Aurora Borealis: seeing the Northern Lights in comfort Great minds at NASA have declared this autumn as the peak of our present Solar Maximum - in layman's terms that means we're due the most spectacular Northern Lights in a decade. Happily the heightened likelihood of a dazzling display coincides with this month's opening of Aurora Bubbles in the remote town of Nellim in northern Finland - an Aurora Borealis hotspot. Located within the grounds of the Nellim Wilderness Hotel, the glass-topped heated pods contain a double bed and toilet area so guests can await the spectacular sight in comfort, rather than in the cold. The small town of Nellim is by the vast Lake Inari so is affected by only very limited light pollution and has an impressive Borealis-viewing record - although sightings can never be guaranteed. Snow tends to fall in the region from October and is generally thick enough to allow for winter activities by November. Guests who aren't too exhausted after a night's sky-gazing can potentially spend their days cross-country skiing, participating in husky safaris, snowmobiling or, for something more languid, spending time with local reindeer herders.