02 Sep 2014
Inntravel's Skiing and More programme already offers some wonderful, far-flung places beyond the Arctic Circle. Take Kangos in Swedish Lapland for example, the dramatic LofotenIslands, and Sollia in Norway within spitting distance of the Russian border. However, Inntravel's new destination for 2014/15, the Svalbard archipelago, feels even more otherworldly. Not far from the North Pole, it is a true wilderness of fjords and glaciers that man shares with polar bears, and which visitors get to explore by dog-sled and snowmobile.
NEW FOR WINTER 2015
SVALBARD, THE HIGH ARCTIC - Svalbard, just beyond the limit of permanent pack ice, is a remarkable archipelago made up of striking fjord and mountain scenery. Stay in thriving Longyearbyen in the middle of Spitsbergen, home to 2,000 people, where icebergs have cut fjords into the heart of the island and now dramatically surround the island chain.
With four nights in the Spitsbergen Hotel, originally built to accommodate coal-mining company employees, there is plenty of time to explore the island on guided excursions (included), though there are no roads to connect the settlements. As a result, visitors head by snowmobile along the shores of the fjord to Barentsburg, a somewhat forgotten Russian outpost, for lunch at the Russian Kitchen. Later in the week they learn to drive a team of huskies before setting out with them into the mountains – a superb way to appreciate the stillness of the archipelago. The region is reached via Tromsø, known as the 'gateway to the Arctic', where two nights are spent.
Price: from £1,695pp based on two sharing including return SAS flights Heathrow-Tromsø via Oslo, and onward flights to Longyearbyen, six nights' B&B, one dinner, one lunch and excursions. Available 27 February-18 April 2015. Four night breaks from £1,465pp.
SKIING AND MORE 2014 -15
The 20 hand-picked locations from the Slow holiday specialist combine picture-book villages, spectacular landscapes and relaxed activity. Stretching from the Alps to the far north, the unspoiled villages are far removed from the busy whirl of modern-day ski resorts. While the programme features a whole host of skiing possibilities, from cross-country skiing on the quiet side of the mountain to downhill skiing on uncrowded slopes, there are so many other ways on offer to enjoy the snow. Whether for adults or families, Inntravel's latest programme has it all:
WINTER WALKING & SNOWSHOEING: Reach some magical viewpoints, walking along specially flattened, clearly marked paths or take to snowshoes and strike out across virgin snow. While 10 of the villages welcome winter walkers, two Swiss villages namely Kandersteg near Bern and Guarda in the Engadine, offer special Winter Walking Weeks with guided excursions. Having closed last winter for complete renovation, the Hotel Meisser in Guarda looks more beautiful than ever. Price: one week in Guarda from £1,205pp.
GREAT WINTER JOURNEYS: Those who prefer to admire wintry landscapes from the comfort of a train or boat can choose one of Inntravel's journeys through some of Europe's most dramatic scenery. Take an awe-inspiring journey on the famous Glacier Express or an exciting Norwegian adventure around North Cape, discover a trio of Austria's Great Cities by rail, or join a great coastal voyage on the Hurtigruten steamer Beyond the Arctic Circle. Price: one week in Austria's Great Cities from £770pp.
MULTI-ACTIVITY WEEKS: Enjoy the snow in just about every way imaginable, all in one glorious week: tobogganing, cross-country skiing, guided snow-shoeing, curling on the village rink, riding a horse-drawn sleigh and snowshoeing in the Bernese Oberland; or taking a husky safari, encountering reindeer and glimpsing the Northern Lights in the Lapland wilderness. Price: one week in Kandersteg, the Bernese Oberland, from £1,132pp.
NORTHERN LIGHTS: Seek out a fabulous display of celestial pyrotechnics on a choice of three special short breaks: to Reykjavik in Iceland, to the island city of Tromsø in Norway or, for an experience never to be forgotten, from an Aurora Borealis base camp in eastern Norway. Here, stay at the Sollia Gjestegård where the restaurant is considered the best in Finnmark. Price: 4 nights in Reykjavik from £688pp.
FESTIVE SHORT BREAKS: Spectacular Christmas Markets, a hot chocolate or two, towering Christmas trees and plenty of Advent cheer are guaranteed to get visitors in the mood for Christmas. Inntravel offers three night breaks in Prague, Copenhagen, Salzburg, Lucerne and stylish Gothenburg with its festive 3 km long Lane of Light from the port to the Christmas markets at Liseberg. However, for low-key charm, opt for one of the handsome villages on the shores of Wolfgangsee that hold traditional markets every bit as captivating as Austria's better-known markets, while staying in neighbouring Fuschl. Price: 3 nights in Fuschl costs from £418pp.
NEW TO CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Inntravel's Try-it-out breaks introduce beginners and other like-minded people to the pleasures of cross-country skiing's gliding strides when the season is at its quietest. Ski tuition, equipment hire and a trail pass are all included. Price: one week inYlläs, Lapland from £1,110pp.
A WHITE CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR: Snowy scenery, special feasts, live music and dancing all help to make the festive season special in Inntravel's hotels. For example, at the cosy 4-star Hotel Bella Tola in the traditional village of St-Luc in the Val d'Anniviers, Christmas Eve is marked by a gala dinner, classical music recitals and a visit from Father Christmas (one week departing 20 or 21 December costs £1,638pp). New Year is celebrated with a special dinner and classical music, plus dancing into the early hours (£1,775pp departing 27 or 28 December).
LEAD-IN PRICE FOR ONE WEEK'S SKIING: Stay at the friendly 3-star Hotel Edelweiss in the lively village of Engelberg above Lake Lucerne and enjoy excellent downhill skiing for all levels plus good cross-country skiing. Perfect for families, there is an extensive programme of weekly events, as well as a popular kids' club. Price: one week from £855pp including half board, return flights Heathrow-Zurich (or Geneva), and rail and private transfers.
Prices quoted above are per person based on two sharing, including flights and transfers.
For more information on Inntravel's Skiing & More programme 2014 - 2015
contact Inntravel 01653 617000, www.inntravel.co.uk.
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