Walk through Norway's wild reindeer country with a guide. Stay on the edge of Rondane National Park, just north of Lillehammer, and spend your days exploring the juniper-covered plateaus and buzzard-filled canyons, hopefully meeting some of the antlered beasts along the way. Groups are limited to around 10 and you can choose one of two walking difficulty levels. The price of £747 from June to August includes return flights from Heathrow to Oslo, seven nights' accommodation and all meals. Headwater (01606 720099) recommends extending the trip with a short stay in Oslo on the way back. Stay at the central Hotel Munch for £34 per person per night B&B.
Combine a Norwegian coastal voyage with a stay on the Lofoten Islands on a journey deep into the Arctic Circle. Travel from Bergen by steamer, along Norway's coastline with a backdrop of fjords and mountains. In the Lofoten Islands, stay four nights in a rorbu (a converted fisherman's cottage) in Mortsund, with breakfasts and dinners provided at the centre's restaurant. Step out of your cottage, which juts over the water on stilts, and into your own fishing boat. The holiday costs £1,082 per person based on two or more sharing a cottage, including return scheduled flights and transfers, the voyage by coastal steamer (three nights half-board in cabin), rorbu (four nights half-board) from Inntravel Summer Inn-Active (01653 629010).
ScanMeridian (020 7431 5322) offers cottage holidays on the Swedish archipelago ranging from small and simple summer houses to more upmarket waterside villas. Larger islands can be reached by bridge and smaller ones by ferry so you can visit as many or as few as you like. Activities include swimming, hiking, fishing, sailing or cycling. Prices from £325 per person (four sharing) or £455 per person (two sharing) including flights (from Heathrow or Manchester), seven days' car hire and seven nights' accommodation.
Sail with a skipper around some of Sweden's thousands of beautiful, wooded islands on a 50ft yacht. Spend the long summer days helping on deck or just relax and spot seals and eagles. Moor in natural harbours to watch the sunset, and eat at some of the best Swedish restaurants, right on the waterside. Prices from £1,175 per person (based on eight sharing in four double cabins) including flights to Stockholm, transfers, six nights' full board and crew. Book with Norwegian Coastal Voyage (020 8846 2622).
For further information contact the Swedish Travel &Tourism Council (00800 3080 3080) or the Norwegian Tourist Board (020 7839 2650).
