We have a maximum of 4 days (Fri to Mon) to fly from UK to somewhere in Norway (or perhaps Sweden/Lapland) and would like to do the following during Nov to Dec 2011.
1. See the Northern Lights (we do understand this isn't guaranteed)
2. Take a dog sledding trip just for the day or half day through a scenic white winterland.
3. If time, see some reindeer.
Could anyone out there suggest places to look at? We have heard about Tromso but I wonder if this place is too touristy for us - we like small and unspolit. And chaming cosy places to drink/eat for the the evenings.
Northern Lights / Dog Sledding
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Sandex,
My 14 year old daughter and I came back from Tromso in Feb this year whilst it is by no means unspoilt and is touristy it does offer all the things that you ask for, there is an information place in the centre who are very helpful and where you can book dog sledding and the like. A lake above the town offers very good views of the lights (should they come out to play) altough in the three night we were there we saw them twice over the harbour. We stayed at the Rica Ishavshotel and were not dissapointed.
You may also want to consider snow mobiling in the Lyngen alps it is excellent.
The locals everywhere we went in Norway were the most helpful and friendly people we have ever met anywhere.
As far as food and drink you should believe all you have heard about the price, the cheapest beer I found was about £7.00 a pint (1/2 litre).
Having said that I didn't go to drink beer we went to see the lights and it's somthing we will never forget.
All in all the food is very good the beer is very expensive (but good all the same) the people are brilliant and the scenery is stunning. What's not to like?
Hope this helps.
November may be too early for dog sledding - certainly the Hurtigruten only offer it from December. In December you will contend with the polar night - the further north you are the earlier in December it starts.
Tromso is easy to fly into which is an advantage I would have thought.
If you do a Google search on dog sledding Scandinavia you will find lots of trips available. A travel agency may be able to offer you a complete package.
I'd go north of the artic circle in Finland
Yllas is the best (relatively easy to get to and a big centre for the japanese honeymoon/breeding thing under the northern lights), great dog sledging. Levi not bad but more of a party town