Northern Lights?

[Wolfgirl]

Hello everyone

just wondering if anyone has been to see the Northern Lights? and if so, where would be the best place to go and see them, and how would I go about going? Best tour operator etc?

Many thanks in advance

can I resurrect this thread please? looking for a bargainous option for me and OH.

I'd love to. Apparently this year is the best for age.
Apart from the cost, I'd be really disappointed if I didn't see any. They aren't guaranteed.

Northern Aberdeenshire and Shetland both have amazing displays in Feb and March.

Www.discovertheworld.co.uk are the best tour operator. Used them for my wedding at the ice hotel. My parents are using them to go to Iceland next year.

We ussed www.discovertheworld.co.uk to go to Iceland in September 2009, and saw them from the Ranger Hotel in the South, although it was a very minimal show, more just a few green flashes. However, Iceland was an amazing place to visit.

For my 30th in Feburary 2008 we used www.taberhols.co.uk/ and went to Alta in Norway. I think for a near by place, this is one of the best places to see them. We saw an amazing show of greens and purples flashing across the sky. It was the most beautiful thing I have even seen. Alta isnt a tourist place, just a small town in the Arctic circle, so you really just go for the Northern Lights. We also stayed in the IceIgoo hotel there and did some husky riding just as a backup plan if we didnt get to see the lights.

My friend went to Tromso in Norway two years ago, which is further down than Alta, and only saw a little glimpse. Cloud cover was to blame.

Someone asked this question recently to a newspaper travel advisor:-

"Nasa is predicting the brightest light display for 50 years, but there?s a great deal of debate over the best place to see the Northern Lights. Experts say there?s a higher chance of clear nights in northern Sweden, rather than in Norway. The best location is considered to be the Abisko National Park, where the large lodge has twin rooms from £75 per night; for information see abisko.nu/vinter.

Iceland is also well worth considering. Icelandair (icelandair.co.uk) has three-night Northern Lights packages from £299 per person including return flight, two-star hotel and coach trips in search of the lights. Alternatively, you can hire a car.

It would be best to travel just after the new moon on January 23 because it?s important to avoid moonlit nights".

I went to the Arctic circle last week, to a little town in Norway. I was hoping to see the Northern Lights (there for 4 nights) but not a glimpse. All rainy and cloudy. Apparently you really have to be quite lucky to see them. It did make me glad I hadn't gone specially to see them cos that would have been disappointing.

Same comment - tried to see on 3 seperate holidays and didn't happen! Still, had fun trying....

Out of interest has anyone taken little children to see the northern lights or is an adult thing?

I've seen them twice out of the plane window on separate night flights to/from Canada and the UK (as they arc pretty far North on their route) and also once locally, here in Canada. Sure, they're beautiful, but I really wouldn't base a whole trip around seeing them! If there's enough to draw you to an area that you're likely to see them, and then you're lucky enough to do so, then great, but definitely not as the sole purpose of a holiday.

I've seen them a few times near Oban, rather fab!