slightly O/T, Aurora borealis trip...

I looked into this last year. We fancied going to Finland to see the lights and the Arctic Circle etc. though we didn't end up going in the end. It was really expensive with an organised tour but I got Lonely Planet Finland and it seemed to work out much cheaper to book flights and accommodation separately and make your own way there. In fact, for the specific holiday that we wanted, it was half the price.

My H2B is a geographer and suggested these for our honeymoon:

· Iceland

· The Antarctic

· Finland

· Alaska

They were expensive and we're going to Cuba now (my choice as a historian). Iceland looks particularly good - would love to go to the blue lagoon:

No tips, sorry, but would love to do this. I saw them in Scotland when I was a kid, and it was the eeriest, craziest thing I've ever seen.

Where/when in scotland? I'm in the Borders so going a bit further North would be a nice cheap option! Do like the look of that lagoon tho....

Oh I didn't know you lived in the Borders, whereabouts? I lived there as a kid, and that's where I saw them, about 20 years or so ago now. It was very rare for them to be seen so far south and I remember just how strange it was - the whole sky was green!

I think you see them more often in Skye etc, but very hard to predict. I think Finland is one of your best bets.

I got engaged in Iceland & it was amazing. We didn't get to see the lights - it was too cloudy, but we did swim in the Blue Lagoon & it was lovely. I would love to go back to Iceland. Maybe for a wedding anniversary ?

I am in a similar situation in that we won't be able to have our 'proper' honeymoon after we get married 9end of Oct) so I too am looking for somewhere nice to go at the beginning of Nov too. Somewhere fun & cheap!

Absolutely no help whatsoever, but just wanted to say what a fab idea that is! (but i have heard Iceland is a lovely place to go)

I'm soooo completely jealous of anyone who's either been or going to see them! Its the science nerd in me coming out!

We're up on the hills above Oxton, about 5 miles from Lauder. Love it - to get to the house you go 2 miles up a dirt track and across a farm yard! Our cats have never seen tarmac!

Mazzy - its the science geek in me that wants to go too! We have a telescope and astrophotography kit on our wedding gift list!!!

I'm from the Isle of Lewis, althought currently in Manchester and I used to see "the lights", as we called them, quite often. I know I may sound biast but it really is beautiful up there. If you want to see some pics of the scenary try this link. www.oiseval.co.uk

I live in Alaska (moved here a few months ago) and it is fab!! The people are really friendly and relaxed and the scenery is just beautiful. It certainly is a change from London!

If you are going to come here the best place to see the Northern Lights is Fairbanks. There are hot springs where you can sit at night and view the Aurora http://www.chenahotsprings.com/index.php?id=aurora

You would need to fly to Anchorage and then get a train to Fairbanks- they do observer cars where the roof is glass so you can watch the sky from the train which would be 145 pounds per person return. Our family have booked Flights to Anchorage range from about 700 pounds to 1000 pounds and up... Not sure how much in November though.

It wouldn't be cheap I don't think, but it is beautiful! There is also a good ski resort 30 mins south of anchorage called Alyeska which you could combine with your trip.

Now i want a wedding gift list too, just so i can have a telescope and astrophotography kit!!!

Although i do have a star named after me, and know its co-ordinates and everything so i can find it. Not quite the same though is it?!?

But maybe I can take a photo of it for you!!!

That would be soooooooooo cool!!

Although its pretty tiny and may take years of searching to find the damn thing!

Nothing like a good bit of astronomy i say!