Scandinavian specialist Best Served Scandinavia (www.best-served.co.uk, 0207 664 2241) has launched its 2019/20 winter brochure showcasing the best of the Nordic countries in winter.  With a tempting selection of holidays ranging from cultural breaks to wildlife adventures and from stylish Scandi hotels to ice hotels, igloos and cabins, there is wonderfully diverse choice on offer. 

New for 2019 is an expanded choice of exciting holidays to Lulea and the surrounding areas in Swedish Lapland, as well as holidays exploring the majestic beauty of Norway's Fjords in the winter.  These sit alongside some fabulous seasonal breaks, with Christmas, Twixmas and New Year options and a range of family-friendly Santa holidays including a new Inari Log Cabin holiday featuring a private visit from Santa.   For those suffering Game Of Thrones withdrawal symptoms, head to Reykjavik for a Game Of Thrones adventure – following in the footsteps of Arya Stark to the rift valleys and medieval villages that played a starring role in the series.

Expanded Choice of Holidays to Lulea

Lulea, in Swedish Lapland – is a fantastic starting point for a number of new itineraries.  Highlights include a great value four-day tailor made Northern Lights City Break, from just £495 per person including flights, transfers and a Northern Lights excursion, or for those looking for a truly luxurious holiday, there is a four day Winter Adventure at Arctic Retreat – staying in a timber lodge complete with private hot tub, floor to ceiling views of the Aurora and a bucket-list worthy selection of included experiences.  Prices from £2,860 per person for three nights including flights, full board accommodation, a Northern Lights Workshop, snowmobiling and husky sledding.

Surrounded by sea, and an archipelago comprising some 1,312 islands, Lulea is one of the few places in the region where the sea ice actually freezes over up to a metre thick.  From December, visitors can experience a frozen wonderland of snow and ice trails, where you can snowshoe, skate, walk and sled across the bay directly from the city centre.  Located just under 70km from the Arctic Circle, Lulea's lack of light pollution, long winters and dark nights offer truly beautiful spectacles and whilst auroras can be viewed in the city, they're best witnessed on the range of snowmobiling and snowshoeing excursions. A further highlight is the UNESCO-listed Gammelstad, or Old Town, one of the best-preserved examples of a 15th century church village.  

Wildlife – Lyngen Experience – Whales, Huskies and Northern Lights

This new, five day tailor-made break offers a treat for wildlife and wilderness lovers alike.  Starting with a night in Tromso, three nights are then spent at the Lyngen Experience, the region's newest lodge – a remote, nine-room fjordside retreat.  Tucked away in the remote Lyngen Alps, this contemporary lodge is perfectly poised for spotting both whales and Northern Lights, with floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the views.  Spot the Northern Lights on an evening snowshoeing adventure, when you are taken out to the wilds, settling next to a wilderness tent as your guide builds a toasty campfire.  There is also a whale watching cruise – with the chance to spot mighty whales as well as sea eagles and grey seals and dogsledding included. Optional excursions include kicksledding, snowmobiling, ice climbing and reindeer sled rides, but with an outdoor jacuzzi, sauna and fabulous food, you might just want to sit and soak up the views.  This luxury break is from £1,870 per person for four nights including flights, the Whale Wilderness safari excursion, dog sledding safari and Northern Lights evening.

Bergen and the Fjords

Taking advantage of a number of new flights into Bergen, with routes now operating from London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Liverpool during the winter months, Best Served Scandinavia have added a range of new holidays to this beautiful destination.   

Winter Break to Bergen & The Fjords showcases the highlights of this region in the winter from just £560 per person including flights.  Based in Bergen, with its historic UNESCO-listed quayside, there is time to enjoy the city itself – home to a colourful Christmas market during November and December, including Pepperkakebyen – the world's largest gingerbread town. The holiday also includes an iconic 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour, with a scenic trip along the Bergen Railway – the highest in Northern Europe – to Myrdal, passing shimmering lakes and mountains dusted with snow.  Then, cross platforms to join the Flam Railway, the world's steepest standard gauge track – for the spectacular descent to the shores of Aurlandsfjord. 

Also new is a seven-day Norway's Fjords & Northern Lights itinerary from £1,095 per person.   Starting in Oslo, it offers a fantastic overview of the highlights of Norway, combining urban style with great natural beauty.  After a night in Oslo, travel up to Flam by rail, and enjoy the fabulous Flam Railway journey.  There is then a night in Bergen with time to explore the city, before flying up to Tromso, where there is an included Northern Lights 'chase'.  Staying right on the harbour, there are further optional excursions including dogsledding, whale safaris, snowmobiling and cable car trips. 

New Holidays to Iceland

This incredible 'Land of Fire and Ice' offers a treasure trove of natural and historical sights with glaciers, volcanic peaks, geysers, whales and dolphins and even the world's oldest parliament. For winter 2019/20, Best Served Scandinavia have added a host of new adventures and destinations, alongside the classic Reykjavik-based adventures. 

In the Far North of Iceland, the town of Akureyri is the ideal base for trips out to magnificent Godafoss Waterfall and Lake Myvatn's geothermal hot springs.  New to the brochure is an Akureryi Aurora Escape – a four day break from £905 per person taking in the highlights of the region with bubbling mud pools, endless lava fields, great continental divides and the Northern Lights all showcased.  There is also a new West Iceland: Lodge, Spa & Northern Lights itinerary giving the chance to venture off the beaten track and explore Iceland's western remotes by four wheel drive, with a range of experiences included such as an excursion into a Glacier with a specially adapted all-terrain vehicle before descending into an ice cave. The holiday features two days in Reyjkavik, including entrance to the Blue Lagoon, and a stay in a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World, which is wrapped in stunning glacier views and even comes with its own geothermal hot springs.  Prices from £1,060 per person.  

For those Game of Thrones fans missing their fix of adventure, there is a new 'Game of Thrones' excursion from Reykjavik. Visiting the rift valley and medieval village made famous by the series, you can head beyond the Wall, following the footsteps of Arya Stark and even pass through the Bloody Gate at Thingvellir National Park. 

Family-Friendly Festive Holidays

There is a superb choice of family-friendly holidays to this winter wonderland, with Santa breaks to Rovaniemi and Harriniva including escorted tours led by an expert from Best Served Scandinavia as well as the most exclusive luxury option – staying at the Arctic Treehouse Hotel.  

For those looking for a traditional log cabin experience, new for 2019/20 is an Inari Log Cabin Santa Break, with accommodation at the Wilderness Hotel Inari on a full board basis.  This four-day holiday from £1,845 per adult and £1,455 per child includes a reindeer visit, snowmobile trip, aurora hunt and husky safari as well as Santa himself making an appearance on a private lodge visit. 

Exclusive New Year's Eve Celebrations at the Tromso Ice Domes

Bring in the New Year in style on this exclusive trip to Norway's Northern Lights capital for a stay at the stunning Tromso Ice Domes deep in the Arctic Wilderness.  With just seven rooms,   all beautifully carved in the ice, it's an idyllic base to bring in 2020 and, despite the temperature inside, you'll be warm and snug with reindeer fur blankets and Arctic sleeping bags to keep out the chill. On 31st December, there's a great night planned which includes a guided snowshoe excursion, hopefully under the Northern Lights, followed by a dinner cooked in the wilderness over an open fire. It's then back to the hotel for sparkling wine as you see in 2020 in style. Then, on New Year's Day, you'll be treated to a thrilling husky dog safari tour with lunch.  There are also two nights in the heart of Tromso either side of the night on ice ensuring a thrilling start to the year from just £1,345 per person. 

New Cabin Break in Finnish Lapland 

A private sauna and roaring log fire in Finnish Lapland offer the perfect ingredients for a new adult-focused cabin break with snowmobiling, ice fishing and husky sledding excursions all included.  With three nights in a cosy timber cabin in Rovaniemi, gourmet tasty local delicacies to dine on such as Arctic Char and smoked reindeer and the opportunity to mush a team of huskies across the silent Finnish countryside as well as an optional aurora floating excursion, this break offers excellent value from £965 per person including flights. 

Commenting, Sue McAlinden, General Manager, Best Served Scandinavia says, “Our new winter brochure offers holidays and unique experiences for guests of all tastes and all ages during this picturesque season starting from just £495 per person for a Northern Lights city break in Swedish Lapland's historic Lulea.  Ranging from glass igloos, luxury treehouses and ice hotels to snow dusted cabins and luxury spas, these itineraries are tried and tested by our team of specialists to ensure they showcase the very best of the region.”

For bookings or more information, call 0207 664 2241 or visit best-served.co.uk