What are The Northern Lights, When and where to look.

Greetings, dear seeker of knowledge! The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, have been fascinating people for centuries. This beautiful and awe-inspiring natural display has been the basis of many myths and legends. For instance, the Vikings believed that the Northern Lights were manifestations of their gods, while the Sámi people of northern Scandinavia believed that the lights were the souls of the dead. In Finland, these Lights are called “revontulet,” which translates to “fire fox.”

Today, we know that the Northern Lights are the result of disturbances in the magnetosphere caused by the solar wind. Typically, we witness these Northern Lights from the geographic area below the auroral oval, stretching between 60 and 70 degrees north latitude, covering Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, Canada, and Alaska, as well as southern Greenland .

The best time to see the Northern Lights is during the winter months when the nights are longer and darker. The average visibility time is from 4 pm – 6 am every night, while the hours from 10 pm to 1 am are considered the best times to spot the Aurora Borealis .

For instance, the Ion Adventure Hotel in Selfoss, Iceland, offers a once-in-a-lifetime stay that’s likely to come with a tantalizing taste of the Northern Lights. This hotel has floor-to-ceiling windows at the Northern Lights Bar and offers great views of the landscape and sky outside. You can book the Ion Adventure Hotel for as little as 66,000 points a night if you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member, and cash rates start at around $375.

One of the other best options is Hotel Ranga, which is a rustic property in Hella, Iceland, that offers an observatory where a local astronomer helps guests spot the Northern Lights. The hotel also has an aurora wake-up service where guests are notified when the glowing starts. You can redeem 25,000 to 35,000 points for a World of Hyatt award night here .

In Finland, Snowman World Glass Resort in Rovaniemi, and Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Saariselka offer glass igloos and log cabins that allow you to sleep directly under the Lights. The resorts also have restaurants, bars, and saunas, with prices starting at around $500 per night .

In Sweden, the Arctic Bath resort offers an unusual experience of sleeping in a floating hotel. The hotel is located on the Lule River and offers excellent views, with prices starting at around $1,500 per night .