Visit Norway and Sweden & let the aurora borealis mesmerise you

Region: Scandinavian countries — Norway and Sweden

Best time to go: November to March

The Northern Lights are nature's own light show. The Aurora Borealis has been fascinating travellers to Norway and Sweden for generations.

This phenomenon in the sky is traditionally associated with sound by the Sami, the indigenous people of Norway. And during the Viking Age, the Northern Lights were said to be the armour of the Valkyrie warrior virgins, shedding a strange flickering light.

So what causes this wonder? Solar explosions that fling charged particles into space, result in appearance of the unique Northern Lights. This activity takes place all year in all types of weather. However, to actually see the lights, the weather has to be dark and clear. The best chances of seeing the Northern Lights are between November and March, when there is limited amount of daylight. The display usually begins in the late afternoon or in the evening and continues with varying intensity into the night.

When dreaming about witnessing nature's light show, one must remember that you are at the complete mercy of nature. The Aurora Borealis often plays hide and seek. Observing it is often a tug of war between your patience and the Aurora itself. When you travel here, stay in the area for at least a week or two. And you shall be handsomely rewarded with an experience of a lifetime.