Winter Solstice Staycations:
New study shows that the world’s best holiday spots for stargazing
are closer to home than you might think
December 3, 2021 – With the darkest day of the year fast approaching, it’s the perfect time for travellers across the UK to add stargazing to their holiday itineraries. Ahead of the winter solstice on 21st December 2021, holiday rentals marketplace HomeToGo has taken a telescopic look at the data to identify the best holiday destinations across the globe in which to see the stars.
The index takes into account Dark Sky Places from all over the world, recognised by the International Dark-Sky Association for their exceptionally dark and starry nights. Here, visitors can escape the bright lights of the city and marvel at views of the major constellations, shooting stars, planets and even the Milky Way. By comparing the size of each Dark Sky Place, the number of holiday homes available in the vicinity, and the median price per night thereof, HomeToGo identified and ranked the world’s top 15 locations for stargazing while travelling.
The results show that starseekers need not venture lightyears away to see some out-of-this-world celestial displays. Five of the top 15 spots were taken by destinations in Wales, Ireland and England, kept company by places across New Zealand, France, Germany, Chile, the U.S. and Canada:
1. Snowdonia National Park, Wales – 28.1 / 30.0
2. Kerry, Ireland – 27.0 / 30.0
3. Aoraki Mackenzie, New Zealand – 26.7 / 30.0
4. Pic du Midi, France – 26.6 / 30.0
5. Rhön, Germany – 25.5 / 30.0
6. Gabriela Mistral / AURA, Chile – 24.9 / 30.0
7. Flagstaff, Arizona, USA – 24.8 / 30.0
8. Cévennes National Park, France – 24.6 / 30.0
9. Mont-Mégantic, Canada – 24.3 / 30.0
10. Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales – 23.9 / 30.0
=11. Sierra la Rana, Texas, USA – 23.8 / 30.0
=11. Exmoor National Park, England – 23.8 / 30.0
=11. Westhavelland Nature Park, Germany – 23.8 / 30.0
14. South Downs National Park, England – 23.5 / 30.0
15. Dripping Springs, Arizona, USA – 23.4 / 50.0
Click to see the full scoring, an interactive map and methodology
The UK & Ireland’s Top-Rated Dark Sky Places: Where To Stay
Snowdonia National Park, Wales
Wales’ oldest National Park became the tenth location in the world to receive Dark Sky Reserve status in December 2015. Visitors can head to the picturesque village of Beddgelert (median nightly price for a holiday home: £111.65) to marvel at the stars above the Moel Hebog mountain, or stay in the coastal Aberdyfi (median nightly price for a holiday home: £127.84) to enjoy starscapes by the sea.
Kerry, Ireland
Kerry’s Dark Sky Reserve was the first in the Northern Hemisphere to achieve Gold Tier status – the highest designation awarded by the International Dark-Sky Association. Valentia Island (median nightly price for a holiday home: £84.38) and the serene village of Glenbeigh (median nightly price for a holiday home: £135.51) are just two of the county’s outstanding stargazing spots.
Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales
The charming town of Crickhowell (median nightly price for a holiday home: £126.14), surrounded by the park’s rolling countryside, as well as Abergavenny (median nightly price for a holiday home: £123.58) on the park’s border make ideal bases for stargazing breaks in the Brecon Beacons, which was the first place in Wales to receive International Dark Sky status.
Exmoor National Park, England
Awarded its status in 2011, the Exmoor National Park was one of the first Dark Sky Reserves in Europe. Here, the small yet vibrant town of Dulverton (median nightly price for a holiday home: £124.43) is a lovely inland location for stargazing, while Porlock village (median nightly price for a holiday home: £107.39) has plenty to offer holidaymakers who’d prefer to stay by the sea.
South Downs National Park, England
With surprising proximity to England’s capital, the South Downs National Park is the perfect destination for weekend breaks away from the lights of London. The scenic market towns of Midhurst (median nightly price for a holiday home: £116.76) and Petworth (median nightly price for a holiday home: £124.43) both boast nearby spots from which visitors can expect some superlative starscapes.
About HomeToGo
HomeToGo is a marketplace with the world’s largest selection of holiday rentals, listing millions of offers from thousands of trusted partners, including Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo and TripAdvisor. From holiday homes, cottages, flats, apartments, lodges, villas, houseboats, castles, farm stays and everything in between, HomeToGo combines price, destination, dates and amenities to find the perfect accommodation for any trip worldwide.
Founded in 2014, HomeToGo employs more than 350 people and manages 23 local apps and websites across Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Asia-Pacific. HomeToGo also operates brands such as Tripping.com and Wimdu. To learn more, visit www.hometogo.co.uk or download the HomeToGo app.
Help keep news FREE for our readers
Supporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism, then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. Read More About Supporting The West Wales Chronicle
