Clients who want to spend the New Year away from the hustle and bustle of the city should consider travelling beyond the Arctic Circle to the snowscapes of Norway’s North Cape, the northern-most point of Europe.
The region features in Norwegian Coastal Voyage’s millennium cruise, brochured byScandinavian Travel Service.
STS sales manager Barry Ford said:”The land mass of Europe ends at the North Cape. You feel like you are at the end of the earth. From its geographical location, the cruise will be a unique experience. There is also a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights, the Aurora Borealis, which is nature’s own firework display.
“The winter scenery is spectacular, with snow and ice everywhere, and snow-covered mountains. The North Cape is very atmospheric, the months of November, December and January have 24hr darkness. There is an eery twilight as the sun never comes above the horizon.”
The North Cape has its own historic claim to fame – visitors who have made their way here in the past two centuries include Louis Phillippe of Orleans, who was known as the King of the French until he abdicated in 1848.
Passenger numbers will be limited to 700, spread over two cruise ships, Polarlys and Nordlys, from Norwegian Coastal Voyage’s fleet.
“Our guests will be the only ones to visit the North Cape as we are opening the road specially to coach people up there,” said Ford.
After a celebratory firework display, guests will enjoy a special millennium dinner on board the ships.
If clients find the trip especially romantic, there is even the opportunity to get hitched. The North Cape’s visitor centre has a chapel and honeymoon suite where last year 12 newlyweds paid £260 a night for the privilege of spending their first night together at the top of Europe.
Other stops on the Norwegian coastal route include Tromso, where passengers can take part in midnight mass at the town’s famous Arctic Cathedral, styled in the shape of an iceberg.
Also on offer is the chance to sample the culture of the local Sami people, who carry on the tradition of reindeer herding, by snowmobile.
“The plan is, weather permitting, to have a traditional meal in a Sami encampment. It is a chance to learn about the culture of northern Norway,” said Ford.