Northern Lights (holiday).

Strangely enough, I quite fancy Arctic Feeling to place in the 2.40

This could become a thread for Cosmic Chatter

I've seen them just South of Belfast

Tromso would be nice if a bit expensive, never heard of Nuorgan.

Iceland would maybe be a better/ cheaper option?

Also there is a Total Solar Eclipse in the Faroe Islands next year maybe a good option to take in both?

Northern Lights, my arse.

He'll end up in Blackpool for the illuminations.

Hi Ovalman

Not long back from Iceland where we did try, but too much cloud cover.  (Not that cheap either!)

Here's the actual link http://www.aurora-service.eu/aurora-holidays/ 

I think it's very reasonable, (except when you look into the costs for the particular internal flight they collect you from - but we've figured out how to get around that).

I did check out the Faroe Islands eclipse last week, coz I quite fancy that too.

I forgot about your Iceland trip, I read the thread doh! The US eclipse in ?2016? is a lot easier and cheaper to get to and your more likely to get clement weather.

I was in Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle for a footy match many years ago and it was nothing but fog and cloud. I'd think you always run the risk of bad weather no matter what time of year you go.

When I seen the lights we were on an Astronomical observing night in darkish skies site. They were beautiful but after 20 minutes they were more of a distraction . I think your best bet is keep an eye on the many sites and Twitter for updates and find a dark site. They were visible in NI just a few days ago http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29190109 (I'm in a very poor location so didn't even bother having a look even though I knew they were coming.) I don't know where your based but even the South of England gets them a few times a year.

Good point about the fog and cloud, and one that's making me reconsider...  There's nothing else to do on this Finnish trip, so if you don't see 'em, you're scuppered.

I might try to talk Mrs S into Scotland and the Faroes next year.

By the way, we're taking holidays in Northern climes because Mrs S has Oirish skin and is very allergic to the sun!

Looking at the prices of that have you thought about a cruise for the Solar Eclipse?

I like the idea that they will "chase" the Northern Light's which will probably ensure that you'll get clear skies but not necessarily see them (all depends on the pesky Sun.) Will your missus appreciate travelling around? Maybe a cruise would be better suited for things to do if you don't see them? I'd love to do it but I know my missus would hate it unless there were other things to do besides Aurorae. Just trying to give you some ideas.

Also, your probably aware, we're just past Solar Maximum and I read that Aurorae are at their peak around now but they will soon start to wane until Solar minimum in a few years so now is your best chance to see them for the next 13 or so years.

Thanks Ovalman, will chat to her about it.  (Like there was any point pretending it would be my decision in the first place).

went to Lapland last year,did husky mushing,snow mobiling etc,5 day trip but never saw the northern lights unfortunately.
Swedish/finish border,a real nice quiet but surreal trip.cost about £850 each including all extras and food.

going to alaska next Saturday, travelling up to Fairbanks week after meant to be best pace to watch lights from visible about 260 days per year , from late sept onwards .

they show northern lights about every 3 months or so on itv3

hth

Hi Stevie,

Was there cloud cover for all the nights you were there?

Missus has booked us on Reykjavik trip in November to see the lights so was wondering? Can get the details to you tomorrow if you need but I think it's about £450 for 3 nights with flight(From London) and hotel in city centre so not too bad.

Cheers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV8uvKqlcQY

Hi mikeycoxn1,

That's very reasonable, but bear in mind that eating out is very expensive.  Yep, the weather is very changeable.  We didn't book a tour for the lights, but the two nights we drove out it was too cloudy.

Ok thanks Stevie,

Got a tour booked for the first night so I'm guessing if it's cloudy we will just go for it again the next night.

Fingers crossed anyway.

MacIntyre drunk and calling back to Happer from the local phone box trying to describe the Northern lights: "It's red all over! It's red all over!"

Local Hero 1983

Mikey , you didnt happen to book that through Secret Escapes did you  :)

Hi Wallis,

no, the missus booked it through some mob called Fleetway travel. Good deal but they are a bit nippy when you phone them up to query anything

I have a 4 day/3 night deal done with some third party operator through Secret Escapes.  Trip to Blue Lagoon , Lake of Fire and a night chasing after the lights as part of it. Im going in 3 weeks.

Aye we have similar deal with tours thrown in to the lights and the Blue Lagoon.

Hope you get clear skies, fingers crossed.

cheers and you.

too bad that some of the most likely places to view the lights are also the cloudiest places on earth .


places such as the Faroes ,Norway and Bear island receive bugger all in the way of clear skies - just mist ,fog, drizzle ,sleet and snow

Went to Finland a few yrs ago to visit Santa and we saw the lights on the flight home ,pilot got that excited he asked permission to turn and have another look ,was one hell of a sight to be fair.....

Any joy then Wallis?

i would love to meet someone who has seen them for real - pictures we see on images are no doubt enhanced - a bit like say, a blue sea on a Blackpool postcard   

You can sign up for aurora alerts on this site if you don't want to endure the cold, fog and sleet of a trip to arctic climes.

http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/

is nieminen finnish?