NorwayFinnmark, Norway's northernmost county, sits way above the Arctic Circle and covers more than 48,000 sq km of wild and wonderful nature on the same latitude as Greenland and Alaska. It is a land of huge contrasts with a diverse landscape from a dramatic fjord-indented coastline to miles upon miles of peaceful plains. And, for seekers of the northern lights, the region boasts plenty of remote and vast open skies. When IN PURSUIT OF THE AURORA you'll begin your trip in the bustling city of Tromso, steeped in history and home to the striking glass-fronted Arctic Cathedral. Then from here take the famous Norwegian coastal steamer, Hurtigruten, all the way up to Nordkapp (North Cape), pretty much the northernmost point in Continental Europe, before stopping in Kongsfjord. Disembark here and spend two nights in a homely guesthouse in a small but lively fishing village then continue by ship and end your journey in Kirkenes, near the Russian border. If you prefer to keep your winter breaks shorter you could just combine the ICEHOTEL & TROMSO.Our GREAT NORDIC ODYSSEY can only be described as an epic adventure. Over 12 days, travelling by plane, train and Hurtigruten coastal voyager from Stockholm and the Icehotel in Sweden, down the spectacular Norwegian coast, through the Lofoften Islands to Bergen then across to Oslo, appreciate the travelling as much as the amazing places visited. The nights aboard a Hurtigruten vessel are prime time for aurora watching, the intensity and scale of the yellow, green and red displays can be breathtaking."We were bowled over by the Icehotel and saw the lights whilst snowmobiling - absolutely incredible though we wished they'd stayed for longer. But we saw them again near Lofoten, fellow aurora watchers lined up along the side of the ship, bleary eyed and some with pyjamas under their anoraks. We'll never forget our adventure." In Pursuit Of The Aurora I Icehotel & Tromso I Great Nordic OdysseyTime to travel January to Apriltalk to the experts 01737 218 804 15

IcelandIt is easy to fall in love with the land of 'fire and ice.' The fascinating natural wonders of this ever-developing island, coupled with its welcoming people, endear it to so many. Iceland offers a wealth of holiday options including those specifically aimed at maximising your chances of a northern lights sighting. Although it is generally considered that the aurora is more likely to be seen away from sources of artificial light, strong sightings over Reykjavik, the capital, are quite common. AURORA NIGHTS is a self-drive trip based at the superb ranch-style Hotel Ranga set in a wonderful rural location. Close by, iconic waterfalls, spouting geysers and glaciers mean plenty of scope for daytime activities. The BLUE LAGOON SPA BREAK is for independent travellers. Stay at the aptly named Northern Light Inn, about 30 minutes from Reykjavik, which boasts a special 360° observation lounge. The hotel is also next to the world-famous Blue Lagoon and a dip here is a 'must' for any visitor to Iceland. Alternatively, holiday with like-minded travellers on our NORTHERN LIGHTS SPECIAL escorted tour and spend time at the two properties previously mentioned. Visit Gullfoss, the stunning tiered falls and the fascinating Geysir geothermal area. We specialise in tailor-made travel and offer various countryside properties suitable for aurora watching. With this flexible approach you can add optional excursions as you wish. One of the most thrilling ways to explore Iceland's volcanic and geothermal curiosities is on a superjeep excursion. You may be tempted to drive such a beast yourself (which you can do) but most prefer to sit back and enjoy the rather bumpy ride and let their driver/guide take the vehicles to their limits. For a longer break our ICELAND & ICEHOTEL trip also overnights in Stockholm, so three special places on one very popular holiday - see our website for details. ".everything happened according to plan and even the northern lights appeared to provide a perfect display. It was the perfect setting for me to propose to my partner."Aurora Nights I Blue Lagoon Spa Break I Northern Lights SpecialTime to travel September to March16 visit discover-the-world.co.uk/northernlights