Follow in the footsteps of many an intrepid Arctic Circle explorer when you visit this extraordinary archipelago renowned for its polar bears and stunning glacial landscapes. Spitsbergen is the largest of Svalbard’s islands and its capital, Longyearbyen, is the most northerly point in the world served by scheduled flights. Longyearbyen, was once a mining town, and now provides a comfortable base for trips out into the wilderness. It boasts a number of hotels and museums whilst the population of 2000 also enjoys the unique duty free status of the islands with several hospitable bars.
Spitsbergen is a year round destination with each season offering a unique perspective of Arctic life. The short Spring and brief Autumn are replaced with endless daylight and Polar Nights. From April to August the sun never sets, offering daylight round the clock – an experience that will delight wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and those with a spirit of adventure.
From mid-October to mid-February the sun never rises above the horizon. The 24-hr darkness is considered a special time, when the only light is from streetlamps, the reflections of the moon on the glistening snow or from the Northern Lights, which can show at any time of the day.
Svalbard was once exploited by hunters and miners for its abundance of natural resources, but National Parks and Nature Reserves now protect this largely untouched wilderness. The stunning scenery is a photographer’s paradise, where the majestic landscape makes for dramatic backdrops, whatever time of the year you travel.
The fact that the streets have no names, it’s a duty free zone and it is customary to take your shoes off at the door of any establishment, just adds to the frontier feel of the world’s northernmost city.
