While lazing around on a beach or eating and drinking with abandon while on vacation certainly has its benefits, there’s something to be said about a trip that combines the phenomena of nature with some thrill seeking. For those travelers who don’t mind taking their chances with the elements, a holiday that involves seeking out some of the world’s best sky-based sights can be one to remember.
From observing the wonders of the night sky on cloudless nights to watching the weather put on a light or sound show worthy of movie special effects, there are plenty of places around the world where it’s worth chasing the weather. If you’re keen to watch Mother Nature demonstrate her power, read on for some of the best spots around the globe to keep an eye on the sky.
Watch the Heavens From the Remote Atacama Desert
There’s something very centering about looking up at the vastness of the universe and understanding just how small our place in the world is. Out in the Atacama Desert in Chile, star-gazers have the best chance of seeing the heavens as clearly as possible. Here, in the desolate, expansive plain of the Atacama, where the world is at its driest, many travelers come to see geological phenomena such as the Salar de Uyuni salt flats.
Upon looking up though, tourists have the opportunity to watch the heavens at night in a spot where cloudlessness and an absence of artificial-light pollution really showcase the wonders of the sky. Indeed, scientists choose the Atacama Desert as their base for world-leading astronomy machines, including the most expensive telescope ever built, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). Tourists can head to the Atacama to visit a number of major observatories, including ALMA, the facility that cost more than $1 billion to create. There are also hotels in the region that have their own (albeit smaller) observatories as well.
Spend Time Storm Watching on Vancouver Island
Do you love watching the spectacular beauty of storms lighting up the sky? If so, book flights to Canada and head to Vancouver Island (an easy ferry ride from Vancouver) to watch quite a show. While most tourist destinations empty out at the first sign of bad weather, Vancouver Island residents have ingeniously turned the ferocious winter weather into an incentive for travelers to visit.
On the west coast of the island, in villages such as Tofino and Ucluelet, locals have always watched the breathtaking storms that roll in from around November through to March each year. These days, however, savvy entrepreneurs also entice plenty of tourists from across the globe to spend time taking in the sights of the stormy weather. Most of the region’s annual rainfall lands on the island during the cold months of the year, with much of the rain coming in horizontally. Happily though, the spectacularly wild weather can be viewed from the warmth and comfort of luxury digs such as the acclaimed Wickaninnish Inn, an ocean-front accommodation option that provides full views of the stunning scenes.
Check out the Northern Lights in Norway
There are a number of regions in the Northern Hemisphere where tourists can witness the majestic Northern Lights, but Norway is said to be one of the best places to visit. The great light show occurs during the winter months and is caused by charged particles from the sun entering the Earth’s magnetic field. The dancing, multicolored display of lights is something that needs to be seen at least once in life, and the setting of Norway is a choice location for anyone keen to see the sky put on a magnificent show.
Try to time your visit to coincide with the Northern Lights Festival held in Tromso each January. This event, which has been running since 1988, provides an array of musical concerts that cover genres such as opera and jazz, and draws some of the best symphonic orchestras from Scandinavia.
Search for the Elusive Green Flash in Hawaii
On a trip to Hawaii, keep an eye out for the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it “green flash” that occurs when the sun rises or falls above/below the horizon. As the sun moves into these positions, it emits a green light that is almost invisible to the naked eye. However, sometimes locations and conditions are ideal and allow people to catch a glimpse of the fascinating phenomena.
Position yourself on a west-facing beach on a clear day to give yourself the best chance of spotting the flash. An uninterrupted view of the horizon is one of the most crucial criteria for seeing it, but even if you aren’t lucky enough to witness the sight, you can comfort yourself with the splendid display of a Hawaiian sunset.