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Colorful snowy houses line a coastal hill, with mountains in the background and a serene blue twilight sky.
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Culture & Traditions

In the Arctic, where ice and snow meet vibrant communities, the cultural landscape is as diverse as the region itself. While formalities may differ from the bustling cities of the south, a unique set of customs and etiquette defines the Arctic experience.

In these remote settlements of Greenland, Canada, Norway, and Russia, greetings extend beyond mere politeness. They are a thread weaving through the fabric of daily life. A nod to the local culture, acknowledging the beauty of nature and the resilience of communities, adds warmth to encounters in this icy realm.

Language, like the Arctic winds, varies across the region. In Greenland, the dominant language is Greenlandic, while Canada's Arctic communities often speak Inuktitut. Norwegian and Russian languages echo through the fjords, creating a symphony of communication. English serves as a bridge, connecting travellers with the welcoming locals who, amidst the chill, open their hearts and share stories of life in the Arctic.

Religious diversity mirrors the cultural mosaic. While indigenous beliefs persist, Christianity has left its mark. Russian Orthodoxy echoes through Murmansk, while Inuit spirituality whispers in Greenland's air. The Arctic is a tapestry of beliefs, where churches stand as silent sentinels against the stark landscapes, each telling a story of faith, endurance, and adaptation.

As you traverse the Arctic, embrace the nuances. From toasting in a Norwegian hut to engaging in Inuit ceremonies, each encounter paints a vibrant picture of Arctic culture, unveiling a resilient portrait of life at the top of the world.

Featured Arctic Trip Ideas

Arctic Cruises & Travel Packages

Goway Select

Gullfoss Waterfalls
+1

Iceland Complete: Ring Road Adventure

Reykjavik and Golden Circle
Explore Iceland's stunning scenery on an unforgettable road trip. From Reykjavik, visit geysers, glaciers, and waterfalls, and unwind in the famous Blue Lagoon before heading home.
10 days
From US$2,298/p.p.
Request a Quote

Classic Vacations

Svartifoss Waterfall in Iceland near Vatnajokull glacier, famous for its wide basalt stone wall.
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Iceland Complete: Wonders of Fire & Ice

Reykjavik and Golden Circle
Experience the stunning beauty and rich heritage of Iceland on this guided tour. Discover geothermal wonders, savor local cuisine, and enjoy breathtaking landscapes.
10 days
From US$4,464/p.p.
Request a Quote
Northern Lights over Reykjavik, Iceland
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Epic Ring Road Adventure in Iceland

Reykjavik and Golden Circle
Experience an unforgettable self-drive journey along Iceland's Ring Road. Marvel at stunning waterfalls, volcanic terrains, and the country's unique hidden treasures.
8 days
From US$1,656/p.p.
Request a Quote

Travel Stories

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We booked our 3,week tour of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and overall it was an excellent experience. I typically book my own travel, but travelling with a group and wanting tours in each destination made GoWay a great choice. We had great hotels and good guides in each city. I will say that our standout guide was Romeo Tran in Ho Chi Minh City. We spent a few days in the city, as well as an over night boat ride on the delta, and he was fantastic. We had alot of fun with him, and would highly recommend him in particular. Neil Braun
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We booked a Viking cruise (Venice to Athens) through Goway Travel and it was fantastic! Our agent Kimberly was extremely helpful with air travel options, choosing excursions, and suggestions for pre and post cruise activities. Great communications and a really enjoyable experience.Stanley
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We booked through Paula Williamson in the Toronto office, a Great Journeys New Zealand trip and it was fantastic! Although I had already scheduled a trip on The Ghan train in Australia, Paula helped me work it all as one huge 45 day trip including Bali Indonesia. My favorite was the New Zealand trip as I’d never been there before and the tour guide Toni was so spectacular and caring. I’m so pleased Goway was involved and I didn’t require any additional assistance once We'd started the first flight March 8. If we do another overseas trip, Goway will be involved.John
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Michael Keon arranged our recent trip to Malta. I gave him a rough outline of what we were looking for and he responded quickly making great suggestions, offering alternatives as needed and booking everything. The hotel, excursions and transport he arranged were all exactly what we hoped for. We will be asking Michael to book our future European vacations. Mayssa Mirshak
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Osvaldo Gonzalez was an excellent rep to work with when planning my client's Costa Rica vacation. He was efficient and timely with every correspondence. My clients had an amazing time! Rachel Hoeing
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Our first trip with Goway was a total joy. Shalini worked with me to plan a trip for 5 adults to Portugal. She is a gem! Always responded quickly and offered great suggestions for activities, worked with our preferences and created an ideal itinerary for a week in Porto and Lisbon. The tours were excellent with engaging local guides. The food tour in Lisbon was a highlight. Everything was top notch - flight schedule, hotels, activities, even the weather! Patricia
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It is with the utmost pleasure and heartfelt appreciation that I share my exceptional experience working with Taha Colombowala, Goway's distinguished Groups Specialist. Our journey together began in October 2023, when Taha took the helm in orchestrating what was to be a remarkable group trip to Ghana. When unforeseen circumstances necessitated a change in plans, Taha demonstrated his extraordinary expertise by recommending Morocco as an alternative destination — a suggestion that proved to be nothing short of absolutely brilliant! From the very first interaction to the final farewell, Taha has been a consummate professional in every sense of the word. His lightning-fast response times, encyclopedic knowledge of destinations, and remarkable ability to pivot seamlessly under pressure are truly second to none. What sets Taha apart, however, is not only his professional acumen but also his warm, patient, and genuinely enthusiastic attitude toward accommodating the unique needs and personalities of every member of our group. Taha Colombowala is, without question, a shining star within the Goway family, and an extraordinary ambassador for everything the brand represents. I cannot recommend him highly enough — he has exceeded every expectation and then some. Working with Taha has been an absolute privilege, and I look forward to many more incredible adventures ahead!DESIREE DUCKETT
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We recently completed a custom Vietnam tour organized by Goway, and it was everything we asked for and more. We would definitely choose Goway again. The true highlights of our trip, however, were our two guides: Vu Dang and Thien. They truly made our experience unforgettable. Both were incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful, and kind. Their pride in their Vietnamese heritage shone through in every conversation, making our learning experience both deep and engaging. We learned so much in such a short time, and it was always fascinating. I would highly recommend these two guides to anyone visiting Vietnam!Laura Derbyshire
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Everything was expertly planned, from the drivers to the hotels to the tours to the flights. We particularly enjoyed Hobart and the animal sanctuary, Adelaide and the trip to Kangaroo Island, Melbourne and the evening tour with dinner and drinks, and Sydney with the private boat cruise of the Harbour. We will definitely use Goway again.SARA Wiebe
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There were 4 travelers on this trip. All of us were in our late 70's. We started planning this trip 6 months prior to our travel date and had a lot of questions regarding this trip. Our Goway Travel Specialist, Karen Larrota, always answered our questions in a timely and complete manner. We traveled to Quito, Ecuador, the Galapagos, The Sacred Valley in Peru, Machu Picchu, and Cusco in Peru. Not only were the destinations and accommodations excellent, but every tour guide and driver were beyond excellent. The entire trip went smoothly every step of the way, which was amazing given the fact that there were numerous flights and hotels included in our package. We found out that the tour company that Goway used, Condor Travel, checked on us with our guide to make sure we were doing OK which we thought was very nice but also amusing as we are fairly fit older adults. Would also like to mention that we did a cruise thru the Galapagos on the Galapagos Legend which was arranged thru Go Galapagos - Kleintouurs. This portion of our tour was also excellent as were the wildlife guides and staff. We continue to discuss how wonderful this trip was with our family and friends and how wonderful this experience was. Would definately use Goway for our travel needs in the future.Dianne
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