Anaa

On the remote coral atoll of Anaa, floating improbably in the great Pacific emptiness, stargazing isn't so much an activity as a deliriously humbling existential experience. Forget your trendy rooftop bars; here the velvet-dark beachfront offers a sky so shockingly clear it feels suspiciously Photoshopped. Thanks to minimal electricity-who knew that a lack of modern conveniences could be such an astronomical win?-Anaa boasts celestial visibility rivaling Galileo-era conditions (minus the inquisition, thankfully). Come late evening, ideally after 10 pm when the stars boldly stake their claim on the night, and bring along a decent blanket, insect repellent (trust me, paradise isn't mosquito-proof), and a flask of your favorite spirit to toast the universe-responsibly, of course. Budget-wise, the cosmos charges nothing for admission, but do anticipate spending around $20 for local snacks or drinks if you venture out to find company. Plan at least a day ahead to secure a guide or telescope if you're fancy, or don't-lying flat on your back in the sand, utterly dazzled by the Milky Way's audacity, is blissfully free. And yes, some cynics might scoff at traveling halfway across the globe merely to stare upward in slack-jawed wonder, but in Anaa, beneath this outrageously brash cosmic show-off, you'll collect a story that makes even the most jaded cocktail party conversationalist simmer with envy.