50 Degrees North

17 January, 2013
by Jayde Kincaid
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New Iceland Holidays

Thundering waterfalls, seemingly endless lava fields, inviting geothermal pools, cultural sights and a modern capital city – Iceland’s magnitude of natural wonders and quirky culture can be explored any time of year.

However, the long daylight hours of spring and summer months are ideal for exploring and our new holiday on offer is the summer version of the popular winter trip, Lava, Hotsprings and Glaciers. Join us for a summer escape to the land of ice and fire in the middle of the North Atlantic. You have the independence of a hire car, stop where you want, see what you want.

Experience the bathing hot springs dotted around Iceland, glacier walking, volcano tours and Iceland’s black sand beaches. There is an opportunity to grill your own sandwiches on laval, enjoy a splendid unique hotel in Southern Iceland and delve into Reykjavik’s nightlife and design worlds.

If a self drive itinerary isn’t what you want, check out the Iceland Complete tour. A classic circle tour that provides the perfect mix of culture and nature, all from the comfort of our luxury coaches and guided by an icelandic, English speaking, guide.

Choose from one of the many holidays on our website or let us tailor make one to suit your individual requirements.

13 December, 2012
by Jayde Kincaid
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Volga Dream Russian River Cruise

Russian Craft on board

The Volga Dream River cruise offers outstanding speakers that really pepper your voyage with information. The speakers – professors, historians, ambassadors – are genuinely connected to Russia by their present professional interest and plan to deliver outstanding lectures on a variety of topics from the Rise of the Soviet Union to Perestroika and modern times, from Tolstoy and Chekhov to Bulgakov and Solzhenitsyn, from Diaghillev’s Ballet Russes to Russian Christmas traditions..

As an example, on the July 3rd voyage from St. Petersburg to Moscow, Oxford University lecturer, Polly Jones will be offering 4 lectures on the “Writers and Soviet Society from the Russian Revolution to the Soviet Collapse.” Other lectures offered on board during the upcoming summer season include the Rise of Russia, Russian History and Russian Politics. The lecturers all join dinner conversations and endeavour to make your Russian River journey memorable and mindful.

Don’t hesitate to ask us for more information about the lecture series when you call.

Please enjoy these new photos from a recent trip down the Volga River.

Enjoy local delicacies on board the Volga Dream

Service with a smile

Watch the eagles soar above

Autumn Colours on board the Volga Dream

Performing folk music on board the Volga Dream.

Please enjoy with a smile

Relaxing on board the Volga Dream

26 November, 2012
by Jayde Kincaid
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Total Solar Eclipse 2015

20 November, 2012
by Jayde Kincaid
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Scandinavian Summer Music Events 2013

Oslo Opera House

Summer 2013 is going to be a fabulous time to visit Scandinavia for those who are passionate about music. From the Eurovision contest in Sweden in May to the opening night for the new conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, there are a broad range of events that you could incorporate into your tailormade tour.

The Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra has announced that Vasily Petrenko is to lead the orchestra from August 2013. Enjoy this famous orchestra, combined with an elegant dinner, in cosmopolitan Oslo. His opening concerts with the Orchestra would be a wonderful inclusion into your tailormade Scandinavian tour. Tickets are available and we can help you plan this inclusion.

There are many jazz festivals that dot the summer landscape. One to think about is the Molde Festival

9 November, 2012
by Minna Syvanen
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Lux Helsinki

The capital of Finland, Helsinki, is a beautiful city to visit both in summer and in winter. There are a lot of events in the city throughout the year. As someone who has lived in Helsinki the first twenty-something years of her life, there is one specific event that I would like to share with you all. Lux Helsinki – The Light is Loose is an impressive city event that is sure to bring light to the darkest time of the year between January 4th and 8th 2013.

Lux Helsinki invites you to enjoy brilliant light installations during the darkest time of the year in the capital of Finland. Thirteen impressive and surprising light installations will light up a route stretching from the Olympic Stadium to the city centre via the Amphitheatre at the Finnish National Opera. One of the main stages for Lux Helsinki 2013 will be Senate Square (Senaatintori

7 November, 2012
by Tietse Stelma
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Trekking in Norway – roam free

The hiking infrastructure in the Norwegian mountains, and in the outdoors in general is an extraordinary phenomena. Free and unlimited access to nature is seen as the right of the people, and there should be no national park access fees or camping fees. There aren’t! The hut system that you find all over the mountains is run by the not-for-profit membership organisation Den Norske Turistforening (The Norwegian Trekking Association), or DNT as it is known. DNT is supported by most if not all active Norwegian trekkers, as their job is to maintain the network of marked trails, as well as the serviced, self-service and unserviced huts that makes trekking in Norway so accessible to all ages. The fact that DNT is a not-for-profit membership organisation makes trekking and staying in the mountains affordable too. Staying in comfortable mountain huts and enjoying a 3-course dinner and a glass of wine is not reserved only for those who can afford the finer experiences of life (read Overland Track & Bay of Fires), but is accessible to all budgets.

As a Norwegian having moved to Australia about 8 years ago, the free access to nature is certainly something I miss dearly. The Norwegian system is unique in the world, and is ingrained in the Norwegian psyche. I guess this is partly why we started 50 Degrees North, so we could give Australians and others and opportunity to experience this ‘one of its kind’ phenomena, as well as a multitude of other holiday options throughout the beautiful Nordic region.

I recently took a small group of Australians to Norway trekking through the Jotunheimen National Park. It was absolutely glorious, although quite a strenuous trek. Trekking days were about 6 to 8 hours, and every night we enjoyed a 3-course dinner, had a bed to sleep in and a doona to pull over us. Next morning we would take in a hearty breakfast, fill our thermos with hot chocolate or coffee, and make our own solid packed lunch. Then we’d hit the trail with some of the worlds best trekking scenery ahead of us. Absolutely heaven!

Come and join us in 2013 for the next director’s trek I am escorting!

5 November, 2012
by Jayde Kincaid
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Ultimate Ice & Snow Experience – Juha Kankkunen Winter Driving

This is the Ultimate Winter Adventure – our new independent tour featuring the Juha Kankkunen Winter Driving Circuit.
Based in a cozy apartment in Kuusamo, located North-East of Helsinki, about an hour’s flight away, you will be in the midst of a stunning wilderness landscape dotted with lakes and hills covered in tall pine trees.

* Learn to control your car like a true rally champion at the Juha Kankkunen Winter Driving Circuit
* Go on husky & snowmobile safari
* Go ice fishing on a frozen lake
* Stay in a private apartment with your own fireplace and sauna

There will be no time wasted here to get you into action! Ice Rapid Riding, Ice Fishing, Rally Driving and much more will fill your days in Finland. There is also the option to ski when you have some down time.
Overnight in your private apartment with fire place and sauna to relax and enjoy the beautiful place. Be sure to watch for the Aurora Borealis in the evenings.

Day 1

Arrival in Kuusamo - There will be no time wasted here to get you into action! You will change into your thermal winter outfits and after a short driving instruction and safety briefing, you will hop onto your own snowmobile and head for the wilderness. This 3 hour skidoo safari will take you up the hills, through the pine forests and across the frozen lakes. You will enjoy lunch by an open fire before returning to Ruka.
Each night is in your own self-catering private apartment with fire place and sauna.

Day 2
Husky Safari - To see huskies pulling a sleigh is to witness teamwork at its best. You will lead these tireless dogs as part of the 10km Husky Dog Safari. The huskies are usually driven by teams of two: the driver and the passenger. Take turns and get a feel for the exotic ride!

A husky guide will give you instructions on how to handle a dog team and then you are off into the winter landscapes (2 persons/dog team). A hot soup lunch is enjoyed by the campfire on return to the husky farm. Transfer back to your accommodation. Duration about 4 hrs.

Day 3
Winter Driving School on a Ice Circuit - After breakfast transfer to Juha Kankkunen Winter Driving Circuit. Juha Kankkunen is without a doubt one of the greatest rally drivers of all times – 23 International Rally wins and four times World Rally Champion makes his career unforgettable. On two amazing snow and ice covered tracks, his instructors with a wealth of winter racing experience behind them, will teach you how to control a car at high speed on an ice-covered racing circuit. They will train you in the art of rally racing techniques and driving lines. Lunch and snacks will be served during the day and after the full day training, you will be awarded a diploma for your efforts! Transfer back to your accommodation. Duration about 7 hrs.

Day 4
Ice Fishing on a Frozen Lake - In the afternoon enjoy a thrilling snowmobile ride over Ruka´s varied terrain to one of the many lakes in the region. The guide shows you how to make a hole in the ice and teaches you everything about ice fishing. Enjoy a hot drink and a snack by the campfire before returning to Ruka. Duration 3 hrs.

Day 5
Floating down the Icy Rapids & Northern Lights - After breakfast you will enjoy another exhilarating icy adventure, floating in the icy rapids! In the freezing weather and snow-covered shores, make your way to the open rapids and go with the stream! Equipped with floating suites, life vests and helmets, you can enjoy the exciting event in full! Hot drinks are served before returning to Ruka by car. Duration 2.5 hrs.

Day 6
Departure day

Ruka fell and Rukatonttu apartments

: Juha Kankkunen Driving Academy

29 October, 2012
by Jayde Kincaid
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Design shops to visit in Scandinavia

For those travelling to Scandinavia with us who love Scandinavian design and home ware, please enjoy these few suggestions of places to visit if you are doing the main cities. Visual feasts, these shops are a pleasure to fit into your schedule. Most sell online as well if you want to buy when you get home.

The E Torndahl Shop for Scandinavian Design is a tiny shop, located on a busy little street in historic and charming Gamla Stan in Stockholm. Gamla means old – this is the heart of Stockholm and a lovely street to explore. The shop carries mostly housewares and decor items and some kids products from all over Scandinavia.

E. Torndahl AB
Västerlånggatan 63
SE-111 29 Stockholm

SkansenButiken is the gift shop attached to the Skansen, a Swedish open-air living history museum, and is located on the island of Djurgården in Stockholm. Built in 1891, Skansen is a treat in and of itself, and its gift shop was no exception. Located outside the entrance (so you can shop without entering the museum), the shop carries gorgeous housewares, including traditional Swedish decorative items, modern Swedish decorative items, books, journals and sweet treats.

If you are visiting Helsinki, be sure to visit both the Marimekko Flagship Store (in the city centre) and Factory Outlet (which is located outside the city centre a short train ride away). The flagship store in Helsinki is the most fancy Marimekko store you will ever visit. It’s three stories high and contains every imaginable Marimekko piece of clothing, accessory and house ware. The Factory Store can still be pricey, but full of good stuff (including reams of fabric) for a decent discount.

Factory Outlet store: Kirvesmiehenkatu 7 in Helsinki. You can get there by public transport by checking this guide.

If you have come over to Helsinki on a Finnair aircraft, you will have enjoyed the new ‘Marimekko for Finnair’ collection of textiles and tableware, featuring Marimekko’s classic patterns.

In Copenhagen, take a moment to visit design shop Stilleben, at Niels Hemmingsensgade 3 (quite close to the main shopping street). In addition to carrying loads of textiles, ceramics and stationery with unique shapes and bold geometric prints, they also carry loads of collages, prints and posters by artists like Berit Mogensen Lopez and graphic designers like Playtype and ATWTP. ! A must see.

Danish company Hay, also in Copenhagen, has a large flagship store in central Copenhagen 9 (near Tivoli at Nytorv 9) and is a particular treat. They make and sell furniture and housewares, decor items, art supplies, paper goods, textiles, imported items.

Last but not least, Illums Bolighus in Copenhagen. The flagship shop in Copenhagen is several stories of decor items, furniture, textiles, cosmetics, children’s goods, jewelry and more: all modern, all distinctly Scandinavian, all beautiful. Just taking a walk through this store is a visual feast.

Marimekko Flagstaff shop in Helsinki

18 October, 2012
by Jayde Kincaid
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Greenland independent tours and voyages

Within our new ‘Midnight Sun & Summer Holidays’ brochure, we offer a new range of independent tours and voyages in Greenland. New for 2013 are the independent voyages and itineraries for Greenland. With our local knowledge and passion, we have created the Icebergs and Whales of Greenland, an 8 day tour of Greenland, which lets you experience a modern Greenlandic town north of the Polar Circle, the unique Disko Bay and the wildlife in the area. See majestic icebergs float in the fiord right outside the town and experience at close range the impressive glacier of Eqi. This tour is designed and executed by us, run from mid June to late August, priced at AUD$3270 per person, $1190 single supplement.

The West Greenland Coastal Voyage allows you to travel like the locals do, boarding the coastal ferry travelling south from Ilulissat. You stop at several towns along the way to Narsaq, a great way to mingle with the locals. Seafaring plays a very important role in the Greenlandic infrastructure and a cruise along the West Coast of Greenland is a fabulous way of experiencing this beautiful and varied region. Similar to the Norwegian coastal ferry, Hurtigruten, this coastal voyage offers you a unique way to see the ‘real’ Greenland. The 12-day voyage runs between June and late August, priced at AUD$5300 per person, $3300 single supplement.

We have several new trekking trips and a new Southern Greenland independent tour as well in our new range. If you wish to receive a new Summer Brochure, please let us know.

View from the Hotel Icefiord in Ilulissat

Enjoying the sun on the Greenland Coastal Ferry

Ilulissat and it's amazing colours and icebergs.

Sarfaq Ittuk - the coastal ferry which runs along the West Coast of Greenland.

11 October, 2012
by Jayde Kincaid
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Arctic voyage

The High Arctic – Svalbard/Spitsbergen

The northern European summer enables exploration of the spectacular High Arctic scenery with its fascinating flora and fauna including Polar Bears, Musk Oxen, Walruses and a myriad of seabirds. These photos, supplied by our friend, Andrew Wiltshire, give you an insight into the beauty and experience of travelling to the High Arctic.

I love the freshness and feeling of the photos – you feel like you are right there. Please enjoy these photos and check out our voyages and tours to the High Arctic here.