Northern Lights in Iceland - Travel Blog

If you haven’t heard, the northern lights, or aurora borealis, are experiencing a period of heightened activity known as the solar maximum. This means that the lights are viewable from locations south of the main auroral occurrence zone. Although the lights reached their peak period of activity in 2012/2013, according to the University of Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, which forecasts the aurora borealis, the maximum will stay at a heightened level for four or five years. So, those heading toward the arctic through 2016 or 2017 will have a greater chance of seeing the lights.

To see the northern lights during the “solar max,” you should keep the following in mind, according to the university: 

The best time of year to visit is during the early springtime when the probability for clear skies is twice as likely as in the fall. The ideal time is the two weeks around the new moon in March, but viewing is good from early January to late April.

The best time of day for viewing the northern lights is between the evening and morning civil twilights (when the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon) on a clear or partly cloudy night. The lights are at their most intense between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Viewing is also best with little or no moonlight.

The Geophysical Institute operates the Aurora Forecast, where visitors can check to see solar activity for the time period when they will be traveling to one of the arctic regions.

Truffle Festivals in Italy - Travel Blog

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White truffles and red wine display from Piedmont with view of the vineyards and castle of Grinzane Cavour

Italy
October and November
This is an ANNUAL event.
 

October is a great month for Italian food festivals, especially mushrooms, chestnuts, chocolate, and truffles. On October weekends, you'll find fall food festivals and wine harvest celebrations all over Italy. Slow Food's big International Food Event is in October and World Pasta Day is the fourth Sunday in October

Going to a truffle fair is worthwhile even if you don't want to buy truffles. The scent of fresh truffles fills the air and there are locally made truffle dishes to try. There's often entertainment and concession stands selling local foods such as cheese, salami, honey, and wine.

Piedmont - Alba's white truffle fair and market, one of the best in Italy, takes place on weekends from early October through mid-November. Besides the truffle market and fair, there is lots of entertainment. Events start with a night of concerts and gastronomic stands and end with the truffle world auction and a white truffle walk for tourists.

Tuscany - San Miniato Truffle Fair, La Sagra del Tartufo Bianco, is held in the medieval hill town of San Miniato on the second, third and fourth weekends in November. 25% of Italy's white truffles are produced in this territory and November is the heart of truffle gathering season. There are food and craft stands and entertainment and restaurants will feature reasonably priced truffle menus. If you haven't had truffles, this is a great place to get an introduction.

Day Trips from Paris - Travel Blog

If you’re visiting Europe, the probability is high that Paris, along with London, Rome and Florence, are on your itinerary. And why not? They’re some of the most fascinating, historic and beautiful cities in the world!

But once you’ve seen the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben, or the Colosseum and Michelangelo’s David, why not make time to explore some equally interesting and important destinations within easy reach of these famous cities?

You could either get lost in a big group on an organised tour, spend hours on public transportation, or you could rent a car with Auto Europe and explore off-the-beaten-path destinations on your own schedule. Here are my suggestions for the best day trips from Europe’s favorite cities.

Day Trips from Paris

If it’s your first visit to the romantic French capital, the palace and gardens of Versailles is the first destination to spring to mind when considering a day trip from Paris. This former seat of royal power was once home to the ill-fated Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. The palace, with its emblematic hall of mirrors, was recently renovated, while the gardens are always a pleasure to the eye.