If the range of journeys offered by Luxury Gold doesn’t go quite far enough for you and you’re more concerned with seeing things beyond this planet, perhaps a stargazing vacation is in your future. Forget white sand beaches and Michelin stars – you want stars and planets, meteor showers and the Milky Way. Before we dig into some of the world’s best places for stargazing, let’s run through some basics.

What is stargazing?

Stargazing is the simple act of observing the night sky for enjoyment. It is – in fact – about so much more than stars. Other objects visible in the clearest night skies include comets (large objects made of dust and ice that orbit the sun), meteors (space rocks that have entered the earth’s atmosphere), asteroids (sometimes called minor planets – rocky, airless remnants left from the formation of our solar system, 4.6 billion years ago), planets (celestial bodies that orbit the sun) and even entire galaxies (huge collections of gas, dust, and billions of stars and their solar systems, all held together by gravity).

How do I stargaze?

To stargaze, you must go somewhere far from skyglow of the city lights and watch the sky. Your eyes will take some time to adapt to the darkness, but then you’ll be able to spot things with the help of apps and charts (and expert tour guides). A red flashlight can help you see in the dark without spoiling night vision.

What is the best time for stargazing?

You want velvety, black darkness, which is usually (but not always) achieved in cold weather on cloudless nights. Light pollution makes it difficult to see the breadth of what the sky has to offer, so avoid bright moonlight by stargazing just after a new moon. When looking for dark skies, you’ll hear references to the Bortle scale, where 1 is the darkest sky available on Earth and 9 is an inner-city sky.

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10 Best Places for Stargazing in the World:

1. Jasper National Park, Canada

Located just above Banff National Park, spectacular Jasper is a UNESCO World Heritage site and 97% of it is a designated wilderness area, free of light pollution, so life-affirming night skies are all but guaranteed. On our Majesty of the Rockies journey, we spend three nights at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, where the restored heritage cabins make a cosy base to return to after a long evening letting your mind wander along the Milky Way.

2. Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, Japan

In Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost park is a subtropical archipelago of evergreen forests, mangroves and coral reefs, with flashes of white sand. After a day drifting through a maze of mangroves in a canoe, the sky opens to you. Just as the park provides refuge for threatened plant and animal species, its residents, tour operators and government agencies also work hard to boost conditions for stargazing. Explore the possibilities of a Luxury Gold journey to Majestic Japan.

You may also like to read: The Most Beautiful National Parks in Western Canada

3. Pic du Midi, France

This is a mountain in the French Pyrenees which is crowned with an iconic observatory. It’s not only one of the best places for stargazing in the world, it’s the oldest high mountain astronomy observatory in the world, and it’s where the moon’s map was drawn up for NASA in 1969. It’s one of the best stargazing sites in the world both practically and culturally. All year round guests can take a cable car to the peak for an otherworldly high-altitude experience – a must for amateur astronomers.

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4. Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand

This is the largest reserve in the Southern Hemisphere with pristine dark skies. It’s comprised of Aoraki, Mount Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin, Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo. The dramatic, Lord of the Rings landscape features enormous glacial lakes and golden tussock grasslands flanked by snow-capped mountains. It’s the ideal setting for a little cosmos-watching and celestial magical.

5. Kiruna, Sweden

At the top of Sweden, in the province of Lapland, Kiruna is an arctic city surrounded by forests, marshes, lakes, rivers and mountains. It’s a popular stop for those chasing the Northern Lights or seeking the Midnight Sun, so naturally it’s one of the best places for stargazing, too – essentially a one-stop-shop for all your worldly wonders. Come for the polar night which lasts for 28 days between December and January – it’s completely dark every day save for a few hours of bluish twilight.

6. The Atacama Desert, Chile

This cool, arid plateau glows with fiery oranges and reds, particularly as the sun sets. And once the sun’s done its thing, the landscape transforms into an amateur astrologist’s playground, with its high altitude, minimal light pollution and dark skies offering mesmerising sights wherever you turn. At the San Pedro de Atacama Celestial Explorations (SPACE) open-air observatory, a large selection of telescopes are set up at different angles.

7. New Mexico Dark Skies Trail, USA

Stargazing opportunities abound in and around the colorfully named Pie Town in New Mexico. It’s been called the dark skies trail since 2017, but the skies have been darker for much longer than that. The best places for stargazing include the Cosmic Campground which has an epic, starry spot that is designated by DarkSky International (IDS) as a Dark Sky Sanctuary. It often hosts public star parties and invite serious stargazers to bring their telescopes.

8. Kruger National Park, South Africa

South Africa’s Kruger National Park is one of the world’s greatest wildlife-spotting destinations by day and one of the best places for stargazing by night. In the dry winter months, the sky is festooned with stars, blanketing the horizon. The hazy, remarkable band of light that may make itself known to your eyes as early as dinnertime is the Milky Way. Our Spectacular South Africa journey includes a three-day safari in Kruger National Park.

9. Zselic National Landscape Protection Area, Hungary

Established in 1976 to protect the natural assets of the North Zselic region, this park encompasses over 9,000 hectares. The Triangulum Galaxy can be seen without telescopes on the clearest nights, and the zodiacal light – a glow of diffuse sunlight scattered by interplanetary dust – is visible in spring and autumn.

10. NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia

This one is a private nature reserve established to help protect and conserve the unique ecology and wildlife of the south-west Namib Desert. It has been designated a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark Sky Association. There is minimal tourism on the reserve but at Kwessie Dunes Lodge each bedroom has a special space for stargazing, which is completely open to the sky.

Feeling inspired to see the world in all its glory? Take a look at our collection of small group luxury journeys.

You may not think of England as a viticultural hotspot, but the first thing any self-respecting English winemaker will tell you is that England and wine go back – way back. The Domesday Book recorded 42 vineyards across England and Wales in the 11th century (below a line from Ely to Gloucestershire). The manuscript also referenced “Nitimbreha”, from which one of the best English wines – Nyetimber – takes its name (more on that later).

The best English wine tends to be made with chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes, but this is changing all the time. The modern English wine industry is really in its infancy, albeit growing rapidly. According to the “Rural Matters” report by Knight Frank in 2024, the area of the UK planted with vines has soared by 75% over the past five years to almost 10,000 acres. Today, there are over 950 vineyards across Great Britain, with more vines being planted every year.

To begin with, it was the sparkling wines that set the wine world alight – from the nineties onwards. In 2017, Pommery and Taittinger, two of France’s best-known champagne houses, planted vines in England. At the time, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger told the Daily Mail: “We have been very impressed by the quality of English sparkling wine being produced, and we believe the combination of chalk soils, climate and topography of our site in Kent are ideal for producing quality sparkling wine. These attributes are perfect for grape growing, and are very similar to the terroir in Champagne, for us it was a natural step to do this”.

In recent years, a warming planet means England is also having success with still wines, mostly made from chardonnay and pinot noir grapes. Warmer summers and growing know-how means more complex and higher quality wines are emerging from England all the time. But who makes the very best English wine? Here are some names to know.

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1. Roebuck Estates

Across Sussex and Kent, named for the wild deer who roam the land, this is an award-winning producer of some of the best English sparkling wines. The winery in West Sussex runs various tours and tastings, plus Friday evening “sunset sippings”. Try the Rosé de Noirs 2018, a sparkling rosé with notes of cherries, strawberries, and toasted almonds.

 

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2. Gusbourne

In the short history of English sparkling wines, Gusbourne’s debut vintages – the Brut Reserve 2006 and the Blanc de Blancs 2006 – attracted international interest and acclaim when they were released in 2010. The producer now also makes a host of still wines, including the citrus-driven Chardonnay Guinevere (2022), one of their most awarded. There are tastings and tours at the estate near Rye in east Sussex, plus picnics in the vineyards from spring.

 

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3. Hambledon

In 1952, with a little help from renowned champagne house Pol Roger, Major-General Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones established Hambledon. The Classic Cuvée, a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, once famously beat Pol Roger, Veuve Clicquot and Taittinger in a blind tasting. Tours, tastings and afternoon teas are available at the vineyard in Hampshire.

4. Nyetimber

In 1988, Nyetimber’s first vines were planted, but it wasn’t until 2006, when Eric Heerema took over, appointing Cherie Spriggs as head winemaker, that Nyetimber (she of the Domesday book) became a global name. The Classic Cuvee is not just one of the best English sparkling wines, but one of the best sparkling wines in the world. Also try the Cuvee Chérie – a celebrated Demi-Sec sparkling wine, the first of its kind in England. The estate is only open to the public on select open days, Willy Wonka-style.

 

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5. Chapel Down

This is one of England’s biggest and best wine producers. You can’t go wrong with any of their sparkling and still offerings, but Kit’s Coty Coeur de Cuvée 2016 has been a big award winner of the last few years. At the Kent winery, there are guided tours, tutored tastings and three-course dinners with wine flights at The Swan Wine Kitchen. Plus, the vineyard partners with Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse to offer overnight accommodation.

6. Tillingham

Tillingham Winery offers natural wine, seasonal food and stylish rooms near Rye in East Sussex. This is a good one to know if you want to extend your Luxury Gold journey to the UK and make a trip of it. Tillingham is not just a winery, it’s a mixed farm, dedicated to sustainability and restoring soils to the optimum level of organic matter.

 

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7. Ridgeview

This has been a family business since 1995, when it was started by Mike and Chris Roberts. Queen Elizabeth II served the Blanc de Blancs 2004 at her birthday banquet in 2006, and the Bloomsbury 2009 at her Diamond Jubilee. In 2018, Ridgeview (now under a new generation of Roberts) was awarded International Winemaker of the Year, a first for English wine. At the winery in east Sussex, there’s a restaurant, wine shop, tours and tastings.

 

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8. Vagabond Winery

It would be remiss not to mention that some of the best English wines are currently being made in ‘urban wineries’. In London, Vagabond is based on the River Thames next to Battersea Power Station. It describes itself as an “artisanal, hands-on winery due to the small space that forces us to work slowly and meticulously”. Vagabond’s Solena NV Ortega is a high achieving wine – a skin contact white. There are Vagabond wine bars in various London locations.

 

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The tiny but mighty Emerald Isle packs a punch, particularly when it comes to natural beauty. When it comes to  the most beautiful places to visit in Ireland, where to even begin? Our 12-day guided journey across Ireland answers much of that question for you, particularly if you love jaw dropping landscapes and good food; it’s aptly named Ultimate Ireland.

We begin in Belfast, make a loop through Northern Ireland, stopping at Londonderry and Giant’s Causeway, then head south along the eastern coast, clockwise towards Galway. The sheer variety on offer is breathtaking – rugged cliffs and the crashing waves of the wild Atlantic, charming towns, rich culture, buzzy cities and the greenest greens. You can extend this journey into England and Scotland on Castles & Kingdoms, a three week journey. Below, we answer some of your most frequently asked questions, and take you through our favorite places to visit in Ireland.

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Ireland FAQs

Where to go for the first time in Ireland?

You’ll fly into Dublin and you won’t want to miss that. Most shorter itineraries will hop straight across the island to Galway, making time here and there for the key sights of the south: a glimpse of the staggering Cliffs of Moher, or a spin round the Ring of Kerry, perhaps a market tour in Cork.

Is 7 days in Ireland enough?

Seven days is barely enough time to see a region, let alone a whole country, and certainly a country as rich as this one. Our Ireland journey is twelve days long, but could easily be longer. It begins in Belfast and ends in Shannon so you could opt to extend at either side.

What three cities should I visit in Ireland?

Dublin, Galway and Belfast. You’ll find more on all three of these legendary cities below, along with 12 more of our favourite places to visit in Ireland.

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The 15 Best Places to Visit in Ireland

Dublin

It’s one of the most vibrant cities in the world, and yet it makes for such a relaxed start to any vacation. There are walking tours, or you can pootle between bucketlist sights like the Guinness Storehouse and Trinity College (pausing to admire the stunning Long Room in the Old Library), taking breaks here and there for Irish breakfasts, Dublin Bay prawns and world-class cocktails, depending on the time of day (or maybe not).

Galway

A journey to Galway takes you to the heart of Ireland’s rich culture, vivid history and luscious greenery. On our luxury journeys you’ll visit the gently bustling city, with its tangled lanes and pastel shopfronts, but you’ll stay out in the enchanting countryside, in the lakeside Ashford Castle, the former home of the Guinness family.

Cliffs of Moher

In County Clare, these staggeringly tall sea cliffs are an invigorating sight, and not just because of the sea spray and wind whipping your face. The scene is like a masterpiece come to life – emeralds, teals and midnight blues abound. It’s the Atlantic Ocean as you were meant to see it.

Blarney

The little unassuming village of Blarney is one of our favorite places to visit in Ireland – it’s home to the legendary castle and stone of the same name. Visitors flock here to kiss the Blarney stone in order to be granted the “gift of the gab” – the gab being, a certain eloquence, or skill at flattery or persuasion. We love showing our guests the magic of Blarney.

Giant’s Causeway

Northern Ireland’s World Heritage Site is like nothing you’ve ever seen – it’s an area formed of roughly 40,000 perfect columns of basalt, coming together in what looks like a rudimentary old Lego sea palace, with waves frothing around it, perhaps the sun setting on the horizon. It developed between 50 and 60 million years ago when lava oozed from fissures in the earth. On our journey, a wildlife ranger will show you round.

Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is a 179km circular route around the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry in South Western Ireland. From Killarney, it’s an easy scenic drive, with new, jaw-dropping views every few minutes, and various delicious villages along the way. It’s one of the most famous places to visit in Ireland, and rightly so.

Killarney

Feel completely at one with Ireland in the sprawling Killarney National Park, where the order of the day is lakes, woodlands, waterfalls and landscapes a-go-go. It’s a magical place to explore, with Ross Castle and Muckross House being choice stops.

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Dingle Peninsula

One of the highlights of the west coast’s Wild Atlantic Way, this is an ancient landscape of early grassy hills, craggy cliffs and villages with chapels and holy wells – it never fails to delight. The sandy beaches are some of the world’s most pristine, with the possibility of seal, dolphin, whale, and sea bird sightings just off the coast.

Belfast

We begin our luxury journey in this spirited, sparkling city, so we can start as we mean to go on. It’s got it all: a thriving performing arts scene, cozy pubs, live music, museums (including the fantastic Titanic Belfast), fish suppers and the Ulster Fry (a breakfast that usually combines sausage, bacon, eggs, black pudding, white pudding, soda bread and potato farls).

Glendalough

A little spiritual well of serenity amid the lush greenery of the Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough is a valley carved by grinding glaciers during the last Ice Age. It’s home to one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland –  the monastery founded by St Kevin in the 6th century.

Donegal

Lonely Planet calls County Donegal Ireland’s “wild child”; the landscapes look like they’re from the pages of a fantasy novel. See the Derryveagh mountain range, the Slieve League cliffs and golden eagles soaring over Lough Veagh. Donegal town is a perfect town in the thick of it, offering great craic.

Aran Islands

The three islands at the mouth of Galway Bay – Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer – make up the Aran Islands. A visit here is an immersive experience; locals speak Irish (as well as English) and there is an unusually high number of ruins and significant sacred sights, including Dun Aonghasa, a fort whose structures are thought to date from the Bronze and Iron Ages.

Cork

Ireland’s second largest city is delicious. At the English Market, you’ll find the very best of County Cork’s butter, creamy cheeses made in West Cork, and much more besides. After a dazzling market lunch, you’ll head out to see Cork City Gaol, a castle-like building which once housed 19th century prisoners and is now a museum, and beautiful Fitzgerald Park.

The Skellig Islands

These two uninhabited steep, rocky islets off the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry are now most famous as Luke Skywalker’s island sanctuary on the planet Ahch-To in the latest Star Wars trilogy. By regular humans, they’re best seen on a little looping boat tour, on which you might catch a glimpse of nesting puffins, gannets and guillemots (but no jedis).

Croagh Patrick

Nicknamed ‘the Reek’, Croagh Patrick is a holy mountain associated with St Patrick, and an important site of pilgrimage in County Mayo. Archaeologists found that there had been a stone chapel or oratory on the summit since the 5th century. On the last Sunday in July, thousands of pilgrims climb Croagh Patrick in honour of St Patrick, and masses are held at the top.

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