Best Places to see The Northern Lights
Shimmering lights of reds, blues, greens, purples and yellows strike through the sky, they bounce, shimmer and pulsate as though reacting to some secret rhythm. The spectacle is simply staggering – from Norway to Canada – these visions have astounded all who have seen them since the beginning of time. Here we give you our favourite places to see the Northern Lights.
Finland – Finland is perhaps one of the most accessible options for hunting the northern lights. They are visible in Finnish Lapland, and there are plenty of options for accomodation and resorts that include everything from glass igloos to luxurious hotels. Youll find that the Northern Lights are visible here on every other clear night or there abouts…. We suggest combining a little cross-country skiing or snowmobile and sled dog touring with your search for the lights.
Norway – One of our favourite ways to see the Aurora Borealis is to travel by ship through Norway. The romance of sailing through icy Arctic waters and around you, the stark outlines of mountains covered in white powdery snow, and then without warning the sky clears and you catch sight of shimmering green circles of light, spiralling outwards in lighter tones until they become vibrant shades of yellow and red. An expedition around the coast of the country will take you through Tors, Magerysund and Hammerfest (to name a few) – and the scenery in this part of the world is simply magical – from the lights themselves to the powdery white mountains and the clusters of villages that glow like embers on the shores – astonishing.
Canada – Its true that most associate the Northern Lights as a strictly Northern European phenomenon – but Canada is also lucky enough to have sightings too. We suggest you begin your adventure by flying to Winnipeg and from there head towards Churchill in the Manitoba region and go hunting for the display aboard a Tundra Buggy at night and do some dog-sledding to pass the time during the day.
Scotland – If you prefer to stay a little closer to home, then you might be surprised to learn that both England and Scotland occasionally see the lights. England is a little bit hit and miss when it comes to sightings – with seeing them never really being a sure thing, but Scotland is a little better. Head to the northern tip of the west coast for the best view and combine your adventure to see the northern lights with some stargazing, forest treks and walks in one of the countrys most beautiful natural areas. Some of the best places in Scotland to see them include Shetland, Orkey and as we already mentioned the far northwest – places such as Lichinver and Applecross.
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