The spectacular Northern Lights

This night sky delight is a wonderful gift from Mother Nature, and a must see for most keen travellers.

What are the Northern Lights?
The official name to use here is “Aurora Borealis”, and this magnificent night sky display can only be seen in our most northern countries; hence the name the Northern Lights. Now for the science. The lights, Auroras, are caused when charged particles enter the earth’s atmosphere. This event rewards us with a colourful swirls of lights, jumping and dancing across the sky.

When’s the best time to see the Northern Lights?
You can watch the lights from late autumn to early spring, you just need a good clear night sky. In the rainy months, you may not get the full affect. Even a heavy snowfall can disrupt your view of the light display. But, on a clear crispy night you will have front row seats, it’s not uncommon to see them more than once on the same night.

Where can I see the Northern Lights?
Lucky for us, there are a number of countries that display this beautiful phenomenon. For the traveller who likes to fly you can visit Canada and Alaska, but should your budget call for something a little closer to home Iceland and Finland are excellent spots. Did you know that you can even enjoy the light display in Scotland? The Northern Islands are the best place, the clear skies there will provide an excellent canvas for this party of lights.

Like most things worth seeing you have to travel a little off the beaten path, you can book a car hire to ensure you get to those remote spots; ready for the show of your life?