DESTINATIONS SCANDINAVIA |NORTHERN LIGHTS
INSIDER insightinsight
Sue McAlinden, general manager,
Best Served Scandinavia “The northern lights are a natural phenomenon and
never guaranteed. That’s why it’s crucial to book a holiday
your customers will love, even if the aurora doesn’t make an appearance. For customers
keen on snow-based activities, the ideal time to travel is
mid-December to the end of
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Northern Lights Village in Saariselkä, Finland; aurora-spotting on board Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral in Alta, Norway; spectacular display in northern Norway PICTURE: Sorrisniva AS; Northern Lights Village Saariselka
reindeer farm, where the animals can be fed by hand – and there’s also the option to go on a sleigh
ride through the snow. Book it: Transun sells the three-night tour from £1,899 per person, based on two sharing. Includes full-board accommodation, two snowmobile excursions, reindeer experience, thermal clothing, transfers, luggage and flights departing Liverpool on February 11, 2026.
transun.co.uk
BEST FOR . . . OFF THE BEATEN TRACK For clients who’ve seen Scandinavia and explored Iceland, Greenland is the hottest – or coolest – place to be, with a host of new itineraries launching by land and sea. The territory opened a new airport last year, making it easier for international visitors to reach. Regent Holidays’ Ilulissat Aurora
44 5 JUNE 2025
Break is based on the edge of a vast ice fjord. By day, there are traditional dog-sledding rides, boat trips and visits to rainbow-hued fishing villages on offer. By night, clients will stay at one of the world’s most northerly hotels, the Hotel Arctic. The chance of a sighting is strong at this latitude, so they might be able to see the northern lights from their room – especially if they upgrade to an Aurora Cabin, with one-way glass over the bed and a position right on the water’s edge, away from any sources of light pollution. If not, a guided excursion to spot the solar
phenomenon is also included. Book it: Regent Holidays sells the four-night break from £2,450 per person, based on two sharing. Includes breakfast, one dinner, listed excursions, transfers and flights.
regent-holidays.co.uk
BEST FOR . . . AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS Most travellers will want to capture gorgeous photos of the northern lights. The Aurora Zone’s holiday in Saariselkä includes a photography workshop; advise clients to bring a tripod and a camera, either an SLR or an advanced smartphone. The next night, there’s a tour to
frozen Lake Inari, where clients will be able to practise their photography skills from the comfort of a campfire. On the final night, a snowshoe hike provides another charming way to
see the amazing aurora. Book it: The Aurora Zone sells the four-night Northern Lights Village Saariselkä trip from £2,495, based on two sharing and departures between December 5 and March 26, 2026. Includes accommodation in a glass-roofed cabin, full-board, excursions as listed, transfers and flights.
theaurorazone.com
March. For those on a budget, chalets and cabins are a good alternative to glass igloos, with many featuring panoramic windows for stunning views.”
BEST FOR . . . FESTIVE FUN
Combine the magic of Christmas with nearly two weeks of aurora- spotting on Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ festive Scandi sailing. Passengers set off from Southampton on Balmoral and spend a serene Christmas at sea, making a beeline for Narvik in northern Norway. Nights at sea mean clients couldn’t be further from light pollution on land, plus Norway’s polar nights are long in December and January, so there’s even more time to enjoy the aurora. Stops include Leknes, Alta and
Tromso, where clients can explore a Christmas market and New Year’s
Eve fireworks. Book it: The 15-night In Search of the Northern Lights at Christmas is priced from £2,399 per person, cruise-only, based on two sharing an Interior Cabin and departing from Southampton on December 22.
fredolsencruises.com
TW
travelweekly.co.uk
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