I spent far too many years with my nose to the grindstone and only two weeks of vacation a year. At a certain point, I wised up and started taking some time between job changes to cross off some amazing sites from my bucket list. However, as soon as I cross something off, a new discovery makes it on to my list. For a long time now, I’ve been considering an adventure to Norway but have focused on the summer during the season of the midnight sun. But, when Hurtigruten Cruises sent me these amazing photos of their winter adventure cruises I rapidly reconsidered.
Taking another shot at seeing the Northern Lights has always been near the top of my bucket list. Apparently, the Northern Lights are simply spectacular in the winter and more intense closer you get to the magnetic poles. NASA predicts that 2014/15 are near the peak of the 11-year cycles for dazzling displays of the Northern Lights. The closer you are to the Earth’s magnetic poles, the better the quality of auroras you will see. Beyond the Northern Lights, one of the most appealing features about Hurtigruten cruises is all the outdoor adventures.
In the past, I’ve been leery of cruises that would keep me confined on a ship but it is clear that a Hurtigruten cruise is nothing of the sort. I’m super attracted to the miniature polar expedition like the husky sledge adventure pictured above.
A snowmobile trip into the Polar Night through a frozen landscape with beautiful views to the Arctic wilderness would also hold huge appeal for family. Hot competition would be a side trip to Spitsbergen to experience life in the Arctic Circle and the closest town to the North Pole.
After all that adventuring, I can easily picture myself enjoying a glass of wine or a steaming cup of glögg while serenely slipping into fjords that would be unreachable by land.
What’s on your travel bucket list? Does it include a scene like this?
Thanks to Hurtigruten Cruises for sponsoring this post and inspiring us for our next travel adventure!