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Explore the universe with a cosmic holiday this year
Hoping to book a getaway this year that's truly out of this world? Something a bit different from your usual beach getaway but with the same calm and relaxed vibe?
Forget jetting off to your usual all-inclusive resort and embrace one of the biggest travel trends for 2025: a cosmic holiday.
What is a cosmic holiday?
In a world where most of us live in big cities or bustling towns, it’s no surprise that we sometimes crave an escape from all the noise and bright lights. We want to go places where we can breathe in fresh air and gaze up at the clear night’s sky – and this is where cosmic holidays come into play.
They’re essentially getaways to remote locations that have very low light pollution, making them ideal for gazing up towards space to stargaze or view natural phenomena like the shimmering Northern Lights. Along with coolcationing and me-mooning, cosmic holidays are one of our favourite new travel trends – and booking one will take you to some truly incredible destinations too.
Are they all just about stargazing?
Sure, looking up at the sky is the most obvious draw of a cosmic holiday – especially if you're keen to see the dazzling Northern Lights in all their glory. However, going out into the wilderness to stargaze isn’t the only way to embrace this holiday trend.
Depending on where you decide to go, you could also add a little science focus to your trip. For example, why not learn the secrets of the cosmos with a trip to the Space Center at Cape Canaveral in Florida? Or you could even combine stargazing with a few downward dogs during a cosmic yoga holiday!
Okay, let’s be honest: visiting a space centre isn’t the most traditional way to enjoy a cosmic holiday. All you really need to do is find somewhere far flung and with clear skies...
Our top four picks for cosmic holidays in 2025
Whether stargazing in the desert sounds pretty dreamy or you've always wanted to see the Northern Lights in the Icelandic wilderness, these four spots around the globe are ideal for a cosmic holiday:
Head off the beaten track in Mongolia
Mongolia may not be the first place that jumps to mind when you think 'stargazing'. However, this beautiful country's remote location and high altitude actually make it an ideal spot to feast your eyes on the shimmering stars.
Venturing onto the Mongolia steppe and staying in a remote yurt will increase your chances of seeing clusters of stars or even a sky full of shooting stars! Or you could visit the Gobi Desert: Asia's biggest desert where the dry air and total lack of light pollution help to make it one of the world’s greatest stargazing locations.
Winter is the best time to view the stars and marvel at the Milky Way in Mongolia thanks to the longer, darker nights. Nevertheless, you’ll still enjoy excellent stargazing if you decide to book an autumn or spring getaway instead.
Gaze at the Northern Lights in Iceland
Jump on a direct flight to Reykjavik from Heathrow and you'll enter a land filled with soaring volcanoes, majestic geysers and frozen caves. Plus, when it comes to glimpsing the spectacular Northern Lights, few places are better than Iceland.
Also known as the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights are a completely natural light show that happens when charged particles from the sun enter the Earth’s atmosphere. You're most likely to spot it in more northerly, high latitude countries – which is why Iceland is a good bet.
For your best chance of viewing the Northern Lights, book your cosmic holiday to Iceland between September and April when the nights are longer. Joining a guided Northern Lights excursion will increase your odds of spotting this vibrant phenomenon (although, if you're lucky, you might just see it straight out of your hotel room window!).
Head into the Moroccan desert to see the Milky Way
Another desert delight for your cosmic holiday is Morocco. This country has long been a magnet for keen astronomers – with destinations like Merzouga in the Sahara Desert being a particularly popular destination for staring up at the cosmos during a luxury camping expedition.
The Sahara's sheer size, very dry conditions and low light levels make it an incredible environment for star spotting. As well as gazing up at famous constellations, you’ll also be able to admire the dazzling Milky Way – and even enjoy seeing the occasional meteor shower.
Travel to Canada to marvel at the Aurora Borealis
It’s not just Europe's northerly locales that enjoy a front row view of the Northern Lights. Canada is also a prime destination to view this kaleidoscopic natural light show – especially if you head to the country’s more northerly regions where the nights are dark and long for most of the year.
Fly into Toronto from Heathrow and then hop on a domestic flight to Churchill in the Manitoba region. This coastal gem sits just beneath the auroral oval – a section of the sky where you’re most likely to see the Northern Lights. In fact, your chances of glimpsing the aurora are some of the highest in the world in Churchill thanks to the area’s remoteness.
Elsewhere, you’ll find Canada’s Yukon region and the North West Territories are brilliant for cosmic holidays. You'll also be greeted by some stunning scenery, plus the chance of encountering incredible wildlife during the daytime – including grizzly and brown bears.
No matter where you go to look at the stars, start your trip with the Heathrow Express
If you want your next getaway to shimmer and sparkle, there's nothing better than planning a cosmic holiday in one of the world’s most remote and naturally beautiful locations.
Your otherworldly escape can start from the moment you leave home too, when you journey to the airport aboard the Heathrow Express. You’ll start your trip in style with a smooth and seamless trip to Heathrow.