It's about that time of the year again... Pretty much from now and until the end of March, these are the months of the year where we can get to enjoy the Northern Lights in some parts of the earth.
The Northern Lights are a magical display of natural beauty and I genuinely mean it, it is something that everyone needs to see at least once in their life. -I still want to see them again, feels like once is not enough! : )
Nature is unpredictable, and as such, you're not guaranteed to see them. But, there are definitely some things you can try in order to increase your chances and get to see them...
Here are a few tips for those planning on Northern Lights trips this winter:
1- Weather Forecast is important - I know this one is a difficult one, but if you can, try and book your flight as last minute as possible so that you can have a better idea on the weather during your stay- If it's cloudy, it'll be a lot more difficult to get to see them. The clearer the sky, the more likely you are to see them. (There are other factors, like the level of aurora activity that you can check too).
2- The Moon Phase is important too - The darker the sky, the better contrast, and hence the better visibility. Makes sense, right? Let me explain: So if the moon is about to be full, you'll have a bright illuminated sky that will make it slightly more difficult for you to see the colors of the aurora dancing around.
3- There are many different places where you can see extraordinary Northern Lights shows.
Iceland is one that offers a very beautiful and inexpensive alternative. And if by chance you end up not getting to see the Aurora Borealis, you will at least have a fantastic time in this cool island! Another great alternative is Tromso in Norway, highly recommended too. - Keep an eye for the posts on Iceland & Tromso in the next few weeks on Sunsets & Bubbles Blog, I will include the full visual gallery of both destinations and recommend some not to be missed places and activities!
4- If you want to take photos of the Northern Lights, you'll need to have a pretty accurate knowledge of the manual mode of your camera. A SLR with a tripod is the basic combo. Many of the tours have tripods available - Maybe ask in advance if you don't want to travel all the way with your own tripod or you simply don't have one.
5- Take a few photos -memories are always great - But honestly, don't spoil that magical moment by getting carried away with taking the perfect shot. Shooting in those conditions is not easy and it is hard to get the perfect and sharp image. If you can't get the perfect shot, there are plenty of professional amazing photos you can buy - and that particular moment in time where you will be standing under a pink, green & purple sky is going to be something you do not want to miss... Switch off the camera and enjoy the show ; )
6- Most of the tours offer thermal suits and boots - Try to make sure you get in one of those. It's not super fancy, but they'll save your life! Specially if you're not use to those crazy low temperatures... -if you can get a little hip flask with you, that might definitely help with the cold too! ha! -
Are you going to see the Northern Lights this year? Where are you planning to head to?
Have you seen them before? How was your experience like?
I would love to hear some Northern Lights stories! Leave your comments below this post... I look forward to hearing them!
Happy travels!
Charo x
Post originally published on Sunsets & Bubbles Blog - Take a look for similar articles...