The Northern Lights viewing season has arrived and this year might be one of the best times to marvel at the splendor of the aurora borealis. According to Travel and Leisure, the northern lights have seen “more buzz” this year, as they’ve been more active than usual. Earlier this year, a series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun made this sensational display viewable as far south as Alabama and Northern California in the U.S., according to CNN. Here are five destinations that are perfect for viewing the Northern Lights.
If you must choose just one location in Norway to settle for this natural light show, Tromsø is wondrous during the Northern Lights season. For those who like a bit of city life interspersed with adventure and nature travel, this city offers a lively bar and restaurant scene overlooking the surrounding fjords. Though this city is one of the northernmost settlements in the country it is by no means desolate. In the winter season, Tromsø is hopping with tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of the lights.
There are countless places in Canada where visitors might be able see the Northern Lights, but this northwestern territory bordering Alaska is ideal for those who love to see the sights at national parks. Yukon is home to Kluane National Park and Reserve as well as Ivvavik National Park in the north. The territory’s largest city, Whitehorse offers an incredible array of things to do and experience, from spectacular adventures in nature, to arts, culture, and culinary delights.
Banff and Banff National Park, Canada
Cool weather travelers can’t miss a trip to the magical Banff National Park in Canada. Though it’s competitive to find a spot to stay around Banff during Northern Lights season, a visit to Banff between September and April is a bucket list visit. In the park you can hike to incredible overlooks, float along Lake Louise, relax at a nearby spa, explore and shop in Banff’s town center, and dine and imbibe at local restaurants and bars.
The Northern Lights is a source of great interest to many of people living in Greenland. They keep an eye out for the lights through online forecasts and follow live updates of how the Aurora Borealis are spreading across the Arctic, Some tour companies in Greenland will take guests out in the middle of the night to view the sky. The Northern lights are part of the visual, physical characteristics of Greenland, and with an Arctic touch, the northern lights reach down from space filling up the night with myths and magic and clear and frosty winter adventures.
The extreme dark of the Icelandic winter has a few perks. Between September and April, the people in Iceland are treated to a magnificent natural display of the the Northern Lights. The Aurora Borealis takes its name from the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek word for the north wind, Boreas. From September to April, Iceland is a hotspot for this magnificent light show. There are no guarantees that you will see the Northern Lights during your stay, but in most cases, sightings are greatly improved outside populated areas, especially away from the light pollution of the capital. A number of hotels in the countryside also offer a special Northern Lights wake-up service. For more information, click here.
Featured Image: The Northern Lights in Tromsø, Norway (Photo by muratart)
