Places in Europe to enjoy a beauty and magic show
In these difficult times in which many turn their eyes to the sky trying to glimpse a ray of hope, this gives us a show of beauty and magic that can make you forget the problems while the spell lasts. Are the northern lights, those strange greenish and red lights that the Vikings attributed to the reflections of the armor and shields of the gods of Asgard.
Centuries later, scientists would dismantle these theories, but, to avoid falling into the monotony of a world without dreams and romanticism, More than a few Norsemen continue to see the gleam of Thor's mighty hammer in their dark autumn skies.
In the northern hemisphere, this phenomenon is almost exclusive to the Nordic countries.
And it is that this spectacular phenomenon, in the northern hemisphere (in the southern hemisphere it is also given and receives the name of aurora australis), it is almost exclusive property - because they can also be enjoyed, for example, in places in China, Canada and Japan - of nordic european countries, whose territories are located near the Arctic Circle. That is, in the land of Vikings
WHAT ARE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS AND WHY ARE THEY FORMED
If the ancient Vikings related them to their gods, the Sami – settled culture in northern Finland, Sweden and Norway – think the Northern Lights are nothing more than the souls of their ancestors, while the Nunatsiavut tribes of Canada identify them with the lights that guide their loved ones on their way to eternal rest.
But if all these cultural beliefs are discarded, and putting it in simple terms, it seems that The Northern Lights are formed when particles emitted by the Sun - the so-called 'solar wind' - collide with the magnetic field that surrounds the Earth, creating that heavenly mosaic of green and red lights.
The particles that travel from the Sun to the Earth usually cover that distance in a period of 2 to 3 days, being possible to foresee the aurora borealis with that time in advance.
**WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO ENJOY THE NORTHERN LIGHTS**
Although the fact that a greater or lesser number of northern lights occurs in a particular year depends on astronomical factors – especially the intensity and frequency of solar currents -, the truth is that The best months to admire this spectacle in the northern hemisphere are between October and March.
Celestial mosaics of green and red lights
As for the time of day, they will look better the darker the sky. Therefore, the nights without moon – and without clouds – will be the favorites.
THE BEST PLACES IN EUROPE TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
Since the legendary Italian scientist Galileo Galilei coined the term aurora borealis in 1619. seekers of the northern lights have traveled to remote parts of northern Europe.
Today, thanks to the development of technology and means of transport, this company is much simpler, noticing an increase in the flow of tourists to places to observe the northern lights during the autumn and winter months.
These are some of the best places in Europe to marvel at those magical lights that the sky gives us:
In Norway there is a couple of ideal places to see the northern lights.
On the one hand, there is Tromso. The city known as The Gateway to the Arctic, With its houses with colorful facades, it attracts a good number of tourists all year round.
Tromsø, on the hunt for the Northern Lights
However, the numbers reach their peak in the northern lights season, as the show redoubles its beauty by seeing itself reflected in the mountains and the water that surround the city. In addition, they can see while doing a safari through its exuberant virgin nature or from the sea.
Other great places to see the Northern Lights in Norway are Svalbard – famous home of the polar bears -, Kirkenes, the Lofoten Islands and the North Cape.
As is the case in Norway, the northern part of Sweden is also in the arctic circle belt, which makes it an ideal territory to hunt the Northern Lights.
In the Swedish region of Lapland the conditions are unbeatable, being Kiruna and Abisko National Park two of the most propitious places.
The small town of Abisko It is surrounded by mountains, away from the pollution of artificial lights. Local legend tells that anyone who stays there for three nights, between the months of September and April, will have an 88% chance of seeing the Northern Lights, As long as the clouds don't appear.
As to Finnish Lapland, Kemi and Rovaniemi they are the typical bases to see the northern lights. Bearing in mind that an average of 200 nights a year, It's hard not to get it right.
Rovaniemi is not only the home of Santa Claus, but also of these spectacular Northern Lights
In Rovaniemi it is easy to feel the attraction of get lost in the dense snowy forests, the vast tundras and the immense frozen lakes. In addition, you can also take advantage of the trip to leave some letter or another to Santa Claus and his gnomes, in an experience that enchants children and adults.
The entire island of Iceland is a true ode to nature. With a population that barely exceeds 350,000 inhabitants, they are glaciers, volcanoes, lakes, seas, forests and vast steppes the true protagonists of the country.
Be witnesses of the phenomenon of the northern lights in such a scenario it is a divine gift that everyone should try to enjoy.
Although they can be seen even from the outskirts of the capital, Reykjavik, it is better to go further into the island to eliminate possible light pollution and achieve darker skies. Some ideal places are Thingvellir National Park, the black sand beach of Vik, the ancient lava field of Eldborgahraun and the lonely northern Asbyrgi Canyon.
Finally, and to the surprise of many people, you can also spot the northern lights in the highlands and islands of Scotland. One of the best options is the spectacular Isle of Skye.
And it is that here, its impressive cliffs, forests, beaches, castles and small villages, in which a few dozen colorful houses are crowded, live under skies of great purity and clarity.
One of the best places on the island to enjoy the shimmering, rippling green and red lights of the Northern Lights is Glendale beach. A beautiful place from which to honor the powerful inhabitants of Asgard.
Iceland becomes even more beautiful if the northern lights dance in its sky