21st February 2022 to 28th February 2022 with optional 4 night add on to Finland & Sweden (finishing on 3rd March 2022)

LOFOTEN

We will be in Lofoten at the end of February when the clearest pastel colours imaginable will be visible. The days are slowly beginning to lengthen and when the sun dips below the horizon we will be treated to a palette of the softest colours, the likes of which will not be seen at any other time of the year.

Although the days are relatively short, we will have ample time to immerse ourselves in the landscape, explore the coves and beaches, the spidery branches of skeletal trees in the snow and colourful harbours of Lofoten.

We want to help you reinterpret this place in your own way and in your own style - putting your twist on the images.

With its distinctive topography and imposing beauty, it is no surprise that Lotofen has been attracting artists since the 19th century. The islands have a thriving arts scene of painters, ceramicists, jewellery-makers, sculptors and countless other creatives who look to this extraordinary landscape for their inspiration.

The tiny fishing villages are astonishingly picturesque - the richly coloured wooden buildings contrast so beautifully against the crisp white blanket of freshly fallen snow. Our base is close to one of the prettiest - Reine, where weathered wooden cottages cluster around rocky bays.

This is most definitely not an ‘aurora chasing’ tour. We are here with the primary goal of exploring our personal creativity. However  if the Northern Lights do put on a show while we are there (and it is highly likely that they will) we will certainly grasp the opportunity and go out to experience it - after all, it is one of natures true wonders. We will not , however, go chasing around the country looking for them.

 

FINLAND - the real Narnia - (optional add-on).

We will spend six nights in Lofoten and as our time there draws to a close, we present you with a choice. As we head back to Narvik airport, we can drop you off in time to catch the return flight to Gatwick, or you can continue on with us and enjoy the second, (optional extra) part of our Scandinavian adventure.

We will head east, towards the winter wonderland that is Finnish Lapland. Through birch and pine forests, across frozen lakes, it is here that the pastel hues take on an ethereal glow.

We stop en-route in Sweden, at the very first Ice Hotel (see accommodation tab for images) where we will spend a night enjoying all its amazing delights. This ice hotel has a focus on art, and the creators have used their skills to make every room unique, sculpting the ice into amazing designs. The hotel will be a fabulous place to make images.

The following day we head across the snowy landscape, a hundred miles north of the arctic circle into Finland until we reach our destination. We will stay for three nights in a luxury ‘igloo’ complex for a totally immersive artic experience (see accommodation tab for images). You will have your own glass roofed chalet - with laser warmed glass to keep it frost free so as not to impede your view of the night skies and (fingers crossed) the aurora.

This Narniaesque landscape is about as close to the mythical 'Winter Wonderland' as it is possible to be - frozen trees encrusted in layers of snow and glowing mists rolling across the slopes.

Our accommodation can organise reindeer, husky or snowmobile excursions into the Finnish wilderness (optional extra) exploring off the beaten track with our cameras. We will, of course, also have our own rather more mundane form of transport to take us around.

This leg of the tour also includes evening meals - perhaps to enjoy before going out to witness star filled northern skies, and with luck, the Northern Lights.

There are optional excursions deep into the Finnish countryside with huskies, reindeer or snowmobiles. We have decided not to price these in as preferences will differ. However we will canvas opinion, provide prices and ensure that you can experience everything you want.

After three nights, we head back to Narvik for our flights home - no doubt with memory cards filled with fabulous images and our own precious memories of a very special adventure into the Arctic.

 

There is a diverse selection of accommodation on offer in Lofoten with hotels, guesthouses, camp sites and apartments on offer.

Lofoten is known for the old fishermen's cabins (rorbuer) that have been restored and turned into modern accommodation for travellers and so for an authentic experience we have chosen the Njusfjord Arctic Resort

Offering considerably more comfort than many of the repurposed cabins on the islands, we have chosen this as our base because, due to the relatively short days, we will be spending a fair amount of time here and we hope the high-end, uniquely tailored cabins will provide a comfortable resting place.

All the cabins are located in and around the calm harbour looking out to the rough northern oceans, with unique views of the surrounding nature. The size of the rooms reflect the fishemen’s need for intimate and compact living in the weathered Arctic environment, but have been carefully refurbished to suit the needs and comforts of a modern lifestyle.

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The Ice Hotel doubtless needs no introduction. As we have to pass by the location of the very first Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi en-route to our destination in Finland, it seemed foolish not to grab the opportunity to visit. The tour priced for us to stay in the warm rooms, however if you wish to throw caution to the wind and sleep on a block of ice beneath reindeer skins then please do contact us for a quote for the supplement.

We will have access to most of the hotel to shoot (not occupied rooms, obviously). Of course it would be remiss of us not to venture into the bar to experience a glass of champagne or cocktails, served out of ice glasses, obviously.

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The Northern Lights Village in Finland is our final destination.

The Aurora Cabins at the Northern Lights Village are a magical way to experience the wintry star-filled sky and the Northern Lights, while lying comfortably in the warm bed. The laser-heated glass-roof opens up into the northern sky, directly above the bed.

All the activities in the Northern Lights Village begin in the yard outside and the restaurant Kota is only a stone’s throw away. The services at the center of Saariselkä, such as the store, the spa, and restaurants are only a 350 meter walk away while on the other side, the cabins are lined by uninhabited fells and forests.

"At midnight, a white arctic fox dashes up the fells, trailing its tail through the snow shooting flickers into the sky. The aurora borealis burst into flame over Lapland. Only the glass roof separates you and your warm bed from the cold, flaming sky."

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As you are probably aware, Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world. We adjusted our numbers slightly and this time there will be three leaders and 13 clients.

Prices quoted are for bed and breakfast in Lofoten. If you decide to do the Finland segment, the price quoted includes bed, breakfast and evening meals. Alcohol is extra but we will include a celebratory beverage at the Ice Hotel because we feel it would be rude not to.

While not a cheap tour, it is one we have invested an enormous amount of time in preparing to try to balance cost and comfort together with a couple of very special, bucket-list experiences.

Doug, Valda and Terry will all be on hand to help you with your creative endeavours and we will have plenty of time after sundown for those all-important image review sessions. We will make sure we wring as much value out of this trip as possible!

Sorry, but we are unable to accommodate non-photographing partners on this trip unless they pay the full price. Thank you for your understanding.

LOFOTEN :

Please do read the description of the hotel under the accommodation tab. Some of the cabins have two bedrooms (with private bathroom, some have one bedroom). Cabins of this type are the standard type of accommodation in Lofoten.

Standard room   £2,795

These rorbuer cabins have two bedrooms in one cabin (all with private bathrooms)

Superior room  (7 available)   £3,350

These rorbuer cabins have one bedroom. Also in this category is a spacious three bedroom 'apartment' with wonderful views. All private facilities.

INCLUDES:

Six nights single room accommodation with breakfast at Nusfjord Arctic Resort

Transfer to the hotel if your flight coincides with ours. (Please note a transfer of your own will be expensive due to the distance)

Transport around the Lofoten peninsula.

Tuition from Doug, Valda and Terry

Any entrance fees

Max, 13 clients.

 

EXCLUDES

Flights, insurance, meals not mentioned, alcohol, airport transfers, should your flight not coincide with ours, any extra activities such as snowmobiling etc. Fitness level - moderate. Some walking on snowy and slippery surfaces.

Average temperature High 2C°, Low -3°C

Liable to snow....

GMT +1 hours

Recommended Flights:

TO BE CONFIRMED.

DEPOSIT DUE AT TIME OF BOOKING - 20%. Balance due 60 days before departure.

FINLAND AND SWEDEN EXTENSION:

Bed, breakfast and evening meals included £2,495

Supplement for sleeping in an ice room at the Ice hotel - £285 

INCLUDES:

One night single room accommodation in a warm room (i.e. a normal hotel room) at the Ice Hotel

Three nights single occupancy room, igloo-type accommodation at the Northern Lights Village, Levi

Breakfast, evening meals and celebratory cocktails at the Ice Bar

Transport around the area.

Tuition from Doug, Valda and Terry

Any entrance fees

Max, 13 clients.

EXCLUDES

Flights, insurance, meals not mentioned, alcohol, airport transfers, should your flight not coincide with ours, any extra activities such as snowmobiling etc.

Fitness level - moderate. Some walking on snowy and slippery surfaces.

Average temperature High -2C°, Low -13°C

Liable to snow....

GMT +2 hours

The recommended flights will be provided later.

DEPOSIT DUE AT TIME OF BOOKING - 20%. Balance due 60 days before departure.

Includes £10 carbon offsetting fee. This is a voluntary contribution. Please advise us if you would rather opt out and we will cover your contribution.