THE Magical Northern Lights In Iceland

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THE MAGICAL NORTHERN LIGHTS IN ICELAND

 

Iceland and the northern lights go together like peanut butter & jelly, it's one of the top activities that people list as a must do when we plan a trip to Iceland. But we need dark skies, so we are looking at late September to March as northern light season. There are a lot of tour options, small is always better. When a group of us from Cruise Planners attended Icelandair's Mid Atlantic Trade Show in January, we booked through a supplier that took us out to a location that wasn't visited by the big bus tours. Our group was just a few minivans. Dress for the weather as you'll be outside for hours. 

 

Iceland is an impossibly, beautiful country. With miles of untouched land and whimsical landscapes, it's hard to imagine what could make this place even more magical than it already is. Iceland is one of the best countries for viewing the northern lights thanks to its high altitude. The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, have enchanted people for centuries. In Iceland, these colorful lights have been the center of entertainment and mythology in the country’s culture.

 

If you’re interested in taking a trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights, here are a few tips to know before you go!

 

WHEN TO GO

To see the Northern Lights, you need complete darkness and a clear night. For this reason, the best season to see the lights is from late September to March. We stayed out late on our tour as we went to 2 different locations outside of the capital to see the lights.

 

WHERE TO SEE THEM

Unlike most countries, you don't have to travel far out of your way to get a glimpse of the lights.  For travelers who want to make the most of their trip, you can take a guided Northern Lights hunting tour that will take you to some of the most magnificent vantage points across the country. This is what I did while I was there. 

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS MYTHOLOGY

While we know now that the dazzling, dancing lights are caused by solar particles entering the earth's magnetic field high in the atmosphere and ionizing, this wasn't always the case. Icelandic culture is deeply rooted in mythology, and it was believed that the lights could help relieve the pain of childbirth. Viking legend suggests that the lights were a reflection from the shields and armor of the Valkyrie, who would choose who dies in battle and who lives to fight another day!

 

While the Northern Lights can be very unpredictable, they are spectacular to see. Spend an evening under the stars and witness the magical beauty of the Northern Lights in Iceland.

 

Iceland during the day is just as spectacular and it's a great destination anytime of the year. 

Contact us to plan your Iceland adventure.