Having taught Geography for 30+ years I knew all about it, but it is remarkable - as you cross the sun just kisses the horizon, after that it just calmly circles the sky.Makes going to bed interesting as it does not feel like night time!
My visit occurred in winter 2004. There's a surreal feeling that comes with being so far North along the Earth's surface. There were interactive displays at the time of my visit. This is a fantastic experience for high schoolers in a Geography club. If you have young children and indulge in their playfulness, there's also a post box for mail to Santa. Everyone will have a memorable experience by setting foot at the Arctic Circle.
We were traveling by ship, thus crossing the Arctic Circle very early in the morning. Half the ship was up and clustered at the windows cameras at the ready...horn blowing, every cheering. Great photos of an early morning passage. An island with a globe was the marker. But again, the thought of actually crossing the Arctic Circle and being above the Arctic Circle! WOW!
The arctic road in Norway has a sign post as you cross the arctic circle. Very close to the road is also The Arctic Centre which is worth a visit in case you have time. The feeling when you cross the circle is out of the world or should i say more like feeling on top of the world.
. . . and I have the certificate and a spoon to prove it. I first crossed the Arctic Circle on October 19, 2013, at 7:52:46. I was sailing northbound on Hurtigruten's MS Finnmarken and was officially baptized by King Neptune to commemorate this momentous occasion. When again crossing the Circle on October 25th on my southbound sailing, it was "down the hatch" with a spoonful of Cod Liver Oil administered on a commemorative silver spoon. These are crossings that will live in my memory forever. What fun!
We crossed the Arctic Circle on the Hurtigruten's MS Nordlys and enjoyed the ceremony where King Neptune ladles icecubes down your back before you get a drink of warming grog. And then there's the certificate that appears outside your cabin to prove you've been there. That was northbound: on the way south it's cod-liver oil, more grog and a souvenir spoon to celebrate. And seeing the Arctic Circle sculpture as you sail past is pretty impressive too. A nice thing to have done.
Travelling here during June, during the interval of near-24 hour sun, is the only time roads are accessible for mortals. The area is remarkably warm, temperate, during June, but mosquito repellant and coils are vital. We arranged no lodging in advance, but found many marvelous wood cabins for reasonable rates in which to stay, and many such places have a traditional Scandinavian sauna on site. Visiting the Arctic circle and driving in Finland, Norway and Sweden was a fabulous and recommendable experience.
A fantastic location with a good visitor centre including a shop, cafe, toilets. The area includes war memorials to the prisoners of war who constructed the road- a poignant reminder of the price that was payed by many.Good views of some of the remaining ice fields and although it is an obvious tourist spot it is possible to get away from it all. The area is covered in cairns. Why not add a stone?
The captain announced that 'we are sailing past the Arctic Circle in 15 minutes' ..... and despite the Arctic Night (it is very dark), despite the cold, the wind and the choppy sea the whole boat was assembled on deck to see the illuminated globe on the rock in the water. It feels special - even if you do not take part in the King Neptune ceremony on board (ice cubes pushed down your shirt may not be everybody's idea of fun).
I love Norway. You have to see it for yourself, it is a awesome country. The Norwegian people are very friendly, the Sami people who were the early settlers have a very rich and interesting history. The life style and culture is really interesting, the Viking history is awesome, the buildings of the past are beautiful kept. the animals are beautiful, just like the people.