Exclusive for Mail on Sunday readers: See the Northern Lights with explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Exclusive for Mail on Sunday readers: Two fantastic voyages to see the Northern Lights with explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes or broadcaster Carol Kirkwood

The beautiful Norwegian fjords and bewitching Northern Lights are two natural wonders that everyone wants to experience at least once in their lifetime. 

So why not combine them by joining one of our two exclusive sailings departing at the end of this year? 

Each of these spectacular 12-day voyages with our travel partner Hurtigruten will also feature a special guest.

Natural wonder: The Northern Lights over a fjord village

Natural wonder: The Northern Lights over a fjord village

Husky-sledding is one of the thrilling activites you can choose on the trip

Husky-sledding is one of the thrilling activites you can choose on the trip

OUR SPECIAL GUESTS 

Legendary explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Legendary explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Sir Ranulph Fiennes (November 29 sailing)

The extraordinary achievements of Sir Ranulph make him the world’s greatest living explorer. He served in the Army for eight years, with the Royal Scots Greys and the SAS, and later embarked on missions to many of the most inhospitable places on the planet. He was the first (with Charles Burton) to conquer both North and South Poles on foot, and the first (with Mike Stroud) to cross the Antarctic continent on foot. In 2009, at 65, he became the oldest Briton to reach the summit of Everest.  

Popular broadcaster Carol Kirkwood

Popular broadcaster Carol Kirkwood

Carol Kirkwood (December 5 sailing)

Carol trained with the Met Office and has been presenting the weather on radio and television for more than 20 years. She has a regular slot on BBC Breakfast, also appears on The One Show, and danced with Pasha Kovalev in the 13th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2015.

REASONS TO BOOK

Exclusive talks & events: The first sailing, departing on November 29 on RS Richard With, will be joined by the legendary explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes. 

Sir Ranulph will give an exclusive talk, Q&A and video presentation on board the ship. 

He will also accompany readers on a special excursion to visit Norway’s remote and beautiful North Cape, the northernmost point in Europe.

Alternatively, you can choose the second sailing, which departs on December 5 on MS Polarlys, which will be joined by the popular broadcaster Carol Kirkwood.

Carol will give an exclusive talk about her career as a weather presenter and time on Strictly, and take your questions in a private question and answer session. 

She will also accompany readers on a Taste Of Vesteralen experience, during which you’ll explore the area of Harstad before crossing a fjord by ferry while enjoying fresh-baked cakes and a hot drink.

Sail the fjords in style: Throughout your unforgettable journey, you will be sailing on one of Hurtigruten’s superb ships, where facilities include a two-storey panoramic lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows, an à la carte restaurant, bar, cafes, bakery, swimming pool and hot tub, sauna with a view, fitness room and library. 

The ship also hosts a series of free talks and demonstrations. 

Meals include Norwegian specialities such as roast reindeer and aquavit ice cream, and are included in the price.

The world’s most beautiful voyage: During your wonderful 12-day adventure, you’ll see 2,500 miles of stunning coastline, have the chance to explore more than 30 historic ports and spend seven days in the ‘auroral zone’, where the Lights are at their most breathtaking.

Brilliant Arctic activities: Pick from dozens of optional activities**, from guided nature walks and husky-sledding to a midnight concert at Tromso’s Arctic Cathedral – or a traditional Viking feast.

Your Northern Lights promise: Our travel partner Hurtigruten is so confident you will see the Northern Lights during your trip that if you don’t, the company will offer you another six- or seven-day Northern Lights voyage free of charge***.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Return scheduled international flights.
  • Eleven nights’ full-board accommodation on RS Richard With (November 29 sailing) or MS Polarlys (December 5 sailing).
  • Exclusive talk and Q&A with Sir Ranulph Fiennes (Nov 29 sailing) or Carol Kirkwood (Dec 5 sailing).
  • North Cape excursion with Sir Ranulph Fiennes (Nov 29 sailing).
  • A Taste Of Vesteralen excursion with Carol Kirkwood (Dec 5 sailing).
  • Full expedition team to give general lectures on Norway throughout the sailing.
  • All port taxes and fees.
  • Hurtigruten’s Northern Lights Promise***.  

ITINERARY

DAY 1 Bergen DAY 2 Alesund DAY 3 Trondheim DAY 4 Arctic Circle, Lofoten Islands DAY 5 Tromso DAY 6 Honningsvag, North Cape DAY 7 Kirkenes DAY 8 Hammerfest, Tromso DAY 9 Lofoten Islands DAY 10 Arctic Circle DAY 11 Trondheim DAY 12 Bergen

HOW TO BOOK

With Sir Ranulph Fiennes

The price: from £2,110pp* for 12 days. The date: November 29 to December 10, 2021.

Call 0203 9933 016 quoting reference MOS FIENNES 31JAN21.

To find out more, visit mailtravel.co.uk/ranulphfiennes.

With Carol Kirkwood

The price: From £1,910pp* for 12 days. The date: December 5-16, 2021.

Call 0203 9938 934 quoting reference MOS KIRKWOOD 31JAN21.

To find out more, visit mailtravel.co.uk/carolkirkwood.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: * Based on two sharing. Subject to availability. Single supplement prices available on request. Deposit: 20 per cent. Prices based on flights from Gatwick or Heathrow. Regional flights available for a supplement, subject to availability. Exclusive to Mail Travel and selected media partners. Offered for sale by TS Tours Ltd acting as an agent for Hurtiguten (ABTA- and ATOL-protected). For full terms and conditions, go to mailtravel.co.uk/ranulphfiennes or mailtravel.co.uk/carolkirkwood. ** Supplements apply for optional activities, which have limited capacity and are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information, call our tour partner, TS Tours Ltd, on the booking numbers above. *** For full terms and conditions for the Northern Lights Promise, visit hurtigruten.co.uk/uk-offers/norway-offers/northern-lights-promise. 

source: express.co.uk