25 Oct 2017
Viewing the magnificent Aurora Borealis is one of life's 'bucket list' experiences and there is an incredible choice of different ways to see this natural display, from mountain biking to ice flotation or from the comfort of a luxurious glass igloo. For those looking for inspiration, here's a Top Ten from specialist Scandinavia tour operator Best Served Scandinavia.
- Ice Floating in Finnish Lapland
- Hunt the Aurora by Mountain Bike
- Polar Bear Spotting in Pullman's Svalbard
- Glamping in the Arctic Circle
- Board the Polar Express
- Dining in an Ice Dome
- Sleeping in a Glass Igloo
- Sitting on Santa's Knee
- Cruising at Sea
- Flying Past in a Plane
1. Ice Floating in Finnish Lapland
For the more adventurous, and new for 2017/18, is an innovative Aurora Ice Floating experience which offers the chance to see the Northern Lights overhead whilst floating in an icy lake. Protected by a high-quality drysuit, lie back and float under the starry sky in sub-zero temperatures while remaining toasty warm and dry underneath.
The Finnish town of Rovaniemi just south of the Arctic Circle is the location for this unique flotation adventure and can be experienced on a four-day break showcasing the very best in outdoor adventure staying in the superb Arctic Light Hotel in the heart of Rovaniemi, as well as a night at the new Arctic TreeHouse Hotel.
A three night Lapland in Style holiday starts from £1095 per person including flights, transfers, 2 nights bed and breakfast at the Arctic Light Hotel, 1 night half-board at the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, husky safari and snowmobile tour with dinner. The Aurora Ice Floating Experience is available from £90 per adult.
2. Hunt the Aurora by Mountain Bike
Many people don't know that the Northern Lights come out from late August onwards - with the glorious kaleidoscope of season's change coupled with milder weather, chasing the Northern Lights in autumn is a truly enticing proposition. New this year, Best Served Scandinavia has an itinerary which offers guests the chance to take in the Autumn Aurora on mountain bike rides, small-group tours and nights spent around a campfire whilst staying in charming, timber-clad accommodation as well as a night in an Aurora Dome – a luxury igloo tent.
This unique itinerary starts from £995 per person including flights to Kittila, 2 nights in a hotel, 1 night in an Aurora Dome, Secrets of the Northern Lights tour with campfire, an Aurora explorer tour and an Aurora hunt by mountain bike.
3. Polar Bear Spotting in Philip Pullman's Svalbard
From snowy peaks to polar bears, the Svalbard wilderness is probably the most memorable setting for Philip Pullman's trilogy – His Dark Materials. This new itinerary for Pullman aficionados showcases the best of it all with husky sledding trips, a walk through a secret glacier cave and a visit to a wilderness camp in search of the Northern Lights. The dogsledding adventure is along 12km of icy trails onto a glacier where there is a hidden ice cave reflecting the fantasy world of Pullman's vivid imagination. The itinerary includes a real wilderness experience at the cabins of Camp Barentz in the remote Advent Valley where tales of the island and its polar bears are told around a crackling campfire. There's an authentic reindeer dinner washed down with cake and fire-brewed coffee is served to ensure guests are alert to keep a lookout for the Northern Lights.
This four day Philip Pullman's Northern Lights break is from £1220 per person including flights and 3 nights' accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, a husky sledding excursion and a Northern Lights evening at wilderness camp Barentz including transfers and dinner.
4. Glamping in the Arctic Circle
Aurora Safari Camp in Lulea has been described as 'African style in the Arctic. Surrounded by trees, and at the foot of a forested mountain, five comfortable lavvu rooms each have a firewood heater and the campfire outside has a magnificent view over a frozen lake. There is no artificial light at all from the camp and on clear nights the stargazing is amazing. The mountain behind the camp is home to moose, red fox, reindeer, roe deer and bears (hibernating in winter), and animal tracks are often seen close to the rooms.
Set well inside the Arctic Circle in the heart of Swedish Lapland, the camp is an ideal place for Northern Lights viewing. Explore Swedish forests and lakes as well as ice fishing, ice sculpting, dog sledding, snowmobiling and snowshoe walks.
Experience this camp on a four day tailor made break including one night at the Aurora Safari Camp and two nights at Sorbyn Lodge from £2435 per person including flights, transfers, 2 nights at Sorbyn Lodge on a half board basis, 1 night at Aurora Safari Camp on a half board basis, snowmobile safari, husky safari and northern lights excursion.
One of the most spectacular and romantic ways to see the Northern Lights is from the charm and comfort of a train that sweeps up into the Arctic Circle. In Norway, the journey from Bodo to Trondheim offers views across fjords and lochs against a stunning backdrop of magnificent mountains.
Board the Polar Express as part of an 8 day tailor made itinerary which also includes 2 nights in the Norwegian Sea on board a Hurtigruten cruise ship from £1125 per person including flights.
6. Dining in an Ice Dome
The Norwegian city of Tromso in the centre of the northern aurora zone offers superb value Northern Lights viewing with direct flights from Gatwick. With a lively street scene, some great museums and art galleries as well as more pubs per capita than anywhere else in Norway, Tromso has become a favourite among Northern Lights hunters. New this winter are the Tromso Ice Domes carved in the ice by expert artists. Their shimmering sculptures and friezes are lit up and are themed on everything from the Northern Lights to the local Samí culture. Head out to the Domes for a unique gourmet meal served in an ice restaurant where warm clothes, entrance and a guided tour of the ice domes are included.
A four day city break starts from £565 per person, including flights, bed and breakfast accommodation and an aurora tour. The Tromso Ice Dome experience starts from £105 per person and other optional excursions available include husky and snowmobile safaris, whale safaris, reindeer sledding and a Northern Lights cruise.
What more romantic way to view the Northern Lights than snuggled under warm blankets from an igloo complete with anti-fog glass domes. Stay in the magical Levin Iglut, set deep in the snowy wilderness, and you'll be in with a chance of glimpsing the elusive aurora. This five-day holiday includes one night in the Levin Iglut and three nights at Hotel Harriniva, a wilderness hotel with cosy pine cabins, tucked away in the forest, complete with saunas, outdoor Jacuzzis and spa treatments as well as a farm of 400 friendly huskies. Activities range from cross country skiing or husky sledding to wilderness cookery lessons.
A four night Glass Igloos and Northern Lights holiday starts from £1105 per person including return flights to Kittilä, return transfers and transfer between Levi Igloos and Harriniva.
Combine the Northern Lights with a festive trip to see Santa in Finnish Lapland. Travel to the Hotel Jeris in Harriniva which offers cosy wilderness-style rooms and back-to-nature cabins in a wonderful setting overlooking Lake Jerisjärvi. There's plenty to keep the kids busy entertained including a visit to a local reindeer farm, a guided tour of a husky farm, a husky safari and a 20km long snowmobile safari. Free entrance to the Arctic Spa is also included with its heated pools overlooking the lake and traditional Finnish smoke sauna. Naturally there's a visit to the great man himself in his log cabin one evening following a sled ride through the forest and keen an eye out for a sight of the aurora borealis.
A three night Santa in Lapland holiday starts from £1590 per adult and £1075 per child, including return flights to Littila, transfers, 3 nights in a cabin on a full board basis, warm winter clothing, a Santa visit and a great range of activities.
Head out to sea on a cruise with Hurtigruten from Tromso to Kirkenes in search of the magical Aurora. Spend three nights onboard starting in Tromso and navigating through Norway's northern fjordlands to Kirkenes keeping an eye on the night sky before heading back to Tromso for a final night's stay in a hotel and a day to explore northern Norway's largest city.
This cruise holiday starts from £849 per adult and includes flights, transfers, 3 nights cruise with Hurtigruten on a half board basis and 1 night in Tromsø on a bed and breakfast basis.
10. Flying Past in a Plane
Sometimes the Northern Lights can be caught from the comfort of a window seat on board a flight. If you are heading to Iceland make sure you book a seat on the right-hand side on the way out and on the left side for the way back from Iceland and keep a careful watch in case your luck is in.
To book call Best Served Scandinavia on 0207 664 2241 or visit www.best-served.co.uk
