From beach glamping on the Lofoten Islands, to kayaking through the Norwegian fjords or taking Midnight Sun hikes in Finnmark, the new Summer-Autumn 2019 brochure from Scandinavian specialist tour operator Best Served Scandinavia (0207 664 2241, www.best-served.co.uk) offers its widest selection of holidays yet across the region. Featuring a choice of itineraries ranging from soft adventure to stylish city breaks and from voyages by rail to multi-country holidays throughout Norway, Sweden and Denmark, as well as Iceland, Finland and Greenland, the brochure is full of inspiration for those looking to make the most of this fabulous region in the summer months.

Commenting, Sue McAlinden, General Manager, Best Served Scandinavia says. 'Whilst Scandinavia and the Nordic regions often conjure up images of frozen landscapes, husky rides and snowy Northern Lights viewing, there is a vibrant summer scene to be enjoyed with exciting activities and adventurous opportunities.  Our new brochure is the definitive roundup of Scandi-summer, all tried, tested and enjoyed by our specialists.  Enjoy Norway's spectacular fjords, the glaciers and icebergs of Greenland or a multi-destination adventure by rail, car or sea, whilst staying in the best hotels, lodges and camps handpicked by our experts. For those after a Northern Lights experience in slightly warmer surroundings, Autumn is one of the best times to see this magical spectacle and we have a host of Autumn itineraries available in a dedicated Autumn breaks section.  We are also really excited by our new, expanded Greenland programme as we believe this is a destination that will continue to grow in popularity.'

The Spirit of Adventure

For adventure seekers of all types, from families looking for the chance to get back to nature, to more serious adrenalin junkies or those just looking to immerse themselves in the beautiful natural landscapes, the brochure has a fantastic choice of Active Adventure holidays available. New for 2019 includes the following highlights:

Bergen's Fjords: An Active Adventure is a four-day tailor-made break combining a stay in historic Bergen with a range of activities showcasing some of Norway's beautiful scenery. Activities range from the more energetic - cycling down to Flåm village, exploring the fjords by RIB boat and a sea-kayaking adventure to a train ride on the famous Flåm railway and making the most of the funicular and cable car rides in the mountains surrounding Bergen.  Also at the more active end of the spectrum is a superb four day Svalbard Summer Adventure, with opportunities for glacier hikes or a fjord kayak expedition between mighty glaciers in remote spot, with the chance to sight polar bears and walruses. 

For active families, there is a range of itineraries to choose from, including a five-day Iceland Family Adventure.  From glaciers and waterfalls to geysers and geothermal pools, Iceland is a geological playground with huge appeal for families of all ages.  Combine natural wonders such as geyser eruptions and giant waterfalls with local wildlife including whales and puffins or perhaps summer snowmobiling, glacier walks or horse-riding.

Summer Living: Scandi Style

The pleasures and benefits of the typical Scandinavian summer lifestyle are well documented, with simple summer houses, remote archipelagos and back to nature activities just waiting to be enjoyed as the Midnight Sun casts its magical light. 

The Lofoten Island Beach Glamping itinerary opens up this incredible part of northern Norway, where Arctic fjords edge rugged peaks and white sand beaches and scenery is more evocative of the Caribbean than Northern Europe. Accommodation combines stays in a traditional fisherman's hut as well as a plush teepee tent on a white sand beach, with the chance to spot whales, seals, eagles and puffins and plenty of opportunities to explore on foot or by kayak.

Alternatively, sample the joys of Swedish summer first hand on a range of itineraries including a Summer Adventure in Swedish Lapland - staying in your own private timber cabin on the shores of a remote archipelago. Activities include kayaking to spot eagles, seals and even moose, as well as a wilderness skills workshop and optional forest hikes and boat tours.  Anyone craving home comforts needn't worry as the full board meals are locally sourced and can include such delicacies as champagne caviar or home smoked reindeer. Another new itinerary - Jopikgården: Summer in Swedish Lapland offers accommodation in a boutique farmhouse with guided bike rides and nature walks and plenty of time to enjoy long summer evenings under the midnight sun.

Explore By Train:

Whilst there is a tempting range of fly-drive itineraries on offer in the brochure, rail is another great way to explore the region, with an efficient, user friendly rail network traversing countries and crossing national borders, taking visitors to the heart of historic cities as well as tiny fjord side villages.  Giving visitors a 'best of all worlds' experience, cities can be combined with remote rural areas, with fabulous views to be enjoyed en route.

Rail and multi-centre holidays in the brochure include Norway's Fjords & Cities By Rail - a fantastic 10-day journey which contrasts the cities of Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim with the rural delights of Åndalsnes - Norway's mountaineering capital, reached by the Rauma Railway.  In addition, in a celebration of Scandinavia's Nordic Noir genre, Best Served Scandinavia has created a special 'Scandinavia's Nordic Noir Cities by Rail' itinerary. Enjoy luxury hotel stays in Copenhagen, Malmo and Stockholm as you take in sights made familiar by The Bridge, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Killing, all linked together by scenic train rides.

One to Watch for 2019: Greenland

Tipped by Best Served Scandinavia as a destination to watch for 2019, the beautiful country of Greenland is the world's largest island yet is also the country with the lowest density of human population. With a vast ice sheet at its centre, it's a pristine environment of rugged mountains packed with glaciers, fjords and creatures great and small, as well as having fascinating Viking and Inuit heritage.

Summer is when parts of Greenland actually live up to its verdant name and visitors can enjoy spectacular coastal adventures on sea and land. New itineraries for 2019 include two new cruises. The Iceland to Canada Cruise: The Inuit Arctic is an exceptional new 23-day Expedition Cruise on board The Greg Mortimer - which is an Aurora Expeditions cruise. Travelling from Iceland to Greenland and finally on to Canada, with plenty of time to explore on shore, the scenery is simply breathtaking, as is the vessel itself, with beautiful rooms and suites, most of which have floor-to-ceiling windows allowing guests to make the most of the incredible views. A memorable showcase of unique natural and human history from the Inuits to the Vikings, there is also the likelihood of spotting polar bears as well as the Northern Lights. Another new itinerary – the Greenland Explorer Cruise, travels by ferry right among the icebergs and fjords that characterise the country's dramatic west coast.

Also new to the brochure is the South Greenland Adventure, with the chance to explore the remote wilderness of the country whilst staying in the frontier villages of Marsaq and Narsarsuaq. Additionally, there is a fabulous new Volcanoes and Ice: Iceland and Greenland adventure, contrasting the city sights of Reykjavik and the extraordinary landscapes of its Golden Circle neighbour before flying north to explore Greenland's west coast. Based in the town of Ilulissat, there are epic trips to its vast Icefjord, the chance to see majestic icebergs and visit remote Inuit communities.

For bookings, call 0207 664 2241 or visit www.best-served.co.uk