That streak was followed by another, and then another. Some of the green waves were fringed by halo-like auras of yellow; some formed themselves into random shapes into which we tried to read meaning; some seemed to perform a little jig before falling without trace, their place centre stage quickly taken by another; others glowed brightly, shedding precious light on to the rugged snow-capped peaks that line the starkly beautiful stretch of Norwegian coastline stretching north above the Arctic Circle. It was easy to see why our ancestors were in awe of this magisterial display. Cowering lest they be sucked into the skies, they imagined that what they were seeing were the spirits of the dead; they saw warriors with burning swords, shoals of shimmering fish, the reflections of departed maidens. They felt it was dangerous to be outside. My own sighting of the Northern Lights came towards the end of a voyage on board the Midnight Sun, one of the fleet of Hurtigruten ships that has been transporting people along this spectacular route for more than 120 years. I was lucky to see them at all: my trip, right at the beginning of 2007, coincided with what scientists term a "solar minimum" in the 11-year cycle that governs auroral activity. And while I was deeply impressed with what I saw, I knew it could have been so much more. It was easy to see why our ancestors were in awe Visitors this year - and indeed in 2013 and the beginning of 2014 - have the huge advantage of travelling at a time of "solar maximum" - a peak in the cycle regulating these forces that should mean that displays, while never guaranteed, are likely to be more frequent, more vivid and more extensive than usual. They will also be visible from much farther afield. Already this year there have been sightings in Yorkshire, Northumberland and Scotland, though not yet as far south as Mexico (from where the lights are said to have been visible during the "solar maximum" of 1958). And there are promises of many more to come. In the traditional places for optimum Northern Lights viewings - the northern reaches of Scandinavia, Finland, Iceland, Canada and Alaska - there have been reports of truly dramatic displays this winter; tops of skies ablaze not just with greens and yellows, but also with violets, crimsons and reds - all visible to the naked eye. "These are the best displays I have seen in a decade," said Dr John Mason, an astronomer and lecturer at the South Downs Planetarium and Science Centre in Chichester and occasional lecturer on Hurtigruten's ships. I was in Norway last month and for two nights in succession witnessed displays that stretched from horizon to horizon; from dawn to dusk. There were some magnificent structures: arcs and bands and drapes, twisting and turning; some beautifully complex and colourful forms. I've seen this light show many times and it is always different, always surprising. Even now I hold out the hope that the next one will be even more spectacular. With the period of solar maximum due to last for another two years, tour operators specialising in trips to see the Northern Lights are reporting a surge in bookings as travellers try to snap up the opportunity to maximise their chances of catching the greatest light show on earth - and of visiting some of the most remote and inhospitable parts of the globe. The prospects for a viewing have never been brighter; the range of tours has never been wider. Let there be lights... A short guide to the Northern Lights What are the Northern Lights? Displays of the Northern Lights occur when solar particles enter the Earth's atmosphere and on impact emit burning gases that produce different coloured lights (oxygen produces green and yellow; nitrogen blue). The scientific term for the lights is the aurora borealis (named after the Roman goddess of the dawn). A similar spectacle in the southern hemisphere is known as the aurora australis. Where can you see them? The aurora borealis occurs in an oval doughnut-shaped area located above the magnetic pole. The best sightings are within the "doughnut" (rather than at the pole itself), and away from artificial light and moonlight. The oval rotates with the sun, and it may grow and shrink in size considerably in only a matter of hours. The most spectacular displays occur in the northern parts of the following areas: the Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway, Finland (including all of Greenland and Svalbard), Alaska, Canada and Russia. Closer to home, fainter displays of the lights can regularly be seen from Scotland. During periods of "solar maximum," as now, they have been viewed from southern England. When to go Displays of the lights are notoriously unpredictable and cannot be forecast in advance. In the northern hemisphere, the aurora season runs from late September or early October to late March. The lights may be seen at any time during this period, but late October, November, February and March are the best bets. Displays are governed by an 11-year cycle and are at their most dramatic during times of high solar activity, such as now, but sightings can be recorded at any time. It is impossible to guarantee a viewing even during a period of "solar maximum"; if the sky is cloudy, the lights will be concealed. Northern Lights tips Go during a period of a "solar maximum." Such as now. Give yourself time The longer you go for, the greater your chances of a sighting. If the aurora appears, there is a good chance it will be seen on subsequent days. Avoid full moons Viewings are more dramatic when the aurora is not competing with rival sources of light. Avoid urban lights Artificial lighting detracts from the experience. Be mobile If visibility is poor where you are, it may be clearer only a few miles away. Many tours offer opportunities to travel (by snowmobile, boat, husky sled) to somewhere where the chances of a viewing may be higher. Act fast The aurora is most often seen between 9pm and 3am. Be ready to leap out of bed at a moment's notice. Be patient It's a waiting game. Be philosophical As can be seen from our summary here of10 trips, even if you don't see the lights there are many other reasons to visit the remote northern regions - from experiencing a husky dog sled ride to riding a train along the Arctic Circle. Besides, you can always try again.