Posts Tagged ‘North Pole holiday’

Capturing the Aurora Borealis on camera

Saturday, April 20th, 2013

When you set off on a North Pole holiday, there are certain items you can’t forget to take with you. Of course, your passport and other documentation is crucial. However, second to this, your camera might be the most important object you pack.

Trips like this can be truly spectacular and once you’ve returned home at the end of them, it can all seem like a vivid and beautiful dream. However, as long as you’re got plenty of photos to look at, you’ll be able to prove that you didn’t just imagine the awesome landscapes. You were really there – in one of the most incredible places on the whole planet.

Remarkable footage

One of the most stunning things you can see while on your holiday is the Aurora Borealis. This heavenly display is unlike anything else and it can leave an indelible mark on your consciousness.

Showing how remarkable the spectacle can be, footage of the Northern Lights was recently showcased on the internet. It was taken in March near Gullfoss and Skaftafell in Iceland using multiple DSLR cameras.

Of course, you might not have access to such advanced equipment, but it’s possible to capture the phenomenon with any decent camera.

What is the Aurora Borealis?

Virtually everyone’s heard of the Aurora Borealis and most people have also seen them on TV, over the web and in magazines. However, you might not know exactly what this phenomenon is.

The word aurora comes from the Latin ‘sunrise’ and it is a natural display in the sky that occurs at high latitude. The lights are caused by high-energy particles colliding with atoms in the atmosphere. The charged particles originate in the magnetosphere and solar wind. On Earth, they are directed by the planet’s magnetic field.

This incredible display is not restricted to the Earth, however. Aurorae occur on other planets too.

Always have your camera on you

While you’re on your North Pole holiday, it’s a good idea to make sure you have your camera on you as much as possible. It’s hard to predict exactly when the best photo taking opportunities will arise, and it’s frustrating to be caught short.

Make the most of your snaps

Also, when you get back to the UK, don’t let your amazing photos languish on a memory card or computer. Instead, it’s well worth transforming the best ones into printouts, special photo books or even wall art.

Holidays like this are truly special and by making the most of the images you take, you can ensure that your experiences will live on for many years to come.

The perfect location

Of course, to take the best snaps, you have to be in the right place and this is where we come in. Here at Arctic Direct we offer fantastic trips to Sweden and by taking a look around our website, you should be able to find the ideal vacation for you.

As well as capturing impressive vistas on camera, you can take images of ice diving, sledge riding and many other superb activities.

A week of adventure you will never forget

Sunday, April 7th, 2013

When you think back to previous holidays, they might tend to merge into one fuzzy memory. Beaches, sun, the occasional day trip on a hot and stuffy coach etc etc.

If this is the case, it may be time to rethink your vacation planning. By booking one of our Northern Lights holidays you can rest assured that you’ll experience a truly remarkable trip that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

Adventure Week

For example, perhaps our Adventure Week will really get your pulse racing. While on this trip, you’ll get to meet new friends and experience different things. You’ll also be able to absorb a fascinating and rich culture and see some of the most spectacular sights on Earth.

You’ll even pick up new skills and get the chance to see the famous Ice hotel in Jukkasjärvi.

Day one

On the first day, you’ll fly out from the UK and be transferred to the Pine Tree Lodge, where you’ll be able to check into your room. Then you’ll be issued with quality arctic clothing to help keep you warm when you’re out and about.

Later, over a three-course meal, you’ll get to meet fellow holidaymakers and your guides for the week. The evening will be rounded off with some Swedish mulled wine called glögg, which you can supp by an open fire.

Day two

The second day of your North Pole holiday will start with breakfast, and it’s important to fill up because you’ll have plenty of excitement ahead of you. You’ll enjoy a day snowmobile safari, covering around 50km of the local forests and lakes.

While out and about, you can see plenty of wildlife, including moose, reindeer, wolverine, ptarmigan, arctic hare and more. You’ll also be provided with an outside lunch.

Day three

On the third day, you’ll have the chance to use your snow shoes to explore the surrounding area or go cross country skiing and you can book a guide or instructor if you want. All your meals are provided.

Day four

Your fourth day takes things up a gear. You’ll visit a moose park and get to feed this magnificent animal. You’ll then get your lunch in the park and afterwards continue to the Icehotel. This awe-inspiring creation is rebuilt every year.

Make sure you have your camera with you for this remarkable experience. You might never see anything quite like the Ice Hotel Sweden again!

Day five

On your fifth day, you’ll get up close to some huskies on a special safari. After packing sledges, you’ll receive instruction on how to drive your sledge and soon you’ll be sliding through the snow in these peaceful and stunning surroundings.

After around 20-30km, you’ll break for lunch and, following some more sledging, you’ll arrive at a wilderness cabin, where you’ll be able to get stuck into various activities and even enjoy a sauna. Later on, it might be possible to see the Northern Lights overhead.

Days six and seven

On your sixth day, you’ll return to the lodge and you can enjoy a relaxing lunch and dinner.

Of course, all good things have to come to an end eventually and, on day seven, it’s time to say your goodbyes and set off back home.

Ice Divers Explore Beneath the Big Freeze

Friday, April 20th, 2012

Cold is a huge part of a North Pole holiday. We pride ourselves on offering very flexible arctic trips, Northern Lights holidays and chilly adventures in some of the most enthralling landscapes and cultures on the planet. We’re not afraid of a challenge, and neither are our ice diving clients!

We offer ice diving holidays in Iceland, Norway, Russia’s White Sea and the North Pole. Our trips are organised by skilled professionals who are used to taking charge of clients’ lives under and above the ice. Ice diving is all about composure and listening to your instructor. Breathe calmly and steadily, have fun and look forward to a warming cup of hot chocolate after the dive!

The world beneath the ice is still, slow, surreal and like nothing you’ll have experienced diving in warmer climes. Some of our past clients have described it as almost like being in space – endless, breathtaking and utterly beautiful.

Ice diving is usually thought of a sport for experienced divers, and most of our clients are familiar with scuba. It’s a physically demanding, potentially dangerous activity, so less experienced divers are required to train at the White Sea diving school before the North Pole ice diving expedition.

Our ice diving holidays are highly customisable depending on group numbers and skill levels.  Get in touch to create a package tailored to your group’s needs.

Summer Snow Activity with the Kids in Tow

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

There are some amongst us who just never stop being adventurers. That spirit of exploration still burns within us… and we’ve passed it on to the kids!

We’ve tried to make our holidays as flexible as possible, so you can pick and choose whether you spend your time dog sledding or trekking to the best spots for Aurora Borealis viewing. Adventure and thrills are a massive part of what we do, so we’ve done our best to create superb family-friendly North Pole holidays and arctic trips.

North Pole Cruise
A 16-day adventure including two-weeks aboard our icebreaker – “50 Years of Victory” – sailing to the North Pole. You’ll pass glaciers, polar bears and some of the most spectacular landscapes on earth.

Activity Holidays
Not all of our activities are suitable for children (e.g. ice diving) but there are plenty of challenges out there for budding young arctic explorers. Fancy a dog sledding trip, Icelandic horseback riding or rally driving? Not all our activities and holidays are listed on our website, so get in touch to create a bespoke package for your family.

Ice Hotel
A stay in one of our ice hotels in Sweden, Lapland or Canada is literally an experience like no other. We meet loads of great adventurous families left speechless by the brilliance of an ice hotel holiday – it’s certainly a restful night’s sleep like no other!

A Honeymoon on Ice

Saturday, March 10th, 2012

The traditional stance when deciding where to go for your Honeymoon usually involves somewhere hot, sunny and secluded. Newlyweds want to relax, enjoy the scenery and the sun and, of course, each other. If you’re the more adventurous type though, why not keep the seclusion and scenery, but swap the sun for ice?

You don’t have to book a North Pole holiday (although you could), there are luxurious options available – just because you’re on ice, doesn’t mean you have to slum it on your Honeymoon. The Ice Hotel in Sweden is a good option, giving you an experience where everything is taken care of – and making sure you’re equipped to deal with the low temperatures too. Frostbite should be the last thing on your mind as you spend time with your other half.

If staying in a hotel isn’t your thing, then you could get more active and go ice diving, for example. It’s something far more memorable than lying on a beach all day, and you’ll remember the experience for the rest of your life. Also, think of the pictures that you’ll take home to your new in-laws, with no redundant beach scenes in sight!

These are just some of the options available to the couple who want to do something different for their honeymoon. Talk to us about your particular needs and we’ll find the package to suit you. Yes, they are in cold climates, but you’ll have the warmth of spending quality time doing something different with your new husband or wife.

Enjoy an Incredible Trip to the North Pole

Monday, February 20th, 2012

With Christmas having just passed, you could be forgiven for thinking that a North Pole holiday might involve a visit to see Father Christmas. While this may be a favourite hangout for him and his elves, this destination has many other delights in store for visitors that offer the same magic and wonderment but a lot more adventure!

Choose to visit on a cruise from Helsinki or go on an adventure flight to Longyearbyn with a day trip to the North Pole included. You can even make a phone call home from the very northern most part of the world and celebrate with a glass of champagne. This is a once in a lifetime experience that you’ll remember forever and be talking about for years!

Or if you fancy a spot of ice diving, we have an expedition which runs for 8-10 days in April, with the possibility to extend the programme with additional dives. The nature of ice diving requires you to have special training because of the dangers associated with being under the water with only one point of exit, although you will of course be secured to the surface through a harness. Spend three days of your trip carrying out this amazing experience at the North Pole, before returning to Longyearbyen, where you may even see a polar bear if you’re lucky!

As well as the North Pole, we also have other great Arctic trips such as Northern Lights holidays, so check out our wonderful once in a lifetime packages today.

Best Places in Europe to see the Northern Lights

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Europe has some great destination options when it comes to viewing the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).

Abisko, Sweden
In the far north of Sweden lays the small town of Abisko. Abisko has its own micro climate that creates the clearest skies and least precipitation in Sweden, thereby making it one of the very best places on earth to see Aurora Borealis displays. Furthermore, Abisko also has a dedicated viewing facility (the Sky Station) that visitors can use to observe the Northern Lights. To get to Abisko, visitors need to take an internal flight from Stockholm to Kiruna and then transfer themselves a further 60 miles on to the town.

Tromso, Norway
Tromso can be a very intriguing place to take a North Pole holiday as the majority of the lights visible from here are green. The city itself is a culturally active destination so there are plenty of things to see and do away from the spectacle in the sky.  Tromso is a large city and so is easy to reach from Norway’s capital, Oslo.

Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland’s capital is always a good option for Northern Lights holidays as it is a dynamic city that has lots of activity options in addition to the lights. When viewing the lights in Reykjavik, you will most likely need to head away from the city as the street light pollution may detract from the quality of your observations. Reykjavik can be easily reached by direct flights from London.

The Importance of Timing when Observing the Northern Lights

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

The Northern Lights (also known as Aurora Borealis) are a spectacular galactic display that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. Indeed, this natural phenomenon really is guaranteed to make your jaw hit the floor, as the sight of varying neon colours sweeping across the night sky is simply awe-inspiring.

When is the best time to see the Aurora?
Assuming you have done a bit of research and found out where the best places are for Northern Lights holidays; you will next need to work out when is the best time to go. Although auroral displays can occur throughout the year, in general the best time to see them is in the winter (November, December or January).

Make sure you’re prepared
Naturally, this time of year is typically cold anyway, but amongst the northern latitudes where Aurora observation is best; the cold temperatures can become very challenging indeed therefore it is vitally important that you are adequately attired so that you can wrap up warm. Once you are happy, warm and settled at your location, you should start keeping an eye on the sky from around 9pm and keep your head craned towards the heavens until the early hours of the morning.

So has this whetted your appetite to experience a North Pole holiday for yourself? If so, explore our pages further to find out more or speak to one of our advisors directly by calling 0800 4586011.

Icelandic Horse Trail Riding Holidays

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

Do you love horses and nature? You’ll love our Northern Lights holidays. The ideal holiday for you is our Icelandic Horse Riding package. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors, spend time with animals, and enjoy nature and the Northern Lights.

This holiday includes flights, transfers, 3 nights accommodation in stable cottage, riding lessons and tours, viewing of the Northern Lights and local wildlife, a visit to the Icehotel, and full board.

This four day holiday package includes an introductory lesson or ride in the forest on day one, and two full days of  trail riding. Enjoy the nature around you as you ride in the gorgeous countryside and snowy scenery of Sweden. Share campfire stories and companionship  around the camp fire over your evening meal at the end of the day.

Every opportunity is taken to ensure that you get a glimpse of the Northern Lights while you are on your holiday. See Aurora Borealis from near the stables on many nights, and enjoy community meals around the camp fire.

Spot wildlife from the trail including moose, reindeer, ptarmigan, wolverine, arctic hare and more. And on the third day, book an optional dog sledge safari or snowmobile trip.

For a truly unique holiday you will remember forever, get in touch with Arctic Direct today. Let us help you book the holiday of your dreams.

Book your North Pole holiday today on the main web page or ring us for more information on: 0800 458 60 11.

A Holiday Like No Other

Monday, December 12th, 2011

Want to experience something unique for your next holiday? How about travelling to an ice hotel in Sweden? Enjoy a North Pole holiday with fun and exciting things to do like ice diving, ice driving, and seeing the Northern Lights. Visit the Arctic this holiday season or for your next weekend getaway and experience something truly unique.

Here at Arctic Direct, “we bring you the ultimate in cool holidays”. If you’re looking for fun and adventure, why not choose from one of our exciting Activity  Packages for a terrific holiday in the Arctic?

Adventure Week is a fun filled, action packed seven day holiday that includes activities like snowmobile safari to view the wildlife, snow shoeing and cross country skiing, husky safari trek and more. This all inclusive holiday starts from only £1,845 per person.

Our five day dog sledging Husky holiday is another great choice, especially for those who love animals and nature. This holiday includes flights from Heathrow via Stockholm, one night lodge, three nights in wilderness camps, driving your own dog sled team under expert supervision, full board, all transfers, and high quality arctic clothing rental.

We also offer holiday packages such as Icelandic Horse Riding, Snowmobiling, Ice Climbing, Rally Driving, and more.

For more information about any of this packages, visit the homepage. You can book online, or get in touch with us for more details by filling in the online contact form. Or ring us on: 0800 458 60 11 to speak to someone personally.