Christmas Getaways - Tromsø

Christmas is a time for family to spend some good quality time together. Over the last couple of years we have created a new family tradition to visit a new place in December to build up the excitement to Christmas. In part we did this as a reminder to my dad who loved travelling and was the first person to introduce me to Christmas markets (Cologne). 

This is the third part in my Christmas getaway adventures. If you haven't read the first two instalments (Copenhagen and Iceland) then have a quick read here and here. The idea is to give you some inspiration for where you could visit and get you in the Christmas spirit.  

Now for those of you who have read Philip Pullman - His Dark Materials epic trilogy of novels, the North and Northern Lights has always held some mystery for me. As a child I dreamt of meeting the armoured polar bears in the ice forts. 

If you haven't read the novels you really must they are brilliant. 

So when we picked Tromsø a city and municipality in Northern Norway with an average temperature around Christmas of -6 and a brilliant viewing platform for the Northern Lights, it seemed the perfect winter getaway. A five hour flight from London we landed in the gateway to the arctic and freezing conditions. 

During late November to January the sun remains below the horizon which creates a 'blue twilight' (Polar Nights) which gives a truly unique feeling whilst visiting this special City.

Our aptly named hotel Radison Blu was right in the City centre and had wonderful views over the port. Surrounded by mountains, fjords and islands what a view to wake up too. 

One of our main reasons for visiting Tromsø was to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). I also knew exactly the man who I wanted to take me on this adventure, Kjetil Skogli. 

Who is this man? I hear you ask. Kjetil is a Northern lights chaser, he captured my imagination when he lead Joanna Lumley and the 6.6 million viewers watching her to see the Northern lights.  

There aren't many times in my life when I have been left speechless, but lying back on a frozen lake in the mountains of Tromsø, in anticipation of seeing the dancing particles of wonder which make up the Northern Lights has to be one of the most memorable moments of my life.

With clear skies and a heavy wind made seeing the northern lights extra special. There is something magical about standing in the pitch dark, coldness settling into your limbs, across the snowy mountains a ghostly spectacle of light begins to appear the Northern Lights. 

As well as the Northern Lights Tromsø has breathtaking scenery. In case you were wondering what the lake that I lay on looked like in the day this is it. 

Another want whilst in Tromsø was to try dog sledding. 

Dashing through the snow on a one horse open sleigh, laughing as we go...... Well in reality I was hooked up to 6 scruffy looking dogs that didn't really resemble huskies, but as they started to pull my romantic view of beautiful huskies was left rapidly behind as one of the most exhilarating rides of my life began. Up and down hills, weaving between trees, jumping over small crevices, crossing narrow bridges over icy frozen streams, whilst in an awe-inspiring backdrop of snow covered mountains and valleys, truely was an experience to behold. 

Only seconded by driverless husky sleds racing past us with their owners running way behind shouting for anyone to stop them. An amazing experience that had me absolutely sobbing with tears of joy and laughter. Take note this is not a pursuit for the unfit or those of a nervous disposition. 

Everywhere you go outside of the main town, Reindeer are free to roam and it won't be long before any journey you are left waiting for a heard of the Christmas fellows to meander across their very own highway. 

Only Santa knows why he chose them to pull his sled, I would have had  huskies pulling mine any day after seeing them go!

Tromsø is like no other holiday I have had previously it is a truly magical place at Christmas and I cannot recommend a visit enough. 

Watch this space for this years adventures to follow soon. 

Where in the world have you visited that you would recommend?

www.visittromso.no/en/

www.kjetilskogli.no/