For those who have seen and experienced much of this world, Luxury Defined, the online magazine of Christie’s International Real Estate, suggests to travel to some of the world’s most renowned Dark Sky sites to gaze up at the stars and enjoy a special astronomy experience.
In the article they write: “While tourism and culture have always had synergy—a point that UNESCO and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have long driven forward—Future Market Insights predicted earlier this year that the special-interest tourism market would surge exponentially over the next few years, reaching a significant $26.9 trillion by the end of 2032, with recognition of leading companies gaining an edge over the competition by focusing on designing unique packages such as astronomy tours.
The stunning images of distant galaxies and light dating back 13 billion years, taken by space agency NASA’s $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope, will only have increased interest in stargazing. The telescope team hope one day to locate habitable planets beyond our solar system and then capture images of the very first stars.”
The Southern Lights, also known as Aurora Australis, seen above Lake Wanaka, South Island, New Zealand. Courtesy: Black Tomato
According to the magazine, addressing this heightened demand for insightful travel experiences, several companies have enhanced their offerings with in-depth cultural and scientific tours. Other operators, such as The Luminaire, launched at this time to offer specialist academic tours in the company of world-renowned experts in a particular field.
Here are some examples:
Explora Atacama’s observatory opened in 2008, and is one of the best private observatories in Chile. It houses an advanced optics telescope and a main mirror of 40cm in diameter, which offers extraordinary resolution. Courtesy: Explora Atacama
Search for the Southern Lights
Known for curating imaginative journeys, the luxury travel operator Black Tomato has a number of specialist tours focusing on astronomy and celestial events in particular. Between March and September, as an alternative to the more common Northern Lights tours, the New Zealand: A Luxury Adventure Chasing the Aurora Australis tour takes travelers in search of the Southern Lights on New Zealand’s South Island, home to the world’s largest International Dark Sky Reserve.
New Zealand’s Minaret Station, located among the Southern Alps by Lake Wanaka, is only accessible by helicopter or boat, and has just four chalets. Choose from activies such as heli tours, hikes, skiing, and stargazing. Courtesy: Black Tomato
Experience a Total Solar Eclipse
TravelQuest meanwhile is looking ahead to the total solar eclipse in April 2023 with a tour in the Western Australia Outback. As well as traveling to Australia’s North West Cape for the total solar eclipse, this tour will take in the coastal and inland wilderness of Western Australia with stargazing experiences each step of the way.
Scientist and astronomer Galileo named the Northern Lights Aurora Borealis after the Roman goddess of the dawn and the Greek name for the north wind. The lights appear in different forms, from swirls of color to rays of light. Credit: Getty Images
Over in Namibia, andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge makes the most of its position on the edge of an International Dark Sky Reserve with stargazing experiences afforded by its on-site, state-of-the-art observatory, the expertise of a resident astronomer, and large stargazing skylights above each luxurious suite’s bed.
The Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is set in a private reserve in Namib, the world’s oldest living desert. There are 10 suites, each with a secluded veranda, plunge pool, and skylight above the bed, perfect for stargazing. Courtesy: andBeyond Sossusvlei
Read the whole article by Luxury Defined here with many more suggestions on how to enjoy the fascinating world of the stars and explore the universe together with professionals.
