Independent tour operator Sunvil Discovery launches its 2013 real Scandinavia brochure, packed full of flexible, year-round holiday ideas and hand-picked accommodation throughout Sweden, Norway and the Faroe Islands.

A greater emphasis has been placed on ‘suggested itineraries’, which have been carefully devised by Sunvil Discovery’s expert travel team for 2013. These itineraries are not fixed – they simply demonstrate the impressive breadth of experiences and bespoke holiday options that Sunvil Discovery now offers the independent traveller in Scandinavia.

The 2013 winter programme has also been expanded to include a more diverse range of excursions, ranging from hands-on husky sledding to a king crab fishing trip. New property highlights include the innovative Treehotel in Swedish Lapland and the boutique Hotel Myhregaarden in the spectacular Norwegian Fjords.

WHAT’S NEW IN SWEDEN?

Itineraries:

·      A three-night ‘Winter adventures in Swedish Lapland’ itinerary that includes husky dog sledding, snowmobiling, an elk tour and a Northern Lights excursion amid the pristine forests, frozen lakes and snow-capped mountains of this glorious winter playground.

·      An exclusive, hands-on four-night ‘Silence of the Winter – Husky Experience’ in northern Sweden that teaches participants how to lead, mush and care for the dogs who, for generations, have breathed life into the communities across the Arctic Circle.

·      A four-night ‘Hovercraft, Harads and Huskies’ itinerary that combines an invigorating hovercraft tour across Lulea’s frozen archipelago waters and a fun-filled husky sled excursion with a one-night stay at the unique Treehotel in a wilderness setting in Harads.

Seven properties, including:

·      Abisko Mountain Station STF in the heart of Abisko National Park, Swedish Lapland, where the microclimate provides some of the best conditions for Aurora Borealis viewing.

·      Pine Tree Lodge in Kangos, Swedish Lapland, the perfect retreat for those seeking to immerse themselves in the unspoilt wilderness of Northern Sweden.

·      The secluded and awe-inspiring Treehotel in Harads, Swedish Lapland, where five contemporary cabins are suspended above the forest floor, offering fantastic views in a natural setting.

WHAT’S NEW IN NORWAY?

Itineraries:

·      A three-night ‘In the land of the Northern Lights’ trip, designed to maximise the chance of seeing this remarkable natural phenomenon. Includes a snow mobile tour to the Valley of the Finn from Tromsø.

·      A seven-night, two-centre itinerary to Tromsø, the largest Nordic city above the Arctic Circle, and Kirkenes, a frontier town close to the Russian border. Activities include snowmobiling through the valley of the Finn, dog sledding and a king crab fishing excursion, as well as a visit to the Kirkenes Snowhotel. 

Destinations:

·      The Olympic town of Lillehammer, gateway to the unspoiled Gudbrandsdalen Valley, offering extensive walking trails and a range of outdoor activities including white water rafting, caving and wheel-bob sleighing.

·      Stavanger, Norway’s fourth-largest town, combining some of the fjords’ most remarkable scenery with a cluster of beautiful beaches, and historical and cultural attractions.

·      A UNESCO World Heritage Site, magical Roros in the Fjords is one of Northern Europe’s best-preserved wooden towns.

Five new properties, including:

·      Hotel Myhregaarden, a stylish boutique property located in Stavanger’s historic heart and within walking distance of all the major sites.

·      Hotel Thon, offering modern waterfront accommodation on the largest of the scenic Lofoten islands in Svolvaer, considered to be the capital of the archipelago. The Hurtigruten terminal is 50 metres away.

WHAT’S NEW IN THE FAROE ISLANDS?

·      Hotel Klaksvik, a modern property with harbour views, conveniently located in Klaksvik, the second- largest settlement in the Faroes. The islands (part of Denmark) remain an off-the-beaten track option, perfect for nature lovers, birdwatchers and walkers.