An Arctic adventure along the remote northern coastline of Norway accompanied by the renowned Astronomers Dr John Mason or Ian Ridpath.
Itinerary
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Following the popularity and huge demand of this year’s Astronomy Voyage, the first two dates have now sold out however we are delighted to offer an additional trip in 2010. The voyages will be accompanied by the renowned astronomer Dr John Mason and the newly added voyage date by Ian Ridpath at a time of year where hopefully you will witness the greatest lightshow on earth, the Northern Lights.
Through a series of lectures and a guided tour of the Arctic night sky from the deck of the ship, Dr Mason or Ian Ridpath will bring the world of stars, planets and meteors closer whilst also exploring the numerous myths and legends linked to the constellations in our skies.
During the four day voyage we will also hope to see the magical Northern Lights or ‘Dawn of the North’ as it’s poetically called. It is here above the Arctic Circle on this Northern Lights Cruise that you have the best chance of catching a glimpse of this most spectacular celestial display.
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On board lecturer: Dr John Mason (3 Feb & 11 Mar 2010)
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An Applied Physicist by profession, Dr John Mason has been actively involved in science for over 30 years, with astronomy, astrophysics and space technology as his main interests. He is currently Principal Lecturer at the South Downs Planetarium in Chichester, has been a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society since 1976, and is a full member of the International Astronomical Union.
He lectures extensively in the UK and overseas on a wide range of scientific topics and is a frequent broadcaster on radio and television, having appeared many times with Sir Patrick Moore on BBC TV’s ‘The Sky at Night’.
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On board lecturer: Ian Ridpath (17 Feb 2010)
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Ian Ridpath has been a full time writer and broadcaster on astronomy since 1972.
His handbooks for observing the sky include the 'Collins Stars and Planets Guide', Collins 'Gem Stars' and 'The Monthly Sky Guide'. 'Star Tales' is a book of constellation mythology, which, along with antique star atlases, and is one of his particular interests.
He is also the Editor of the 'Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy' and 'Norton's Star Atlas, a publication now in its 20th edition since 1910. His star show 'Planet Earth' ran at the London Planetarium for two years, from 1993 to 1995.
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Day 1 Tromsø
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Fly to Tromsø where you will be transferred to the ship (D).
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Days 2-3 Hammerfest-Havoysund- Honningsvag-Kjollefjord-Mehamn- Berlevag-Kirkenes
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The North Cape
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Finnmark's landscape is austere in its beauty, teeming with wildlife. Watch for rookeries of puffins and gannets along the cliffs and pods of orca hunting for herring during the season.
After calling at Honningsvåg, the capital of the North Cape, the ship heads east towards the pretty fishing villages of Kjøllefjord, Mehamn and Berlevåg.
On to Kirkenes, just a few kilometres from the Russian border and the Sami communities of Northern Finland.
A range of themed lectures and optional excursions are available along the way; Husky Adventure - Kirkenes, The Russian Border - Kirkenes, Snow Hotel - Kirkenes, Snowmobile Safari - Kirkenes (B,D).
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Day 4 Honningsvag-Havoysund- Hammerfest-Oksfjord-Skjervoy-Tromsø
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Arctic Cathedral - Tromsø
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The ship arrives at Honningsvag in the early morning, stopping for 1 1/2 hours in Hammerfest, the world's most northerly town having also called at Havoysund. Hammerfest despite its remote location, was the first Norwegian town to have electric street lighting and its own power station.
Heading south to Øksfjord, glaciers calves directly into the sea and after crossing open water the ship calls at the old trading post of Skjervøy.
You arrive in Tromsø late evening and transfer to a centrally located hotel for an overnight stay (B,D).
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Day 5 Tromsø
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Optional excursions available in the morning before transferring to the airport for return flights to the UK (B).
Dog Sledging - Tromsø, Arctic City Walk - Tromsø, Reindeer Sledging - Tromsø
Please note excursions in Tromsø cannot be combined.
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner
View our detailed dossier for this voyage (pdf)
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Price per person
from £985pp
| Duration: |
6 days |
| Dates: |
3 Feb (Sold out) 17th Feb and 11 Mar (Sold out) 2010 |
| Price: |
from £985pp |
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Astronomy Voyage Prices
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Your holiday price includes:
• Return economy class flights from London Heathrow including any current taxes and surcharges
• Voyage on a half board basis
• Hotel, transfers, meals and excursions as per itinerary description
Book Online
or Call 0844 448 7654