Tromsø – Gastronomy and Northern Lights
- Details
Details
Image credits: Fiskekompaniet, Truls Iversen, Bjørn Jørgensen - Visitnorway.com, Gaute Bruvik and NordNorge, Ole C Salomonsen and Patin family.
Important Information
The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only. Your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which will be emailed to you around a week prior to departure), or upon arrival.
Itinerary
Arriving at Tromsø Airport, you will be taken to the city via private taxi transfer. We recommend booking an early flight in order to maximise your time here and to ensure that you can enjoy tonight’s culinary experience.
Dinner tonight will take place in Fiskekompaniet, a restaurant which prides itself on sourcing and elevating the freshest local ingredients Norway has to offer. Although the menu is as seasonal as the ingredients served on it, you can expect dishes featuring freshly-caught fish and rich desserts. With chic Scandinavian interiors and windows framing beautiful views of the harbour, it’s the perfect introduction to the sights, sounds and tastes of Tromsø.
Included Meals: Dinner
After breakfast this morning, you’ll head out on your first adventure: a polar fjord cruise. The boat is crewed by local fishers who will share tales and traditions that their ancestors have passed on through generations as you sail through the stunning fjords that surround Tromsø. As well as a direct line to the best fishing spots where their forefathers have been fishing for centuries, you will also be able to observe the marine wildlife which teems in the Arctic waters around you. From sea eagles and migratory birds to the several species of whale and dolphin which seek herrings in the winter seas, you have every chance of a magical wildlife encounter. Depending on the conditions, you will have a chance to fish for your lunch, with help from the local fishers. The catch will be served as a light lunch, on board and you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour as you admire the snow-covered mountains surroundingTromsø. You’ll be out for approximately 5 hours.
After a free afternoon enjoying all the modern cuisine, Tromsø has to offer, tonight’s fare will be a lot more traditional. Tonight, you will move away from the city lights and in search of the Northern Lights in the company of the indigenous Sámi people. You will start by transferring to a local reindeer camp where darker skies await. Here, you will meet with the herders who will introduce you to their animals. You will have a chance to feed the reindeer as the Sámi herders tell you all about life in the north.
Following your time with the animals, you will be invited inside a Gamme (a Sámi hut) to warm up by the fire and enjoy a traditional three-course Sámi meal. After dinner, you will move to the Lavu (Sámi tent) to gather around the fire and listen to stories about the Sámi culture as well as a traditional song, called a joik. As you spend time here, your guide will keep an eye on the sky where hopefully the Northern Lights will appear. You will be out for approximately 4 hours tonight, including transfers.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
According to the locals, it is almost a “must” to do a fishing trip while in Tromsø. Although you will have experienced fishing in the fjords yesterday, your third day will be spent out on the Arctic waters on the MB Havcruise for a dedicated, small-group fishing tour in search of another fresh lunch. The expert guides will teach you the art of sea fishing, as you sail across the wintery seas. Venturing into the fjords and beyond, you will catch your own lunch: catfish, coalfish, pollack, haddock and halibut are all possibilities and if you are really lucky you may catch a cod! The fishing tour ends with a feast of your own catch, prepared and served by the crew. We did promise you the freshest fish meal you’ve ever had! You will be out for approximately 3 hours.
Returning to land, your afternoon is yours to spend as you wish. As darkness falls tonight, you will set back out onto the fjord for a Northern Lights dinner cruise. You will be able to search the skies for the Northern Lights in the waters surrounding Tromso whilst enjoying a delicious local dinner aboard your floating restaurant! As the boat is equipped with an electric engine (used for 75% of most tours) you will cruise silently into the darkness of the Tromsø fjords. You can enjoy a local craft beer from Graff or a carefully selected wine while seated next to a panoramic window. Your dinner is cooked with locally-sourced, seasonal and fresh ingredients, the dinner is a modern twist inspired by traditional Northern Norwegian culinary dishes (please advise of dietary requests in advance). The tour lasts for approximately 3 hours. Water is freely available however drinks from the fully stocked bar are not included in the price.
Following breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home. If you have an early flight time, we will box up breakfast for you to take with you.
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Flights from London to Tromsø (via Oslo). Flight routes subject to change
- Return airport transfers (taxi transfer on arrival, scheduled Flybus transfer on departure). Please speak to one of our Travel Experts if you have an early or late return flight – taxi transfer may be required should it fall outside the Flybus hours)
- 3 nights at Clarion Hotel The Edge in a standard double/twin room
- 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
- Dinner at Fiskekompaniet
- Polar Fjord Cruise
- Reindeer Camp Dinner with Northern Lights Watch
- Arctic Fishing Tour
- Northern Lights Dinner Cruise
- Cold weather clothing during activities (except dinner cruise)
- Fully qualified guides and instructors during activities
Accommodation
Situated right in the centre of Tromsø, the Clarion Hotel The Edge puts you in a prime location to explore the ‘Paris of the North’ and is an excellent base to transfer to your memorable activities.
Hotel Facilities
- Enjoy great views of the brilliant architecture of the city as it reflects in the waters just outside the hotel or head to the 11th-floor sky bar – the only one of its kind in the city – for a vista like no other (open Thursday to Saturday only)
- The hotel puts great emphasis on being eco-friendly and is built with an environmental classification A.
- Keep up with your fitness in the onsite gym with stunning sea views
- Enjoy refreshments and classic dishes in the Social Bar and Bistro
The Aurora has all the advantages of a waterfront location in the heart of the city (it is situated just next door to its sister premises the With). Like the With, the Aurora also offers free Wifi, afternoon tea and an evening meal. With 121 rooms, the Aurora is larger than the With and prides itself on its friendly and accommodating staff and also on being a completely cash free hotel, ensuring added security and convenience for guests.
Hotel facilities:
- On site gym and fitness club
- Relaxation area including sauna and outdoor jacuzzi with great views (although complimentary, advanced bookings are required for the jacuzzi)
- There are several restaurants within a very short walking distance
Situated in an enviable quayside location and with views over the sea and mountains, the interior of The With reflects the city’s maritime past with its design based on the historic boathouses that previously dominated the waterfront. The hotel is even named after the first captain of the Tromso steamship. However, even though it has roots in the past the hotel offers all the modern comforts you can wish for. It’s 76 spacious rooms have the latest entertainment amenities including a flatscreen TV and satellite channels and there is free Wifi throughout the property. Many rooms also boast individual climate controls (and hairdryers). In addition to the delicious buffet style breakfast on offer, the hotel offers a complimentary afternoon tea (what the locals call “Fika”) and evening meal. These are usually available 3pm-5pm and 6pm-8pm respectively, although hours may vary so please do confirm this on check in.
Hotel facilities:
- On site gym and fitness club
- Relaxation area on the top floor including sauna and steam room
- Lobby bar serving a selection of refreshments and light snacks
- There are several restaurants within a very short walking distance
- The With is a completely smoke free hotel
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Additional Info
Please note: This holiday is a city break and as such operates quite differently to some of our other holidays in more remote locations. Because of your central base in the city, your activities will start at various meeting points (full details and directions will be provided in your final travel documents) which you will need to walk to (or arrange your own taxi unless otherwise stated) in good time for the activity to begin. You will then normally be met by a bus which will either take you directly out on your activity or to a central meeting point from where you will then head out on your adventure.
For environmental reasons and to pass on the cost saving benefit to our clients on some of our holidays based within a city, we may also make use of scheduled shared airport shuttle buses. These will stop near your hotel but there may be a short walk (with your luggage) due to traffic restrictions. To check what is standard within your itinerary please check the ‘what’s included’ section. We can arrange private taxi transfers if you prefer (upgrade costs will apply). Our travel experts will be happy to provide more information.
Due to the city location, the group sizes for activities and transfers will be larger than some of our other holidays. We have lots of itineraries to suit everyone. So, if you enjoy the buzz of a city and like to explore its sights and sounds in your free time, then this holiday is a great option for you. If you prefer a more remote destination with activities on site, then please ask one of our travel experts who would be very happy to make some suggestions.
Price is based on 2 persons travelling
Tour terms, click here
Booking conditions click here
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists