LAT TWO PLACES REMAINING!
Sandi Toksvig talking about her honeymoon and arriving on the Lofoten Islands said "It is as if you are breathing fresh air for the first time..it is so pristine and the sea so clear - I don't think I have ever been so happy". Milena Grenfell-Baines and I had a similar experience some years ago when Jean-Efflam Bavouzet encouraged us to travel 1,000km north from Oslo into the Arctic Circle and experience the Lofoten Piano Festival. In July 2019 we made our first visit with a group of music lovers and in 2023 we will once again share this magnificent part of the world with you as we enjoy keyboard & chamber music of the highest quality with 12 concerts over six days during our time in Svolvær. The link below gives you full details of the concerts. This year's artists include Roderick Williams, Dénes Várjon, Polina Leschenko, Trio Con Brio, Arvid Engegård and the Engegård Quartet. You can see the complete programme by using the link below and clicking on Program.
https://lofotenfestival.com/en/festival/
Lofoten is first and foremost known for its beautiful nature and the cod that come to spawn every year. Less well known is Lofoten’s unique collection of Steinway Grand Pianos. The local population today has access to as many as 10 grand pianos which are kept in top condition and used all around the year.
Apart from the first and last evenings, the intervening 4 nights include two concerts each evening at 7pm and 10pm, performed in chruches and venues around the islands. As we leave the late evening concerts, often close to midnight, we travel home with the shimmering midnight sun. The islands are linked by a series of modern bridges and tunnels so no boat journeys are required!
We have set out to create a unique itinerary that combines some wonderful music with the breathtaking beauty of this archipelago situated within the Arctic Circle between the 68th & 69th parallels - as far North as the Canadian Yukon, Greenland and Siberia!
No matter what you read in advance about the Lofoten Islands the first-hand experience surpasses your expectations. Often when you see tourism photos of a place you think to yourself – “we will never get to see that view without our own boat or helicopter” but the reality on the Lofotens is that these beautiful views (as shown to the right) are completely accessible and you WILL see them with you own eyes!
This year we stay eight nights at the new 4* Thon Svolvær located directly overlooking the harbour in main town of Svolvær (pop. 4,500) which is situated on Austvågøy, the largest island of the archipelago. We have added an extra day following the concert programme so we can spend a day dicovering the southernmost island of of Moskenesøya and the beautiful setting of Reine and Å. We have our own full size motorcoach with wc for our entire stay.
Flight times from Manchester with SAS are:
Manchester - Oslo 0940 - 1235
Oslo - Evenes 1415 - 1550
Evenes - Oslo 1500 - 1640
Oslo - Manchester 1955 - 2100
Flight times from Gatwick with Norwegian - Supplement will be advised at the time of booking
Gatwick - Bergen 1050 - 1345
Bergen - Evenes 1450 - 1640
Evenes - Oslo 1540 - 1725
Oslo -Gatwick 1845 - 2005
Flight times from Edinburgh (SAS out and Norwegian back) - Supplement will be advised at the time of booking
Edinburgh - Oslo 0920 - 1205
Oslo - Evenes 1415 - 1550
Evenes - Oslo 1540 - 1725
Oslo - Edinburgh 1910 - 2000
If you prefer to meet us in Evenes or at the hotel you can deduct £300 from the tour price.
Deposit £750, final balance is due 15th May.
