs (andbudget).You can try your hand at ice sculpting underthe tuition of an accomplished ice sculptoror test drive a Saab turbo on a an ice trackused by professionals. All of the optionsshown opposite are pre-bookable and forthose involving the use of an animal orsomething with an engine we stronglyrecommended doing so, as all get bookedup very early. Extending your stay at theICEHOTEL and safariing in the wildernessfor an overnight stay in a log cabin is justone of the more adventurous options thatare available and that we'll be happy to talkthrough with you.Each December, the celebrated ICEHOTELis sculpted from 30,000 tons of snow andice only to melt away each spring. Eachyear’s design differs, the final detail beingrevealed only when the last ice block is inplace and the last bedroom finished.The hotel consists of the Absolut Bar, artgallery, consecrated chapel, ‘hall of pillars’and a choice of snow rooms, ice rooms orart suites all sculpted from ice. Guests sleepin special thermal Arctic sleeping bags onframe beds topped with reindeer skins.ICE BREAKDAY 1 UK - ICEHOTEL Early morningscheduled SAS flights via Stockholm toKiruna in Swedish Lapland. On arrival,transfer to Jukkasjarvi, check in, collectthermal clothing and enjoy a guided tourof the ICEHOTEL and its environs. Choiceof optional excursions. Later that eveningretire to your ICEHOTEL Snow Room forthe most unusual night of your life.DAY 2 ICEHOTEL Wake up to a hotcloudberry juice, take a sauna (optional)and breakfast across at the Inn. Choice ofoptional excursions. Overnightaccommodation in either a Nordic cabin,Northern Lights chalet or Kaamos roomfor 2 nights.DAY 3 ICEHOTEL After breakfast, onceagain a choice of optional excursions isavailable or you can just watch the day goby.DAY 4 ICEHOTEL - UK Breakfastfollowed by transfer to the airport andreturn flight(s) to the UK.ICE BREAKDEPARTURE DATES10 Dec-14 AprPRICES FROM £895pp 0000DATES10 DEC-31 MAR1 APR-14 APRAA08MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN965 995 1050 1095 1095 1060 995895 950 990 1040 1040 995 960WHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person in twin roomaccommodation and include return scheduled SASflights from Heathrow to Swedish Lapland viaStockholm • All airport departure taxes andpassenger service charges • Overnight in a Snowroom • 2 overnights in a Nordic cabin, NorthernLight Chalet or Kaamos hotel style room (Pricesbased on Kaamos room) • 3 breakfasts • Airport/Icehotel transfers in Lapland • Protective thermalclothing for the duration of your stay in Jukkasjarvi• Guided tour of the ICEHOTEL8Nordic Experience

ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLANDPRE-BOOKABLE SAFARISHUSKY SAFARISAA01 A 1 1 ⁄2 hour safari along a 13 km trailthrough the surrounding forest with onlythe swish of the sled’s runners to be heard.En route, stop for coffee and cake by anopen fire.£141 ppAA02 A 4 hour husky safari along 28 km ofmarked trails in the surrounding wilderness.A stop for a traditional Sami lunch by anopen fire is included before returning toJukkasjarvi.£268 ppICE TRANSFERSAA03 BY HUSKY Start your visit to theICEHOTEL with a very special and uniqueform of airport transfer! On arrival, you willbe kitted out with protective thermalclothing and your luggage taken separatelyto the hotel, whilst you enjoy your first tasteof tranquil Sami landscapes on a husky sled.(based on 4 people sharing) £132 ppAA07 BY SNOWMOBILE Start your visit tothe ICEHOTEL with a high speed, hardcoretransfer: a snowmobile safari along markedtrails in theboreal forestof spruce andpine and onthe frozensurface ofriver Torne.£156 ppSNOWMOBILE SAFARISAA04 After a short instruction period withyour guide, this snowmobile safari, lastingapproximately 1 1 ⁄2 hours is fun for boys andgirls alike.£81 ppAA05 A 3 hour guided snowmobile safarialong 28 km of marked trails in thesurrounding wilderness. A stop for atraditional Sami lunch by an open fire isincluded before returning to Jukkasjarvi.£143 ppAA06 A 4 hour guided evening tour insearch of the Northern Lights with atraditional Sami light supper at a wildernessencampment.£161 ppMOOSE SAFARIAA08 A 6 hour trip, initially by minibusand thereafter by snowmobile, to thegrazing pastures of the moose. £256 ppREINDEER SAFARIAA09 A 3 1 ⁄2 hour trip by snowmobile sledto a traditional Sami encampment includinginstruction, short reindeer safari andtraditional Sami lunch in a Lavva. £135 ppICE SCULPTINGAA10 A three hourback to primary schoolsession learning howto fashion your ownsculpture out of asingle block of ice.Tuitionby somebody involvedin building the hotel.£58 ppDRIVING ON ICEAA11 Discover your inner JeremyClarkson in a Saab Sport Turbo on an icetest track a short distance from theICEHOTEL. Supervised driving at up to100km per hour Fri & Sun only.£264/£95 pp (passengers)MORE EXCURSIONSwww.nordicexperience.co.ukNordic Experience 9

ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLANDOur Classic Ice Break is theideal way to enjoy theICEHOTEL with a night inStockholm to help you unwindbefore the short flight to Kirunathe next day in time for a lightlunch.In Sweden’s capital you stay at the familyowned Esplanade hotel overlooking theharbour and at the ICEHOTEL a fullprogramme of excursions and activities isincluded with an overnight in a Snow roomand another in ‘warm accommodation’.At the ICEHOTEL your snow room is formedin the shape of an igloo with a double framebed, resting on blocks of ice illuminated frombelow and topped with a thermal mattresscovered with reindeer skins.OurClassicIce BreakDAY 1 UK - STOCKHOLM Scheduled SASflight to Stockholm. Overnight at HotelEsplanade; small, discrete and on thewaterfront. Explore the cobbled alleywaysof Gamla Stan, enjoy good food or justrelax and dream about the adventureahead.DAY 2 STOCKHOLM - ICEHOTELBreakfast in the hotel’s art nouveaubreakfast room before late morning flightto Kiruna and transfer to Jukkasjarvi andthe ICEHOTEL. On arrival, check in andlunch at the local Inn, after which collectthermal clothing and take a guided tour ofthe ICEHOTEL and its environs. Later, startthe evening with a guided snowmobiletour through the forest with the possibilityof the Northern Lights in the night skyabove. Traditional Sami soup at awilderness encampment before returningto Jukkasjarvi. Then, it’s into the “AbsolutIce Bar” to enjoy a special drink (payablelocally) – a “Northern Lights” or a “Wolf’sOUR CLASSIC ICE BREAKPaw” – before retiring to your ICEHOTELroom for the most unusual night of your life.DAY 3 ICEHOTEL Wake up to a hotcloudberry juice, take a sauna (optional)and breakfast across at the Inn. Afterwards,you can enjoy an optional reindeer sledsafari through the forest and across thefells to a “Lavvo” (tent) for a traditionalSami lunch by an open fire beforereturning to Jukkasjarvi. In the afternoon,you can choose further optional excursionseither by husky or snowmobile. The finalnight of your “Classic Ice Break” is spenteither in a Kaamos, Nordic or NorthernLights room. The local Inn serves Lappspecialities and has both table d’hôte andà la carte menus.DAY 4 ICEHOTEL - UK Breakfast at theInn. Morning free for a brief walk aroundthe village, with its traditional Samibuildings and church, before transfer toKiruna airport and return flight(s) viaStockholm to the UK.OUR CLASSICICE BREAKDEPARTURE DATESDaily 10 Dec-14 AprAA1001PRICES FROM £1130pp 0000DATESMON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN10 DEC-31 MAR 1175 1215 1270 1270 1240 1195 11501 APR-14 APR 1130 1170 1220 1220 1195 1150 1095WHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include scheduledreturn SAS flights from Heathrow (Manchester onrequest) to Kiruna via Stockholm • All airportdeparture taxes and passenger service charges• Stockholm hotel overnight in twin room withprivate WC/shower • Overnight in Snow Room• Overnight in a Nordic cabin, Northern Light chaletor Kaamos hotel style room (Prices based onKaamos room) • 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 lightmeal as per itinerary • Excursions and services as peritinerary • Airport transfers in Kiruna • Protectivethermal clothing for the duration of your stay inJukkasjarvi • Guided tour of the ICEHOTEL.10Nordic Experience

ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLANDDo the ICEHOTEL in style withour Super Classic Breakstaying in the chic Hotel Anglaisin Stockholm and an individuallydesigned Art suite in Jukkasjarvi,with transfers throughout. Idealfor a special occasion, anniversaryor just a treat for yourself: ourSuper Classic pampers you atevery stage of your trip.SuperClassicIce BreakThe designer Art Suites at the ICEHOTELare something to behold: designed by thehotel’s own design team or by internationalice artists all have imaginative themes,sculptures, mood lighting and a spectacularbed with double sleeping bag.We can refine your Super Classic trip to suityour requirements including a transfer byhusky or snowmobile on arrival in Kiruna;private guided tours in Stockholm and ahotel upgrade there to the Grand Hoteland/or business class flights with SAS.Please ask us for tailor made arrangements.THE ANGLAIS HOTELOn Humlegardsgaten just round the cornerfrom Stureplan, one of the city’s smartestspots, the Anglais isideally located for anovernight stay withrestaurants, shopsand bars all within afew minutes walk.The hotel’s decor is ultra cool Scandinaviandone throughout in different textured whiteand black materials offset with red fabrics.All the twin rooms are larger than averagewith a desk and armchair and have privateWC/shower, deposit box, hair dryer, TV, ironand wireless internet acess.DAY 1 UK - Stockholm scheduled SASflight to Stockholm. Private transfer to andovernight at Hotel Anglais.DAY 2 STOCKHOLM - ICEHOTELBreakfast in the hotel before privatetransfer to the airport for a late morningflight to Kiruna and transfer to Jukkasjarviand the ICEHOTEL. On arrival, check inand lunch at the local Inn, after which youcollect thermal clothing and take a guidedtour of the ICEHOTEL and its environs.Later, start the evening with a guidedsnowmobile tour through the forest withthe possibility of the Northern Lights in thenight sky above. Traditional Sami soup at awilderness encampment before returningto Jukkasjarvi. Then, it’s into the “AbsolutIce Bar” to enjoy a special drink (payablelocally) – a “Northern Lights” or a “Wolf’sPaw” – before retiring for the most unusualnight of your life in your Art Suite, speciallysculpted and individually themed by anaward winning ‘ice artist’ and with aSUPER CLASSIC ICE BREAKdouble sleeping bag.DAY 3 ICEHOTEL Wake up to a hotcloudberry juice, take a sauna (optional)and breakfast across at the Inn. Afterwards,get ready for your reindeer sleigh safarithrough the forest and across the fells to a“Lavvo” (tent) for a traditional Sami lunchby an open fire before returning toJukkasjarvi. In the afternoon, you canchoose optional excursions either by huskyor snowmobile. The final night of your“Super Classic Ice Break” is spent either ina Kaamos, Nordic or Northern Lightsroom. The local Inn serves Lappspecialities and has both table d’hôte andà la carte menus.DAY 4 ICEHOTEL - UK Breakfast at theInn. Morning free for a brief walk aroundthe village with its traditional Samibuildings and church, before transfer toKiruna airport and return flight(s) viaStockholm to the UK.DEPARTURE DATES10 Dec-14 AprSUPER CLASSICICE BREAKAA1101PRICES FROM £1450pp 0000DATESMON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN10 DEC-31 MAR 1495 1550 1655 1655 1655 1595 14951 APR-14 APR 1450 1495 1555 1555 1555 1515 1450WHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include scheduledreturn SAS flights from Heathrow (Manchester onrequest) to Swedish Lapland via Stockholm • Allairport departure taxes and passenger servicecharges • Private transfers in Stockholm • Stockholmhotel overnight in a superior twin room with privateWC/shower • Overnight in an Art Suite • Overnightin a Nordic cabin, Northern Light chalet or Kaamoshotel style room (Prices based on NL Chalet)• 3 breakfasts, 2 light lunches and 1 light dinner• Excursions and services as per itinerary • Airporttransfers in Kiruna • Protective thermal clothing forthe duration of your stay in Jukkasarvi • Guided tourof the ICEHOTEL.Nordic Experience11

ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLANDIndulge your inner JeremyClarkson with our Driving onIce tour with an overnight stay ina Designer Ice Suite at theICEHOTEL; a test drive on Saab’sprofessional ice circuit; a racealong a forest trail in an ATV anddinner at the Esrange SpaceCentre with binoculars at theready to search for the NorthernLights.Driving on IceYour Saab test drive starts with setting ABSfunctions and stabilization systems to thetest standards under the supervision ofexperienced and qualified instructors. Theythen lead you around the loop where youcan test the car systems and your ownability.Your ATV drive is in a Polaris Ranger RZRthe gold standard vehicle in ‘side by side’ATV vehicles with tilt steering and thelowest centre of gravity and power toweight ratio on the market, for the ultimateadrenaline flush drive.The Swedish Space Corporation’s EsrangeCentre is just outside of Kiruna and in aspot that needs to be clear enough forsatellite launches so the chances of seeingthe Northern Lights are exceptional.The designer Art Suites are designed by thehotel’s own design team or by internationalice artists all have imaginative themes,sculptures, mood lighting and a spectacularbed with double sleeping bag.DAY 1 UK - STOCKHOLM Scheduled SASflight to Stockholm. Private transfer to andovernight at Anglais Hotel. Take a wanderround to Stureplan for a mocha or moreand then on to the Spy Bar orSturecompagniet.DAY 2 STOCKHOLM - ICEHOTELBreakfast in the hotel before privatetransfer to the airport for a late morningflight to Kiruna and transfer to Jukkasjarviand the ICEHOTEL. On arrival, check inand lunch at the local Inn, after whichcollect thermal clothing and take a guidedtour of the ICEHOTEL and its environs.Later, start the evening with a transfer toEsrange (or if necessary to Aurora SkyStation depending on weather conditions).A 3 course dinner is prepared around anencampment alongside Lake Salmijärvibeginning with a welcome drink whilst youstudy the night sky with binoculars, lookfor your favourite star constellations andhopefully the Northern Lights. Return tothe ICEHOTEL for a nightcap in theAbsolut Bar before snuggling into yoursleeping bag in your Designer Ice Suite.DAY 3 ICEHOTEL Wake up to a hotcloudberry juice, take a sauna (optional)DRIVING ON ICEand breakfast across at the Inn. Afterwards,head off to the specially built ice track todrive your Saab 9-3 Sport Combi underthe supervision of a skilled instructor.Begin with manoeuvring tests on the icewhich push the ABS and stabilizationsystems to the limit. Out on the track yourinstructor guides you around a course totest the car, its systems and your ownabilities at up to 100km/hr. Coffee andcake in Sami-style.Afterwards switch vehicles and terrain,swapping your Turbo Saab for PolarisRanger and ice track for rough cut trackthrought the forest. Follow a route throughthe pines and check out your skills againstthe competition.Your final night is spent either in aKaamos, Nordic or Northern Lights room.The local Inn serves Lapp specialities andhas both table d’hôte and à la cartemenus.DAY 4 ICE HOTEL - UK Breakfast at theInn. Morning free for a brief walk aroundthe village with its traditional Samibuildings and church, before transfer toKiruna airport and return flight(s) viaStockholm to the UK.DEPARTURE DATESWednesdays and FridaysJan 2nd – Mar 29thDRIVING ON ICEAA1201PRICES FROM £1790ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person & include scheduledreturn SAS flights from Heathrow (Manchester onrequest) to Swedish Lapland via Stockholm • Allairport departure taxes and passenger servicecharges • Stockholm hotel overnight at HotelAnglais in twin room with private WC/shower• Overnight in a Designer Art Suite • Overnight ina Nordic cabin, Northern Light chalet or Kaamoshotel style room • 3 breakfasts and 1 dinner• Excursions and services as per itinerary • Airporttransfers in Kiruna • Protective thermal clothing forthe duration of your stay in Jukkasarvi • Guidedtour of the Ice Hotel.12 Nordic Experience

Mush your own team ofpedigree huskies throughthe sparkling white vistas of theTornedalen valley; swoosh pastpine & birch forests, acrossfrozen lakes and throughreindeer pastures. Stay overnightin traditional log cabins; eataround open fires; discover thesoothing, soporific warmth of alogwood sauna and, if you fancy,finish off with a night in theworld’s most famous igloo.ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLANDHusky Mushing& THE ICEHOTELMushing teams of Alaskan or Siberianhuskies is one of the oldest ways oftravelling in the Arctic and on this tour youwill learn to both care for and drive yourown dog team, as well as picking up thetracks of moose, reindeer and fox.Overnight accommodation is in traditionallog cabins with bunk beds. Above all this isa shared intimate experience - group size isnever more than 6.Johan Vaisanen & Sara Ljunggren are anitem, showing passion about nature as wellas for each other. Born in Kangos on theLainiojoki riverbank, Johan learnt to mush inAlaska where he lived in remote splendourfor a year before returning home to workwith his own huskies. Sara grew up in Gota(population 500), found it too urban andjoined Johan in Kangos (population 300).Between them, they can ride, ski, kayak,canoe, fish, climb, mountain bike and ofcourse mush, so you couldn’t be in betterhands.HUSKY MUSHING& THE ICEHOTELDAY 1 UK – KANGOS Scheduled SASflights to Kiruna in Swedish Lapland viaStockholm. Private transfer with lunch enroute to Kangos where you meet up withyour guide/hosts. Briefing around an openfire and when you feel comfortable aboutthings, harness up and mush away into thewilderness. Dinner and overnight in a logcabinDAY 2 MUSHING Start the day bychecking on the dogs, helping with theirbreakfast and over yours, discussing thetrails lying before you. Harness up andmush for 2 to 3 hours with lunch in thewild before continuing to your nextovernight cabin. Supper and overnight.DAY 3 MUSHING With the experienceof the last two days under your belt,today’s mush will feel as relaxed as thatmagic moment when learning to drive acar your foot depressed the clutch withoutthinking about it. After soup round anopen fire you trail through reindeerfeeding grounds before reaching your nextcabin. Sauna, supper and overnightDAY 4 KANGOS – UK Short mush backto Kangos and the dog kennels beforeprivate transfer to the airport and returnflight to the UK OR to the ICEHOTEL for afinal night in a snow room, leaving forhome the following day. (See pages 6 to 9)DEPARTURE DATESSundays 5 Dec-3 AprHUSKY MUSHING& THE ICEHOTELAA1301PRICES FROM £1295ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Kiruna viaStockholm • All airport departure taxes andpassenger service charges • Private transfer from/toKiruna/Kangos • 3 overnights in shared log cabinaccommodation (min 2 people; max 6 people)• 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners • Services ofexperienced dog handler/guide during the huskytour • Arctic clothing for dog mushingNB Supplement for ICEHOTEL extensions from£150pp dependent on room type.Nordic Experience 13

ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLANDDiscover something quite likenothing on earth: the newlyopened Tree Hotel issophisticated design and livingamongst and in SwedishLapland’s boreal forest whilstechoing the dreams of yourchildhood. Here you can luxuriatein über cool hotel rooms styled,lit and furnished by awardwinning Swedish designers whilstcommuning with nature. Enjoytime with an authentic Samifamily, a snowmobile safari andfinish off your break with time inStockholm.The Tree Hotel with its modernistic designprinciples contrasts with the renovatedwooden clapboard Britta’s Pensionat thatprovides the hotel’s reception and diningroom and which makes extensive use oflocal produce such as reindeer, salmon andwild berries. Along with wood firedoutdoor hot tubs and an atmosphere onlyan owner driver such as Britta can provide,makes the Tree House experience trulyspecial.The Blue Cone Room is a split level 22sqmtree room with double bed on the lowerlevel and singles above, sitting room andprivate WC. The room is linked to themountainside by a short bridge andclasped to three separate conifers. Othersavailable at the time of going to press arethe Mirror Cube, Cabin Nest and Roomwith a view.Our itinerary uses the SAS direct flight toLulea to whisk you from London Heathrowto Swedish Lapland in just 3½ hours androunds off your break with a couple of daysin Stockholm at the Elite Plaza.TreeTHEHotelDEPARTURE DATESTHE TREE HOTEL BREAKSundays Dec - AprDAY 1 UK - LULEA Scheduled SAS flightdirect to Lulea in Swedish Lapland. Privatetransfer to the village of Harads and aguided tour of the Tree Hotel beforechecking in to your chosen Tree Room.Dinner at the hotel.DAY 2 TREE LIFE AND A SAMI LIFE Avisit to Flakaberg in the Rame valley andthe family home of Lars Eriksson for a daywith his family recounting tales of a pastSami life and showing you his family’spresent one. You’ll see a reindeer corral(and perhaps try your hand at reindeerlassoing); thrill at your snowmobile safarialong Lake Gorgini to a kota for atraditional meal around an open fire andabove all enjoy the Eriksson’s familyhospitality.DAY 3 LULEA - STOCKHOLM Mid-daySAS flight down to Stockholm, self transferto and overnight (2) at the Elite Plaza.DAY 4 STOCKHOLM At leisure in this, themost sophisticated of the Scandinaviancapitals. Take a stroll in Gamla Stan (theOld Town) with its narrow cobbled streetsand gabled, hanseatic buildings. Not to bemissed is the Vaasa, Sweden’s version ofthe Mary Rose, a perfectly restored 16thcentury Galleon lifted from the harboursea bed and now housed in Djurgarden,the one time Royal Hunting grounds.DAY 5 STOCKHOLM - UK Self transfer toStockholm’s Arlanda airport and returnflight to UK.THE TREE HOTELAA1401PRICES FROM £1450ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices include scheduled return SAS flights fromHeathrow (Manchester on request) to Lulea inSwedish Lapland (OUTBOUND DIRECT AND VIASTOCKHOLM ON RETURN) • All airport departuretaxes and passenger service charges • Privatetransfers in Swedish Lapland • 2 nightsaccommodation at Tree Hotel in the Blue Coneroom with private WC/shower (alternative rooms ata supplement available on request). 4 breakfasts,1 snack lunch, 2 dinners according to itinerary.Protective clothing for duration of stay at TreeHotel. Full day Sami Life excursion includingSnowmobiling and local services as per itinerary.2 nights accommodation in Stockholm at the ElitePlaza Hotel in twin room with private WC/shower.14Nordic Experience

ARCTIC ADVENTURES SWEDISH LAPLANDRetreat to the quiet ofSwedish Lapland for a breakfrom the modern world in anarboreal setting barely changedin a thousand years. Stay in thissmall intimate guesthouse whereyou’ll never be short of excitingthings to do. Enjoy a silence youcan hear along with adventuresin the forest snows surroundingthe tiny village of Junosuando.Relax by an open fire and enjoyhome cooked food preparedfrom local ingredients.Aurora RetreatAURORA RETREATThis wooden, clapboard former vicarageand bakery, 100km north of the ArcticCircle, now converted into a rustic guesthouseis truly a ‘retreat’ in every sense ofthe word. Dating back to the 1920’s thebuilding has six simple, elegantly furnisheddouble rooms and a lounge areaoverlooking the adjacent river. Two of thebedrooms have private bathrooms whilstthe other four share two commonbathrooms. Dotted around are quiet,comfortable nooks and crannies to relax inafter a day out in the snows of SwedishLapland. Run by your hosts Maya andMikael their passion is pantry stocked withfresh fish from local rivers and lakes andwild reindeer and elk meat.DAY 1 UK - LAPLAND Scheduled SASflight(s) from London Heathrow to Kirunain Swedish Lapland via Stockholm. Privatetransfer on arrival to the village ofJunosuando and Aurora Retreat.DAY 2 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI Beginyour retreat with a snowmobile safari outacross frozen wetlands on which you canrev up a bit and along trails in the forest(2 hours). Return to the hotel and soak upthe rural ambiance in this little corner ofthe world where time has stood still.Dinner at the hotel.DAY 3 HUSKY SAFARI After breakfast it’stime to mush your own team of huskiesalong a snow carpeted trail through theAURORA RETREATforest with the silence broken only by thewhooshing sound of the slicing sleighrunners. Stop for a snack lunch en routeand stretch your auditory senses to thefull. (3 to 4 hours). Return to the AuroraRetreat. Dinner at the hotel.DAY 4 OPTIONAL CHOICES Day at leisureeither to just watch the day go by; snug upwith a book in a quiet corner; visit a moosepark, ski, meet up with a reindeer herder,try your hand at making bread or felthandicrafts, build an igloo or enjoy amassageDAY 5 LAPLAND – UK Breakfast andtransfer to Kiruna airport for return flight(s)home via Stockholm to London Heathrow.DEPARTURE DATESDaily Dec - AprAURORA RETREATAA1501PRICES FROM £1285ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrice are in £ per person and include SAS returnflights from London to Stockholm/Lapland • Allairport departure taxes and passenger servicecharges • Private airport/ hotel transfers in Lapland• 4 nights accommodation in twin room(s) withshared W/C and shower • 4 Breakfasts • 1 lunch2 dinners • EXCURSIONS AS PER ITINERARY• Protective thermal clothing for all excursions andactivities.Nordic Experience15

ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLANDOUR NORWAY EXPERIENCEA magical land of tranquil shimmering fjords, of sweepingpine and spruce forests and towering mountains reachingup across the Arctic Circle into Lapland, where its oncenomadic Sami people live a life, and in a world, apart.Further North still, at the apex of their ancestral home, isNordkapp, the most Northerly point in Europe where thejaw-dropping Northern Lights dance across the nightsky.(It was a Norwegian, Kristian Birkeland, who first gavethe world a scientific explanation of them fromobservations he made in the Kafjord near Tromso).As the Aurora lights appear in the night sky, as ifescaping from a genie’s bottle, Norwegian Laplandbecomes an adventure playground cloaked in glistening,crystal snow with trails for husky mushing, snowmobilingand reindeer safariing particularly in the tundra aroundAlta and Karasjok.December sees the building of the Sorrisniva IglooHotel and the Kirkenes Snow Hotel for a 'once in alifetime' experience of sleeping in a hotel that literallymelts away in spring.Joanne Lumley created considerable excitementsearching for the Northern Lights in a programme madefor the BBC travelling to many of the places we featureand our ‘Northern Lights at the Top of the World’follows much of her journey.HAMMERFESTTROMSOALTAGAMVIKNORDKAPPTANAFJORDENMEHAMN BERLEVÅGKJØLLEFJORDHONNINGSVAGBATSFJORDVARDOPORS ANGENFINNMARKPLATEAUNORWEGIANLAPLANDFINNISHLAPLANDIf you can’t find exactly the NorwegianLapland adventure you’re looking for letus use our experience to design anitinerary tailored specifically to yourrequirements.VARANGERFJORDENKIRKENESNORWAYOSLORUSSIA16 Nordic Experience

ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLANDSnowmobile across the Arctictundra in the heart ofNorwegian Lapland under themystical phenomena of theNorthern Lights. Fashion yourtrip exactly as you would like itfrom our range of excursionsincluding husky mushing,reindeer sled racing, mountainsledging and more.Alta is a superb base camp for snowadventures and spotting the NorthernLights. Dubbed ‘the last great wilderness inEurope’, the landscape and scenery isawesomely varied both by geography andseason: running the gamut of Gulf streambathed fjord waters through vast snow cladplateaux and from the reds and golds ofautumn to the slate white of winter. It’sproximity to the magnetic North Pole meansyou also have one of the best chances onearth (literally) of seeing the Northern Lights.NorthernLightsAdventurePRE-BOOKABLEEXCURSIONSSORRISNIVA IGLOO HOTEL BYSNOWMOBILE following a trail throughforest, valleys and across vast snowcovered plains with a visit to theSorrisniva Igloo Hotel. Hotel pick up,protective thermal clothing included.3 1 ⁄2hrs. 2 departures daily mid Jan-Apr.Evening Northern Lights trip or daytimeincluding lunch.£130/£145ppSNOW SHOEING try your hand at thetraditional Sami way of getting around inthe snow. Easy and lots of fun. Hotelpickup, protective thermal clothing andsnow shoes included. 3 hrs. Mid Dec –Apr. Daily£60ppHUSKY SAFARI through the forest andalong the banks of the Altaelva river,mushing your own team of huskies. Hotelpick up, protective thermal clothing, cakeand hot drink included. 2 1 ⁄2 hrs. Mon-Fri midDec-April (Evenings Mon-Thu). £120ppSNOWMOBILE SAFARI across theFinnmark plateau with traditional Samilunch included. Hotel pick up, protectivethermal clothing and lunch included. 3 1 ⁄2hrs. Twice daily (mornings and evenings)Dec – April.£125ppMORE EXCURSIONSwww.nordicexperience.co.ukRICA ALTA HOTELAA1701The Rica has thestandards you’dexpect fromNorway’s leadinghotel chain and isset in the centreof town. All 241rooms have TV,radio, telephone, mini bar, privateWC/shower. In the public areas there are 2restaurants, lounge bar, cocktail bar andnight club.VICA HOTELAfter someinhospitable hotelexperiences as ayoung itinerantmusic teacher,Knut Rydningenfirmly believesthat a hotel should be ‘home from home’and it shows. In the sympathetic renovationand extension of the original farmhousebuilding; in the individual fabrics anddecoration of the just 24 rooms; in the‘Haldde’ restaurant where you can havecrab to die for. And, naming the hotel afterhis daughters Vibeka and Camilla!DEPARTURE DATESDaily 1 Dec - 30 AprNORTHERN LIGHTSADVENTUREAA1701AA1702AA1701PRICES FROM £690ppAA1702DATES 3rd CHILD 3rd CHILDTWIN ADULT (4-12) TWIN ADULT (4-12)ALL 690 660 485 765 650 545WHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Alta viaOslo • All airport departure taxes and passengerservice charges • 3 nights hotel accommodation intwin room with private WC/shower • 3Scandinavian buffet breakfasts • BUFFET DINNER(VICA HOTEL) INCLUDED ON ARRIVAL NIGHTNordic Experience 17

ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLANDWitness the extraordinaryphenomena of the‘Northern Lights’ in Tromso,Norway’s ‘Paris of the North’. Bynight, enjoy the effervescentatmosphere of the world’s mostnortherly university town andsample fresh fish dishes in myriadlocal restaurants. By day, enjoy athrilling husky safari, go icekicksledding or ice fishing.‘The Northern Lights’ or ‘Aurora Borealis’,to give them their proper name, are anatural phenomenon, totally unpredictablebut a magnificent spectacle whenatmospheric conditions are just right. TheNorwegian scientist, Kristian Birkeland, firstgave the world an explanation for theAurora by observing how electron rays fromthe sun collided with the earth’s magneticfield, followed it down to the magneticpoles and created an explosion of light.Visible from November to April, Tromso isone of the world’s best spots from which tosee the lights as well as being a city, (firstchristened ‘The Paris of the North’ byvisitors in the 19th century), in which toenjoy yourself. We can’t guarantee you’llsee the Northern Lights (no-one can) butwe can promise the best chance possible -and numerous excursion options to makeyour trip one to remember.Northern LightsExperienceNORTHERN LIGHTS KICKSLEDDING AtHolmsletta Farm. Try a traditional kick sled,the Nordic Winter substitute for a bicycle!The distance, between 2-15 kms, is decidedby you. A superb way to catch the NorthernLights in a rural farm landscape. TraditionalSami light supper with coffee and cakeserved afterwards. Hotel pick-up at 19.00hrs. 3 1 ⁄2 HOURS. £75 PP.HUSKY SAFARI including a traditionaldinner by an open fire in a Lavvo (tent).Hotel pick-up (9.45 or 18.15 – please advisePRE-BOOKABLE EXCURSIONSpreference), protective thermal clothingand traditional Sami light supper included.3 1 ⁄2 HRS - £154 PP.NORTHERN LIGHTS SPOTTING TOUR atthe 100 year old Holmesletta Farm faraway from the urban lights of Tromso.Hotel pick-up and “coffee and cake”included. 3 HRS - £55 PP.POLAR NIGHT SLEIGH RIDE TOUR on ahorse-drawn sleigh from HolmeslettaFarm. Folklore tales from the farm’s daysof 100 years ago and traditional Sami lightsnack included. 3 1 ⁄2 HRS - £99 PP.NORTHERN LIGHTS ARCTIC CRUISECruise offshore in the evening blackness onthe fishing boat ‘Havcruise’, spotting forthe aurora to burst out over the Sound.Light supper on board & hotel pick-up at20.00 hrs included. 3 HRS - £140 PP.MORE EXCURSIONSwww.nordicexperience.co.ukSCANDIC HOTELThe Scandic’s hill top setting on the westernside of Tromso Island, 4kms away from theglare of the urban lighting in the city centre,is perfect for “Northern Lights” spotting.All 146 non-smoking rooms are furnished ina functional Scandinavian style andequipped with telephone, radio, TV, hairdryer, iron and private wc/shower.• Hilltop location • Non smoking rooms• Lobby bar restaurant • Sauna • Distance fromAirport 1km • Distance from city centre 4km18 Nordic ExperienceAA1801HOTEL WITHAA1802The Hotel With is down close to thequayside in the city centre with TromsoSound on one side and the city’s historiccentre on the other. Close by are the ArcticBotanical gardens, Mack Brewery, ArcticCathedral and several restaurants and bars.All 76 rooms have air conditioning,telephone, cable TV and private WC/shower.• Waterfront location • Non smoking rooms• RestaurantNORTHERN LIGHTSEXPERIENCEAA1801AA1801PRICES FROM £670ppAA1802DATES 3rd CHILD 3rd CHILDTWIN ADULT (4-12) SINGLE TWIN ADULT (4-12) SINGLEALL 670 575 395 745 695 585 495 795WHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Tromso viaOslo • All airport departure taxes and passengerservice charges • 3 nights hotel accommodation intwin room with private WC/ shower • 3 Scandinavianbuffet breakfasts and 3 BUFFET SUPPERS (HOTELWITH ONLY)

Travel around the top of theNorwegian peninsula for avery special adventure.Snowmobile across Norwegiantundra; fish for king crabs; sailalong the Norwegian coast to theRussian border; pop into theworld’s most northerly snow hoteland husky safari along its watchtower lined border. Soak in a hottub: enjoy fish straight from thesea in a quayside restaurant andreindeer over an open fire in atraditional Sami Teepee. Andthat’s just the half of it.HOTEL WITHThe Hotel With is downclose to the quayside in thecity centre with TromsoSound on one side and thecity’s historic centre on theother. (more on p 17)FOLDALBRUKETA listed former fishprocessing warehouse witha museum and a fewcharacterful rooms,sauna and hot tub. Anauthentic taste of Norwegian maritime lifein the 50’s with all sorts of nautical memorabilia.HURTIGRUTENNorway’s everyday maritimebus service dropping offpeople, post and packingcases all along the coast(more on our website).ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLANDNORTHERN LIGHTS AT THE TOP OF THE WORLDDAY 1 UK - TROMSO Scheduled SASflights to Tromso via Oslo . Self transfer &overnight at Hotel With. Dinner at thehotel.DAY 2 TROMSO Day at leisure in this unitown set down by Tromso sound; great seafood, the Polaria museum and Fjellheisencable car with its overview of the city are allworth it. Early evening departure byHurtigruten sailing up the coast toHonningsvag, overnight accommodation inan I2 cabin.DAY 3 TROMSO – NORTH CAPE -KJOLLEFJORD Late morning arrival inHonningsvag: travel by bus north to thevertiginous cliff face, christened North Capeby English explorer Richard Chancellor,which is Europe’s northernmost point. Onarrival toast your intrepidity in champagneand gaze out across the eerie Arctic Oceanbefore re-embarking on your Hurtigrutensteamer and sailing across open water intothe tiny Kjollefjord for a night at charmingFoldalbruket. Hot tub & dinner.DAY 4 KJOLLEFJORD - KIRKENES Thismorning sail out into the fjord on a localtrawler to catch your lunch, a giant red KingCrab now immortalised by Gordon Ramsey,before re-embarking on the Hurtigruten andcruising above the 70th parallel overnight toKirkenes on the Norwegian/Russian border.DAY 5 KIRKENES & THE SNOW HOTELDisembark early morning and transfer tothe world’s most northerly Snow Hotel (seepage 14) before kitting up for a husky safariover by the Russian border with a hot snacklunch en route. Return in the afternoon fora tour of the Snow Hotel, dinner in a nearbyKota and a night in one of the hotel’sexquisitely sculpted snow suites.DAY 6 KIRKENES – UK Warm up with asauna before breakfast and transfer to theairport for return to the UK.Nordic Experience19

ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLANDAt 69ºN, The Kirkenes SnowHotel is the world’s mostnortherly Ice Hotel. With just 15suites exquisitely sculpted, iceart and double beds topped withreindeer pelts, the KirkenesSnow Hotel is – we think –destined to become the‘boutique’ of the world’s IceHotels.Just outside Kirkenes, characterised byrather utilitarian architecture, is theawesomely stark Gabba Reindeer Parkwhere the Kirkenes Snowhotel is just a ‘kicksled’ ride away. Here, as you eat yoursupper in a traditional Sami ‘lavvo’ underthe arctic night, it’s hard to imagine thisbeing one of the Cold War’s mostincendiary flash points, which the watchtowered Norwegian Russian border stillbears testimony to.TheSnow Hotelat theTop of the WorldKirkenes sits 400km north of the Arcticalongside the Barents Sea at the apex ofthe Scandinavian peninsula where Norwaymeets Russia and Finland.THE SNOW HOTEL AT THE TOP OF THE WORLDIn the surrounding plains of NorwegianLapland you can enjoy a cocktail ofadventures: snowmobiling over themountain ridge to observation point 247where NATO faced down the Russian Bearfor half a century; husky safariing under(hopefully) the Northern Lights andsnowmobiling out over the ice to fish forGiant Crabs unique to the Barents Sea.All in all, a real ‘been there – done that’experience.DAY 1 UK – KIRKENES Scheduled SASflight(s) to Kirkenes via Oslo. Transfer onarrival to safari station and then kick sled tothe Gabba Reindeer Park and KirkenesSnow Hotel. Supper in a traditional Sami‘lavvo’ before retiring to your ice suite forthe night – sleeping in a giant igloo at thetop of the world.DAY 2 KIRKENES & HUSKY SAFARI Afterbreakfast in the Snow Hotel, kick sled backto Kirkenes and check in to the Rica Kirkeneshotel for 3 nights. Afternoon at leisure andevening husky safari in surroundingwilderness including traditional dinner.DAY 3 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI Afterbreakfast, a day long guided snowmobiletour over the mountains and alongside thewatch towered Norwegian/Russian border.Along the way stop for an open fire lunch ofvenison washed down with hot coffee,before continuing out to the Barents Sea.Late afternoon return to Kirkenes for somerelaxation in the hotel.DAY 4 KING CRAB SAFARI Breakfast andmorning at leisure before getting ready tomeet up with the sub aquatic albatross ofthe Barents Sea: the two metre claw spanKing Crab. From Lars Petter Øie’s placealongside the fjord you travel bysnowmobile or RIB to the edge of the icewhere your driver guide vanishes beneaththe water, re-surfacing with a crab for you totake back to the quayside, cook & enjoy.Late afternoon return to Kirkenes.DAY 5 KIRKENES – UK Breakfast andmorning free before transfer to the airportand scheduled SAS flight(s) via Oslo to UK.DEPARTURE DATESDaily Dec 15 - April 20*THE SNOW HOTEL ATTHE TOP OF THE WORLDAA2001PRICES FROM £1649ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Kirkenesvia Oslo • All airport departure taxes andpassenger service charges • Overnight in SnowHotel and 3 nights at Hotel Rica in twin beddedroom(s) with private wc/shower • 4 breakfasts, 1dinner and 2 lunches • Welcome drink (1st night),Husky safari, snowmobile safari & king crab safarias per itinerary • Protective thermal clothing for allsafaris • All transfers in Kirkenes. SNOWMOBILESAFARI SOLE DRIVER SUPPLEMENT £80NB *Weekday flight schedules necessitate anovernight stay in Oslo on the outbound flight ata supplement.20Nordic Experience

ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLANDDiscover the intimate charmand intricate ice architectureof the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel.Snowmobile across the Arctictundra; mush your own huskyteam under the Northern Lightsand feast on ptarmigan, smokedreindeer and crab.TheSorrisnivaIgloo HotelWith building beginning as the snow fallsthe Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel opens its door inJanuary each year and melts away again inthe spring. The structure includes just 20 orso rooms and a few suites; ice lounges andsculpture gallery; an exquisitely decoratedice bar and a consecrated chapel.Annexed to the hotel is something akin toa giant, tent shaped, pine cabin with anopen fire, sauna, changing cubicles andrestaurant serving Sami inspired dishes fromaquatic fowl to chanterelle mushrooms.Surrounding the Igloo Hotel in the heart ofNorwegian Lapland is the Finnmark plateauwith its undulating tundra marked only bythe old trekking trails and lushly scarred byriver valleys with their pine, spruce andbirch trees. This is where you can hear ‘thesound of silence’; be awestruck by thedensity of stars on a clear night in thecanopy above you; watch the cold air –blue, pink and yellow.VICA HOTELAfter some inhospitable hotel experiencesas a young music teacher, Knut Rydningenfirmly believes that a hotel should be ‘homefrom home’ and it shows. In thesympathetic renovation and extension ofthe original farmhouse building. In theindividual fabrics and decoration of the just24 rooms. In the ‘Haldde’ restaurant whereyou can have locally caught crab. And,naming the hotel after his daughters Vibekaand Camilla.DAY 1 UK – ALTA Scheduled SASflight(s) from Heathrow to Alta inNorwegian Lapland via Oslo. Self transferto the Vica hotel for two nights (seeopposite).DAY 2 HUSKY SAFARI Breakfast andprivate transfer to local Husky Kennels totry your hand at mushing with your ownteam of dogs along the banks of the AltaRiver.THE SORRISNIVA IGLOO HOTELDAY 3 SNOWMOBILING & IGLOOHOTEL Breakfast followed by morningtransfer to the Sorrisniva Igloo hotel for anexciting day and night. The day starts witha snowmobile safari following a forest andvalley trail out and across vast snowcovered plains. Late lunch at the IglooHotel. Afternoon at leisure in these idyllicsurroundings on the banks of the Alta river,take a walk, go for a kick sled ride orspend some time in the outdoor hot tubgazing at the starry skies perhaps evenseeing the Northern Lights. Dinner in theLavvu shaped restaurant specialising inSami cuisine, followed perhaps by afortifying drink in the Ice Bar beforesettling down for one of the more unusualnights of your life; sleeping in an igloo.DAY 4 ALTA – UK Breakfast at the AltaIgloo hotel. Transfer to Alta and the Vicahotel for a last taste of Norway, before selftransfer to the airport for return flight(s) viaOslo to the UK.DEPARTURE DATESDaily 16 Jan-20 AprTHE SORRISNIVAIGLOO HOTELAA2101PRICES FROM £1195ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Alta (viaOslo) • All airport departure taxes and passengerservice charges • 2 nights at Vica hotel in twinroom(s) with private shower/WC • 1 overnight inSorrisniva Igloo hotel in standard snow room • 3breakfasts • 1 lunch • 1 dinner • SNOWMOBILEAND HUSKY SAFARIS AS PER ITINERARYINCLUDING TRANSFERS AND PROTECTIVETHERMAL CLOTHING • Luggage storage whilstovernighting at Igloo hotel.Nordic Experience21

ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLANDFly up high over the ArcticCircle for a taste of thepicturesque Lofoten Islands,spectacular Arctic wildlife andhopefully the Northern Lightsoverhead. The adjacentVestfjorden is overflown byherring gulls and sea eagleswhilst onshore are some of thefinest fish restaurants in theworld.Our tour bases you in Svolvaer in the heartof the island’s fishing community so you canenjoy some of the best fish you'll ever eat;savour the unique Lofoten atmosphere,spot wildlife by day, the Northern Lights bynight and tour round the archipelago.LofotenWildlife SafariSVINOYA’S RORBUEROriginally fisherman’s huts, Svinoya’scollection of 30 or so ‘Rorbu’ cabins havebeen painstakingly restored, or rebuilt usingreclaimed timber, to provide some really‘atmospheric’ accommodation at the water’sedge in the heart of Svolvaer’s fishingcommunity. Each cabin has beds for up to6 and a modern bathroom with privateWC/shower. Nearby, one of the oldwarehouses has been similarly renovatedand now hosts a lovely little restaurantturning out home cooked traditional fishdishes.DEPARTURE DATESThursdays Oct - AprWILDLIFE AND THE NORTHERN LIGHTSDAY 1 UK – LOFOTEN ISLANDSScheduled SAS flight to Bodo via Oslo andWideroe to Svolvaer. Private transfer toyour Rorbu accommodation in Svolvaer.DAY 2 WILD LIFE SAFARI Your safari daybegins with a shore side presentation onthe mammals and wild life of the areaincluding the local maritime mystery of themissing herring and Orcas and then 4/5hours at sea in a converted trawler with afish lunch on board. Unlimited coffee tokeep you warm.DAY 3 SVOLVAER Guided day exploringthis dramatic archipelago’s coastline withits multi-coloured fishing huts and whitesand beaches set against a vertiginousmountain backdrop. Highlights includeHenningsvaer, Kabelvag, Eggum,Stamsund and Nusfjord. Return to Svolvaerfor R & R. Evening visit to the Polar LightCentre in Laukvik for a multi-mediapresentation and exposition of the Auroraand then down to the beach to waithopefully for a sight of the real thing.DAY 4 LOFOTEN ISLANDS - UK Transferto Svolvaer airport and return flights to theUK via Bodo and Oslo.WILDLIFE AND THENORTHERN LIGHTSPRICES FROM £995ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDAA2201Prices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Bodovia Oslo • Flight by Wideroe from Bodo toSvolvaer return • All airport departure taxes andpassenger service charges • Airport/hotel returntransfers in Svolvaer • 3 nights Rorbuaccommodation with private WC/shower• Breakfasts throughout • Wildlife safari as peritinerary including fish soup lunch, coffee andsnack on board ship • Full day escorted tour ofthe Lofoton Archipelago between Heeningsvaerand Nusfjord • Evening Northern Lights visit tothe Polar Centre22 Nordic Experience

Sail in the manner andfootsteps of trappers, huntersand whalers on the western edgeof Spitsbergen, an archipelago ofextraordinary beauty with uniqueglacial landscapes and remotesettlements just 600 miles fromthe North Pole. As well as thechance of savouring a mountainousbeauty unmatched anywhere inthe world this proximity tomagnetic North gives you one ofthe finest chances you’ll have ofseeing the Northern Lights.ARCTIC ADVENTURES NORWEGIAN LAPLANDFootstepsIN THEOFWhalers ANDHuntersTHE NOORDERLICHTThe MS ‘Noorderlicht' was originally builtand rigged asa three-mastedschoonerspending mostof hercommercial lifecarrying grainin the Balticbefore beingbought in 1991and completely refitted and re-rigged by hercurrent Dutch owners. Today the‘Noorderlicht' is a well-balanced two-mastedschooner with a blue water capability andice class strengthened bow crewed by Dutchofficers and men. Down below, the ship hastwin cabin accommodation for 20passengers in 10 cabins, all fitted with upperand lower berths, frosted glass portholes inthe deckhead, hand basin with hot and coldwater and hanging locker. There are 5 headsand 4 showers. More comprehensive details,deck plan and specifications are available onour web site or on request.SPITSBERGENSpitsbergen is the largest of the Svalbardarchipelago’s islands, whose capital,Longyearbyen, is the most northerly point inthe world reachable by scheduled flight andwhere in winter the sun never rises. Thelargest settlements are Longyearbyen, with apopulation of about 1400, the Russianmining town of Barentsburg that is frozen intime and Ny Ålesund from where Amundsenbegan his epic voyage across the North Poleby airship.IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF WHALERS AND HUNTERSDAY 1 UK - OSLO Scheduled SAS flight toOslo. Overnight at Clarion Oslo AirportHotel.DAY 2 OSLO - LONGYEARBYENScheduled SAS flight from Oslo toLongyearbyen. Transfer and embark on MSNoorderlicht. Mid afternoon sail forAlkhornet, a high cliff below which thereare often Arctic Foxes and Reindeer.Continue to Trygghamna and visit theremains of a 17th century English whalingstation and an 18th century Pomor one.DAY 3-6 SPITSBERGEN Sail fromTryghamna early in the morning to thenorth side of Bell Sund. Bell Sund is a fjordsystem with two major branches (VanMijenfjord, Van Keulenfjord) and a smallerside bay (Recherchefjord). The geologyhere has created amazing landscapes, suchas the long, narrow island of Akseloya thatalmost completely blocks Van Mijenfjord.In Fridtjofhamna, the calving glacierFridtjofbreen is surrounded by picturesquemountains. The area’s rich wildlife hasattracted hunters across the centuries: walkin their footsteps and see remains of theirhuts, for example at Ahlstrandhalvoya.Recherchefjord has the highestconcentration of historical sites, datingback to 17th century whalers and themining period of the early 20th century.The glacier Recherchebreen ends at alagoon, likely to be frozen in October, withmany smaller icebergs. Polar bears arelikely to be present anywhere in theBellsund area, as are Belugas (Whitewhales).DAY 7 BARENTSBURG Dock anddisembark in Barentsburg, the onlyinhabited Russian settlement in Spitsbergenor in Colesbukta, an abandoned Russiancoal mining settlement.DAY 8 ISFJORD Sail into the inner reachesof the Isfjord system, where on a clear nighttemperatures drop to -10 degrees C andnew ice forms at the heads of the fjords.DAY 9 SPITSBERGEN – OSLO – UKDisembark and departure by SAS scheduledflight from Longyearbyen to Oslo for returnonward flight to UK.DEPARTURE DATESOct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 20112010 departures sold outIN THE FOOTSTEPS OFWHALERS AND HUNTERSAA2301PRICES FROM £1655ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include scheduledreturn SAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Longyearbyenvia Oslo • All airport departure taxes andpassenger service charges • Overnightaccommodation in Oslo as required by itinerary• Accommodation on board ship in twin cabinswith upper and lower berths • All meals throughoutvoyage from embarkation on Day 2 todisembarkation on Day 9 Day including snacks,coffee and tea • Shore excursions and activities byZodiac RIB as conditions allow • Services ofexperienced expedition leader from arrival inLongyearbyen to departure.Nordic Experience 23

ARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLANDOUR FINLAND EXPERIENCEA land of Golden Cloudberries and Arctic Salmon, of athousand lakes, majestic forests, inspired architecture andcivilised living. In winter, Finland means Lapland,legendary home of Father Christmas and a vastruggedly beautiful place spread above the Arctic Circle,where the snow falls in some parts from as early asSeptember and a white Christmas is all but guaranteed.And this is a world so quiet that you can hear the silence,all the more so if you live in or close to a city.The Lapps or Sami as they are more correctly calledwelcome travellers with a genuine hospitality. In Nellim,where Inari, Skolt and Northern Sami peoples havemingled for centuries, you can enjoy snowmobile andhusky safaris; try your hand at snow shoeing or crosscountry skiing and camp out on Lake Inari waiting for theNorthern Lights. At Kakslauttanen you'll find the finestexample of dead wood pine log cabins to be foundanywhere in Lapland, an Igloo village with glass andsnow igloos as well as Santa's Resort where Elves guideyou around and show you how to pan for gold.Harriniva on the banks of the Muonionjoki is altogethersomething special and unique being the only place inLapland where everything you do is on your doorstep,be it husky safariing, snowmobiling, driving a reindeersleigh; tobogganing; ice fishing and much more.Everything here isowned by thePittakainen family: thehotel itself, huskybreeding kennels;snowmobiles and allservices provide by longstanding local staff.INARIKORPIKARTANO NELLIM(INARI)JERISKAKSLAUTTANENHARRINIVA(MUONIO)ARCTICCIRCLEIn KorpikartanoFINLANDoverlooking LakeMenesjarvi, the silence ispalpable; a quiet so clearthat you constantly askyourself what it is. Andthere's just no end ofHELSINKIthings to do from snowshoeing to skiing and icefishing to ice dipping. Andwhen you've finished with your adventures you candiscover the rejuvenating powers of the Sauna and thenative cuisine built around Arctic Salmon, water fowl, wildmushrooms and Arctic berries.If you can't find exactly the Finnish Lapland adventureyou're looking for let us use our experience to design anitinerary tailored specifically to your requirements.24Nordic Experience

Discover a silence you canhear in the wildernessaround Lake Menesjarvi and theLemmenjoki River close to theSami village of Inari. Enjoy asnowmobile adventure safariacross frozen lakes and spendtime with people whose way oflife and belief system isunchanged from that of theirnomadic ancestors. Meet a Samireindeer herder and help himfeed his herd in the wild. Kicksled down to the lake shore andwait patiently for the NorthernLights to appear. And above allenjoy the silenceARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLANDSoundsTHEOFSilenceADVENTURES IN THE WILDDAY 1 UK - LAPLAND Scheduled Finnairflight[s] from London Heathrow to Ivalo inFinnish Lapland via Helsinki. Privatetransfer on arrival to Korpikartano.Overnight for 7 nights.DAY 2 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI Afterbreakfast set off along a forest trail andacross frozen lakes to Lemmenjoki. Spendtime in a local atelier seeing Samitraditional handicraft as well as with areindeer herder’s family, beforesnowmobiling across frozen lakes. Returnto Korpikartano (3 to 4 hours). Dinner atthe hotel.DAY 3 DAY WITH A REINDEERHERDER Travel by sledge to localreindeer feeding grounds where we meeta local Sami herder, and help him feed hisherd in the wild and listen to his life andtimes, and those of his reindeer, aroundan open fire (4 hours). Dinner at the hotel.DAYS 4 -7 OPTIONAL ADVENTURESYou’re really spoilt for choice across thesedays with a plethora of activities to choosefrom. Not to be missed is a visit to Inari,the Sami cultural capital, the Museumthere and a visit to a Reindeer herder’shome on the way back. You can learn tocross country ski; take an adventure tripinto the wilderness by snowmobile; ski andsled; spend a guided night out in awilderness hut in the forest or on a fell orfish for perch and then cook your catchover an open fire. You can even take a tripto the edge of the Arctic Ocean travellingthrough the historic lands of Inari, Skoltand Northern Sami. If you fancy yourself ashard man you can even arrange for aguide to take you on a survival course.Dinner at the hotelDAY 8 LAPLAND – UK Breakfast andprivate transfer to Ivalo airport for returnflight(s) home via Helsinki to LondonHeathrow.HOTEL KORPIKARTANOOriginally a local school at the confluenceof two lakes but now sympatheticallyrenovated using local pine and traditionalcarpentry, Ari Honkavuori and his familyhave created a wilderness hotel in groundsstretching down to the lake shore.Consisting of two main buildings, a Kota,glazed roof hut from which to watch andwait for the Northern lights; two saunasadjacent to the hotel and a wood firedsauna with hot tub down by the lake shore.There are just 30 lakeside and fell siderooms including apartments suitable forlarger family groups all of which haveprivate WC/shower; TV and radio.ADVENTURESIN THE WILDDEPARTURE DATESSundays Dec - AprAA2501PRICES FROM £1490ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrice are in £ per person and include Finnair returnscheduled flights from Heathrow to Ivalo in FinnishLapland via Helsinki • All airport departure taxesand passenger service charges • 7 nightsaccommodation in LAKESIDE twin rooms withprivate WC/shower • 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches (snacklunches when on safari) and 7 buffet dinners• SNOWMOBILE & A DAY WITH HERDER SAFARIS• Protective thermal clothing for duration of stay• Use of toboggans, kick sleds, hotel sauna andlakeside hut for Northern Lights watching.Nordic Experience25

ARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLANDEnjoy the authenticatmosphere of FinnishLapland high above the ArcticCircle in our favourite log cabinhotel. Safari by reindeer, huskyand snowmobile by day andenjoy Lappish hospitality andcuisine by the restaurant’s openfireplace at night.Snow Adventuresat KAKSLAUTTANENHOTEL KAKSLAUTTANENJussi Eiramo came to Kakslauttanen as ayoung man for a summer’s fishing and hasstayed ever since. Today, the 31 log cabins,restaurant and adjacent igloo village are alltestimony to Jussi’s passionate attention todetail. The cabins, of varying sizes, are allequipped with shower, toilet, kitchenette,open fireplace and sauna and set amongsttrees around a central building. This has afully licensed restaurant with an openfireplace, around which local specialities arecooked, and a small handicraft/souvenirshop. Sleds are available for everyone’sfree use and cross-country skis andsnowshoes can be hired from the hotel.KAKSLAUTTANENIGLOO VILLAGEJust 100 metres from the hotel, Jussicreates each year his very own igloo villagewith a magnificent ice gallery at its centre.There are both snow igloos, with an insidetemperature of -3˚C/-6˚C and, as a gestureto modern life, 20 glass igloos with acomfortable bed, wc and a panoramic viewof the night sky. In these the temperature isa tropical +21˚C. Never content with lettingthe ground freeze under his feet, Jussi hasalso built the world’s largest smoke saunaand an ice restaurant.SNOW ADVENTURESAT KAKSLAUTTANENDAY 1 UK – IVALO Scheduled Finnairflight(s) from London via Helsinki to Ivaloin Northern Finnish Lapland. Arrive 19.20and transfer to hotel. Settle in to yourprivate log cabin and dinner at the hotel.DAY 2 HUSKY SAFARI After breakfast,start your days of Lapland magic with ahusky safari through and across theenchanting wilderness. All equipment andclothing will be provided and a picniclunch is included. Dinner at the hotel.DAY 3 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI Today’sadventure is an evening Northern LightsSnowmobile Safari up to a spot on thefells known locally as an ideal spot for theAurora to appear. Dinner at the hotel.DAY 4 REINDEER SAFARI After breakfast,safari today at a more leisurely pace - byreindeer. Lunch is provided during yoursafari before free time in the afternoon,either just to relax or try your hand at crosscountryskiing. Dinner at the hotel.DAY 5 IVALO – UK Breakfast andmorning at leisure before transfer to Ivaloand return flight(s) via Helsinki back toLondon.DEPARTURE DATESDailyDec - AprNEW YEARDecember 30thSNOW ADVENTURESAT KAKSLAUTTANENAA2601PRICES FROM £1320ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled Finnair flight(s) from Heathrow to Ivalo viaHelsinki • In-flight cabin service • All airport taxes andpassenger service charges • Accommodation in logcabin with private WC/shower, own logwood fireplaceand sauna • Breakfasts, picnic lunches & dinners asper itinerary • Reindeer, husky & snowmobile safaris asdetailed in itinerary including thermal clothing and anyspecial equipment required. *Small cabins are40sq.mtrs with a separate twin bedroom and bunkbeds in the living area. **Large cabins (for 3-5 persons)are 65sq.mtrs with 2 separate bedrooms, 1 with twin &1 with bunk beds and a sofa bed in the living area andLarge cabins (for 2 persons) are 44sq.mtrs with astudio bedroom/living room. NB Hire of thermalclothing for 5 days including complete set ofprotective suit, boots, mittens and scarf £75 pp.26Nordic Experience

ARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLANDDiscover the wild, ruggedbeauty of the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park at Jerisset down on its very edge. Enjoydays of snowmobile, husky andsnow shoe safaris followed bythe soothing warmth of alakeside pool overlooking thefrozen vista of Lake Jerisjarvi.Choose from either theconviviality of the hotel itself orthe privacy of a cabin with itsown sauna and open log fire.Lakeside Vistas& Fell AdventuresLAKESIDE VISTAS & FELL ADVENTURESDAY 1 UK – KITTILA Scheduled Finnairflight(s) to Kittila via Helsinki. Privatetransfer to Jeris Hotel or Cottages.Overnight for 6 nights.DAY 2 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI Afterbreakfast it’s time to meet your guide whowill give you full instructions on how todrive a snowmobile before setting off. Thedistance driven is around 30kms and thejourney covers the most perfect fellscenery with forests and frozen lakes.Afternoon at leisure.DAY 3 SNOW GAMES Cross country trailsstart from outside the hotel and its hereyour guide for the day will show you thebasics of his craft and take you for a shortguided trip suitable to your skill level.Lunch at the hotel followed by a similarexercise, only this time with snow shoes.DAY 4 REINDEER SAFARI Drive to atraditional Lapland Manor where our localreindeer herder's family has lived since the19th Century. There will be a short filmpresentation describing the importance ofreindeer in Lappish life before visiting thereindeer farm. At the farm you can try yourhand at lassoing before setting off in areindeer-pulled sleigh for a 3km safari.Lunch by an open fire in a traditionalLappish kota is included.DAY 5 HUSKY SAFARI After breakfastyour guide will take you to meet thehuskies and after a lesson in ‘mushing’ youset off on an exciting 17km tour throughthe snow clad forest driving your own dogteam.DAY 6 AT LEISURE Spend the day eitherjust relaxing by the lakeside or practisingyour newly acquired snow shoe skills.DAY 7 KITTILA – UK Breakfast and privatecar transfer to Kittila airport for scheduledFinnair flight(s) via Helsinki to Heathrow.JERIS HOTEL ANDCOTTAGESThe Jeris hotel, wood fired sauna, heatedindoor pools and illuminated ice pool sit onthe shoreline overlooking Lake Jerisjarvi withits cottages clustered on the sloping fell sidebehind. The hotel itself has 27 roomsrustically clad in local pine with privateWC/shower, TV, telephone and clothesdrying locker. The restaurant where you takeyour meals whether staying in the hotel orcabin serves local fare using reindeer, locallycaught fish, wild berries, forest mushroomsand indigenous plants and herbs such asAngelica. The cabins come in 3 differentconfigurations suitable for parties up to 7;the smallest has a pull out sofa bed for twoon the ground floor plus a sleeping alcovefor two more. All have lounge/kitchenette,sauna, shower and toilet room, fireplace,drying cupboard and TV.DEPARTURE DATESSundaysJan - AprLAKESIDE VISTAS& FELL ADVENTURESAA2701PRICES FROM £1430ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled Finnair flight(s) from Heathrow to Kittilavia Helsinki • All airport departure taxes andpassenger service charges • In-flight cabin service• Airport/Hotel return transfers • 6 nights hotelaccommodation in twin room(s) with privateWC/shower • 6 breakfasts, 5 light lunches & 6 buffetdinners • Programme as per itinerary • Services ofexperienced guides during all tours • Protectivethermal clothing included throughout the stay.Nordic Experience 27

ARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLANDEnjoy the informal familyhospitality of one of Lapland’soldest wilderness hotels by theMuonionjoki marking the borderwith Sweden and home to thelargest husky breeding kennelsin Europe. Thrill at mushing yourown husky team; snowmobile,reindeer safari and ice fishagainst a backdrop of the wildrugged beauty of FinnishLapland’s western fell country.Harriniva lies in the beautiful rolling fell landof Western Lapland where the hills andforests typify a Lapland untouched for 1,000years. Here, alongside the border withSweden, the Pietikainen family have offeredhospitality for over 25 years to travellers,fishermen, skiers and adventurers as well asrearing Siberian Huskies. Your adventureincludes safari opportunities through someof the world’s most beautiful scenery in themidst of Lapland’s fells and forests.Adventuresat HarrinivaHARRINIVAHarriniva has 46 pine-clad rooms all withtheir own private WC/Shower. In additionthere are 6 larger rooms with private saunasand 12 two floor apartment style roomswhich can accommodate up to 6 peopleavailable on request. There is a restaurant, abar and a wellness centre with sauna andoutdoor hot tubs.DAY 1 UK – KITTILA Scheduled Finnairflight(s) to Kittila via Helsinki. Privatetransfer to the Harriniva Wilderness Hotel.Dinner and overnight for 4 nights.DAY 2 SNOWMOBILE SAFARI Afterbreakfast it is time to meet your guidewho will give you full instructions on howto drive a snowmobile before setting off.The distance driven is around 30kms andthe journey covers perfect fell scenerywith forests and frozen lakes. Afternoon atleisure. Dinner and overnight at thehotel.ADVENTURES AT HARRINIVADAY 3 HUSKY SAFARI After breakfastyour guide will take you to meet thehuskies and after a lesson in ‘mushing’ youset off on an exciting 17km tour throughthe snow clad forest driving your own dogteam. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.DAY 4 OPTIONAL SAFARIS Day atleisure or for optional excursions.DAY 5 KITTILA – UK Breakfast and privatecar transfer to Kittila airport for scheduledFinnair flight(s) via Helsinki to Heathrow.DEPARTURE DATESADVENTURESAT HARRINIVASundays 2 Jan - 14 AprAA2801PRICES FROM £830ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled Finnair flight(s) from Heathrow to Kittilavia Helsinki • All airport departure taxes andpassenger service charges • In-flight cabin service• Airport/Hotel return transfers • 4 nightsaccommodation in twin room(s) with privateWC/shower • use of sauna • 4 breakfasts and 4buffet dinners • Programme as per itinerary• Services of experienced guides during all tours• Protective thermal clothing included throughoutyour stay.28Nordic Experience

ARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLANDLake Inari is infused with themysticism of Sami culture andthe village of Nellim lies at itsvery heart. Here in this mosttranquil of settings, an Inari Samifamily create a warm andmagical atmosphere for you inwhich to enjoy snowmobile andhusky safaris and practice theancient Sami arts of snowshoeing and skiing.Adventuresby Lake InariADVENTURES BY LAKE INARIDAY 1 UK - NELLIM Scheduled Finnairflight(s) to Ivalo via Helsinki. Privatetransfer by car to Hotel Nellim.Programme briefing, dinner and overnightfor 5 nights.DAY 2 A DAY WITH A REINDEERHERDER Snowmobile out in to the forestto meet your reindeer herder tending andfeeding his herd in the wild. Continuealong the shores of Lake Inari with a stopfor lunch with some local fishermen beforecontinuing back to Nellim (50km/5 to 6hours). Dinner at the hotelDAY 3 OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS &AURORA EVENING SNOWMOBILEChoice of optional activities during theday before an evening snowmobile out toa special spot by the Lake to stake out theNorthern Lights (20km/3 hours). Dinner atthe hotel.DAY 4 AT LEISURE Today is free for youWILDERNESS HOTEL NELLIMThe Wilderness Hotel Nellim is owned andrun by the Lappalainen family: Jouko andMari. Here they have converted the oldschool house into a home for travellerslooking for adventure and tranquility. 12standard hotel rooms and 8 cosyapartments with private WC/shower; freshfood from the lake or forests and anauthentic Sami family welcome characterisethe hotel.to soak up the unique atmosphere of thisspecial spot with its mix of Sami cultures;play snow games down by the side of thelake; test your prowess on snow shoes orenjoy an excursion of your choice. Dinnerat the hotel.DAY 5 HUSKY SAFARI After breakfastit’s time to meet Christopher’s pack ofAlaskan huskies whose kennels are just ashort walk from the hotel’s front door andwhose excited barking slowly magnifies asyou approach them through the trees.Adults mush their own team of dogs: asthe dogs pull you along a snow-carpetedtrail the silence is broken only by thewhooshing 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 andprivate car transfer to Ivalo airport forscheduled Finnair flight(s) via Helsinki toHeathrow.DEPARTURE DATESSundays Jan - AprADVENTURESBY LAKE INARIAA2901PRICES FROM £1255ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled Finniar flight(s) from Heathrow to Ivalovia Helsinki • All airport departure taxes andpassenger service charges • In-flight cabin service• Airport/Hotel return transfers • 5 nightsaccommodation in twin room(s) with privateWC/shower • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners• Excursions as per itinerary • Services ofexperienced local wilderness guide(s) • Protectivethermal clothing for duration of stay.Nordic Experience29

ARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLANDOne of the very fewremaining family ownedhotels in Lapland, Harrinivashows all the merits of being so.Informal, intimate and withsomewhere or other aPietikainen to look after you atall times. Harriniva lies at theheart of a devout Lutherancommunity making Christmashere something just that bitmagical for grown ups andchildren alikeChristmas inHarrinivaCHRISTMAS IN HARRINIVADAY 1 Depart Heathrow at 10.20 on Finnairscheduled flight(s) via Helsinki to Kittila.Arrive 17.40 local time and transfer toMuonio. Check-in to your room where yourthermal clothing will be available. Buffetsupper.CHRISTMAS EVE After breakfast walk to thedog kennels to begin your husky mushingadventure: your team will bark excitedlybefore you set off only to fall instantly silentas they pull you through the forest with theonly sound being that of the sled’s runnersslicing through the snow [17km 3hrs]. Lunchback at the hotel after which children helpsearch for the perfect Christmas tree whichthey can then decorate and bake cookieswith the elves. Traditional Christmas dinnerculminating in a visit by Father Christmas whowill have a small present for everyone.CHRISTMAS DAY Morning at leisure withkick sleds, toboggans, snow shoes and icefishing lines all available by the side of thehotel in what amounts to a giant playgroundmade from snow. Lunch in the hotel afterwhich there is an optional horse drawn sleighride through the forest following a windingtrail through snow clad pines. Buffet dinner.BOXING DAY After breakfast set off on afamily snowmobile safari along snow cladforest trails [30 km 21/2 hrs] . Stop midwayfor a warming berry juice by an open fireand then return to the hotel for late lunch.Afternoon at leisure. Buffet dinnerDAY 5 After breakfast, time for the childrento have one last play in the snow beforeyour transfer to Kittila airport for Finnairscheduled flight(s) to Heathrow where youland at 17.10 local time.CHRISTMASIN HARRINIVADEPARTURE DATESDecember 23rdPRICES FROM £1080ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDAA3001Prices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled Finnair flight(s) from Heathrow toLapland • All airport departure taxes andpassenger service charges • In-flight cabin service• Airport/Hotel return transfers • Twin/family roomaccommodation with private facilities • Breakfasts,lunches and dinners as per itinerary • FestiveChristmas Dinner and visit from Father Christmas• Exclusive SAFARI EXCURSIONS AS PERITINERARY • Complete set of protective termalclothing, inc. mittens, boots, scarf & hat, fromarrival in Lapland to departure.30Nordic Experience

ARCTIC ADVENTURES FINNISH LAPLANDThe kaleidoscopic mix ofcultures in Nellim with itsInari, Skolt and Northern Samiroots and the possibility of theNorthern Lights swirling aroundover the pine forest, make aNew Year here something of aculinary & festive riot.A New YearbyLake InariA NEW YEAR BY LAKE INARIDEC 29 UK – LAPLAND Depart Heathrowat 10.20 on Finnair scheduled flight(s) toIvalo via Helsinki. Arrive 17.35 local time andtransfer to Nellim. Check into your room,welcome drink, programme briefing anddinner.DEC 30 HUSKY SAFARI This morning it’stime to meet Christopher’s pack of Alaskanhuskies whose kennels in the forest are just ashort walk from the hotel and whose excitedbarking slowly magnifies as you approachthem through the trees. Adults mush theirown team of dogs and as the dogs pull youalong a snow-carpeted trail the silence isbroken only by the whooshing sound ofslicing sleigh runners. En route, enjoy lunchcooked over an open fire. Later spend anafternoon of games in the snow on thesloping bank running down to the lake withsnow shoeing, tobogganing, ice fishing andreindeer lasso throwing practice. Dinner atthe hotel.NEW YEAR’S EVE After breakfast, climbaboard your snowmobile for a safari throughthe pine forests surrounding Lake Inari and alunch of salmon soup washed down with hotberry juice in a clearing in the forest aroundan open fire. New Year’s Eve is celebratedwith a menu of trout from Lake Inari, KingCrab from the Barents Sea and cloudberriesfrom the Inari basin. Celebrations are notconstrained by time zones: the New Yearcomes in early for the Skolt, an hour later forthe Inari Sami and an hour after that for theNorthern Sami. As the evening wears onthere will be fireworks, dancing and fortunestold from the shapes formed by melting tin!NEW YEAR’S DAY Leisurely,late breakfastbefore a visit to a nearby reindeer corral tomeet a herder along with his herd, help feedthem and listen to Sami tall stories! In theevening take a valedictory snowmobile outto a special spot by Lake Inari to stake outthe Northern Lights for perhaps one ofnature’s dazzling light shows to end your stay[20km/3 hours].JAN 2 LAPLAND – UK Breakfast and timefor a last toboggan before transfer to Ivaloand return flight(s) via Helsinki to Heathrow,departing at 13.20 and arriving at 17.10.DEPARTURE DATES29 DecA NEW YEARBY LAKE INARIAA3101PRICES FROM £1095ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled Finnair flight(s) from Heathrow toLapland • In-flight cabin service • All airport taxesand passenger service charges • Airport/hoteltransfers • Accommodation in twin room(s) withprivate WC/shower • Welcome drink • Breakfasts,lunches and dinners as per programme includingspecial New Year festive dinner • All activities andexcursions as per itinerary including any specialclothing required • Complete set of thermalclothing including mittens, boots, scarf and hat• Services of local guide in Lapland.Nordic Experience31

ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELANDOUR ICELAND EXPERIENCEA land of fire and ice: a wild, romantic place with narrowfjords; deep ravines; vast glaciers surrounded by jumblesof moraine; black sand deserts; volcanoes; glacial lakesand spluttering geysers.For geology students, amateur or professional, the islandis like an interactive encyclopaedia: bubbling here,cracking open there, frozen solid in places and withwater cascading everywhere. The interior is uninhabitedand uninhabitable and despite some forest clearancesover the centuries must look pretty much as it did athousand or more years ago.No more than 3 hours flying time from your choice of 5UK airports, Iceland lies in the middle of the Atlantic justbelow the Arctic Circle with two thirds of its charmingand welcoming population living in or around Reykjavik.The capital is a cool chic place, teeming with life over theweekdend and with restaurants serving up bothtraditional and modernistic dishes based around theisland's staples of fish and lamb.You can stay there for a few days and enjoy bothadventure safaris and more leisurely excursions day;enjoy the south's spectacular attractions by Super Jeepwith a local guide or spot for Northern Lights from a hottub outside your room at the Ranga, one of our favouritehotels run by some of our favourite people. And there’sno better place to spend New Year when the city isgarlanded by bonfires before fireworks at midnight.If you can't find exactly the Icelandic adventure you’relooking for let us use our experience to design anitinerary tailored specifically to your requirements.32 Nordic Experience

ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELANDReykjavík, with its long time‘cool’ reputation and thedestination of choice for acognoscente including JeremyClarkson, Eric Clapton, JamieOliver and Reese Witherspoon,is now ‘chilled and sparkling’with stylish hotels, modishdesign and cutting edgeeverything.A Brief Encounter withWith a milder climate than other cities on thesame latitude (even in winter it can bewarmer than Vienna or New York), theweekend nightlife spills affably out on to thestreets. The seafood is out of this world(everything from shark to salmon); the peoplejust delightful and welcoming.And on Reykjavík’s doorstep are wild andromantic places with narrow fjords, deepravines, vast glaciers with jumbles of moraine,dormant volcanoes, thunderous waterfallsand spouting geysers. If God had designed atheme park this would surely have been it.HOTEL PLAZAIn the heart of the old cityon “Ingólfstorg” the mainsquare with restaurants,shopping and nightlife onyour doorstep, the Plaza’sglass edifice is unmissable.The hotel has recentlybeen given a completemakeover and renovated to provide a brightmodern décor marked by contemporary oakfurnishings and bright fabrics. All 180 roomshave their own free high-speed internetconnection, TV, WC/shower, hairdryer, tea &coffee making facilities and much more.• City Centre • Lobby bar • BreakfastrestaurantGRAND HOTEL REYKJAVÍKThe Grand is theperfect unionbetween quietsurroundings andproximity to the citycentre (about a 20-minute walk). All209 rooms in the new tower block (where ourroom allocation is), are particularly spaciouswith either twin, queen or king sized beds andprivate WC/bath tub/shower with heated tilefloors, radio, telephone, satellite TV, hair dryerand mini-bar.• Quiet convenient location • A la carterestaurant • Bar • 24hr room service • Spa• Non smoking roomsTHE CENTRUM HÓTELStylish modernhotel inside withan exteriorsympathetically inkeeping with itssurroundingclapboard buildings.Bang in the centre of town but in a quietenclave (more than useful on a Friday orSaturday night). Close to restaurants andshops. All 89 rooms are furnished and fitted ina Scandinavian minimalist but warm style andhave private WC/shower, radio, TV, telephone.• City Centre • Quiet location • Icelandiccuisine • Café/barHOTEL KLOPPIn Reykjavik’s 101district, the city’s mostfashionable, and withinwalking distance of thecity’s main attractions:stylish bars, cafés,restaurants, museumsand shops all at your fingertips. The décor inall 46 rooms is modern Scandinavian withwooden floors and black slate bathrooms. All40 rooms have private WC/shower, mini-bar,hairdryer; satellite TV, high-speed internetaccess.• Just off main shopping street • Lobby bar• Breakfast restaurantHÓTEL BORGThe Borg is toReykjavík what theGeorge V is to Parisor Claridges toLondon: plush, lushand with phones inthe bathrooms! All 56 rooms are elegantand uniquely furnished and have privateWC/shower, TV and telephone.• Central location • Restaurant• Everything renovated from top to bottomHÓTEL REYKJAVÍKA modern, centrallylocated, standardclass hotel with apleasant informalatmosphere. All 78rooms have privateWC and shower/bath, telephone, radio, mini-bar and satellite TV.• Central location • A la carte restaurant• Café • Lounge barHOTEL ODINSVEA stylish gem tucked away close to the citycentre with the most complimentary guestbook remarks you’ll ever read.NORDICA HOTELFew hotels pull off the blend between ‘localatmosphere’ and ‘elegant’ but the Nordicadoes – and in style.A BRIEF ENCOUNTERWITH REYKJAVIKAA3301PRICES FROM £395ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled flights from Heathrow, Gatwick,Glasgow* or Manchester* to Reykjavik • All airportdeparture taxes and passenger service charges• Pay on board cabin service • 3 nightsaccommodation in twin room(s) with privateWC/shower • 3 breakfasts • Airport/Hotel arrivaland departure transfers • Departure transfer viaBlue Lagoon supplement £25 *Flight schedule maydictate amended itineraryNordic Experience33

ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELANDEXCURSIONS & SUPER JEEP SAFARISAn idealorientation tothe capitalincluding thelittle fishingvillage ofHafnarfjördur.Visit thecosmic lookingPerlan nestlingon a hill overlooking the city; continue toHafnarfjördur via the Presidential Residenceand the fish market; then to Hotoi, theLutheran Cathedral and Hallgrim’s Church.Hotel pick-up at 8.30 am for 2 1 ⁄2 hours.£35 per personAvailable all year round and an all-dayscenic extravaganza that bombards thesenses. First stop the landscapes south ofLake Þingvallavatn before the National ParkÞingvellir. From there continue to Gullfoss,the Golden Waterfall, with its foaming,thundering waters invariably over-archedwith a rainbow. Continue to the Geysir areawith its spouting water geysers andbubbling mud pots with time for lunch(payable locally). Return to Reykjavík via thecathedral at Skálholt, the extraordinarycrater Kerið and the greenhouse communityHveragerði. Hotel pick-up at 8.00 am for 8hours. £65 per personBLUE LAGOON, GULLFOSS& GEYSIRA full dayexcursionbeginning withthe Blue Lagoonwhose warm,turquoise bluewaters lieamongst theblack rocks of a lava field. From here youtravel to Þingvellir where the early Vikingsettlers decided to stop raping andpillaging and set up a parliament instead.And then on to Gullfoss, in winter a giantmass of frozen stalagmites and stalagtitesoverflowing with foaming water, beforearriving at the famous Geysir area. Returnto Reykjavik. Hotel pick-up at 8.30 for 10hours. Entrance to Blue Lagoon payablelocally. £85 per person34REYKJAVÍK SIGHTSEEINGGOLDEN CIRCLE CLASSICNordic ExperienceNORTHERN LIGHTSClimb aboard for an eveninghunt for the beautifulauroras known as theNorthern Lights. Sometimeswhite, wispy and elusive andat others rainbow coloured,swirling and dramatic. TheNorwegian, who first gavean explanation as to howthey came about was drivenmad (literally) by them: if you are luckyenough to catch a sighting your reactionmay be a touch more muted! Hotel pick-upat 19.30 for 3/5 hours. £45 per person.BY SUPER JEEP £75 per personBLUE LAGOON ANDKEFLAVÍK TRANSFERIf you wantsome time forlast minuteshopping this isa short form ofour other BlueLagoonexcursionleaving out theReykjanesPeninsula, soyou need notcheck out ofyour hotel untilmidmorning. An ideal way to make themost of your last few hours in Reykjavík.Hotel pick-up at 10.30 am leaving theLagoon at 2 pm for your flight back to theUK. Entrance to the Blue Lagoon payablelocally. £35 per personBLACK SAND BEACHES &MÝRDALSJÖKULL GLACIERIceland’s Southern shore is an exquisitecontrast between the hay meadows lyingback from the shoreline, the backdrop ofthe Hekla volcano and the Mýrdalsjökullglacier; black sand beaches fringed withwhite foaming sea and the plunge waterfallsSeljandfoss and Skogafoss. Your day takesin all these as well as the bird cliffsalongside Vik (trivia note: vik is old Norsefor bay, hence the etymology of Vikingpeopleof the bay) and a hardcore drive upon the Mýrdalsjökull glacier on which youcan snowmobile(optional and payablelocally). Return via Hveragerði, thegreenhouse village heated geothermally,back to Reykjavik. £169 per personEXCURSIONS LIKE NO OTHERSAs well as theexcursions showcasedhere we have othersranging from horseriding to glaciersnowmobiling; cavingamongst icy stalactitesto floating amongsticebergs. These are allfeatured on a special link on our websitewww.nordicexperience.co.uk.SUPER JEEP LOBSTER FESTIceland’s lavafields are sosurreal they seemfrom anotherworld but whenilluminated by theblues and greensof the NorthernLights, they takeyour breath away. Negotiating the trickymountain tracks from the comfort of aluxury SuperJeep (a specially convertedversion of the world’s largest SUV, completewith four-foot wheels and deflatable tyresfor gliding across the ice), is the way toexperience them in true style. LeaveReykjavik just as the sun begins to set, anddrive under the stars down to the fishingvillage of Fjorubordid and round off theevening with a platter of freshly caughtlobster in butter and garlic. Hotel pick-up at6.30/7.00. £199 per personGOLDEN CIRCLESUPER JEEP CLASSICThe white-knuckle ride of all time - a wholeday tour following the classic Golden Circle(see panel opposite) route of Gullfoss,Geysir, Þingvellir and the Kerið crater in aspecially equipped Icelandic Super Jeep.Your giant SUV reaches the parts othervehicles don’t - the ultimate boys toy dayout. Every view from one is that little bitmore special - every journey that little bitmore exciting. £159 per personÞÓRSMÖRK BY SUPER JEEPIceland’s Southern shore is an exquisitecontrast between the hay meadows lyingback from the shoreline, the backdrop ofthe Hekla volcano and the Mýrdalsjökullglacier; black sand beaches fringed withwhite foaming sea and the plunge waterfallsSeljandfoss and Skogafoss. The starattraction here is Þórsmörk where meltwaters converge in the Malkarflöt riverwhich empties black volcanic sand on thebeaches by Skogar. A protected naturereserve surrounded on 3 sides by glaciersand mountains, the torrenting streams makefor adventurous crossings amongst thecarpet of dwarf birch covering the ground.Hotel pick up at 08:30 for10 hrs. £165 per person

Celebrate New Year in a stylepeculiar to Icelanders thatattracts visitors from around theworld not least becauseunlimited fireworks can be hadby anyone which Icelanders takemaximum advantage of andgarland the city with displays.Start the evening with our‘Buffet on Ice’; blow out the OldYear on our bonfire tour; bring inthe New with champagne andfireworks and then dance thenight away.Over the next fewdays, snowmobileacross a glacier,search for theNorthern Lights orsimply chill out in theBlue Lagoon.Reykjavik is anunlikely city to warrant the description “aship and happening as it is possible to be”.The shops are stylish and according to A.A.Gill, the women “the most beautiful in theworld”. And the locals have developed alegendary and prodigious reputation forbeing able to enjoy themselves.This ultra-modernity and party townatmosphere dramatically contrasts with theisland interior with its geologically sculptedscenery; glacial ice fields, sand deserts, lavafields, volcanoes, waterfalls and geysers. Allof which you can see either by horseback,Super Jeep, snowmobile or, for thefainthearted, from the comfort of a recliningcoach seat.GRANDHOTELREYKJAVIKThe Grand is theperfect unionbetween quiet surroundings and proximity tothe city centre (about a 20-minute walk or 10minutes in a cab), especially for 30somethings. All 209 rooms in the new towerblock (where our room allocation is), areparticularly spacious with either twin, queen orking sized beds and private WC/bathtub/shower with heated tile floors, radio,telephone, satellite TV, hair dryer and mini-bar.• Quiet convenient location • A la carterestaurant • Bar • 24hr room service • Spa• Non smoking roomsReykjavikNew YearFire & IceFIRE AND ICE NEW YEAR29 DEC Scheduled Icelandair flight fromHeathrow, Gatwick or Manchester toReykjavik. Transfer on arrival to Grand Hotelfor 4 nights.30 DEC Optional excursions (see page 31)NEW YEAR’S EVE PROGRAMME5.30 Sparkling wine and strawberriesreception6.30 Buffet on Ice accompanied by Icelandicfolk entertainment9.00 Optional guided tour around the best ofthe city’s bonfires, blowing out the Old Yearin Reykjavik’s time honoured manner. Returnto hotel.10.15 Dessert and coffee11.45 Sparkling wine and canapés on thehotel’s 4th floor balcony with one of the city’sbest views for watching the fireworks displayand midnight countdown.12.30 Dancing and live music in the hotel’sGullteigur ballroom2.00 To bed or bar 31 DEC Optional excursions (see page 31)1 JAN Optional excursions (see page 31)2 JAN Morning at leisure before transfer, viathe Blue Lagoon for a relaxing bathe.Continue to Keflavik for return flight to UK.ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELANDFIRE AND ICENEW YEARPRICES FROM £685ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDAA3501Price includes return scheduled Icelandair flight(s)from Heathrow or Manchester to Reykjavik • Pay onboard cabin service • All airport departure taxes andpassenger service charges • 4 nights accommodationin twin room(s) with private WC/shower • 4 breakfasts• NEW YEAR'S EVE PROGRAMME INCLUDINGGALA DINNER AS PER ITINERARY • Blue Lagoonexcursion • CENTRUM HOTEL SUPPLEMENT £70pp• OPTIONAL BONFIRE TOUR SUPPLEMENT £40ppNordic Experience35

ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELANDTake your loved one away fora romantic break with a bit ofan edge; stay at Hotel Holt oneof Reykjavik’s finest hotelshitherto reserved for locals;pamper her with a manicure andfacial at Badhusid, a women’sonly spa founded by a formerMiss Iceland; wine and dine herat Sjavarkjallarinn one ofReykjavik’s chicest and luxiestrestaurants serving Icelandic farewith an Asian fusion twist. Addto the occasion as you will withIcelandair flight upgrades andSuper Jeep Safaris.RomanticGetawayHOTEL HOLTSomething of an Icelandic institution theHolt is both where anybody who is anybodyhas their celebratory occasions not leastbecause of its restaurant which, with itsspecialities such as toasted cod, arctic char,langoustine bisque and toasted pigeonterrine. From the moment you walk throughthe front door the leather backed chairs,original art on the walls and effortlesssuperiority speak of an understatedelegance. All double rooms are individuallyfurnished with signature walnut inlaidheadboards on King size beds and haveminibar, satellite television, hairdryer,telephone, safe and wireless internet.ROMANTIC GET-AWAYDAY 1 UK – REYKJAVÍK ScheduledIcelandair flight from Heathrow toReykjavík. Private transfer by Super Jeepon arrival to Hotel Holt for 3 nights. Arrivalnight 3 course dinner including prior winetasting amidst the hotel’s 4000 strong winecollection in their Vinkjallarinn.DAY 2 REYKJAVÍK Hang out, chill outand take an excursion or safari [see page34 for details).DAY 3 REYKJAVÍK Morning at leisure oroptional excursion. Later the love of yourlife pampers herself with a facial andmanicure safari before your evening mealat Sjavarkjallarinn.DAY 4 REYKJAVIK – UK Time for a lastlook around Reykjavik before Flybusstransfer to the airport and return flight tothe UKBAÐHÚSIÐ is a ladies only health spafounded Linda Pétursdóttir, a former MissIceland, offering scented oil massage,luxurious facials, beauty treatments, thesteam room or a "rest-nest" with plants,candle light and soothing music. A facialand manicure for your wife or femalepartner is included in the price of your stay.SJAVARKJALLARINN Bathed in cool warmneon light, the menu is eastern-inspired with asnappy freshness. Its signature dish is a Kilnerjar inside which steams a slice of foie gras, alangoustine tail fused with scented fresh herbsfrom the organic hothouses at Hveragerdi.Dinner for 2 here is included during your stay.ROMANTICGET-AWAYDEPARTURE DATESSundays 2 Jan - 14 AprAA3601PRICES FROM £830ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices include return scheduled flight(s) fromHeathrow, Glasgow* or Manchester* to Reykjavik• All passenger service charges and airportdeparture taxes • Pay on board cabin services• Super Jeep arrival transfers and Flybus return• 3 nights hotel accommodation in double room(s)with private WC/bath • 3 breakfasts • Arrival nightdinner including wine tasting • DINNER ATSJAVARKJALLARINN FOR 2 • 1 MANICURE &FACIAL AT BADHUSID.36Nordic Experience

Soak up Southern Iceland’sunique cocktail of sights: thefalling water curtains that areSkógafoss and Seljalandsfoss,the glacial snowmobiling rinkthat is Mýrdalsjökull & the foampounding on Dyrhólæy’s blacksand beaches. And then by nightenjoy food to die for andafterwards soak in a hot tubunder the Northern Lights.ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELANDGlaciers & Waterfalls under theNorthernLightsWHAT TO SEESKÓGAFOSS AND SELJALANDSFOSS.Seljalandsfoss spills straight off the fell sidedropping into a shallow pool. Skógafosssimilarly drops straight down into a pool infront of you.THE GOLDEN CIRCLE. An unmissable trioof sights that are a ‘must do’ for everyIceland visitor. The double fall at Gulfossmakes it unique; the eponymous Geysirarea gave the world the name. Last but notleast Þingvellir, where the early Vikings gaveup rape and pillage in favour ofparliamentary democracy.DYRHÓLÆY is the southernmost tip ofIceland signatured with a rock arch that thesea has eroded from the headland. Puffinsand eider ducks are prolific here but thecliffs are multicultural with fulmars,guillemots and kittiwakes all vying forspace with each other.HÓTEL RANGÁSet in lush meadowland against a backdropof Mount Hekla, the Ranga which startedlife as a private fishing lodge has over theyears spawned de-luxe rooms, a restaurantwith a ‘Surf a Turf’ signature dish; outdoorhot tubs; suites themed and furnishedaround the six continents, Royal Suite andLounge Bar. Notwithstanding suchdevelopment the hotel has done it all whilstkeeping its very personal owner driven styleand ambience.GLACIERS & WATERFALLS UNDERTHE NORTHERN LIGHTSDAY 1 UK – REYKJAVIK ScheduledIcelandair flight to Reykjavik, collect hirecar and drive to Hotel Ranga for 3 nights.DAY 2 HELLA At leisure.DAY 3 HELLA At leisureDAY 4 HELLA – REYKJAVIK Drive toReykjavík via Gulfoss and Geysir, alongsideÞingvellir and into Reykjavik for an overnightat Hotel Centrum.DAY 5 REYKJAVIK – UK Morning atleisure before driving out to the airport forscheduled Icelandair flight to UK.Overnight stop(s)FLYDRIVEDEPARTURE DATESDaily 10 Oct-30 AprGLACIERS & WATERFALLS AA3701UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTSPRICES FROM £695ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled Icelandair flight(s) from Heathrow,Glasgow* and Manchester* to Reykjavik • In-flightcabin service • All passenger service charges andairport departure taxes • 3 nights accommodationat Hotel Ranga and 1 night at Hotel Centrum intwin room(s) with private WC/shower • 4 breakfasts• 4 days (4x24hrs) car rental (group A, Toyota Yarisor similar) including unlimited mileage; theftprotection; collision damage waiver insurance andall local taxes, pick up Keflavik airport and drop offReykjavik • Hotel/airport bus transfers • ROADMAP, CD AREA GUIDE • 82 PAGE MINI GUIDEBOOK. *Flight schedule may dictate amendeditinerary and supplement.Nordic Experience37

ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELANDExperience Reykjavík’s cuttingedge everything; take inIceland’s best known naturalattractions: Gullfoss, Geysir andÞingvellir all glistening in awinter coat of snow; do a littleculture vulturing up by Reykholt,shrine to Saga author SnorriSturluson; drive out along theSnæfellsnes peninsula topped atits end with an eternal ‘pyramidof snow’ and round off your tripwith a bathe in the Blue Lagoon.Icelandin a nutshellDAY 1 UK-REYKJAVÍK Scheduled flightto Reykjavík. Transfer to Hotel Centrum for2 nights.DAYS 2 REYKJAVÍK Time to chill out,hang out or take a city tour includingHafnafjord.DAY 3 REYKJAVÍK - HAMAR Courtesytransfer to collect your hire car. Drivethrough the Whale Bay Tunnel viaBorgarnes (dripping in Saga mystery) toHamar and overnight at Hotel Hamar for 2nights.DAY 4 SNAEFELLSNES Tearyourself away from the hotel’sexquisite views and drivealongside the Snæfellsnespeninsula whose mountainspine is a kaleidoscope ofcolours. Circumnavigate thepeninsula and don’t missArnarstapi with its rockarches, basalt rocks,cocktail of wildlife andDritvík’s ‘lifting stones’.DAY 5 HAMAR-FLUÐIRDrive down to the northernend of Pingvellir, across toICELAND IN A NUTSHELLGeysir where Strokkur’s eruption every 5 to10 minutes captivates and then up toGullfoss: the Golden Falls, where Hvítá’sglacial waters fall 32 metres in a widecurtain. Continue to Fludir for a final night.DAY 6 FLUÐIR-KEFLAVÍK Afterbreakfast, stop off at Hveragerði, thehorticultural and botanical village sitting onhot springs, and then to the Blue Lagoon,for a bathe in its pastel turquoise watersbefore dropping of your car at the airportand return flight to the UK.FLYDRIVEICELAND INA NUTSHELLDEPARTURE DATESDaily Oct - AprAA3801PRICES FROM £820ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled flight(s) from Heathrow, Gatwick,Glasgow* or Manchester* to Reykjavík • All airportdeparture taxes and passenger service charges• Pay on board cabin service • 5 nightsaccommodation in twin room(s) with privateWC/shower • 5 breakfasts • 4 days(4 x 24 hrs) car rental (group A, Toyota Yaris orsimilar) including unlimited mileage; theftprotection; collision damage waiver insurance andall local taxes • ROAD ATLAS. 82 PAGE MINIGUIDE.CD AREA GUIDE. * Flight schedule maydictate amended itinerary.38Nordic Experience

ARCTIC ADVENTURES ICELANDGullfoss’s frozen stalactites;Pingvellir valley’s lead greylake; Vatnajokull on which youcan take a gentle hike andJokulsaron glacial lagoon with itscalving bergs are just a few ofthe iconic sights you’ll see onour Safari Adventures bySuperJeep.Guided by Haukun Snorrason (anaccomplished photographer) andwith hospitality provided at hisrenovated farmhouse to the eastof Vik by his wife Hadda. This isa unique opportunity to seeIceland’s dramatic scenery in itswinter cloak and experiencepersonal Icelandic hospitality.A Safari Adventureby Super JeepA SAFARI ADVENTURE BY SUPER JEEPDAY 1 UK-REYKJAVIK – HVERAGARDIScheduled flight to Keflavik where you’remet by your guide/host and led along themoss clad Reykjanes peninsula to the BlueLagoon for a bathe in its translucent,turquoise waters. Afterwards continue toHotel Eldhester close to the greenhousevillage of Hvergardi for the night.DAY 2 HVERAGARDI – HRIFUNES FARMFollow the Pingvellir valley with its slategrey lake bordered with snow cappedmountains to Geysir with its spoutingplumes of water and bubbling mud pitsbefore arriving at Gullfoss, the GoldenWaterfall, whose foaming waters dropdown a double fall into a gorge markingthe rift between East and West tectonicplates before continuing down throughSouth Iceland. Enjoy two nights at HrifunesFarm. Enjoy dinner cooked by Hadda.DAY 3 SKAFTAFELL & JOKULSARONAfter breakfast continue your Super Jeepadventure to Skaftafell National Park withits contrasting landscapes of dwarf birchwoodland, glacial tongues and melt waterrivers at the edge of Vatnajokull, Iceland’slargest glacier. Take an easy walk on theglacier itself and search for ice cavesbefore continuing to Jokularson lagoonwith its icebergs calving off and changingshape over the years before they drift outto sea. Return to Hrifunes for dinner.DAY 4 HRIFUNES – REYKJAVIK Drivealong the south coast past Vik in Myrdal toDyrholaey and the black sand beacheswhere Reynisdranger’s basalt sea stacksdominate the seascape. Continue pastSkogafoss and Seljandafoss, two ofIceland’s waterfalls, the latter having apathway along which you can walk behindthe curtain of water dropping off thefellside. Continue to Reykjavik for aconvivial evening at Haukur and Hadda’shome before transferring to the HotelReykjavik for the night.DAY 5 REYKJAVIK – UK Morning atleisure before transfer to Keflavik andreturn flight to UK.DEPARTURE DATESThursdaysOct 7 Nov 4 & 11 2010 Feb 17 March 24Apr 21 2011A SAFARI ADVENTUREBY SUPER JEEPAA3901PRICES FROM £1245ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices are in £ per person and include returnscheduled flights from Heathrow, Gatwick*,Manchester* or Glasgow* • All passenger servicecharges and airport departure taxes • Pay on boardcabin service • 4 nights hotel accommodation intwin room(s) with private WC/shower (sharedfacilities at Hrifunes Farm • 4 breakfasts, 3 dinnersand 2 snack lunches • FULLY GUIDED SUPER JEEPSAFARI ACCORDING TO ITINERARY to end of Day4 • Return airport transfer on Day 5 • *Flightschedule may dictate amended itineraryNordic Experience39

ROMANTIC EXPERIENCESWHITE WEDDINGSYOUR WEDDINGImagine a carpet of snow stretching as far as the eye cansee. A silence so pure you can almost hear it. Picture ahotel with its own chapel sculpted from glistening ice ora reindeer corral by a log cabin. Close your eyes andlisten for the haunting sound of a Lappish folk song.Imagine the sound of huskies barking and the swish ofsleigh runners through the snow. Or the gentle swirl of ariver winding its way from glacier to open sea. Pictureyour wedding as YOU would like it to be – and we’ll helpmake your dream come true!Our favourite white wedding spots are the Ice Hotel inSwedish Lapland; Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland, Oddiand the Langjökull glacier in Iceland, each unique in theirown special way. We have arranged weddings at all ofthem and can answer most of those small but importantquestions you will have. We are here to help make “yourdream come true”: we just need to know what thatdream is to help you choose which suits you best.The itineraries shown on the following pages provide aframework around which your personal arrangements canbe planned.NEED TO KNOWThe legal, residency and documentary requirements forgetting married in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Icelandare fairly simple and straight forward. However, all thenecessary documentation needs to be with the CivilAuthorities well beforehand so we generally can’t arrangeweddings with less than 10 weeks notice. Please ask usfor an Information Pack for a specific country’srequirements. The wedding programmes we illustrate canbe modified in any way, shape or form. Please just get intouch.FIRST THINGS FIRSTWhen considering dates for your wedding, please consultus in the first instance. The Pastor’s duties, both temporaland pastoral, take necessary precedence over weddingsfor foreign nationals and in the case of civil weddings,the local magistrate may not be available on certain daysof the week.40Nordic Experience

Consecrated each Januaryafter the season’s Icehotel isbuilt, the chapel with itsglistening ice pews strewn withreindeer skins and translucentaltar gives the words ‘WhiteWedding’ a very specialsignificance. Ceremonies areconducted by the local pastorand your honeymoon night spentin one of the hotel’sextravagantly sculpted ice suites.ROMANTIC SWEDISH LAPLANDIce HotelTheEve and Martin LeeTHE ICE HOTELDAY 1 UK – STOCKHOLM SCHEDULEDSAS flight to Stockholm, private transferto and overnight at The Elite Plaza,stylish, contemporary and bang in thecentre of town. Explore the cobbledalleyways of Gamla Stan, dine on scentedreindeer or just relax.DAY 2 STOCKHOLM – ICE HOTELBreakfast in the hotel’s art nouveau stylerestaurant before airport transfer andmorning flight to Kiruna, where you willbe met on arrival and transfer to thevillage of Jukkasjarvi. Guided tour of IceHotel and its environs before checking into your cosy log cottage.DAY 3 ICE HOTEL Your big day. Afterbreakfast, your local guide will escort youinto Kiruna and deal with the necessarybut simple formalities. With these out ofthe way, return to Jukkasjarvi. Time tosettle the butterflies and prepare for yourspecial moment - the wedding itself - inthe glistening precincts of the Ice HotelChapel with its’ reindeer skin pews andfrozen altar. A special Wedding Breakfastcan be arranged at the local Inn and yourwedding night will be in one of thehotel's spectacular ice suites.DAY 4 ICE HOTEL Day at leisure withtime to explore either the village ofJukkasjarvi or perhaps take asnowmobile, husky or reindeer safari.Overnight in Aurora cottage.DAY 5 ICE HOTEL – UK Breakfast at theInn, after which it’s time to say ‘goodbye’to the coolest place in Sweden. Transferto Kiruna for your return flight, viaStockholm, back to the UK.OPTIONAL SERVICESAT THE ICE HOTELPhotographer/commemorative album from £700• Bridal bouquet from £80• Champagne in Absolut Bar from £85• Wedding Cake, per person from £15• Husky transfer from Kiruna airport onarrival (2 persons)• Excursions by snowmobile, reindeersleigh and husky, please see page 9£240ppAll optional services are bookable in advance andpayable locally (with the exception of safaris andexcursions).DEPARTURE DATES3 Jan - 3 AprTHE ICE HOTELAA4101PRICES FROM £2245ppGUESTS FROM £995ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices for wedding couple include return scheduledSAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Kiruna via Stockholm• All airport departure taxes and passenger servicecharges • Overnight at Elite Plaza in a double roomwith private WC/shower • 2 nights in a Nordiccabin, Northern Light chalet or Kaamos hotel styleroom • Overnight in an Art Suite (warmaccommodation as back up) • 4 breakfasts• Wedding ceremony in the Ice Church incl. priorarrangements with the local registrar’s office inKiruna • Airport transfers in Stockholm and Kiruna •Protective thermal clothing for the duration inJukkasjarvi • Guided tour of the Ice Hotel.Nordic Experience41

ROMANTIC NORWEGIAN LAPLANDThe Sorrisniva Igloo Ice Chapelwith its exquisitely decoratedice sculptures and altar, isconsecrated each January by theBishop of Nord-Hålogand andweddings conducted by the localpriest. Beautiful and intimate, awedding here is about asromantic as it gets. The adjacentLaksestua restaurant is perfect foryour wedding breakfast and yourhoneymoon night is spent in thehotel’s very special bridal suite.SorrisnivaIgloo HotelSara and Lee ChadwickSORRISNIVA IGLOO HOTELDAY 1 UK - ALTA Scheduled SASflight(s) from Heathrow to Alta in NorthernNorway via Oslo. Private transfer to HotelVica for dinner and overnight.DAY 2 ALTA Breakfast and day at leisurebefore afternoon transfer to SorrisnivaIgloo Hotel. Late afternoon wedding inthe Ice Chapel. Time for photographsfollowed by an aperitif in the Ice Bar.Wedding Breakfast in the adjoiningLaksestua restaurant before retiring to theIgloo Hotel’s very special Honeymoon Suite.DAY 3 ALTA Morning sauna andbreakfast. Snowmobile safari on theFinnmark Plateau. Transfer to Alta and theVica Hotel for a romantic dinner andovernight.DAY 4 ALTA Breakfast. Transfer to theHusky Farm for a dog sled trip throughthe forests and along the banks of theAltaelva river. Final dinner and overnightat the Vica Hotel.DAY 5 ALTA - UK Breakfast and privatetransfer to Alta airport for your returnflight(s) to Heathrow via Oslo.OPTIONAL SERVICES• Photographer including pictures from £410• Hairdressing from £100• Bridal bouquet from £110Optional services are bookable in advance andpayable locally.DEPARTURE DATESDaily 4 Jan - 21 MarSORRISNIVAIGLOO HOTELAA4201PRICES FROM £2455ppGUESTS FROM £810ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices for wedding couple include return scheduledSAS flight(s) from Heathrow to Alta via Oslo • Allairport departure taxes and passenger servicecharges • 3 overnights at Hotel Vica (one before thewedding and two after) in twin/double room withprivate shower/wc • 1 night in the Honeymoon suiteat Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel • 4 breakfasts and 3 dinners• Wedding Breakfast • Wedding ceremony in the IceChapel • Snowmobile and Husky safaris as peritinerary • All transfers in Alta.42Nordic Experience

Imagine a tiny church setamongst snow clad farmland,topped with a spire andoverlooked by an ivory cappedglacier. Picture a log cabin hoteland a room with a veranda,outside of which there is a hottub with the Northern Lightsoverhead. Then let us help youplan everything the way you wantit to be for a traditional Lutheranwedding in the dramaticsurroundings of Southern Iceland.Oddi Church& Hotel RangaROMANTIC ICELANDHÓTEL RANGÁSet in lush meadowland against a backdropof Mount Hekla, the Ranga which startedlife as a private fishing lodge has over theyears spawned de-luxe rooms, a restaurantwith a ‘Surf a Turf’ signature dish; outdoorhot tubs; suites themed and furnishedaround the six continents, Royal Suite andLounge Bar. Notwithstanding suchdevelopment the hotel has done it all whilstkeeping its very personal owner driven styleand ambience.ODDI CHURCH& HOTEL RANGADAY 1 UK – RANGA ScheduledIcelandair flight to Reykjavik. Pick up hirecar on arrival and drive to Hotel Rangaoverlooking the winding river of the samename. Welcome drink and overnight inde-luxe room for 4 nights.DAY 2 RANGA Day at leisure to exploreand enjoy some of Iceland’s most iconicattractions: the rock arch and bird cliffsat Dyrholaey; Myrdalsjokull on which youcan snowmobile and Seljandsfoss, thewaterfall you can walk behind.DAY 3 WEDDING DAY Morning free toprepare for your special day. Afternoontransfer by Super Jeep to and from OddiChurch for a traditional Lutheran weddingceremony followed by a WeddingBreakfast at the hotel.DAY 4 RANGA After breakfast you candrive up to the Geysir area where Strokkurspouts every few minutes; gape in awe atGullfoss and drive through PingvellirNational Park.DAY 5 RANGA – UK After breakfast driveto the Reykjanes peninsula for amemorable bathe in the Blue Lagoon.Return hire car at the airport and returnflight to UK.Stephanie and Steven TaylorDEPARTURE DATESSat - WedOct - AprODDI CHURCH& HOTEL RANGAAA4301PRICES FROM £1410ppGUESTS FROM £670ppWHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices for wedding couple include return scheduledflight(s) from Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow* orManchester* to Reykjavík • In-flight cabin service• All airport departure taxes and passenger servicecharges • 4 nights accommodation in chosen roomcategory with private WC/bath • 4 breakfasts• 4 days (4x24hrs) car rental (4 WD, group F, ToyotaRAV4 4WD or similar) including unlimited mileage;theft protection and collision damage waiverinsurance; all local taxes and airport collection/drop-off charges • Lutheran wedding ceremony inOddi church including Super Jeep transfers •Wedding Breakfast and Champagne. OPTIONALSERVICES ON REQUEST *Flight schedule maydictate amended itineraryNordic Experience 43

ROMANTIC ICELANDIceland’s Langjökull glacier,reachable from Rekjavík in justa couple of hours by Super Jeep,is the perfect spot if you’relooking for a literally ‘whiterthan white’ wedding. The vastdesert ice cap stretches as far asthe eye can see in everydirection, snugly visible from ourexclusive mobile glazed lodgewith panoramic windows fromfloor to ceiling. Ceremonies areconducted by a local registrar,followed by a seafood buffetand an exhilarating snowmobileacross the glacier.A GlacierWeddingHÓTEL BORGThe Borg is to Reykjavík what the George Vis to Paris or Claridges to London: plush,lush and with phones in the bathrooms! All56 rooms are elegant and uniquelyfurnished and have private WC/shower, TVand telephone. Every single thing in theplace has been renewed, renovated andreplaced over the past three years.• Central location • RestaurantDEPARTURE DATESSat - WedOct - AprDAY 1 UK – REYKJAVIK ScheduledIcelandair flight to Reykjavík. Privatetransfer to Hotel Borg and overnight for 4nights.DAY 2 REYKJAVIK After breakfast theday is yours to either take an excursion,make last minute preparations for your bigday, be pampered or just chill out in the‘Capital of Cool’.DAY 3 WEDDING DAY Leave by SuperJeep through the whale tunnel with yourguide for the day, stopping off at Borganesto sort out your wedding licenseA GLACIER WEDDINGformalities and then climbing up across themountains to Langjökull. Arrive at our‘Room with a view’ for your wedding andseafood Wedding Breakfast, after whichslip into a fetching Bibendum outfit for asnowmobile safari across the glacier. SuperJeep back to Reykjavík.DAY 4 REYKJAVIK Day at leisure.Optional excursions available.DAY 5 REYKJAVIK – UK After breakfast,private transfer to Keflavík airport forreturn flight to the UK.A GLACIER WEDDINGPRICES ON REQUESTAA3801WHAT’S INCLUDEDPrices for wedding couple are in £ per person andinclude return scheduled Icelandair flight(s) fromHeathrow , Glasgow* or Manchester* to Reykjavík• In-flight cabin service • All airport departure taxesand passenger service charges • Airport/hotelreturn transfers in Reykjavik • 4 nightsaccommodation in De Luxe double room at theHotel Borg with private WC/bath • 4 breakfasts• Wedding formalities • Super jeep transfer toglacier and ceremony • Wedding Breakfastincluding wedding cake • Snowmobile safari on theglacier including protective clothing • Services ofdriver guide & chef throughout wedding day. *Flight schedule may dictate amended itinerary.44 Nordic Experience

ARCTIC ADVENTURESThe small printBrochure descriptionsThe descriptions of areas and hotels in thisbrochure have been compiled as a result ofinspection by our staff or agents and checkedto ensure they are accurate. However, changesmay occur after the date of publication. Inaddition there may be occasions whenaccommodation owners, proprietors offacilities etc. may decide to withdraw some ofthe facilities. These are regrettably beyond ourcontrol and we therefore reserve the right tochange the particulars at any time before weconfirm your booking. We will inform you ofany such change at the time of booking, or, ifyou have already booked, you will becontacted before your departure if there istime. Public holidays particularly Christmas,New Year and religious festivals may also affectthe availability of centre and hotel facilities.Minimum numbersCertain tours require a minimum number ofpeople to enable them to operate. We willcheck whether these minimum numbers havebeen reached no later than 6 weeks before therelevant tour departure date. We shall informyou immediately if the minimum numbernecessary has not been reached for your tourand in that event we reserve the right to cancelyour holiday and refund all monies which youhave paid to us.CorrespondenceIf you make your booking through a travelagent, all communications between you andNordic Experience must be through that travelagent. If you book your tour direct with us wewill send all correspondence direct to you.Please quote the reference number shown onyour invoice in any communication.Health, visas and documentsa) You must ensure that you and all members ofyour party have a valid passport and visas andany inoculations and health certificates for allcountries to be visited. Your passport must bevalid for at least six months following yourarrival at your foreign destination.b) We will offer reasonable assistance andadvice as to how to arrange such items, but wecannot in any circumstances be responsible ifany member of your party is not permitted toenter any country. You should therefore makenecessary arrangements well in advance ofyour departure date.For FCO advice contact www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo or ABTA Information LineTel: 0901 2011 5050 (calls are charged at 50pper minute).Special requestsIf you have any special request, (e.g. dietaryrequirements or a need for special assistance),please inform us. We will always do our best tomeet such requests but cannot guarantee todo so, and in no circumstances will any suchrequest be accepted by us so as to form part ofour contractual agreement.Board & transfersAll our tours include open style Scandinavianbuffet breakfasts. These will include cereal,juices, fresh rolls, bread, cheeses and coldmeats. Picnic or snack lunches and buffetsuppers are provided where indicated in theprice panel sub text and itinerary. Transfers areincluded where necessary or if we can organisethem economically. Otherwise they arepayable locally and by public transport, fly busservices or taxi, for which we provide detailedinformation in your travel pack.AccommodationThe nature, style and standard ofaccommodation we use for our tours variesaccording to country, location and itinerary:please check the thumbnail sketches providedin each case. In respect of hotels we do notendorse any local star rankings since they donot, in our opinion, provide an accuratereflection of style, atmosphere or location.Please note the description ‘twin room’ refersto a twin bedded room and that a showerrather than a bathtub is the norm throughoutScandinavia. Whilst some hotel rooms cantake an extra bed this will invariably result inthe room being cramped. In someareas/countries single rooms may be inferior instandard to twin rooms.Climatic conditionsMany of the tours in this brochure depend fortheir successful accomplishment on suitableclimatic and weather conditions both prior toand during operation. Air temperature, seastate, cloud cover, rainfall and terrainconditions are just some of the factors that caneffect the operation of excursions, visibility ofnatural phenomena and sightings of wildlife.Tour validity and excursion/safari dates aregiven in good faith based on our experienceand that of our suppliers. However, we or ouragents may have to change itineraries orcancel excursions at any time prior todeparture or during a tour. If we do so, it is withyour interest in mind and we regret thenecessity of having to point out that we do notaccept any liability for compensation in respectof such changes or cancellations.ClothingTemperatures in the Nordic countries andNorthern Europe can vary considerably fromday to day or even in a day and conditions canchange unexpectedly and rapidly; the terrain isoften hazardous and ground conditionsfrequently difficult. You should take suitableclothing with these conditions in mindparticularly good quality wind/rain proofouterwear; strong walking shoes or boots,gloves and sufficient and varied clothes toenable you to ‘layer up’. Many of our tours,particularly in Iceland and Greenland, involvewalking or medium grade hiking and you mayfind it useful to invest in a good pair of boots,broken in well before departure. If you’re in anydoubt as to what to take, we’re always happyto talk it through with you.Your travel documentsWe will normally send all your traveldocuments and itineraries to either yourself oryour travel agent approximately two to threeweeks before your departure. PLEASE CHECKTHEM CAREFULLY. In some cases, the timingsmay have changed from those on your holidayconfirmation, and the correct timings willappear on the tickets themselves, or onaccompanying documentation.Tour pricesDetails of what is included in the price of yourtour are shown in the sub text of the relevantprice panel and reconfirmed on yourconfirmation invoice. Prices include allappropriate local taxes and mandatorycharges. This brochure was published in 2010and the details and prices are valid fordepartures in 2010/2011. The followingexchange rate has been used in calculatingprices in the brochure.Iceland ISK 188/£Norway NOK 9.30/£Sweden SEK 11.25/£Eurozone EUR 1.17/£Denmark/Greenland 8.85/£ScanSaver PricesPrices shown are based on lowest airfares andare therefore only a guide. Please ask for pricesbased on the best available airfare at the timeof booking.INSURANCE COVERWe have both a legal obligation under legislation covering the travelindustry to ensure your travel is covered by comprehensive travel insurancethat protects your safety and travel enjoyment. If you already have suchinsurance or prefer to buy it from a third party then all we ask is that younotify us of the name of your insurer when you complete you booking form.Alternatively, we are an Appointed Representative of NJ HeritagePartnership Ltd and we are able to provide travel insurance covering all thedestination and activities featured in this brochure. NJ Heritage PartnershipLtd are specialist Insurance Brokers whose cover is provided by InternationalInsurance Company of Hannover Ltd. The cover includes a 24 HourWorldwide emergency Medical Service with experts providing friendly andprofessional emergency help.Your premium should be forwarded to us with your tour deposit in order toensure immediate protection under the holiday cancellation section of theinsurance. The details below show only a summary of cover; full details of thecover provided are shown on your policy document which will be sent to youupon receipt of payment of premium; please read it carefully to ensure youunderstand the cover provided which includes certain terms conditions,exclusions and warranties. Should you wish a specimen, a copy will be madeavailable prior to purchase upon request. If the insurance does not meet yourrequirements you may return the documentation within 14 days of thepurchase or prior to travel if this is sooner and, provided no claim has beenmade, obtain a refund.Travel Insurance Summary of Cover(Sums Insured are per insured person)A Medical Expenses £5,000,000Inpatient Benefit £200Criminal Injuries £ 5,000Inability to Dive £250Personal Liability £2,000,000B Personal Accident £10,000Permanent Loss of Sight £25,000Loss of Limb(s) £25,000Permanent Total Disablement £25,000Death £10,000(limited to £1,000 for persons aged over 65 or under 16 years at time of death)C Cancellation or Curtailment £5,000D Delayed Departure or Arrival £100/£1,000Hi-jack of Aircraft £3,000Failure of flight connections £150Interruption of Transport £300E Personal Effects £1,500(Valuables limited to £350)(Single Article limit £250)(Disc Collections £200)Money £250Tickets £1,000Passport and Visas £250Damage to Hired Sports Equipment £750F Legal Expenses £15,000G Winter Sports ExtensionOptionalPREMIUMS (INCLUDING INSURANCE PREMIUM TAX) PER PERSONUp to 4 days £20.00Up to 9 days £25.00Up to 17 days £30.00Children under 2 years on date of departure are insured free of charge. Children underthe age of 18 on departure are insured at half the adult rate. Adults aged 66 or over atthe date of departure can be insured at twice the appropriate premium. Winter sportscover is available to people under 65 years at twice the normal rate.IMPORTANTThis policy includes certain terms, conditions, exclusions and excesses. In particularcover is excluded for any defined pre-existing medical condition from which you or anyperson upon whom travel depends are suffering. If in doubt please contact the medicalhelpline in confidence on 0844 826 2686, as additional cover may be purchaseddirectly from the insurer’s medical screening helpline for certain pre-existingconditions. Should you wish a specimen, a copy will be made available uponrequest or alternatively a copy is available for download from our websitewww.nordicexperience.co.uk. The policy contains a 14 day ‘Cooling Off’ Period anddetails of how to make a claim and who to contact in the event of a medical emergency.Both NJ Heritage Partnership Ltd and International Insurance Company of HannoverLtd and authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. This can bechecked on the FSA’s website www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by contacting them on 0845606 1234. Nordic Experience and Scantours are trading names of Colchester TravelLtd who are Appointed Representatives of N J Heritage Partnership Ltd.Nordic Experience 45

ARCTIC ADVENTURESBooking Conditions1. When bookingWhen you make your booking you must complete a booking form,accepting on behalf of all your party the terms of these bookingconditions, and pay the appropriate deposit. If booking through aTravel Agent all monies paid to that agent are held by them on ourbehalf at all times. A contract between us will exist when we issueour confirmation invoice, is governed by English Law and bothparties shall submit to the jurisdiction of English Courts at all times.2. Paying your balanceThe balance of the price of your tour must be paid at least ten weeksbefore your departure date. If the balance is not paid in time wereserve the right to cancel your tour, retain your deposit, and applythe cancellation charges set out in paragraph 4 below.3. Amending your bookingIf, after our confirmation has been issued, you wish to change toanother of our tours or change the departure date, we will endeavourto make any such change, provided the request to do so is receivedin writing from the person who signed the booking form or from yourTravel Agent at least ten weeks before departure. This must beaccompanied by a payment of £25 to cover administration costs.Alterations cannot normally be made within ten weeks of departureand any such request for an alteration will be treated as acancellation of the original booking and subject to the cancellationcharges set out in paragraph 4 below. Please note that certain travelarrangements cannot be changed after a reservation has been madeand any alteration will then incur a 100% cancellation charge and betreated as a new booking.4. If you cancel your bookingYou, or any member of your party, may cancel your tour at any timeproviding that the cancellation is made by the person signing thebooking form and is received by us in writing. As this incursadministrative costs, we will retain your deposit and apply cancellationcharges up to the maximum below:PERIOD BEFORE DEPARTURE AMOUNT OF CANCELLATIONWITHIN WHICH WRITTEN CHARGE SHOWN AS ACANCELLATION IS MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE OFRECEIVED BY USTHE TOUR PRICEMore than 71 daysDeposit only70-36 days 50%within 35 days 100%5. ProblemsIf you have a problem during your holiday, please inform the relevantsupplier (e.g. hotelier, excursion operator, etc.) immediately, who willendeavour to put things right on our behalf. If your complaint is notresolved locally, please follow this up within 28 days of your return homeby writing to us at 39 Crouch Street, Colchester CO3 3EN giving yourbooking reference and other relevant information to help us identify theproblem(s) you encountered. It is strongly recommended youcommunicate any complaint to the supplier of the services in questionand if possible keep a written account of having done so. If you fail tofollow this simple procedure we will have been deprived of theopportunity to investigate and rectify your complaint whilst you were ontour and this may affect your rights under this contract.It is unlikely that you will have a complaint that cannot be settled amicablybetween us. However, disputes arising out of, or in connection with, thiscontract which cannot be amicably settled may be referred to arbitrationunder a special scheme which, though devised by arrangement withABTA, is administered quite independently by IDRS part of the CharteredInstitute of Arbitrators. It provides for a simple and inexpensive methodof arbitration on documents alone with restricted liability on you in respectof costs. Full details will be provided on request or can be downloadedfrom the ABTA website.The scheme does not apply to claims for anamount greater than £5,000 per person. There is also a limit of £25,000per booking form. Neither does it apply to claims which are solely inrespect of physical injury or illness or their consequences. The Schemecan however deal with compensation claims which include an element ofminor injury or illness subject to a limit of £1,000 on the amount thearbitrator can award per person in respect of this element. The applicationfor arbitration and Statement of Claim must be received by IDRS withinnine months of the date of your return from the holiday. Outside this timelimit arbitration under the Scheme may still be available if the companyagrees, but the ABTA Code does not require such agreement. For injuryand illness claims, you may like to use the ABTA / Chartered Institute ofArbitrators Mediation Procedure. This is a voluntary scheme and requiresus to agree for mediation to go ahead. The aim is to help you resolveyour dispute in a quick and cost effective way. Details on request or fromwww.abta.com.6. SurchargesWe reserve the right to alter the prices of any arrangement featured in ourbrochure or on our website. You will be advised of the current price of thearrangement that you wish to book before your contract is confirmed.46 Nordic ExperienceChanges in transportation costs, including fuel costs, taxes or feeschargeable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation ordisembarkation fees at ports and airports and exchange rates mean thatthe price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked,but there will be no change within 30 days of your departure.However we will absorb and you will not be charged for any increaseequivalent to 2% of the price of your travel arrangements, which excludesinsurance premiums and any amendment charges. You will be charged forthe amount over and above that, plus an administration charge of £1.00per person together with an amount to cover agents’ commission ifapplicable. If this means that you would have to pay an increase of morethan 10% of the price of your travel arrangements, you will have the optionof accepting a change to another arrangement if we are able to offer one(if this is of equivalent or higher quality you will not have to pay more butif it is of lower quality you will be refunded the difference in price), orcancelling and receiving a full refund of all monies paid, except for anyamendment charges. Should the price of your arrangement decrease dueto the changes mentioned above, (by more than 2% of your invoice paid)then any refund due will be paid to you. However, please note that travelarrangements are not always purchased in local currency and someapparent changes have no impact on the price of your travel due tocontractual arrangements.Should you decide to cancel for this reason, you must exercise your rightto do so within 14 days from the issue date printed on your final invoice.The price of your travel arrangements was calculated using exchangerates rates of: [EUR 1.88, NOK 9.30, SEK 11.25, ISK 188, DKK 8.85]7. Cancellation and variation to arrangementsIt is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to yourarrangements, but we do plan them many months in advance.Occasionally changes occur, but most are minor, and we will advise youor your travel agent at the earliest possible date. Flight timings andcarriers in the brochure are subject to change as a result of airlineprocedures. Final details will be shown on your tickets and/or in theaccompanying documentation. If a major change becomes necessary,we will inform you or your travel agent as soon as reasonably possibleif there is time before departure. When a major change occurs (such asthe alteration of your outward/return flights by more than 12 hours,changes of hotel or a reduction in the standard of accommodation),provided it does not arise from circumstances amounting to forcemajeure (see below), you will have the choice of either accepting thechange, taking another available arrangement from us, or cancellingyour arrangement and receiving a full refund. In the interests of ourclients, we reserve the right to cancel itineraries, or to substitutealternative accommodation, if the arrangement, unamended, wouldthen in our opinion suffer, or be in some way impracticable. However,in no case will we cancel your arrangement less than six weeks beforethe scheduled departure date except for reasons of force majeure orfailure on your part to pay the final balance (circumstances amountingto force majeure include war, the threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrialdispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverseweather conditions, or withdrawal of suppliers facilities) Incircumstances where we are unable to provide the arrangementbooked, we will return to you all monies paid, or offer an alternativearrangement of comparable standardIn accordance with EU Regulation 2111/2005 we are required to adviseyou of the airline operating your flight/connecting flight/transfer whichwe do by detailing this on your confirmation invoice. Any changes tothe airline used after you have received your tickets will be notified toyou as soon as possible and in all cases at check-in or at the boardinggate. Such a change is deemed to be a minor change. Other examplesof minor changes include alteration of your outward/return flights byless than 12 hours, changes to aircraft type, change of accommodationto another of the same standard.8. Our responsibility & liabilityIf the contract we have with you is not performed or is improperlyperformed by us or our suppliers we will pay you appropriatecompensation if this has affected the enjoyment of your travelarrangements. However we will not be liable where any failure in theperformance of the contract is due to either you or a third partyunconnected with the provision of the travel arrangements and wherethe failure was unforeseeable or unavoidable; or unusual andunforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequencesof which could not have been avoided even if all due care had beenexercised; or an event which we or our suppliers, even with all due care,could not foresee or forestall. Our liability, except in cases involvingdeath, injury or illness will be limited in accordance with and/or in anidentical manner to (a) The contractual terms of the companies thatprovide the transportation for your travel arrangements and (b) Anyrelevant international convention, for example the MontrealConvention in respect of travel by air, the Athens Convention in respectof travel by sea, the Berne Convention in respect of travel by rail andthe Paris Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation,which limit the amount of compensation that you can claim for death,injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage.SummerADVENTURESWe are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation ofcompensation contained in these or any conventions.Although we do not control or operate any airlines, own any coaches,hotels or other facilities mentioned in our brochure, or directly employstaff of those organisations, we do take all reasonable steps to ensurethat such organisations maintain standards which are acceptable to uswithin the bounds of possibility in each locality. No third party has theauthority to make, on our behalf, any promise or representation to youconcerning our tour or travel arrangements. We do not accept liabilityfor any such arrangements changed without our consent, or make anyrefund for unused travel, accommodation vouchers or excursionvouchers other than at our absolute discretion.The texts of the transport companies' contractual terms, orinternational conventions are available on request.Under EU law (Regulation 261/2004) you have rights in somecircumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline incases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full detailsof these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be availablefrom airlines. However reimbursement in such cases will notautomatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday cost from us. Yourright to a refund and/or compensation from us is set out in clause 6. Ifany payments to you are due from us, any payment made to you by theairline will be deducted from this amount. If your airline does notcomply with these rules you should complain to the Air Transport Users'Council on 020 7240 6061 www.auc.org.uk9. Assistance whilst on tourIf the contract we have with you is not performed or is improperlyperformed as a result of failures attributable to a third party connectedwith the provision of the services, or as a result of failures due tounusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, theconsequences of which could not have been avoided even if all duecare had been exercised, or an event which we or our suppliers, evenwith all due care, could not foresee or forestall, and you suffer an injuryor other material loss, we will offer you such prompt assistance as isreasonable in the circumstances.10. Locally booked Excursions & SafarisFor any excursion or safari that you book locally, your contract will bewith the operator of that excursion or safari and not with us irrespectiveof whether the operator is one used by us or not. We do not acceptresponsible for the provision of any such excursions or tours or foranything that happens during the course of its provision by theoperator.11. Financial Protection & Standards of ConductThe Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations1992 require us to provide security for the monies that you pay for anytours booked with us and for your repatriation in the unlikely event ofour insolvency. We provide this security by way of an ATOL 6558administered by the Civil Aviation Authority and a bond held by ABTA.When you buy an ATOL protected air holiday you will receive aConfirmation Invoice from us (or via our authorised agent throughwhich you booked) confirming your arrangements and your protectionunder our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence. The CAA will ensure that youare not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money youhave paid to us for an advance booking. For further information visit theATOL website at www.atol.org.uk We are a member of ABTA,membership number W879X and are obliged to maintain a highstandard of service to you by virtue of their Code of Conduct.12. Other termsThe conditions, terms and obligations outlined in this brochure and onour website www.nordicexperience.co.uk under the heading “the smallprint” shall be deemed to be included within these conditions. NordicExperience and Scantours are trading names of Colchester Travel Ltdwith whom your contract is and which is governed by English Law andthe jurisdiction of the English Courts.

NORDICE X P E R I E N C EBooking FormDEPARTURE DATE DEPARTURE POINT RETURN DATE TOUR CODE AND TITLE39 Crouch StreetColchesterCO3 3ENTel 01206 708888Fax 01206 508899e-mail: reservations@nordicexperience.co.ukTITLE FIRST NAME SURNAME DATE OF BIRTH(IF UNDER 18)CLIENT’S ADDRESSOR ABTA AGENT’S STAMPAGENT’S ABTA NOAGENT’S REFCLIENT’S EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERSDaytime ..............................................................................................................Evening ..............................................................................................................Mobile ................................................................................................................TRAVEL INSURANCEI understand that it is a condition governing acceptance of thisbooking that I and all others named on this form are coveredby comprehensive travel insurance. If I decline to take NordicExperience’s recommended policy covering the arrangementsfeatured in this brochure, I agree to indemnify the Company asto any costs that might arise which would otherwise have beenmet had such insurance been in place.My alternative insurers are:SPECIAL REQUESTSSigned:I WISH TO PAY BY: CREDIT CARD/DEBIT CARDCardNumber:Deposit(s) onlyDeposit(s) & Insurance PremiumsConfirmation invoice total (if within 10 weeks of departure)Balance 10 weeks before departureStart Date: Expiry Date: CC Security Code:*DD Issue No:*I ENCLOSE A CHEQUE PAYABLE TO NORDIC EXPERIENCEOR GIVE CREDIT CARD AUTHORITY FOR:Deposits (£150 minimum per person travellingdepending on tour booked)Total Amount (if within 10 weeks of departure) £Travel Insurance Premiums (see page 45 for rates) £TOTAL AMOUNT PAYABLE £I certify that I am authorised to make this booking on behalf of allthose named above and that I am responsible for ensuring paymentof all monies due in respect of this booking. I have read and acceptthe Company’s ‘Booking Conditions’ and ‘Small Print’ as beingincorporated within the terms of the contract between us.£Signed:Signed:Date:There is no charge for payments made by Debit Card; Credit Card payments are surcharged at2.4%; American Express payments at 3.6%. *for security reasons may be telephoned throughNordic Experience 47

www.nordicexperience.co.ukNORDICE X P E R I E N C EABTA No.W879X39 Crouch Street, Colchester CO3 3EN01206 708888reservations@nordicexperience.co.uk