Super Jeep rolls into the Scan Show this weekend

If you have ever wondered why the Icelanders are so obsessed with their superjeeps then why not visit the Scandinavia Show at Earls Court this weekend to see this magnificent vehicle for yourself.

Our Managing Director, Clive Stacey, had great fun driving this beast via the Faroe Islands, via a ferry or two and through Denmark to the UK for its debut at Earls Court this weekend - some fascinating stares along the way and that was just on the small tyres!

So do come visit us on stand 135 at the Scandinavia Show which is open on Saturday 8th October 10-6.30pm and Sunday 9th October from 10 - 5pm.

Cathy Harlow, author of a fantastic guidebook Iceland, by Landmark publishers will be giving a talk on the Northern Lights on Saturday at 1.30pm and Emma Puttnam and Lorraine Silvester will be giving a talk on Sunday at 1030 on A Year in Scandinavia - so do come along and meet our experts and pick up your Northern Lights pack on the stand 135.

Meet the ocean giants, deep thinkers and voices of the sea

Meet the ocean giants, deep thinkers and voices of the sea in the fascinating BBC1 series Ocean Giants. This three-part documentary showcases up close and personal encounters of the world’s largest creatures and also some of the most intelligent. Narrated by Stephen Fry, you are taken on an underwater adventure to different pockets of the ocean where these mammals thrive, feast and battle it out during mating season. Featuring footage that has never been captured before, you can view the final episode this Sunday at 9pm, or catch up on the previous episodes on BBC iPlayer – but don’t delay, as it is only available for another 12 days.

And after watching the series, we know you’ll be inspired to have your own experience with these majestic cetacean species and we can help you get there! Discover the World offer whale-watching expeditions in Iceland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway.

In Iceland, around one quarter of the world’s cetacean creatures have been recorded in its nutrient rich waters. Here there are regular sightings of minke, humpback, blue, fin and pilot whale just to name but a few! Or how about a wildlife holiday in Canada? You will be blown away by the options here, with more than 33 species of whale living in the Canadian oceans. You can view from zodiacs, sailing boats, kayaks and comfortable cruisers – take your pick!

You could head to Kaikoura in New Zealand, where sperm whales cruise the pure shores of Aotearoa all year round. You may also be lucky enough to view humpback, blue, minke, southern right, beaked or pygmy whale – just imagine it! Alternatively, as seen on the series, pop over to Western Australia where you could view the bottlenose dolphins shadowing stingrays as they hunt for octopus. You won’t believe what unfolds, until you see the documentary! Or finally, cruise the 2650km of coastline in Norway, where you can swim with dolphins or spot orca, pilot, sperm and humpback whales.

For more information on our whale-watching and dolphin holidays, click here.

 

Fun, fun, fun in the Northern European sun

Today marks the day of Midsummer, a festivity originating from Sweden but is also very important to other Northern European countries such as Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania and Latvia.

This celebration is one of Sweden’s most prominent events of the calendar year and is about welcoming summertime and the season of fertility. It is the longest and lightest day of the year and the party will continue long into the night. In Sweden, a common sight is young girls with flowers in their hair or dancing around Midsummer poles and traditional dishes consumed include pickled herring, smoked salmon and Akvavit, which is a Swedish spirit flavoured with caraway seeds.

A fantastic area to visit this summer, to take advantage of the long days is by visiting Malmo and Southern Skane. For more information on what there is to see and do there, click here.

Other destinations where the sun barely dips below the horizon, is Iceland and Norway. Whether you want to experience whale and bird watching in Iceland - or take in the dramatic landscapes of Lofoten in the far north of Norway with its endless labyrinth of fjords, there are so many options to make the most of this summer.

 

Midsummer's dream...

Put on your flip-flop’s and get out the sunscreen because today the 21^st of June, is officially the first day of summer! It is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere.

Interestingly, the first day of summer is known to many as ‘Midsummer’ even though the temperatures are not at their hottest! Throughout the world, Midsummer is interpreted in different ways – some recognising it as a national holiday, cultural gathering or fertility ritual.

It is also known as Summer Solstice, which occurs when the earth and the moon’s axial tilt is at its most inclined towards the sun. In the Arctic regions you can enjoy continuous sunlight during the summer months of the year - just remember to go to bed!

What looks like an upside down Viking ship?

Some say that the Stave churches of Norway look similar to an upside down Viking ship! Norway is well-known for being an outdoor lover's paradise, but do you know much about these iconic, wooden churches? It is the only northern European country to still have them and there are 28 in total! One in particular is the Borgund Stave Church, which you will find in Laerdal. This has been named as one of the most beautiful churches in the world, along with nine other churches here.

Stave churches were built in the Middle Ages, completely made from timber and are nail-less buildings; their beams and walls held up only by interlocking notches and grooves. During this time, when churches were mainly being built out of stone, stave churches were where art and woodwork came together, with the interior of the churches painted with Christian and pre-Christian Viking motifs. 

Of the 28 churches in Norway, Urnes's the oldest of all, is actually listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. You can easily take a day trip to visit Borgund Stave Church on either one of our itineraries Fjord Highlights or Fjord Odyssey, which will only take a 2 hour combined drive and ferry ride. 

 

Where can I see the Northern Lights?

Many people have a list of places they would like to visit, a list that features iconic landmarks or pristine natural environments. Most people’s lists will feature the phenomenal spectacle that is "The Northern Lights". Imagine neon colours painted across the sky in some of the most isolated areas in the world. The time to see this impressive sight is typically between the months of September and March, under clear and calm weather conditions!

 

The Northern Lights can be seen in Iceland, Lapland, Norway, Canada and Finland. For information on each of these Northern Lights destinations, click here.

Come & See us at Destinations Travel Show, NEC

We'll be at Destinations Birmingham from 4-6 March and would welcome the opportunity to talk to you about your forthcoming travel plans.

Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show is the UK’s leading travel exhibition and offers a fantastic opportunity to discover a world of holiday ideas, attend travel talks by acclaimed travel experts, including television personalities and travel writers, as well as experience an eclectic range of global taste and music sensations.

Plus, join our Scandinavia experts, Emma and Lorraine, as they talk you through “A Year in Scandinavia” on Sunday at 2.30pm in the Meet the Experts Theatre. Uncover the highlights of Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland, as they share their ideas for discovering this beautiful region of the world, whatever time of year you wish to travel. Find out where to go and what to see – plus get our insider tips on where best to view the magnificent northern lights!

Venue: Destinations Birmingham, NEC  
Date: 4 - 6 March
Stand Number: E3

Visit Destinations Birmingham »

Where will this summer take you?

With the arrival of brighter mornings and a glimpse of spring on the horizon, we’re already thinking ahead to summer and planning our holiday getaways.

Why not wind your way through Norway’s snow-topped fjords or admire the magnificence of Iceland under the golden light of the midnight sun. Enjoy wildlife encounters with Brown Bears in Finland or Beluga whales in Canada. Or perhaps for a truly alternative summer holiday head to the remote ice-choked waterways of the Arctic. Read on and plan your summer holiday »

Our New Travel Magazine – Order your free copy today!

Looking for that special holiday to put you on Cloud 9? We will take you there.

Join us as we take a fresh look at the world with our first edition of Cloud 9 magazine. Written and designed by award-winning travel writer, William Gray, we’ll take you on a journey of inspiring travel opportunities, peppered with hints, tips and amusing anecdotes from trips around the world. Order your copy today »

Plus, sign-up to our e-newsletters and watch out for our monthly Cloud 9 ‘Ultimate E-Guides’ to our 9 extraordinary destinations, packed with insider tips, highlights, quirky facts and much more! Sign-up here »

Wanderlust Travel Award Winners

We are pleased to announce we have recently been awarded two Bronze awards for Best Travel Website and Best Tour Operator by Wanderlust, the UK’s leading travel magazine.

The awards were voted for by the public so a huge thanks to all who took the time to nominate us, we’re absolutely delighted!

Visit our award-winning website »