This week: We're looking up. | Death Valley National Park, California | Star light, star bright... | | | Stargazing is one of my nightly grounding rituals. Sitting on my patio as pricks of light appear to add their pretty sparkle to my evening is my deep breath. It's my drop-in moment. I've been doing it my whole life, from a plastic lawn chair outside my mountain-top home where the Milky Way blasted over the peaks to summer nights spent on a beach in Michigan, cradling my head on a sand pillow as the crackling fire died away and we made up our own constellations. Secrets are less scary under a blanket of stars, and whispering them to the night feels like being set free. The US is home to some of the darkest skies around, perfect for a spring getaway. | | | Raised in Silverthorne, Colorado, I live in Nashville with my partner, two kids, a dog named Wyatt and a cat named Friday. I love far-flung adventures, and my favorite place is always the last place I went and awe is my favorite feeling. | | | | | Road trip through dark sky wonders | Moab, Utah, has ordinances on the amount of light businesses are allowed to emit, ensuring that it and the national parks that fill the southwest corner of the state remain Dark Sky Sanctuaries. The best way to see them all, and enjoy the sparkle, is on a road trip. | | | | | There is a world to be explored by the light of the moon. Watching a sea turtle dig her nest? Only happens at night. But you can also have a night at a museum, dive with manta rays or explore ancient wonders with only the moon to guide your way. | | | | | NamibRand Nature Reserve is Africa's only official International Dark-Sky Reserve. Make your way there as part of a longer road trip, or maybe as a standalone journey. | | | | | What about the southern lights? | Stars aren't the only thing that sparkle in Tasmania's skies. The Aurora Australis shines bright all year long. | | | The Florida Keys & Key West brim with vibrant marine life, offering unforgettable underwater experiences. The operators here are dedicated to reef conservation and practices that help protect the precious ecosystem. | | |  | Santa Cesarea Terme, Puglia, Italy | | Italy feels like a universe unto itself. I keep learning about new (to me) places to see amazing architecture, islands to sail around and of course food to indulge in. This small country elates, inspires and moves like no other.
If you're planning a trip to Italy, don't stress about using your mobile device. Check out the eSIM service, Saily, to get a reliable, affordable and secure internet connection when traveling. | | | Reader question: I'm a huge foodie and am looking for my next big adventure. Where should I go?
LP recommendation: This is a great question that we take very seriously here at Lonely Planet. We firmly believe that every meal is an opportunity for a new and wonderful experience. These are our favorite food scenes across the world. | | | | *We may receive compensation when you click through select links. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by our partners. Terms apply. | | | | Photography by: Asif Isla/Shutterstock, Arthur Cauty/Shutterstock, Charlotte G Frank/Getty Images, Felix Lipov/Shutterstock, james_stone76/Shutterstock, Alex Segre / Shutterstock | This email was sent to you by: | Lonely Planet Publications Ltd. | 1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707 | | | |
