Stay in a glass igloo and ride a reindeer sleigh for a Nordic aurora adventure

Text by Qidou Travel Network; Photos by Master Travel and Shutterstock

For Taiwanese people living in low-latitude regions, the aurora—a phenomenon visible only in high-latitude countries—is incredibly rare and precious. Iceland, located in Northern Europe, lies entirely within the auroral oval, offering opportunities to witness breathtaking auroras from anywhere in the country. If you’re planning an aurora trip this winter, head to Northern Europe to explore Iceland and Finland’s spectacular sights and experience the once-in-a-lifetime aurora that’s absolutely worth seeing.

▲ In Iceland, the best time to see the aurora is from October to March of the following year.

Beyond the aurora, Iceland’s unique natural landscapes are awe-inspiring

Iceland’s Skógafoss Waterfall, about 25 meters wide and nearly 60 meters high, is spectacular. Due to the abundant mist here, a beautiful rainbow often appears near the waterfall on clear, sunny days. Hiking up the trail beside the waterfall allows for an up-close encounter with Skógafoss.

▲ Skógafoss Waterfall is also known as the "Rainbow Waterfall"

Iceland is home to both glaciers and volcanoes, two unique landforms. Visitors can embark on a Golden Circle tour to explore Iceland’s diverse terrain. The most famous attractions on this tour include the Þingvellir National Park, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet, the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall, and the geysers formed by volcanic activity.

▲ Geysers are located in geothermal areas and erupt with billowing steam.

Finland: See the aurora, ride an icebreaker, and visit Santa Claus Village

Staying in a Finnish aurora house is a uniquely immersive polar experience. Whether standing or sitting, you can gaze at the vast night sky through the transparent glass roof in any position you prefer. If the weather is clear, you might even catch a glimpse of the dazzling aurora everyone dreams of seeing.

▲ Finnish Aurora House

You may have experienced sailing before, but have you ever ridden an icebreaker that carves a path through thick ice with its massive hull? Finland’s MS Sampo, a one-of-a-kind icebreaker based in Kemi, weighs 3,540 tons, is 75 meters long, and has decades of passenger-carrying history. When the ship reaches the ice, visitors can put on specially designed waterproof and insulated rubber suits to experience floating on the sea surface in temperatures as low as minus twenty to thirty degrees Celsius.

▲ The MS Sampo icebreaker will take you on a thrilling ice journey

The hometown of Santa Claus—Santa Claus Village—is also located in Finland. Due to its unique geographical location within the Arctic Circle, visitors can obtain a certificate of entry into the Arctic Circle as a souvenir. Additionally, you can take photos with Santa Claus, buy postcards, and have them stamped with Santa’s exclusive postmark to send heartfelt greetings to your loved ones.

▲ Santa Claus Village

This winter, Master Travel has planned a 10-day Aurora Iceland & Netherlands tour and an 8-day lightweight Aurora Iceland & Netherlands tour for travelers eager to see the aurora. The tour fees include entry to popular attractions like the Blue Lagoon hot springs and glacier hiking. Guests will also be arranged to search for the aurora by boat and stay in Iceland’s aurora-friendly southwestern region, which has minimal light pollution, increasing the chances of witnessing the aurora.

▲ The Blue Lagoon, rich in white silica mud, minerals, and blue-green algae, forms soft natural sediments at the lake bottom, creating its unique blue waters.

On Master Travel’s Nordic aurora tours, visitors will ride reindeer sleighs through forests, then warm up with hot drinks by the campfire while waiting for the aurora to appear. Additionally, the tour includes king crab fishing. Guests will ride snowmobile-pulled sleds to frozen seas, drill holes in the ice, and haul up pre-set crab traps, followed by on-site cooking of fresh king crabs in seaside cabins.

▲ Visitors may catch king crabs weighing up to 10 kilograms

More information:
▲ 8-Day Aurora Iceland & Netherlands Experience
https://goo.gl/oeo6KQ
▲ 10-Day Aurora Iceland & Netherlands Experience
https://goo.gl/jiAHHf
▲ 10-Day Nordic Aurora, Icebreaker, Glass Igloo & King Crab Tour
https://goo.gl/WZeTsH
For details, contact: Master Travel / Triumph Travel (02)2507-5000
Websitehttps://www.artisan.com.tw/