20 SVALBARD DESTINATION My journey to the edge of the world involved a 7-night expedition cruise aboard the 50-passenger M/S Quest touring the northern coast of this Arctic archipelago. Located halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard offers an otherworldly landscape of glaciers, jagged peaks, and frozen fjords. I arrived from Norway’s capital, Oslo, to Longyearbyen—the northernmost town with a commercial airport— where colourful houses dot the tundra and reindeer roam freely. Adventure here is elemental. In summer, the midnight sun bathes the land in golden light, perfect for hiking across mossy valleys or kayaking past calving glaciers. Winter transforms the terrain into a polar wonderland, ideal for dog sledding, snowmobiling, and chasing the ethereal northern lights. During the course of my expedition cruise, I was treated to numerous wildlife encounters—polar bears, Arctic foxes, walruses, and seabird colonies, all of which thrive in this fragile ecosystem. Adding to the Lesia Moskal travelled to Svalbard aboard M/S Quest in 2025 If you want to learn more about the sights and experiences of this wonderful voyage around the coast of Svalbard, why not give Lesia a call on 01625 581122. An Arctic archipelago of polar bears, midnight sun, and glacial silence, Svalbard is where the map fades and the magic begins. Here, Longyearbyen hums with frontier spirit, while fjords and frozen tundra stretch toward the North Pole. An Arctic frontier of glacial majesty, midnight sun, and rare encounters with the wild. © Niklas Nilsson | Wild Horizons Magazine - Autumn 2025 www.wildfoottravel.com
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