“comprehensive and beautifully written introduction to astro tourism.”   5 stars.   BBC Sky at Night

Presenting 45 breathtaking dark-sky sites and national parks around the world plus more than 20 further destinations to observe astronomy, space phenomena, and aurora in action. 

This fascinating introductory guide to stargazing provides diagrams of constellations, calendars of meteor showers, details for upcoming eclipses, and information on where to view launches of spacecraft - plus - insider knowledge of the best times to visit so you can plan the ultimate starry-eyed trip.

Inside Stargazing Around the World:

• Explore 45 of the best stargazing destinations around the world including sites accredited by the International Dark-Sky Association offering unforgettable views and scenery
• Featuring more than 20 further destinations to see astronomy in action at world-famous observatories, laboratories, and aurora-viewing hotspots
• Introduces astrophotography for beginners, tips for stargazing, essential equipment and gear, plus so much more
• Stunning photography and illustrations within the internal pages of the book
• Written by Valerie Stimac, an expert author on astrotourism
• Foreword by astronomer Phil Plait, a.k.a the Bad Astronomer
• Destinations featured include: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Australia); Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia); Parque Nacional dos Lencois Maranhenses (Brazil); Jasper National Park (Canada); Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park (Canada and USA); Cherry Springs State Park (USA); Easter Island, Rapa Nui (Ecaudor); Eifel National Park (Germany); Zselic Starry Sky Park (Hungary); Kerry Dark Sky Reseve (Ireland); Iromote-Ishigaki National Park (Japan); Wadi Rum (Jordan); Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal); Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reseve (New Zealand); Kruger National Park (South Africa); Exmoor National Park (UK); Albanya (Spain)

Whether you wish to view our galaxy's constellations from the summit of a mountain or the comfort of a cosy armchair, this beautiful book will take you there. Stargazing Around the World makes the perfect gift for those interested in astronomy, astrology, and our amazing planet.

Valerie Stimac has lived across the globe but spent her formative years in Alaska admiring the northern lights each winter. After living in cities including Seattle, London, and the San Francisco Bay Area, Valerie re-discovered a childhood passion for space and combined it with her professional career as a travel writer.

Valerie began writing stories about space tourism and astrotourism, encouraging readers to travel for dark skies and plan for the day where we’ll be able to vacation beyond earth. Valerie has worked with Lonely Planet for the last four years as a local expert in both Seattle and San Francisco and Dark Skies: A Practical Guide to Astrotourism (Lonely Planet, September 2019) is her first book.

https://valeriestimac.com/