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Thread: Anyone done the aurora borealis?

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    mush-mushroom b0redom's Avatar
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    Anyone done the aurora borealis?

    So it looks like there isn't a travel sub-forum, and there flippin' well should be! I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to get Mrs B0redom for Christmas, so I was thinking of going and seeing the Northern Lights (and no I don't mean Blackpool).

    Anyone done this? We'd probably only spend the weekend away as junior b0redom 1, 2, and 3 would run the grandparents ragged!

    Recommendations of places to stay etc?

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    HEXUS.social member Agent's Avatar
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    Re: Anyone done the aurora borealis?

    Yep - Iceland

    Nice experience, but it's the luck of the draw if you see anything or not.
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    mush-mushroom b0redom's Avatar
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    Re: Anyone done the aurora borealis?

    Any advice on time of the year you're more likely to see it/accomodation etc?

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    Senior Member Smudger's Avatar
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    Re: Anyone done the aurora borealis?

    Don't know if it helps, but you can see the Northern Lights from Aberdeen with the right circumstances.*

    Might not be the romantic break you're looking for.


    *Purely based on the song 'The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen'

    Edit: This site might help: http://www.wherecanyouseethenorthern...ghts-scotland/

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    The late but legendary peterb - Onward and Upward peterb's Avatar
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    Re: Anyone done the aurora borealis?

    Quote Originally Posted by b0redom View Post
    So it looks like there isn't a travel sub-forum, and there flippin' well should be!
    Noted!
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    Not a good person scaryjim's Avatar
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    Re: Anyone done the aurora borealis?

    You *can* (although not always) see the lights from the UK, if you don't want to travel too far/spend too much - Kielder observatory do Aurora nights through November and December (I was planning on taking my better half for her birthday but the night I wanted is sold out already!), that not only offer a chance of seeing the Aurora but also include a talk and tour of the observatory (if the missus is science-oriented at all). Northumberland's a beautiful place for a short break, and there's plenty of options for accommodation.

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    Senior Member burble's Avatar
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    Re: Anyone done the aurora borealis?

    I've seen them a couple of times, once in Iceland, once in Northern Sweden.

    It's a breathtaking sight to say the least. As has been said though it's luck of the drawer if you'll see them. A lady I work with was in Iceland for a week and didn't get to see them at all.

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    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
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    Re: Anyone done the aurora borealis?

    Iceland is fairly cheap, you can get packages often for <£200 pp too.

    http://www.icelandair.co.uk/offers-a...ghts_holidays/

    As mentioned, it's going to be luck, seasonal changes to help, you can view solar activities and forecasts online but they aren't reliable.

    Iceland itself is fairly expensive, London prices. If you have a license and are over 25 you can get around by renting a 4x4 but don't do it unless you've good offroading experiance. Off roading is illegal in Iceland, but some of the roads are more off road than you get off road in the UK!

    Snowmobiles are very cold, smelly and expensive, but fun. You can also do diving in perfectly clear water.

    The best food I had was at a place called The Grill Market in Reykjavik, it was expensive.

    We stayed in the Hilton because it was a very good value trip, £180 return pp for two nights, direct from LHR.

    Taxis are expensive, very expensive, take a bus from the Airport.

    Oh also, bring a tripod! Long exposures are your friend


    It's also very windy outside of town, very very windy. Like really OMG windy. I was struggling to keep my camera still into the wind windy.


    The springs are nice, but you need to ensure you are erm, body image happy, as Scandinavians shower in simple communal arrangements and will expect you to thoroughly wash.


    Btw this wasn't my driving

    But yeah, that was very cold. And it was April.
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    Chillie in here j.o.s.h.1408's Avatar
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    Re: Anyone done the aurora borealis?

    I'd love to go one day

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    Re: Anyone done the aurora borealis?

    Friend of mine recently went to Tromsø and had a stunning view of the lights, but Norway can be a bit pricey. I quite fancy the Iceland trip myself.

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