Latest news with #LeeThompson
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
I met Europe's sickest paedos after they were castrated – a dark confession proved exactly why it WILL work in UK
Listening to depraved monster Rafael Josef was stomach-churning - but his doctor was convinced he would never reoffend TWISTED BEASTS I met Europe's sickest paedos after they were castrated – a dark confession proved exactly why it WILL work in UK HIS leg twitching as he described to me his savage crimes, violent paedophile Rafael Josef admitted a nine-year-old girl was 'terrified' when he raped her. Then, he calmly revealed that after being released from prison for that act of barbarism, he'd bludgeoned and forced himself on an older woman who later died. Advertisement 8 Murderer and rapist Pavel Tomam, sex attacker and killer Rafael Josef, serial rapist Karel Havlovec and paedophile Ledek Jirak in a cell in the Havlickuv Brod psychiatric clinic Credit: Lee Thompson 8 Rafael Josef admitted a nine-year-old girl was 'terrified' when he raped her Credit: Lee Thompson 8 Rapist and murderer Pavel Tomam volunteered to be castrated at the secure psychiatric unit Credit: Lee Thompson It was utterly stomach-churning to listen to this depraved monster, who was seemingly beyond redemption. Yet, Josef's doctor was convinced he wouldn't reoffend when he walked free from the secure psychiatric unit where he was being held in the Czech Republic. Advertisement That's because the former labourer - like dozens of the central European nation's most dangerous sex offenders - had been castrated. In a 30-minute operation, he had part of his testicles removed to repress his paedophilic urges. Josef had even volunteered for the operation himself - and advised offenders in Britain to undergo the same process. Speaking through a translator, he told me: 'I wish I had been castrated years ago and would advise other repeat violent sex offenders to have the operation. "It was painful but afterwards I felt calmer, more balanced. I was able to think more about my life and how sorry I am for my crimes.' Advertisement Despite the self-confessed violent paedophile choosing to undergo the op, human rights advocates have labelled the procedure 'degrading' for the prisoner. Never mind the rights of the nine-year-old who was raped or future victims that an uncastrated Josef might have later attacked. Expect a similar outcry from liberal lobbying groups as Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood ponders mandatory castration for the most serious sex offenders in Britain. Government exploring mandatory chemical castration for sex offenders A chemical - rather than physical - castration method will be used here. Some will undoubtedly believe that the worst of the worst deserve to go under the knife. Making the procedure compulsory would be deeply controversial with the British medical profession, where consent is a long-standing principle of treatment with any procedure. Advertisement But chemical castration is mandatory for some men in several US states, including California. 'Dangerous deviants' Locked inside the Havlickuv Brod psychiatric clinic, 60 miles south-east of Prague, I was met with the beady-eyed glare of other paedophiles and rapists who had also volunteered to be castrated. The Czech Republic is the only country in Europe to surgically castrate sex offenders. Dr Zelmira Herrova had overseen around 40 operations at the time of my 2009 visit. The medic revealed: "Surgical castration is only carried out on dangerous deviants who have to request it themselves. "They find castration a relief. The rate of re-offending among my patients is zero." Advertisement Yet when the Council of Europe anti-torture Committee (CPT) visited the Czech Republic last year, it called for an end to physical castration. 8 Dr Zelmira Herrova had overseen around 40 operations at the time of The Sun's visit and said she had seen a re-offending rate of zero Credit: Lee Thompson 8 Sun reporter Oliver Harvey, right, was left sickened by stories of the group's horrendous crimes Credit: Lee Thompson Its report said: 'The number of approved applications for surgical castration continues to be relatively low, in comparison with the number of interventions actually carried out some two decades ago. 'However, that in itself cannot remove the Committee's fundamental objection to surgical castration, which could easily be considered as amounting to degrading treatment. Advertisement 'The CPT once again urges the Czech authorities to put a definitive end to surgical castration as a means of treatment of sex offenders.' For too long, we have turned a blind eye to the threat sex offenders pose, considering the solutions too difficult or unpalatable Government source In Britain, a voluntary chemical castration pilot scheme in the South West will be expanded to 20 prisons in England and Wales ahead of a planned roll-out nationwide. Drugs are used to inhibit the action of the sex hormone testosterone, which aims to lower sex drive. Studies have shown using drugs to dull sex urges can slash offending by up to 60 per cent. A government source said: 'For too long, we have turned a blind eye to the threat sex offenders pose, considering the solutions too difficult or unpalatable. Advertisement 'Shabana isn't squeamish about doing what it takes to protect the public. 'As always, she will grab this problem by the proverbials.' 8 Havlickuv Brod psychiatric clinic, 60 miles south east of Prague Credit: Lee Thompson 8 Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is looking at plans to make chemical castration mandatory Credit: PA 8 Studies have shown using drugs to dull sex urges can slash offending by up to 60 per cent
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
More support needed for jurors after 'traumatising' trials
A man who served on the jury of a high-profile murder trial has said more needs to be done to support jurors who are exposed to disturbing, graphic evidence. "The judge told us what the charges were, and it was just gasps, abject horror. I'd never seen that level of violence before," Lee Thompson told BBC News NI. Sitting through two months of evidence, including body-worn camera footage of the immediate aftermath of the scene in which a young child had been killed, left him struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) said jurors are offered counselling in the aftermath of trials. They are also signposted to additional NHS services, if needed, it added. Mr Thompson said he and the other jurors were "just ordinary people pulled off the street", adding that he was not prepared for the graphic nature of the evidence he would be exposed to. Police officers often use body-worn cameras to capture footage as part of evidence-gathering measures and this can be used in court during trials. "I think the worst for me was seeing the PSNI [officer] frantic, trying to save the life of the child, and the reaction of the paramedics," said Mr Thompson. Information on how to access free counselling services was handed out to jurors following the guilty verdict, but at the time he didn't feel he needed the help. He told BBC News NI that he expected life to return to normal, but a few months later he began to have nightmares and flashbacks about the murder scene. "I found myself becoming irritable, isolated. Bad, bad moods. I was just in a dark place," he said. He eventually reached out to the counselling service paid for by NICTS, but said the six telephone sessions were not enough. "I started to relapse, and the old stuff came back. The panic attacks, flashbacks," he added. "I was in a clothes shop with my wife, and I was just standing in the doorway in the sunshine, and then this little boy took my hand, a little two-year-old, and that totally freaked me out." In September 2024, Mr Thompson was officially diagnosed as having PTSD. "I never thought in a million years I'd get PTSD because you only think it's the soldiers and that. "It's a horrible affliction when it gets hold of you." The NHS describes PTSD as a mental health condition caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. An NICTS spokesperson said jury service is an essential part of the justice process. They acknowledged it can lead to people being exposed to evidence which may be "challenging in nature", and said the current service allows jurors the opportunity to talk through their experience with counsellors. The statement added: "Jurors who require additional counselling will be signposted to appropriate services, such as those provided by the NHS." BBC News NI has found that only 14 people have used the service since January 2024. Dr Michael Duffy, a cognitive psychotherapist and expert in PTSD from Queen's University Belfast, said Mr Thompson's experience is not uncommon. "There is this concept of vicarious trauma where people who are not directly exposed to a trauma but are indirectly exposed to it via looking at images etc, develop PSTD." Dr Duffy said the increasing use of body-worn camera evidence in courts could be causing more mental health issues among people exposed to the footage. "It's a difficult problem to solve because obviously the role of a juror is that they must see the evidence and that can have a profound effect on determining innocence or guilt. "We have to consider the impact it has on members of the jury, and I think the court system needs to take in consideration how they select jurors. "For example, one factor related to jurors developing PTSD is a prior trauma experience on their own part, so maybe we need to screen out certain people on certain cases." Dr Duffy said jurors also need more support during trials as they are unable to discuss the case with family or friends, which can lead to feelings of isolation. "We have to assist them to cope with what they're being exposed to", he said. Mr Thompson eventually paid hundreds of pounds for specialist counselling for his PTSD. He said it has helped him, but the journey to get that help has taken its toll on his life, his relationships, and his physical and mental health. He thinks there should be more support available for jurors like him. "It should be an ongoing process until you feel that you don't need it, and I think it should be in person. "A phone call is all right, but when you actually sit down with somebody that is trained to deal with these situations… it's so much better." Trauma counselling for jurors in distressing cases Study probes effect of abuse trials on jurors
BBC News
14-04-2025
- BBC News
NI courts: Calls for more juror support after traumatising trials
A man who served on the jury of a high-profile murder trial has said more needs to be done to support jurors who are exposed to disturbing, graphic evidence."The judge told us what the charges were, and it was just gasps, abject horror. I'd never seen that level of violence before," Lee Thompson told BBC News through two months of evidence, including body-worn camera footage of the immediate aftermath of the scene in which a young child had been killed, left him struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) said jurors are offered counselling in the aftermath of trials. They are also signposted to additional NHS services, if needed, it added. 'I was in a dark place' Mr Thompson said he and the other jurors were "just ordinary people pulled off the street", adding that he was not prepared for the graphic nature of the evidence he would be exposed officers often use body-worn cameras to capture footage as part of evidence-gathering measures and this can be used in court during trials."I think the worst for me was seeing the PSNI [officer] frantic, trying to save the life of the child, and the reaction of the paramedics," said Mr on how to access free counselling services was handed out to jurors following the guilty verdict, but at the time he didn't feel he needed the told BBC News NI that he expected life to return to normal, but a few months later he began to have nightmares and flashbacks about the murder scene."I found myself becoming irritable, isolated. Bad, bad moods. I was just in a dark place," he eventually reached out to the counselling service paid for by NICTS, but said the six telephone sessions were not enough."I started to relapse, and the old stuff came back. The panic attacks, flashbacks," he added."I was in a clothes shop with my wife, and I was just standing in the doorway in the sunshine, and then this little boy took my hand, a little two-year-old, and that totally freaked me out." In September 2024, Mr Thompson was officially diagnosed as having PTSD."I never thought in a million years I'd get PTSD because you only think it's the soldiers and that."It's a horrible affliction when it gets hold of you."The NHS describes PTSD as a mental health condition caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing NICTS spokesperson said jury service is an essential part of the justice acknowledged it can lead to people being exposed to evidence which may be "challenging in nature", and said the current service allows jurors the opportunity to talk through their experience with statement added: "Jurors who require additional counselling will be signposted to appropriate services, such as those provided by the NHS."BBC News NI has found that only 14 people have used the service since January 2024. 'Difficult problem to solve' Dr Michael Duffy, a cognitive psychotherapist and expert in PTSD from Queen's University Belfast, said Mr Thompson's experience is not uncommon."There is this concept of vicarious trauma where people who are not directly exposed to a trauma but are indirectly exposed to it via looking at images etc, develop PSTD."Dr Duffy said the increasing use of body-worn camera evidence in courts could be causing more mental health issues among people exposed to the footage."It's a difficult problem to solve because obviously the role of a juror is that they must see the evidence and that can have a profound effect on determining innocence or guilt."We have to consider the impact it has on members of the jury, and I think the court system needs to take in consideration how they select jurors."For example, one factor related to jurors developing PTSD is a prior trauma experience on their own part, so maybe we need to screen out certain people on certain cases." Dr Duffy said jurors also need more support during trials as they are unable to discuss the case with family or friends, which can lead to feelings of isolation."We have to assist them to cope with what they're being exposed to", he Thompson eventually paid hundreds of pounds for specialist counselling for his said it has helped him, but the journey to get that help has taken its toll on his life, his relationships, and his physical and mental thinks there should be more support available for jurors like him."It should be an ongoing process until you feel that you don't need it, and I think it should be in person."A phone call is all right, but when you actually sit down with somebody that is trained to deal with these situations… it's so much better."
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Yahoo
What is noctourism and why it's on the rise
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Noctourism, or the recent trend of exploring the world after dark, is set to transform how night owls see the world in 2025. In a survey last year, nearly two-thirds (62%) of respondents across 33 countries said they were considering holidays with experiences at night, from stargazing and safari sleep-outs to after-dark city tours. Luxury tour operator Wayfairer Travel reports nocturnal excursions were up by 25% in 2024. 'It's taken off in the past year,' CEO Jay Stevens says. Lee Thompson, co-founder of tour operator Flash Pack, says demand among millennial travellers increased by 40%. 'We've noticed a growing demand for non-alcoholic experiences in recent years. People now crave unique experiences beyond evenings in a bar, which seems to have fuelled noctourism.' Perhaps the real reason is simpler. In an age of overtourism, when few parts of the globe are still unvisited, noctourism can provide a new perspective on established sights. It's a chance to rediscover a world transformed at night. Here are some of the best nocturnal adventures to try. The average African safari in the daytime typically only sees around 30% of mammals — with around 70% of them nocturnal, among them the bush baby and the honey badger. It's no surprise, then, that there's been a rise in demand for night-time wildlife trips. Dan Free, general manager of Wildlife Worldwide, says: 'Guests increasingly want to see more unusual species.' The company has a new South Africa trip to see niche nocturnal mammals, such as the aardvark and aardwolf. Wayfairer Travel reports a 35% rise in demand for night safaris in Africa compared to 2023; CEO Jay Stevens suggests wildlife documentaries are the inspiration. Rainforest lodges are also increasingly running night-time wildlife walks in destinations such as Madagascar and Costa Rica. Meanwhile, those on the Amazon such as Sacha Lodge in Ecuador already provide canoe trips to see the eyes of cayman glowing in torchlights. In Europe, wildlife specialist Travelling Naturalist is using overnight hides to spot brown bears each June, while Amazing Nature Scandinavia runs camps in 'a wolf pack area' to hear the animals' howls. Increasingly, watching wildlife in their natural habitat no longer relies on daylight. For anyone keen to explore after dark, the Northern Lights are typically at the top of their list of must-sees. According to the most recent figures, in 2023, the Northern Lights industry was valued at £686m, while in December last year, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) found that one in five UK holidaymakers was planning a trip to a region where they'd have a chance of seeing the aurora, up 3% on 2023. Meanwhile, according to figures from aviation analytics company Cirium, seasonal flights to Tromsø, Norway's 'Northern Lights capital', rose from 22 in 2023, operated by just Norwegian and Wizz Air, to a total of 87 last year — with British Airways, EasyJet and SAS all launching new routes. It's clear that interest in the aurora is surging. That's partly due to the Northern Lights' solar maximum in 2024 and 2025, when a peak in solar activity creates a bonanza for aurora-spotters, resulting in more frequent and stronger sightings. But the light phenomenon also capitalises on another recent trend: noctourism. As Tom Kerss, chief aurora chaser of Norwegian cruise operator Hurtigruten, says: 'They're the closest thing to real magic you can find in the natural world.' But they can be elusive, and not all travellers come away with a confirmed sighting, with a combination of aspects such as poor weather and luck sometimes scuppering chances. Aurora Zone, the UK's oldest Northern Lights tour operator, offers 132 Scandinavia holidays within the hotspot of 66-degrees north to 69-degrees north. Managing director Amy Hope says that 86% of its customers witnessed the aurora last season, partly thanks to its camps being located well away from light pollution. Yet, like all operators, it hedges its bets by including other activities on trips. Some companies offer a Northern Lights promise, whereby guests qualify for a repeat trip if they're among the unlucky ones. For passengers on board a Hurtigruten expedition cruise, for example, this translates to a free seven-day voyage if the aurora fails to materialise during cruises that last more than 11 days. Demand for its Astronomy Voyages, which feature expert lecturers, almost doubled from 2023 to 2024. Bookings by January 2025 had also already surpassed last year's total. Kerss says: 'Quite simply, the ship becomes a floating observatory, constantly moving to chase the clearest skies.' What explains the rising demand for accommodation with views of the night sky? The sense of connection, says Chris McIntyre, founder of Expert Africa. He believes safari star beds — set beneath epic skies, with a soundtrack of whooping hyenas — provide 'a blend of tranquillity and exhilaration, deepening your connection to the wild'. Though pioneered by early African safaris, comfort levels have changed radically. McIntrye says: 'We've seen a big increase in interest for star beds. A decade ago, a high-end sleep-out meant a foam mattress and a duvet; now, you have king-size beds with the best linens.' Basecamp Samburu in Kenya launched four deluxe star beds this year, elevated under canopies and each with their own hot tub. The Maldives has been quick to embrace the concept as well. From this year, guests at Milaidhoo in Baa Atoll can book a Sleep Under the Stars experience — a bed on a private sandbank accessible only by boat. In 2021, the Swiss tourist board also launched the Million Stars Hotel concept. Booked through wild camping platform Nomady, the project lists around 50 unique stays that offer spectacular night-sky views, from geodesic domes to mattresses on a farmer's hay cart. With worldwide light pollution growing 10% annually, and the Milky Way already invisible to a third of the world's population, starry skies have become a reason to travel, says Robert Massey, deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society. 'People want an experience that's hard to get at home.' Massey's pick of stargazing destinations includes the COAA observatory in the Algarve, where amateur astronomers have the opportunity to use the telescopes; and the light-pollution free landscapes of Chile, Namibia and the Australian Outback. 'All have extraordinary clear skies, which is why they're home to observatories,' he says. Global non-profit DarkSky International has certified over 160,000sq miles as dark-sky sites worldwide, generally as Dark Sky Reserves and Dark Sky Parks. The Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary, near Queenstown in New Zealand, is a 2025 addition. The 22 reserves in the UK have also led travel operators to embrace stargazing. In the Lake District, the hotel Another Place runs full-moon stargazing swims with a cold-water expert, providing wetsuits and tow floats, while in Dorset, Fore Adventure now runs night-time kayaking in Studland Bay. It's the obvious solution to soaring daytime temperatures and overtourism — visit at night. In Jordan, the weekly Petra by Night display permits after-hours access to see the Nabatean Treasury illuminated by thousands of lanterns. The Taj Mahal in India also opens for five days around the full moon for just 50 people at a time, offering a whole new perspective on the site. Wayfairer CEO Jay Stevens says 67% of visitors to Tokyo (up 30% on 2023) are increasingly seeking night-time experiences. 'Instagram has been a huge driver of this in my opinion, because users see images of neon signs in Shinjuku's Kabukicho or tiny izakayas [bars] in Omoide Yokocho and want to experience it.' He recommends visiting Senso-ji after dark to see Tokyo's oldest temple at its quietest, plus nocturnal cruises along the Sumida River. Food markets are often hubs for nocturnal activity, especially in East Asia and Latin America, where you go to people-watch as much as to eat. Inside Asia runs food-themed trips, which include Gwangjang Market in Seoul after sun down, as well as Taipei's Yansan Night Market, while Intrepid offers trips to take in the nightly carnival of food stalls on Marrakech's Jemaa el-Fnaa square. The sea at night remains an undeveloped market — between 2020 and 2024, numbers taking PADI's Night Diver Course rose just 2%. Eric Albinsson, the PADI training executive who co-wrote the night-diving course, says while nerves are 'normal' for first-timers, 'many find night diving to be peaceful and meditative'. He reframes the adventure: 'You feel like you're experiencing space when night diving, with the chance to witness the glow-in-the-dark marine world, too.' It's also far more accessible than space; any diver with PADI's Open-Water Certification can book a guided night dive. Albinsson recommends dives with manta rays off Kona in Hawaii. Joanna Charter, Regaldive product executive, notes how night can transform familiar dives. 'Fluoro diving is a disco. UV torches expose the biofluorescence of coral and reefs explode with colour.' Bonaire island is extraordinary, or Regaldive offers Buceo Anilao resort in the Philippines. Non-divers can also make do with bioluminescence, when plankton emit light, creating a glowing effect that looks like stars. Images of beaches glowing with neon-blue light have driven travellers to the Maldives' Mudhdhoo island, aka the 'Sea of Stars', and Mosquito Bay on Puerto Rico's Vieques coast, home of the world's brightest bioluminescence according to Guinness World Records. Published in the April 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
National Geographic
07-04-2025
- National Geographic
What is noctourism and why it's on the rise
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Noctourism, or the recent trend of exploring the world after dark, is set to transform how night owls see the world in 2025. In a survey last year, nearly two-thirds (62%) of respondents across 33 countries said they were considering holidays with experiences at night, from stargazing and safari sleep-outs to after-dark city tours. Luxury tour operator Wayfairer Travel reports nocturnal excursions were up by 25% in 2024. 'It's taken off in the past year,' CEO Jay Stevens says. Lee Thompson, co-founder of tour operator Flash Pack, says demand among millennial travellers increased by 40%. 'We've noticed a growing demand for non-alcoholic experiences in recent years. People now crave unique experiences beyond evenings in a bar, which seems to have fuelled noctourism.' Perhaps the real reason is simpler. In an age of overtourism, when few parts of the globe are still unvisited, noctourism can provide a new perspective on established sights. It's a chance to rediscover a world transformed at night. Here are some of the best nocturnal adventures to try. Safaris by night The average African safari in the daytime typically only sees around 30% of mammals — with around 70% of them nocturnal, among them the bush baby and the honey badger. It's no surprise, then, that there's been a rise in demand for night-time wildlife trips. Dan Free, general manager of Wildlife Worldwide, says: 'Guests increasingly want to see more unusual species.' The company has a new South Africa trip to see niche nocturnal mammals, such as the aardvark and aardwolf. Wayfairer Travel reports a 35% rise in demand for night safaris in Africa compared to 2023; CEO Jay Stevens suggests wildlife documentaries are the inspiration. Rainforest lodges are also increasingly running night-time wildlife walks in destinations such as Madagascar and Costa Rica. Meanwhile, those on the Amazon such as Sacha Lodge in Ecuador already provide canoe trips to see the eyes of cayman glowing in torchlights. In Europe, wildlife specialist Travelling Naturalist is using overnight hides to spot brown bears each June, while Amazing Nature Scandinavia runs camps in 'a wolf pack area' to hear the animals' howls. Increasingly, watching wildlife in their natural habitat no longer relies on daylight. The Northern Lights For anyone keen to explore after dark, the Northern Lights are typically at the top of their list of must-sees. According to the most recent figures, in 2023, the Northern Lights industry was valued at £686m, while in December last year, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) found that one in five UK holidaymakers was planning a trip to a region where they'd have a chance of seeing the aurora, up 3% on 2023. Meanwhile, according to figures from aviation analytics company Cirium, seasonal flights to Tromsø, Norway's 'Northern Lights capital', rose from 22 in 2023, operated by just Norwegian and Wizz Air, to a total of 87 last year — with British Airways, EasyJet and SAS all launching new routes. It's clear that interest in the aurora is surging. That's partly due to the Northern Lights' solar maximum in 2024 and 2025, when a peak in solar activity creates a bonanza for aurora-spotters, resulting in more frequent and stronger sightings. But the light phenomenon also capitalises on another recent trend: noctourism. As Tom Kerss, chief aurora chaser of Norwegian cruise operator Hurtigruten, says: 'They're the closest thing to real magic you can find in the natural world.' But they can be elusive, and not all travellers come away with a confirmed sighting, with a combination of aspects such as poor weather and luck sometimes scuppering chances. Aurora Zone, the UK's oldest Northern Lights tour operator, offers 132 Scandinavia holidays within the hotspot of 66-degrees north to 69-degrees north. Managing director Amy Hope says that 86% of its customers witnessed the aurora last season, partly thanks to its camps being located well away from light pollution. Yet, like all operators, it hedges its bets by including other activities on trips. Some companies offer a Northern Lights promise, whereby guests qualify for a repeat trip if they're among the unlucky ones. For passengers on board a Hurtigruten expedition cruise, for example, this translates to a free seven-day voyage if the aurora fails to materialise during cruises that last more than 11 days. Demand for its Astronomy Voyages, which feature expert lecturers, almost doubled from 2023 to 2024. Bookings by January 2025 had also already surpassed last year's total. Kerss says: 'Quite simply, the ship becomes a floating observatory, constantly moving to chase the clearest skies.' Australia offers excellent stargazing thanks to some of the clearest skies in the world. Photograph by Wolongshan Photography, Getty Images Night-sky stays What explains the rising demand for accommodation with views of the night sky? The sense of connection, says Chris McIntyre, founder of Expert Africa. He believes safari star beds — set beneath epic skies, with a soundtrack of whooping hyenas — provide 'a blend of tranquillity and exhilaration, deepening your connection to the wild'. Though pioneered by early African safaris, comfort levels have changed radically. McIntrye says: 'We've seen a big increase in interest for star beds. A decade ago, a high-end sleep-out meant a foam mattress and a duvet; now, you have king-size beds with the best linens.' Basecamp Samburu in Kenya launched four deluxe star beds this year, elevated under canopies and each with their own hot tub. The Maldives has been quick to embrace the concept as well. From this year, guests at Milaidhoo in Baa Atoll can book a Sleep Under the Stars experience — a bed on a private sandbank accessible only by boat. In 2021, the Swiss tourist board also launched the Million Stars Hotel concept. Booked through wild camping platform Nomady, the project lists around 50 unique stays that offer spectacular night-sky views, from geodesic domes to mattresses on a farmer's hay cart. Stargazing trips With worldwide light pollution growing 10% annually, and the Milky Way already invisible to a third of the world's population, starry skies have become a reason to travel, says Robert Massey, deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society. 'People want an experience that's hard to get at home.' Massey's pick of stargazing destinations includes the COAA observatory in the Algarve, where amateur astronomers have the opportunity to use the telescopes; and the light-pollution free landscapes of Chile, Namibia and the Australian Outback. 'All have extraordinary clear skies, which is why they're home to observatories,' he says. Global non-profit DarkSky International has certified over 160,000sq miles as dark-sky sites worldwide, generally as Dark Sky Reserves and Dark Sky Parks. The Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary, near Queenstown in New Zealand, is a 2025 addition. The 22 reserves in the UK have also led travel operators to embrace stargazing. In the Lake District, the hotel Another Place runs full-moon stargazing swims with a cold-water expert, providing wetsuits and tow floats, while in Dorset, Fore Adventure now runs night-time kayaking in Studland Bay. It's possible to tour the rock city of Petra on a candle-lit night tour. Photograph by Peter Unger, Getty Images After-dark city and architecture tours It's the obvious solution to soaring daytime temperatures and overtourism — visit at night. In Jordan, the weekly Petra by Night display permits after-hours access to see the Nabatean Treasury illuminated by thousands of lanterns. The Taj Mahal in India also opens for five days around the full moon for just 50 people at a time, offering a whole new perspective on the site. Wayfairer CEO Jay Stevens says 67% of visitors to Tokyo (up 30% on 2023) are increasingly seeking night-time experiences. 'Instagram has been a huge driver of this in my opinion, because users see images of neon signs in Shinjuku's Kabukicho or tiny izakayas [bars] in Omoide Yokocho and want to experience it.' He recommends visiting Senso-ji after dark to see Tokyo's oldest temple at its quietest, plus nocturnal cruises along the Sumida River. Food markets are often hubs for nocturnal activity, especially in East Asia and Latin America, where you go to people-watch as much as to eat. Inside Asia runs food-themed trips, which include Gwangjang Market in Seoul after sun down, as well as Taipei's Yansan Night Market, while Intrepid offers trips to take in the nightly carnival of food stalls on Marrakech's Jemaa el-Fnaa square. Fluoro diving with UV torches makes reefs explode with colour. Photograph by Waraporn Chokchaiworarat, Alamy Night dives and bioluminescence The sea at night remains an undeveloped market — between 2020 and 2024, numbers taking PADI's Night Diver Course rose just 2%. Eric Albinsson, the PADI training executive who co-wrote the night-diving course, says while nerves are 'normal' for first-timers, 'many find night diving to be peaceful and meditative'. He reframes the adventure: 'You feel like you're experiencing space when night diving, with the chance to witness the glow-in-the-dark marine world, too.' It's also far more accessible than space; any diver with PADI's Open-Water Certification can book a guided night dive. Albinsson recommends dives with manta rays off Kona in Hawaii. Joanna Charter, Regaldive product executive, notes how night can transform familiar dives. 'Fluoro diving is a disco. UV torches expose the biofluorescence of coral and reefs explode with colour.' Bonaire island is extraordinary, or Regaldive offers Buceo Anilao resort in the Philippines. Non-divers can also make do with bioluminescence, when plankton emit light, creating a glowing effect that looks like stars. Images of beaches glowing with neon-blue light have driven travellers to the Maldives' Mudhdhoo island, aka the 'Sea of Stars', and Mosquito Bay on Puerto Rico's Vieques coast, home of the world's brightest bioluminescence according to Guinness World Records. National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click Published in the April 2025 issue of(UK).To subscribe to(UK) magazine click here . (Available in select countries only).
