‘Rite’ way to chase northern lights
ONE of the best parts of travelling to somewhere new is taking your time to experience the sights and sounds around you – as you may never experience those again.
Tour Rite recognises this and plans trips that let travellers immerse themselves in the place and moment – not spend their time rushing from one sightseeing spot to another.
Some of its more popular leisure packages are to Scandinavian vistas and new European sights, as well as exotic journeys into Jordan and Lebanon, Morocco and Central Asia.
Northern pursuits
Tour Rite offers well-planned trips to wonderlands in Scandinavia but the top one is the 9D/6N Northern Lights Hunt that covers Finland and Norway, available from December to March next year.
It offers stays in the comfort of four-star hotels and the chance to savour delicacies from these countries, such as local reindeer meat and king crabs.
The highlight is staying in the biggest northern lights glass-cabin igloo for the chance to view the auroras in warm comfort.
Also go on a Chasing Aurora Excursion and visit the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland then cross the magical Arctic Circle, to receive an Arctic Certificate.
This trip includes two interNordic flights that saves the time of travelling via trains.
The other Finland and Norway tour with a northern lights chase also includes a polar ice-breaking cruise where travellers can also don a warm suit and float in the frozen water of the Bothnian Sea in Lapland, available for February next year.
Another package is the Incredible Iceland 10D/11N trip, available December this year to March next year.
The highlights include relaxing at the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa and behold some of Iceland’s spectacular falls – Selfloss, Gullfloss, Seljalandsfoss and more.
See the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and explore Langjokull Glacier along with the man-made ice tunnels there.
Balkans beckons
Tour Rite’s other interesting packages includes two to the Balkans – the 11D/8N that covers Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, then Slovenia, and a 13D/10N package with the addition of Macedonia to the countries.
The 11D/8N package highlights include a visit to the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks in Perast, and a walk along Dubrovnik’s famous city walls, popularised in the drama Game of Thrones.
Wander into Instagram-worthy Plitvice Lakes National Park and enjoy lunch at Bled Castle overlooking the stupendous Lake Bled.
Travellers can get comfortable in four-star hotels and enjoy local cuisine, which has influences from Italy and also Turkey.
The 13D/10N package that includes Macedonia has additional visits to the Memorial House of Mother Teresa and to Lake Ohrid, Europe’s deepest and oldest lake, and the chance to taste the delectable cevapi, or Bosnian kebab.
Eastern European escapades
Tour Rite’s Enchanting Eastern Europe package is a 12D/9N trip that covers the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland.
Some of the interesting spots that stand out on this trip are in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic and the visit to the Unesco site of Prague Castle.
The picturesque city of Cesky Krumlov with its castle that boasts of Romantic and Baroque architecture, and the city of Salzburg, Austria – famous for the Von Trapp family in the musical The Sound of Music.
Budapest is another landmark to visit, as the “Paris of the East” – and you will get to see the Chain Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge, Buda Castle and more.
Exotic getaways
Other package that are more exotic includes visiting Jordan and Lebanon for 10D/7N covering sites like the Rose City of Petra, the Dead Sea and Beirut city tours.
In Morocco visit popular sights such as Chefchaouen village and the souks of Marakkesh in a 10D/7N trip.
Central Asia’s 11D/9N will wind through Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with the chance to experience the culture, cuisine and more.
Special professional shots
Tour rite has also engaged a professional photographer for selected Iceland and Moroccan trips. Travellers can receive a physical photobook and thumbdrive photos recounting their experiences.
Visit Tour Rite during MATTA Fair in PWTC, Kuala Lumpur, Hall 1 at booths 1061-1070.
■ For details, visit www.tourite. com.my, call 03-7772 2677 or e-mail info@tourite.com.my, visit its Facebook page at Tour Rite or Instagram at tourrite