7 War Museums worth visiting in Norway
Many history buffs have asked us about war museums in the Nordic region, but there are benefits for anyone to visit some while in this unique part of the world.
Our staff will respond to your query promptly and provide detailed information to your questions.
4 days - Make this Thanksgiving unforgettable in Svalbard, Arctic Norway.
Experience the adventure of Svalbard this Thanksgiving on this 4 day adventure tour. Designed to make it easy to discover the unique winter atmosphere of Svalbard, one of the planet’s last great frontiers, this tour includes four activities taking you out into the wilderness in comfort.
Svalbard (also known as Spitsbergen) offers Arctic experiences on the edge of the inhabitable world, but it’s not as inaccessible as people might think. There are no roads beyond Longyearbyen. Here, you really are on the border of civilization. Outside the city only, the vast wilderness is waiting for you. Despite its history of coal mining and trapping, Svalbard is still mainly pristine wilderness. One of the most fragile ecosystems anywhere on Earth.
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.
Private transfers in Longyearbyen
Arrive Longyearbyen and private transfer to your hotel.
This evening, experience the magic of being out in the wilderness at 78 degrees north! You will search for the Northern lights during a visit to the Camp Barentz. This fantastic location is at the foot of the mountain Breinosa, and just below Mine 7. Barentz house is a replica of the cabin that Svalbard's discoverer Willem Barentz overwintered on Novaya Semlya in 1596. Here, far from the city lighting, you have perfect conditions for to hunt for the northern lights. And you get close to nature! From Camp Barentz you can experience reindeer, grouse and foxes up close if you are lucky. And your hosts will be on guard in case a polar bear should approach.
During your visit, you will be served something good to drink and delicious, homemade reindeer bidos, campfire coffee and dessert. This is a real Svalbard meal! Sit around the fire, hearing stories about the Northern Lights as you wait for them to show, fingers crossed. Return transfer to your hotel.
Today, hike to the summit of Platåfjellet at 424 meters above sea level with a great view over Longyearbyen. This hike is during the twilight and dark season making it quite spectacular. Hike to a stone monument, and if the weather allows it, you can continue higher.
This trip can be steep at some parts of the hike. On the summit, enjoy warm drinks, cookies and nuts. You may need to use crampons and snow shoes if the conditions require it.
This evening, you will also head out for a Northern Lights hunt on electric scooter. This is the sound of the Arctic silence. The electric scooter is designed to withstand extreme conditions in polar regions. The absence of engine noise provides comfort and at the same time the opportunity to get closer to nature experiences and wildlife without disturbing. Join us in a completely new way to experience the beautiful Arctic nature - with electric snowmobiles!
Northern lights safari with electric snowmobile is exotic, but at the same time practical because you stay close to Longyearbyen. The journey goes beyond Adventdalen, in search of the Northern Lights. Away from the city and the light pollution, the chances are good. When it is polar night, between early November and the end of January, you have the opportunity to see the northern lights around the clock - even in the middle of the day. The daylight is somewhat dimmer than what occurs in the evening, but with its more reddish tinge it is a fascinating sight!
The ice cave changes from year to year, and you never know what type of formations the glacier may have created this time around. You will be picked up by snowcat, and head up onto the ‘Longyear Glacier’, right above Longyearbyen. Longyearbreen is a landlocked glacier, filling the valley between two mighty mountains. It is not a long drive, but once you make your way up onto the glacier, you will be rewarded by stunning views over Longyearbyen and the imposing Hiorthfjellet on the other side of the fjord. The entrance to the ice cave is difficult to find, but the guide knows exactly where it is. In the middle of the white landscape, you will suddenly see a little opening and a stair leading you down into the magical world of ice and snow.
On your return to the hotel, you will have a Nordic tasting menu for dinner.
After breakfast, private transfer to airport.
All prices listed twin share, per person. Prices are indicative due to the current uncertainty across Europe with increasing energy and volatile fuel costs. For last minute bookings: prices are subject to availability.
We can add a two-night stopover in Oslo before this tour, or as preferred.
You can travel throughout November on this itinerary.
By the end of October the last rays of the sun disappear below the horizon, and Svalbard heads towards a period of darkness. For more than two months, between mid-November and the end of January, darkness prevails around the clock. During the darkest times there is no telling if it is noon or midnight. When the sky is clear, stars light up the sky. The Northern Lights and a full moon bounce their light from the snowcovered mountains, and suddenly the darkness doesn’t seem so overwhelming. By February, the light returns slowly. Light blue, pink, and purple colours light up the scenery. Finally, the sun hits the first mountain peaks.
Please bring wool socks, wool mittens to wear under the scooter gloves, Inner layer: wool, Mid layer: Sweater and pants in fleece or wool for your snow activities. You will also need to bring your drivers licence for the snow mobile trip.
Please note prices for goods in Svalbard are quite expensive, however, due to tax reasons, alcohol is comparatively cheap.
Many history buffs have asked us about war museums in the Nordic region, but there are benefits for anyone to visit some while in this unique part of the world.
Resident of Longyearbyen, our friend Maria Rossi shares with you her 'top ten things to see and do in Svalbard'. Regardless of season, the magnificent outdoors, high standard in hotels and fine dining options (along with the jolly old pub) will cater for all your requests.
Take a glimpse of some wildlife tours that we offer in the Nordic region. Which one are you most interested in – polar bears, brown bears, whales or puffins?
If you want to commit to a booking please use the Book Tour form below.
Book your tour now. We will contact you to confirm this request.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours with 50 Degrees North. The safety of our travellers, staff and operators is a major priority of 50 Degrees North. With an operational office in Norway, 50 Degrees North has access to an up-to-the-minute flow of information regarding the countries we work in. We are also in regular contact with the various operators we use. Their in-depth knowledge and understanding of their various areas is vital.
Norway has a few items that typically surprise travellers when visiting Norway for the first time. Alcohol and luxury items are heavily taxed and therefore prices are higher than you would expect. On the other hand, necessities such as bread and milk, are taxed low and therefore are great value.
We recommend that you bring all the alcohol you’re allowed to bring into the country when you arrive. There are many lovely parks and balconies where you can enjoy your duty free. However, be sure not to bring more than you’re allowed!
As of May 2014, the allowances according to Visit Norway are:
Alcoholic beverages:
Minimum age: 18/ 20*
1 litre of beverages with more than 22% up to and including 60% alcohol per volume as well as 1½ litre with more than 2.5% up to and including 22% alcohol per volume or three litres with more than 2.5% up to and including 22% alcohol per volume
and
2 litres of beer with more than 2.5 % or other beverages with more than 2.5% up to and including 4.7% alcohol per volume.
This means that you may for example bring with you five litres of beer provided you do not have any other alcoholic beverages with you.
*For importing alcoholic beverages with more than 22% alcohol per volume the minimum age is 20.
It’s illegal to bring extra alcohol into Norway and can end up costing you. Another thing you should bring and not buy in Norway is razor blades. Good razor blades in Norway are expensive.