By Gina Bang, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer – Avanti Destinations 

People always ask me what it was like growing up in Kodiak, Alaska. I know what they’re really asking — the remoteness, the cold, the dark. And yes, all of that is true. But here’s what I actually tell them: my parents still live there, and the winter sky in Kodiak is one of the most luminous things I’ve ever seen. A full moon with snow all around you doesn’t feel dark — it feels bright. Millions of stars. Shooting stars. The Aurora dancing overhead. You stand there and think: I have never in my life seen a sky like this. 

That’s my origin story with astrotourism. And it’s why I mean it when I say: in 2026, the universe is putting on a show, and you should be there for it. 

We’ve been looking up at the sun, moon, and stars with awe and curiosity since the beginning of human history. And that looking up is precisely what connects us across cultures, centuries, and continents. Whether you want to witness a once-in-a-generation celestial event or simply sit quietly under a canopy of stars somewhere far from a city’s glow, astrotourism delivers the kind of travel that’s genuinely hard to forget. 

And in 2026, the calendar is stacked. 

The Big One: Solar Eclipse over Spain, August 12 

On August 12, a total solar eclipse will cross northern Spain, Iceland, and western Ireland, the first visible in Europe since 1999. Avanti has a seven-day/six-night Spain package departing August 10 that puts you exactly where you want to be: watching the eclipse and the Perseid meteor showers that same evening, from the top of a castle surrounded by vineyards. That’s not a sentence I expected to write, and yet here we are. 

The itinerary winds through Madrid, the Ribera del Duero wine region, La Rioja, Zaragoza, and Barcelona, through medieval towns, wineries with tastings, stays in luxury historic properties (one was a synagogue in the 13th century). An expert astronomy guide is with you for the eclipse itself. It’s the kind of trip that has a story in every single element. 

Dark Sky Reserves: The Southern Hemisphere’s Best Kept Secrets 

New Zealand’s Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is the largest in the southern hemisphere and one of the finest stargazing spots on the planet. It’s where the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. A 1.5-hour guided tour pairs high-powered binoculars and state-of-the-art telescopes with a Theatre Planetarium orientation. Go in winter (our summer). 

In Chile, the Atacama Desert logs more than 320 clear nights per year with minimal light pollution at high altitude. A two-hour experience, maximum of 15 guests, a driver, an astronomy guide, and an aperitif at a hand-picked location, is exactly the kind of thing that sounds understated and lands as extraordinary. 

In Peru, the Cuzco Planetarium sits at over 11,000 feet and grounds you in the ancient Andean relationship with the cosmos before sending you outside with professional astronomical equipment to see it for yourself. 

Northern Lights: Multiple Ways to Chase the Aurora 

In the northern hemisphere, the Aurora Borealis remains the ultimate fleeting reward, and there are more ways to chase it than ever. Take an Aurora safari by snowmobile-pulled sledge near Ruka, Finland. Lace up snowshoes in Saariselka or Kiruna. Ride a dogsled in Sweden. Take a SuperJeep in Iceland. 

My personal favorite on the list: a Northern Lights photography tour near Svolvaer in Norway’s remote Lofoten Islands, led by a local nature photographer who shares his favorite spots for capturing the best shots. That’s not a tour; it’s an invitation into someone’s world.

And if you really want to lean in, the Aurora Colosseum in Kiruna, Sweden is a handmade, hand-carved ice structure rebuilt every year. You arrive by snowmobile to watch the lights from beneath reindeer hides with fires nearby. Pair it with a stay at the legendary IceHotel in nearby Jukkasjärvi and you’ve got yourself a trip. 

The universe has always been putting on a show. In 2026, we’ve got front-row seats. 

About Avanti Destinations

Since 1981, Avanti Destinations has been selling custom-crafted independent travel vacations in Europe, Asia, North Africa/the Middle East, the South Pacific, and Central and South America. The Portland, Oregon-based wholesale tour operator offers a wide range of FIT components to travel advisors only, including air, rail, rental cars, hotels, sightseeing/attractions, transfers and hard-to-find experiential travel options, such as astronomy, soft adventure, nature/wildlife spotting, cooking classes, food and wine/beer/spirits tastings.   

Avanti specializes in hand-picked 3-, 4-, and 5-star hotels, resorts, and unique accommodations, such as jungle ecolodges, villas, and castles, in both large cities and small towns and in connecting all the pieces of complex or multi-destination itineraries. The company also creates complete packages for custom groups of 10 or more passengers.  

For more information: https://book.avantidestinations.com.  

The post Astrotourism around the world in 2026: solar eclipse, meteor showers, Northern Lights, and stargazing  appeared first on USTOA Blog.

USTOA Modern Day Explorers: Adventures in Chile 

From the northern border to the very southern tip of the continent, Chile offers a huge variety of landscapes and natural wonders for outdoor adventure. From kayaking and boating to horseback riding and hiking, USTOA tour operator member Cox & Kings, The Americas takes the hassle out of travel by pairing guests with the best local guides. Discover more with Modern Day Explorer Rebecca Rhyan.

USTOA Modern Day Explorers: Cuisine in Chile 

The ingredients, quality and passion that go into the food in Chile is remarkable. Eat your way through this amazing destination with Modern Day Explorer Rebecca Rhyan of Cox & Kings, The Americas and discover how USTOA tour operator members provide guests with unparalleled insider access. From small organic farms to the owner’s private quarters at exclusive wineries, Cox & Kings, The Americas helps bring guests closer to the special culinary experiences they crave.

USTOA Modern Day Explorers: Culture in Chile 

Curious how tour operators find the most memorable, locally immersive experiences for guests to book? Follow USTOA’s Modern Day Explorer Rebecca Rhyan of Cox & Kings, The Americas as she discovers hidden cultural gems in every corner of Chile.

Interested in learning more about Rebecca’s journey to Chile? Go behind-the-scenes with Rebecca as she gets off the beaten path in Chile.

Ready to visit? Click here for details on traveling to Chile with Cox & Kings, The Americas and here for more information on the destination.

Rebecca loves to explore Latin America, searching for authentic experiences to include in every custom itinerary she creates. Her extensive travels throughout the region have given her the opportunities to craft the perfect journey for each client’s interests and tastes — she particularly enjoys building multigenerational journeys for families to explore and learn together through cultural interactions. Among Rebecca’s recent favorite destinations in Latin America: Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

The post Explore Chile appeared first on USTOA Blog.

Behind every great tour experience is a phenomenal product manager – these “Modern Day Explorers” scout undiscovered experiences in new, emerging destinations, rediscover what’s new in beloved places, and get to know the community with the single goal to design enriching itineraries for you to book.

How do these explorers find the most memorable, culturally rich experiences you ask? Well, in 2016, USTOA is taking you behind-the-scenes with a handful of these Modern Day Explorers to find out. Today Rebecca Rhyan of Cox & Kings, The Americas reveals her experience in Chile. So, in her words… 

I fell in love with the history and culture of Chile when I was in college, long before I had the chance to visit.  One Chilean Spanish professor brought the country to life for me, and encouraged me to read the famous works of Pablo Neruda and Isabel Allende.  The dream of visiting this narrow country in South America finally came true, and I keep going back.  Every journey that I have taken to Chile with Cox & Kings has been filled with adventure in striking natural landscapes, cultural discoveries, and outstanding food and wine.

Late this September I landed in Santiago and headed straight for the Lastarria neighborhood to check into my hotel.   The Singular Santiago opened recently and I was excited to see this new staple of luxury perfectly located in one of Santiago’s trendiest neighborhoods.   Santiago’s easy going urban vibe is the perfect place to begin or end an adventure in Chile. My guide led me off the beaten path to the Brazil and Yungay neighborhoods to admire the 1940’s mansions and stop at La Peluquería Francesa, a barbershop established in 1925 that still offers men an old fashioned shave with a hot towel.  We then grabbed a coffee in the restaurant next door, which serves double duty as an eclectic antique shop.

The Wine Regions surrounding Santiago are an idyllic next stop, and the next day I went straight to the Colchagua Valley.  I arrived at Neyen Winery for a tour and tasting, and to see the old vines that, planted in 1889, are rooted so deeply they do not need to be watered.  That evening I had the fantastic good fortune of staying at Lapostolle Residence with just four luxury casitas overlooking the valley and a breathtaking view of the Andes Mountains.

I could not stay for long, however, and the next day I was off to the old port city of Valparaiso.  Wandering through the colorful streets of this unusual city I was impressed with the intricate murals and stylistic graffiti at almost every turn.  My guide introduced me to some of the friendly local artists of the neighborhood who were happy to share their craft and talk about this romantic city, beloved as well by the Noble Prize Winning poet Pablo Neruda himself.  Casa Higueras, a beautiful boutique hotel in a historic mansion overlooking the harbor was my comfortable home for the evening and I enjoyed a cup of tea up on the rooftop.

My next destination was the archipelago of Chiloe, and as I boarded the plane I was not sure what to expect.  Landing in Puerto Montt, I had a short charter flight to the town of Castro on Chiloe Island.  The pilot asked if we would like to fly low for views of the water and small habited islands along the way.  Of course we did!  From above I realized how enormous the archipelago is, although it seems so small on the map.  Landing in Chiloe I was immediately charmed.  The landscape is stunning, green with rolling hills and grazing sheep and the calm ocean. I met my guide, Cyril, a warm and friendly man who I soon learned is as knowledgeable as he is passionate about the island.

I never wanted to leave Hotel Centro de Ocio, one of the coziest properties I have ever visited with gorgeous views over the bay. This was my home base as Cyril and I explored the island together visiting local organic farmers, hiking in exotic rainforests, sea kayaking in the bay and horseback riding with an authentic gaucho. There are 16 UNESCO churches on the island, built without metal hardware by the Jesuits in the 17^th and 18^th centuries.   I tasted homemade apple cider on a local farm and steamy empanadas from a local roadside stand.  The ultimate delight was the local “Curanto” a traditional local barbeque with lamb, chicken, seafood and vegetables prepared in a fire in a pit oven, in the center of the floor of the family dining room of the original homestead that is now managed and preserved by Centro de Ocio.

After every journey to Chile I return with new experiences and ready to help our clients plan a customized journey, whether they are looking to visit the iconic sites like the Atacama Desert and Patagonia or to veer off the beaten path and discover a place like Chiloe.

Interested in learning more about Rebecca’s journey to Chile? Go behind-the-scenes with Rebecca with our video series, A Modern Day Explorer’s Quest to Chile, launching later this month here.

Ready to visit? Click here for details on traveling to Chile with Cox & Kings, The Americas and here for more information on the destination.

Rebecca loves to explore Latin America, searching for authentic experiences to include in every custom itinerary she creates. Her extensive travels throughout the region have given her the opportunities to craft the perfect journey for each client’s interests and tastes — she particularly enjoys building multigenerational journeys for families to explore and learn together through cultural interactions. Among Rebecca’s recent favorite destinations in Latin America: Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

The post Getting Off the Beaten Path in Chile appeared first on USTOA Blog.