ADVENTURE
Where to admire the unique spectacle of the Northern Lights? Here are some of the ideal places
The northern lights are an optical phenomenon of the Earth's atmosphere, characterized by bright bands of a wide range of shapes and colors, typically red-green-blue, called auroral arcs, caused by the interaction of charged particles of solar origin with the Earth's ionosphere.
Obviously, to observe the Northern Lights - the equivalent of the Southern Lights of the southern hemisphere of the Earth - it is necessary to head as far north as possible in the northern hemisphere, better beyond the Arctic Circle.
To observe the dawn the sky must be clear and, possibly, totally cloudless. It is also necessary that there is total darkness. The best time to observe the phenomenon, however, is between the beginning of autumn and the beginning of spring (approximately from the second half of September until the beginning of April).
What are the best conditions to observe the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights are an optical phenomenon of the Earth's atmosphere, characterized by light bands of a wide range of shapes and colors, caused by the interaction of charged particles of solar origin with the Earth's ionosphere. To observe the Northern Lights - the equivalent of the Southern Lights of the Earth's Southern Hemisphere - it is necessary to head as far north as possible in the Northern Hemisphere, better beyond the Arctic Circle. To see the aurora the sky must be clear and, possibly, cloudless. It is also necessary that there is darkness. The best time to observe the phenomenon, however, is between the beginning of autumn and the beginning of spring (approximately from the second half of September until the beginning of April), the ideal time is between 21.00 and 1.00.
Alaska
Yukon, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali: these are the most popular places to admire the aurora in Alaska, an uncontaminated territory that with its 1,717,854 km² is also the largest state in the USA.
Iceland
The Þingvellir National Park is the ideal territory to observe this spectacular phenomenon in Iceland. But in general, Iceland offers other unique beauties, including the immense glaciers, geysers and beautiful sunsets of Reykjavík, the capital.
Fær Øer Islands
Located off the northern coast of Europe, between the Norwegian Sea and the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, the archipelago of Fær Øer islands is a constituent nation of the Kingdom of Denmark. A trip here is an opportunity not to be missed to discover a unique place, where Scandinavian and Celtic culture come together.
Sweden
Sweden also has good vantage points for the Northern Lights. In particular, it is Abisko the ideal territory, considered by many as the absolute best place to admire this spectacle. Abisko is located in Swedish Lapland and the park of the same name allows breathtaking views of the Arctic landscape.
Lofoten Islands
The ideal places to admire the Northern Lights are those where light pollution is absent. The Lofoten Islands, in this sense, are a perfect territory. Located in Norway, the islands are located beyond the Arctic Circle and are also affected by the famous phenomenon of the midnight sun.
Tromsø
Norway is still the protagonist: Tromsø is commonly considered the capital of Lapland, also called the Paris of the North for its extraordinary beauty.
Canada
Overseas, Canada is also affected by the aurora phenomenon. The ideal area is between Lake Superior, in Ontario, and the tundra of Northern Canada. Also worth visiting is the town of Whitehorse, capital of the territory of Yukon, where every year snow races are held with dog sleds.
Greenland
Let's not forget Greenland, the largest island on the planet. The ideal spots for the Northern Lights here are Kulusuk and Ammassalik.
Finland
We close with Finland. The Northern Lights Research Center warns tourists early when the Northern Lights occur. Here, you can watch the light show on a spectacular and unforgettable sleigh ride in the snow.
Travel without booking
30/09/2023
In the desert of Karakum, in Turkmenistan, there is a huge gaseous crater known as the Gate of Hell, which is presumed to have been burning, without ever stopping, since 1971.
The crater was formed following the collapse of a natural gas cave and the name Gate of Hell was given to it by the local population, who live in the nearby village of Derweze. The name is associated with the fact that inside the crater, with a diameter of about 70 meters and a depth of 20, there is constantly fire, flames and boiling mud. At night, flames are visible even several kilometers away.
According to the local population, the Gate of Hell is a supernatural phenomenon. The explorer George Kourounis managed to take some soil samples inside the crater and from the analysis would have discovered the presence of bacteria that survived despite the high temperatures and present are inside the crater and not in the surrounding terrain.
Villages
28/09/2023
Barcelona is a kaleidoscope of art, culture and natural beauty. Start with the Sagrada Familia, Gaudí's masterpiece, still under construction, and the Parc Güell, with its colourful and imaginative sculptures.
The Barri Gòtic, the historical heart of the city, fascinates with its alleys and squares.
Don't miss La Boqueria market, a gourmet's paradise, and Casa Batlló, another Gaudí jewel. Montjuïc offers breathtaking views and the Parc de la Ciutadella is perfect for a relaxing break.
Luxury shopping and modernist architecture await you at Passeig de Gràcia.
Enjoy the beach at Barceloneta and admire Picasso's art at the museum dedicated to the famous painter.