This was an amazing trip, and the memories, like a good wine, are maturing with age.  The boat was warm and comfortable. The food was excellent. The crew were friendly and clearly  expert, and our guide, was incredibly knowledgeable and permanently cheerful. The whole team made sure we all made the most of the opportunity. The highlight was, without doubt, the scenery which was awe inspiring.

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
From start to finish, this was well organised, professional, and flexed the wishes and abilities of the passengers with the weather and the available opportunities.  Spitsbergen itself was without doubt the star, with spectacular scenery,  rapidly changing lighting and fascinating history. The birdlife was sparse at the start of autumn as expected, but we saw polar bears, whales, arctic fox, reindeer and walrus.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The boat is warm, comfortable, but not luxurious. You do not need to be fit, but you do need to be agile to clamber in and out of the Zodiacs and for some of the walks. Most landings are "wet" and you need well fitting waterproof boots both for the landings and the walking. Do not underestimate the variability of the weather. You need good quality breathable waterproofs, both for the rain and the wind. Take enough flash cards for your camera and more than 1 battery (and charging kit!)

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We retrieved plastic from the environment at every opportunity, and respect for the environment was stressed and shown at all times. The wildlife was not disturbed and indeed, seemed as curious about us as we were of them

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Outstanding. The memories will stay for ever and many new friendships were made

Mike Bradburn

Our expedition was the most marvellous, exciting and wonderful adventure of our lives.  It was the trip of a lifetime for us.  My lifelong ambition of seeing the Aurora was fulfilled in spades!  The scenery, the scale, the silence and stillness was overwhelming - truly awesome. Your advice to take extra picture cards was pertinent - we took about 800 pictures between us (and I cannot bear to delete one of them).

We amazed ourselves by doing 9 of 11 of the 2-3 hour hikes.  There were a couple of ridge walk we declined.

I have never been so cold in my entire life or so overawed by the intense beauty of the great diversity of scenery - it changed every few hours.

Our guide was absolutely wonderful - his expert knowledge of the area added enormously to our pleasure. We learned sooo much from him.  The crew were also wonderful, always accommodating our questions, requests and ready to help at all times.

We definitely would return to that most amazing part of our planet.

We saw the Aurora on four different occasions, each time stronger than the last and the last most conveniently before we had gone to bed and lasting around 20 minutes of sheer heaven.

And finally, thank you so much for all the advice, help and hints and tips you gave us, and you readiness to answer all our questions. We could not have asked for a better briefing. Aqua-Firma is firmly in our 'favourites' and I am sure you will hear from again.

Margot Leach

Louise and I were thinking about what to do for that traditional break that people take after their wedding. Our wedding had been a four day party in the Highlands of Scotland so we approached the planning of the honeymoon with a sense of adventure. A picture of the vessel under full sail by a glacier sold it to us. Chloe at Aqua Firma gave us some insight into what to expect but really nothing can prepare you. We were coming to the Arctic as winter fell to sail on this amazing schooner.

Our guide met us at the airport and took us aboard. We were greeted by the crew. We set sail that night and slipped into the fiords dark waters. We were informed of the route of the voyage and itinerary each night but the sense of adventure of going into the unknown was very real. This was the Arctic in winter. All the childhood stories of polar exploration and endeavour came alive. The magic of the voyage was personified not only by the vessel and her crew by also by the passengers onboard. You get to meet and talk to all sorts. And you learn something. You are well fed and well engaged by everything that goes on. The standard of cooking is excellent. You leave the ship by Zodiac dinghy extremely well fortified and with a sense of anticipation. Nothing though prepares you for the menacing majesty of the terrain that you land on. It's more than what you see in the pictures because it is now so extremely real. This is not your land. You are not the rightful inhabitants.

Go and see it for yourself. Fjords and glaciers, black icy water and the wind whistling, the green haze of the Northern lights as it dances over the inky black skies. The reality of what you experience transcends the myths. You will fulfil some of your dreams here. You will have some respect for those you travel with but most of all you will have respect for the sheer pristine beauty of the mountains, glaciers and seas and seek to protect it.

The Arctic wildlife here watches you which adds to the constant sense of adventure. I have wanted to take part in an adventure like this for all my life. Come onboard!

Nigel Dewar Gibb & Louise Roberts