Northern Lights
The Northern Lights blaze across the Arctic skies in Sweden when charged particles discharged by the Sun reach Earth’s atmosphere on solar winds and then collide with gaseous particles. The different gases produce different colours, usually pale light greens and pinks.
And because of Swedish Lapland’s proximity to the magnetic north, it makes it a hot spot for the phenomenon. The Northern Lights appear around the beginning of September (Kiruna) to around the end of March all over Swedish Lapland.
But for the very best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, you should make the trip to the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko National Park.
A chairlift takes you up to the observation tower, as well as the station’s Northern Lights exhibition. You will need to dress warmly though because it is in the Arctic Circle.Surrounded by mountains, Abisko is known for its clear skies, so there’s a good chance of seeing this fantastic heavenly show.
National Cherry Blossom Festival
If you have had enough of cold weather and are ready for spring, instead of heading to Lapland, you can head to our nation’s capitol and take part in the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which happens every year from mid-March to mid-April.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates spring in Washington, D.C., the gift of the cherry trees and the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan (who gave the cherry trees to the city).
The Festival produces and coordinates daily events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty and community spirit. Events are primarily free and open to the public. But one of the best parts is just walking through the city and seeing it in full bloom.
