Travellers from Manchester Airport will soon be able to venture into the Arctic, with two airlines launching services to Tromsø – the world’s most northerly city – in the coming weeks. Norwegian and easyJet will both fly direct to Tromsø, with a flight time of just over three hours.
Norwegian’s flights, which launch this Wednesday (October 30), will operate twice per week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while easyJet’s will also run twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays, starting on Tuesday 19th November.
Tromsø is considered the world’s most northerly city by virtue of having a population above 50,000 – in fact more than 80,000 people live there – and is perched on an island in a fjord on Norway’s North Atlantic coast.
Highlights of a break in Tromsø from Manchester include:
Get in the Christmas spirit with a reindeer sleigh ride
You can’t get any closer to the North Pole than Tromsø with a direct flight from the UK, so it’s a great spot to get into the mood for the festive season. Take a reindeer-drawn sleigh ride through snow-covered mountain passes and learn about the native Sami culture that has scratched a living from this harsh landscape for more than 3,000 years.
Go searching for wildlife in the spectacular Arctic landscape
Whale watching tours are hugely popular in Tromsø and commonly-sighted species include humpback whales and orcas. On land, you might be lucky enough to spot moose, arctic foxes, seals, and white-tailed eagles.
Take in the world’s greatest light show
Although we’ve been lucky enough to see some gorgeous Northern Lights here in Greater Manchester, you’re much more likely to see the Aurora in Tromsø. As the only major Norwegian city inside the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is one of the finest spots in the country to catch a glimpse of the famous Northern Lights when the sky is clear. There’s a strong chance of seeing the Aurora from September until early April, but the middle of winter is the best time to go.
Come face to face with the monsters of folklore in the Troll Museum
One of Tromsø’s quirkier sights is a nod to the myths and legends passed down generations in this part of the world. At the Troll Museum, and interactive Augmented Reality (AR) experience allows you to immerse yourself in Norwegian folklore, and learn about the stories Norwegian children grow up with, many of them tracing their roots to Norse mythology.
In anticipation of the launch of the direct flight path from Manchester to Tromsø, Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said: “Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the people of the North to an ever-growing route network of over 200 destinations. These new services to Tromsø are a really exciting addition and give people planning their next city break or adventurous holiday a truly unique option.
“Tromsø is the most northerly destination available from Manchester and visitors will get a true taste of life inside the Arctic Circle.”
Tromsø makes for the perfect winter getaway, with all the magic you’d want at Christmas, now a direct flight from Manchester. Arctic Circle, here we come!