Travel briefs: Four places to stay and see the Northern Lights

From Iceland to Sweden, there are a number of spots to see the vibrant dancing lights

Glass igloos and Northern Lights at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. Courtesy of Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

Oct 19, 2017

Seeing the Northern Lights dance across the sky is a bucket-lister for many travellers. There are many places to see the auroral displays that can be witnessed annually from August to April. Here is a list of four of them.

Finnish Lapland: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

There is not much that beats sleeping in a glass igloo. Take in the twinkling night sky and the Northern Lights in temperate conditions. You will have access to all the creature comforts you require, including toilet, beds for two people and an additional bed if needed. Small igloos cost from €403 (Dh1,738) per night. For more information, visit www.kakslauttanen.fi

The Icehotel in Sweden offers a great view. Courtesy Asaf Kliger

Northern Sweden: Icehotel

The north of Sweden is one of the best places to see the dancing lights, because it lies beneath the auroral oval and enjoys clear skies more often than most other places. This hotel offers you a choice of cold (minus 5°C to minus 8°C) or warm rooms, with overnight wilderness excursions. Rooms cost from 2,550 Swedish kronor (Dh1,147), including breakfast and taxes. For more information, visit www.icehotel.com.

The Northern Light Inn offers views over the Reykjanes Peninsula’s moss covered lava field. Courtesy The Northern Light Inn

Iceland: Northern Light Inn

The name says it all. In walking distance of the renowned Blue Lagoon, this family-owned hotel in Grindavik offers views over the Reykjanes Peninsula's moss-covered lava field from floor-to-ceiling windows in Northern Light's restaurant. It is considered one of the top spots for the Aurora Borealis. Stays cost from 30,465 Icelandic krónur (Dh1,058) per night, twin share. For more information, visit www.nli.is.

Norway: Hurtigruten cruise liner

Watching the light show to end all light shows from a cruise ship is a cool way to witness them. Norwegian liner company Hurtigruten believes so strongly that its guests will see them, that it is offering a "Northern Lights Promise" – see them on a 12-day voyage between October and February or join again next winter for free. Cruises cost from €1,212 (Dh5,228) per person, twin share. For more information, visit www.hurtigruten.com.

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