Starstruck: Sparkling Stargazing Holiday Experiences

Romance, wonder, inspiration. The night sky has been stirring deep emotion in humans since time began, and our fascination with the universe remains. In today’s modern world where light pollution extinguishes the sparkling beauty of the skies, finding somewhere to fully appreciate the boundless reaches of the cosmos is difficult. These three destinations offer stargazing experiences that will take you to infinity and beyond.

A Light in the Dark

Earning the veritable ‘Dark Sky’ status thanks to its near total lack of light pollution, it’s no wonder that the enchanting island of Sark is a top destination among amateur astronomers.

Sark is pretty much built around its reputation for stellar stargazing and offers visitors a number of options for experiencing the wonder of the universe. The Sark Astronomy Society can arrange for you to use their telescope to peer into the night, while more adventurous enthusiasts may opt to go solo and find a quiet viewing spot armed with a pair of binoculars and a flask of tea.

For the complete experience, a stay at the idyllic Stocks Hotel is hard to beat. This farmhouse-style hotel on the green will take you back to the romantic past when the sky was a country dweller’s compass. Combined with modern comforts like a heated swimming pool and delicious home cooked food, it’s the perfect base for constellation collectors!

A World of Your Own

Catching a glimpse of the universe doesn’t mean sitting on a hill in the dark while you pick at packed picnic sandwiches. The package offered by the Ritz-Carlton, one of the finest Tenerife resorts on the paradise island, guarantees a star-studded evening to remember. You’ll be taken on a journey through the sparkling canopy by an expert astronomer, who will guide you through the mesmerising constellations and wondrous planets. Sitting on the hotel’s own private beach, you’ll be treated to gourmet Basque cuisine that has been carefully created by the hotel’s Michelin chef.

If that doesn’t sound magical enough, this Tenerife resort’s luxurious rooms, onsite spa and fragrant gardens are sure to transport you to world of ultimate relaxation.

Northern Lights Extravaganza

The queen of all the spectacles that the cosmos has to offer is, without a doubt, the Northern Lights. An ethereal display of light and colour, this heavenly celestial phenomenon is majestically presented in the vast atmosphere of Canada’s Yukon region. A tour of this remote part of the globe is the ultimate stargazing experience; offering a full immersion into area’s culture and gastronomy.

When you aren’t being mesmerised by the show above, you can partake in a number of fun activities like dog-sledding or snow-shoeing. For nature lovers, the Yukon Wildlife Reserve is a treasure trove of natural beauty. Explorations through the beautiful habitats give you the chance to spot beautiful bison, moose and the elusive lynx.

Ready for an adventure of astronomical proportions? Choose from the best of all the Tenerife resorts, an isolated island getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime Canadian experience and prepare for a dream come true.

Author Plate

John Dixon is an experienced world traveller and the Managing Director of Prestige Holidays. For over 30 years, he has been providing holidays in luxury Tenerife resorts, as well as holidays in Bermuda, Croatia and many other destinations around the globe. John tries to visit each of the destinations regularly in order to ensure the quality of his properties, and stay up-to-date about the latest local news and events. He has a taste for the finer things in life and has an interest in arts, history and culture.