Astrotourism 101: How to Plan the Ultimate Stargazing, Dark Sky, and Northern Lights Trip w/ Stephanie Vermillion #172

2025-04-29

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What if your next bucket list trip revolved around the stars instead of the sights?If you’ve ever dreamed of chasing the northern lights or stargazing under the darkest skies in the world, this episode is for you. In this conversation, host Kim Anderson chats with Stephanie Vermillion, a travel journalist and photographer whose work spans National Geographic, Outside Magazine, Vogue, and Travel & Leisure. As Outside’s astrotourism columnist and author of 100 Nights of a Lifetime from National Geographic, she’s the go-to exper...

What if your next bucket list trip revolved around the stars instead of the sights?

If you’ve ever dreamed of chasing the northern lights or stargazing under the darkest skies in the world, this episode is for you. In this conversation, host Kim Anderson chats with Stephanie Vermillion, a travel journalist and photographer whose work spans National Geographic, Outside Magazine, Vogue, and Travel & Leisure. As Outside’s astrotourism columnist and author of 100 Nights of a Lifetime from National Geographic, she’s the go-to expert on how to plan magical adventures after dark.

You’ll walk away from this episode with practical tips for planning your own stargazing or dark sky getaway - whether you're a first-timer or already obsessed with the cosmos. From chasing the solar maximum to capturing night sky photos with just your phone, you’ll learn how to plan unforgettable trips that revolve around wonder, not Wi-Fi.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why the new moon is the best time for stargazing
How to find the best dark sky locations
What gear you actually need for night sky photography (spoiler: you probably already have it!)

This episode is your guide to astrotourism without the overwhelm. Whether you're heading to Morocco’s Sahara or Chile’s Atacama Desert—or just want to find a quiet, starry corner closer to home—you’ll get everything you need to start planning the ultimate after-dark adventure.

WANT MORE? Check out these episodes about exploring the night sky:

Travel Talk: 3 Parks, 2 Quirky Histories, and 1 Luxury Stay - Your National Park Guide #106
Astrocartography Explained: How to Use Your Birth Chart to Choose Where to Travel, Live & Thrive w/ KJ Atlas #170

RESOURCES:

Connect with Stephanie: Website, @bystephanievermillion
Pick Up a Copy of her Nat Geo Book: 100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World’s Ultimate Adventures After Dark

⚡ROUND Book: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

PLACES & ITEMS REFERENCED:

Red-light Headlamp & Flashlight

Dark Skies Program

Light Pollution Map

Under Canvas Glamping

EPISODE DETAILS:

05:02 - New to astrotourism or planning

06:41 - Bring a red light headlamp
07:16 - Consider booking a local guide

08:18 - Plan your trip arou

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