The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon like no other on the planet with the magical dancing display known for dazzling all who are lucky enough to gaze upon it.
While the lights can be fickle about when (or if) they appear and take on an assortment of colors, shapes and sizes, when they do, there is one thing necessary to see them: clear dark skies.
With the end of winter right around the corner, soon the hours of dark sky in the northern reaches of the planet will dwindle to nil, making spotting the lights a more difficult proposition.
Iceland
Lying in the middle of the North Atlantic and completely above the 60th Parallel, Iceland is paradise for Northern Lights watchers. As long as you leave the glow of the capital Reykjavik behind, you'll find that the skies are dark enough anywhere in the country to spot the lights.
Whether you base yourself in the countryside, drive yourself out to the expanses of Thingvellir National Park or take one of the many organized trips that fan out from Reykjavik each evening, you're going to have a good chance of seeing the lights here. The organized expeditions are especially popular, as most companies offer a 'free second chance' tour if the lights don't appear the night you go out.
Tromso, Norway
The self-professed 'Capital of the North,' Tromso is hands-down the Northern Lights capital of Norway. Located in the far north of the country, lights can be spotted from the quaint and cozy city center, with a trip out of town only serving to intensify the experience. Northern Lights themed vacations have become the bread-and-butter of this town, with over 70 organized activities centered around the phenomenon.
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Fairbanks, Alaska
The only American city to lie within the famous 'aurora oval' (an area of heavy Northern Lights activity), due to its relative wealth of tourist infrastructure, Fairbanks is the best place in Alaska to base yourself to see the lights. You'll need to leave town to see them, and there is a host of tour companies that will take you outside the city for a night, some that even include a pampering pitstop at nearby hot springs.
If you're really up for an adventure, you could always stay at the Iniakuk Wilderness Lodge, which lies 200 miles to the north and is known for leading luxurious Northern Lights expeditions into the backcountry.
Yellowknife, Canada
The capital city of Canada's far-flung Northwest Territories, Yellowknife is also Canada's Mecca when it comes to being mesmerized by the Northern Lights. A host of tour operators and lodges specialize in aurora experiences, with the Aurora Village well-known throughout town for offering heated seats during viewing experiences and the chance to connect to local aboriginal culture.
Abisko National Park, Sweden
Home to massive Lake Torneträsk, which serves as both a dark sky creator and a Northern Lights reflector, this gorgeous park in the north of Sweden is arguably the safest bet on the planet to see the aurora borealis.
The reason? The park lies within a unique microclimate that keeps the area dry and cloud free, and when the skies are clear, the lights have a better chance to appear.
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