northern lights

[steveo3002]

hey guys

any suggestions on a short trip to see the northern lights , modest budget rather than unlimited

havent really looked yet so any pointers welcome , thinking maybe something orgainsed??

[Blown2CV]

Problem is it's very hard to predict. You aren't guaranteed anywhere! We even failed in Iceland, but the week before you could see them in Scotland.

[Semi hemi]

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/2012/01/26

then head somewhere dark, (cupboards don't count)

[Dublte]

I saw them in North Sweden in February - looking stunning. Apparently this year is the best year to see them... Lots of solar activity.

We spent nights waiting for them - going out to somewhere remote and waiting to no avail. One evening we were walking though the town after dinner and they were in their full glory, easily visible despite the street lights. Very hit and miss unfortunately!

Good luck, hope you manage to catch a glimpse.

[Mark.]

Bath Travel do flights from Gatwick £199, you get a talk by an astronomer, the off in a plane to fly over the North Atlantic in search.
One of the downsides is the ask you to swap seats half way through so everyone gets a window seat, but for the money and a night out it may be worth thinking about.

[Semi hemi]

Sorry, link earlier was wrong, this is the forcast for Europe from today,
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/Europe/201...
according to it there will be, weather permitting, "moderate displays visible overhead in Tromsø, Norway and Reykjavik, Iceland, and visible low on the horizon as far south as Sundsvall, Sweden and Arkhangelsk, Russia and Shetlands

As I am on a ship north west of the shetlands I will have a look out here after dark

[RizzoTheRat]

There's a ferry/cruise ship that runs up the coast of Norway to Tromso that's supposed to give you a pretty good chance of seeing it.

[dhariwab]

You've just missed some great deals offered by iceland air. Something like £299 including 4 star accomodation, flights from a number of UK airports, cant remember if it was for 3 or 5 days half board, and a coach tour upto the lights with additional excursions (geysers, volcanoes) available. Couldnt go this year due to mrs pregnancy but it seemed a really good package.

[Podie]

Reykjavik gets my vote.

Be prepared for looooong trips to the arse end of nowhere though. We were out till 3am some nights.

[ChrisBMW]

I Remember watching a program that covered a place in Norway which was apparantly the best place in the world that offers you a chance of seeing them, but again no guarantees.

[Jackleman]

These guys have a pretty impressive selection http://www.weekendalacarte.co.uk/Arctic-Adventures...