Experience North Cape in classic style. Climb to the top of Europe the same way adventurers and monarchs did in the past. Disembark at Hornvika, where the first Hurtigruten ship anchored in 1893. Local guides present the region´s history and culture as you venture through picturesque scenery. We then visit a historical exhibition at the original post office building. Sample a taste of local produce, including dried fish and berries. The tour continues up a winding path to the North Cape cliffs. We make several stops along the way for refreshments and a photo-stop at the top of Hornvika fjord, with its sweeping  views of rocky coastline and sea. We then resume our hike towards the the end of the European continent and beginning of infinite sky and sea. North Cape towers 307 m above sea level. We celebrate reaching North Cape with sparkling wine, and then go to the visitor centre to see a film, historical exhibitions, The Cave of Lights, gift shop and more. We depart North Cape by bus for a 45-minute drive through barren, tundra landscape to the fishing village of Gjesvær, which dates back to the Viking Age and is mentioned in Snorre Sturlasson´s famous Heimskringla saga from 1225 AD.

Included: Entrance fees and film, guides, taste of local produce, water, sparkling wine, certificate, and bus transport. Remarks/requirements: Hiking shoes, wind- and waterproof clothing, bottle of water.  Walking information: Hiking approx. 1.2 km, 500 m of which ascends in steep terrain. Total hiking/walking approx. 1h30. Total driving time approx. 0h45With some parts of the country already hit by snowfalls — and a cold week ahead — there’s no better time to invest in a sturdy pair of winter boots. This year, many come with a crafty extra: inbuilt studs and spikes to stop you slipping on ice, a leading cause of injury. Claire Coleman (pictured) puts a range of sturdy winter boots to the test at the indoor ice rink at Westfield Shopping centre in London But can any winter boots really stop you going head-over-heels — and will they keep feet cosy while also looking good? To find out, I took to the ice at the indoor rink at Westfield London shopping centre.

Unikia Nordic Grip Wets ankle wellingtons, £44.95 They say: These waterproof wellies feature patented IceLock Technology, which provides a safe grip using microscopic ‘needles’ in the tread.baby tennis shoes amazon We say: These rubbery clog-like things looked a little like the sort of shoes that surgeons or fishmongers might wear — though I quite liked the jolly neon orange shade (they also come in navy, black, yellow and khaki).nike sb shoe store online They were lightweight, but very warm due to the thermal lining, and though the soles looked unremarkable, they feature small raised sections that feel like sand-paper, where the micro-glass filaments (or ‘needles’) are aligned in the rubber.best running shoes for swimmers

Given that they’re made in Norway and their website shows people dancing on ice in them, I have high hopes. And I’m not disappointed. They really do grip. Where the ice has melted a little, they’re slightly less stable, but I still don’t slip around.buy ladies golf shoes uk Sorel Caribou boot, £130cheap flat wedding shoes uk Sorel Caribou boot, £130, sorelfootwear.co.ukbuy nike free shoes online in india They say: A waterproof boot with a suede upper and a removable felt inner boot for warmth, comfort and protection in winter weather. A rubber sole with thick tread ensures traction. We say: This famous Canadian brand is renowned for making the sort of tough boots that you need to wear to battle through the depths of a North American winter.

These boots look like they mean business — they’re big and heavy — and feel as if you could trek to the North Pole in them. When I first step on the ice, they feel like tyres gripping the rink, but as soon as there’s a bit of water, the dimpled sole seems to struggle. They would be great in snow, but as soon as the top layer of ice starts to melt, you might be in trouble. Crocs Jaunt wellies, £37.95 Crocs Jaunt wellies, £37.95, bellsshoes.co.uk They say: The Croslite material (or foam resin) outer sole is ideal for increased durability and traction in poor weather. We say: Crocs come in a longer length welly style for those who want to wear them all year round and in all weathers. They’re made from the same lightweight plastic and, like the original clogs, come in a rainbow of colours. There’s no insulation, so these boots don’t keep feet toasty, though they are the most lightweight wellingtons I’ve ever tried on. But while they might be good for splashing through puddles in the April showers, they’re useless on the ice.

Even on the drier patches, the ground feels really slippery, and when I hit the wetter areas of the rink, my feet slide from under me. They say: A classic lightweight snowboot that provides all the expected warmth and comfort. A grippy sole unit features a flip-down, retractable anti-skid plate for extra traction We say: These are not the most attractive boots — they’re black, functional and a bit boring, if I’m honest. Each boot has two plates (at the front and back of the sole): for normal wear, they are embedded in the sole, but are hinged so you can flick them out and click them into the alternative position to expose 20 tiny metal studs on their undersides. On ice, these are brilliant, biting into the surface with ease. But make sure you don’t lose the little tool that comes with them, as getting the stud plates in and out without it is tricky. Hi-Tec St Moritz waterproof winter boot, £79.99 they say: This boot includes a removable contoured sock liner, faux fur linings for warmth and a winter traction rubber outer sole that will keep you steady on ice.

We say: The process of cutting thin slits into a tyre to give it more traction is used in the sole of the St Moritz boot. The boot is lightweight and the faux fur detail gave it a fashion edge. My feet felt well-cushioned and warm — my only problem was the ridiculously long laces that I needed to wrap around my ankles twice. Initially, I felt steady on the ice, but as soon as it got wetter, my feet started to skitter away from me. Bogs Classic high wellies, £69.99 they say: These boots (in main picture) have a non-marking, self-cleaning outer sole for superior traction and moisture-wicking lining. We say: These seemed perfect. The floral-print low boot was complemented by a cosy neoprene-style lining. And holes at the top made it easy to pull them on. But disappointingly, it was style over substance. I was slipping and sliding all over the place before landing in a heap. Yaktrax Walker snow grips, £13.50 Yaktrax Walker snow grips, £13.50, gooutdoors.co.uk