AS we head into the downswing of the solar cycle, the Northern Lights are likely to be trickier to observe over the next decade.
Literally starting with a bang when a coronal mass ejection (basically an explosion of energy on the sun’s surface) causes light displays as far south as northern England, the Northern Lights season is well under way.
And if you want to see the stunning natural phenomena with your own eyes, now could be the best time to go.
The strength of the lights depends on electromagnetic activity in the atmosphere, which peaks and falls in an 11-year cycle.
After years of fantastic displays, we’re beginning a downward slide, and although the aurora will always be present, the shows may be less frequent until 2020.
So, to optimise your chances of seeing those wizard wand luminous streaks, book one of these new-season tours.
The far-flung adventure
Where: Churchill, Canada
Endless stretches of Arctic tundra and a healthy population of polar bears make this remote town on the Hudson Bay a true wilderness escape.
At 58 degrees north, it sits within the aurora oval (the area where the lights are best observed) and in October, when the rivers freeze, bears come out to hunt and fight.
Next year, from March 2-10, a pop-up restaurant with a transparent roof will be erected inside the 18th Century Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site.
Along with a gourmet four-course meal cooked by a top Canadian chef, guests will hopefully dine out on spectacular light displays.
Prices are still to be confirmed, but you can join the waiting list online now.
For more information, visit raw-churchill.com
The Instagram envy inducer
Where: Rovaniemi, Finland
Standing in the cold for hours on end waiting for a green strip of light to streak across the sky – it’s a rite of passage for aurora hunters.
But Regent Holidays have come up with an alternative approach – they’re inviting guests to float around in the cold instead.
Dressed head to toe in a dry suit, willing participants will float in a frozen lake while waiting for the lights to turn up.
The Ice Floating excursion can be booked as part of a three-night break at the Arctic Light Hotel for £900pp including direct flights from London and transfers.
Visit regent-holidays.co.uk
The New Year saviour
Where: Lapland
There’s no guarantee the aurora will show up on December 31, but it would certainly beat any fireworks display if they did.
A novel Hogmanay holiday is Off The Map Travel’s New Year Twice trip, which allows party-goers to ring in 2018 in both Finland and Sweden (there’s a one-hour time difference).
Package includes champagne from an ice bar, a gala dinner and a chance to dance and sauna with locals.
A three-night/four-day trip costs £1299pp including accommodation, activities and transfers to Lulea Airport. Flights extra.
Visit offthemap.travel
The (near) guarantee
Where: Tromso, Norway
Cloud cover frequently scuppers chances of viewing the aurora.
One way to get round the problem is to soar above the fuzzy grey masses on a plane.
Special flights will operate from Tromso Airport from January to March 2018, with a bottle of champagne stowed on board for the moment the show begins.
Magnetic North Travel offer the Aurora flight, with window seat, as part of a three night break in a four-star hotel, costing £995pp with flights and transfers.
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe