Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/669304
I N S E A R C H O F T H E N O R T H E R N L I G H T S DEPART AUSTRALIA Day 1: Sunday 5 March Distant dreams of the Northern Lights are illuminated boarding a late evening Emirates flight from Australia. ARRIVE STOCKHOLM (SWEDEN) Day 2: Monday 6 March It may be nearly spring, but an icy frisson is in the air as we arrive into Stockholm at lunchtime. The standard is set at the Royal Viking hotel, an ideal base for exploring this majestic city. Perhaps you'll lose yourself in the intriguing web of Gamla Stan's Old Town with time to yourself this afternoon? We look forward to hearing your stories over dinner. STOCKHOLM Day 3: Tuesday 7 March A certain waterside charm, an artful luminosity and cutting edge modernity mingles effortlessly with the age old stories of paintbox antiquarian houses lining the city. Find colour and context to a rich maritime heritage at the Vasa Museum, before we become statesmen on a guided tour of Stockholm City Hall. Local delicacies are enjoyed over lunch by the water. With an afternoon of free time, you have a chance to see where the avenues lead. This evening, expectations will be elevated with our Welcome Dinner in a suspended setting at the illustrious Gondolen Restaurant. STOCKHOLM Day 4: Wednesday 8 March We may hope to rub shoulders with Swedish aristocracy at Drottingholm Royal Palace, an ambassador of the capital since the 1600s this morning. The royal treatment continues with a winter lunch cruise around the striking archipelago of Stockholm. After lunch, it's a blast to rug up in expedition grade jacket and snow gear as stop for a tipple in the Ice Bar Stockholm. Following in the footsteps of the Vikings, we cut a path through the waters between Stockholm and Helsinki. But you'll be decidedly snug inside a deluxe private cabin where it's smooth sailing bound for Finland overnight aboard the Tillink Silja line ship. HELSINKI (FINLAND) Day 5: Thursday 9 March Our ship has glided northwards through the night. As breakfast is served, Helsinki is on the horizon. It's a pleasure to pay homage to a city that holds the water so close to its heart. Stepping off a ship to experience it for the first time, hidden treasures of a chic hub with style as a paramount concern. Be it a fondness for age old tradition remembered in cobbled streets and cobalt fishing boats, or the contemporary fervour that emanates from the foundations of its experimental art galleries, you'll delight in surrendering to forward thinking Finnishness on our city tour. You're sure to feel at home in a classic hotel among friends and heritage at the centrally located Hotel Kamp. A r c t i c C i r c l e Oslo Sortland Stokmarknes Sandnessjoen Bronoysund Trondheim Alesund Bergen Hammerfest Vardo Oksord Kirkenes Helsinki N o r t h S e a N o r t h S e a N o r w e g i a n S e a N o r w e g i a n S e a Stockholm NORWAY SWEDEN FINLAND Included Flight Ship/Ferry Coach Rail Inari Rovaniemi Kemi The houses of Helsinki are a frosty sight to behold Opposite: Strike out in search of the Northern Lights 1800 650 738 | captainschoice.com.au 19