Amy's blog posts

Iceland small-ship exploration

What better way to see the best of Iceland than to do a full circumnavigation tour? During this small-ship exploration cruise, you’ll start and end in Reykjavik so you’ll have the opportunity to spend plenty of time in this small, yet bustling capital city.

There are also all the incredible natural highlights along the way. You’ll see the Snæfellsnes Peninsula which is known as ‘Iceland in miniature’ due to its diverse landscapes. There will be a visit to the spot where the Arctic Circle crosses Iceland, and you’ll enjoy locations that are known for their immense wildlife watching opportunities.

Of course, the beauty of a small-ship cruise is the personal touches, so we’ve left plenty of time for you to add your own bucket list moments. Talk to our Artisan Travel Experts at the time of booking to hear from the long list of experiences waiting to be had during your holiday.

View our small-ship exploration cruise in Iceland here.

Iceland and Greenland cruise

If natural wonders pique your interest then we also offer a combined cruise of Iceland and Greenland to show off the best of both countries. There will be free time to explore Reykjavik before and after embarking on this epic cruise that takes you to see ice fjords, remote towns and dramatic landscapes.

As the world’s largest island, it’s no surprise that Greenland has so much to offer. Combine this with the stunning natural features and the welcoming capital city of Iceland and you have holiday-of-a-lifetime potential.

View our natural wonders cruise in Iceland and Greenland here.

On board the MS Ocean Diamond

Just the travel onboard this modern vessel makes for a standout holiday – it is almost certainly unlike any other cruise you may have been on before.

The MS Ocean Diamond has been specifically designed for the Arctic, with ice-strengthened hull and stabilisers making her an ideal vessel for your exploration.

Though built-for-purpose, there is no compromise on comfort, with an experienced crew and excellent onboard facilities. There are various observation areas, ideal for those wanting to see the incredible natural wonders as you come into port as well as the opportunity to spot some of the fantastic marine life in the waters.

Back inside the ship, enjoy the facilities as you travel. Pick up some souvenirs at the shop, head to the Polar library to choose a DVD or book or enjoy the wellness programmes on offer including yoga, massage therapy and aromatherapy treatments. You can also find out more about the surrounding area during scheduled talks by local experts.

Tailor your small-ship cruise itinerary in Iceland

With so much to see and do, we want to ensure you explore at your own pace. That’s why we’ve left plenty of time for you to fill up with the activities that suit you.

From walking over glaciers, whale watching, hiking, jeep tours and kayaking – however you like to explore, we have an array of activities to help you tailor your holiday.

If you have any questions about any of the activities, talk to one of our Artisan Travel Experts who would be happy to share their first-hand knowledge in order to help you to find the experiences that suit you best. Call today on 01670 785 085 or contact us here.

• Staying up all night under the Midnight Sun in Norway
• Powder snowmobiling from Harriniva
• Enjoying a smoke sauna at Hotel Jeris
• Snorkelling in the world’s clearest water in Iceland
• Exploring the insanely special ICEHOTEL
• Witnessing the volcanic landscape of the incredible Azores

Spend a weekend sailing the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

There are few better places to spend a weekend than sailing along the peaceful and piercing blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.

Admire the sights of the Dalmatian Coast and explore some of the greenest islands in the area. From Mljet, with its stories of Greek Mythology, rich history and unbelievable natural wonders to the Elaphiti Islands with its secluded bays and calm waters perfect for snorkelling and paddle boarding.

View our Adventure Sailing Weekend holiday here.

See Croatia’s highlights by land and sea

It can be difficult to decide whether you want to spend your time relaxing on a small-ship cruise or walking around historic cities and staying in brilliant hotels. With this trip, you get both as you’ll spend three nights on mainland Croatia and the remaining seven cruising the Adriatic and exploring its many islands.

You’ll travel to unmissable locations such as the Plitvice Lakes National Park, Split, Dubrovnik and many more during this highlight tour.

View our Croatia Highlights by Land and Sea here.

Explore the Elaphiti Islands, Croatia

The Elaphiti Islands are situated close to Dubrovnik but feel worlds away from the bustling city. To fully soak up island life, this trip includes a small-ship cruise along with a stay in a stunning traditional guesthouse on Šipan Island.

Along the way, you’ll cycle, hike, kayak and have plenty of free time to explore wonderful areas such as the Pelješac Peninsula and Lopud.

View our Elaphiti Islands Active Adventure here.

Cruise to the enchanting islands and ancient cities of Croatia

Croatia is such a superb mix of paradisiacal islands and inviting cities shrouded in history that it would be a shame to visit and not see the best of both.

During this small-ship cruise, you’ll start by visiting the cultural hotspot of Dubrovnik before sailing to a hidden port on the secluded island of Mljet. The rest of the trip will see you sail between bustling locations such as Split to natural beauties including the Elaphiti Archipelago.

View our cruise the Islands and Cities of the Dalmatian Coast holiday here.

Small-ship cruises in Croatia with Artisan Travel

Croatia’s coastline with its historic towns, dozens of islands and small bays surrounded by bright blue waters is designed for cruising. Having visited many times, we’ve discovered that some of the best locations can’t be accessed by large vessels - that’s why we’ve carefully created our collection of small-ship cruises in Croatia. They give you a personal approach to visiting this unbelievable part of the world, allowing you travel to see as much of it as you can, without having to unpack every night.

View our small-ship cruise holidays in Croatia here or call our Artisan Travel Experts on 01670 785 085

Image credits: Huck Finn Adventure Travel and Gulliver's Travel

What is dog sledding?

Dog sledding, otherwise referred to as mushing, has been integral to Finnish way of life for thousands of years. In addition to dogs being loyal friends, they were initially a vital form of transport to take goods and people across the snow-covered land, which was otherwise treacherous to travellers. When there were no roads to take, it was the perfect solution to help locals reach other settlements with vital supplies.

The first dog sleds were made of just a single dog pulling a lighter load but as the need to travel further distances while carrying larger loads increased, teams of dogs were introduced.

Due to modern-day life, the need for dogs to transport supplies has reduced significantly. Dog sledding, however, still remains important to these rural parts of the world as now, their primary use is for tourism. The tours allow visitors to gain an exclusive insight into the cultural significance of sledding as well as adding a bucket list activity to their winter adventure.

Which dog sledding tours in Finland can I choose?

There are a number of dog sledding tours in Finland for you to choose from. You could opt for a shorter route to get your first taste of dog sledding, or if you want the full Finnish experience, you could try a multi-day dog sledding tour, covering larger distances and staying in wilderness cabins along the way. We have a range of dog sledding tours on offer so that you can experience this activity of a lifetime.

For example, during our log cabin taster week to Luosto, you’ll get a gentle introduction to dog sledding over a 10km course which includes learning how to harness the dogs and talking to the mushers about their incredible lifestyle. Whereas in Harriniva, you could embark on an epic seven-day expedition where you will cover around 300km with your dogs in remote areas of Finland. For those who’ve experienced husky sledding before but seek more adventure, this is the real deal!

View our holidays to Finland with a dog sledding experience here or, if you would prefer a longer tour, click here to view our overnight husky sledding activities here.

What can I expect during dog sledding?

Dog sledding is a fantastic sport but it can be intimidating trying your hand as a musher for the very first time. With the help of our local experts, you’ll learn everything you need to know before you take to the trails and embark on your adventure across the fells and forests of Lapland.

Though there is an initial force that comes with the dogs taking off, after they settle into their pace, you’ll find that dog sledding is a relatively easy activity. You will probably be surprised at how quickly you get a feel for it as you use your weight to help the sled through the turns.

We provide you with the warm winter outwear for the duration of your stay in Lapland, however, when you travel through the harsh wilderness on a husky sled it can feel much colder, particularly if you are a passenger. Make sure you wear plenty of layers whilst experiencing the activity, and take hand and feet warmers too. To help prepare you for dog sledding in Finland, once you book your holiday with us, we will send you a trip dossier which includes a packing list for this type of environment.

What’s the difference between husky sledding and dog sledding?

The difference between husky sledding and dog sledding is nothing other than the type of dog used to pull the sled. It is a common misconception that all sled dogs are huskies when in fact, there are many different breeds of dog that are used for this sport. The term ‘husky sledding’ should really be reserved for teams that are only made up of this specific breed which is usually associated with a certain area.

The Siberian Husky is one of the oldest breeds of dogs in the world. They are directly descended from wolves and were used for hunting and herding by the Chukchi tribe, located in Russia. The Alaskan Husky is a cross-breed, carefully selected in the 1900s during the Alaskan gold rush for transportation help.

In Finland, the Finnish Lapphund was thought to be originally brought in for racing but was also used for reindeer herding. It wasn’t long until they were being used for mushing too. The Finnish Lapphund are a breed born to run and their obedience makes them brilliant for dog sledding.

In our chosen destinations, our dog sledding teams are often made up of a mix of different breeds.

Local people, local knowledge

We have worked with our suppliers in Finland for many years and having experienced all of the tours and activities ourselves, we can assure you that you’re in very good hands. We ensure that all of our suppliers work to a high level of animal welfare standards and, as we work with local people, you’ll get a truly authentic dog sledding experience.

It’s important to remember that sled dogs are not like the domesticated dogs we know and adore at home. Though the owners love and care for their animals, sled dogs are working animals, and so are treated a little differently. These dogs have adapted to life in the Arctic, and usually, they will sleep outside in purpose-built kennels but with their incredibly thick coats, this isn’t an issue for them!

Whilst these are working dogs, most of them also love a good pet and a cuddle, and you’ll have plenty of time to schedule this into your activity time. However, our top tip from our Artisan Travel Experts is that it’s best to wait until after the tour because beforehand, the dogs are far too eager and excited to get going!

Our dog sledding holidays in Finland

From Jeris to Utsjoki, Vuokatti to Torassieppi, the majority of our winter holidays to Finland feature a dog sledding activity. View all of our dog sledding in Finland holidays here. Alternatively, you can contact our Artisan Travel Experts on 01670 785 085 – we’d love to discuss our own dog sledding experiences with you.

We also feature dog sledding experiences in Norway, Canada, Sweden and Alaska. You can view all of our holidays that include dog sledding here.

 Image credits: Antti Pietikainen