Go Niche

Few spectacles will put you in your place quicker than the aurora borealis in full flow. Nature offers no firmer reminder that, no, you are not the centre of the universe – and nor is the tiny planet you call home.

Writ large in the Northern Lights is the fact that you’re nothing but a speck hurtling through the cosmic soup without a clue how or why you got there, so sit back and enjoy the show. It’s strangely comforting.

Yes, it can be reduced to some sort of weird science to do with rays and ions, but who cares? In ancient Norway the display was attributed to light glancing off the shields and spears of the Valkyrie, the female warriors who galloped dead combatants to Valhalla. I prefer that version.

As it happens Norway is still one of the best options for Irish people looking to track down the aurora borealis. Specialist operator Project Travel has two options: a four-night Northern Lights Quest package, for €1,659, or a five-night voyage package on a cruise ship, for €1,295. Both deals include flights.

Alternatively, Extreme Ireland has a five-day trip to Kirkenes, in northern Norway, for €750, excluding flights. Be aware, though, that much of the thrill of seeing the lights is down to their elusiveness. There is no guarantee the celestial lighting director will be on duty just because you’re in town. The world doesn’t revolve around you, remember?

project-travel.ie or extremeireland.ie