An Aurora (极光) Adventure in Norway

Beyond the cottage windows the world is white and still. Snow-covered mountains stretch to the sea. It’s only 2 p.m., but already the light is fading, bathing the scene in a mysterious blue.

【小题1】 But instead of joining an organized and pricey aurora trip with a tour guide, I’m here on a DIY long weekend with friends.

We rented a riverside house in the tiny fishing village of Oldervik. 【小题2】 So we go back to the comfort of indoor space. The silence here is so complete that we can hear the gentle sound of snow falling from the roof.

Exciting activities, such as dog sledding and reindeer adventures, are easy to arrange. 【小题3】 But the striking beauty of the landscape and the sense of life being lived in slow motion, make us just want to stop for a while.

At Oldervik, it’s possible to catch the aurora anytime from September to April. The best time is from mid-November to mid-January, when the sun never appears. With cloudy skies we have no luck so far but on our last night, at the first sign of clouds clearing, we got into the car and hadn’t driven far when, with great excitement, we spotted a strange glowing arc (弧形) crossing the road like a milky rainbow. 【小题4】

And then it begins: beams of greeny-white light dance as if from spotlights on the ground. To the naked eye (肉眼), the lights are not the bright greens and blues cameras capture on long exposures, but it’s fascinating none the less. The temperature during this time has fallen to –10℃ but we don’t feel it as we lie on the ground, gazing up and never wanting to leave.

Breathtaking Must-See Alaskan Parks, Preserves and Landmarks

Aniakchak

National Monument & Preserve, King Salmon, AK

This frighteningly beautiful park is home to a 6-mile-wide caldera(火山喷口) formed over 3,500 years ago. Because of bad weather and rough path, however, it’s one of the least visited locations in the National Park System With only 134 recorded visits in 2014.

Alagnak

Wild River, King Salmon, AK

Take in the scenic views of the beautiful Alaska Peninsula as you go across the rough waters of the Alagnak Wild River. With an almost untouched landscape, Alagnak is home to a high number of brown bears and is famous for an abundance of prized sportfish, making it the most popular fishing destination in southwest Alaska.

Denali

National Park & Preserve, Denali Park, AK

Founded in 1917, Denali National Park (formerly Mount McKinley National Park) was the world’s first national park established to conserve wildlife. Features of the park include six million acres of untouched terrain, an abundance of wildlife such as grizzlies and caribou and the highest peak in North America at 6,193 meters: Denali.

Bering Land Bridge

National Preserve, Nome, AK

The first settlers of the Americas travelled not by boat, but by foot from modern-day Asia by way of the Bering Land Bridge. Once home to mastodons, mammoths(猛犸象) and other ice age animals, what remains of this ancient “bridge” now houses a thriving(兴旺的) Alaska population and offers insight into the day-to-day lives of prehistoric humans.

We’ve collected some of the greatest royal (皇家的) palaces and castles to visit in Britain. Here are our picks.

Windsor Castle, Berkshire

Windsor Castle is the oldest castle in the world. It used to be an official accommodation for Her Majesty the Queen and was the place where the wedding of Prince Hary and Meghan Markle was held. The site of Windsor Castle was chosen and built by William in around 1070 to guard the western ways to London from a possible attack.

Open all year round to the public.

Buckingham Palace, Westminster

The official accommodation of the King and Queen and one of Britain’s most recognized historic sites, Buckingham Palace is often used for national celebrations and events. It was bought in 1761 by George II for his wife Queen Charlotte.

Buckingham Palace is open to the public during the summer months and for a limited number of tours in December, January and at Easter each year.

Kew Palace, Richmond-Upon-Thames

Sitting on the banks of the River Thames in London, Kew Palace might be the smallest of the royal palaces. With the big Kew Gardens around, the palace was built in 1631 for the London silk businessman, Samuel Fortreas.

Kew Palace is open for the summer season.

Hampton Court Palace, Surrey

Set on the edge of the River Thames, Hampton Court Palace in Surrey was a Tudor palace created by Cardinal Wlosey in the early 16th century and was once home to Henry VII over the years. There are beautiful gardens nearby and the palace was opened to the public in 1838 by Queen Victoria.

Open all year round, except 24-26 December.