Aurora borealis, the green ladies of the sky

Since ancient times, the people of the Arctic Circle regions have been fascinated by the magical poetic dance of lights of the northern lights in the sky. According to the Inuit, these northern lights represented the spirits of relatives or friends who had died and who danced in the afterlife.

In Sami culture, the phenomenon is known as Guovssahas, meaning "the light that can be heard" and, the Vikings saw in this fascinating phenomenon the Valkyries' armor that cast a strange flickering light. Today, whoever has been lucky enough to witness an aurora borealis, also called "green lady" by the locals, knows that he or she has lived one of the most magical experiences that can be observed in nature.

The northern lights are formed about 70-100 kilometers above the Earth's surface when particles from solar flares and explosions collide with the Earth's magnetic shield and are attracted to an area around the North Pole, known as the auroral oval or belt. There, upon contact with the Earth's atmosphere, an energy is released which is what we know as the northern lights. 

If they take place in the northern hemisphere, they are called auroras borealis, while those in the southern hemisphere are called auroras australis. The green and yellowish colors of this fascinating phenomenon are due to the interaction with oxygen in the atmosphere while nitrogen is responsible for the bluish and purple tones that can also be seen sometimes.

Although it cannot be picked up through the human ear, aurora borealis emit a sound similar to the crackling of static electricity. The regions where there is the best chance of seeing these northern lights are at a latitude of 66 to 69 degrees north, a swath of the planet that includes northern Alaska and Canada, parts of Greenland, northern Scandinavia, Scotland, and northern Russia. The best time to see the auroras is from November to April, with January and February being the months of greatest intensity of this celestial phenomenon.

In addition to contemplating the northern lights, traveling to the Arctic in winter allows you to perform activities that go beyond the classics such as dog sledding, snowmobiling, or cross-country skiing. You can also enjoy a three-hour cruise aboard an icebreaker sailing through the Gulf of Bothnia, belonging to the Baltic Sea. The experience allows you to walk on the frozen sea and take a dip in the water, at 0 degrees, being possible due to the thermal and watertight suits.

In Swedish Lapland, Arctic Bath offers a unique setting in which to view both the northern lights in winter and the midnight sun in summer. It is an extraordinary new floating spa hotel located on the Lule River near the small village of Harads. Having been built in a circular shape on the water, Arctic Bath floats during the summer and freezes in ice during the winter, offering a unique experience of wellness and sustainable luxury in the Arctic all year round. 

As a small and remote magical hideaway, Arctic Bath is composed of sustainable cabins that incorporate nature inside through materials such as wood, stone, leather, and luxury textiles, integrated seamlessly into the Scandinavian design that characterizes the entire interior design. The ideal starting point from which to live one of the most magical travel experiences on the planet.

In Finland, Octola offers a luxurious stay in its lodge or mountain village where the goal is to relax by reconnecting with the most remote nature of Lapland. The name honors the number 8 which, for Janne Honkanen, founder of Octola, has a special symbolism since the latitude 66 North of the Arctic Circle crosses 8 countries, there are 8 seasons in Lapland and a compass marks 8 points of orientation. 

Thus, it is not surprising that the tasting menu proposed by the Octola chef also consists of 8 dishes inspired by the recipes of Arctic cuisine. Another curiosity of this exclusive Arctic chalet is the shape of the lodge, which is inspired by the traditional Lappish "laavu" buildings, which in the past used to provide shelter for those who lived the nomadic lifestyle.