Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
around Longyearbyen. The route is flexible, but generally takes you up to the southern end
of the Longyearbyen valley with good views over the town, as well as west of the town
and up past the Svalbard Global Seed Vault above the airport, and east along Adventdalen
to the satellite station above Mine No 7. From each of these spots there are stunning views
when the weather's fine and these last two spots are much further than you can get on foot
and without a gun and guide.
Festivals & Events
Polar Jazz
MUSIC
(
www.polarjazz.no
,
in Norwegian;
Jan or Feb)
A long winter weekend of jazz.
Sunfest
END-OF-WINTER CELEBRATION
(
early Mar)
Week-long celebrations to dispel the polar night.
Blues Festival
MUSIC
late Oct)
Five-day jam session to mark the onset of
winter.
Sleeping
Most accommodation consists of miners' accommodation with corridor bathrooms, a kit-
chen for self-caterers and small lounge.
In addition to the following places, the new Svalbard Hotel was due to open in the town
centre in March 2011.
Basecamp Spitsbergen
LODGE €€€
( 79 02 46 00;
www.basecampexplorer.com
;
s Nkr990-1990, d Nkr1450-2390, tr
Nkr1680-3150; )
Imagine a recreated sealing hut, built in part from recycled driftwood
andlocalslate.Addartefactsanddecorationsculledfromthelocalrefusedumpandmining
castoffs. Graft on 21st-century plumbing and design flair and you've got this place, also
known as Trapper's Lodge. Its 16 cabin-like rooms are cosiness and comfort defined and
the breakfasts are splendid. It's a special place and easily the most atmospheric choice in
Longyearbyen.
