1.
Borobudur at sunrise, Java, Indonesia
Watching the sun rise over the hundreds of stupas and Buddhas before the public descends in droves to disturb the peace is one of the world’s most rarefied experiences.
Guests staying within the village compound are allowed to enter this 9th century monument, hidden beneath volcanic ash for centuries, before opening time.
Black Tomato offers three nights bed and breakfast with private sunrise tour at lavish Amanjiwo, decorated with its own Buddhas and stupas, from US$1,195 per person.
2.
Starling murmuration, Brighton Pier, England
They’re not exotic and in the European case they’re not even that pretty, but when you have thousands of starlings swooping and wheeling like some kind of hypnotic cloud, they become one of the most mesmerizing sights in nature.
See a stunning video of the phenomenon on Vimeo.
These murmurations happen just before the birds roost down for the night, and while starling numbers have crashed in the UK, you can still see up to a million birds coming together in these huge swarms in England’s nature reserves or at certain piers such as Brighton Pier, just an hour’s train journey from London.
The murmurations are most common in winter, November being the best month.
3. Northern Lights, Scandinavia
This astronomical phenomenon is best seen in winter from northern Scandinavia -- but there are never any guarantees, which makes the magic moments when they do appear all the more special.
A great place to keep watch is from the sheltered coastal waters of western Norway, whose coves are free of artificial light.
Travel there on Hurtigruten, the country’s national coastal steamer, and enjoy inspirational fjord views by daylight.
4. Star-filled sky, Mackenzie Basin, New Zealand
Picking out Orion’s Belt and The Big Dipper is even more impressive if there are a million other stars distracting you from the task.
A 1,600-square-mile area in New Zealand’s South Island comprising Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin has just been designated the world’s fourth International Dark Sky Reserve, making it “one of the best stargazing sites on Earth” according to IDSA’s executive director Bob Parks.
Nature’s Highway arranges three-night/four-day cycling tours to Mackenzie Basin from US$995 per person. Includes accommodation, bike hire, and luggage transport; natureshighway.co.nz/tour-dates-and-prices
5. Torres del Paine, Chile
In the heart of Patagonia, glaciers rise in the midst of mountainscapes and alpine meadows, close enough to hike right up to and touch. They make Torres del Paine one of the most special national parks in the world -- you’ll never forget your first sight of ice on the beach.
Explora offers a four-night package including transfers from Punta Arenas, full board and excursions from US$2,780; www.lastfrontiers.com
6. Djmaa el Fna, Marrakech, Morocco
If any city has a vast expanse of street theater at its beating heart, it’s this Moroccan metropolis where Moorish influences give way to a throbbing African pulse.
This huge empty space over which the sun rises comes to life from mid-afternoon as the local characters creep in -- storytellers, snake charmers, musicians, Berber apothecaries, henna-painters and lady-boy dancers.
First-floor cafes are the best places to overlook the action as the scene unfolds, but when night closes in and smoke starts rising from the food stalls, it’s time to join the crowds at trestle tables for a UD$5 feast of grilled meats and flatbread.
Stay in a riad –- a traditional townhouse hotel -- within the Medina, for maximum impact. Riad Farnatchi sets out a great little handbook for guests of what not to miss, including the best food stalls on the square. Rooms from US$360 per night; www.riadfarnatchi.com
7. Yosemite peaks, California, United States
Not just any old mountains, Half Dome, Sentinel and El Capitan have been immortalized by landscape photographer Ansel Adams. The view catches in the throat of first-time visitors who trace the route taken by the Gold Rush settlers who discovered this breathtaking land of pine forests and soaring granite peaks around 1850.
It’s mandatory to stay within the National Park boundaries to breathe the pine-scented air, absorb the grandeur and hike in peace after the day-trippers have left. While simple lodge cabins are good value, the magnificent 1920’s Ahwahnee Hotel overlooking Half Dome is worth the splurge (rooms around US$450 per night)
8. Electrical storm, Tornado Alley, United States
From thunder to lightning to tornadoes, you can see it all by joining a storm-chasing crew in Tornado Alley, the area between the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains where 25 percent of America’s “significant” tornadoes occur, according to the National Atlas by the US government.
The best time to catch a glimpse of one is from May to June.
Wannabe stormers can join the seven-day tour hosted by Storm Chasing Adventure Tours. Be prepared for a rough and tough tour -- they may drive 500 miles a day in the chase.
Seven-day tour costs US$2,400; stormchasing.com
9. Sydney Harbour, Australia
Sydney has two spectacular city icons, and they share the same fabulous harbor. The Opera House may be the one with the fancier lines -- its “sails” were designed to resemble the boats that sail past the building -- but it doesn't dwarf the magnificent Harbour Bridge.
A great place to view both of these landmarks is Circular Quay, from where ferries go back and forth to the North Shore. You can gaze comfortably on one of the world's most unforgettable maritime skylines from the patio of Peter Doyle’s, a spectacular fish-and-chip-cum-sushi restaurant on the quay.
10. Monument Valley, United States
You’d be forgiven for thinking this thrilling red rock vista at the conjunction of Arizona and Utah was a movie set. But although it’s served as the backdrop for many John Ford movies, this corner of the Navajo Nation is for real.
The best way to experience the area is to stay overnight, then ride into the park with a Native American guide who can arrange a visit with some of the residents. Particularly magical is a nighttime visit around the time of the full moon.
General admission US$5; www.navajonationparks.org
11. Taj Mahal, India
It may be the most clichéd image in the world, but visitors still gasp the moment they first set eyes on the world’s most famous shrine to love.
Best enjoyed at sunset, when there are not too many tourists around to spoil the spell, or over a drink from a distance at Amarvilas, a luxury hotel overlooking the magnificent white marble mausoleum.
Built by Shah Jehan in the 17th century in memory of his third wife Mumtaz, the Taj Mahal forms part of the Golden Triangle, which is the classic first tour for new India hands.
Intrepid Travel offers seven days from Delhi, taking in the pink city of Jaipur as well as the Taj Mahal, from US$805; www.intrepidtravel.com
12. Kasanka bat migration, Zambia
Five million bats cluster together in one tiny corner of Zambia's Kasanka National Park every November.
Orange-brown in color, they feed off the swamp forest's delicious wild fruits, on which they chomp solidly every night (making sunset and dawn the best times to view them). After the bats abandon it, Kasanka is spectacular in a different way: all that remains of Bat Central are stripped, broken trees and an eerie silence.
Naturetrek has a Swamps & South Luangwa Zambia safari departing on November 4, taking in the bat migration. US$2,725 includes all transport, full board accommodation, park fees and guides;www.naturetrek.co.uk
13. Lunar rainbow, Victoria Falls, Zambia
This rare natural phenomenon occurs for three days around the full moon during high-water season at Zambia’s most stunning waterfall.
The best “moonbows” tend to occur between April and August, and a great place to view them is on the banks of the Zambezi at Tongabezi just upstream from the heart of the action.
Tongabezi guests stay in thatched lodges and can also take canoe safaris, swim in the Devil’s Pool and go rafting under the falls as well as gaze upon the moonbows. From US$485 per person, per night including all meals, drinks, laundry service and activities; www.tongabezi.com
14. Enrosadira, Dolomites, Italy
Sunset in the Dolomites -- which were recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- is a time when a unique natural phenomenon known as Enrosadira occurs, turning the west-facing rock face flame-red in the dying rays of the sun.
Every evening, these stunning peaks lay on a glorious display of color, starting out bright yellow before turning an intense red that softens to indigo and violet before darkness finally envelops the mountains.
Formed over 250 million years ago, The Dolomites were part of the earth's tropical zone where coral, algae, fish and mollusks collected on the seabed, with magma from volcanic eruptions. After the passing of the Ice Age, rivers, landslides, wind and rain sculpted the valleys, leaving today's spectacular landscape behind.
Relais & Châteaux Gardena Grödnerhof has a prime view of the mountains. Rooms from US$525 per person for three nights; www.gardena.it; www.valgardena.it
15. Lake District lakes, England
There’s something mystical about the quiet bodies of still water ringed by majestic fells that feature in the new movie “Snow White and the Huntsman.”
The Lake District is the glory of northwestern England, and was a favorite of poets Wordsworth and Coleridge as well as Beatrix Potter, the creator of Peter Rabbit, who celebrates his 110th anniversary this year.
At Keswick travelers can climb the fell above Ashness Bridge to see two lakes at once, including magnificent Derwentwater. Also spot the serene Ullswater, dark and dramatic Wastwater and tiny but perfectly formed Grasmere, where the poets hung out.
Pullwood Bay offers award-winning lakeside and woodland self-catering cottages, plus a boathouse; www.pullwoodbay.com
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