The auroras are one of the great natural spectacles visible from our planet. In the northern hemisphere, Finland is certainly one of the best locations, and the best time of year to see The northern lights It's at the end of March.
Today we are talking with Ignasi Rovira, the guide who will accompany our travelers to Saariselka this year to photograph the Northern Lights.
Our aim on this trip is to see and photograph the Northern Lights and we’ll do so with Ignasi Rovira who will be responsible for accompanying us during this journey. He will be the one who, in the afternoon, will tell us about this phenomenon and give us practical advice on how to photograph them.
Since the northern lights are visible at night, weather permitting, we will use the daylight hours to enjoy excursions and activities typical of winter in the Lapland. And do not worry about the cold: before the activities begin, the organisers provide everyone with thermal clothing, consisting of a thermal suit, thick mittens and boots with inner liners.
I’m sure many of you still remember a family trip when you were little. Because travel leaves its mark on all of us, but especially on children that, however young they are, those memories will surface as they grow older, reminding them of their first family trips.
We know that many of you have doubts about travelling with the youngest members of the family because some of the journey is long and involves intercontinental flights. Who does not remember those endless road trips when we were children? None of us was traumatised! Things have changed, and a 10-hour flight with all the comforts available today is no trouble for children.
Albania, a country that until the 1990s turned its back on Europe under the threat of an invasion that never came. Now it is moving swiftly towards the future. South of Tirana discover Albania’s monuments and history. Ancient villages of Ottoman origin, well preserved and declared World Heritage by the UNESCO . Citadels, archaeological sites and ancient historic centres delight history and architecture enthusiasts.
Would you like to discover Albania? We have departures in September and October, as well as a special 10-day New Year trip.
There are many lakes in the world, formed by a wide variety of geological processes and forces within the earth. What distinguishes many of them is the life that thrives around them in all its forms, from unspoilt nature to human activity. Water is life.
We don’t know why. Perhaps it’s the influence of the earth’s forces, the gases released into the atmosphere, or the delicious Sicilian pasta. What we do know is that, for the second time running, the winner of our feedback competition does so with a review of a trip through the peaks of Sicily.
The winner of this fifteenth edition is Aurèlia Manils, for sharing her opinion on trip with Tuareg a Italy to do hiking on the volcanoes of Sicily and in the Aeolian Islands. Here is their feedback.
Talk about Iceland is to speak of a destination where the forces of nature are overwhelming. Magma erupts violently from volcanoes, winds strengthen without warning, ice builds up layer upon layer, tectonic plates shift, waterfalls plunge with abandon and the earth takes on every imaginable colour. Together, these forces have shaped a landscape that draws in and mesmerises the unsuspecting traveller.
The Great Caucasus is the highest mountain range in Europe. Extending 1200 km from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea, it forms a natural border between Europe and Asia.
At its foot, on the Georgian side, we find one of the routes for trekking most spectacular in the Caucasus; route of medieval villages. This journey begins in Mestia and follows the mountain range, ending in Ushguli, forming one of the trips to Georgia most adventurous there are.
It is likely that many trips to Norway that you have heard of are in the Norwegian fjords near Bergen or Stavanger. These are the most popular fjords, which fill with tourists every year. After all, the Norwegian fjords in summer are a major attraction for visitors flying to this Nordic country, or spending their holidays in the fjords aboard one of the many cruise ships that sail along the coast in summer. The famous Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock, is a particularly popular sight on the Lysefjord, near Stavanger.
The city of Istanbul, halfway between Asia and Europe, is full of surprising corners, alleyways, mosques, monuments, markets, squares and bridges. Its major attractions include Hagia Sophia, the Sultan Ahmet or Blue Mosque, the Süleymaniye and Yeni mosques, Galata Tower, the Golden Horn at the entrance to the Bosphorus with its beautiful bridges, the Grand Bazaar and the Basilica Cistern. An eye used to looking through a camera lens finds thousands of evocative moments in the ancient city of Constantinople. Add its people to the scene, the busy citizens of Turkey’s former capital, and the photographic possibilities They seem to multiply endlessly, as quickly as the camera's memory cards fill up and its batteries run down.
Our collaborator and friend Juan Carlos Casado to send us this video of the trip to Saariselkä to see the Northern Lights in Finland.
Last Wednesday, December 10, Isidoro Medino published in the newspaper El País a list of the 10 “super destinations” for 2015.
Among the international “super destinations”, Isidoro highlights our trip to the Faroe Islands, departing on 17 March. The main aim of this astronomy trip is to observe the northern lights and the total solar eclipse, whose path crosses the Arctic Circle this year. This coincidence will allow us to see two of the most impressive natural phenomena visible from Earth on a single trip.
As well as this trip, which is undoubtedly one of our favourites for 2015, the list highlights Andes, Australia, Bhutan and Ethiopia.
In the Andes, Isidoro highlights the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador and the Atacama desert in Chile. Follow the links to see the routes we are offering for 2015.
Australia is another leading destination, alongside the South Pacific islands, thanks to the recent airline alliance. Our itineraries in Australia are flexible, with highlights including the motorhome rental to travel at your own pace.
Another highlight is Bhutan. With Buddhist monasteries hanging from the cliffs, this small Himalayan mountain country always seems to welcome the visitor with a smile.
And last but not least, Ethiopia, another of our favourite destinations. The depression of Danakil, the volcano Erta Ale, villages of the Omo Valley or Axum, where they say the Ark of the Covenant is located. Few countries concentrate as much magic and diversity as Ethiopia, one of the most distinctive countries in Africa.
Isidoro also selects 5 domestic destinations with ideas to suit every taste. Cáceres as a food destination. Malaga, as a cultural destination with the opening of the Russian art gallery and the Pompidou museum. Ávila and the celebration of the 5th centenary of the birth of Teresa of Jesus. Seville, in the fifth season of “Game of Thrones” and Barcelona, as a city of design.
With the permission of our astrophotographer Juan Carlos Casado, show this photo taken by Max Rive on the Lofoten Islands in Norway.
Can we say it's the perfect picture?
Without a doubt it is one of the best photographs of The northern lights that we've seen.
(photo removed)
The Etna, the most active volcano of Italy and one of the most active on the planet, is a must-see for any lover of vulcanology.
On our journey Hiking in the volcanoes of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands combine the opportunity to climb Etna, the visit to Stombroli and a combination of Greek, Roman and Byzantine archaeological remains.
Travelling by train, minibus, boat, ferry and above all on foot, we spend 10 days exploring this part of the Mediterranean, an endless source of inspiration for the Greeks and Romans.
To ascend to the Etna must be hired locally. Weather and volcanic conditions are decisive, and a local volcano guide is compulsory. The trek to Etna does not require exceptional fitness. With an elevation gain of 1,346 metres and a round-trip distance of 15 kilometres, our greatest challenge may be the altitude: we reach more than 3,000 metres. The whole route usually takes 6 hours in normal weather conditions.
We have a winner for our 2013 travel video competition.
Madeira: hiking the water trails is the winning video.
This video faithfully captures our hiking trip to discover the beauty and nature of the island of Madeira. We hope you like it!
Congratulations to Andreu Amela!
See our trip to Hiking in Madeira
Juan Carlos Casado is joining us!
There were no places left on the trip to Finland with departures on the 15th and the 23rd. The chance to witness one of the greatest natural spectacles visible from our planet made it well worth the effort to organise another departure.
Once again, our office becomes the place to find first-hand information from specialists in each destination. We started in January with Iceland and Madagascar.
ICELAND
María López is a pioneer in opening routes in Iceland since 1980. Few people know this island so thoroughly, with its abundance of volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls and geysers.
On 29 January, Maria will visit our offices to introduce the different routes for 2014 and answer your questions about this fascinating island.
Our routes:
Hiking in the South and the Vestmannaeyjar Islands. Group departures
I travelled from north to south and went trekking in the Highlands.
Land of contrasts. Hiking route.
To find out more, join us on Wednesday 29 January at 19:30 at our offices in Barcelona
MADAGASCAR
Sergi Fromentin, friend and collaborator for years in Madagascar, is visiting Barcelona for a few days and taking the opportunity to present the routes planned for 2014 and answer all your questions.
Would you like to know more about the great island continent?
See more information about our routes:
Down the Tsiribihina River, the Tsingy and the south.
Madagascar
Malagasy Adventure
Discover Madagascar
Don’t miss it: 30 January at 19:30, at our Barcelona offices.
We travel around. in the world for observing eclipses and the northern lights. But here in Barcelona, our friends at ASTER are offering an interesting guided observation sessionand the meteor shower. And it’s free too!
Meteor shower at Moll de Gregal
Our astronomy trips
On a trip, the night can offer unforgettable spectacles. Hundreds of stars become visible in the desert, the mountains or vast steppes.
