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, Parasitic Jaeger
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.
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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 alp
s/v Rembrandt van Rijn
Cruise date:
8 May - 15 May, 2025
Price:
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 northeas
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
29 May - 31 May, 2025
Price:
300 USD
HDS01c25 Sailing between our home port of Vlissingen and our most cherished Arctic archipelago, Svalbard, this expedition adventure visits the Scottish port of
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
29 May - 16 Jun, 2025
Price:
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 Arcti
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
29 May - 9 Jun, 2025
Price:
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.
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
31 May - 9 Jun, 2025
Price:
2900 USD