Bali naughty rules + Proof 2025 is THE best for Auroras + Countries w/ travel authorisations
Published 2 months agoΒ β’Β 8 min read
Hi Reader,
I am just back from Sweden where we had an absolutely magical week.
The weather was perfect: crisp air, bright sunshine and the Northern lights making an appearance 5 nights!
The trip was very special and the women we met truly touched our hearts and souls. There were tears shed and mindfulness meditation moments that put us to sleep.
And I have not even mentioned the exciting snowmobile rides, the dog sledding over frozen lakes, the foraging on wild forests or the sweet reindeer encounters...
Our 2026 dates aren't live yet, but you can join the waitlist to be the first to know when we announce it. PS: Last year, the tour sold out in a week!
2025 is the best year for the Northern Lights yet, and I have proof to show you from last week (yes, April!)
More and more countries are launching travel authorisation systems, don't miss the announcements or you will have to cancel your vacation!
Bali has announced new naughty tourist rules to camp down on bad behavior from tourists. I say, good on them, but sad that sticks are the only way to get some people to be respectful of a place that welcomes them with open arms...
Proof that this is the BEST year to see Auroras
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The Northern Lights aren't new, but knowledge of them and aurora tourism is a relatively recent phenomenon.
Scientists have been saying that 2025 would be the best year in the last 11 to see the Northern Lights and, in my experience, this is definitively the case so far.
Last week in Sweden we saw them every night. On the first night at the IceHotel, they were shinning bright and covering the entire sky above us (pic above taken with my phone and unedited).
I can't even begin to explain the feeling of being right there, under them, as they danced all over, changing shape fast and evolving into beautiful artworks...
If you have not seen them yet, but would love to, don't miss your chance this year.
Auroras over the rooms at Arctic Bath
Our Swedish Arctic tour will not return until next spring (the chance will still be high), but our Iceland tours in October are designed to experience the power of nature that makes the country so special, while maximising your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
We have been running this tour for the last 4 years and out of the 12 October trips we have ran, 11 saw the lights.
The last trip of the season, at the end of October, usually sees the strongest displays. Last year's last tour had them almost every night.
What is best, you will be able to spot them after dinner (so you don't have to stay up all night), the hotels we stay at offer Aurora wake up calls if they are spotted and you can enjoy them from the comfort of your swim suit inside the hot, thermal water outdoor pool, drink in hand, while they dance above you. If this is not the definition of magic, I don't know what is.
Other destinations where you can see the Northern Lights come Autumn are in latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees:
Norway's Arctic. Think the Lofoten Islands, Tromso, or Svalvard
Greenland, most of which is above the Arctic Circle
Faroe Islands, they aren't as far north as Iceland but they often see them
Finnish Arctic, especially the famous town of Rovaniemi where Santa Claus lives
Alaska and the norther parts of Canada
The Aurora season runs between September and April, but the core is October to march. The further north you go, the more likely you are to see them. The weather matters too; often, they are there, but you can't see them because the sky is cloudy.
September and April are within the Aurora season, but days are long, and darkness comes later, so you just have to be up till later to see them.
In the Arctic circle, the daily hours of daylight increase by an hour every week (going from full darkness in December to full daylight in June) and at the end of March, Europe moves their clocks back, so the sunset time goes from 7pm at the end of March to 9pm at the end of April and it is not fully dark until between 10pm and 11pm.
IMO, October and March are optimal months to spot the Northern Lights. There is the right amount of daylight to sightsee and explore the destination during the day, and enough hours of darkness to spot the lights without having to be up all night. Also, temperatures are milder than in the middle of winter when it is extremely cold.
In the last few year, more and more countries have launched travel authorisation systems to pre-approve travelers before their arrival.
These are not visas per se, but rather a pre-check countries do that should speed up you arrival formalities and reject travelers who are in black lists.
If you don't need a visa for a specific destination, you may need a travel authorisation to enter.
Typically, these are online forms you need to fill in. There is a fee attached and you normally hear back within a couple of days by email.
For most travelers, this is a simple yet mandatory formality, and you won't be allowed to board the plane without it.
The US and Australia have had travel authoritsation systems for a long time, but in recent years, more countries have launched them too. The latest is the UK, and the European Union's Schengen zone will follow this year (if their latest timeline is accurate).
Note: If you need a visa to enter a country, you don't have to get the travel authorisation, because you already went through the lengthier and more in-depth process of getting a visa. Pre-travel authorisations apply to those who don't need visas.
Here is the current list of countries that require a travel authorisation form to be filled in if you don't need a visa:
United Kingdom, since April 2025. Valid for 2 years
South Korea (optional till the end of 2025)
Australia. Valid for 12 months
New Zealand. Valid for 2 years
United States. Valid for 2 years
Canada. Valid for 5 years
Most travel authorisations are valid for several entries within a certain period of time, typically 2 years or until your passport expires or is renewed as they are attached to a passport number.
If you are visiting any of the above, get started on your travel authorisation application at least a month prior to your visit.
Important: The border agent has the last word on whether you will be allowed into a country or not, regardless of whether you have a visa or a travel authorisation.
Bali's new naughty tourist rules
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Sadly, some destinations need to publish naughty tourist rules reminding grown ups what is and is not acceptable to do because of the amount of horrible things visitors do.
The dramatic increase in tourism has brought a lot of good to the island but also massive jams and pollution and stress on the natural resources of the island.
Last month, the tourism authority announced it was considering a $100 a day tourist fee similar to that of Bhutan to curve tourism numbers and move to a low impact, high value model. I can't imagine Bali ending there given its absolute dependency on tourism, as seen during the pandemic, but the Love Bali tax is a first step there.
Here is the complete list of rules tourists must follow:
Respect sacred sites and follow appropriate behaviour at religious areas.
Dress modestly and appropriately when visiting temples, tourist attractions, or public spaces. Don't ride your scooter in bikini tops or topless, or walk around barefoot, or go to the temple in spaghetti straps or shorts, etc.
Pay the required tourist levy online before visiting attractions. Tourists who fail to pay the tourist levy will be denied access to attractions. This refers to the LOVE BALI tourism levy
Use licensed guides and accommodations.
Follow local traffic laws.
Exchange currency only at authorised outlets. It will also ensure you get better exchange rates and don't get scammed with fake notes.
Do not enter sacred temple areas without permission.
Do not litter or use single-use plastics (e.g., plastic bags, styrofoam, plastic straws, and plastic-packaged drinks). Single plastic is banned in Bali.
Avoid inappropriate behaviour or illegal activities. Like doing drugs or driving a scooter without a license.
Do not work without the necessary permits. This refers to the hordes of digital nomads who work from Bali without the appropriate business visas.
Do not climb sacred trees or monuments.
Do not take inappropriate or nude photos at religious sites.
Respect Balinese customs, traditions, and cultural practices, especially during ceremonies.
Refrain from swearing or causing disturbances.
Avoid being rude to locals, officials, or fellow tourists.
Do not share hate speech or misinformation on social media.
Menstruating women are prohibited from entering sacred temple areas. This includes guides.
I am going to Bali in 3 weeks for our inaugural trip. We have 2 more dates this year, but one is already sold out and October only has 2 spots left. Check out our Bali tour here.
Photo of the week
Last week's photo
This is the historical UNESCO-listed world heritage center of Quito. I was there in January.
Congrats to Snimer, Maria (from Quito!) and Naomi for guessing it right!
This week's photo is below, can you guess where it was taken? Hint: It's high above sea level
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Sending love from me and from Meg, from Spain and from Australia. We hope you have a great week ahead π«Ά
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