Finland & Northern Lights Feb 2013

Northern Lights trip 10 Feb

This was our third hosted trip and we set off by taxi to Gatwick airport at 5.30 am and joined the Polish charter airline EnterAir at 10 am to Kiruna airport in Sweden.  The flight left just 15 mins late and we travelled via Bristol -  with the flight to Bristol taking just 25 mins and 3 hours to Kiruna.  The flight was good and there were hot snacks available to purchase on board at the cost of £4 for a panini and £5.50 for a wine.

 We then transferred to the Davvi Arctic Loge for the 4 night stay which is a 2 and half hour transfer  to the Finnish/Swedish border in the picturesque resport of Karusuendo.  Half board was included as well as several excursions.

The Davvi Arctic Lodge was basic with a shower (wet room style) and the food was buffet breakfast and dinner (included ) but there were snacks that could be purchased lunchtime.  Bar prices were reasonable with wine at 5.50 euros and a hot punch 3 euros (with a vodka shot 5 euros).  The staff were relaxed and friendly and there is a laid back feel to the resort.

We were measured up for our thermal suits (included in price) and head for the meeting.  Due to the delay, all the times were out and they tried to stagger the dinner, fittings and meetings which was a little chaotic in general as not enough time was allocated to each process.

Team Emsworth - a motley crew!!

 Food was adequate with soup as starter and choice of 2 mains (mostly stews) with 1 dessert so a little limited but was wholesome and tasty enough and plenty of it.  The down side of being 2-3 hours from the nearest civilisation is that they rely on the local garage for supplies in general, so if they don't have it then, they are stuck.  The first evening, they ran out of red wine and the second evening white wine!  The village is very small with few shops but a pretty church in the centre.  The resort was well situated with just a 10 -15 mins walk to the centre.  Half of the village in in Finland and the remainder in Sweden.  Currency is euros in Finland and krone in Sweden but we did find the places we went tended to accept euos and give change in euros bu t we were advised to be aware that your change could be in krone when purchasing in Sweden.

There are two igloos owned by the hotel if anyone is brave enough to stay overnnight there.  One couple opted for this with the temeperatures outside at -30 and inside -17 degrees (they did find it too cold to last the night!!)

There is a good viewing point at the hotel for the Northern Lights and we saw faint lights the first evening, which can be seen better through a good camera as it brings out the colours more.  We left at 11pm but we understood there were good lights at 1am in the early hours.

The second evening we saw fainter lights and it was more cloudy.  We did enjoy that day a trip to the reindeer farm with a trek in sleighs pulled by reindeers (about 3 kms).  We did have a lot of waiting around on this trip where we got quite cold but it was explained to us that they had a particularly busy week and were trying to fit in extra trips and we were offered to be taken again another day as the last people in our group were taken out as it was getting dark.

The days are shorter at this time of year - it starts to get light at 8.30am-9am and dark at 4.30-5pm and we were advised that at christmas, there are as little as 3 hours daylight.  Temperatures whilst we were there stayed around the -13c to -18c so lots of layers of clothing are essential.  I increased my layers each day with 3 layers under the thermal suits and 2 hats and 2 sets of gloves and 2 pairs of ski socks.  I did wear at times 2 scarfs or a neck ring(snood).

We walked into the town which was small and quiet with very few facilities - this was the local church

Typical scenery in the grounds of the hotel

The second day we set off at 8am for a husky safari which was with sleds and we had chance to steer the huskies which was the highlight of my trip.  This was  a 7kms trip with 1 person in the sled and 1 steering and chance to swap over.  Fortunately my buddy didn't want to change over so I got to steer the whole distance which was an exhilerating experience.  The person behind me fell off but they do have 2 snowmobiles monitoring the group of 6 sleds, all pulled by 6 huskies throughout, so she was soon reunited with her sled.

This is my team resting after having to pull me and my sled buddy managed to take out the odd tree - more practise required!!

The evening, we were led to our snowmobiles for our night trek and we were hoping for early lights as this was at 6pm.

Generally they took 2 people and swapped half way but I got the sole use of mine - there are advantages to being single!!

All prior excursions were included in the trip including snow shoe experience with a 2 hour walk which was quite tiring but fun.
There were optional excursions all around £100-£200 pounds and I decided it would be of interest to go to the Ice Hotel near Kiruna and moose farm £200 pounds and the following are a selection of photos taken on the trip.

Moose is on the right!!

This was my favourite room and the beds were surprisingly comfortable - had to try them of course.

This was the reception area - it stays at a regular -5 degrees all the time, regardless of the temperature outside

There are several themed rooms and this was the northern lights room with lights changing all evening if required.

This was the bar in the Ice Hotel - drinks served in ice glasses.

This is the chapel to the Ice Hotel and weddings are performed here.

The hotel does have a normal part if the temperatures become too cold.

Overall, though we did not see the Northern Lights as often as we had hoped, the other included excursions made up for it and we had lots of fun with a group who all got on well together.  Thanks to all at Team Emsworth.

Looking forward to organising our next hosted trip.

 

Classic Holidays fam Venice 27-29 Nov 2012

As we were meeeting at Birmingham airport for our Monarch flight to Venice at 05.30 hours, I had decided to stay overnight at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport and was able to get a special rate of £55 through Superbreak Holidays. The room at the Holiday Inn was ideal and I was well rested for our early start.  The flight had a small delay and we arrived in Venice at 10.50 hours.  We took a private water taxi and, after a 10-15 minute walk (well signposted) we arrived at the water taxi departure point.  The water taxi transfer felt like something out of a Bond Movie and after about 45 minutes we arrived at the Locanda Vivaldi Hotel (water taxi drop off point directly to Hotel)

 

My room at the Vivaldi overlooked the Grand Canal very close to St Marks Square

 

 

Typical canal view
 

Having checked into the Vivaldi, we then walked to the 5 star luxury Danieli where we were taken around the hotel and had and excellent lunch - the following are a few photos taken of the hotel.  This was a magnificent hotel with Grand reception rooms and suites to match.  However some of  the standard rooms were were a little disappointing for the price charged compared to other hotel viewed. Lead in price £794 for 3 nts

Danieli Reception

 

Standard room in the old wing of the hotel

 

Danieli restaurant has a superb position overlooking the Grand Canal
More hotels and information to follow ...........................................

Turkey Educational 3 cont'd ... Fethiye/Olu Deniz

Fethiye is an upmarket resort with a lovely marina and a moutainous backdrop.  Whilst here we viewed the following hotels in prime positions on or in the marina area.

The first hotel viewed was the Ecesaray Hotel which is on the Marina and a very popular hotel. We enjoyed an excellent lunch here with lovely views of the marina.

Typical room

The hotel has a generous size pool

View from room

View from separate dining area

We then moved on to the Yacht Hotel which is just a short distance to the Marina.  This is a more modern hotel and lacks character but in a great position for those wanting to be close to the Marina. As you enter the hotel, the pool is passed before you reach reception (see below)

Typical room at the Yacht hotel

View from room shown

We then viewed the Alesta Hotel - again a more modern hotel in a good position near to Marina - below is the reception area.

It has a small rooftop pool

Nice dining area with good views





Room shown at the Alesta Hotel

From Fethiye our next stop was Olu Deniz, renowned to have one of the most photographed beach of Turkey at the Lagoon.  There is an entrance fee to the lagoon but there are also nice beaches to be used with no charge.  We stayed at the Meri Hotel which is out of the centre of Olu Deniz.  This was the most disappointing hotel of our stay.  It is a basic 3 star hotel set in a hillside with a funicular railway/lift taking you to your rooms.  Not suitable for disabled as there are many steps and the lift only works until 11 pm so there are considerable steps for the higher floors.  There is however a private beach area with beach bar and this is an all inclusive hotel.  It is a good value but basic all inclusive choice.  There were good views from breakfast but the area was overrun with wasps when we were there which was quite off-putting.  The two pictures below are the view from breakfast and private beach area.

Turkey educational contd ....Antalya/Kaleici

As we viewed several hotels, I have tried to select a few photos to give an idea of what the hotels were like.

After our visit to Kalkan, we drove to Antalya where we had lunch and then visited the palacial hotel of Mardan Palace. This hotels has many acres of grounds and is considering building a golf course within the grounds. There are many themed and palacial rooms.

 

Massve outdoor pool and own beach which due to size of grounds is a 5-10 min walk!

Opulence abounds in this special hotel

I feel generally Antalya is a city with little charatcter but did not spend much time looking around before travelling on to the old town of Kaleici where we checked into the Puding Marina. This was a very nice hotel which had been modernised from some old mansion houses.  The staff were very friendly and there was a gym area (partially enclosed) where the instructor was happy to tailor any exercise routine to your specific requests and we enjoyed a yoga session whilst we were there.  we also used the spa and enjoyed a massage during our stay.

Reception area

Pleasant bar area

Outside dining area where we ate breakast

  Evening meal in the restaurant was excellent though service a little slow and breakfast we ate outside on the narrow but quiet street. The old town was quaint and pretty with narrow cobbly streets and a pleasant harbour area. There is a very small beach but connected to a restaurant and charges are made for sunbeds.

Typical narrow street in this lovely old town

Attractive old buildings line the streets

View over the port in the old town

View from port area

We then visited the Puding Suite (a tripadviser winner 2012) and under the same ownership as the Puding Marina - within 10 minutes walk of each other.

Some rooms have jacuzzi showers

We then visited the Alp Pasha Hotels in Kaleici before driving to Fethiye.  This is a popular hotel and we were unable to visit any rooms as the hotel was full.

 

The old town is full of charm and is ideal for those wanting an interesting base with lots of character within a short distance of Antalya which has a lovely port but little beach facilities.  Beaches can be found in Antalya but we were unable to view them.

Next blog Fethiye, Olu Deniz and Datca ..........