Pre- and Post-conference Tours
Pre-conference tour to
Kiruna in Lapland - 11-14 June 2008
Sorry, but we didn't get enough
participants on our proposed tour. The Pre-Conference Tour to Kiruna is
therefore cancelled!
Lake Tornetrask with Lapporten in the background. |
In the most northerly part of Lapland, 200 kilometres north
of the Arctic Circle and some 1,200 kilometres north of
Stockholm, Kiruna is surrounded by forests and moors, mighty
mountains and thousands of lakes flowing slowly into winding
rivers. This is the land of the midnight sun, shining for 100
days without night!
This pre-conference tour offers an opportunity to experience
the unique mining and “space” town of Kiruna, its underground
iron ore mine, the Esrange Satellite Station, the picturesque
Jukkasjärvi village with an old Sami church and ice sculptures
from its famous Ice hotel, the Sami culture based on reindeer
herding, spectacular mountain scenery and more. You will also
get acquainted with the bold plans to move and re-build the
entire Kiruna City – in an effort to secure continuous iron ore
mining. |
Esrange.
© Swedish Space Corporation |
You will arrive to Kiruna at about lunch-time on Wednesday
11 June. A bus will take us directly to the Jukkasjärvi
Guesthouse for lunch. The afternoon will be devoted to the
Esrange Satellite Station, where the Swedish Space Company will
inform about and demonstrate their activities, such as receiving
data from earth observation satellites, tracking and controlling
satellites, as well as sending rockets and high altitude
balloons to space. After that we will visit Jukkasjärvi and
spend time visiting the old church, the Ice Art Centre and the
old village, where you may try the traditional sauna and an
extremely short swim in the Torne River. We will have dinner at
the Guesthouse, before going to the hotel. Later that same
evening we will catch a view of the never setting midnight sun
from the top of Luossavaara Mountain. |
On Thursday we will pay a visit to the largest and deepest
underground iron ore mine in the world, more than thousand meter
downwards. The high tech mining methods will be demonstrated and a lunch
is served in the underground cantina. Afternoon is dedicated to a visit
to the nearby Space Building, where the National Land Survey of Sweden
demonstrates satellite image production, remote sensing and advanced
geographic information technology. We will also have time for a visit to
the Sami handicraft centre, Matarakka.
Kebnekajse. |
On Friday morning we will travel by bus into the high
mountains west of Kiruna. From the village Abisko we will go for
a guided short walk in a spectacular natural setting, have a
lunch in the field and learn about mountain flora, fauna and
culture. In the afternoon the Sami culture will be the main
topic, reindeer herding, mythology, handicraft and the
traditional
Sami jojk music. Dinner with Sami specialities will be served at
the hotel. |
Saturday morning early from Kiruna to Stockholm Arlanda Airport. You
will be in Stockholm city well before lunch.
Travel Plan:
Departure 11 June at 11.45 am by SK1042 from Stockholm Arlanda
(terminal 4) to Kiruna non stop with arrival in Kiruna at 1.15 pm
Departure 14 June at 8.55 am by SK1049 from Kiruna to Stockholm
Arlanda (terminal 4) with arrival in Stockholm at 10.25 am
Price: SEK
5,700, all inclusive
Please note that the price above includes air flights from Stockholm (Arlanda)
to Kiruna and back plus bed in shared double room. For single bed room
there will be an additional cost of SEK 1,700. It is also important to
note that a binding registration is needed no later than 14th
of March and that the maximum number of participants will be 30. The
tour will be arranged for a minimum of 24 participants.
Post-conference tour – Experience the Swedish Midsummer
in Dalarna – 20-22 June 2008
|
Join us to explore the beautiful province of Dalarna in
central Sweden, the most famous of all Swedish tourist areas. We
leave Stockholm by bus Friday (20 June) morning and arrive in
time for the Midsummer festivities in Rättvik at Lake Siljan.
You will see the Swedes in their folk costumes, rowing in church
boats, fiddle orchestra playing traditional songs and, of course,
dancing around the maypole. It is an excellent opportunity to
participate in the folk dances and experience the marvellous
atmosphere during the magic Midsummer Night when the sun hardly
sets. Get to taste a variety of Swedish dishes at a genuine
Midsummer smorgasbord. |
On Saturday we will continue to explore the scenic landscape
surrounding Lake Siljan. The sightseeing will start with a visit at the
Vasaloppet Museum in Mora, which will give you a glimpse of the
spectacular 90 km long distance ski race. At the old-fashioned museum in
Våmhus you will watch a very rare handicraft – jewellery made of hair.
This handicraft with its origin in Våmhus was practised all over Europe
and North America. At this museum skilled craftsmen also make
high-quality wooden baskets.
Chalet in Dalarna. |
In a beautiful mountainous forest area with a view of the
country for miles you will get the chance to see bears, wolves
and lynxes at the Grönklitt Bear Park. In the afternoon you will
taste the unique atmosphere of traditional farm life in a chalet
with a lot of cows, goats, sheep and horses in a wood-grazing
area. At the Nusnäs Dala Horse factory you can watch the horses
being carved and decorated. The painted horses carved of wood
have become a famous tourist souvenir and the symbol of Sweden.
In the evening you will have the opportunity to socialize and
mingle with your Swedish colleagues at an organized dinner party. |
Sunday we depart for Stockholm, on the way we stop to visit the
famous copper mine in Falun, we will arrive at Arlanda Airport at
approximately 16:00 hrs. Embark on this voyage of discovery where many
surprises are awaiting you.
Price: SEK 3,000 per person in double room, all inclusive.
Please note that a binding registration is needed no later than 14
March.
The tour will be arranged for a maximum of 50 participants or a minimum
of 20 participants |