Watching the sunrise is a pleasure that most of us don’t see very often. If we have to be on the road early in the mornings, we might get to watch the sky lighten from dark blue to purple to pink to light blue, but only a few of us get to watch the sunrise in various parts of the world. When you’re traveling, particularly if you have mountains or water to the immediate east, make an effort to get up early and watch the sunrise! You can always go back to bed afterward, though you probably won’t feel like it after watching such a stunning display. While sunrise can be beautiful anywhere, here are some of the best sunrises in the world:
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Fiji Located on the International Date Line, you’ll be one of the first to see the day’s sunrise if you happen to be visiting Fiji. Find a seat on the beach in the early morning hours and watch the sun rise up from the waters before you start your day.
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Stonehenge, England Watch the sun turn the sky orange as it makes its daily ascent. If you are looking toward Stonehenge to the east, the sunrise will create a magical and breathtaking backdrop to the stone formations.
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Machu Picchu, Peru See the sun’s rays peek over the surrounding Peruvian mountains before it slips into full view. It is often cloudy so high up, however, so seeing an actual sunrise is a special treat! Visit out page on what you need to know about Peru travel.
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Maui, Hawaii Watch the sun rise over the Hawaiian volcano visible from the summit at Haleakala National Park in Maui. You can take a van down the mountain, or you can ride your bike the 28 miles to the summit.
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The Arctic Circle If you get the chance to watch the sun move across the sky from the Arctic Circle in June, be sure to take it! If you are far enough north, the sun won’t set at all, and it creates an amazing display as it moves from not-quite-setting to not-quite rising.
If you are getting up early to watch the sunrise, you might choose to simply enjoy it, on your own or with someone special to you, or you might want to take photographs to enjoy the experience later. Either way, plan to arrive to your destination about a half hour ahead of time so that you don’t miss the changing colors of the sky. While the focal point will be the sun, there are other places to look, too; the shadows will change as the morning wears on, and you’ll be able to see the sun’s reflection on buildings, trees and other landmarks in the vicinity. Watch for that first pin of light to peek up, then don’t get distracted by anything else, because the sun will be all the way up before you know it!
Have you seen a spectacular sunrise, either in your own community or while on vacation? Share your experience with our readers in the comment section below.
