MUNCH 150

Wednesday 23^rd January 2013 was the date for the official launch of the famous Norwegian painter, Edvard Munch’s 150^th anniversary celebrations. Held at Oslo City Hall, there were many Norwegian luminaries and VIPs present, including King Harald.

There will be many events and attractions to celebrate the life, times and work of Munch.  The most anticipated event is the anniversary exhibition "Munch 150," which is the most complete and extensive display of Munch's art.  There will also be 120 projects and cultural events held both in Norway and globally, from film productions and concerts to walks in the artist's footsteps.

Wednesday 23^rd January 2013 was the date for the official launch of the famous Norwegian painter, Edvard Munch’s 150^th anniversary celebrations. Held at Oslo City Hall, there were many Norwegian luminaries and VIPs present, including King Harald.

There will be many events and attractions to celebrate the life, times and work of Munch.  The most anticipated event is the anniversary exhibition "Munch 150," which is the most complete and extensive display of Munch's art.  There will also be 120 projects and cultural events held both in Norway and globally, from film productions and concerts to walks in the artist's footsteps.

VisitNorway tourist board is inviting Munch’s fans to share their video 'screams' in a bid to create the longest scream in the world. Submissions could be added to the original film and prizes include a trip to Norway. To find out more, check out: www.visitnorway.com/uk/the-scream

This is definitely the year in which all Munch lovers should take a trip to Norway and enjoy a very artistic Nordic Experience.

SMILE - YOU'RE IN NORWAY!

Norway is the world’s happiest country according to a new report by the London based Legatum Institute Prosperity Index, a non-partisan think tank.  The study was based on 8 categories, which are economy, entrepreneurship and opportunity, governance, education, health, safety and security, personal freedom and social capital.  The Scandinavian countries all represented very well with Denmark in 2^nd place and Sweden in third.  Following closely behind are Australia and New Zealand.

So what makes Norway such a happy place? Well, according to Forbes report, 95% of the population say they are satisfied with being enabled the freedom to choose their lives’ direction and an unparalleled 74% say other people can be trusted.  The GDP per capita of £57,000 a year is also pretty impressive. 

We say the beautiful scenery, vibrant, cultural cities and relaxed way of life must also be helpful to happiness.

ICELAND’S POPULAR VOLCANO TOUR TO REOPEN AGAIN THIS SUMMER

 One of last year’s most popular tourist attractions, the Thrihnukagigur Volcano in Iceland, is set to reopen again this year. From 15^th May, the tours which are entitled “Inside the Volcano’ will offer visitors the chance to see just what a volcano looks like from the inside of a magma chamber.

Thrihnukagigur Volcano is 20 miles from Iceland’s capital Reykjavic, and as it is dormant, it is currently the only place on the planet where it is safe to explore the huge magma chamber. And huge it most certainly is, around the size of three full size basketball courts and you could fit the Statue of Liberty in there!

To enter, visitors descend through the top crater, all the way down to the magma chamber and are to be accompanied by experienced and special trained guides. A cable lift will carry participants up and down the chamber.

This has to be an amazing opportunity for volcanologists or anyone with an interest in the magnificent and natural wonders of the world.

The tour will run from 15^th May – 10^th September, with several confirmed departures each day.

For more information, visit http://www.insidethevolcano.com

ROUGH GUIDE 2013 TRAVEL HOTLIST - NORDIC SPOTS TO SEE

 We would like to wish everyone a very happy new year. It was good start for two Nordic Countries as they were named in the Rough Guide’s 2013 Travel Hotlist.  The travel trending two are Stockholm, the Swedish capital and the North East of Iceland.

So what do these places have to offer? Well, in a nutshell…

STOCKHOLM

Climb the City Hall tower and enjoy the splendid view over the city.

Take a walk around Gamla Stan, an amazing medieval city centre.

Visit the Royal Palace, Stockholm cathedral and the Vasa museum, which just happens to be the only preserved 17^th century ship on the planet.

Do a spot of sightseeing by boat on an organised tour.

Check out the new Stockholm landmark, the world’s largest spherical building, the Ericsson Globe, and enjoy the trip to the top in one of the gondolas.

Enjoy a drink at the Gondolen bar, which is situated at the top of the Katarina lift.

Find your inner Pippi (or Philip) Longstocking and run free at Junibacken, a mini indoor theme park. You can ride a fairytale train or dress up as Pippi and slide down the roof of her house.

NORTH EAST ICELAND

Go whale watching. This is where whale-watching tours first started and is a marvelous spot to see several species including humpback whales, blue minke whales, white beaked dolphins and pilot whales.

If feathered creatures are more your thing, you can follow a birding trail put together by experts and enthusiasts.

Just walk through this magnificent landscape for the sheer fun of it. Or you could explore it on horseback.

Conditions for cross-country skiing are excellent and in the mountains west of Skjalandi Bay are superb ice climbing areas.

There is no better way to relax after a day of exertion in the great outdoors than to soak and relax in one of the region’s geothermal pools and spas.

Visit the Husavik Whale museum to learn all about the life’s and loves of Cetaceans. 

Hope these nuggets of information have whetted your appetite with regards to these two Nordic areas. If you have any other suggestions places to see, things to do, local foods and customs that make Stockholm and North East Iceland special then please let us know.

MEETING SANTA

 There are many reasons to visit the Arctic north in winter. So much to see and do – the Northern   Lights, Husky mushing in Norway, Sweden’s Ice Hotel, Iceland’s volcanoes, cross country skiing in Finland or Greenland’s wildlife.

Lapland has one very special resident though who is a must see for families who want a taste of Christmas Magic. That resident is, of course, Santa and whether the visit lasts one day or is a short break, this will be an amazing experience.  

Santa lives in a small village in Finnish Lapland, with his elves and reindeers. He is always delighted to see his friends, young and old.  Even though Santa is very busy at this time of year but he can always make time for visitors.  If you decide to stay for a few days, you can also partake in many other artic adventures like husky mushing, racing on snow mobiles,  tobogganing, reindeer rides and general fun in the snow. And when night times falls, there is a good chance you will see the best Christmas illuminations in the world, Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights.

Wishing you a very merry Christmas from Lapland and all at Nordic Experience.

ART ON THE LANDSCAPE

 Did you know that Norway is home to a massive and highly impressive outdoor art gallery, which stretches across its coastline and covers 33 of the Norway's 45 municipalities? The magnificent Artscape Nordland is an international project showing 33 works of  artists from 18 countries, including Anish Kapoor and Anthony Gormley.

Alongside these marvellous works of art, there are many natural beauties to enjoy in Norway. From the Northern Lights to the mountains and fjords, there is so much beauty to enchant those who come to explore Norway's amazing scenery. 

TREETOP LIVING

 Fancy getting your head truly up in the clouds on your next holiday?  You can do just that at Sweden’s Treehotel. This amazing holiday experience is located in amazing natural surroundings, in the midst of a forest in Harads, about 100 kilometers from Luleå airport.

There are offer five unique tree rooms to stay in and these amazing creations were designed by some of Scandinavia’s leading architects. In addition there is also a tree sauna for up to twelve people. Each room has a totally individual style inside and out and varies in size, with the larger rooms accommodating up to 4 people. The tree rooms are suspended 4-6 metres above ground.  They are designed to have minimal impact on nature and are equipped with environmentally combustion toilets and water efficient sinks.

Which tree room would you pick? There’s the Cabin, a capsule where you can hide away and drink in the incredible vista. 




The Mirror Cube is stunning; it’s mirrored exterior walls camouflaging it in the midst of the treetops.  








Then there is The Bird’s Nest with it’s façade clad with large branches. Could you ever feel more at one with nature than nestling down  in this amazing structure.  



The Blue Cone is simple, easily accessible and actually red!  


The UFO stands out in its surroundings for being exactly that – unidentified forest object!

A new room is due to be completed by the end of this and this is  The Five Leaf Clover, which is around 53 square metres. This takes Treehotel to a new scale and offers 6 beds and conference facilities.  

Sweden is a great place to visit if you want to stay  and experience something  a little unusual. There is also the ICEHOTEL in the heart of Swedish Lapland. Here, not only can you get to sleep in a room carved from snow and sleep under reindeer skins but you can also explore your surroundings on a snow mobile or by husky safari!