Eyes to the Sky: Celestial Events to Travel For
There’s something about celestial events that always stirs up a buzz. Remember the crowds flocking to the path of totality for the 2024 solar eclipse?
The truth is, some of the best shows aren’t on a stage or at a landmark — they’re above us 🪐
Celestial events have a way of turning ordinary nights into extraordinary moments, and the right trip can put you front row for the spectacle.
Bob and I were fortunate to see the total Lunar Eclipse while in Chania (Crete, Greece) with friends! Very cool. See the picture below from when it started with old town Chania in the foreground.
Snapping it on your iPhone or setting up gear like a true astrophotographer? No matter how you choose to capture it, these experiences are unforgettable. From eclipses to auroras to meteor showers, here are a few sky-high events worth planning an entire vacation around 🔭
Aurora Borealis
Winter + Spring 2026
There’s a reason the Northern Lights top so many bucket lists. From Norway to Finland to Canada, winter nights in the north can deliver a magical, dancing display of color.
SEE IT: Stay in a glass igloo, treehouse, or aurora “bubble” so you can watch the lights dance overhead without leaving your bed. Or take an expedition cruise to Greenland and hope you get lucky, like we did in August with friends!
Total Solar Eclipse
August 2026
The headline event of 2026: a total solar eclipse will sweep across Spain and the Mediterranean on August 12th.
SEE IT: Book a Mediterranean cruise designed around the path of totality. You’ll combine historic ports like Barcelona or Naples with a front-row seat to one of nature’s most dramatic shows.
Perseid Meteor Shower
AUGUST 2026
Every August, the Perseid meteor shower streaks across the sky with dozens of shooting stars an hour. In 2026, it aligns with a new moon for optimal viewing — a natural fireworks show best seen from Dark Sky Parks like Yellowstone or Yosemite.
SEE IT: Camp under the stars and watch meteors blaze across the Milky Way with zero light pollution.
Mauna Kea Stargazing
YEAR-ROUND
High above the clouds on the Big Island, Mauna Kea is home to some of the world’s most powerful observatories. The stargazing here is unmatched — constellations stretch across skies so clear you’ll forget city lights exist.
SEE IT: Book a guided night tour with telescopes and cultural storytelling that blends Hawaiian tradition with astronomy.
Desert Constellations
YEAR-ROUND
For some of the darkest skies on Earth, head south to Chile’s Atacama Desert. With high elevation, dry air, and no light pollution, the stargazing here is jaw-dropping.
SEE IT: Many lodges provide private telescopes, or join an astronomy-focused desert safari for a night under galaxies few places on Earth can rival.
Book With An Advisor
Which sky show would you plan a trip around? Leave a comment & let me know! Your next adventure might just start with a look up ✨
Want me to align your travel dates with the stars? Send your inquiry form my way and I’ll make sure the sky is as much a highlight as the destination itself. Nine month or more lead-time required!
