Top 10 captivating vacation spots for celestial exploration and astronomy enthusiasts

The night sky has always been a source of fascination for humanity, and today, travellers can combine their love for astronomy with a luxurious getaway. Here are some of the world's best stargazing destinations, each offering unique experiences for sky-gazers.

First on our list is the Brecon Beacons in Wales, UK, designated as the fifth International Dark Sky Reserve in the world. This picturesque region hosts the Dark Sky Festival in September, providing an excellent opportunity for stargazing enthusiasts. Brecon Beacons is also one of the best places for stargazing in Wales and a top choice for astronomy holidays in the UK.

Across the Atlantic, Utah, USA, is a world-famous dark-sky location. With numerous stargazing spots, it makes for an ideal destination for stargazing and astronomy holidays. The Great Basin National Park hosts the Great Basin Astronomy Festival every autumn, while Bryce Canyon National Park offers an astronomy and night-sky programme every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Utah is also home to Zion National Park, Arches National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, Canyonlands National Park, and the northern side of the Grand Canyon.

Flagstaff, Arizona, is another stargazing hotspot. It hosts the Lowell Observatory, where Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto. The observatory offers nightly stargazing with telescopes, including the refurbished 120-year-old 24-inch Clark refractor.

Moving south, the Canary Islands are considered the best places in Europe for amateur astronomers. With super clear dark skies, stargazers can catch a glimpse of Sagittarius, Scorpius, and southern hemisphere sights like Canopus.

In Morocco, the Stargazing Hotel SaharaSky is visited by Intrepid Travel's Night Sky and Caravan Trail trip. Hotel SaharaSky has a rooftop observatory equipped with Schmidt-Cassegrain and Ritchey-Chretien telescopes up to 16 inches in aperture. Casa Olea Starlight Hotel in Sierra Sur de Jaén offers stargazing weekends.

Iceland's Hotel Ranga boasts its own roll-off roof observatory and is located far from light pollution, making it ideal for stargazing and astrophotography. Hotel Ranga has an 11-inch Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain and a TEC 160ED apo refractor on an Astro-Physics 900 mount, as well as an 18-inch reflector, the biggest telescope in Iceland.

Italy's Masseria Gialli in Puglia has its own observatory in a traditional 'trullo' (dry stone hut). Meanwhile, in Spain's Sierra Sur de Jaén Starlight Reserve, observatories like Observatorio Andaluz de Astronomía host stargazing events and workshops.

The luxury Gili Lankanfushi resort in the Maldives is completely devoid of light pollution and has a powerful telescope and night sky-trained staff. Soneva Kirii, a beach resort off Thailand's west coast, includes a private trip to its own observatory as part of its Celestial Experience.

Lastly, Six Senses' Con Dao in Vietnam includes a private observatory with a 5-inch Maksutov-Cassegrainian telescope. The Grand Lodge at Brian Head is handily located near Cedar Breaks National Monument, offering even better stargazing due to its altitude over 3,000 metres.

El Teide National Park in Tenerife's skies are also a UNESCO Starlight Reserve, with Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide holding stargazing sessions with telescopes.

In Italy, while no hotels or resorts with their own observatories are directly listed, there is a Tiny House with a direct star view and a Cosmos Observatory on a Bio-Farmhouse, offering guided tours with large telescopes.

These destinations offer unique opportunities to immerse yourself in the wonders of the cosmos, making for unforgettable stargazing holidays. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or simply a curious traveller, these locations promise a night under the stars like no other.

Top 10 captivating vacation spots for celestial exploration and astronomy enthusiasts