The Northern Lights

It's a celestial light show like no other - glory in the Northern Lights
You’ll never forget seeing the magical, mystical Northern Lights. NASA has predicted this winter’s aurora borealis will be more spectacular than at any time during the past decade. Holiday companies are o ering many unforgettable ways in which to view them.

BATHE UNDER THE STARS

Watch the sky light up while relaxing in Laugarvatn Fontana’s open-air geothermal baths in Iceland.
  • The Warm Baths and Cool Lights Northern Lights Tour with Reykjavik Excursions costs from £77 per person: +354 580 5400, www.re.is
  • Stay at the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica; three nights from £240 per person (based on 21 October 2013 departure and two people sharing a double room), including breakfast: +354 444 5000, www.reykjaviknordica.hilton.com 
  • Fly from Heathrow to Reykjavik with Icelandair from £200 per person: 0-84 4811 1190, www.icelandair.co.uk

BUBBLE AND PEEK

Admire the night sky from the warmth of your own bed. The Aurora Bubble is a new form of accommodation in Finland, available exclusively via The Aurora Zone. Combine a night’s stay in a heated bubble – each one has a double bed and minibathroom – with activities including ice „ shing and a visit to a reindeer farm. Then search for the Northern Lights on a sleigh ride.
  • The four-night Muotka Fellside Auroras trip costs from £1,745 per person, including flights from London, full board and all activities: 01670-785012, www.theaurorazone.com

SAILING SAGA

You can watch out for the magical lights from a cruise ship. Saga’s 15-night In Awe Of The Northern Lights cruise aboard Saga Sapphire, departing from Southampton on 24 February, from £2,687 per person, gives you a chance to ride a reindeer sled, set off for a snowmobile safari and enjoy other incredible experiences in Norway’s cities and remote fishing towns. Ports of call include: Bergen, Åndalsnes, Tromsø, Alta, Narvik and Ålesund. Plus, you can stay at the Alta Igloo Hotel.
travel oct11 02See the Northern Lights in Iceland

PICTURE THIS

Learn how to take photos of those elusive lights on the Mighty Fine Company’s Northern Lights Experience in Finland. After a photographic workshop, guests will be taken to see the lights. Departures are available until 31 November and prices start from £865 per person. This includes: return › ights from London, three nights’ accommodation at the Hotel Korpikartano, access to the sauna, the photography workshop and Northern Lights excursions.

GOOD AURORA HUNTING

Taber Holidays’ four-night Great Aurora Hunt Trip in Lofoten, Norway, departing 30 December, o ers expert tuition in photography by day, while evenings, including New Year’s Eve, are spent searching for the Northern Lights. The trip includes accommodation in a „ sherman’s rorbu, with breakfast and dinner; three nights’ dedicated aurora hunting; a sea eagle and nature safari; photographic workshops (three), and a one-day tour of the island. From £1,575 per person; or from £1,995 with › ights from Heathrow via Oslo.

Contact Wendy at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk

KNIGHT CLUB Book a room at Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire, this month, from £335, and two children aged 14 and under can share with you free. Youngsters can learn how to become medieval knights, with special equestrian classes.
0800-704705, www.gleneagles.com

BEAT A RETREAT Healthy holiday specialist Satvada Retreats is hosting a three-night Art Of Relaxation meditation and yoga retreat at Potash Barns, Su olk from 29 November. From £365 per person, it includes full board and transfers.
020-8133 5995, www.satvada-retreats.co.uk

WHISKY GALORE The Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge o ers whisky and cheese tastings, from £25 for three pairings, such as Talisker 18 years with the French cheese Livarot.
020-7589 5171, www.capitalhotel.co.uk

SICILY FLIGHT Ryanair now › ies from Stansted to Comiso airport in southeastern Sicily. Real Holidays o ers three-night Wednesday to Sunday stays at the Casa Talia B&B from £515 per person, including car hire.
020-7359 3938, www.realholidays.co.uk