New and unique Scandinavian tours 2023
Norwegian Coast Tours
Nordic specialist and boutique tour operator 50 Degrees North has expanded its range of premium custom-made itineraries visiting the Norwegian Coast. The “Norwegian Coast’ range of tours utilises coastal ferries, regional trains, buses and express boats to get you around exploring secret coastal gems. You can mount a bicycle too if you wish.
The itineraries combine well-known towns and regions like Bergen, Ålesund, Trondheim, Lofoten and Tromsø, with lesser-known coastal secrets like Romsdalsfjorden, Helgeland, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Vega islands, Vesterålen, Senja and Lyngsfjorden.
Never heard of these places? Well, if you want to step away from the well-trodden and busy tourist trails of Norway, and travel with the locals, then go with 50 Degrees North and explore.
Norwegian Coast & Helgeland tours
This 13-day independent tour starts with a short Hurtigruten coastal voyage from Bergen to Trondheim. After picking up a hire car you discover some of the hidden gems of the Helgeland coastal region. Highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage listed island of Vega, famous landmarks such as Torghatten, De Syv Søstre (The Seven Sisters mountain range), Svartisen (Black Ice Glacier) and Saltstraumen (the world’s strongest whirlpool), world-class fishing, quaint boutique accommodation and beautiful meals prepared from fresh local produce. Expect to meet happy and relaxed Norwegians on summer holidays!
Lofoten & Norwegian Coast tours
This 9-day independent tour includes the Hurtigruten voyage from Bergen to Lofoten Islands with visits to Ålesund, Geirangerfjord, Trondheim and Saltstraumen on the way. The Lofoten archipelago is one of the most picturesque areas of Norway, just north of the Arctic Circle. Here you find the sea on one side and the dramatic mountains on the other, offering great views everywhere you look. The islands offer a number of activities such as walking, cycling, diving and kayaking. A dream destination for photographers, hikers, fishermen and all nature lovers. Just make sure you book early.
50 Degrees North now offers three MINIVAN tours that travel from Oslo up to Trondheim, over three weeks. These minivan Norway tours will run for summer 2021.
Lapland Circle Escorted tour
Join us for our special small group tour of Lapland , a magical place of pristine Arctic landscapes and snow-dusted woodlands.For 11 days, this small group tour visits Norway, Sweden and Finland. In this winter wonderland, the cold air is cut only by the sound of rushing rivers and panting huskies as they prepare to rush across this impossibly vast, white wilderness. Witness a beautiful part of the world where Christmas feels always close and learn how people in the North cope with extreme temperatures. This tour includes a evening at the ICEHOTEL and three nights in a glass igloo.
These small group tours run from December 2023 to March 2024 with weekly departures.
Image: Asaf Kliger, ICEHOTEL
Aurora Highlights tour
Visit one of the northernmost inhabited areas in the world and experience the unique Sami culture, tranquil white landscapes and exhilarating winter activities on this short highlights tour. Spend a night in the magical Kirkenes Snow Hotel, explore the famous fjords around the North Cape on a Norwegian Coastal ferry and try your hand at dog-sledding, Arctic King Crab fishing and reindeer sledding. If conditions are right - be dazzled by the Northern Lights, preferably on the night you are sleeping in the glass igloo in Finland.
Iceland unique tours: Best of Iceland
As a real Nordic specialist 50 Degrees North offers a solid range of independent and group tours in Iceland - an ever-increasingly popular place to visit.
Iceland is where glaciers reach for the skies; deep blue mountain lakes fill steep valleys with sharp green peaks on all sides. This 12-day self-drive Iceland journey allows you to explore the sights at your own pace and includes premium countryside boutique accommodation.
The range of hotels include deluxe rooms at First Hotel Alda and Hótel Laxá, and a stay at the new Silicia Hotel adjoining Iceland's Blue Lagoon. Smaller boutique countryside hotels are hand picked and are considered the best options in Iceland's regional areas.
Recommended activities for this tour include a visit inside a volcano, whale watching and glacier walking. These are all once-in-a-lifetime natural experiences, not to be missed. This Iceland itinerary can be tailor made to suit your plans, but be advised to book early to secure availability.
Additional new Iceland tours include;
- South Iceland & Vestmannaeyjar self drive
- Snæfellsnes & North Iceland self drive
- Iceland Westfjords self drive
White Christmas in Scandinavia
Would you like to spend your next Christmas in Lapland in a snow-covered village where streetlights are turned off in the afternoon so you can better experience the Northern Lights?
The village of Äkäslompolo is located 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, deep in Finnish Lapland surrounded by the peaceful old forests of the Pallas-Ylläs Nature Park. 50 Degrees North runs two very authentic and exclusively escorted tours before and over Christmas; Lapland Winter Magic and Lapland Christmas Magic.
Families stay in cosy log cabins, each with their own fireplace and sauna. It is a fully inclusive tour with great local food and exhilarating winter activities like husky and reindeer sledding, ice fishing and snowmobiling.
Most importantly, these two tours include as the highlight, a private visit to Santa's cabin, travelling through the snowy forest by sleigh. Santa meets the family with no sense of hurry or stress, handing out presents to each child whilst referring to the letters from the kids previously received (and a kiss for mum).
Credits: Visit Finland, Rovamiemi, Piotr Krzeslak, Asaf Kliger, ICEHOTEL, Aurora Village.