Arctic Circle
 

Has anybody any feedback on the G***** Arctic Circle tour, and any offers of good advice relating to this particular tour. Is there any risk of large mosquitoes in Finland in June? I would especially like to know if anyone that may have done this tour can recall if there was a rest stop in the town of Linkoping in Sweden and how long the stop was. I would very much appreciate any feedback at all.

aussieR

Hi A,

>Is there any risk of large mosquitoes in Finland in June? <

Up in Lapland, about 100%

((I))

Hi ira,

Thanks for the reply, looks as though we better pack a very strong repellent for Lapland can you offer any other defence, apart from staying in the coach which would mean not seeing anything. Other than your 'good news'(NOT!)is it really worth visiting Lapland?

Regards,

aussieR

Hi A,

I know several folks who have been there in the Summer.

They found it a unique experience.

I think that there are hats with mosquito nets that you can buy.

((I))

Hi ira,

Thanks again for the info.

Interesting you have heard the Lapland description as 'unique'. I have also heard the word 'intriguing' used as well. I have been more or less talked into it but maybe it will be something different it is always good to have a different experience.

Our famous Aussie trademark is the 'bushie's' hat with the net around it, brand name Akubra.

aussieR

Hi A,

>Interesting you have heard the Lapland description as 'unique'. I have also heard the word 'intriguing' used as well.<

That's what people say when they have gone somewhere that they will never return to, but don't want to admit that they should have gone somewhere else, eg, "Our tour of the Gulag Archipelago was unique and intriguing". :)

((I))

Hi Ira,

Yikes!! Very funny but with a 'ring' of truth, but I really did not need to hear that, I am trying to reason why I am going there. I have always avoided 'regional' experiences because I absolutely love cities I am a 'city' person.

aussieR

The amount of mosquitoes depends on the what the weather has been like. If the trip is in the beginning of June there are no mosquitoes because it is too cold for them. Heat/rain combination adds to the amount. I think local repellents always work best for local insects. And then there is the mosquito hat already mentioned.

Whether you like it or not depends on you. Usually people who turn into Lapland Crazies (yes, that is the name those get who cannot live without their yearly doze) are outdoors/nature types. They go there to hike for days on the fells, skiing, and more and more each year – fishing. There is an Israeli man who returns every year for salmon rivers. And there are types like a Dutchman who now lives there and has his own tourist business. And a Frenchwoman who came 15 years ago and never left. She got a job and during the years she became a nature guide.

Hi Elina,

Thankyou for the information I found it quite enlightening to read. After Copenhagen and Stockholm we leave Helsinki on the 6th June to travel the Arctic Circle part of the tour and then finish in Oslo on the 17th June so that is the duration of the Arctic Circle tour. We are on a coach tour so obviously we will not be doing any of the outdoor activities you mention. It is a good suggestion re, suitable local repellent/hat suggestion. Everywhere you travel depends on yourself and how you feel about it but if it is new to you, well, who knows everyone is different and I always travel with an open mind. I have a copy of Fodors book on Scandinavia which is very helpful. Any other tips, suggestions are warmly welcomed.

aussieR

Since it is a coach trip I think you cannot very much plan your doings yourself. I suppose they have a planned itinerary. I wonder if you just stop at the Arctic Circle and then head back down? That is really not Lapland yet, you would have to go further north to experience how the coach sits there an hour just waiting that the reindeer herd is nice enough and gets off the road. Without going further north I don´t really understand the point, after all Arctic Circle is just an invisible line.

It will be a VERY long coach trip, and you will see LOTS of trees, since both Finland and Sweden north of Stockholm are basically forest.

And if you don´t go north of the Arctic Circle you can forget the hat. That is really not something people wear unless they are out hiking or fishing or canoeing.

Hi Elina,

Thankyou for your very frank reply I really do prefer to receive the information and obviously you know what you are talking about. I presume you are from the area.

For your further advice and help I will type in the list of places we will be visiting once leaving Stockholm and please do not hesitate to let me know if you believe it will still be the same as you state in your last reply.

From Helsinki we travel through Lahti to Kuopio for an overnight stay, then on to Rovaniemi for 2 nights, then Saariselka for 1 night, then Honningsvag one night, stop at North Cape, Alta 1 night, Narvik 1 night, Mo 1 night, Trondheim 1 night, Dombas 1 night, through to Oslo.

I take your point about the very long coach trip, lots of trees etc, I know you are right because I have heard that before.

After looking at the Itinerary please do not hesitate to give me your view whether it is the same or not because it is important to me as I have been lacking interest in that part of the tour before I posted for the info. My original intention was just to visit Sweden, Copenhagen and Norway so I do respect your opinion.

I look forward to your reply.

Regards,

Rita

Hi Rita,

My feeling is that you are concerned aboutlocking yourself into a tour that doesn't really interest you.

In that case, don't do it.

Even in Oslo, in June the sun rises at 04:00 and sets around 23:00.

I have spoken with folks who had great difficulty with the very long days.

((I))

Long days are wonderful. Sleeping is easier if you for example throw a dark T-shirt over your eyes (or a heavy dark silk scarf, silk feels good). And I guess that the sun that does not set at all like in Lapland is an experience.

It is not the destination but the amount of coaching that concerns me. I usually fly to Lapland.

No, Rita, I don´t live on the area, I live near Helsinki. But I visit quite often for hiking and the serene feeling that I always get there, and also for my favourite nephew who some years ago became Lapland Crazy during a totally ordinary skiing vacation. Now he lives there permanently.

You really whisk through Finland. And the main roads are not cut for scenery, they are cut for efficiency. But if you are in Kuopio while the old market hall is still open, go there and try a Kuopio speciality, fish baked inside a rye crust. In Rovaniemi visit Arktikum, a center for Lapland´s lifesryle and culture.That is good. I would not bother with Santa things.

If you had more time in Saariselkä I would suggest a little hike on the fells, and a pampering spa day (you could use one after all that bussing).

While you are on the northern coast you have to try Kamschatka crab. It is a man-size giant that spread from Russian seas and saved the livelihood of northern fishing villages. Too bad there is no time on Lofoten islands, they are great. Also too bad that Bergen is left out. It is much nicer that Oslo. But you will have a lot of great scenery, particularly on the northern coast.

Hi Ira,

You are absolutely 'spot on' you read me very well. I really cannot seem to devoid myself of the feeling that travelling to that particular part of Scandanavia is not for me beautiful as it may be. Copenhagen, Stockholm & Oslo are appealing enough to me especially as I want to do the Flam Railway which I checked out online last night, I adore trains and the scenery looks stunningly beautiful. I am grateful for the advice I am receiving. I really thank you very much.

Hi Elina,

I would agree with you that long days could be possibly great for sleeping, but I am a person that does not require lengthy sleeps although with all those one night hotel stops I would probably be exhausted (I prefer a two night stay).

I agree, it is the coaching that worries me too I have heard there is a long time on the coach.

From what you say about your favourite nephew, my son would absolutely love it because he is a snowboarder and adores Canada for the same reason. All the stuff you mention he would be right into especially as he is an Ice Hockey player and has requested me to buy a Finnish Ice Hockey jumper (if I go). It does appear to be ideal for the 'outdoorsy' kind of person.

Bergen is included in an alternative tour I am now looking at and so is Odense.

I am a non meat eater and only eat seafood and the dish you mention sounds really appealing but I have read that food generally throughout Scandinavia is rather good. I would not like to be in the path of that wonderful 'man-sized' crab, I have only actually tasted crab once that was a very long time ago.

A hike would be good and relaxing but there may not be time to do it on the Itinerary. This discussion has given me a lot of valuable information about the area, I will post my eventual decision if you are interested, whatever I do any information is always welcome.

Very best regards,

Rita

aussieR,
Have you given the Norwegian Coastal Voyage (Hurtigruten) any thought? We are also Aussies and are thinking of including the voyage (or parts of) in a trip we are planning to Scandanavia. You can check it out at hurtigruten.com. Bentours also do lots of tours in this region, it might be worth a look - bentours.com.au and you can request an booklet online.
Best of luck.

Hi Maudie,

Thank you for the information and your good wishes, most appreciated.

I have not heard of the tour you mention but I know of Bentours so will have a look at their website.

Good luck to you also, I think the Coastal voyage will be great and you should definitely include it.

It is something like 3000 kilometres. And the roads are not 4-lane motorways (except Helsinki-Lahti), although in good condition. And in Norway the road is very windy in some places.

It is like I would step in a bus and then end up in southern Spain.

Elina,

Could you possibly elaborate as to what you are referring to in your last post re, the four lane highways etc, I am not sure if you are explaining something to me about the long coach drive. I am interested in what you mean.

Elina,

I have re-read your post and I think I do understand what you are saying about length of journey, roads etc.

Thanks again.

Hi AussieR,

You mentioned your desire to experience the Flam Railway ("Flåm" to those of us who write on nordic keyboards). As the road from Dombås to Oslo doesn't go by that place I presume that you are considering some alternative tour or route? Otherwise please check as Flåm is far from Oslo.

Ira managed to make the long days sound like a bad thing, which is quite an achievement. The long summer days is THE ABBSOLUTE BEST THING about Scandinavian summers. Don't worry, be thrilled instead.

Concerning food please remember that you won't be in the most heavily populated areas of Scandinavia for most of the trip. This means that the food might not be as varied or as exciting as you can get in the biggest cities. I personally found the food better (and cheaper!) in Sydney than in the Northern Territories when I was i Australia... If you are addicted to Vegemite you'd better bring some with you...

If you find northern Finland boring you can always do what the locals do: drink! Just kidding ;)

Regards,

HG

My English sometimes fails me, particularly when I am in a hurry or tired. Yes, I meant that that Arctic Circle bus trip is as long as a bus trip from where I live to southern tip of Spain or Morocco. (And I would not take a bus if I was going to Morocco.) And the roads are not 4-line highways, so the bus cannot drive at top speed. With "windy" I meant "winding", so in Norway the bus would drive even more slowly. A lot of sitting in a bus.

HunterGatherer,

Thankyou for a very enthusiastic and informative reply obviously everyone is going to have a different opinion and experience when travelling to a different country and all comments have been very welcome.

Not due to any information given to me by everyone I have decided not to do the 'Arctic Circle'. I am very happy now to have chosen another Scandinavian Tour that does not include the 'Arctic Circle'.

My travel friend is still doing the 'Arctic Circle' and I have not passed on any info I have received here as I believe everyone has their choice as to where they go and I would not interfere with any warnings or whatever.

We are both travelling first to Rome for three days, (I never went inside the Colisseum when I was there before) I have to go back especially after throwing that coin in the 'Trevi'. Then on to Copenhagen to spend a few days before joining our individual tours which both begin in Copenhagen.

A satisfactory outcome all round really.

A 'bit' of trivia for you, Vegemite does not taste the same as it used to I don't know what they are doing with it but it appears to have lost it's original flavour.

Hi Elina,

I guess you will read my reply to HunterGatherer above to know of my latest decision about the 'Arctic Circle'.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with your English I had no problem with it at all.

I have learned a lot from your very helpful information and you are still more than welcome to pass on any helpful tips on Scandinavia that you have to offer. I really enjoy chatting on this travel forum.

aussieR,

I'm sure both you and your friend will enjoy your respective tours. Finland might not have the striking scenery of western Norway (few places do), but it's not short of natural beauty and it has its own magic.

If you go to Bergen and want something a bit different, go to the Leprosy Museum. Not kidding. It's fascinating, in a rather creepy sort of way...

I found the inner regions of the Sognefjord even more beautiful than around Balestrand which several posts rave about. The fjord (and the sidefjords such as Lustrafjorden) is more narrow and dramatic. A tour along the Sognefjord is highly recommended.

Off the topic: Whatever they have done to Vegemite, they haven't done enough. I found plenty of flavour in it and none of it pleasant. ;)

Hi HunterGatherer,

I am looking forward to Bergen I have read how lovely it is, although I appreciate your recommendation re, a leprosy museum I know you are not kidding but I think I will give that one a miss.

I am doing a tour along Sognifjord I can believe what you write about it and I look forward to it.

The Flam railway (sorry no Nordic keyboard) is part of the tour. I am presuming you have taken the train, what did you think of it,

HunterGatherer,

Sorry I did not complete the post, I hit the wrong button when asking about the Flam Railway and your opinion of it.

Re, Vegemite, I have never been a big fan of it and would not miss it if it wasn't around anymore. There is a lot of 'hype' about it and there are a few other products similar one which I think is nicer but none ever get a mention. Friends of mine always take a jar with them when travelling overseas.

AussieR,

Despite being in the region for a week (before that Jotunheimen, Geiranger and Ålesund) I never got around to taking the Flåm railway. As I'm in Norway every summer I didn't feel I had to see it just then, also I was on the wrong side of the world's longest car tunnel (23,5 km)... The whole Sognefjord region is spectacular and I'm sure the Flåm railway is great, how much so depending on to what degree you suffer from Fjord Fatigue at that point. I personally like to hike in the mountains, and the inner parts of Sognefjorden is superb for this as you can walk along the rim of the fjord and enjoy spectacular views. As the railway takes you up the mountain you get some of the same experience while being on a train. It has to be nice. You will be there when the summer season hasn't really started yet (=> less tourists => good thing) and there should be plenty of waterfalls. When you reach the top it can be a bit cold, but on the bonus side you should be able to throw some snowballs on fellow travellers :D

Hi HunterGatherer,

You really paint a lovely picture of what the scenery must be like in Norway. I will be on a tour so can only 'envy' your hike through the mountains.

The Flam railway trip is not as long as I thought but obviously still worth taking.

I thought that arriving at the beginning of June was summer in Scandinavia, when does summer officially begin then? I certainly prefer to have less tourists if possible and I do not mind a touch of cold weather.

June is summer in Scandinavia, but people from different parts of the world can have other expectations of the temperatures involved. Also the central european summer holiday season tends to be august, the Scandinavian holiday season is usually between midsummer (June 21st or so) until mid August. In Norway the summer season in the mountains starts from July, as it takes a long time for the snow to melt. On sea-level it's different of course.

All in all June is summer, but the warmest temperatures usually occur between mid July and mid August. The weather is more unpredicable in June, and is usually slightly colder. Somewhat similar to springtime in Sydney (was there in late September).

That said, June can be a very warm month. It is going to beautiful in any case.

HunterGatherer,

Thankyou again for the information. As the tour ends on June 18 it does fit the weather you describe.

I am more than happy with the possibility that it may be cooler or warm I guess 'layers' would be the best clothing to pack and a polar fleece jacket.

Spring here can also be very chilly, I do understand what you mean about having expectations of what summer can mean depending on where you come from. I found that the weather in Central Europe was perfect for me when I did a tour there in mid-October 2001.

Of course it will be beautiful no matter what the weather!

Hi

just to say that snow is not unknown for midsummer in central Sweden.

Peter
ex Swedish resident

mpprh

Hi,

I really hope there is some snow especially as I have seen so little of it. I have visited Mt. Buller here only once when it was snowing and also the peak of Mt. Titlus in 1999 which was great. Snow is a 'novelty' for me so I would not mind it at all. In fact it would add to the tour.

Hi,

A short note to say thankyou to all the people that gave me advice re, the Arctic Circle. I did ultimately decide to visit there and have no regrets at all. The North Cape visit was exhiliarating and freezing in spite of being June. I did not see one mosquito anywhere. Scandinavia, Finland and Arctic Circle are all worth visiting I was especially impressed with Norway and as 'mpprh' said there was still snow on the mountains. I loved the herds of reindeer but regrettably did not see one moose. Oslo was a vibrant and very impressive city. Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki all had their own charm with plenty to see.

aussieR

AussieR,
Have you written a trip report? I am interested in going somewhere a bit diferent and have recently enquired about Russia and many trips seem to link with Scandanavia etc. Would be interested in reading a detailed report of where you thought was really worth going.

What were your flight details from Oz? We would be flying from there/here also.

Hi Schnauzer,

Thankyou for your interest, I have not written a trip report unfortunately I am rather slack when it comes to doing same tending to record all in my head. We actually began with four independent days in Rome before joining our G***** Tour in Copenhagen so our flight arrangements were on Singapore Airline from Melbourne via Singapore Airport and so on to Rome and then flying to Copenhagen on Scandanavian Airline to spend a further two days there before our tour. Here is a brief outline of the trip.

It is hard to give any one impression as each country throughout Scandinavia had so much to offer but, on the negative side it is very expensive in restaurants and shops but there are ways around that.

I was very reluctant at first to go beyond Helsinki as I basically knew that scenery would be continually the same but again I have no regret at exploring each town along the way I was very impressed with most places especially Trondheim in fact most of Norway is very spectacular. Norway is a very long country in fact there is a lot of time spent travelling on the road right throughout once beyond Helsinki.

As a lover of different style architecture I particularly enjoyed many of the Russian style wooden houses, quite old that we saw that made nice photo shots. In Lapland I had no interest in the Santa Claus village but I was on my own in that one as many on the tour did enjoy it and I must say the souvenir shops there were very good.

I also enjoyed the many museums & churches along the way and being a bit of a World War 11 buff I found Narvik great for their history and war museum again the same in Rovaniemi which was completely destroyed and burnt by the Germans and there is only one lone house from the time still standing there.

Learning about the Sami people the original natives of Lapland from 40,000 years ago was very interesting again visiting the SAMI museum which is beautifully presented.

Listing all of the sightseeing wonders would be quite lengthy here as usual some you would give a miss but more were worth seeing.

The continual daylight is not a problem as once curtains are drawn it is no concern for sleeping.

We also originally planned to include St. Petersburg but decided against it this time but I think it would be worth it to include it in your tour.

If you like to go somewhere you have not been before I would well advise you to take a tour there are always going to be good and bad wherever you go, I do add this tour was a bit tough because it had a lot of one night stops. I would revisit all of Scandinavia again but apart from Helsinki I consider the rest important but a once only visit.

I realise this is a very brief sketch and not really a detailed report as you would have liked but I hope this gives you some small idea of the places we went to I cannot cover all here but there is much more to write about.

Regards,

aussieR

aussieR
You mentioned that you wanted info about Linköping. I lived there for ten years and even got married there, so I know a bit. Let me know and I'll tell you what I know about this city.

I also camped above the Artic Circle two times. It's full of flying bugs that bite. The mosquitoes are ferrocious when near a swamp or water area. Since I was living in a tent, it wasn't too much but when I tried to fish near the river, where there was dense foilage, I couldn't handle the attack. I did have one of these mosquito hat which has a veil but it's useless.

It was beautiful though and certainly it's going to be a great trip.

Blackduff

thanks AussieR for your reponse. It is quite a trek from Oz to anywhere "over there" but that seems quite an epic journey. I too love looking at architecture and always do montage style photo boards when I get home from a trip full of spires, doorways, windows,et al.

We would definately do Moscow and St. Petersburg but it appears you almost "have to" do some of scandinavia to order to get to Russia.

Thanks for the info I have added it to my favourites. schnau

Hi Blackduff,

Thankyou for your reply. Re, Linkoping, reason why I was asking about that particular place before I did the Arctic Circle tour was because I have a Swedish friend that lives there and I was actually hoping that the tour bus would at least do a short stop on the way through to Stockholm so I could give a quick 'hello' to her and husband. Unfortunately it was not to be, we had driven through there so fast I did not even really have a chance to see any of it or my friend. Coach tours are not designed to stop when required, however we did catch up with another Aussie friend in Stockholm who has married a Swedish guy and now lives there.

Your camping trip at the Arctic Circle sounds horrific and thankfully I am not a 'tent' person. As I said I did not encounter one 'mozzie' while there and I found the whole experience very memorable but again only a once off no need to go back there. It was supposed to be summer as we were there on June 10th but it was freezing cold. I picked up my photos taken on the trip yesterday and the North Cape appears quite eerie almost like another planet.

aussieR

Hi Schnau,

You would never regret including parts of Scandinavia on the way to Russia it is well worth it especially as you are going such a long distance.

Your montage must be lovely to see and I adore 'arches and doors'. I especially loved an old door while doing the gondola boat ride through the canal in Venice. I am not a great photographer by any means but I love that particular photo and those I gave a copy to really liked it also.

Doors have a seductive mystery about them and I snap them in most places I travel to. Another great spot for old 'doors' was in the Old Jewish part of Warsaw in Poland.

If you do go via Scandinavia to Russia let us know your impression of what you see there.

aussieR