Tromso, Vesteralen and Lofoten in June

Daina visited Tromso, Versteralen and Lofoten in June here are her thoughts from the trip.

I had a fantastic and unforgettable memories on this trip and realised how the Norwegians during the summer and Midnight Sun are up at all hours and enjoy the light and in the wintertime they will hibernate.

Many guests ask me about clothing needed for travel to the north. In order for your stay in northern Norway to be as comfortable as possible, it is important to have the right clothes. Bring warm and comfortable clothes and shoes. Layer your clothing, so that you can easily regulate your temperature by removing or adding a layer. Outer clothing should be lined and windproof. Most activity organisers supply clothing for excursions, i.e. thermal suits, shoes, hat and mittens.

I arrived to Tromso¸ and ate a late dinner at 10pm in restaurant Arctandria. The Midnight Sun kept us all awake so that we were ready to travel in the cable car for a midnight viewing with fantastic views over Tromso¸. A mere 2,000 km from the North Pole, Tromso¸ entertains visitors and inhabitants in this lively, warm and exotic city. In Tromso¸, the capital of Norway’s high north, you will be amazed by the active cultural life all year round, the Northern Lights, Polar Nights, the exciting attractions and excursions, and the widely varying weather.

This picture was taken at midnight in Tromso

We stayed in Quality Hotel Saga after a stunning tour in the cable car.

The next day we transferred to St. Elisabeth Hotel and went by bus went to the city centre of Tromso¸ for hotel inspections in the city centre. Those I visited are listed below:

• Smarthotel Tromso¸
• Clarion Hotel The Edge Tromso¸ (New choice hotel due to open May 2014)
• Clarion Hotel Bryggen
• Clarion Collection Hotel With
• Radisson Blu Hotel
• Rica Ishavshotel

On the Friday, we started with a workshop with local suppliers and then travelled to Gryllefjord, then a ferry from Gryllefjord to Andenes, which lasts a bit less than 2 hours.

Thereafter we departed Tromso¸ for Brensholmen

Departure by ferry Brensholmen to Botnhamn approx. 40 min trip

We arrived in Botnhamn and transferred to Hamn i Senja and continued on the National Tourist Road http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no with photo stops.

Thereafter we arrived in Hamn i Senja, check in http://www.hamnisenja.no with dinner at Hamn i Senja

We went to visit Hotel Marena and Andrikken and lunch at restaurant Riggen

We then went on a Whale Safari and a drive on the National Tourist Route to Sortland, with a local guide and enjoyed photo stops to marvel at the beautiful and peaceful nature around us. We then checked in at the Sortland Hotel and the following day we also viewed the Strand Hotel.

During our workshop at the Sortland Hotel we were introduced to the various activities that can be done here, such as fjord camping, whale watching, snow mobile rides, dogsledding and much more.

We then drove to Stokmarknes, saw the hotel Turistsenteret and the Hurtigruten Museum before we caught another ferry to Fiskebol, which took appx. 20 minutes before we arrived to Svolvaer.

We visited Thon Hotel Lofoten, Lofoten Suite Hotel, Hotel Anker Brygge and Rica Hotel Lofoten.

After the visits we drove to Kabelvag and went sea kayaking with our guide: Jann Engstad. Afterwards we enjoyed a RIB-boat to Henningsvar which was a great experience. Dinner tonight was at Full Steam and after another eventful day with lots of action we collapsed at the Lofoten Arctic Hotel for a good rest before our last day before going home from this beautiful country with all its adventures and amazing light.

All in all a fantastic trip and one I cant wait to give advice on and share with our guests.