Join Eivind Nordhus, co-owner and chef at the wonderfully remote Sollia guesthouse, near Kirkenes in northern Norway.
Set amid the beautiful wilderness that covers the furthest reaches of Arctic Norway, only a few hundred metres from the Russian border, Sollia feels otherworldly, particularly on winter nights when the colourful ribbons of the Northern Lights swoop and twirl across the inky sky. All this can be experienced on our Winter snow holiday: www.inntravel.co.uk/holidays/winter-snow-breaks/Norway/Sollia-Northern-Lights-Breaks
Whether you locate your quarry - the Aurora Borealis - or not (and you have every chance of doing so in this northerly spot), this is an experience never to be forgotten.
Feeling so far removed from everyday life, the wonderfully remote Sollia Gjestegård is a place where you can easily relax. The Nordhus family, run the guesthouse with great enthusiasm, and are justly proud of their adjoining restaurant, which is considered to be the best restaurant in Finnmark. Should you wish to venture further afield then the obvious choice is to explore by dog-sled from a nearby husky farm. After a short lesson in the basics of driving a sled, you can either - take charge of your own team of dogs, or ride as a passenger, watching out for wildlife as you glide through the dense forest and over frozen lakes.
While both dog-sledding and snowmobiling are undeniably thrilling, it is hard to beat the exhilaration of seeing the incredible Northern Lights, one of your evenings is spent at your hosts’ ‘aurora borealis base camp’, to which you are taken on a large sledge towed by a snowmobile. The northerly location of the camp and the complete lack of light pollution mean you stand a fantastic chance of enjoying the Northern Lights, but it’s just a case of sipping hot tea and gazing at the sky, hoping that they will show themselves in all their glory…
If you have more time, why not make a husky safari part of the ultimate winter holiday on our 15-night Arctic Adventure? The journey from Bergen to the Russian border on the famous Hurtigruten coastal steamer has often been described as ‘the world’s most beautiful voyage’, and as you travel along Norway’s dramatic fjord-indented coastline, you will soon see why. Docking at some of the region’s most iconic ports, you have time to get to know their distinctive characters and visit the uniquely Nordic attractions. Wonder at the splendid cathedral in Trondheim, before crossing the Arctic Circle to the astonishing Lofoten Islands, where you spend several nights in a rorbu (a traditional fisherman’s cabin) blissfully removed from the whirl of modern life. Your next stop - the enthralling island of Senja, a former fishing hamlet - is a wonderful base for trying out some thrilling winter activities. Hike into the nearby pine forests on a guided snowshoe excursion, or take to the water and try ocean body rafting. The wildlife safari is an absolute must - white-tailed sea eagles, dolphins and whales are all common sights. Farther up the coast, captivating Tromsø awaits with its brightly painted old wooden buildings, the world’s northernmost brewery and university, two cathedrals and some intriguing museums. If you can tear yourself away from the city, head out across the tundra on cross-country skis, try your hand at ice-fishing or enjoy a reindeer safari. When you finally sail around North Cape to Konsgfjord and Sollia, Trine and her team of huskies will be waiting to take you out on a magical sled ride.
Find out more about the Sollia guesthouse and our many Northern Lights holidays, here www.inntravel.co.uk/holidays/winter-snow-breaks/Northern-Lights-Breaks