The Northern Lights Holidays in Finland | Traveler by Unique
Also known as Aurora Borealis, the lights are created by Mother Nature and viewing the lights is an experience like none other. It is believed to take a viewer to an all new level of existence.
Northern light holidays are also recognised for the boarding arrangements they offer for the travellers, and a tourist can choose to put up in igloos, hotels and ice hotels.
A few of the other activities to enjoy in Finland for Northern light holidays, include snowshoeing, sleigh rides, ice-skating, and ice fishing. You may also choose to fill up the hours in tranquillity when on a trip to Finland for the holidays.
The best time to catch the Northern Lights in full bloom when in Finland is during late evenings. They are believed to be more prominent in remote locations, and the alternate attractions for your holidays while you catch a glimpse of Aurora Borealis include reindeers and husky dogs.
What are the Northern lights?
The northern lights occur when solar particles collide with the earth’s atmosphere. The result of this collision is a strong reaction which emits a bright light, visible from the surface. As resulting from reactions from various gases, different colours are produced.
The particles that interact with oxygen give a greenish or a yellowish glow. Upon interaction with nitrogen, the glow is blue or purple in colour.
Across the centuries, historians have explained the enigmatic Aurora Borealis with their own myths and legends. Now we have a sound scientific explanation of the lights, but viewing them is an exquisitely moving experience.
The best time to go for catching the Northern Lights
If your Finnish holiday is centred upon catching Aurora Borealis, which exhibit themselves in the wilderness, the best time to go is in the phase between late September and March. You are sure to come across guided tours who take the explorers out into the countryside for viewing the lights. This often in between the time 11 am and 2 pm, wherein the skies are dark and clear and the lights are very visible.
Summers are often not the best time to view the Northern lights as it never really gets too dark. Solar Equinox, which occurs in March and September each year are the prime times for viewing the Aurora Borealis as it facilitates the darkest viewing conditions.
The lights come into prominence as resulting from solar activity, and the years when the solar activity is at its peak are the finest of times to view the lights. This is often in relation to an 11 year cycle. The previous maximum was in 2013. The activity then remained at a high for the years that followed.
Solar activity fluctuates on a daily basis, and by means of internet, it is possible to forecast and make some assumptions over how the activity is going to be for the days that follow.
Top Destinations
Top destinations for viewing the lights are Levi, Saariselka, Rovaniemi and Yllas. Tours often initiate from these spots to take viewers to see the lights.
Rovaniemi, the gateway to Laplands is also the home to nomadic Sami people. It is well recognized for family visits during Christmastime to Santa Park and Santa Claus village. Northern lights bring a number of visitors to the place, wherein snowmobile safaris and dog sledging are top attractions.
Finnish Laplands are one of the fine destinations for viewing the lights, as they appear at the horizons over here for over 200 nights. The tourist accommodations too are in sync with the purpose of the tours, and a large distance away from sources of artificial lights. This greatly enhances the odds of spotting the Aurora.
For traditionalistic Lapland experience, a few of the accommodations offer a log fire and a private sauna as well.
Top tips for viewing the lights
A very fine way of seeing the lights is while huddling together next to a campfire at a remote shoreline of a lake, and you can also enjoy a nice picnic in midst of frozen Tundra.
For more adventurous wanderers, you can wear a dry suit and float in a frozen lake in the wilderness while you catch the lights.
Another exquisite way of experiencing the lights is while riding a reindeer powered sledge or a snowmobile in the moonlight, far from the city lights in the remote countryside.
When in Finland, you can expect to come across beautiful wilderness, historic castles, and an elaborate, unspoilt ecosystem. The country has almost 200,000 lakes, and is recognized for its midnight sun as much as it is recognized for Northern Lights. The country has a lot to offer for tourists of all tastes, and brings the past to life into modern day life.