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From seeing huskies and reindeer travel across frozen winter scenes to catching a splash of a whale’s tail and a breach of a playful dolphin, nothing compares to witnessing wildlife in their natural habitat.
Nature holidays are a large focus here at Artisan Travel. Not only do we have some extremely noteworthy natural landscapes to show off, but the native animals that call it home are just as exceptional. During many of our holidays, you will get the chance to have some once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters.
Whether you want to see the animals that are tough enough to stick out a Lappish winter or you want to see the marine life cruising the warm waters, we have a wildlife holiday to suit you.
Arctic wildlife holidays
Our winter destinations offer an abundance of wildlife experiences. Travelling to the Arctic, you could see reindeer in almost all of our winter destinations, huskies in locations such as Harriniva, Finland and even polar bears in Ranua, Finnish Lapland. The Wildlife Park in Ranua is home to around 50 different species, so you’ll see a range of Arctic animals including wolves, bears and foxes.
Marine wildlife holidays
There are just as many amazing species living below the surface, too. In Iceland, whale-watching is a real highlight as you head out on a boat tour to look out for the abundance of marine life found here. You could see minke and humpback whale as well as white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises.
The Azores and Madeira are relatively unheard-of archipelagos situated in the mid-Atlantic but are renowned for their marine life. Both the BBC and National Geographic have visited the Azores due to their whale watching opportunities and in Madeira, the sea is warm and pleasant which makes it a perfect year-round base for all sorts of marine life. From bottlenose and Atlantic-spotted dolphins to humpback and short-finned pilot whales, the variety of species found here is incredible.
In both destinations, you’ll have the opportunity to go whale and dolphin watching. As well as this, you’ll get the chance to tick off a real bucket-list experience and swim with the wild dolphins in the Atlantic Ocean.
Have your own wildlife holiday
We know that you may wish to have a more dedicated focus on wildlife during your holiday which is why our Artisan Travel Experts are on hand to help. We can often arrange additional activities and utilise our guides’ local knowledge and expertise to personalise your itinerary and make your holiday a real once-in-a-lifetime experience. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your wildlife interests.
Image credits: State of Alaska, Michael DeYoung, Iceland Pro Travel, All Alaska Tours & Antti Pietikainen
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Broaden your Horizon outside of Europe
For families ready to venture further afield, our Beyond Europe collection opens up a world of immersive, long-haul adventures designed to feel both exciting and easy to navigate. These carefully curated trips combine meaningful experiences with well-paced itineraries, ensuring that travelling as a family remains smooth, comfortable and genuinely enjoyable from start to finish.
In Costa Rica, families can discover one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, where rainforest trails, wildlife-rich reserves and coastal landscapes create a natural playground for all ages. In Borneo, the focus shifts to ancient jungle environments, offering unforgettable opportunities to experience rare wildlife and conservation-led travel in a way that is both educational and inspiring for children and adults alike. Meanwhile, Morocco delivers a vibrant cultural contrast, where bustling souks, desert landscapes and historic cities create a multi-sensory journey that keeps every member of the family engaged.
Each destination has been thoughtfully selected to balance adventure with accessibility, combining guided experiences, comfortable accommodation and seamless logistics. The result is a long-haul family holiday that feels enriching, well-supported and full of shared moments you’ll talk about long after you return home.
Travel with the experts
Our Artisan Travel Experts know our destinations intimately and will be more than happy to discuss the various activity options with you if you have any questions about our holidays. Our clients’ safety is our primary concern so you can rest assured that you will be travelling in the best possible hands.
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[description] => Small-scale, big experience
A cruise allows you to explore a variety of destinations without the hassle of overland travel. The downside on most cruises, however, is that you will be on board with thousands of other people.
That’s where a small-ship cruise comes in. During our hand-picked holidays, you get all the benefits of a cruise, without the large crowds. You can be safe in the knowledge that our ships can port in far smaller destinations and that you’ll travel with a small group of like-minded travellers who want to experience the destination in the same meaningful way. It's also much more environmentally-friendly than large cruises.
Whether you want to cruise the Croatian coast or explore the wilds of Greenland and Iceland for a totally different cruising experience, we have the small-ship cruise to suit you.
Croatia on a small-ship cruise
Our small-ship cruises allow you to visit some Croatian gems, travelling in comfort and exploring in style.
Our 34-metre longships are a delight. They are wonderfully equipped for exploring the coastal highlights such as Dubrovnik as well as some areas which are further off the beaten track such as Plitvice National Park. Choose from our Cruise the Island and Cities of the Dalmatian Coast trip or our Highlights by Land and Sea holiday here.
We also offer Croatia trips on a catamaran, for an even more personal experience. These vessels carry around 10 people so it’ll just be you, the skipper and a small group of like-minded travellers. Choose from our Elaphiti Island Active Adventure or Adventure Sailing Weekend for a catamaran experience.
Arctic highlights
For those who want an adventure with a difference, we have a range of cruises showcasing the very best of Greenland and Iceland.
These voyages have a real exploratory undertone, focusing heavily on the natural wonders of these remote and wild islands.
You could combine both Greenland and Iceland during our Natural Wonders cruise. On this holiday, you’ll visit the exceptional ice fjords and remote townships which lie around the coast. You’ll also cross The Denmark Strait to the Westman Islands and make port in Iceland where we can arrange a multitude of land-based activities.
To experience Iceland in its entirety, our Small Ship Exploration holiday is a perfect choice. Travel from Reykjavik and back again, stopping at a huge variety of ports that allow you to soak up the natural wonders in this unforgettable destination.
These voyages take place onboard the Ocean Diamond which carries a maximum of 224 people. It is completely equipped for the Arctic while still offering a range of modern comforts. The expert staff and ground excursion options available make this an ideal way to explore this outstanding region.
Image credits: Gulliver Travel, Huck Finn Adventure Travel, Ivo Biocina & Croatian National Tourist Board
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