Driven by the excitement surrounding this summer’s eclipse and a growing appetite for meaningful nature-based experiences, astrotourism is emerging as a powerful force in global luxury travel
Teranka, Fermentera
Set between protected dunes, fig groves and Playa Migjorn on Formentera, Teranka is a 35-key retreat known for its wide horizons and clear night skies. On 12th August, it will host A Rare Alignment, an eclipse-focused experience offering either a one-day programme or a three-night stay centred on shared reflection and stargazing. The Eclipse Day includes a sound meditation, rooftop cocktails and tapas, eclipse storytelling and guided viewing, followed by a sunset garden dinner, while the extended retreat adds curated island experiences such as sensory walks, wellbeing treatments, paddleboarding and ceramic workshops. On 3 August, from 22:30 to 23:30, in collaboration with the Formentera Astronomical Association, guests will gather for a night of astronomical observation under pristine dark-sky conditions, where the Milky Way, summer constellations and visible seasonal planets will be revealed in striking clarity, offering a rare sense of scale and connection to the cosmos. Embracing the rise of astrotourism, Teranka offers a slow, contemplative approach to travel rooted in nature, connection and the night sky.
São Lourenço do Barrocal
Located on a 780-hectare working estate of olive groves, vineyards and wildflower meadows, São Lourenço do Barrocal is found within the world’s first Starlight Tourism Destination. This restored 19th-century farmstead offers a peaceful escape where days pass at a slower pace. Situated within the heart of the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, the estate offers clear, unpolluted skies ideal for stargazing. Guests are invited to join local astronomers in the estate’s former apiary to observe the Milky Way, spot shooting stars, learn about constellations, and observe planets like Mars and Saturn through telescopes. Close to the estate, the Alqueva Lake Observatory (OLA) in Courela da Coutada offers a dome and telescope for observing the night sky, a solar telescope, and a platform for setting up personal equipment. Visitors can also explore the Dark Sky Alqueva Official Observatory in Cumeada, where a museum housed in a former school building features an exhibition of Miguel Claro’s astrophotography and evening observation sessions. At São Lourenço do Barrocal, astrotourism offers an opportunity to connect with the sky, the land and local culture in a meaningful way.
Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam
At Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam’s most exclusive beach destination, as night falls, the world transforms; with almost no artificial light, the sky reveals a velvet canopy dense with stars. From May, these dark skies offer a rare gift: the Milky Way stretching clearly across the firmament. Guests staying in beachfront villas enjoy uninterrupted views of this celestial display, while private barbecues in-villa or a rooftop stargazing dinner at By the Beach combine twinkling stars, a gentle ocean breeze and panoramic ocean views for a truly extraordinary dining experience. Just a 45-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City, Six Senses Con Dao is set within a pristine island environment where more than 80% of the archipelago is part of a protected national park and marine reserve. Set on a 1.8-kilometre stretch of beach where jungle-covered mountains meet the turquoise waters of the South China Sea, the resort offers a sanctuary where guests can experience the natural wonders of both the ocean and the night sky, balancing adventure with the signature comforts of Six Senses Con Dao resort life.
Mashpi Lodge, Ecuador
Mashpi Lodge invites intrepid explorers to experience the mysteries of the Andean Cloud Forest after dark. Tucked in an over 3,000-hectare reserve named a global biodiversity hotspot, this luxury cocoon is the gateway to nocturnal adventures. Guided night walks through the dense rainforest bring guests face-to-face with the forest’s secret life: glowing fungi, darting frogs, and the distant calls of nocturnal birds. Equipped with expert guides, visitors can use specialised tools to spot rarely seen creatures like ocelots or tiny glass frogs and uncover the forest’s hidden rhythms in the dark. With the recent discovery of the 24th new species to science by Mashpi’s dedicated research team, this is an opportune time to experience the rich ecosystem, home to over 500 species of plants, 400 species of birds, 300 species of moths and butterflies, as well as monkeys and pumas.
Son Ermità & Binidufà, Menorca
Vestige Collection is offering a front-row seat, with an exclusive dinner beneath the stars and eclipse-viewing from within Son Ermità & Binidufà’s 800-hectare private estate in rugged northern Menorca. Served on Son Ermità’s sweeping terrace, the evening begins with a specially created tasting menu, by Vestige’s Executive Chef Joan Bagur, accompanied by Menorcan wines and live music. With just 22 rooms between them – Son Ermità perched high on a cliff top with panoramic views, and Binidufà tucked in a peaceful valley – the sister hotels offer a secluded Menorcan escape. Interiors blend earthy colours with locally sourced furniture and restored antiques, whilst two restaurants showcase varied dining – seafood and Menorcan fare at Brisa and plant-forward Middle Eastern cuisine at Mesura. Available as part of a three-night stay, Vestige Collection’s ‘Under the Eclipse’ package offers an unforgettable way to experience one of nature’s rarest spectacles.
