Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
I would like to take my 16-year-old grandson to see the Northern Lights. When and where will we have the best prospects? -
The aurora borealis is one of the most spectacular natural phenomena on the planet - or, rather, high above the earth, in the more northerly latitudes.
Nature's neon puts on the most spectacular displays when solar radiation interacts with the earth's magnetic field, creating swathes of colour across the night sky. The intensity depends on the cycle of sunspot activity, currently close to a maximum, which is happening now.
However, with near 24-hour daylight already prevailing close to the Arctic Circle, start planning for October/November or next February/March.
Sightings are by no means guaranteed. On my two Northern Lights trips, to northern Iceland and western Norway, the sky had saved its amazing show until the very last night. So you need to be somewhere that offers a range of rewarding activities.
In Iceland, if you base yourselves at or near Akureyri (visitakureyri.is), opportunities range from immersing yourself in thermal baths to driving across a frozen lake. For Norway, the Hurtigruten coastal ferry (hurtigruten.co.uk/norway) is the perfect way to combine Europe's most dramatic shoreline with visiting fascinating coastal communities and the chance of sighting the Northern Lights.
Email your travel queries to [email protected]