Everyone looks forward to a vacation. But did you ever think about looking up? Countless spectacular events take place in the skies above us. From magnificent meteor showers to the amazing auroras that blanket the North and South Poles, these natural phenomena are unforgettable experiences. So, why not build a travel itinerary that includes seeing something out of this world? Today, Angie Orth welcomes travel and space tourism writer Valerie Stimac. Having spent her formative years in Alaska admiring the northern lights each winter, she naturally became interested in all kinds of celestial events. She’s the author of Dark Skies: A Practical Guide to Astrotourism, and most recently, Stargazing Around the World. You’ll hear why astrotourism is such a magical and experiential way to travel. You’ll discover the best places to see the stars, and hear about the growing number of Dark Sky Parks that have been dedicated for this very purpose. You’ll also hear about the best places to see the northern lights and other impressive wonders of the night sky. What You’ll Learn:Why astrotourism is the ultimate experiential vacation (4:45)How to become an astrotourist (7:51)Planning around the most popular events in the sky (10:23)The best places to see the northern lights (12:30)Exploring Dark Sky Parks (15:59)Episodes Referenced:Alaska: Exploring the Great LandNew Zealand’s South Island with Kyle Mulinder5 Things to Know About New Zealand’s South Island with Kyle MulinderConnect with Valerie Stimac:Website: https://valeriestimac.com/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/vstimac/Book: https://shop.lonelyplanet.com/products/dark-skiesConnect with AAA:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprisesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprisesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises