A couple of months ago I received a very exciting invitation and now, I can hardly believe, that in less than two weeks time, I’ll be off on another adventure. Not to Africa or the Med, nor India or anywhere hot and steamy – quite the opposite. I’ll soon be on my way to northern Norway and the Arctic and I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about a trip before!
Kittiwakes in flight in the Arctic by Kellie Netherwood
Discovering Real Norway
I’m going on a Hurtigruten Cruise to discover the real Norway. Flying from London to Oslo and then taking an internal flight to Tromsø inside the Arctic Circle. From there, it’s all aboard as we head north to the most northerly point on mainland Europe. I’ve heard many good things about Hurtigruten, who have been sailing along the Norwegian coast since 1893 so I know I’m in safe hands!
Our itinerary takes us to many lovely places and spectacular snowy landscapes. We’ll have the chance to go sledging with huskies in Kirkenes, go to a midnight concert by candlelight in the Arctic Cathedral, discover Norwegian cuisine and, fingers crossed, we’ll see the Northern Lights. And I can’t wait!
The Northern Lights in Norway by Kellie Netherwood
What to wear in the Arctic?
I’ve never been further north (anywhere in the world) than Leeds, so this really will be a new kind of adventure. I asked my blogging friend Kellie Netherwood, who I know has visited colder climes, for some advice about what to wear.
“Weather in the Arctic can be changeable and unpredictable, from mild to extreme cold with a biting wind chill. I suggest non bulky layers: thermal base (Merino is my favourite), a mid layer (eg fleece top and waterproof trousers) and a decent waterproof winter jacket. I always take a good hat/beanie, neck warmer and as many socks as I can fit. Avoid cotton for outdoor clothing, but indoors is usually quite warm, so a couple of t-shirts or comfy sweats/jumper is ideal. As a photographer, I have gloves with removable flaps on the thumb and forefinger which allow me to stay warm whilst adjusting my settings and I have an extra pair of glove liners and waterproof gloves for colder days. I also carry a waterproof outer layer that I can pull on over my trousers when needed” Kellie
Joining me on this trip-of-a-life time will be Zoë Dawes, The Quirky Traveller, Sarah Lee, Live, Share, Travel, Alison Bailey for Mallory on Travel and Barbara Ann Weibel, Hole in the Donut.
Follow #realNorway live on Twitter and Instagram and see our Arctic adventure as it unfolds!
Northern Norway by Kellie Netherwood
Thanks to Kellie for these wonderful photographs. You can read more about her adventures in the Arctic and Antartica and see more of her superb photographs on her blog Destination Unknown. You’ll find yet more stunning photography on Kellie Netherwood Photography.
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I’m delighted to say that I’m not long back from this Artic trip with Hurtugrutin, a trip of a lifetime, the memories I’ll treasure forever, the ship ms Trollfjord was perfect, I took part in the husky sledging, visited the ice hotel, and walked around the town at 71degrees north, and seen the north cape, and yes the icing on the cake was 4 nights of being treated to the best light show on earth, have a brilliant time, I’ll be back in a year or two 🙂 🙂
Hi Trisha, I too had a wonderful time and did everything you did except the trip to the North Cape, which was sadly cancelled because of a blocked road. Husky dog sledging was the highlight of the trip but I had many other wonderful experiences as well. I’d love to do it all again too! Sounds like you enjoyed as much as I did! 🙂
Looking forward to seeing future posts of Arctic proportions! Safe travels 🙂
Thanks Jodi. I’m looking forward to sharing them.:-)
I am really envious. I have always wanted to make that trip.
The Northern Lights are breathtaking. I will never forget the time I saw them in Nuuk, Greenland. It was like green and pink curtains being ruffled by a breeze. Very ethereal.
Hope you get to see them
Thanks Gordon 🙂
What a great taster for our trip Kat 🙂 If we only get to see part of what those photos show it will be fantastic. But I soooo want to see the Northern Lights!
I’d love to see the lights but it’s the whole experience I’m really looking forward to (and meeting the huskies!). And I’m really looking forward to sharing it with you and the rest of the gang!
I’ve had enough cold and snow for a while, so I wouldn’t be interested in a trip like that. But I have been to Alaska close to the Arctic and I’m sure you’ll have a great time.
We’ve had quite a mild, wet winter with no snow here. This will be a whole new experience for me and I can’t wait (and of course much of the time we’ll actually be cosy onboard the MS Richard With).
That looks like an amazing trip! We are heading to Tromso this mid march in search of Aurora. So excited!
I bet you are as excited as I am. Have a fabulous time and fingers crossed we both get to see the Aurora 🙂
Can’t wait to read about your trip and really hope that you get to see the Northern Lights. I’ll be expecting great photos of them! Nice photos from Kellie too.
Thanks Heather and aren’t Kellie’s photos superb!
You are very fortunate to be heading to Norway on such an amazing adventure! I am very envious and you are going to have an absolute blast. This post is just a brief snippet of what you will be experiencing and I would love to be given the opportunity to do this for myself one day.
I mentioned on another post earlier today about how I have always wanted to head to Scandinavia and after reading this it just confirms my thoughts.
The Northern Lights would be awesome to experience. Iceland is one place I would love to venture to see this for myself but Norway would be great too!!
I am really looking forward to seeing more pictures and reading your experiences soon!
Thanks Chris. I do feel very, very lucky. I still can’t quite believe it’s true!
My friend Suzanne (The Travel Bunny) has just returned from Iceland (see earlier comment by her). She had a wonderful time but didn’t see the lights. Fingers crossed we will!
That looks like a fantastic trip, stay warm….I’ve always wanted to see the northern lights, it seems so distant from where i live. I look forward to reading more about the trip!
Thanks Noel. I do hope you get to see them one day but in the meantime, please keep your fingers crossed for us!
I’m not surprised that you’re so excited, Kat, it really is a different trip to the ones so many of us normally make. I will be excited to experience it through your eyes, and very much look forward to reading about it afterwards. Have a wonderful time.
Thanks Jackie. I’m looking forward to sharing it with you 🙂
So excited for you and so looking forward to your pics and posts. I didn’t see the Northern Lights on my trip to Iceland last month but it didn’t matter as it was such an amazing destination in so many other ways. Hope you catch a glimpse though 🙂
Thanks Suzanne. What a shame you didn’t see the Northern Lights but, as you say, your trip did look amazing any way and I’m sure mine will be too (whether I see them or not).
I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time, Kat… I’ve been to Norway and it’s a beautiful country. I’ve never been as far north within Norway, but have spent quite a bit of time inside north of the Arctic Circle in Greenland (I’m not sure if you know my PhD was in glaciology and I studied out there?). Anyway, the Northern Lights is a fantastic spectacle – I imagine you’ll be in with a good chance of seeing a great display… have fun, Paul
No I didn’t know that Paul – how interesting! Have you written any related travel articles?
No, I’ve not really written about it. The trips were in the mid 1990s, so before my travel blogging days…
That’s a shame. Sounds like your overdue a return visit!
Yes, hopefully one day! 🙂
Thanks so much for the mention/credit. I am so excited for you and can’t wait to see your own photos and hear about your trip. There have been some spectacular Northern Lights sightings in the past week so my fingers are crossed for you.
If you are anything like me, a Polar addiction is about to begin….. 🙂
Have fun!
Thanks Kellie! And haven’t the photographs been amazing this week! Whether we’ll see anything like this will be down to luck but there’s so much I’m looking forward to, especially the huskies! Already feel addicted and I’ve not even been yet.