VIKING LIGHT with Fred Watson

HOST: Astronomer at Large – Fred Watson

DATES: 20 January - 1 February 2025

STYLE: Fun, relaxed adventure, learning

Minimum/maximum numbers: 12/20 guests

BOOKINGS: Open 6 June 2023 / Close 6 November 2024

ITINERARY

 Day 1, Monday 20 January 2025 – Stockholm 

Please make your own way to the Radisson Blu Waterfront where you have one night accommodation confirmed. The quickest, best and most fun way to get to town is by the Express train the Arlanda as the hotel is over the station. Tickets can easily be purchased on arrival at the airport, after exiting immigration. Dinner will be in the old town (Gamla Stan) a short walk from our hotel, starting our sightseeing and visit to Scandinavia.  (D)

 Day 2, Tuesday 21 January 2025 – Stockholm 

Commencing our journey today we meet in the hotel lobby for an 8am departure. We will visit two attractions off the tourist route -  KvistabergObservatory - a charming point of astronomical interest in the woods. With one of Fred’s colleagues, we’ll go behind the scenes and learn the history of the grounds and the large Schmidt telescope housed. Next we head to the one and only Skokloster Castle one of the greatest, if not most unusual, castles of Baroque Europe. It is described as a monument to the Swedish Age of Greatness, a period in the 17th century. Lunch will be in the interesting University city of Uppsala, the fourth largest in Sweden. On the way home, we’ll take a short stop in the small town of Sigtuna– the ancient Viking Capital and Sweden’s first town – on the way. (B)

 Day 3, Wednesday 22 January 2025 – Kiruna 

Today we fly 68° north to the northernmost part of Sweden, we enter the Article Circle and our arctic adventure truly begins! Your flight Norwegian Airlines flight to Kiruna (*not included). Our accommodation is in IceHotel constructed every year in November and December, however our accommodation is in warm rooms. Ice rooms may be requested and are subject to availability and at additional cost. Please ask us when making a booking.

The afternoon is set for adventure – dog sledding. See the dogs’ desire to run and pull as you travel through the beautiful landscape of northern Lapland. As you sit back and enjoy the ride, the silence is broken only by the runners whooshing through the snow. The tour includes wilderness coffee and cake served by an open fire. Dinner is included in our hotel. (B,D)

 Day 4, Thurday 23 January 2025 – Kiruna 

First task: visit to the Swedish Space Institute. Here, scientists study the solar activity associated with the Aurora Borealis, and our behind the scenes tour of the site will ensure you leave with a deeper understanding of this phenomenon. We’ll get to meet some of the researchers and are treated to a tour before lunch in the staff room.  Mining plays a vital role in Kiruna’s with the world’s largest underground iron ore mine. Put on a hard hat and get deep into the earth as we learn how roughly the equivalent to the volume of a 12-storey building is brought to the surface each day.

Dinner tonight is a Wilderness experience with a buzz, as we take to snowmobiles in pursuit of the northern lights and a glass of wine! (B,L,D)

 Day 5, Friday 24 January 2025 – Abisko National Park 

The Ore Train designed to transport Iron Ore mined in Kiruna, will deliver us to Abisko National Park. The protected area is ideal and renowned for viewing the Aurora Borealis thanks to its dark skies, and a basin that traps clouds outside the range. Tonight’s accommodation is basic but comfortable at the STF Abisko Turistation Mountain Station. After dinner at the hotel’s restaurant we can head outside, pull up a chair and look for a magical green display. (B,D)

 Day 6, Saturday 25 January 2025 – Abisko National Park 

Enjoy a 3-4km morning hike in the Arctic wilderness with professional. Meander along the scenic Abisko river canyon, through an ancient mountain birch forest, enjoy stunning open views of the Abisko river delta, marvel at soaring mountain peaks, take in all the beautiful scenery around the incredible Lake Torneträsk and much more.  A highlight of the area is a visit to Abisko’s famous Aurora Sky Station regarded as one of the best spots in the world for seeing the Northern Lights. Accessible only by chairlift. Here, we will also enjoy Norwegian cuisine and a view to die for. (B,D)

 Day 7, Suday 26 January 2025 – Lofoten 

Leaving Abisko and Sweden behind today, we head to the most western part of Norwegian Coast and famously beautiful island chain of the Lofoten. Before reaching the distinctive scenery with, we’ll finalise the journey on the Ore Train taking this to the port town of Narvik. Here we include entry to the Narvik War Museum  and to grab lunch (not included). Finally, the day ends with dinner near our wharf hotel the Thon Hotel Svolvaer. (B,D)

 Day 8, Monday 27 January 2025– Lofoten 

Keep your eyes peeled today for orcas, humpbacks and finbacks. These magestic creatures follow the herrings into the Lofoten and Vesterålen regions during  this period. Heading as far east as we can today, we’ll make our way to the town with the shortest name in the world ‘A’. Bring your camera’s as this is sure to be a stunning day out, filled with dramatic mountains and peaks, open sea and sheltered bays, beaches and untouched lands. Along the way we’ll see the longest long boat ever discovered in the Viking Museum.  We’ll get the full viking experience, including lunch with a glass of meade! and the Norwegian Fishing Museum. (B,L)

 Day 9,   Tuesday 28 January 2025 – Hurtigruten 

The Trollfjord is, despite its name, a short fjord (2 km), but famous for its dramatic history and surrounding landscape. We’ll spend some time in Trollfjord, exploring as, above us, white-tailed eagles soar against the backdrop of steep mountains. After dinner we depart Svolvaer by the Havila on a two night cruise in an outside cabin. The orginal ‘steamer’ is a Norwegian cruise, ferry and cargo operator. The company was founded in 1893 to operate voyages on Norway's western and northern coast between Bergen and Kirkenes. En route to our destination Honningsvagthe vessel will make ten stops past fjords, sunds and harbours. Whilst on board, all meals are included.

 Day 10, Wedneday 29 January 2025 – Havila (NEW MOON)

As we cruise into Tromsø, described as the Paris of the North, keep your eyes peeled for the “Ishavskatedralen” or Arctic Cathedral. We have a short window (4 hours) to visit the buzzing city taking in the Polar Museum, set in an old waterfront warehouse dating back to the 1800s. This building is a significant monument to the polar seafaring expeditions so strongly connected to this area. Back on board for dinner, afternoon lectures or some quiet time. (B,L,D)

 Day 11, Thursday 30 January 2025– Alta 

Landing mid-morning we’ll head up to the North Cape for the perfect photo op! You cannot get further north in Norway than the North Cape, or Nordkapp. Since the 16th c., the North Cape, or Nordkapp, has been among the premier sailing marks of the world. After we’ve done all the tourist things, we’ll head south to Alta, the largest city in the Arctic North. Here we’ll overnight for two nights in our centrally located hotel right next to the magnificent Northern Lights Cathedral - the Thon Alta(B)

 Day 12, Friday 31 January 2025 – Alta 

Scores of prehistoric rock carvings, some as old as 6,000 years, have been found near Alta. This knowledge sets the scene for our trip to the open air Alta Museum, also known as the World Heritage Rock Art Centre. Thanks to the help of our guide, learn about the extensive indigenous rock carvings found here and in the surrounding area – as well as the cultural and historical stories behind them. The museum also has other exhibits. Learn about the conflicting ideas of Sámi culture and Kristian Birkelandsurrounding the Aurora Borealis. The indigenous people originally regarded the auroras as deeply spiritual, naming them “guovssahas” [the light you can hear]. Afterwards we will head to Sorrisniva where we will be dining in the Salmon Hut for our last night of the tour, and very last opportunity to go northern light spotting. (B,D)

 Day 13, Saturday 1 February  20 – home /onward travel

After breakfast your Arctic Adventure ends this morning with a transfer to the airport. We truly hope you have enjoyed the Viking Light!

PARTICIPATION FEE

$11,595 per person (17 - 20 paying guests)^

$13,295 per person (12 - 16 paying guests)^

Single Supplement: $2125

*Tour will operate with a minimum of 12 /maximum 20 guests.​

 Inclusions: 

· Tour Host – Fred Watson

· Tour Manager – Marnie Ogg

· Get behind the scenes tours at Kvistaberg Observatory, Kiruna Space Institute

· 2 nights on the Havila (outside cabin)

· 4 - 5 star accommodation as listed 

· Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner as listed (B,L,D)

· Entry to all sights listed

· Air-conditioned motorcoach and driver

· Local Guides​

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 Not included: 

· Flight Stockholm to Kiruna - Scandinavian Airlines SK1040 depart Stockholm 09:15 arrive Kiruna 10:50

· International Flights

· Tips

· Drinks

· Travel Insurance (Mandatory)

· Items of personal nature

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NOTES

Tour itinerary and pricing are subject to change and currency exchange at any time. Your place is confirmed on receipt of a non-refundable deposit. Deposits are transferable to new tours or other guests. Bookings close 90 days before departure of the first tour. Final payments are due 75 days prior to departure. Please see our terms and conditions for cancellation details. All prices are in Australian dollars and are based on the currency exchange rate 1 AUD = 7.17164 SEK/1 AUD = 7.29727 NOK

If the minimum numbers (12 paying pax) are not met, alternative travel arrangements may be made, however in the instance that this is not possible, the tour may be cancelled. and your deposit returned. Please note twin rooms are based on two co-travellers sharing a room - if you choose this option as a single traveller, you may be required to pay the full supplement in the event no other single traveller wishes to share. There are only 12 rooms available throughout the journey and travel insurance is required to participate.

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Deposit - $500 pp

​Second payment - $1,000 - 1 July 2024

Final Payment - 90 days prior