TRAVEL CHASING THE AURORA SIMON COYLE HEADS TO ICELAND ON THE HUNT FOR A GLIMPSE OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

hundreds of vinyl records and record players, all tucked neatly into stylish Ikea-like storage units, which you can take to your room.

A huge book case and library around a cosy fireplace is a great place to relax after a day of exploring.

And instead of a formal reception is a bench where the hotel’s ‘welcome enthusiasts’ cater for your every need - from checking in and out to helping you find restaurants for dinner and booking tours and excursions.

The lobby also hosts daily free evening tastings where guests are also able to try local foods, beers and cocktails.

The rooms themselves are an art in Scandinavian design with stunning views of the city and impressive Hallgrímskirkja cathedral or the beautiful bay.

Decorated in volcanic grey and ocean blue - they even have traditional Icelandic corrugated cladding above the bed.

If you want to stay fit the hotel has a 24-hour gym as well as an area to store your bags after you’ve checked out. For a drink you can head to the bar which doubles as the morning breakfast buffet area and lavish Geiri Smart

restaurant. But ut is the chance of glimpsing the Northern Lights that draws many to Iceland - with the aurora borealis being at the top of many a bucket lists. And while you are never guaranteed to see the magical display, Canopy’s Northern Lights package gives guests the greatest chance they can to witness the dazzling spectacle. With discounts on tours and free entry to the aurora museum, guests receive a free wake-up call if the lights are active at night - so you can watch them dance from your window or the roof terrace.

The tours themselves run most nights, depending of course on conditions.

After my first tour was cancelled due to the dense cloud and snow, I was slightly sceptical as the minibus set off 24 hours later in a heavy blizzard.

Driving along the quiet snowlogged roads on the outskirts of Reykjavik my heart was pounding everyone on the bus glimpsed out the window looking for a break in the clouds.

Then as the snow stopped the stopped. “I think they are above us”.

Scrambling out the minibus I look up and surely enough, there they are. Huge streaks of light green stretching across the night sky from north to south.

While not as colourful as the aurora can be, it was still incredible to watch.

The long strips of light appeared to erupt from the volcanic mountains and dance around the night sky.

I stood there amazed watching the magnificent display until the snow moved in again and the clouds came over.

It was a brief but very special moment. Iceland is blessed with staggering natural beauty with hot springs, geysers and even active volcanoes scattered around the island.

The best way to get to see some of these wonders and take in some of Iceland’s lunar-like landscape is to take a full-day tour along the 190-mile Golden Ciricle.

Stopping at Thingvellir National Park you can explore the enormous rift valley, take in the magnificent views of Lake Thingvallavatn and walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates which scar the landscape.

At the Geysir geothermal area you can watch the exploding geysers and the bubbling crystal clear hot springs.

While the biggest geyser in the area, the aptly named Geysir, is now mostly dormant, you can watch Strokkur which shoots boiling water and steam 30m into the air every few minutes.

At Fontana, a spa built on a hot spring, relax in one of the naturally heated pools while enjoying the magnificent panoramic views of the snowcapped mountains.

Situated on the banks of Lake Laugarvatn you can even go for a “refreshing” dip in the lake - if you dare.

The highlight of the tour however is the mighty Gullfoss - one of the most famous waterfalls in the country.

This huge three-step waterfall which was nearly turned into a hydroelectric dam in the early 20th century - is fed by Langjökull, Iceland’s second biggest glacier.

As a result thousands of cubic feet of water run down the giant waterfall, and into to 70-metre deep canyon below, every second. It’s s sight to behold.