Magnetic North at the Scandinavia Show London

August 31st, 2010

Magnetic North Travel will be exhibiting at the first ever Scandinavia Show at London’s Olympia on the 9 and 10 October 2010.
We think it’ll be a wonderful chance to get a real taste of the Scandinavian culture: from food and travel to design and fashion. Among all of the first-class exhibitors, Magnetic North will be promoting its holidays to Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. We’re looking forward to seeing the best of Scandinavia under one roof (and tasting as much good food as possible!).

The Show will feature live entertainment including music, food demos, fashion shows and a special section for children. Entrance is £8 for adults and free for children under 15.

To find out more click on www.scandinaviashow.co.uk

Tags: show
Posted in Magnetic North, Travel News | No Comments »

Northern Lights Holidays – your frequently asked questions

August 2nd, 2010

As your tour operator in the North, our speciality in wintertime is to give our guests unique and unforgettable experiences and the chance to search for the elusive Northern Lights. We’ve gathered together some of your most frequently asked questions to uncover some of the mystery behind the world’s most awe-inspiring natural event…

What causes the Northern Lights?
Charged particles from the sun head to the earth on the solar wind which is directed by the Earth’s magnetic field towards the Polar Regions. The particles collide with electrons in nitrogen and oxygen atoms and produce a striking variety of colours in the sky: hues of green, purple and red wafting across the night sky.

When is it possible to see the Aurora Borealis?
On dark, cloudless nights, the Northern Lights can be seen. In the Polar Regions, this means between the months of October and March. When there is cloud cover, you can’t see the Lights as they are so high in the atmosphere.

What does the term Aurora Borealis mean?
In 1621 the French astronomer and philosopher Pierre Gassendi named the Aurora Borealis after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek name for the north wind, Boreas.

Where can you see the Northern Lights?
You can see the Northern Lights in the polar region that encircles the earth north of the Arctic Circle. Many parts of Scandinavia fall within what is known as the Aurora Belt. Our short breaks in Tromsø are ideally located for this very purpose and the city has for a long time been associated with research into this incredible natural phenomenon. Parts of Finland, Sweden and Iceland also fall within this region. Ask us about our range of destinations.

When is it best to travel to see the Northern Lights?
Around the equinox time at end of September and March is good for Northern Lights activity. But dark winter nights are also ideal from October onwards. If you are keen to do winter sports too during your break, the days begin to get longer from February onwards so that’s also a great time to experience the ‘Magnetic North’ and possibly the Aurora Borealis too.

Am I guaranteed to see the Northern Lights?
We cannot guarantee that you’ll view the lights. Many different factors come into play such as weather and cloud cover. However, we’ll endeavour to ensure you have the best opportunties to see the Lights as possible. Our guides are experienced at detecting the best conditions on the day of your excursion. All excursions leave in the evening. If you’re feeling brave, some guides will keep going all night until they find the best place to view the Lights! If you decide that you’d like to do an additional Northern Lights excursion while you’re abroad, we can organise this from the UK.

How do I take photographs of the Northern Lights?
Your guide will show you the best way to photograph the Northern Lights.

What does a short break to see the Northern Lights include?
All our Northern Lights breaks include an excursion to search for the Northern Lights along with comfortable accommodation in hotels or cabins. We can tailor make the holiday to suit your group and sense of adventure! We offer winter experiences such as dog sledding, skiing and snow shoeing to choose from as well as trips to the wilderness to understand more about the Northern Lights from a traditional perspective. Please get in touch with us to find out more about our short breaks, honeymoons and holidays. Enquire now about our holidays.

Is this experience suitable for our winter honeymoon?
Yes! It’s a beautifully romantic experience and something you will never forget. We’ll put together a honeymoon that can include a night in one of the snow hotels as well as a wide range of accommodation and activity options. We can also put together some bookable activities for your wedding gift list.

How much does a short break cost?
Short breaks in Tromsø, Norway start at £289 pp (excluding flights) for 3* hotel accommodation and £329 pp (excluding flights) for 4* hotel accommodation. This is based on two people sharing a room and includes a guided Northern Lights excursion to give you the best chance to view the Aurora as possible. Flights start at £220 per person return.

How can I organise an experience to view the Northern Lights?
Get in touch with Magnetic North Travel by emailing us or telephoning +44 (0)845 5195 242.

Tags: northern lights
Posted in northern lights, Travel News | No Comments »

The Time and Place for Nordic Cuisine

June 29th, 2010

By Laura Greenman

Nordic cuisine is on the up. The last few years have seen Nordic chefs, ingredients and cuisine rise to the global stage. This year’s food festival in Copenhagen is set to be the best yet as the city revels in its recent success now that it is officially home to the best restaurant in the world.

Having bagged a much sought-after table at the famous Noma restaurant in Denmark’s capital last year during my honeymoon, I can certainly see why it won this coveted award. In case you’re wondering what Nordic cuisine is all about, here is what we ate at Noma over the course of our most memorable meal yet:

The restaurant is now completely oversubscribed with diners wishing to get a flavour of Chef Rene Redzepi’s ingenuity. The restaurant itself is understated and comfortable – no airs or graces. Just clients enjoying beautifully crafted dishes with innovative combinations of flavours and ingredients.

The Copenhagen Food Festival

There are many ways to enjoy Nordic cuisine. If you’re lucky enough to be in Copenhagen between the 20th and 29th August 2010 a visit to the Food Festival (and Noma if you can) is highly recommended. A wealth of temptations and culinary enjoyment will be on offer in Copenhagen when Denmark’s best producers and specialists in food, wine and gourmet delicacies come together to celebrate good taste and uncompromising quality.

The festival was launched in 2005 as a tribute to the Danish kitchen and Nordic food traditions and it has been a tremendous success ever since. Focusing on the finest local products, the Nordic culinary tradition has been rediscovered and modernized in recent years and the new Nordic cuisine has received many accolades both at home and abroad.

The sixth celebration of Copenhagen Cooking will take place in the Nyhavn canal area, at the Carlsberg Breweries, on open squares, markets, various city streets and restaurants in central Copenhagen. There will be temptations on offer at the city’s best gourmet restaurants, high quality food at the various food markets all over town, family activities, cookery schools, cooking competitions, daily taste sensations, gastronomic specialities, open kitchens and wine tastings. Visit www.copenhagencooking.com to find out more.

Nordic Cuisine in London

Closer to home, there are numerous Nordic eateries in London attracting both Scandinavians and Scando-philes through their doors.

For the best cinnamon buns on this island, a visit to Nordic Bakery is essential eating – near to Soho on Golden Square. The coffee is first-class too. www.nordicbakery.com

If you’re looking for a happy-go-lucky atmosphere and Nordic supplies, from sweeties to Aquavit, Scandinavian Kitchen on the other side of Oxford Street is a must. www.scandikitchen.co.uk

For a sit-down meal experience, Madsens in Kensington specialises in Danish, Swedish and Norwegian delicacies. www.madsenrestaurant.com The Nordic Diet by Trina Hahnemann

Books on Nordic Cuisine

Noma: Time and Place in Nordic Cuisine
Rumour has it that Rene Redzepi is launching a book about his beloved Noma restaurant. And how much do I want a copy?! It’s being published by Phaidon Press and released 30 September 2010. It looks like one for the coffee table.

The Nordic Diet by Trina Hahnemann
Northern diets and lifestyles can keep you thin. That’s the basic premise of this best-selling recipe book. The emphasis is on good, home-made and often home-grown, seasonal food consisting of a wide variety of grains, berries, vegetables, fish, poultry and game (but very little meat). A staple read for Nordic cuisine.

Tags: copenhagen, food festival, nordic cuisine
Posted in Nordic culture, Travel News | No Comments »

The Midnight Sun and Midsummer in Norway

June 17th, 2010

Midnight sun in Moskenes (Lofoten)

We’re now approaching Midsummer which means the days are long and the Nordic people are preparing to celebrate on the 23rd June. On clear nights the Midnight Sun shines over fjords, mountains and seas and provides viewers with an awe-inspiring and ethereal experience.
Since the 19th century, travellers from the UK and elsewhere have documented their reactions to the Midnight Sun and the impact that the light and landscapes have had on them. Here are some of our favourite accounts:

“Midnight, – without darkness, without stars! Midnight, – and the unwearied sun stood, yet visible in the heavens, like a victorious king throned on a dais of royal purple bordered with gold… The surrounding hills glowed with a warm, deep violet tint, flecked here and there with touches of bright red, as though fairies were lighting tiny bonfires on their summits.”
Marie Corelli from Thelma, A Norwegian Princess, 1894

“At eleven o’clock the colour of the clouds began to change to a golden tint, warning us that the midnight hour was approaching, and the sunset close at hand; soon they became an intense red, while the sun was hidden from our viewl and then they again changed their colour, gradually becoming brighter, as if new life had been infused into them; when they were tinged with the hues of the rising sun the glow of the sunset was mingled with that of sunrise; the morning and the evening twilight were blended into one.”
Paul B. Du Chaillu from The Land of the Midnight Sun, 1899

When to see the Midnight Sun:
According to Innovation Norway, the dates below reflect when the Midnight Sun should appear in different locations of Norway (in fair weather).

The Arctic Circle		12 June – 1 July
Bodø		4 June – 8 July
Svolvær		28 May – 14 July
Harstad		25 May – 18 July
Bardufoss		23 May – 19 July
Andenes		22 May – 21 July
Tromsø		20 May – 22 July
Bossekopp		19 May – 24 July
Vardø		17 May – 26 July
Hammerfest		16 May – 27 July
Berlevåg		15 May – 28 July
The North Cape		14 May – 29 July
Longyearbyen (Svalbard)		20 April – 22 August

Click to find out more about this holiday

How to experience the Midnight Sun
Experiencing the Midnight Sun is magical. We recommend that you stay awake and venture out to get a better view of this natural phenomenon. The light is completely different to anything you may have experienced before and quite often people are struck by the ethereal silence whilst the sun appears in the night sky.

Magnetic North Travel offers tailor made holidays to experience the Midnight Sun. You can choose from a range of activities, such as playing golf, hiking or fishing while the Midnight Sun illuminates your path.

Experience the Midnight Sun in the Lofoten Islands with our tailor made holiday:
http://magneticnorth.travel/tour/details/lofoten-islands—midnight-sun-and-rorbu-experience

We also like this video of the Midnight Sun near to Tromsø.

Midsummer celebrations in Oslofjord. Image: Johan Berge/Innovation Norway

Midsummer celebrations in Norway

If you’re lucky enough to be in Norway around the 23rd June, you may very well witness some Midsummer celebrations also known as Sankthansaften. Pre-Christian in origin and coinciding with the Summer Solstice, the celebrations tend to focus on a bonfire which is lit to ward off evil spirits. Also mock marriages are arranged between adults and between children which is intended to symbolize new life. It is also believed that if girls place flowers under their pillows during this night, they will dream of their future husbands. It’s usually a great day of picnicking and general merriment.

If you’d like to find out more about Magnetic North’s holidays to Norway and other destinations in Scandinavia, please get in touch or visit our website at www.magneticnorth.travel.

Tags: midnight sun, midsummer
Posted in Activities in nature, norway | No Comments »

The helpful tensions of Friluftsliv

June 8th, 2010

Friluftsliv in Norway - lighting a fire

Our holidays at Magnetic North Travel call upon the Norwegian philosophy of friluftsliv for inspiration. The term was first coined by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen who described the regular activity of being in nature as ‘free air life’, as it’s literally translated into English. This freedom to explore nature at the pace which nature sets is powerful in considering how we might benefit from doing so both on holiday and in our everyday lives.

On an individual level, it’s key to helping people to value the outside as an antidote to some of life’s modern demands. In this sense, the holidays we’ve developed include hands-on activities like wild food foraging and fishing, crafts, walking, kayaking and snow-shoeing.

Friluftsliv is something that has changed over time – people’s perceptions of the idea have taken new guises as they focus on different aspects of being in nature. What’s fascinating is the tensions that arise, and which provide us with some interesting ways to balance various aspects of friluftsliv within our holidays. Often it’s not either/or, but depending on the location and people in the destination, you can explore different mixes. Below I’ve identified the five major tensions which feed into our interpretation of friluftsliv for the benefit of our guests.

1. Luxury versus simplicity
Friluftsliv considers luxury to be free access to nature.
Magnetic North Travel:
We believe that simplicity and luxury should live side by side. Our aim is to offer an antidote to modern life without rejecting it. Technology will be minimal and when available will enhance the experience rather than distract from it. Our lodgings provide a standard of accommodation that will delight and surprise our guests for its simplicity, yet embracing levels of comfort.

2. Playfulness versus survival
Friluftsliv is about creating ‘playful kinds of short excursions in nature’.
Magnetic North Travel:
Whilst some of the activities and techniques we offer as part of our holidays may relate to survival and traditional ways of living, the focus will be on personal enjoyment rather than ritualistic or masochistic adventure. Nature isn’t a playground for us, but is rather an essential part of the experience.

3. Enjoyment versus competitiveness
Friluftsliv offers interaction between people without a focus on competition
Magnetic North Travel:
Whilst some activities involve learning basic skills or techniques, there won’t be a focus on competition or overcoming particular challenges. The aim here is to work together in a social group or family to achieve the reward of enjoyment in nature.

4. Outdoor generalist versus outdoor specialist
Friluftsliv needs little or no specialist equipment or knowledge.
Magnetic North Travel:
We’ll combine a variety of Friluftsliv activities within our holidays. We want our activities to be enjoyed by all without the need to master new skills or to have a certain level of ability before taking part. Specialist equipment will be kept to a minimum to ensure safety and enjoyment.

5. Commerciality versus free
Pure friluftsliv activities come without a price tag.
Magnetic North Travel:
We should all try to factor in free time in nature in our everyday lives even if it’s as simple as walking to the nearest green space. In reality we have precious little time and quite often nature barely features in our lives. Therefore, we try to show people how to use their holiday time to ensure that they quality interaction with nature and then hopefully they’ll add some more space for it during the rest of the year too.

Click here to find out more about friluftsliv

Tags: Friluftsliv, nature
Posted in Activities in nature, Friluftsliv, Magnetic North | No Comments »

Naturally Norway – naturally good at outdoor living

May 26th, 2010

The Naturally Norway garden at Chelsea Flower Show

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the RHS Chelsea Flower Show as a guest of Innovation Norway. For the first time, the Norwegian Embassy sponsored a show garden in partnership with Norwegian wood firm, Kebony, and British designer Darren Saines.

Darren’s design philosophy is to create a “nature-inspired garden grown to flourish in and resist the diverse Nordic climate with plants chosen for their unusual natural shapes and structures.” The garden has been designed to reflect the unique landscape of Norway with natural stone from Lundhs, with a centrepiece of a dramatic 40-year-old stunted pine tree set in natural larvikitt – Norwegian national stone – rock that has been “rescued” and sailed to London.

The garden features a wonderful outdoor living space, a dream outdoor ‘living cube’. The cube is designed to adapt to all the seasons as an extension to the home overlooking a tranquil pool to represent the Norwegian fjords. It’s also built with sustainable materials using the revolutionary hardwood alternative from Kebony.

The beautiful flower meadow and outdoor living space

In the end, the garden was awarded a credible Silver Gilt medal by the judges. I particularly liked seeing the combination of nature and human interaction. The result is an inspiring way to enjoy outdoor living, whatever the season. This is what the Norwegians are so good at, and I think it came across well at Chelsea. Darren is currently living in Norway running his garden design business, and so he is likely to know well importance of outdoor living to the Norwegians. The garden was also resilient to the recent cold snap right before the start of the Show, demonstrating the power of working with nature and not against it.

My favourite flowers of the garden were the lovely blue Scabiosa caucasia giving it a meadow-like feel and the Saxifraga cotyledon – Norway’s national plant.

To find out more about Kebony and the garden visit www.kebony.no and www.naturallynorway.com

Tags: chelsea flower show
Posted in Activities in nature, Nordic culture, Travel News | No Comments »

Nordic Walking – the healthy new lifestyle craze

May 24th, 2010

Nordic walking is becoming one of the fastest growing recreational sports thanks to its health and well-being benefits. Groups are popping up all over the world and since Magnetic North offers this as part of a tailor made walking holiday, we thought we’d share some information on the latest fitness craze. We also offer discounts for Nordic Walking groups to travel to Norway, find out more about our tailor made trips here.

First, though, we asked Catherine Hughes, a professional Nordic Walking instructor based in Nottingham to tell us more about the sport.

Catherine Hughes - Nordic Walking coach

What is Nordic Walking?

Catherine: Nordic Walking uses specially designed poles to enhance your natural walking experience. With a technique that is similar to the upper body action of classic cross country skiing, Nordic Walking becomes a genuinely whole body exercise that can be enjoyed at many levels, from walking for health to athletic Nordic running. More than 10 million people globally enjoy this outdoor activity all year round.

How will it benefit my body?
Nordic Walking combines the simplicity and accessibility of walking with simultaneous core and upper body conditioning similar to Nordic skiing. The result is a full body workout, which means that you:

burn up to 46% more calories compared to walking without poles
release tension in the neck and shoulders
improve your posture and gait
strengthen your back and abdominal muscles

And because Nordic Walking doesn’t feel like hard work you’ll be happy to walk further and for longer.

How do I start walking?
To get the most out of Nordic Walking you need to be taught by a qualified instructor, ideally trained by INWA the International Nordic Walking Federation. (www.inwa-nordicwalking.com). Instructors are available in 40 countries around the world. To find you instructor in the UK go to www.britishnordicwalking.org.uk.

Where do I walk?
Once you’ve mastered the technique you’ll join the 8 million Nordic Walkers worldwide and will be able to enjoy Nordic Walking in parks, on the beach, in the hills both in the UK and in Scandinavia – the home of Nordic Walking.

Walking by the Geirangerfjord Image: Terje Rakke

Magnetic North’s tailor made Nordic Walking holiday to Geiranger, Norway

The Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage site giving you access to untouched natural environments and a choice of additional activities on and around the fjord. We’ll organise your group activities and accommodation and provide suggestions for local sight-seeing in between walking excursions. Your guides are local experts not only in nordic walking but also in the local history and natural landscapes.

Travel as a couple or as a group to the home of Nordic walking in Norway.

Experience the breath-taking Geirangerfjord while participating in guided walks designed to suit your abilities, whether you’re a beginner or seasoned walker.
Relax at the end of each day in the comfort of your spa hotel with fjord and mountain views.
Special offer for Nordic Walking groups!

We offer discounts for groups of 4 or more travelling to Norway for our Nordic Walking holidays. To benefit from this or find out more, get in touch.

Tags: nordic walking
Posted in Activities in nature, Travel News | No Comments »

Why we love dens

May 18th, 2010

The Real Adventure Den Kit

I don’t normally blog about last night’s TV (or should I say iplayer), but this has to be a small exception. Among the array of entrepreneurship televisual entertainment on offer these days comes a new one called ‘High Street Dreams’ aimed at launching new products in mainstream shops and thus realising the dreams of a few lucky wannabe entrepreneurs and inventors.

The product that caught my eye this week was the simple, but ingenious ‘Den Kit’ – brainchild of two primary school teachers from Shropshire, Jo Jones and Kay Miller. Having worked around children for over 25 years, it was obvious that they knew the target market inside out and upside down – literally. Having tested out various iterations of the den kit – a mallet, tarpaulin, camp mug and string to be precise – the pair had reached a point of sell or give up. So they appeared on TV instead (an opportunity not to be sniffed at, of course).

Jo and Kay were put through their paces to bring the product to market – re-thinking suppliers, packaging and branding. Eventually they were given the chance to pitch to a major toy retailer, who at first couldn’t quite see the value of the den kit, especially at a premium price of £29.99. But what swung it for said retailer was the fact that the den kit was merely the start of the adventures and a tool for which children could hootle off and go create and imaginate to their hearts content. In his words ‘the spirit of the product’ and sense of adventure could really have an impact and so the den kit (with a bit of re-working) will hit the shelves later this year.

There’s nothing quite like a heart-warming entrepreneurial success story to give you a fuzzy feeling inside. But this story goes further than that for me. The den kit is sure to appeal to both children’s sense of adventure and play but also help parents to give their children the right conditions for creating adventure too. That’s what we like to promote at Magnetic North. Our travels are based on the idea of exploring – not to conquer but to discover new ways to live in nature. And hey it’s fun too. We wish the ladies of Real Adventure the very best of luck!

We’ll soon be adding a number of school trips to our portfolio to give young people ways to enjoy being in nature by doing things like den building, food foraging and sailing. If you’d like to find out more about our school programmes, please do sign up for our newsletter or get in touch.

Posted in Friluftsliv, Schools | No Comments »

May 17 Celebrations in Orkney

May 17th, 2010

Today is an important day in the Norwegian calendar. May 17th, or Søttende Mai, marks the anniversary of Norway’s independence in 1814. It’s a national holiday for Norwegians and is usually marked by celebrations, traditional food and children’s parades.

Søttende Mai is also celebrated around the world by Norwegians and their descendants. The date may largely pass us by here in the UK but there are communities which have special links with Norway, one of which is the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Here there are strong historical roots dating back to the time when the islands were inhabited by the Norse Earls for over 600 years. If you visit the islands, you’ll find frequent references to their occupation such as the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall and numerous street names.

One long-established group in Orkney ensures that Søttende Mai is marked each year. They are the Orkney Norway Friendship Association. Here we talk to the Association’s chair person, Ishbel Borland, to find out more about Orkney’s links with Norway.

In your opinion, why is it important for the people of Orkney to celebrate and continue links with Norway?

I think it is important to continue our links with Norway as our cultures are very similar. Physically we are closer to Norway than we are to London, and with direct flights from Kirkwall to Bergen we can be in Norway in an hour. Many Norwegians travel across both to Orkney and to Shetland as they too feel a link with the past and want to see the areas where their ancestors ruled.

What sort of events and activities do you do to encourage friendship between Orkney and Norway?As a society we meet once a month and either go to one of the islands or to a “country parish” to either have an evening of Norwegian music and a supper, or else we have talks or film shows about Norway and just try to promote Norway as a beautiful country to visit. We also do a lot of entertaining of groups who come across buy prescription drugs online without a prescription to Orkney (eg in February we put on an evening’s entertainment for a group from the Bergen Kulturforum) – in this way many new friends are made. I am a schoolteacher just retired this year and I have taken schoolchildren to Norway on 7 different years, as well as last year taking a group of 26 musicians from the Orkney West Mainland Strathspey and Reel society to Bergen. We also have an exchange scheme whereby two pupils from Orkney spend a school year at the Folkhøyskule in Voss and two students from Hordaland come to Orkney for a year.

Where in Norway do your members live, or is there a particular region/place in Norway with cultural significance for Orkney?

The area around Bergen – Hordaland, is twinned with Orkney so there are many council links between the two. One lovely custom is that Xmas trees are cut down in a town called Grimstad (actually in Rogaland) and sent across to be erected one inside and one outside St Magnus Cathedral each Dec, and we have a tree-lighting ceremony. (See pictures on our ONFA website).

How do you celebrate Søttende Mai in the Orkney Islands?

Another thing which we do which I think is quite special is that on the morning of May 17th we have a small ceremony in St Olaf cemetery where we have a piper play a lament, then we lay flowers on the graves of the Norwegian merchant seaman buried there. Then we sing Ja Vi Elsker and either have a song or a poem . This little ceremony started in a small way but has grown to be an important part of our 17th May, with many visiting Norwegian yachtsmen sailing across to visit, and making a point of taking part. This year we have schoolchildren from the island of Stronsay coming in to take part in the “tog” so that will be enjoyable for all.

For more information about the Orkney Norway Friendship Association, visit http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/ONFA

Curious Orkney - Magnetic North's 6 day walking holiday

Join us in Orkney for a 6 day walking holiday

Magnetic North offers a 6 day walking holiday in the Orkney Islands exploring its cultural past and Viking heritage, read more about the holiday at this link. Highlights of the holiday:

Explore the northern islands of Orkney crossing seas, causeways and rivers to uncover stories of these magical isles.
Surround yourself with wildlife in one of Britain’s largest seabird colonies at Noup Head.
Taste some local flavours including smokies, whiskey and wine.
Sail to the island of Hoy and walk through Berriedale Wood – the most northerly woodland in Britain

Tags: may 17
Posted in Magnetic North, Nordic culture | No Comments »

Joanna Lumley and the Northern Lights

May 12th, 2010

It’s mid May and by now we should be enjoying warmer days and temperate evenings. But instead it’s cold and the central heating is back on. So what better excuse to curl up in my pyjamas on the sofa with a hot chocolate to watch Joanna Lumley’s recent film, In the Land of the Northern Lights. It really is compulsory viewing for anyone who’d like to understand why people are spellbound by the North and why I find myself dreaming of wintry wonderlands that I know aren’t so far away.

Joanna’s longing to see the Northern Lights is palpable as she journeys due north meeting new people and landscapes between Trondheim and Svalbard in Norway. She follows her childhood dreams to travel to this mystical land which held such a vivid and important place in her imagination. And she wasn’t let down. The magical fairytales came alive as she finally witnesses the spectacle in the dark, winter night sky.

What keeps me going is the thought of sending our guests beyond the Arctic Circle and giving them the chance to see this wonder for themselves. In fact, if we missed out the summer and went straight to December it would mean that we could do it again next week. But the anticipation is part of the marvel of tracking down the ‘Tricky Lady’, as the Lights are affectionately known. And we hope to take you there soon! If you have a question about the Lights and how to find them, please get in touch at yourstory@magneticnorth.travel. If you do one thing, though, watch Joanna’s DVD, it’s just wonderful.

Laura Greenman

Tags: joanna lumley, northern lights
Posted in Media and the North, northern lights | No Comments »