2 days ago
Family Travel through Norway's Arctic Circle
For writer and professor Claire Lynch, her wife, Bethan, and their three children—twin seven-year-olds and a four-year-old—a snowy adventure in Tromsø, Norway, was the ultimate test of what kind of travel their family could really handle. They weren't interested in the typical santa-in-Lapland vacation, Claire, who recently published her debut novel 'A Family Matter,' says: 'We wanted something real. Something beautiful and a bit adventurous, but also manageable with small children.'
Writer Claire Lynch, wife Bethan, and their three children—twin seven-year-olds and a four-year-old.
Claire Lynch
What they got: six wintry days in the Arctic Circle that combined snow play, reindeer encounters, Northern Lights boat tours, and museums with hot chocolate cafés and board games. There were surprises, detours, and even a lightning strike on the plane—but the trip delivered something more than just a postcard-perfect holiday. It gave them proof that travel with young kids doesn't have to be limited to theme parks or short-haul escapes.
Snow covered Tromso during the polar night.
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Why they chose Tromsø
The family was looking for something beyond their usual European beach or city holidays—something that felt like an adventure without being overwhelming. 'The kids had never seen proper snow,' Claire explains. 'Just the kind that melts before you've even found your rain boots. We wanted to show them something entirely new.'
The trip was timed to the February school holidays, and planning was extensive—though Claire credits Bethan with handling the details. 'She did all the research … seeing that other families had pulled it off gave us the confidence to try it.'
They booked the Scandinavian Ishavshotel hotel in Tromsø's city center with half-board included, meaning breakfast and dinner were always sorted. 'When you've been out all day in the cold, not having to figure out meals with three kids is such a relief,' Claire says. 'That setup really worked for us.'
Balancing adventure and downtime
The family took a deliberate approach to balancing bold outings with moments of recovery. Their itinerary included snowy outdoor experiences, such as feeding reindeer, sledding, and searching for the Northern Lights, as well as indoor stops like a children's science museum, an observatory, and a polar explorer exhibit.
