An exciting new sister brand to Activities Abroad and The Aurora Zone has been born.

(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - November 4th, 2014 - Artisan Travel offers a stunning array of hand-crafted holidays to amazing winter destinations, upon which it will build over the coming weeks to create a year-round programme for adults.

Alistair McLean, Artisan Travel’s Managing Director says: “Whenever we visit new destinations, we always ask our local hosts to show us their favourite places, the ones that best sum up the country or region in which they live and work. As a result, we always seem to experience those places in a way that few visitors, travellers or tourists can. 

“This is the philosophy we have brought to Artisan Travel’s holidays because we know that our clients share our desire to dig that bit deeper.”

Here are some great holiday ideas from the Artisan Travel range.

Utsjoki - The Top of Finland – From £1,775 pp. A cultural trip staying with a traditional reindeer herder in one of the most Northerly villages in Finland. Accommodation is run by a Sámi family and is comfortable and cosy with views into Norway. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, winter fishing, reindeer safari and husky safari included. Five nights’ full board, two sharing. Travel January to March 2015. Includes flights (Heathrow).

Luleå - Fredrik Broman photography holiday- Sweden. From £1,995 pp. For photographers of all abilities, Luleå is such an amazing destination and this trip covers so much including the Aurora Camp, (think luxury safari tents with reindeer skins, blankets and wood-burner stoves), three photography workshops, Sámi and reindeer experience, ice-fishing, snow shoeing and husky safari. Four nights split between a lodge hotel and The Aurora Camp, all full board, two sharing. (Option to add on the Treehotel.) Travel January to March 2015. Includes flights (Gatwick or Heathrow).

Kirkenes - Multi-Active Aurora and Snowhotel - Norway. From £1,218 pp. Just 15km from the Russian border, lies the city of Kirkenes; an intriguing mix of Scandinavian, Sámi and Russian cultures. This active holiday includes a snowmobile safari, husky safari, Northern Lights King Crab safari and it’s capped off with a tour and evening meal at Kirkenes Snowhotel. Four nights full board (4 Breakfasts 2 dinners) can upgrade to stay in the snowhotel, two sharing. Travel January to March 2015. Flights not included.

Karasjok – Three-Day Husky Safari -  Norway - From £1,938 pp. This is a truly authentic local experience with Sven the expert Dog Musher (11 times winner of the Finnmarkslopet, the longest dog sled race in Europe and also a top ten finisher in the Iditarod 1800km North American mushing race). Three days out with the dogs in stunning scenery, on the lookout for wildlife such as reindeer and moose in their natural habitats. Four nights staying on a husky farm and wilderness cabins, full board, two sharing. Travel December 2014 to April 2015. Includes flights (Heathrow).

Harriniva - Winter Adventure – Finland. From £1,645 pp. A classic multi-activity holiday in one of the most loved destinations in Finland. Activities include an overnight husky safari, reindeer farm visit, snowmobile safari and cross-country skiing or snowshoeing plus the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights. Seven nights full board, two sharing. Travel between late November and April. Includes direct flights (Gatwick).

Iceland - South Shore - Self-Drive – Iceland. £1,345 pp. A self-drive holiday in the land of ice and fire. Explore glaciers, living volcanoes, dramatic mountains and waterfalls, black sand beaches and tranquil fishing villages – all at your own pace. The itinerary will allow you to take in the must-sees: The Blue Lagoon, The Golden Circle, Pingvellir and Gulfoss as well as the original and best Geysir. Four nights B&B, two sharing. Includes car hire and flights (London).

For more information, or to talk to an Artisan Travel expert, call 01670 785085 or visit www.artisantravel.co.uk.

- ENDS – 

Note to editors: Artisan Travel provides unique, hand-crafted holidays which marry expertise and local knowledge to provide unforgettable experiences for adults from an independent and trusted operator. It is a sister company to Activities Abroad and The Aurora Zone.

Press: Formore information, to be updated as Artisan Travel adds new destinations to its offering, for quotes or to discuss a press trip, please contact Laura Manning or Paul Bondsfield at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or l.manning@travelpr.co.uk or p.bondsfield@travelpr.co.uk.

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