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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

NORTHERN LIGHTS - anyone been lucky enough to see them and where?

22 replies

merlin · 20/03/2011 19:43

My lovely DH has suggested a family holiday next year to celebrate my (signnificant!) birthday.

Does anyone have recommendations of where, places to stay etc?

He quite fancies a night in the Ice Hotel which I'm sure the boys would love!!!!

Thanks.

OP posts:

chimchar · 20/03/2011 19:45

I don't have many places on my list of things i have to see before I die....but this is the main one. Am watching with interest with a very green tinge!

DelGirl · 20/03/2011 19:50

ooh can we come too please? I saw some pics on fb, a friend of a friend of a friend has been and I happened to see the pics. Fantastic. Will try and find them and give you the name or i'll show you at the weekend . Still a little chaotic here but hope to be up together by then but you may have to give me a little artistic licence

Original poster

merlin · 20/03/2011 19:52

Ooh Chimchar - sounds like you have travelled and seen a lot of things already!!!!

I was almost not going to ask the question on here cos I realise I'm very lucky to perhaps be able to go! But I thought there's bound to be another lucky Mumsnetter out there who HAS seen them!!!!

OP posts:

Donki · 20/03/2011 19:53

Um. I last saw them in Bradford....

I don't think that's what you want though

Original poster

merlin · 20/03/2011 19:54

Ciao DG!!!! You were the last person I expected to answer!!! Are you lurking? :) - lol!!!

Perhaps I can found out where she stayed?

All excited here about the weekend - can't wait!!! As long as the sun shines we'll be happy!!!

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Original poster

merlin · 20/03/2011 19:55

Donki - lol! DH is always interested in the budget option!!!!

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chimchar · 20/03/2011 19:55

Me??? God no!!!! I have been to the usual France, Spain and Disneyland, lol, but nowhere more off the beaten track.

I like that you think I have though!

You can keep your beaches and palm trees.... I really want to go somewhere all cold and wild and see the northern lights. I saw a Joanna lumley prog on ages ago when she was looking for them. It was amazing.

Donki · 20/03/2011 20:01

The sun has been very quiet for a number of years - so not much in the way of aurora except right oop north. However, the sun seems to be moving into a more active phase, so I hope that there will be an increasing likelihood of seeing the Aurora Borealis over the next 5 years.

DelGirl · 20/03/2011 20:05

I've seen that Jo Lumley programme about 6 times. Fantastic wasn't it?!

Merlin, just chlling before bed with a glass. Been to a Fried Cauli fest today which was great, much better than it sounds lol. Weather nice but bloomin windy up here, I guess it's the trade off for those views. Forecast is sun all week apart from light shower on Sunday.

Original poster

merlin · 20/03/2011 20:11

Yes, I loved that programme! Glad we missed the Cauli fest by the way!!!!!

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QuintessentialShadows · 20/03/2011 20:15

this is the town where La Lumley eventually got to see the lights

Here you can charter a converted fishing vessel with a sauna, on deck hot tub, to transport you through the Lyngen alps, while a chef prepares your reindeer/arctic char, or cod, or whatever culinary delights you have in mind, etc.

If you want to combine it with a skiing holiday, you can go here A plane load of British media will be arriving shortly to report back on the facilities. However, it is a new resort, two hours out of town, and mostly self catering chalets and apartments.

Otherwise, much as it pains me, I can also recommend Levi, in Finland, if you want to ski also....

DelGirl · 20/03/2011 20:16

it was great, honestly. It wasn't just fried cauli. There was a very nice menu served with nice vino. I'm just enjoying the remainder now. Music, dancing and merriment lol. Twas lovely.

orienteerer · 20/03/2011 21:12

I saw them in Benbecula, Outer Hebrides.

Original poster

merlin · 20/03/2011 21:14

When was that Benb ?

OP posts:

orienteerer · 20/03/2011 21:16

Merlin - I assume you mean me? Benbecula was a looong time ago, 1989-90

Original poster

merlin · 20/03/2011 21:23

Sorry Orienteerer! Got the names muddled there! Were the lights fabulous?

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orienteerer · 20/03/2011 21:28

Good, but not "fabulous". I suspect you're better off in Scandinavia.

piprabbit · 20/03/2011 21:29

My parents have just come back from a trip up the coast of Norway - during a 10 day trip they saw the lights 5 times.

They went with this company. The boats aren't just cruise ships, they serve the remote local communities on the route - transporting passengers and supplies.

It was their second time on the trip - so it must be good.

Lizcat · 21/03/2011 16:39

You really don't need to go far away I have seen them recently in Shetland and Aberdeenshire. My aunty lives in shetland and sees them fairly regularly usually in the spring and autumn.

Saker · 24/03/2011 18:57

We saw them in Iceland in February a few years ago, although not brilliantly well (but I think that was just luck rather than that you can't see them really brilliantly if conditions are right). We stayed here.

Libra · 24/03/2011 19:07

I'm in north Aberdeenshire and have seen them quite frequently - although not for a couple of years.
When DS2 was little (about 6-7 years ago) it got so we couldn't leave the house in the winter evenings without seeing them.

Problem is that they are not guaranteeable anywhere!

Labradorlover · 27/03/2011 19:29

2003, 30 miles north of Glasgow. Only silvery green colour, but totally amazing, patterns all over the northern sky.
As said above the sun is getting more active so more chance to see them in the next couple of years. Google Auorewatch for more info, and of course you need a clear sky.......

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