Northern lights

Jewells Chambers, an American expat who originally hails from Brooklyn, New York, detailed how she felt a “magnetic” pull towards the stunning “Land of Fire and Ice”

An expat who abandoned life in the US and relocated to a remote European nation has revealed one particular disadvantage she’s encountered. Jewells Chambers, an American expat originally from Brooklyn, New York, explained how she felt a “magnetic” attraction to the breathtaking “Land of Fire and Ice,” with its striking landscapes filled with volcanoes and glaciers.

Jewells, who currently makes $73,000 (approximately £54,200), first relocated to Iceland in 2016, after marrying an Icelander (they divorced in 2023) and securing a position in the marketing department at a local travel company.

Alongside this role, the 38-year-old also established the YouTube channel and podcast All Things Iceland in 2018, which offers viewers the “inside scoop” on the Nordic country, with Jewells making the brand her full-time focus in 2020.

However, despite appearing to relish her life in the nation, she did acknowledge one downside of residing there; Iceland is a famously costly country (eighth most expensive globally in 2023), with a cost of living allegedly 15.8 per cent higher than the US, according to Business Insider.

Speaking to CNBC Make It, Jewells revealed her living costs: “In general, Iceland is expensive, and in particular, when it comes to eating out, it definitely can be expensive.

“It is normal to pay somewhere between $25 to $30 (about £18 to £22) for one course at a restaurant, a main course. Often, when I’ve gone out and I had a three-course dinner, that would be somewhere around $100 to £120 (about £74 to £89).

“A cup of coffee also varies, depending on where you get it. It could cost you as much as $7.50 to almost $8 (about £5.60 to £6).”

Previously in the clip, the creators revealed a pie chart detailing Jewells’ monthly expenditure for June 2024.

Her total outgoings reached $4,667 (about £3,400), with $2,030 (about £1,500) going towards accommodation and utilities, plus $545 (about £400) on groceries.

However, her expenses have been mitigated somewhat thanks to a contract with a local vehicle hire company, which means she only covers petrol costs. She also takes advantage of Iceland’s free healthcare provision.

Iceland, a sparsely populated island in the North Atlantic, is known for its geothermal hot springs and geysers, as well as such natural attractions as the famous Blue Lagoon spa.

The country boasts 376,000 residents as of 2024, and this year secured third place as the world’s happiest nation in the 2025 World Happiness Report (just behind Finland in first place and Denmark).

The BBC reported that Iceland achieved the top score globally for social support whilst also earning impressive rankings for freedom and generosity, placing third and fifth.

Another element that allegedly adds to residents’ happiness is the country’s breathtaking scenery. US geologist Jessica Poteet, who also relocated to Iceland, discussed the matter with the corporation.

She revealed that living somewhere blessed with volcanoes, Northern Lights, “cotton candy-pink” skies, and snow-capped peaks during winter feels like a “dream” and something she “never” takes for granted.

Icelandair has listed the best places in the UK to spot the Northern Lights, as the cycle of the sun begins to move away from the solar maximum, meaning fewer chances to spot the aurora borealis

A UK island has been named the best spot for catching the Northern Lights while the solar maximum is still spreading colours across the night skies.

The next few months are likely to provide the best chances this decade to see the aurora borealis at its most spectacular, before the sun’s 11-year cycle begins to shift away from a stage that has created fantastic displays in the skies over the past two years.

To help travelers make the most of the season, Iceland’s flagship airline, Icelandair, has shared expert guidance on how to make the most of aurora season and how to capture stunning photos with this simple setting change on your iPhone.

Gísli S. Brynjólfsson, the director of Global Marketing at Icelandair, notes how important latitude and darkness are for seeing the Northern Lights. Which is why Shetland – the most northerly part of the UK, and one of the most remote, is top of his list of aurora spotting locations in the UK.

READ MORE: Colourful city with £1.23 beer and 28C October weather is perfect autumn escapeREAD MORE: European Christmas market deals you can start booking now including Prague and Cologne

In Shetland, which sits about 100 miles from the most northerly tip of mainland Britain, the regularly appearing aurora has a special local name – mirrie dancers.

There are number of other reasons why a trip to the Shetlands is a good idea.

Fans of the eponymously titled BBC detective show set on the island will enjoy spotting some of the local haunts of Inspector Jimmy Perez. Excitingly, the most northerly of the Shetland Islands, Unst, is now home to SaxaVord, the first fully licensed vertical launch Spaceport in Europe. Soon rockets will begin blasting off from the port to take satelites into space.

Head to Shetland at the end of January – which is a fantastic time to see the Northern Lights in terms of your odds – and you’ll be treated to the world famous Up Helly Aa fire festival. The event, which is traditionally held on the last Tuesday of January, celebrates Shetland’s Norse heritage.

Thousands of visitors travel to the UK’s most northerly islands each year to watch the evening torchlit procession through Lerwick, which reaches its climax when the replica of a Viking long ship is set on fire.

Whatever time of the year you make it there, you’re sure to be blown away by the sheer beauty of the island chain. Shetland is made up of rolling hills, open moors and wide beaches filled with seals.

According to the Met Office, the North Lights can also be viewed across parts of mainland UK, particularly Scotland, North England, North Wales, and Northern Ireland, during periods of strong space weather conditions. As the sun can be pretty unpredictable when it’s going to put on a show (a solar storm) it’s a good idea to monitor a website called Aurora Watch. There you can check the sun’s geomagnetic activity in real time and will tell you when the Northern Lights are likely to be visible from the UK.

Mr Brynjólfsson explained why September to March is peak viewing time:

“Iceland is one of the most magical destinations to see the northern lights. The official Northern Lights season runs from September to March. During this time of year, days are darkest and shortest, translating to northern lights peak viewing time,” he said.

“If you’ve already got a vacation to Iceland booked and are planning a trip to see the northern lights, the Icelandic Met Office provides a Northern Lights forecast with predictions for the coming three days. The map displays cloud coverage over Iceland, and a numbered KP index scale is located in the top right corner, indicating the level of solar activity. The scale ranges from 0 to 9 (very low to very strong).”

The best UK destination to spot the Northern Lights, according to Icelandair

1. Shetland Islands
2. Orkney Islands
3. Outer Hebrides
4. Isle of Skye
5. Caingorms National Park
6. Northumberland
7. Cumbria
8. County Antrim
9. Dumfries and Galloway
10. North Yorkshire

Eloise Barker, a writer for Responsible Travel, seeks out places to go when your kids have outgrown Lapland that are more affordable than the Finnish winter wonderland has become in recent years

Lapland, with its powdery snow, Northern Lights and Sámi culture, is popular for good reason, but its Santa Claus package holidays are pricey and book up fast: more and more people are visiting, some even taking extreme trips to visit for just one day.

Last year, we reported that the average price for a family holiday in Lapland from the UK was between £4,000 and £7,000.

But Europe is packed with winter wonderlands. You won’t find the big man in the red suit in these destinations – but you’ll still have a jolly good holiday…

Have you been on an amazing Christmas trip that you think Mirror readers would enjoy? We’d love to hear about it. Email [email protected]

Slovenia

All of Slovenia’s mountain resorts can be reached within 90 minutes from Ljubljana, its compact and pretty capital. There’s been almost €80 million of investment in infrastructure like ski lifts across multiple resorts, where you can also sled, snowshoe and go winter walking. The Post Office’s annual ski report noted that the cost of skiing in Slovenia’s Kranjska Gora resort had fallen 23.5% in the 2024/2025 season compared to the year before. Plus: the city of Celje transforms into a fairytale land in December, earning it the title ‘European City of Christmas 2025’.

• The average price of a double room in Slovenia is £121/night (Kayak).
• Direct flights from London to Ljubljana start at £29 in December; from Edinburgh, £76 (Skyscanner).

Slovakia

“Slovakia really is a very authentic, family-friendly winter destination and the High Tatras is still a hidden gem of Europe,” says Petr Ivanek, founder of Slovakia Explorer. “In comparison to the Alps or Lapland – British pounds go much further.”

There are thermal spas, water parks like Bešenova Aqua Park, and snowy High Tatras resorts, and the mountains are less crowded than at Zakopane on the Polish side of their slopes. Stop in Bratislava first: last year, the Post Office named Slovakia’s capital as Europe’s cheapest Christmas market destination.

• The average price of a double room in Slovakia is £96/night (Kayak).
• Direct flights from London to Bratislava in December start at £15; from Edinburgh, £26. Direct flights from London to Poprad start at £15 (Skyscanner).

Czech Republic

For all things Christmassy, consider the Czech Republic. Prices fell in the country last year, and Brno was voted European Capital of Christmas in 2024. Capital Prague remains a staple for Christmas markets and child-friendly activities, plus its public transport is free for children under 15. Fun fact: the Czech Republic has arguably the largest ice skating ‘rink’ in the world – at Lake Lipno, just outside the medieval fairytale town of Cesky Krumlov.

• The average price of a double room in the Czech Republic is £111/night (Kayak).
• Direct flights from London to Prague start at £26 in December; from Edinburgh, £42 (Skyscanner).

Romania

Swap the beaten track for wolf prints in the snow – in Transylvania, where villagers go Christmas carolling in traditional costume between beautifully decorated wooden houses.

You can ride about by horse-drawn sleigh or husky sled, and see atmospheric Brasov city and Bran Castle with beguiling snowy backdrops. Or switch the very old for the very new: an ice hotel, the only one in southeastern Europe, is built every year, 2,000m up in the Făgăraș Mountains.

• The average price of a double room in Romania is £83/night (Kayak).
• Direct flights from London to Brasov start at £56 in December (Skyscanner).

Bulgaria

“Two of Bulgaria’s national parks, Rila and Pirin, offer wonderful opportunities for winter holidays and for families interested in winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing,” says Anna Tuliyska at Sofia-based travel company Odysseia-In. The regions’ thermal springs also come into their own in cold weather. Whilst prices have risen in Bulgaria and may rise again when it adopts the euro in January 2026, the Post Office report ranked Bulgarian ski resorts among the cheapest in Europe in 2025.

• The average price of a double room in Bulgaria is £101/night (Kayak).
• Direct flights from London to Sofia start at £17 in December; from Edinburgh, £36 (Skyscanner).

Morocco

Morocco is not the baking hot destination you might expect in winter – average December temperatures are around 13°C, with highs in the 20s. Winter is an excellent time to take older kids to Morocco’s portion of the Sahara Desert.

Expect camel treks instead of husky rides, powdery sand not powdery snow, and sandboarding over snowboarding. Bolt on a stay in Marrakech for souks and stocking fillers – with the snowy peaks of the Atlas

Mountains framing the horizon. Prices drop in the winter months but can rise over Christmas.

• The average price of a double room in Morocco is £180/night (Kayak).
• Direct flights from London to Marrakech start at £15 in December; from Edinburgh, £31 (Skyscanner).

Northern Lights holidays are a hit with intrepid explorers over the winter season but 2026 is well worth having on your radar as it’s one of the ‘best years in a decade’ for booking

If you’ve always dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights, then this winter might be the time to finally do it.

In fact, you may want to consider a trip in January or February, as 2026 is expected to be the best year in a decade for Aurora viewing opportunities.

That’s because next year will bring with it a once-in-a-decade phenomenon; the solar maximum. This rare event sees the Sun’s heightened magnetic activity release charged particles that collide with Earth’s atmosphere, creating brighter and more frequent auroras. Scientists are expecting it to peak until March 2026, before fading again until the mid 2030s.

The good news is that you don’t need to head into the deep depths of the Arctic if you want to try and spot the lights. There are plenty of European destinations including Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland where you can watch the Aurora because of their proximity to the Arctic Circle.

READ MORE: ‘I went to the world’s most beautiful bookshop – there’s just one catch’

The experts at Travel Republic recommend the likes of Iceland, Sweden and Finland as these destinations offer over 200 nights of Northern Lights activity every year, so they’re the spots where you’ll be putting the odds in our favour. The travel insiders also suggested Norway, specifically areas such as Tromsø, the Lofoten Islands, Alta, and Svalbard.

If you want to go further afield, Canada’s northwest territories offer Northern Lights viewing opportunities for up to 240 nights annually, while Alaska’s Fairbanks promises an 80% chance of seeing the aurora.

The best time to spot the aurora typically falls between October through to March; some destinations do have sightings in February and April but the likelihood of getting a great view is reduced.

READ MORE: World’s ‘most peaceful country’ is real-life winter wonderland just 3 hours from UKREAD MORE: Europe’s ‘most charming Old Town’ also has one of the best cheap Christmas markets

If you are thinking of booking that dream getaway, the Travel Republic team shared some of their top tips for planning the ultimate trip – check out their advice below.

• Choose dark, remote locations: Rural or wilderness areas, away from buildings and vehicles, with minimal artificial light, offer the most vivid aurora displays.
• Monitor the weather: Clouds can get in the way, even during peak aurora activity. Check forecasts and aim for clear nights in regions known for stable winter weather.
• Consider guided tours: Experienced operators know the best locations and conditions, helping you chase clear skies and capture unforgettable sightings of the Northern Lights.

You don’t necessarily have to go abroad as there are parts of the UK where you can spot the Aurora when there are clear, dark skies over the winter months. Scotland will be your best bet, especially regions such as Caithness, Lewis and Harris, the Moray Coast, the Isle of Skye and the Cairngorms, thanks to their remote landscapes and dark, clear skies. Over in England, the likes of Cumbria and Yorkshire have also been the setting for Northern Lights spotting.

In fact, earlier this month the Met Office said that the Aurora Borealis would be visible across parts of the UK, as the enhanced geomagnetic activity created conditions that could allow the lights to be visible further south than usual.

Do you have a holiday story that you want to share with us? Email us at [email protected].

Megan Arz, who lives in Germany, has visited 30 countries and has a few in Europe that she would not revisit – and some of her choices might surprise you

Selecting the ideal holiday destination can prove tricky. With breathtaking coastal resorts across Greece and vibrant metropolitan breaks in Rome, options are plentiful.

Yet one globe-trotter who has explored 30 nations might assist you in refining your selections. Megan Arz, dubbed the ‘friendly neighbourhood tour guide’, has resided on the continent for approximately six years but reveals there are certain sought-after European cities she wouldn’t wish to revisit for different reasons.

Nevertheless, prepare yourself, her assessments are rather scathing and even feature a UK destination.

On TikTok (@meganarztravels), she began her catalogue with a ‘semi-obvious’ city which is ‘so easy to punch down’. “That is Frankfurt, my neighbouring city here in Germany,” she remarked.

“Frankfurt does lack a lot of character, especially when you compare it to other cities in Germany and smaller towns. It’s a banking centre and you can feel that.

“It’s the centre of the European Central Bank and it just doesn’t have that kind of warm and cosy feeling about it.”

Beyond this, Megan highlighted the absence of quality local beer and the dominance of bankers – or ‘financial bros’. She continued: “It just leads to the sense of like ‘eh’ – it’s not that cool.”

Remarkably, a renowned Italian tourist destination featured next on her criticism list. Despite her visit occurring some time previously, she condemned the location for its ‘cheap souvenirs’ and proposed it was rather a ‘day trip place’ than a week-long holiday spot, reports the Daily Record

Megan continued: “Can’t wait for some super defensive Italians in my comments here, but Italy made the list this time around with Pisa. Now, admittedly, I only went to Pisa once and it was quite a while ago, but I don’t remember there being anything to do in the town besides see the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

“And that whole area around there is so mobbed with like cheap souvenirs and people trying to sell you things and pickpockets, and it just like didn’t have a very nice feeling about it.”

Third on her list was a destination you might not recognise.

Megan disclosed that Kiruna in northern Sweden, which sits practically in ‘the middle of nowhere’ ranked among her least favourite spots.

She continued: “You go there to hunt for Northern Lights and you can visit the original ice hotel here. But honestly, other than that, it’s a mining town that’s going through a major transition.

“[…] But it’s an odd place and definitely one of the most forgettable places that I’ve visited, sorry Kiruna!”

You might be shocked to discover that Prague claimed fourth place on her list.

Mass tourism and excessive stag parties were Megan’s primary complaints, and she felt she’d experienced everything the city offered in a single visit.

“Prague in the Czech Republic […] it’s a city that has a lot of bachelor [and] bachelorette parties and it’s suffering a bit from overtourism which leads to this feeling of just like: ‘what’s going on here?’,” she said.

“I’ve only visited once and while I would consider going back, I would only consider going back if I had a local perspective and someone who could show me other parts of it […] I was there for five days before and I kind of felt like I saw what I needed to see.”

Brits might be shocked to learn that the final destination on her list was actually a UK city.

Despite enjoying her stay, she described it more as a ‘launching pad’ for exploring elsewhere.

She disclosed: “The last European city that I probably wouldn’t visit again is Inverness in Scotland. I absolutely love Scotland and while I did have a good time in Inverness, it’s quite a small city and doesn’t have that much to offer from a tourist perspective.

“It’s a great jumping-off point for seeing the Highlands or visiting Speyside, but honestly after a couple of days there, I feel like I saw everything I needed to see and probably wouldn’t come back for a return visit.”

Predictably, the assessment sparked a flurry of responses on TikTok, with countless viewers weighing in with their own opinions about each destination.

One individual concurred, stating: “I super agree with you on Pisa! I was staying there for a day and I got soooo bored after seeing the leaning tower and main attractions and even that wasn’t as impressive tbh.”

Another added: “Just got back from Inverness and I agree! It’s a great place to base yourself to see the Highlands, but the city itself just isn’t great.”

However, not everyone agreed with Megan’s perspective. One viewer countered: “I’ve been to Prague dozens of times and would be glad to visit it again. Love that city!” Another added: “So sad to see Prague here, it’s my favourite city I’ve seen in Europe so far.”