Ali Mclean

Ali Mclean

Is there anywhere safer from Covid-19 than Finnish Lapland?

Written by Ali Mclean
Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Here at The Aurora Zone, we send more people to Finland than any other destination. Unsurprisingly, we were absolutely delighted when the announcement came last week that the country is reopening its borders to fully vaccinated travellers.

We immediately booked five seats on Finnair flights to Ivalo and will be heading north in search of the Northern Lights in mid-September. We can’t wait. After so long without travelling abroad it will feel like freedom and, unlike many other destinations, we will head to Finland with absolutely no Covid worries.

Torassieppi   Credit Antti Pietikäinen (2) re sized

 

Is it safe to travel to Finland?

Naturally, a lot of people are understandably reticent about travelling in the post-Covid era. However, with a bit of investigation, it transpires that you are far, far more likely to contract the dreaded lurgy at home than you are in the wilds of Northern Finland.

Even better, if you really do want to come home at the end of your holiday, there will be no need to quarantine when you do. Finland is on the UK’s Amber List and the chances of it moving to red are minuscule.


Ali Mclean

Rare Red Auroras

Written by Ali Mclean
Tuesday, 03 November 2020

Rare Red Aurora in Finnish Lapland

“Fires over which a tribe of dwarfs, half the length of a canoe paddle and so strong they caught whales with their hands, boiled blubber.”

“Rare, red Auroras”. It sounds like something Michael Palin’s Pontius Pilate might have struggled with in Monty Python’s Life of Brian. However, for our ancestors, red Auroras were nothing to laugh at, for they were almost universally perceived as portents of doom.


Ali Mclean

'If I could be anywhere right now' - Falling in love with Finland

Written by Ali Mclean
Wednesday, 06 May 2020

In the current situation, while our bucket lists are on hold, we find ourselves with more time than ever to dream about our future travel destinations.

Here at The Aurora Zone, our team has been incredibly lucky over the years to spend a large portion of their time travelling North, researching locations and making friends with the locals, to find the very best places for our Northern Lights Holidays. We have had some amazing adventures along the way, and our memory buckets are overflowing with stories that bring us a sense of joy at these difficult times.

So, while we have plenty of time to reflect,  we thought we would bring you some of our favourite memories, and 'where we would be if we could be anywhere in the world right now'.

First up…

Founder and Managing Director  - Ali McLean

Credit Antti Pietikainen  (10) resized


Ali Mclean

Northern Lights update: how is the autumn season looking?

Written by Ali Mclean
Wednesday, 04 September 2019

 Auroras Jerisjarvi web 2 002 2

If you’ve been following our blogs, you’ll know that we’ve been banging on about Coronal Holes and Equinox Cracks for months now, hopefully with good reason.


Ali Mclean

Here we go! The new Aurora hunting season has begun.

Written by Ali Mclean
Friday, 23 August 2019

First Aurora on this new season 22.8.2019 002 2

For the last three months, Aurora hunters have been at a loose end while the 24-hour daylight of the Midnight Sun renders the Northern Lights invisible. Last night, the wait ended as the first Aurora of the 2019/20 season graced the skies of North East Finland.


Ali Mclean

If you are seeking a peaceful holiday to unwind, don't just go off-the-beaten-track, travel out of season to uncover one of the best-kept secrets of Northern Lights hunting; autumn in Finnish Lapland.

 Autumn Northern Lights in Lapland Credit Markus Kiili and Visit Finland 2

Experience an autumn break in the heart of Lapland where the landscape is ablaze with a kaleidoscope of earthy hues, inky Arctic skies are bursting with celestial ripples of dancing light and daytime hours provide exquisite opportunities. See below for the experiences you could enjoy this autumn in Finnish Lapland.


Ali Mclean

Muotka Credit Matt Robinson 9

We’ve touted March as a great time to hunt for the Northern Lights until we are blue in the face. This is because there is very good scientific reasoning to support our assertion that March is the best of the winter months for witnessing the Aurora Borealis.


Ali Mclean

Let's Go Round Again

Written by Ali Mclean
Tuesday, 23 October 2018

Harriniva 7 10 Credit Antti Pietikainen

Quite some time ago, we wrote an article debunking fears that the Northern Lights are set to disappear as the Sun approaches a period of reduced activity known as Solar Minimum. The article highlighted that yes, solar activity is likely to reduce but, happily, the incidences of Coronal Holes is expected to increase.


Ali Mclean

All Aboard the Aurora Train!

Written by Ali Mclean
Friday, 28 September 2018

Aurora hunting has become a fine art and there are now many, many different ways of chasing down Mother Nature’s mesmerising light show. From snowmobile safaris to dog sledding and snowshoeing, the secret is to find a vantage point as far removed from any light pollution as possible.

Aurora Hunt Snowtrain Credit Apukka Resort

All of these activities are fabulously fun and entertaining but, in the heart of an Arctic winter, they can get pretty chilly even when you are wearing the thermal clothing we provide on our trips.


Ali Mclean

Autumn is delivering (again!)

Written by Ali Mclean
Thursday, 13 September 2018

Inari 26 Credit Markku Inkila

We are blue in the face from telling anybody who will listen that autumn is an excellent time to search for the Aurora Borealis. Scientific research and findings from various esteemed Solar Physicists repeatedly point to increased geomagnetic activity (and hence, Auroral displays) in the weeks around the autumn and spring equinoxes.

The big question therefore, is; has this new aurora hunting season started well?


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The Aurora Zone was born from a desire to share Mother Nature’s greatest wonder with our clients. We’ve explored the destinations, researched the science, and fallen in love with the Scandinavian way of life. It’s our mission to pass this knowledge on to you, providing you with the very best chance of experiencing the magic for yourself on your Northern Lights holiday.

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