The Northern Lights – A spectacular choice in a traveller’s wish list

Imagine standing somewhere north of the Arctic Circle on a frozen lake. The icy cold breeze is blowing your hair back, as you rub your hands together to build up some heat. You can see a vast distance in front of you, but all you can hear is that gentle wind playing with pine trees in the forest behind you.

You stare at the miles of snow-covered ice stretching away into the distance until it discovered the dark haphazard barrier that is more forest on the opposite. The lines raising your eyes to the sky you focus on the ink-black sky dotted with billions of stars more than you could ever imagine even in your dreams.

Suddenly, you see a green smudge of light begin to materialize in the northern sky and slowly manifests itself into waving, shimmering, in green lights changing into purplish-red passing through the night sky. What have you just seen the ‘Northern Lights’ nature’s beautiful light show this natural light displaying in the sky is called an ‘Aurora’ though they can occur anywhere Aurora’s can be seen most often near the North pole, we called it “Aurora Borealis” or “Northern Lights” and near the south pole we called it “Aurora Australis”.

It’s not a surprise to find out the “Aurora Borealis” is the root of many myths and legend of indigenous people living in countries situated within the auroral oval from Iceland to as far apart as Greece and China and the legends of the aurora borealis varied just as much the Northern Lights have inspired the old folk with dramatic tales in Norse Mythology.

• Iceland

The winter is the Northern Lights’ season in Iceland, as the sky at night is darker and easier to see. Whilst they can be as early as August, the best time to see the Northern lights in Iceland is from October to March. Some of the best sites for viewing are in western Iceland, including Akranes, Borgarnes, and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

• Sweden

With its arctic plains, mountains, and glaciers, the Lapland province of Sweden makes it a prime destination for seeing the northern lights. With September to March being the optional months to view the Northern lights all over Swedish Lapland. Aurora Sky Station, located in ‘Abisko’ (Swedish Lapland), is considered one of the best places on earth to experience the Northern Lights.

• Finland

Finnish Lapland is the sparsely populated northernmost region of the country, bordering Sweden, Norway, Russia, and the Baltic sea. From this vast wilderness, home to the indigenous people, the northern lights are visible for over 200 days per year. Whilst some camp out in Lapland to see the dancing lights, other options include luxury ‘Igloos’ made with thermal glass. Regardless of where you choose to stay, Finland puts on a beautiful nighttime display from September to March.

• Norway

Norway is home of the northern lights. Northern Norway, like Alta, Tromso, Harstad, and the Lofoten Islands. Alta is home to the “World’s First Northern Lights” observatory, receiving the “Town of the Northern Lights” name tag. Your best chance to see the celestial show on dim, clear nights in between September and late March from 6 pm to 1 pm.