See the lights... in dazzling Norway
SIGHTING the ethereal Northern Lights can be an incredibly emotional experience. The dazzling colours appear as a light-footed dance, billowing curtains, rolling banks of smoke, or arches and ribbons.
Occasionally, the whole sky explodes into a kaleidoscope of supernatural green, white, pink and violet.
Down on the deck of a passenger ship, people pinch themselves and ask whether what they saw was real.
Even the best images cannot compare to witnessing first-hand the extraordinary phenomenon of aurora borealis, to give it its proper name.
So it’s hardly surprising that, according to the latest surveys, seeing the Northern Lights is at the top of most people’s bucket lists.
What’s more, Nasa has predicted that the period of ‘solar maximum activity’ – which last season sparked the most spectacular displays for a decade – is set to continue this winter. So catch the Northern Lights while you can. Now really is the time to go.
Northern Norway, from the Lofoten Islands to the North Cape, is known as the best place in the world to hunt the phenomenon, which appears here in some form almost every night during winter. The best way of seeing this mind-blowing experience is on board a ship moving through the aurora belt. And by keeping watch in the panoramic lounge, you’ll stay cosy and warm. Staff will even wake you via speakers in your cabin when the phenomenon appears.
From December to late March, the lights tend to grace clear skies and gaps in the cloud from 6pm to 1am, with the highest frequency from 10pm to 11pm. Then suddenly everyone is on deck, wrapped up for the sight of a lifetime and warmed by thoughtful servings of hot Norwegian fishcakes.
THE TASTE OF NORWAY
Of course, a beautiful coastal voyage is not just about the amazing sights overhead. It can be a chance to experience the fabulous taste of Norway, from Arctic char to reindeer rump steak from Finnmark.
Sometimes local fishermen bring their catch of enormous king crabs or plump shrimps on board and allow passengers to join in the peeling and tasting. Between Bergen and Kirkenes, in the Arctic Circle, there are more than 100 stunning fjords and 34 major and minor ports to discover, such as art nouveau Alesund.
On some routes you can hop on and off your passenger ship as you wish. Those more pressed for time might want to fly to Bergen or Tromso from their local regional airport and join a Northern Lights itinerary of five, eight or 12 days, concentrating on the aurora belt itself. And, of course, there are cruises that sail direct from British ports.
JOIN AN ARCTIC EXPEDITION
Your voyage can be as active or easy-going as you like. Winter excursions along the way might include skiing, tobogganing, snowmobiling or sledging over the frozen Arctic landscape. Join an evening outing and you’ll have a front-row seat and a real adventure to talk about if the Northern Lights appear in the inky night sky.
A popular cruise option is to take part in a feast at Lofotr Viking Museum, in a re-creation of the largest Viking building ever found. Or why not sniff out racks of drying cod on a gentle stroll around an authentic fishing village?
Music lovers might enjoy a midnight concert of Norwegian folk songs by candlelight in the Arctic Cathedral in Tromso. And would-be polar explorers should seize the chance to go hiking into the ice from the northernmost town of Hammerfest, for a real sense of how it feels to be part of an Arctic expedition.
Back in the cosy warmth of the ship, there couldn’t be finer entertainment in store. Get ready to watch Mother Nature’s own theatre unfold, as the most spectacular light show on Earth takes centre stage.