6 Destinations To See Stunning Celestial Activity
Culture Trip has teamed up with On the Go Tours to find six beautiful and wild destinations for observing celestial events, whether it’s watching the Geminid meteor shower in the Sahara, or hunting for the Northern Lights on Greenland’s remote inland ice cap.
Watch the Northern Lights from Europe’s largest national park
At 12,000 square kilometres (4,633 square miles), Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park is officially Europe’s largest. Vatnajökull’s waterfalls, mountains, forests and glaciers provide the perfect backdrop to the famed light show. Come nightfall, the skies transform into a sea of green and purple light, casting shadows on the peaks below.
Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.See the stars from a glass igloo
Not only is Rovaniemi Santa’s official hometown, but Lapland’s capital is also home to one of the world’s dreamiest hotels. The Arctic SnowHotel has 39 permanent igloos, allowing guests to watch the aurora borealis from the comfort of their beds with 360-degree views of the night sky.
Observe meteor showers over mountainous desert
There are few places on Earth more awe-inspiring than Jordan’s Wadi Rum, a seemingly endless desert punctuated by striking sandstone mountains called jebels. From mid-July to late August, the Perseids meteor shower cascades over this eerie and beautiful moonscape.
Stay on an isolated Arctic island
Norway’s Arctic archipelago Lofoten stretches around 150km (93mi) from north to south across islands dotted with small fishing towns. Svolvær, Lofoten’s unofficial capital, sits on a dramatic bay surrounded with snow-capped mountains. You couldn’t find a more peaceful place to watch the aurora borealis unfold.
Camp under the stars in the Moroccan Sahara
The Moroccan Sahara is home to Todgha Gorge – whose deep valleys forged from limestone have earned it the nickname ‘Morocco’s Grand Canyon’ – and the large windswept dunes of Erg Chebbi. Here, you can camp under the stars and watch the Geminid meteor shower during December without having to worry about light pollution.
Stay on Greenland’s inland ice cap
Greenland is home to the second-largest body of ice after the Antarctic ice sheet. Kangerlussuaq, Western Greenland’s unofficial capital, has an international airport that once served as a former US military base; it’s possible to venture from here onto the ice sheet and watch the Northern Lights from one of the most desolate yet beautiful places on Earth.
To get more out of your trip, visit On The Go Tours.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.