As I sat there for what felt like hours with my neck craned skyward and my mouth agape, it struck me: I suddenly understood why astro-tourism is on the rise, why more and more people are choosing to spend their precious vacation time chasing the cosmos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that I\u2019m back in a city where light pollution hinders my view of the night sky, I\u2019m longing to jet off to a place where I can look up and see the shimmer of stars and the glow of other galaxies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I probably won\u2019t be going back to that isolated archipelago in the Pacific Ocean anytime soon, but thankfully, some of the best stargazing sites are located in Europe<\/a> \u2014 and many are within easy reach of the continent\u2019s major capitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If, like me, you\u2019re feeling compelled to spend your next holiday losing yourself in the cosmos, these astro-tourism hotspots will help you do just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel to: <\/em>Stargazing destinations in Europe and beyond <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n Travellers are looking for a few key attributes in a holiday destination: they want to go to a place where they can get away from the well-trodden tourist trail; a place where they\u2019ll have minimal impact on the planet\u2019s finite resources; and a place where they can reconnect with nature and come away feeling refreshed. Astro-tourism ticks all those boxes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n As people set off in search of dark skies to chase the cosmos, they\u2019re heading to some of the most remote places on Earth \u2014 from otherworldly pockets of desert to designated dark sky parks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And since astronomy-themed tourism puts sustainability at the forefront, it lends itself perfectly to the type of environmentally-friendly holiday travellers are seeking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s more, humankind has been looking to the stars for centuries, hoping to glean answers about the universe and our place within it. On the most primitive level, stargazing holidays are a way for us to reconnect with something that\u2019s been deeply ingrained in our DNA since the dawn of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So it\u2019s no surprise, then, that a celestial adventure serves as more than just an escape from our overly-digitised world \u2014 it can also act as a catalyst for a profound and transformative travel experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n See Also: <\/em>The Best Places to Go Stargazing in Europe<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n From dark sky reserves to observatories and northern lights hotspots, these are some of the best places to see the star-spangled sky in all its glory across Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Far removed from any hint of light pollution, Galloway Forest Park is one of the most spectacular places in Europe to appreciate the dazzling night sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ink-black and dotted with luminous stars, streaking meteors, and distant planets, the skies here are stellar in every sense of the word \u2014 which is why the International Dark-Sky Association awarded it with Dark Sky Park status in 2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll be wowed by the park\u2019s wild, unspoiled landscape, but don\u2019t forget to turn your head skyward: more than 7,000 stars are visible with the naked eye, along with the unmistakable glimmering band of the Milky Way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Two powerful telescopes are on offer here, if you\u2019re keen to get an up-close view of distant objects such as nebulae.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spanning 700-square kilometres on the Iveragh Peninsula, this dark sky reserve is naturally protected against light pollution thanks to its unique position between the Atlantic Ocean and the Kerry Mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of the region\u2019s prime stargazing sites are accessible by car, and on a clear night, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll see the Andromeda Galaxy \u2014 the nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roughly 3,000 stars are visible on the clearest of nights in Exmoor National Park, but once darkness descends, you\u2019re virtually guaranteed a spectacular light show at this dark sky reserve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can indulge in a spot of stargazing here year-round, but the skies are especially clear during the winter months (between November and February) \u2014 which also happens to be the best time of year to see the Orion constellation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For an unobstructed view of the starry sky, head to one of the park\u2019s many stargazing sites: Dunkery Beacon, Brendon Two Gates, the Pinkery Centre for Outdoor Learning, or Webbers Post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Situated 70km west of the bright and bustling city of Berlin, Westhavelland Nature Park is one of the most accessible dark sky destinations in Europe. It\u2019s also home to one of the largest contiguous wetlands on the continent, acting as a haven for several endangered plant and animal species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By day, you can spot beavers, white-tailed eagles, and Eurasian otters, and at night, you can break out your binoculars to admire the Milky Way, glowing like a river of glistening lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With some of the highest quality dark skies in all of the United Kingdom<\/a>, there\u2019s no doubt a visit to Brecon Beacons will leave you starry-eyed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The park is full of conveniently-located stargazing viewing points, so you can set up your telescope without having to venture too far from a car park. On a clear night, you\u2019re likely to spot everything from major constellations to nebulas and even meteor showers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More than 100,000 people flock to Pic du Midi \u2014 a dark sky reserve set against the stunning peaks of the Pyrenees Mountains \u2014 every year to marvel at the Milky Way, constellations, and zodiacal light (a faint, hazy glow that appears when sunlight reflects off tiny space particles).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The park\u2019s observatory is the place to be for phenomenal astronomical views, but if you really want to make the most of your time here, consider booking a Night at the Summit package, which includes a cable-car ride to the summit, dinner, a guided stargazing session, and overnight accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See Also: <\/em>Dark Sky Locations for Stargazing in Wales<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n If you want to get a little closer to the cosmos while your feet are still firmly planet on terra firma, the following observatories can help make that happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands<\/a>, you\u2019ll find some of the clearest skies in the world; this is where planets pepper the sky and the Andromeda Galaxy can be spotted with the naked eye. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you geek out over all things astronomy, you can\u2019t miss this place: the Teide Observatory houses an array of solar and nocturnal telescopes owned by more than 60 institutions from 19 countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Join a guided tour for a full run-down of the world-renowned facility and the equipment inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Located in the heart of Northumberland International Dark Sky Park is one of Britain\u2019s largest sky-viewing stations: Kielder Observatory. There\u2019s a whole host of events taking place throughout the year here, from lectures to interactive shows and workshops, so be sure to book ahead to enjoy the full observatory experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all astronomy experiences involve staring up at the night sky through the lens of a telescope. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether it\u2019s a luxury hotel with a stellar view or a moonlit excursion that lets you admire the sky while you\u2019re on the move, here are a few unique ways to get your astronomy fix in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the thought of visiting an observatory doesn\u2019t appeal to you, try hopping on a stand-up paddleboard in Snowdonia National Park, where you can enjoy unimpeded views of Wales\u2019 crystal-clear skies while floating across a serene lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you book a room at the Torridon Resort \u2014 an intimate and luxurious hotel located in one of the darkest parts of Scotland \u2014 you can organise a bespoke stargazing excursion in the surrounding Highlands with astronomer Stephen Mackintosh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sitting sky-high at 3,100 metres with the Matterhorn looming behind it, you\u2019ll feel like you\u2019re almost close enough to reach out and touch the stars at Kulmhotel Gornergrat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With two observatories, six telescopes, on-site astronomy experts, and some of the most sensational stargazing conditions in Europe, this Alpine hotel was practically made for astro enthusiasts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The best time to see the northern lights in Europe is between the months of October and March. You can choose from several regions in the far reaches of Northern Europe, but when it comes to frequency and visibility, some destinations are better than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the best chance of witnessing the elusive aurora borealis, head to the Aurora Zone, a region that encompasses Iceland, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your chances of spotting this awe-inspiring phenomenon depend on a variety of factors, but you\u2019ll likely have a better shot in destinations like Troms\u00f8, Norway, Reykjavik, Iceland, and Finnish Lapland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/div>\n\n\n![\"The](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jeremy-bishop-bAXBuCBHfRc-unsplash-min-1024x683.jpg\")
Why is astro-tourism on the rise?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/div>\n\n\nThe best places for dark sky tourism in Europe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Dark sky parks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Galloway Forest Park, Scotland<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, Ireland<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Exmoor National Park, England<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Person](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/chris-leggat-2iOqib5eLE8-unsplash-min-1024x683.jpg\")
Westhavelland Nature Park, Germany<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pic du Midi, France<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/div>\n\n\nObservatories<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Teide Observatory, Tenerife, Spain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Kielder Observatory, Northumberland, England<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The skies here are at their best and brightest in winter \u2014 when sights like Andromeda Galaxy can be spotted without a telescope \u2014 while the summer months bring superb sights of the Milky Way, shooting stars, and comets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Gran](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/david-monje-gran-telescipio-la-palma-canaries-unsplash.jpg.crdownload-min-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a>Celestial experiences<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Try nighttime stand-up paddleboarding in Snowdonia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Book a bespoke stargazing experience in the Scottish Highlands<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Get starry-eyed at the Kulmhotel Gornergrat in Switzerland<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Photo](\"\/days-to-come\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/blue-universe-956981-min-1024x576.jpg\")
Aurora spotting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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