2025 Phenomena-Inspired Family Travel Destinations and Where to Stay on Points
Planning a family vacation around natural phenomena is a fantastic way to create memorable experiences, and you can use points to cover your stays! From chasing the Northern Lights to watching starling murmurations, here’s a list of top natural wonders in 2025, along with recommendations on where to stay using Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts, and Airbnb. You can find guides to some of my favorite cards here.
1. Northern Lights – Lapland, Finland
Phenomenon: The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, is a breathtaking display of light caused by the collision of charged particles with Earth's atmosphere. It creates glowing, shifting patterns of green, purple, and red light, seen best near the Arctic Circle.
Best Viewing: January-April and October-November 2025
Stay: Hilton Helsinki Strand (Hilton Honors) is a beautiful waterfront hotel in Helsinki, offering an excellent base before heading north to view the Northern Lights. You can cover this stay using points with cards like the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
For a more immersive experience, consider staying at Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle (Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts), where glass-roofed igloos offer a front-row seat to the Northern Lights. You’ll need to book through the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts program, which requires using the Platinum Card® from American Express to redeem your points through the travel portal at a rate of 1 cent per point.
2. Bioluminescent Plankton – Vero Beach, Florida
Phenomenon: Bioluminescent plankton emits a natural glow when disturbed, creating a surreal experience where the water appears to light up under your movement. This natural light show is best seen at night in warm waters.
Best Viewing: July-September 2025
Stay: Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa (Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts) is located right on the beach, offering a perfect setting for a family getaway while watching bioluminescent plankton light up the waves at night. You can book through the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts portal using points with the American Express® Gold Card at 1 cent per point.
If you prefer a more immersive experience, consider renting a beach house on Vero Beach through Airbnb. You can cover this stay using points with cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. If booking through the Chase travel portal, you’ll redeem points at 1.25 cents per point.
3. Synchronous Fireflies – Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Phenomenon: The synchronous fireflies put on a magical light show in the Smoky Mountains as thousands of fireflies blink in unison during their mating season. This rare event occurs for just a few weeks each year and is one of nature’s most enchanting sights.
Best Viewing: May-June 2025
Stay: Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg (Hilton Honors) is nestled in the heart of the Smokies, offering easy access to firefly viewing spots. You can cover this stay using points with cards like the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
For a more rustic family experience, opt for a cabin rental in Gatlinburg through Airbnb. You can cover this stay using points with cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. Through the Chase travel portal, you can redeem points at 1.5 cents per point.
4. Starlings' Black Sun Murmuration – Wadden Sea, Denmark
Phenomenon: The “Black Sun” is a mesmerizing spectacle where thousands of starlings fly in intricate patterns, forming dynamic shapes against the evening sky. This phenomenon is best viewed in Denmark’s Wadden Sea National Park.
Best Viewing: February-April and August-December 2025
Stay: Marriott Copenhagen (Marriott Bonvoy) offers a convenient base for exploring the Wadden Sea National Park and viewing the Black Sun. You can cover this stay using points with cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card.
For a more nature-immersive experience, consider renting a charming Danish cottage through Airbnb near the Wadden Sea. You can cover this stay using points with cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. If booking through the Chase travel portal, points redeem at 1.25 cents per point.
5. Ballet of Japanese Cranes – Hokkaido, Japan
Phenomenon: In Hokkaido, Japan, the courtship dance of the Japanese cranes is a rare and elegant sight, where these majestic birds perform graceful movements as part of their mating ritual.
Best Viewing: February-March 2025
Stay: Hyatt Regency Hakodate (Hyatt) offers a luxurious stay in Hokkaido, where you can witness the graceful courtship dance of the Japanese cranes. You can cover this stay using points with cards like the World of Hyatt Credit Card. This would be a direct transfer of points to Hyatt at a rate of 1.5 cents per point.
If you prefer a more immersive experience, consider renting a traditional home in Hokkaido through Airbnb. Use points from cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to book through the travel portal, redeeming points at 1.25 cents per point.
6. Highest Tides in the World – Bay of Fundy, Canada
Phenomenon: The Bay of Fundy is home to the highest tides in the world, with the sea rising and falling over 50 feet. This natural wonder allows you to walk on the ocean floor at low tide and kayak the same area at high tide.
Best Viewing: Year-round; peak tides during full moon cycles.
Stay: Delta Hotels by Marriott Beausejour (Marriott Bonvoy) is located in nearby Moncton, offering easy access to the Bay of Fundy’s famous tidal bore. You can cover this stay using points with cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card.
If you prefer a more private experience, consider renting a coastal cottage near the Bay of Fundy through Airbnb. Use points with cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for your stay.
7. Starling Murmurations – Somerset, U.K.
Phenomenon: Each winter, thousands of starlings gather in Somerset’s wetlands, forming mesmerizing cloud-like shapes as they perform coordinated aerial displays called murmurations.
Best Viewing: December-January 2025
Stay: Hilton Bath City (Hilton Honors) offers a convenient base for viewing starling murmurations, located just a short drive from Somerset. You can cover this stay using points with cards like the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
If you prefer a countryside retreat, book an Airbnb in Somerset’s tranquil rural areas. Use points with cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Start Planning Your 2025 Phenomena Adventures
2025 is packed with natural wonders, offering perfect opportunities for family travel. From bioluminescent beaches to the incredible migration of wildlife, there’s something for every adventurer. Start planning early, maximize your points, and be sure to check out guides to some of my favorite business cards for more tips on earning rewards here.
These phenomena offer breathtaking views and unforgettable family experiences, and staying at points-earning hotels ensures you get the most value from your travels.
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