Northern Lights Extravaganza
The Northern Lights have attracted people’s attention and provoked admiration for centuries. To this day the spectacular play of the Aurora Lights in the Northern Sky leaves the stunned witnesses in owe. While groups of tourists get transported to the Erdfjordboten by busses from the town of Tromso, the guests of Villa Aurora can observe this magnificent spectacle from the comfort of their cozy home, having front seats in the midst of the action.
What are the Nothern Lights? Also known as “Aurora Borealis” in the North and ” Aurora australis” on the South, this unique natural phenomenon represents collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere. The lights are seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres.
Auroral displays appear in many colours although pale green and pink are the most common. Shades of red, yellow, green, blue, and violet have been reported and recorded on camera in some instances. The lights appear in many forms from patches or scattered clouds of light to streamers, arcs, rippling curtains or shooting rays that light up the sky with an eerie glow.
Prepare your good cameras and arm yourselves with lots of patience, as even though the Northern Lights may seem to appear illusive and sporadic, once you see them, you will realize that your time waiting was all worth it.
Fishing
I may be biased being a professional fisherman, but without a doubt the best thing you can do in your free time is fishing. And to do it at Ersfjordboten may be one of the most rewarding experiences. Myself, I have grown up in the area and I have been fishing all my life and frankly my favorite spot is a secret, but I can tell you this… if you are lucky you can get a nice catch by finding a spot along the coast right outside villa Aurora or renting a boat and going deeper in the ocean, where you can catch bigger fish.
The species that usually come around are salmon, halibut, cod, the Norwegian sei, Herring and it is not unusual to see dolphins and even whales in the area, however these are not permitted to be captured. If you wish you can bring your own gear or sign up for a fishing trip with the local tour operators, who will provide fishing equipment upon availability. I personally always bring my own fishing gear, as I think this is part of the experience.
Fishing is a national sport and means of life for thousands of years for the native inhabitants and you can hear many interesting and not always very true fishing stories from the locals, who will proudly point to you the best spots for fishing and show you their biggest catch.
So, if you are up for it, here are some suggestions for fishing trips:
http://www.visittromso.no/en/Product/?TLp=840573&Charter-Boat-Fishing-5-hours-Explore-the-Arctic
Skiing and snowboarding
Ersfjordboten is the Mecca for those who love skiing . The mountains are everywhere and one more beautiful than the other. The winter season is long (November-May) and while avalanches are always a reality, the fans of extreme sports are always searching the slopes for the best freestyle rides.
Imagine skiing on a pristine and fresh snow-covered mountain without waiting in long lines or constantly weaving through inexperienced skiers. Skiers can experience fresh powder, steep descents, natural contours and smooth corn snow. Experienced skiers usually find that traditional ski resorts only offer predictable terrain in non-ideal conditions, so if you want to learn to ski powder or improve your powder technique, venture off-piste for the first time or to experience the adrenaline pumping steeps then you may be in the right place.
Saying this, I do not recommend any extreme sport, especially not free style skiing, as I am one of those who go to the “boring” slopes and below is a link to a great place to enjoy your vacation skiing in more traditional conditions.
http://www.wheretoskiandsnowboard.com/features/skiing-norways-north/
Mountain Hiking and Mountain Climbing
There are as many hiking trails as there are mountains in the area. From light terrain to medium and most difficult- the choice is yours. The most popular trails closest to Villa Aurora are Nattmålsfjellet and Buren.
While there are many options, the below Norwegian link can provide you with detailed information about the difficulty level of the different trails. Whether in the summer or in the winter, the trip will be unforgettable and the views stunning.
http://www.ryggsekk.net/turer/fjellturer.htm
http://www.tromsoklatring.no/klatremuligheter#kort
Snowshoeing, ice skating and tobogganing
There are varieties of fun tours organized by tour companies in Tromso, some of which include- Snowshoeing, ice skating and tobogganing. You can also warm up next to a bonfire and listen to the stories from your guide. This is the perfect family activity(children min age 3/4) and anyone keen to try new activities.
http://www.tromsooutdoor.no/ski-snowshoe-activities-winter-20142015.5070588-139089.html
Whale Watching
Have you seen dolphins or whales from a close distance? These unique mammals are around in these waters all year round. Tours organized in Tromoso daily:
http://www.visittromso.no/en/Activities/Whale-Watching/
Cycling
Did you bring your bike? You can certainly explore the area on your own bicycle or you can join organized tours taking you to some of the best bike trails in the world.
https://www.tromsoindividuell.com
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