Longyearbyen and Svalbard

Longyearbyen is the main settlement of Svalbard, an Arctic archipelago halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, with glaciers, mountains and more polar bears than people. The Svalbard Museum and the North Pole Expedition Museum tell the history of whaling, mining and exploration.

Polar bears are a real danger outside the town; only leave it with a guide. Tours include glacier walks, dog sledding, snowmobiling in winter, and boat trips. From April to August there's the midnight sun; from November to January, polar night. Flights from Oslo and Tromsø.