TRAVEL
Experience the Northern Lights in Iceland
The Northern Lights, often referred to as the Aurora Borealis, are one of humankind’s greatest peeks into nature’s splendor. The night sky’s striking shades result from electrical charges colliding up to 200 miles above the earth’s surface, and are best viewed near the Arctic Circle on long winter nights between September and March. Iceland offers a prime viewing location on the southern edge of the Arctic Circle that may allow you to view this phenomenon up to 100 nights per year, and in warmer temperatures than other locations around the world.
There’s no better time to plan this experience than now. 2024 is a “Solar Maximum” year, the peak of the sun’s eleven-year cycle that produces the climactic solar activity that enhances the Northern Lights, creating optimal viewing opportunities. The country’s striking landscapes and natural wonders, like glaciers and volcanoes, will complement this experience, creating an adventure-filled vacation your family won’t soon forget.
Front Row Seats
Eleven Deplar Farm, named one of 2023’s “Best Hotels in the World” on Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List, offers spectators some of the top views of the Northern Lights. The property’s remote setting on Iceland’s Troll Peninsula boasts little to no light pollution and warmer conditions than most popular viewing areas. Floor-to-ceiling windows, wrap-around decks and a geothermally heated pool with custom viewing lounges make Deplar the ultimate place to bask beneath the dancing neon hues. Self-led adventures across the property’s sweeping landscape also offer a variety of exclusive outdoor vantage points, making it a thoroughly unique Northern Lights hotel.
When you venture up to Deplar Farm in hopes of spotting the Northern Lights, their team will stay eleven steps ahead of you to make sure your entire stay is optimized for a celestial evening well spent, which can include:
- Staying in one of their Aurora Borealis suites which are perfect for late night viewings thanks to outdoor balconies with never-ending private views.
- Upon request, the team will alert you up until two in the morning if the Northern Lights appear, offering you a specialty cocktail that is made exclusively for magical nights like these.
- Any outdoor excursions, like whale watching or snowshoeing, can be polished off with outdoor après under the evening sky. They’ll prepare warm beverages like hot toddies and cocoa while you bundle up in winter-proof onesies that’ll keep you toasty as you witness the start of the Northern Lights display.
- Once evening sets in, order your favorite drink from the swim-up bar and settle into the built-in lounges within the geothermally heated outdoor pool. There’s no better place to fully soak in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the planet’s most remarkable spectacle–they’ve even created ergonomically designed benches to ensure your head is at the most comfortable angle for viewing.
FEATURED OFFER
Eleven Luxury Adventure Lodges
Book a travel adventure with Eleven and enjoy a selection of complimentary experiences for two, a value of up to $1,000 per couple.
