19 Dec 2016
Bear watching in Finland, a digital detox seacabin break, a bird's nest retreat and a remote adventure week are just some of the new itineraries featured in tailor-made tour operator Best Served Scandinavia's summer brochure for 2017. A wide choice of adventures across Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland and Canada are on offer highlighting the very best of the region during its long sun filled summer months.
Vibrant stunning scenery replaces the ice white setting of the winter months offering a landscape ideal for whitewater rafting, mountain biking, hiking, fishing as well as a perfect backdrop for a whole host of nature including whales, polar bears, puffins and eagles.
Commenting on the new brochure, destination manager Kirsi Jokela said, “Our brochure for summer 2017 is filled with adventures, activities and stunning properties across the region. Our team has personally handpicked a selection of unique hotels and experiences which really showcase all that the region offers during the summer months. Finland celebrates its 100th year as an independent nation in 2017 with a new national park just one part of year-long celebrations and we have also expanded our Canada programme in the year that Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary.”
Manshausen Seacabin Break in Manshausen, Norway
New for 2017 is a 4 day Manshausen Seacabin Break in Manshausen, Norway. With its idyllic mountain setting and crystalline waters, the seldom-visited remote island of Manshausen offers a fabulous back to nature holiday coupled with designer accommodation in the form of its new chic seacabins. After a day and night in Bodo, catch a ferry to Manshausen, which is between mainland Norway and the Lofoten Islands in the middle of the Grøtøya strait, for a two-night stay in a Seacabin. Made from Scandinavian timber and floor-to-ceiling glass, three of these architect-designed huts are spread out along an old stone jetty overhanging the water, with a fourth perched on a natural ledge with views to the sea and mountains. Explore the stunning surroundings with optional guided and self-led excursions that range from sea kayaking and sailing to hiking, fishing and caving.
This four-day tailor made holiday with Best Served Scandinavia, [0207 664 241, www.best-served.co.uk] starts from £920 per person including flights, return fast boat transfers, transfers from Bodø to Nordskot, return transfers from Nordskot to Manshausen, 1 night at Scandic Havet, Oslo (B&B basis) and 2 nights at Manshausen in a Seacabin (B&B basis).
For those inspired by Planet Earth 2 and on the hunt for bears, Bear Watching in Finland is a new four-day tailor made itinerary which offers a unique wildlife adventure. The Petola Nature Centre in Kuhmo, Finland, near the Russian border is one of the best places to see brown bears. Around 1,000 brown bears live in the vast forests adjacent to Kuhmo and this new itinerary includes a night in a hide watching the bears in their natural habitat.
The ideal viewing season for Brown Bears is from June to August when the bears are active and not in hibernation. Start your wildlife adventure at the Hotel Kalevala in Kuhmo among Finland's deep forests and visit the Petola Nature Centre to learn more about the local carnivores before a night in the hide situated in the wild boreal forest that straddles the Russian border. A summer visit means increased daylight hours to watch out for bears from the safety of the hides which are equipped with sleeping mats and bags, viewing chairs and facilities to see you through to morning. This four-day adventure with Best Served Scandinavia, [0207 664 2241, www.best-served.co.uk] starts from £870 per person including flights, transfers, 2 nights at the Hotel Kalevala in Kuhmo on a half board basis and 1 night bear watching.
Adventure Week at Nordenskiöld Lodge in Norway
Another new itinerary for this summer is an action-packed Adventure Week at Nordenskiöld Lodge in Norway in the remote wilderness of the island of Spitsbergen. Perched at the edge of the blue glacier on the shore of a faraway ice fjord, Nordenskiöld Lodge is as remote as it gets. In fact, it's the farthest north you can travel to on the island of Spitsbergen by motorised vehicle. Guests can get away from the daily grind and spend four action packed days of arctic adventure including glacier hiking, kayaking, sea safaris and guided nature tours that explore the unique flora, fauna and landscapes of the lodge's stunning setting. Each evening, return to the lodge to relax in the Finnish sauna before delicious dinners, including a shore-side barbecue. Prices with tailor made specialist tour operator Best Served Scandinavia [0207 664 2241, www.best-served.co.uk] for this 8-day tailor-made tour start from £2,785 per person including flights, 1 night at the Saga Hotel on a B&B basis in Oslo, 2 nights Basecamp Trapper's Hotel on a B&B basis, 4 nights Nordenskiöld Lodge on a full-board basis, and all activities at Nordenskiöld Lodge.
Granö Beckasin Bird's Nest Retreat in Swedish Lapland
An eco-retreat inspired by conservationist Jan-Erik Sjöblom's lifelong love of native birdlife is the setting for a new 5-day tour high in the canopies of Lapland's forests with incredible views across the river and surrounding landscapes. Granö Beckasin is on an island in the Ume River in Southern Swedish Lapland. The newly built hotel rooms and cabins offer eco-style luxury but it's the one night in a Bird's Nest room that tops this stay. This private treehouse room is set high in the canopy with spectacular views across the wilderness. Prices with tailor made specialist tour operator Best Served Scandinavia [0207 664 2241, www.best-served.co.uk] for this 5-day tailor made tour start from £1,095 per person including flights, 5 days car hire, 3 nights Granö Beckasin eco-hotel or cabin (half-board basis), 1 night Granö Beckasin Bird's Nest (half-board basis) and a husky on wheels excursion.
Itineraries across Canada include a 14-day Lakes & Lodges of Western Canada self-drive itinerary which explores Vancouver and the stunning lakes and lodges of Banff and Jasper, from £2,295 per person including flights and a 16-day Rockies and Rainforest self-drive itinerary which is a superb road trip exploring Canada's majestic landscapes and urban delights including Vancouver Island, Whistler and the Rocky Mountains, from £2,405 per person.
ENDS
