Scandinavia is simply stunning. The colourful cities, fresh food, wild landscapes and incredible railways are always popular with our customers. However, one of the most-loved moments is when we're lucky enough to see the magical Northern Lights.
Tour Manager Carolyn Goodhew took her first customers to Scandinavia in 2014. As our Scandinavia specialist, Carolyn has been fortunate enough to explore this beautiful region for many years. We spoke with her to discuss our Northern Lights on a Winter Arctic Cruise and how best to see this colourful natural phenomenon.
Uninterrupted Views of the Northern Lights from the Ship
For many, witnessing the spectacle of the Northern Lights once is a lifetime dream achieved, wherever and however you see them. However, for the best uninterrupted views, you can't beat watching them dance over the sea from the comfort of a ship.
"It's not something we can ever promise, but even if you don't see them, the tour is great," says Carolyn. "It was very exciting when we started seeing them on the ship north of the Arctic Circle. The customers had been waiting for them, and you can see them with the naked eye - although you do see them better through a camera.
"I've been to northern Scandinavia many times and I think from the cruise the lights are more dramatic because you're mostly looking out across the sea. There are outlying small islands and in parts there are no trees. I love these wild landscapes and, if you get the Northern Lights with that, dramatic and uninterrupted views of them are guaranteed."
Onboard the Havila Cruise Ship
After travelling from Oslo on northern Europe's highest rail line, the Bergen Railway, we have a two-night stay in the beautiful city of Bergen. From here, we board a modern Havila ship for an incredible six-night cruise along the Norwegian coast from Bergen to Kirkenes in the far north.
"The ships are fabulous," says Carolyn. "I cannot fault the Havila ships at all. Plus, all four are identical - which really helps me on different tours!
"These eco-friendly ships run on large batteries so it's a very quiet and smooth journey. They're modern, comfortable and the staff are incredibly friendly.
"This was the first time this tour has gone from Bergen - previously we boarded in Trondheim. We got picked up at our hotel and taken round to the terminal to check in. You get given your key, which is also your credit card, so you don't have to use any money onboard - until you disembark!
"We are given a meal-time slot, and the food is sublime. We are served traditional dishes, with ingredients being collected from the local towns and villages along the route. It's delicious. The fish is delightful and totally fresh. The menu is varied with food to suit every palate, and great care taken of people's dietary requirements.
"It's casual on the ship. You don't have to dress up, unless you want to. It's very sociable with friendly people and lots of places to relax. There's even an ongoing jigsaw puzzle in one of the lounges!"
While similar to mini-cruise vessels, Havila's fleet are working ships, carrying people up and down the coast.
"They're an important form of transport and communication so stop to take on passengers all the way up. People hop on and disembark a few ports later. Our customers like that.
"It's like being in a very good hotel. It's brilliant having those six nights aboard."
Once-in-a-Lifetime Excursions
"At ports where there are a few hours, Havila offer optional excursions," says Carolyn. "You can choose which ones you want to take, and book and pay for them separately with Havila.
"Every day, the excursion team puts on a 30-minute presentation to explain what the following day's programme is. The excursions are very well-organised and people who come on these tours are looking to do those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
"If you don't want to go on an excursion, you can choose to explore towns independently. I usually offer to take people with me and go for a walk round the town. One of my favourite places is Ålesund.
"The excursion programme fits the seasons, with some of the most popular ones being visiting reindeer near Tromsø, the Viking banquet on Lofoten and the North Cape."
Hidden Gems of Ålesund and Arctic Tromsø
With our refreshed itinerary meaning we board the ship in Bergen, Carolyn got to visit somewhere new that made a big impression. While some customers opted to join an excursion into spectacular Geirangerfjord, Carolyn chose to explore Ålesund.
"It's a beautiful city, a real gem on the coast. We only visit it on these cruises. Formerly built largely of wood it was burned by a fire in 1904 and rebuilt in Art Nouveau style.
"The area around Apotekergata is where the design is very much in evidence and it really hits you. It's such an interesting town and arty too."
Further up the coast is Tromsø, known as the Arctic capital. From here, you can opt to visit reindeers or uncover the delights of the city.
"Tromsø is lovely and we got to see the Arctic Cathedral's stained-glass while it was illuminated. You can choose to visit this cathedral or take a cable-car trip for an amazing view of Tromsø from above.
"I took some time for a a walk around the harbour to the Polar Museum - my favourite place to go! It gives you the stories of the Norwegian Arctic and Antarctic explorers, like Amundsen and Nansen."
Meeting the Vikings on the Lofoten Islands
Leaving Bodø, north of the Arctic Circle, the ship approaches the picture-perfect archipelago of the Lofoten Islands. If you have opted to 'Meet the Vikings', you disembark in Stamsund and transfer to the Lofotr Viking Museum.
"This is a year-round option where you visit a re-creation of the largest Viking longhouse ever found. Customers really enjoy it as you learn about Viking culture and have a traditional meal with the Vikings too!
"Afterwards, you are driven across the Lofoten Islands and catch up with the ship at Svolvær."
Norway's North Cape: A Customer Favourite
This remote peninsula is the furthest north you can go on mainland Europe. Due to being so hard to reach, it's one of the most popular excursions - and it's also a great place to see the Northern Lights.
"Arriving at the northernmost fishing port of Honningsvåg, you're take by coach up to the North Cape. In the winter, if the skies are clear, you've got a really good chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Looking north, there's nothing but sea. If you get the aurora at this point, it's absolutely amazing. Of course, you need clear skies, so you can never tell."
Kirkenes, the Snowhotel and the Borderlands
Sailing past ice floes, the cruise concludes in Kirkenes on the Barents Sea. Although the seabound part of the tour has ended, the adventures continue with visits to the Øvre Pasvik National Park and Snowhotel.
"It's so beautiful and unspoilt. I've been there in summer and it's wonderful then, but it's probably more exciting and unusual in winter. Everything is grey, white or black and frozen. The rivers and lakes are completely solid."
The group had their photo taken together on the frozen river that forms the border between Norway and Russia. Being so remote, the way of life in this part of the world transcends borders.
Carolyn said: "The customers loved being there and were looking forward to it. We had an extremely good guide from the Snowhotel who gave us lots of history about the connections with their counterparts on the other side of the border."
Moving on to the Snowhotel at about 3pm, dusk had already moved in. "It seemed much later in the day because it was dark! But we did get very good sightings of the Northern Lights," says Carolyn.
"We had a very pleasant meal in the Snowhotel before going downstairs to walk through the icy area of the hotel. Afterwards, in all the snow, we visited and mixed with the hard-working huskies. They seemed to be pleased to see us."
Soak Up the Midnight Sun in Summer
Great Rail Journeys offers a wide collection of tours to Scandinavia all year round. Our Norway, Lofoten & Arctic Cruise allows you to experience the Midnight Sun in May and June.
This astonishing natural phenomenon, where the sun never truly sets, casts a golden glow over the wilds of northern Norway above the Arctic Circle.
"Both the summer and winter itineraries are lovely, but so different," says Carolyn. "You see the Northern Lights in winter and the Midnight Sun in summer. You see more of the landscapes in summer, but with about one hour of daylight in winter in the far north, the darkness brings in a lot of mystery and atmosphere."
As well as the Midnight Sun and Northern Lights, one of the other differences is the wildlife.
"In the Øvre Pasvik National Park, they have the highest concentration of brown bears in Europe," continues Carolyn. "You have more chance of seeing these shy creatures in summer as they hibernate in winter.
"I remember seeing quite a few pods of whales in summer and sea eagles. The ship's crew will always announce when whales and dolphins are nearby - but it all depends. You might see animals, but you can't predict it."
Experiencing the Northern Lights on a Winter Arctic Cruise
Being north of the Arctic Circle is very different depending on which time of year you visit.
"People who hadn't experienced the winter here were wondering if they were going to manage with twelve days in almost constant darkness, but you get used to it - the Norwegians do! It isn't a problem and it's quite exciting.
"My main piece of advice would be to make sure you bring the right clothing and shoes - snow boots are best. You might not expect it in Oslo, but the pavements were frozen because they don't clear them. It's always snowing so I can see why they don't. It'd be like painting to the Forth Rail Bridge!
"Both tours are wonderful and different," says Carolyn. "I found it to be an amazing experience and the passengers did too.
"It's exciting in winter. It's an adventure!"
Whatever season you choose to visit, Scandinavia puts on an incredible show - and you can see it all with Great Rail Journeys.
- Seek the Northern Lights on a Winter Arctic Cruise
- Marvel at the Midnight Sun on our Norway, Lofoten & Arctic Circle cruise
To view all of our Scandinavia tours, click here
