5:Atacama Desert, Chile

I arrived craving solitude and found a moonscape of rust-red dunes and salt flats that reflect the sky like a giant mirror. Valle de la Luna’s alien terrain made me feel like an astronaut on sabbatical. Hydrate generously—this desert laughs at your water bottle…

If you’re chasing that Mars-like vibe in Atacama, book early—San Pedro de Atacama hotels fill up fast under the desert stars.
My top pick? Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa Chile, where adobe-style rooms open onto salt flats and volcano views.
You’ll return from stargazing tours to soak in geothermal hot tubs—yes, even in the desert chill. swapping city noise for cosmic silence is the ultimate reset.