Return of the northern lights
Besides the beautiful fall colours, October is a great month for another reason: the northern lights season is here once again! Also called aurora borealis, these fascinating lights are visible mainly between October and March, with peak visibility from December to February. The Nordic countries are among the best places in the Northern Hemisphere to witness this natural phenomenon due to the longer winter nights and proximity to the Arctic Circle. Over the ages, the northern lights have held a special place in Nordic culture and folklore, and their beauty and mystery continue to amaze all who witness them.
These celestial wonders result from solar winds carrying large amounts of charged particles into space. When these particles meet the Earth’s magnetic shield they are drawn into the upper layers of the atmosphere towards the poles where they then collide with atoms. This collision creates a release of energy, which emits a luminous arch of light. Generally, the more intense the solar activity, the brighter the light will be. And though most auroras are greenish-yellow, the colours vary depending on the types of atoms involved, the altitude, and the force of the particles entering the atmosphere. With so many factors at play, each display is unique and unpredictable!
Although modern science gives us a reasonable explanation for this phenomenon, they are no less magical than in ancient times. In Norse mythology, the norðurljós were believed to be the shields of mythical Valkyrie warriors. Scandinavian fishermen interpreted the lights as a sign of a good herring catch. In parts of Lapland, the Sami people regarded these supernatural lights with both fear and respect, and painted auroral symbols on their drums. And in Finland, the lights were said to be fox tails flinging sparks into the air.
Want to see this extraordinary phenomenon for yourself? Iceland, Greenland, Svalbard, and Lapland are fantastic destinations for aurora seekers not only for the ideal viewing conditions but also for the stunning landscapes, cosy accommodations, cultural attractions, and fun winter activities for travellers of all ages. Along with the chance to see the northern lights, our winter vacation packages also let you experience dog sledding, super-jeep tours, fjord cruises, Sami traditions, Arctic cuisine, the ICEHOTEL, and much more. Book by October 31 to save on winter vacation packages for your chance to see this phenomenon!
• See Arctic nature at its best without straying far from the city (ICELAND)
4 days/3 nights - 15% OFF any arrival date – price from 63070 ISK per person
• Get a taste of Oslo and try dog-sledding all in one long weekend (NORWAY)
4 days/3 nights - 10% OFF any arrival date – price from 908 EUR per person
• Snowmobile adventure plus a night at Sweden’s coolest hotel (SWEDEN)
4 days/3 nights - 5% OFF any arrival date – price from 1026 EUR
• From reindeer & ice art in Sweden to the fjords in Norway (SWEDEN/NORWAY)
9 days/8 nights - 5% OFF any arrival date – price from 2107 EUR per person
See all of our great winter packages with special offers for booking in October:
All special offers - Iceland - Day tours in Iceland - Norway - Svalbard - Sweden - Lapland - Combination - Greenland
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