It’s no secret that I adore a beautiful sunset, whether I’ve visited a Greek island specifically to see it or simply chanced upon a stunning one on a walk home. Today the kind folk at Holiday Lettings have shared some of the world’s most spectacular sunsets… I would love to see them all!
Witnessing the sun’s final blaze of glory in one of the world’s most beautiful places is an unforgettable experience. From the African savanna to an Alpine village, here are a few favourite places to watch the sun go down, as chosen by Holiday Lettings.
Santa Monica, California, USA
Photo credit: kilgarron (license) via Flickr.com
It’s the historic end of the legendary Route 66: you can visit the original Muscle Beach, the birthplace of the southern California exercise crazes, and wonder at all the latest equipment on show. Then pet muscles of a different kind, plus sea stars, crabs, sea urchins and other crustaceans, at the aquarium.
You can see for nearly quarter of a mile from the city’s famous pier. The sunset here, whether you’re watching it fall behind the twinkling pier from the beach below or sipping a cocktail on the pier itself, is the real Californian dream. Get a different perspective of the sunset from one of the fairground’s rides: the sun silhouettes the iconic structures and you’ll see the ferris wheel’s lights reflected in the ocean.
Lofoten Archipelago, Norway
Photo credit: Aah-Yeah (license) via Flickr.com
You’ll always remember your first approach to Lofoten. The islands’ giant, rough-hewn outlines stand out against the Arctic sky like a sea monster from a Nordic saga. As you near land you’ll see secluded bays, lush sheep pastures and pretty villages of quaint fishermans’ huts and colourful quayside cabins.
The Norwegian archipelago sounds like the world’s worst spot to catch a sunset. It’s the land of midnight sun during the summer, and has 24-hour polar nights in winter. But at other times of the year the sun hovers just below the horizon, high enough in the sky for a dazzling eight-hour lightshow.
Dolomites, Veneto, Italy
Photo credit: France Pecchio (license) via Flickr.com
Cortina d’Ampezzo is the archetypal Italian supermodel: icy, pricey, super-chic and drop-dead gorgeous. Audrey Hepburn often skied on its immaculate slopes, James Bond went on the exhilarating bobsleigh run in For Your Eyes Only and Inspector Clouseau tried a spot of mountain climbing there in The Pink Panther.
And you’ll love the resort’s stunning sunsets – they’re as gentle as the après-ski. Relax on your terrace with a glass of the punchy local grappa and admire the soft rose-toned light drenching the valley, turning the jagged mountain tops a dusky pink.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Photo credit: A_Peach (license) via Flickr.com
In Tanzania, you’ll be immersed in nature’s force, mystery and splendour as nowhere else. The horizons are unending and the plains are limitless. The flat-topped acacia trees watch over this windswept wilderness. You’ll love the adventurous wildebeest, delicate gazelles and hosts of water birds.
Evoking classic Lion King images, the Serengeti sunset will make both your heart and eyes weep. The sandy atmosphere turns the sky blood-red and the trees in the foreground stand out boldly. If you’re really lucky you may even catch the silhouettes of rhinos and elephants.
Hawaii Island, Hawaii, USA
Photo credit: Nan Palmero (license) via Flickr.com
These jewel-like islands strewn across an azure ocean look like a manipulated photo from a tourist brochure, or maybe it is just paradise. With the fluorescent coral reefs, sugary beaches and craggy volcanoes, it’s a heavenly place at any time of day. You can zip line through cloud forests, hike across ancient lava flows and go diving with sea turtles.
Kauna’oa Bay is the perfect spot to enjoy one of Hawaii’s famous sunsets. It’s picture-postcard Hawaii, complete with the oh-so-obligatory wave of sparkling white sand, fringed by palm trees. Walk down to the water and admire the Pacific turning a kaleidoscopic blend of orange, yellow and violet. Manta rays gather here as night falls – just head to the lookout to spot them.
Wow – how stunning are those?! Where’s the best sunset you’ve ever seen?
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