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The best autumn Northern Lights holidays in Europe
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Autumn is a wonderful time to view the Northern Lights, when you can combine your Aurora-hunting holiday with walks in the forest, wildlife spotting, foraging and a whole host of other warm weather activities before the winter months set in.
Research has found that autumn offers a very high chance of witnessing the magnificent Aurora Borealis displays in northern Europe, with the weeks around the equinox (20th/21st September) often providing the best time to observe the natural phenomenon.
Renowned scientists and Aurora experts Professor Christopher T. Russell and Professor Emeritus Robert L. McPherron, from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), say: 'This is because it is becoming increasingly darker in the Auroral Zone and there is less cloud cover in the sky – both of which are essential for successful viewing.
'Furthermore, the orientation of the Earth’s axis is nearly perpendicular to the solar wind flow, greatly increasing the number of Northern Lights displays.'
Meanwhile, Ali McLean, the founder of Northern Lights holiday specialist The Aurora Zone, adds: 'Autumn has very often been overlooked in favour of the winter months but, in my experience, it is one of the very best times to go Northern Lights hunting.
'In fact, the most spectacular Auroral display I have ever seen occurred in Finnish Lapland during September.'
With this in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best autumn Northern Lights breaks in Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden…
Markku Inkila - 2/9
1) Forage for your Arctic dinner under the Lights in Sweden
Arctic Sweden is a wonderful place to explore the autumn wilderness, where you can get up close to nature with foraging, fishing and learning to build a fire - all under the majestic Northern Lights. In Swedish Lapland, you can examine fresh animal tracks, identify the best spot to set up camp and watch as a chef cooks up a storm with the ingredients you’ve collected in the wilderness, before watching for the Northern Lights as the skies darken.
Off The Map Travel’s four-night Fall into Foraging experience costs from £1,725 per person, including three nights at a lodge and one night camping (flights not included). Departures until 18th November 2018.
Off the Map Travel/Graeme Richardson - 3/9
2) Glamp under the Aurora in a Norwegian teepee
Combine the vibrant Arctic city of Tromso with an escape to the stunning Lyngen Alps for an unforgettable glamping holiday under the Northern Lights. You can spend the night in a glass-roofed Crystal Lavvo (a traditional tepee) situated in a forest far from light pollution, ensuring prime Aurora spotting opportunities, all from the comfort of a cosy bed. With a mix of relaxed and adventurous activities, such as RIB (rigid inflatable boat) wildlife trips and guided Aurora husky hikes, there’s plenty to discover before the Lights put on a show after dark.
The Aurora Zone offers a three-night Autumn Auroras and the Crystal Lavvos holiday from £645 per person (flights not included), with departures until 30th November 2018.
Green Gold of Norway/Francisco Damm - 4/9
3) Get active before floating under the Aurora in Finland
For an action-packed autumn Aurora break, head for Finnish Lapland, where the warmer temperatures and seasonal colours provide the perfect location to try a a range of adventures. Staying at a log cabin in Lapland’s capital Rovaniemi, you can spend the days fat biking, fishing, hiking and canoeing. At night, relax in style with an Aurora floating experience in a cold lake.
Regent Holidays offers a four-night Autumn Aurora break, staying at the the Ounasvaaran Lakituvat Log Cabins, from £1,270 per person (including flights), with departures until early November 2018.
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4) Experience luxury Iceland below the dancing Aurora
Go off-grid in Iceland’s Fljót Valley, where this remote and mountainous part of the country was made for watching the Aurora Borealis thanks to its lack of artificial light. At Deplar Farm, located at a converted sheep farm, you’ll have a front-row seat to view the ghostly display from the fine retreat’s toasty geothermal pool with a swim-up bar. While staying at the hotel, you can go sea kayaking, relax in an outdoor Viking sauna and discover Iceland’s wild landscape by bike.
Wix Squared offers seven nights at Deplar Farm on a full-board basis with activities from £7,250 per person (flights not included).
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5) Set sail in search of the Aurora in Northern Norway
Embark on an alternative Northern Lights cruise by sailing the unforgettable Norwegian Fjords from Tromso on an Arctic safari aboard a comfortable catamaran. Spot eagles, seals and whales as you venture to hidden bays and relax on deck beneath the Northern Lights, before spending the night in a cosy cabin. You can try fishing in the fjords and learn all about the local marine life, as well as sample homemade Norwegian food.
Much Better Adventures offers a two-day Northern Lights Sailing Safari in Tromso from £435 per person (excluding flights), with trips departing between mid-October 2018 and March 2019.
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6) Catch a glimpse of the Lights from Sweden's ice hotel
Explore spectacular Swedish Lapland during the magic of autumn, when you can experience the thrill of hunkering down on a bed of ice in the iconic ICEHOTEL 365 before the winter tourists arrive. Your days can be spent foraging in forests, ice sculpting, fishing and white river rafting, culminating with a sauna session and fresh fish or moose dinners just before you head outside to spot the autumn Aurora.
Best Served Scandinavia offers one night at ICEHOTEL 365 and two nights in warm accommodation from £845 per person, (including flights), with departures until 31st October 2018.
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7) Get back to nature on a Northern Lights hunt in Finland
Nestled in one of Lapland’s most picturesque areas in Northern Finland, Muotka is a superb destination for an autumn getaway, where you can go on nature walks through pine forests and over sweeping fields during the day and enjoy Northern Lights stakeouts at an Aurora camp and by car after dark. On a cultural holiday to the beautiful region, you can also explore local traditions by visiting the Sami capital of Inari and the colourful Siida museum.
The Aurora Zone offers a four-night Muotka Autumn Auroras break from £1,395 per person (including flights), with departures until 15th November 2018.
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8) Watch the Aurora from a sleek glass cabin in Norway
Architecture lovers looking for ideal Northern Lights viewing and remoteness on a romantic autumn escape can kick back and relax in an ocean-facing floor-to-ceiling glass cabin located above the Arctic Circle, near Bodo in Norway. Built on ancient jetties, the sea cabins are a glorious retreat for watching the Aurora from the comfort of the bed or chair. By day enjoy coastline walks admiring the clear blue sea, pristine beaches and craggy mountain scenery.
Magnetic North Travel offers three-night trips to Bodo, with two nights in a sea cabin, from £695 per person (excluding flights). Departures are flexible.
Magnetic North Travel
Where to go for a Northern Lights tour this season.
