Have you ever ever dreamt of seeing the Northern Lights? This pure phenomenon ignites the night time sky with vibrant colors and superb folks worldwide. With its lengthy, darkish winter nights, Iceland is a first-rate location for households to see this spectacle.
Planning a Household Journey to see the Northern Lights? Right here’s Why We Can Assist!
Whereas the attract of the Northern Lights is simple, planning to see them with youngsters can add an additional layer of consideration.
This information is designed for households looking for an unforgettable Northern Lights journey in Iceland. We perceive that you simply might need questions past digital camera settings and self-drive excursions.
What to Anticipate on Your Northern Lights Tour: Past the Fundamentals
We’ve been there and performed it with two children in tow.! Our preliminary analysis revealed an abundance of assets targeted on pictures or impartial journeys.
This information, nonetheless, dives deeper, addressing the sensible considerations and “little issues” that always go missed when planning a Northern Lights tour with children. Our ladies had been 9 and 12 once we went on this journey.
Who did we select to do a Northern Lights Tour with?
Our unforgettable Northern Lights expertise was made attainable by a guided tour with Grey Line Iceland. Selecting a guided tour, particularly for households with youngsters, presents a number of benefits:
- Native Experience: Educated guides improve your expertise by main you to prime viewing places you’ll by no means discover on a self-drive expertise. Their native insights improve your probabilities of seeing the Aurora Borealis.
- Snug & Handy Transportation: Remove the stress of navigating unfamiliar roads in doubtlessly difficult winter situations, particularly at night time. Fashionable buses present a snug and secure surroundings for the whole household, permitting everybody to loosen up and benefit from the journey.
Northern Lights Tour Necessities: Packing for Success
Preparation is vital, particularly for households with youngsters. Right here, we share invaluable insights gleaned from our personal two Northern Lights tour adventures in Reykjavik, highlighting the necessities you’ll need to pack for a profitable night time:
- First Night time Learnings: Our preliminary “Northern Lights Thriller Exploration Tour” revealed some packing gaps. Whereas a water bottle, apple snacks, and journey blankets saved the children comfy for a late-night tour, there have been extra concerns.
- Second Night time Savvy: The second night time showcased the significance of packing necessities for leisure and potential purchases.
Gray Line supplied clients a free second tour if they didn’t see the Northern Lights on the primary tour.
Important Ideas for Unforgettable Northern Lights Excursions (With Children!)
Beneath are our absolute best ideas for Northern Lights Excursions that may make your night time one to not neglect.
Packing Sensible for the Journey:
- Pack Snacks & Drinks: Whereas prolonged bathroom stops could be rare, carry sufficient water and snacks to maintain everybody, particularly youngsters, comfy all through the tour. Our first-hand expertise revealed restricted alternatives to buy refreshments on the go. Go for wholesome, energy-boosting snacks like granola bars or path combine.
- Take into account a Reusable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is essential, particularly in colder temperatures. A reusable water bottle is an eco-friendly choice and eliminates the necessity for single-use plastics.
Planning for Consolation Breaks:
- Use Restrooms Earlier than Departure: Guided Northern Lights excursions typically prioritize maximizing Aurora Borealis viewing time, with restricted relaxation stops. Make the most of restroom services on the departure terminal to keep away from potential discomfort later.
Be Ready for Sudden Stops:
- Carry Money (Optionally available): Whereas some excursions won’t require money, having a small quantity might be helpful. You would possibly encounter sudden stops at kiosks promoting scorching drinks or snacks, which might present a welcome respite on chilly nights. Go for a small crossbody bag or safe pouch for straightforward entry.
Further Ideas for Households:
- Deliver Transportable Leisure: Whereas the Aurora Borealis is the principle attraction, prolonged waits can happen. Pack small video games, books, or downloaded motion pictures to entertain youngsters throughout downtime.
Making certain Consolation for Younger Vacationers:
Maintaining youngsters cozy and cozy is essential for a profitable Northern Lights tour expertise. Right here’s what we discovered:
- Deliver Cozy Blankets: Pack a snug blanket for every baby, massive sufficient for them to snuggle up in. Take into account light-weight journey blankets that present heat with out including bulk.
- Put together for Sudden Climate: Icelandic climate might be unpredictable. Be ready for colder temperatures, even when the forecast appears delicate. Pack an additional layer or a hat for kids, simply in case.
- Embrace the Bus Surroundings: Fashionable tour buses are sometimes well-heated, offering a snug surroundings for kids to relaxation. Encourage them to make use of their coats as pillows if wanted.
Further Ideas:
- Talk with Your Tour Information: Inform your information in case your baby has any particular wants or requires help getting comfy on the bus.
Necessary Notice: Whereas the following pointers had been invaluable for our household expertise, particular climate situations and bus facilities would possibly range relying on the tour operator. At all times verify together with your tour supplier for the newest data.
Dressing for the Icelandic Winter:
- Layering is Key: Iceland’s climate might be unpredictable. Gown in layers, together with thermals, heat socks, waterproof boots, hats, and mittens. This enables for straightforward temperature regulation all through the tour.
- Spend money on High quality Gear: Think about using hand heaters for extra heat, particularly for extremities. Packing a small, light-weight backpack permits for straightforward storage of additional layers when not wanted.
Important Images Ideas (Optionally available):
- Tripod for Steady Photographs: Capturing the Aurora Borealis typically requires lengthy publicity, making a tripod important for sharp pictures. Take into account a light-weight, moveable tripod for straightforward transport.
- Primary Digicam Information: Familiarize your self together with your digital camera’s handbook settings earlier than the tour. Realizing the way to alter aperture, shutter pace, and ISO will let you seize gorgeous photographs of the Northern Lights.
Further Issues:
- Tour Operator Steering: Many tour operators present invaluable data on really useful clothes and digital camera settings of their pre-tour supplies. For particular suggestions, refer to those assets.
- Respecting Fellow Vacationers: Be conscious of different photographers’ viewpoints when organising your tripod to keep away from obstructing their photographs.
Necessary Notice: Whereas the following pointers had been invaluable for our household expertise, particular climate situations and facilities would possibly range relying on the tour operator. At all times verify together with your tour supplier for the newest data.
Sustaining Visibility Throughout Nighttime Excursions:
- Ditch the Headlamps (Optionally available): Whereas headlamps might be useful for navigating darkish environments, they will disrupt long-exposure pictures makes an attempt for fellow Northern Lights lovers. Take into account different lighting options like flashlights with crimson filters or glow sticks for kids.
- Prioritize Security: Making certain everybody’s visibility in low-light situations is essential. Gown in brightly colored clothes or reflective gear, particularly for kids. Go for jackets with reflective strips or incorporate glow sticks into their clothes for straightforward identification.
Maintaining Children Entertained Throughout Downtime:
- Pack Transportable Leisure: Nighttime excursions can contain intervals of ready or downtime. To maintain youngsters entertained, pack totally charged tablets, pre-downloaded motion pictures, or journey video games.
- Respecting Fellow Photographers: Be conscious of utilizing digital units with vivid screens that may intrude with different photographers capturing the Northern Lights. Think about using headphones or setting display screen brightness to a low degree.
Further Issues:
- Tour Operator Steering: Some tour operators might need particular insurance policies concerning headlamps or digital system utilization. For any pointers, seek advice from the pre-tour data.
- Accountable Battery Administration: Obtain motion pictures or video games beforehand to keep away from draining digital units in the course of the tour. Take into account packing a transportable energy financial institution for prolonged use.
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Are you planning a visit to Iceland? If that’s the case, why not check out our Iceland with Children article?
Sharing Your Northern Lights Expertise:
- Seize and Share Your Reminiscences: The Northern Lights are a panoramic spectacle. To commemorate your expertise, seize gorgeous pictures and movies. Many tour operators encourage contributors to share their footage on-line.
- Respecting Fellow Vacationers’ Privateness: Don’t embody others in your pictures or movies with out their consent.
Significance of Following Information Directions:
- Professional Steering is Key: Your Northern Lights tour information is invaluable. They possess intensive information of the area and the Aurora Borealis. Heed their directions concerning security precautions, viewing places, and pictures strategies.
- Security First: Icy terrain and unpredictable climate situations necessitate following your information’s directions for secure navigation, particularly when exiting the bus at viewing stops.
Getting ready for the Sudden:
- Embrace the Icelandic Climate: Iceland’s climate might be capricious, with speedy modifications in situations. Gown in layers and be ready to adapt rapidly.
- Be Affected person and Versatile: Northern Lights sightings should not assured. Your information will use their experience to maximise your probabilities of witnessing this pure phenomenon. Preserve a constructive perspective and benefit from the expertise, even when the Aurora Borealis stays elusive.
Sensible Methods for Recognizing Your Group Throughout Northern Lights Excursions:
Making certain you may simply find your group throughout nighttime Northern Lights excursions is essential. As with the whole lot, there shall be greater than only one bus out searching for the Northern Lights. There really could be fairly just a few buses and other people at every cease. Listed below are some inventive concepts to contemplate:
- Glow Sticks and Reflective Gear: Glow sticks supply a enjoyable and inexpensive answer for nighttime visibility. They arrive in varied colors and might be hooked up to clothes or backpacks. Reflective gear, like vests or armbands, is one other wonderful choice, particularly for kids.
- Headlamps (Optionally available): Headlamps present hands-free illumination, making them useful for navigating uneven terrain. Nonetheless, be conscious of utilizing them close to others taking footage, as the brilliant gentle can disrupt long-exposure pictures. Go for crimson filters if out there to attenuate gentle interference.
- Flashlights with Purple Filters: Common flashlights with crimson filters are a very good compromise. They supply gentle for navigation with out disrupting pictures as a lot as white gentle.
- Brightly Coloured Clothes: Through the tour, each adults and youngsters ought to put on brightly colored jackets or hats, which might improve visibility in low-light situations.
Further Issues:
- Tour Operator Steering: Some tour operators might need particular flashlights or glow stick pointers. For any restrictions, seek advice from the pre-tour data.
- Accountable Use of Gentle Sources: Keep away from utilizing any gentle supply excessively, as it may have an effect on others’ night time imaginative and prescient.
Necessary Notice: Whereas these concepts had been useful, it’s essential to prioritize following your tour information’s directions concerning security and light-weight utilization in the course of the Northern Lights viewing.
Northern Lights Tour Issues:
- Climate Variability: Iceland’s climate is unpredictable. Be ready for something, from clear skies to snowstorms. Pack accordingly and preserve a versatile perspective.
- Respecting Fellow Vacationers: Northern Lights viewing places can get crowded. Apply good etiquette by sustaining an inexpensive distance from others and avoiding blocking their views.
Further Notes:
- Self-Driving vs. Guided Excursions: Whereas self-driving excursions supply flexibility, guided excursions might be safer and extra handy, particularly for households with youngsters. Professional guides can navigate unfamiliar terrain and maximize your probabilities of witnessing the Aurora Borealis.
- Managing Expectations: Northern Lights sightings should not assured. One of the best strategy is to benefit from the expertise, the Icelandic surroundings, and the corporate of your family members.
If something we hope the following pointers could make your night time chasing the Northern Lights together with your children in tow slightly simpler and extra pleasant for the entire household.
Know earlier than you go! Our high Reykjavík journey ideas
Reykjavík, Iceland’s vibrant capital metropolis, is a must-visit for any traveller looking for a novel mix of pure magnificence, wealthy tradition, and concrete vitality. Right here’s a complete information that can assist you plan your journey to Reykjavík:
Discovering Your Splendid Lodging
Reykjavík presents various lodging choices to swimsuit each style and funds. Journey Advisor has an excellent vary of selections to swimsuit each funds. Whereas we had been in Reykjavik, we selected to remain at Downtown Reykjavik Residences.
Transportation:
- Reaching Reykjavík: Most travellers arrive in Iceland through Keflavík Worldwide Airport, roughly 50 kilometres from Reykjavík. Quite a few airways supply flights to Keflavík. You possibly can ebook airport transfers immediately or upon arrival. For a extra adventurous strategy, contemplate arriving by ferry on the Smyril Line’s automobile ferry, M/S Norröna, which sails weekly between Iceland, Denmark, and the Faroe Islands.
- Getting Round Reykjavík: Town’s environment friendly yellow buses, often known as “strætó” (brief for “strætisvagn” or streetcar), present a handy and inexpensive approach to navigate Reykjavík. For a extra complete exploration of town and surrounding areas, contemplate the hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses.
- The Reykjavík Metropolis Card: For vital financial savings on sightseeing and transportation, contemplate buying the Reykjavík Metropolis Card. This card gives free admission to many fashionable sights, free public bus transportation, and reductions at eating places and outlets. The cardboard is obtainable in durations of 24, 48, and 72 hours. Card
Staying Linked:
Whereas Reykjavík presents Wi-Fi entry in lots of public areas, buying a neighborhood SIM card ensures dependable cell information and calling all through your journey. A number of Icelandic cell community operators supply pay as you go SIM card packages for guests.
Further Ideas:
- Analysis climate situations: Iceland’s climate is notoriously unpredictable. Pack versatile clothes appropriate for layering, together with rain gear and heat garments for doubtlessly chilly evenings.
- Embrace the native foreign money: The Icelandic króna (ISK) is the official foreign money. Whereas bank cards are extensively accepted, carrying some money is all the time really useful for smaller purchases or hidden gem outlets that may not have card readers.
- Discover past Reykjavík: Iceland’s breathtaking pure magnificence extends far past the capital metropolis. Take into account renting a automobile for day journeys or multi-day excursions to discover the Golden Circle, the South Coast, or different charming areas.
Following the following pointers and utilizing this information as a useful resource, you may plan an unforgettable and enriching journey to Reykjavík, Iceland.
Travelling to Iceland requires a number of planning. Not solely is it one of the vital costly nations to go to, however it is usually superb. As soon as you’re in Iceland, you are feeling like you should do all of it whereas there. Beneath are one of the best issues to arrange earlier than leaving to your Reykjavik trip.
Extra journey inspiration to your journey to Iceland
Rebecca Wyld
bec.wyld@wyldfamilytravel.com
Content material Creator/search engine optimization Editor
Co-founder and search engine optimization editor right here at Wyld Household Journey. Bec has travelled to over 45 nations throughout 3 continents and is a journey with children advocate. When Bec will not be planning journey, she creates content material for our household journey weblog or does local people service work. You will discover all of Bec’s detailed journey guides right here on Wyld Household Journey and on different fashionable web sites comparable to Lonely Planet.
Writer bio:
Father, husband, traveller, and chief vacation spot supervisor right here at Wyld Household Journey. When Mark will not be discussing journey or planning journey, one can find him working in incapacity assist. Mark is a household journey advocate, having travelled to over 45 nations together with his children from 10 months to their teenage years. You will see that his work right here and on different fashionable web sites.
Mark Wyld
Content material Creator
