The light of Svalbard
by Luigi Balzarini
Departure in August 2016
Region: Arctic
Destinations: Svalbard
Ship: m/v Plancius
Highlights: Shore-Based Walking, Polar Bear, Arctic Skua
The light of the Svalbard Svalbard fascinate and kidnap. Sometimes the violence of natural phenomena limits the possibilities for hiking and sightings, but let a bit of sun appear in the sky and at once dramatically intense landscapes open to the gaze. In Svalbard Islands light is a special and determining element, which remains like a mark into the mind. Sometimes it is a strip of fire between dark blue sea and purple cirrus; sometimes it is the glare of the snow on the cover of clouds; sometimes light creates long shadows in the tundra; sometimes it is a sudden ray of sunlight that pierces cumulus and nimbus. More seldom, it is a hot spring in the sky that pushes you to remain in shirt even if the actual temperature does not exceed 5 °C. The light gives unexpected colors (pink, indigo, orange, emerald green) to natural scenarios, highlighting the stratification of the mountains and the thousand shades between green and blue in the water. When the light is missing, unfortunately, the images flatten and lose contrast, but you have to accept it.
Been on one of our voyages?
Leave your own reviewClimb snow covered alpine mountains and ski downhill
RVR02-25 This program is designed for experienced ski mountaineers who have mastered ski techniques both for ascent and descent in challenging snow-covered alpine terrain. A typical day involves ski climbs on mountaintops averaging heights of 700—850 meters (2,300—2,800...
s/v Rembrandt van Rijn
Cruise date:
8 May - 15 May, 2025
Berths start from:
4700 USD
Cross the North Sea to the picturesque and historic Scottish city of Aberdeen, enjoying local wildlife and fascinating lectures
HDS01-25 Search for whales, seals, and seabirds on a scenic voyage from our home port of Vlissingen to culturally rich Aberdeen, the "Granite City" of northeast Scotland. White-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, minke whales, orcas, and various species of seabird...
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
29 May - 31 May, 2025
Berths start from:
300 USD
Can be booked in combination only
Cruise pageHDS01c25 Sailing between our home port of Vlissingen and our most cherished Arctic archipelago, Svalbard, this expedition adventure visits the Scottish port of Aberdeen, the islands of Fair Isle and Jan Mayen, and the amazing Spitsbergen ice edge, giving you...
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
29 May - 16 Jun, 2025
Berths start from:
6000 USD
HDS01a25 Search for whales, and other Arctic wildlife of the land, sea, and air on an adventurous voyage from our home port of Vlissingen to our favorite Arctic island group.
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
29 May - 9 Jun, 2025
Berths start from:
3200 USD
Sail from the North Sea into the Arctic Ocean, visiting the distinct islands of Fair Isle and Jan Mayen
HDS01b25 Venture into the Arctic Ocean on your way to Fair Isle and Jan Mayen, the first known for its knitwear and the second for its stark volcanic scenery. Wildlife sightings may include grey seals, various seabirds, and whales such as minke, fin, orca, and...
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
31 May - 9 Jun, 2025
Berths start from:
2900 USD