Experiences
Space
A seat on a commercial spaceflight is the one booking I cannot make for this season. Passenger flights are paused between ships. The operator said in August 2026 that the next ship's first commercial flight is expected in February 2027 at the earliest.
A flight begins with several days of training and preparation at a spaceport in New Mexico. The flight itself lasts about an hour from runway to runway, with a few minutes of weightlessness at the top and the curve of the Earth below.
Seats are released in small numbers. If you would like to be considered, tell me, and I will make the introduction and keep you informed.
The flight, as the operator describes it
Virgin Galactic offers a suborbital flight to the edge of space from Spaceport America in New Mexico, billed as the first purpose-built commercial spaceport and designed by Foster + Partners. Each Delta flight carries six passengers. The spaceship is carried aloft beneath its mothership and released at around 45,000 to 50,000 feet, then climbs at three times the speed of sound, and the whole flight lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. On Galactic 01, the first commercial flight in 2023, the spaceship reached 52.9 miles, and passengers had around three minutes of weightlessness. Until flights resume, it belongs on a wish list rather than in the diary, though registering interest now keeps the option open.
Closer to home: journeys under dark skies
The Atacama and Argentina's North: From the Chilean desert over the Andes to Salta, its high valleys and Buenos Aires. 11 nights, Chile, Argentina.
Desert, Ice and Falls by Jet: The Atacama, both sides of Patagonia and Iguaçu, by small private jet. 10 nights, Chile, Argentina, Brazil.
Iceland in Winter: Frozen waterfalls, a valley farm in the far north and the northern lights. Eight nights, Iceland.
Lisbon, the Alentejo and Seville: Two capitals of the Iberian south, joined by cork oak country and wine estates. Eight nights, Portugal, Spain.
Peru to Patagonia: Lima, the Atacama, Chiloé and the granite of Torres del Paine in eight nights. Eight nights, Peru, Chile.
Swedish Lapland in Winter: Stockholm, then five winter nights at a floating spa on the Lule River. Seven nights, Sweden.
Tetons, Yellowstone and the Bitterroot: Grand Teton, Yellowstone's geysers and a Montana ranch, driving yourself over 10 nights. 10 nights, United States.
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When you’re ready