Latest news with #midnightSun
Telegraph
06-07-2025
- Telegraph
Why Norway's stunning islands are perfect for a cool summer road trip
A jagged thread of granite and sea stacked above the Arctic Circle, Norway's rugged Lofoten islands look less like they were placed on a map than hurled at it. Primordial, vast and vertical, its glacier-licked peaks tower so high they shrink the quaint fishing villages to toy-like scale and offer active adventure beneath the unceasing glow of the midnight sun in summer. Nature doesn't whisper here – it shouts. Despite its remoteness, since the mid-2010s, Lofoten has found itself the darling of drones and Instagram, with shots from Reinebringen, Matmora and Festvagtind plastered across social feeds. But most visitors stick to the obvious and, at 93 miles long, there's ample opportunity to go off-piste. The best views in Lofoten are earned on foot, but even from behind the wheel the views are cinematic. Here, the roads are ribbon-thin and thrilling – skimming the sea, brushing past cliffs, delivering more drama in 10 miles than most road trips manage in a week. We've mapped out a one-week itinerary around this salt-licked edge of the world that mixes must-sees with some off-the-beaten-track options, so you can experience a version of Lofoten far richer than a hashtag. Where to go Day 1 Rib safari Start in Svolvær, the archipelago's unofficial capital. Cod still defines life here – just check the town's coat of arms. Ease in with a Rib safari down Trollfjord, a crack of sea flanked by walls of granite that is patrolled by white-tailed sea eagles and occasionally seals and orcas – for a solid outfit, book with XX Lofoten. But to really get your bearings lace up and hit the Floya Trail, a short, sharp one-mile hike that climbs fast and delivers big views. On the way, you'll pass Djevelporten, or 'the Devil's Gate', a massive boulder improbably wedged between two cliffs. Skip the Magic Ice Bar in favour of the skrei (cod) served at Paleo Arctic Restaurant. Day 2 Art galleries Next day, drive 30 minutes to 'Venice of the North' Henningsvær, a scattering of islands stitched together by low bridges and loaded with art and creative energy thanks to KaviarFactory, a former processing plant for 'black gold' turned trend-setting modern art gallery and Galleri Lofoten, which showcases 19th-century North Norwegian masters like Otto Sinding and Gunnar Berg. Seek out quirky shops Engelskmannsbrygga, for ceramics and glass art, and Lysstøperi, for candles and locally roasted coffee. And book a bed at Trevarefabrikken, where you can drink unlimited botanical cocktails while listening to live sets. Day 3 A Viking museum and cinnamon buns Boulder westward towards the overlooked hamlet of Bøstad. Here is Lofotr Viking Museum, a full-scale reconstructed Viking longhouse complete with actors and an annual Viking festival in May and Aalan Gård, a family-run herb and cheese farm deep in the hills. Hop back in the car for 15 minutes to stop for a cinnamon bun at Unstad Arctic Surf Café and ogle surfers paddling out to catch breaks at this famous sandy cove. Ditch the crowds and follow the five-mile narrow coastal trail that runs from Unstad to Eggum, passing World War II relics and through seabird-rich Eggum Nature Reserve. Near the finish, watch for The Head – a shape-shifting sculpture by Markus Raetz that transforms with your perspective. Return to Bøstad to sleep at Furu Hostel. Day 4 Kayaking and sauna time Nudge on toward Nusfjord, one of Norway's oldest and best-preserved fishing villages. Paddle its glassy waters by kayak, then sweat it out with a sauna ritual at the open-air Nusfjord Arctic Wellness area perched above the fjord. Warm up afterwards at wooden-walled Karoline Restaurant, where candlelight meets cod: think seasonal specialities such as reindeer carpaccio and traditional bacalao stew. Days 5 and 6 Fish burgers and a challenging trek Snake southwards to Reine – Lofoten's poster child for epic scenery. This is your chance to tick off the famously steep Reinebringen, one of Norway's most iconic and challenging treks that includes tackling some 2,000 stone steps built by Nepalese Sherpas. Hike late in the day for soft light and fewer people. The following day drive to the island of Sakrisøy to sink your teeth into the lauded fish burger served by Anita's Sjømat, then onto Hamnoy Bridge for a photo-op of the quintessential red rorbuers (fishermen's cabins) set against dramatic peaks and then follow the road until it runs out at time-forgotten A – confusingly pronounced 'O'. Home to just 150, visit the Stockfish Museum to learn how cod built an economy and fed empires and the bakery for a sweet-fix cinnamon bun. Day 7 Hiking For the final day, double back toward under-the-radar Sørvågen, the launchpad for one of Lofoten's most rewarding hikes up to Munkebu Hut. If you're up for it, start early: it's a four–six hour round trip over fjords and peaks that feel untouched. Before or after, drop into Sørvågen Radio (open summers only), where northern Europe's first Morse signals crackled out and end your trip on a high with a wildly local knockout meal at Holmen Lofoten. Where to stay Furu Hostel An eco-conscious hostel designed for adventurers in Bøstad with a lakeside sauna and café with locally sourced food. Owners Guri and Arne can organise Arctic surfing, kayaking, SUP, biking, hiking – you name it. Dorm beds from £35 per night. Holmen Lofoten This remote, luxurious eco-lodge based in Sørvågen is renowned for its 'Kitchen on the Edge of the World', where guest chefs conjure up world-class tasting menus. Rooms from £218 per night. Trevarefabrikken An old carpentry workshop transformed into a minimalist wellness-focussed design hotel with yoga studio and ocean-view sauna based in artsy Henningsvær. Rooms from £366 per night. How to do it When to go Up to a million visitors arrive in summer, plus 300,000 cruise ship passengers – so book well ahead for summer journeys and aim to stay in less touristy villages. Or, travel in the shoulder seasons of May to June (for midnight sun) or September (for northern lights) to avoid the summer crowds, but still enjoy relatively mild weather. What to book Discover the World (01737 214 250) offer a nine-night self-drive Around Lofoten trip that runs from May to September and costs from £1,501 per person, excluding flights. KE Adventure (01768 773 966) offer an 8-day Fjords and Fjells of the Lofoten Islands group tour that runs from June to September and costs £2,495 per person, including flights. How to get there and how to get around The Lofotens can't be reached direct from the UK. All flights transit through Oslo. Norwegian Airlines fly from London Gatwick to Harstad/Narvik (Evenes) from £400 return and you can pick up a rental car and drive from there. Alternatively, Scandinavian Airlines fly from London Heathrow or Gatwick to Bodo from £158 return and you can fly with Wideroe Airlines to either Leknes or Svolvaer from €30 or catch the cheaper ferry to either Moskenes or Svolvaer. Public transportation is limited and infrequent. It's best to rent a car (be prepared for narrow roads). All the major car rental companies have offices at Haarstad/Narvik airport and charge around £300 to 400 for a standard car for a week.
Bloomberg
27-06-2025
- Climate
- Bloomberg
Sleep in Midnight Sun Means Sticking to Your Internal Clock
By and Elliot Burrin Save Hi, it's Naomi in Berlin and Elliot in London, where last week's summer solstice cost us some sleep. More on that in a moment, but first... The longest days of the year just slipped by, and the sun's still not setting until about 9:30 p.m. in both Berlin and London. In Newcastle in northern England, roughly at the latitude of the Alaska Peninsula, it never gets totally dark.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Greenland celebrates its National Day to mark the summer solstice
NUUK, Greenland (AP) — Greenlanders celebrated National Day, the Arctic island's biggest summer festival, on Saturday to mark the solstice with songs, cannon salutes and dances under 24 hours of sunlight. Revelers across the semi-autonomous Danish territory, which is also coveted by U.S. President Donald Trump, honored the longest day of the year north of the equator, where the solstice marks the start of astronomical summer, with a march through their hometowns waving flags and participating in a seal hunting competition. The national holiday was declared in 1985, following a referendum on home rule six years earlier, with the inaugural raising of the red-and-white Greenlandic flag. As the sun came out, locals gathered for the day of festivities, visiting friends and families, eating and dancing together. Greenland's roughly 56,000 inhabitants look forward to the midnight sun each year from May 25 to July 25, before the long, dark winter reappears. The strategic, mineral-rich island has made headlines after Trump declared it his mission to make it part of the U.S., saying it's crucial for American security in the high north. Trump has not ruled out military force to seize Greenland despite strong rebukes from Denmark, a NATO ally, and Greenland itself. Danish and Greenlandic leaders say the island is not for sale and have condemned reports of the U.S. stepping up intelligence gathering there. On Saturday, Greenlanders tried to leave politics behind to enjoy the seemingly endless summer sunshine. Locals in traditional clothing made of pearl collars and seal hides started the day by marching toward the Colonial Harbour with Greenland's national flags. Johannes Ostermann, 20, said he loved the holiday because 'you get to go out in the city and you get to meet the people you haven't met in a while, and you know they're going to be there because it's a big day for Greenland and we enjoy each other's company.' 'Everyone says congratulations to each other, everyone's saying hi, everyone's being very very nice because it is a very nice day for us all,' he added. At 9 a.m., a cannon salute marked the beginning of the annual seal hunting competition, with participants in boats rushing into the sea. It took about an hour for the first hunter to come back with the seal. The animal was cut open for an inspection. The organizer said the meat will be distributed to nursing homes, and all other parts will be used to make clothing. Pilo Samuelsen, one of the winners of the competition, enjoyed his victory and the fact that the holiday brings together the community and keeps their culture alive. 'The seal hunt competition is a nice tradition,' Samuelsen said. 'It's a day of unity and the celebration." Sofie Abelsen, 33, said she hoped her people would continue their celebrations because 'modernization and globalization is a danger to all Indigenous people and Indigenous countries.' 'So I hope they will continue the traditions ... so they don't disappear,' she added.
Associated Press
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Greenland celebrates its National Day to mark the summer solstice
NUUK, Greenland (AP) — Greenlanders celebrated National Day, the Arctic island's biggest summer festival, on Saturday to mark the solstice with songs, cannon salutes and dances under 24 hours of sunlight. Revelers across the semi-autonomous Danish territory, which is also coveted by U.S. President Donald Trump, honored the longest day of the year north of the equator, where the solstice marks the start of astronomical summer, with a march through their hometowns waving flags and participating in a seal hunting competition. The national holiday was declared in 1985, following a referendum on home rule six years earlier, with the inaugural raising of the red-and-white Greenlandic flag. As the sun came out, locals gathered for the day of festivities, visiting friends and families, eating and dancing together. Greenland's roughly 56,000 inhabitants look forward to the midnight sun each year from May 25 to July 25, before the long, dark winter reappears. The strategic, mineral-rich island has made headlines after Trump declared it his mission to make it part of the U.S., saying it's crucial for American security in the high north. Trump has not ruled out military force to seize Greenland despite strong rebukes from Denmark, a NATO ally, and Greenland itself. Danish and Greenlandic leaders say the island is not for sale and have condemned reports of the U.S. stepping up intelligence gathering there. On Saturday, Greenlanders tried to leave politics behind to enjoy the seemingly endless summer sunshine. Locals in traditional clothing made of pearl collars and seal hides started the day by marching toward the Colonial Harbour with Greenland's national flags. Johannes Ostermann, 20, said he loved the holiday because 'you get to go out in the city and you get to meet the people you haven't met in a while, and you know they're going to be there because it's a big day for Greenland and we enjoy each other's company.' 'Everyone says congratulations to each other, everyone's saying hi, everyone's being very very nice because it is a very nice day for us all,' he added. At 9 a.m., a cannon salute marked the beginning of the annual seal hunting competition, with participants in boats rushing into the sea. It took about an hour for the first hunter to come back with the seal. The animal was cut open for an inspection. The organizer said the meat will be distributed to nursing homes, and all other parts will be used to make clothing. Pilo Samuelsen, one of the winners of the competition, enjoyed his victory and the fact that the holiday brings together the community and keeps their culture alive. 'The seal hunt competition is a nice tradition,' Samuelsen said. 'It's a day of unity and the celebration.' Sofie Abelsen, 33, said she hoped her people would continue their celebrations because 'modernization and globalization is a danger to all Indigenous people and Indigenous countries.' 'So I hope they will continue the traditions ... so they don't disappear,' she added.
The Guardian
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
What strange device was found in 1901 by sponge divers? The Saturday quiz
1 Which lines of latitude are defined by the midnight sun and polar night?2 Who was the first female head writer at Saturday Night Live?3 Which band have had a one-armed drummer since 1986?4 90% of the world's advanced semiconductors come from which island?5 Which entertainment venue is at 82 Boulevard de Clichy, Paris?6 What is the heaviest naturally occurring element?7 What mysterious device was discovered in 1901 by Greek sponge divers?8 Which Shakespeare play is partly set in Lebanon?What links: 9 Disney World in 2010; GWR; Magic Roundabout; Oasis?10 Politician Leanne Wood, poet Simon Armitage; artist Cold War Steve; writer Mari Hannah?11 Dumbo; Gromit; Michael Myers; Mini-Me; Oddjob?12 Bay; general mines; holy spirit; St Paul; thick forest?13 First Nephi; Second Nephi; Book of Jacob; Book of Enos; Book of Jarom?14 Birmingham (trades); Cairo (minarets); Lon Chaney (faces)?15 James; My Jim; Becky; Adventures of Mary Jane? 1 Arctic and Antarctic Circles.2 Tina Fey.3 Def Leppard.4 Taiwan.5 Moulin Rouge.6 Uranium.7 Antikythera mechanism.8 Pericles, Prince of Tyre.9 Swindon: twinned with Swindon; railway workshop; notorious ring junction; leisure centre inspired name of band.10 Former probation officers.11 Film characters who don't talk.12 Translations of names of Brazilian states: Bahia; Minas Gerais; Espírito Santo; São Paulo; Mato Grosso.13 First five books of the Book of Mormon.14 Nicknames: city of a thousand trades; city of a thousand minarets; man of thousand faces.15 Books inspired by Huckleberry Finn/Tom Sawyer: Percival Everett; Nancy Rawles; Lenore Hart; Hope Jahren.
