Reykjavik

calwhu

Evening all,

The Mrs has got it into her head that she must see the Northern Lights as it is on her bucket list (she is 25). So as a lovely young man, have decided to whisk her away to hopefully see them at the beginning on next year.

Unfortunately I don't think she will accept that she could see them in Inverness, so have looked into the possibility of Reykjavik.

Should mention that she is a teacher, therefore looking to travel between February 13th-20th, ideally for 3 nights.

Have a budget of around £600, flights look to be at least £350 from London airports (Gatwick ideally as she lives outside Burgess Hill).

Anyone with any hidden gems, or alternative options would be greatly appreciated.

Widelats

Alternate for these lights is Tromso in Norway and Kiruna in Sweden.

Also, Inverness is rare that they get the lights, and they are never as good as Norway or Iceland are.

donglemouse

having been to both

i'd suggest if northern lights is the main attraction tromso, norway is a better bet than iceland as further north

still no guarantee you will see them, but it will increase the chances

calwhu

Apologies, should have mentioned I am from Inverness hence the comment.


May look into Norway then, I assume that there are tours to try and see the lights?

wazza99

We spent 5 nights in Iceland last November, not a sign of the lights.....just saying !


Still had a great time touring round but have a plan B

calwhu

Yeah, I suppose that is the risk. Weighing up the options on which city has more alternatives to do, and I suppose Reykjavik has more on that side of things.

Widelats

calwhu wrote: »

Apologies, should have mentioned I am from Inverness hence the comment.


May look into Norway then, I assume that there are tours to try and see the lights?

There are special tours, this is the best one but it is expensive, its Norwegian after all, and still no guarantee of seeing the lights. I was going to do this tour myself and i think they do sail from Scotland, but the price put me off, i don't know how much it is now.

Also there is always Alta in Northern Norway, and stay at the ice hotel it is famous, i don't know the prices of it though. For staying in a city while trying to catch the lights i would say Reykjavik is the best bet.

http://www.bbi-travel.nl/Noorwegen/Hurtigruten%20dagelijks%20vertrek/2016+Hurtigruten+12-dagen+Bergen+-+Kirkenes+-+Bergen/NOHURTBKB16SO

donglemouse

tromso is a reasonable size town/city to stay in, with plenty of other outdoor activities & a good ways further north than iceland, but you may find the flights/hotels will be more expensive

if you're northern lights fixated goto tromso, if the northern lights are a bonus on top of the trip then maybe iceland

if you're serious about the northern lights you can see them without a trip - i did this a couple of nights in tromso, but you need to get away from all natural light as far as possible, so for example that means standing on a beach at the egde of town looking out to sea in minus 20C temperatures and possibly waiting for hours as well, personally i loved it but it's not for all

that said taking an organised night time trip will maximise your chances...

drop me a pm if you want more info

Katiehound

Hurtigruten- as mentioned above have specific cruises for the northern lights including a "Northern Lights Promise" (you get a free 6 or 7 day voyage if no sighting. Occurence has to be recorded by the ship's deck officers and announced to passengers on board.)
Departure dates are Jan 2, 21, Feb 7 & Mar 17 quoted by ROL agents (Readers Offers) however it says other dates available on request.
11 night cruise 'though so would not fit with any half term break.
From £999 for inside cabin, includes flights from London to Bergen. Cruise to Bergen & Lofoten islands

fifeken

Your dates mean you will miss the new moon, which is supposed to give a better view if the lights are there. You have also left it too late to get cheap flights to Iceland, of which there's a lot now that budget airlines fly there (WOW and easyJet from LGW). I would put it off to allow a more planned approach.

fifeken

donglemouse wrote: »

drop me a pm if you want more info

Why, is there something you don't want other readers of this thread to know?