Incredible Destinations to Watch a Sunset

As writer John Lubbock so eloquently stated, “Sunsets are so beautiful that they almost seem as if we were looking through the gates of Heaven,” but there’s no doubt some spots on earth have “out of this world” sunsets! When planning your next getaway, consider spending at least one evening admiring the close of day light show from the locations that are famous for their sunsets!

Sunset

Photo By: _Pixelmaniac

Paris

It may sound a bit creepy, but for a Paris sunset you’ll never forget head to the Père Lachaise Cemetery! Pick a vantage point on a hill to watch the ever-changing shadows take on grotesque shapes as they lengthen behind fanciful marble and granite grave markers for notable residents like Jim Morrison, Isadora Duncan and Sarah Bernhart. The spectacle changes by the minute as the hues of the sunset wash the white grave markers, mausoleums and tombstones in ever deepening shades of pastel as night falls. I

Madrid

Ironically enough, the most spectacular sunset viewing in Madrid is at an ancient Egyptian temple! Built in the fourth century, the Templo de Debod was moved to Madrid when it was threatened by Answar Dam construction in 1968. It now sits on the west side of town in the Parque Oeste where the beautifully preserved monuments are surrounded by shallow reflecting pools that catch the last rays of the sun as they beam through western gates. As evening falls, artificial lights gracefully illuminate the stone pillars and obelisk, creating even more beautiful reflections as night deepens. If you want to find a cool Madrid hotel, check out Hostelbookers for information on local hot spots like the High-Tech Arturo Soria with state-of-the-art Internet hookups and a PC in every room!

Istanbul

Take a 45-minute ferry ride to one of the pedestrian-friendly Prince’s Islands, Büyükada, a destination of sultans and their entourage for centuries. You can choose to eat at one of the many seaside cafes grab some food for picnic and follow the path on the shoreline to the right of the ferry dock for a gentle hike up to the Dil Promontory. From there you can look across the shimmering waters of the Bosphorus to watch the sun set over Istanbul’s unique skyline filled with colorful domes, spires, red tiled roofs and triangular sun shades.

Thailand

To truly savor a Bangkok sunset, climb aboard a dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River to witness the awesome purple hues that are a result of this thriving city’s rather polluted atmosphere. Cruise past majestic temples, palaces, flower markets, fishing docks and riverside cafes while enjoying Thai cuisine and on-board entertainment. The cruises typically last 2-3 hours, giving you plenty of time to savor the twilight moments when the daylight fades and the city lights start to wink on and illuminate the outline of Bangkok’s glittering skyline.

 

Maui

Ignore the tourist brochures who insist the best time to visit the Halekala volcano is sunrise, sunset is when the real magic happens. For starters, you don’t have to contend with swarms of sleepy-eyed freezing tourists crowded together trying to stay warm or pay the state park entrance fee (the ticket station closes at 4PM). It’s recommended to bring some fold-up chairs, blankets and warm drinks to fight off the chill. The sun dipping into the clouds over the West Maui Mountains often creates the “belt of Venus” phenomenon that occurs when the planet is visible rising in the colored bands of the sunset. You can also expect an enchanting ride down the volcano as the lights illuminate another silky warm night in the valley below.

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