See the light
If you haven’t checked ‘get awe-struck by Northern Lights’ off your bucket list yet, there’s no excuse now as Simply Sweden tour operator has launched a new selection of package holidays in honour of Mother Nature’s magical light display.
Covering northern Norway and Swedish Lapland, the company is currently offering a three-night stay at Lyngen Lodge, which is inside the arctic circle in the heart of the northern Norwegian Fjords and Lyngen Alps. With the disco happening right over your heads, you can go snowshoeing, dog sledding, cross-country skiing and ice-fishing. Plus, back at the eight-room lodge you can unwind by the open fire or in the sauna and outdoor hot tub. From £1,495 per person, based on two sharing, including flights from London to Tromso (via Oslo), all transfers and three nights on a full-board basis. Valid on selected departures throughout December, January and February.
simplynorthernlights.co.uk
Safety comes first (skiing a close second)
If you are an adrenalin-seeking skier or snowboarder, you probably don’t think twice before heading down a black run or off-piste. But, without meaning to sound like your mum, you do need to be safe. More than 20 ski resorts across Austria are offering free two-day Snow & Avalanche Awareness Camps, where they focus on dangers, improving awareness and increasing your sense of responsibility. The Basic Camp takes place in St Anton am Arlberg on December 14 and 15 and Ski Safari (www.skisafari.com) is offering three nights at the four-star Hotel Post, with prices starting from £619 per person, based on two sharing, including flights and resort transfers. Departs Friday December 13. To reserve a place on one of the (English speaking) camps email office@saac.at.To check availability or to view this season’s dates visit www.saac.at.
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New adventures
Fancy spotting crocs and Bengal tigers in Bangladesh? Taking a steam train ride through Serbia? Spotting nesting turtles on isolated Pacific beaches? If so, 2014 is set to be your lucky year as Exodus (exodus.co.uk) has launched 12 new adventure holidays, including the aforementioned. Here are the deets:
Discover Bangladesh
15 days from £1,999 including flights from London, accommodation and breakfasts, next departing 15 February and 5 April 2014.This trip through Bangladesh takes travellers out of lively Dhaka to explore the citadels of Bagerhat and lush tea plantations, with two days cruising through the mangroves of the Sundarban National Park for the chance to spot crocodiles, sea turtles and, if you’re lucky, Bengal tigers. Following a comprehensive loop of the whole country, travellers will experience first-hand Bangladesh’s warm hospitality, stopping at a Garo tribal village, one of the few remaining matrilineal societies in the world, where women inherit property and children take the clan title of their mothers.
Balkan Discoverer
11 days from £1,549 including flights from London, accommodation and breakfasts and some meals, next departing 5 June and 17 July 2014.This cultural trip explores some of the lesser-known Baltic states, including Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, offering travellers insights into the rich and varied history of this largely unknown corner of Eastern Europe. Highlights include a visit to the famous bridge on the River Drina, immortalised in Nobel prize-winning writer Ivo Andrics book; a ride on an old steam train through Mokra Gora National Park, and a tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Samuil’s Fortress.
Highlights Of Nicaragua
12 days from £1,899 including flights from London, accommodation and most meals, next departing 19 March and 30 July 2014.From the twin peaks of Ometepe Island to the ashen slopes of Cerro Negro Volcano, this adventure holiday in the ‘land of lakes and volcanoes’ is a great way to escape the crowds. Travellers will have the chance to explore misty cloud forest, full of birds, wildlife and the sweet smell of orchids, and isolated Pacific beaches where nesting olive ridley turtles arrive en masse (in season). You will also take a day or two to enjoy the bustling cities of colonial Granada and revolutionary Leon.
Looking for adventure? We have great deals for all budgets over at TNT Tour Search.
