New for 2019: All-year-round holidays to spectacular Scandinavia with Sunvil

Unspoiled scenery, remarkable wilderness, Northern Lights in winter and the midnight sun in summer – Scandinavia can be enjoyed all year round.

Specialist travel company Sunvil (www.sunvil.co.uk) offers hassle-free holidays and carefully-planned, tailor-made itineraries across some of the most spectacular destinations Scandinavia has to offer.

Sunvil has added a number of new itineraries, unique experiences and exceptional accommodation to its Scandinavia programme for 2019, with particular highlights in Swedish Lapland and Northern Norway.

Here’s what’s new for 2019:

SWEDEN

NEW ITINERARIES

A Tour of the Swedish Lake District

Journey to the Småland province in southern Sweden on this seven-night tour, which takes in glistening lakes, dense forests and the expansive Store Mosse National Park, along with quaint rural hamlets and historical settlements. Switch off, relax and gently amble around Lake Möckeln, step it up with activities like cycling, canoeing, horse-riding, fishing, wild swimming and hiking, visit the IKEA museum in Älmhult to learn where the iconic meatballs and Billy bookcases all began and be sure to visit Växjö, considered one of the greenest towns in Europe and home to the Swedish Glass Museum.

Price from £1,066 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), seven nights’ B&B and car hire.

A journey from Gothenburg to Malmö 

This slow-pace trip embodies the Swedish concept of Lagom, the lifestyle trend which has overtaken Hygge as the way to maintain a life of wellness and contentment. Translated as ‘just the right amount’, Lagom is all about being frugal, fair and creating balance. This seven-night break embraces a slower pace of life, the Scandinavian way, and takes you quietly from Gothenburg to Malmö via train with a couple of stops for meandering the streets and soaking up new cultures, exploring at a comfortable pace. There’s the chance to enjoy the thriving art and culture scene in Gothenburg and to visit Helsingborg, where friendly locals act as tour guides. Plus walk or cycle around the Fairtrade city of Malmö, explore Ribbersborg beach, sample gastronomic delights at the food markets in Möllevångstorget or view the latest exhibition at the Moderna Museet.

Price from £975 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), seven nights’ B&B, private transfers, train tickets and 72-hour Skånetrafiken Pass (local transport).

NEW ACCOMMODATION

Arctic Retreat, Swedish Lapland

Nestled amongst the deep forests of Swedish Lapland, this authentic-meets-luxury owner-managed lodge consists of three traditional log cabins on the edge of the Råne River. The quiet retreat is surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty and features a cosy interior, private outdoor hot tub on each cabin’s terrace, a wood fire sauna and spa treatments. The large panoramic windows facing north make the perfect viewing spot for the Northern Lights.

Price from £1,625 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), three nights’ full-board accommodation and shared transfers.

Fjellborg Arctic Lodge, Swedish Lapland

Fjellborg Arctic Lodge offers deluxe dwellings set amongst the calming and pristine wilderness of Lake Väkkärä on the outskirts of Kiruna and Jukkasjärvi, where nature dominates and moose thrive. Guests have exclusive use of the warm and inviting three-bedroom Master Cabin, which allows for true privacy. Sunvil offers an adventurous package of excursions, which include a dog sled tour, a visit to an indigenous Sámi camp, an ice fishing trip by snowshoe with wilderness guide, an ice sculpting workshop and a snowmobile tour, all led by the Fjellborg family who will serve Lappish cuisine using the freshest, locally-sourced fish, game, vegetables, berries and mushrooms.

Price from £5,002 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), three nights’ full-board accommodation, excursions as described and shared transfers.

Arctic Bath, Harads (northern Lapland)

Floating on the Lule river, this truly unique hotel is due to open in autumn 2019 as a wellness retreat combining sustainable credentials with innovative technology and design. Like similar property Treehotel, the Arctic Bath Hotel’s design draws inspiration from the woods, with a criss-crossed log exterior. Free-floating in summertime and resting frozen on the river in the winter, the Arctic Bath will offer six detached floating guest bedrooms, along with direct access to the Lule river for wild swimming (in winter the temperature is 4˚C), saunas, a hot tub, luxurious spa treatments, a restaurant and bar and central open-air ice pool in the centre, heated to four degrees.

Price from £1,439 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), three nights’ full-board accommodation and shared transfers.

NORWAY

​NEW ITINERARIES

Ålesund and the Geirangerfjord by public transport

Journey to the region of Ålesund and Sunnmøre for an abundance of natural beauty, with countless fjords and towering mountain peaks amongst the fishing villages and cultural sites. Travel via ship, ferry and bus to explore three distinct locations: Ålesund, a characterful town famous for its Art Nouveau architecture and its exquisite seafood restaurants; Geiranger, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with wonderful hiking trails, and Øye, home to the fascinating sunken remains of a farm and road following a rock fall in 1908.

Price from £1,624 pp (two sharing), including three nights’ B&B in Ålesund, three nights’ half board in Geiranger and one nights half board in Øye, flights (London) and transfers.

Bewitched by the Beauty of Northern Norway

Enjoy an unforgettable active holiday high above the Arctic Circle and discover the snow-covered landscape, mountain peaks and blue fjords sparkling in the low winter sun travelling from Tromsø to Kirkenes via Hammerfest and Honninsvag. Explore Tromsø’s museums and modern attractions before setting off on a two-night Hurtigruten cruise to the frontier town of Kirkenes – just 15km from the Russian border. This eight-day trip includes a dog sled tour, wildlife safari, a reindeer sled excursion and a king crab tour, with plenty of opportunities to spot the Northern Lights (weather permitting).

A seven-night stay, including three nights’ B&B at the Scandic Ishavshotel in Tromsø, one night’s full board on the Hurtigruten and two nights’ half board at the Kirkenes Snow Hotel, costs from £2,238 pp (two sharing), including flights (Gatwick) and transfers.

Tromsø and Alta: City and countryside

Guaranteed to open your eyes to the diversity and beauty of the region and to leave you wanting to explore further, this six-night trip combines the Arctic cities of Tromsø and Alta, both synonymous with sightings of the Aurora Borealis and wonderful, snow-covered countryside. Begin in the small and vibrant university city of Tromsø, where you can browse the boutique shops and local food producers, visit the University Museum, climb the Fjellheisen cable car to the summit 421m above sea level and join a Northern Lights hunt in the evening. In Alta, enjoy lunch at the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel (a more homely, relaxed property compared with the original ICEHOTEL, but the experience is no less impressive) and explore the surroundings via dog-sled tour and snow shoe tour.

Price from £1,962 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), six nights’ accommodation either B&B or full board, all excursions and transfers.

NEW ACCOMMODATION

Union Hotel, Øye

A favourite of royalty, writers and lovers for generations, the Union is a hotel of distinctive character and a long history, located in the village of Øye. The hotel has retained its original features from days gone by; each room has individual charm, with carefully-selected antiques. Its mountainous location is perfect for hiking enthusiasts, or adventurers seeking to explore one of the stunning walking routes overlooking the fjords.

Price from £1,660 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), seven nights’ B&B and car hire.

Sommarøy Arctic Hotel, Tromsø

This pretty cluster of painted buildings is truly Scandinavian in style and features hotel rooms, cottages, sea houses and apartments on the remote island and fishing village of Sommarøy, part of the archipelago of islands surrounding Tromsø. Just 318 inhabitants occupy this island of spectacular turquoise waters, sandy beaches, colourful villages and lofty mountain peaks. Relax and unwind at this informal hotel, with free sauna access along with indoor and outdoor hot tubs (available for a modest surcharge).

Price from £1,142 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), seven nights’ B&B and car hire.

Scandic Hotel Narvik, Narvik

This 19-storey building offers panoramic views of the little coastal town of Narvik, which lies a short distance from the Swedish border and acts as a gateway port between the north and south of Norway. This is northern Norway’s tallest building and the views from the entire hotel are stunning – the Aurora Borealis can sometimes even be spotted from the bedrooms! The hotel features a 15th floor sky bar and traditional Scandinavian décor and guests will enjoy a choice of nearby activities, including skiing, diving in the fjord and golf.

Price from £860 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), three nights’ B&B and car hire.

To book or talk to an expert at Sunvil, call 020 8758 4722 or visit www.sunvil.co.uk.

Press: For further information or high-res photography, please call Jackie Franklin or Charlotte Griffiths at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email j.franklin@travelpr.co.uk or c.griffiths@travelpr.co.uk.