All the time all the time all the time when somebody asks for recommendation for planning a northern lights journey I inform them to both e book a northern lights tour (or a number of) or keep in lodging with a clear wall/roof.
You see, even on the clearest of nights with robust aurora forecasts, the northern lights might solely seem for a brief period of time, and also you undoubtedly don’t wish to miss them. However for those who’re visiting within the winter, you in all probability additionally don’t wish to be standing outdoors all night time, as a result of brrr.
Whereas a tour is nice as a result of often a information shall be outdoors watching when you’re in a tent ingesting one thing scorching, as a loner solo traveler I are inclined to choose expecting the lights alone, from the consolation of a glass cabin or igloo. Norway doesn’t have many glass igloos (this one in Lyngen is my favourite), however prior to now few years I’ve seen a number of Arctic Domes popping up across the nation.
I’ve shared all of my favourite northern lights inns and lodging in Norway right here.
I stayed in an Arctic Dome in Narvik a few years in the past when my buddy Danielle was visiting, after which I virtually stayed in a dome on Bolga when Alicia was visiting, however we received snowed out. So after all once I moved to Tromsø I needed to map out all the nearest Arctic Domes for future journeys. And I used to be so happy to seek out the Arctic Domes in Alta!
And I used to be much more happy when the Glød Arctic Domes ended up being my absolute favourite in all of Norway. I’ve now stayed in 5 Arctic Domes in Norway and Glød in Alta is my favourite, partly as a result of Alta is such a wonderful location for seeing the northern lights, and likewise as a result of that is probably the most luxurious Arctic Domes expertise.
I’m an enormous fan of Norway street journeys and getting round by public transportation in northern Norway might be tough, so most of my travels right here find yourself being to locations which might be laborious to achieve with out a automotive. And I understand that may be irritating for somebody planning a northern lights journey to Norway who doesn’t wish to drive via snow and ice. So I’m very blissful to report you can completely keep at one of many Arctic Domes at Glød Explorer in Alta with out a automotive.
Alta itself is likely one of the greatest locations in Norway to see the northern lights because it’s thus far north – a few 5 hour drive north from Tromsø. Additionally they have an airport, so it’s straightforward to get to.
Glød Explorer is a bit out of city, in a quiet wooded space, however they’ll prepare transport for you, in addition to a bunch of excursions and actions. In reality for those who e book two nights or extra they’ll embrace a free decide up in downtown Alta or on the airport.
They’ve a set of 5 domes, so this isn’t the identical distant wilderness expertise I’ve had different locations, however once more, it’s rather more accessible, and the dome itself gives the next stage of luxurious. It even has an connected rest room, and within the morning earlier than breakfast somebody introduced espresso to my door and supplied to mild a fireplace in my wooden burning oven. There are additionally showers and a sauna in the principle constructing 30 meters from the domes.
The proprietor constructed the dome camp across the current bushes, so the views aren’t completely clear, however I used to be nonetheless in a position to get pleasure from fairly the northern lights present at night time.
When the lights received stronger I merely walked out to a clearing so I might see them higher.
After which I spent the morning admiring the daytime views within the forest.
Oh and likewise, the breakfast right here was unbelievable! It featured a number of do-it-yourself or domestically sourced merchandise, together with freshly baked rolls and wild salmon that the proprietor had caught and smoked himself. The workers had been extremely pleasant and I loved chatting with them over breakfast, since I used to be visiting alone.
Since staying right here I’ve been recommending the Glød domes in Alta to all my family and friends, as they are surely such a singular and cosy place to expertise the northern lights. If you need northern lights lodging that’s straightforward to get to even with out a automotive, with the potential for organized excursions and actions, then the domes at Glød Explorer are excellent. Examine present charges and availability at Glød Explorer right here.
