Key West, Florida Keys, United States

The tradition in Key West, southernmost point of the continental US, is not only to watch the sunset, but to applaud it. Mosey down to Mallory Square off Duval Street and join the laid-back crowds. Many turn up early to watch the street entertainers before watching the sun go down. As the sun reaches the horizon a cheer goes up. Or get out on the water and enjoy a sunset cruise. Use a fast film speed when photographing sunsets - 400 ASA is recommended.

Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States

This magnificent natural wonder plunges a mile deep, is 10 miles wide and 277 miles long. Pick the viewpoints that project out into the Canyon. The South Rim is always more crowded. Good viewing spots include Hopi Point on West Rim Drive, Yaki Point and Desert View on East Rim Drive, and Bright Angel Point on North Rim. Even after the sun goes down, the colours of the Canyon will go on changing as it gets dark.

Cornwall, England

There are plenty of places to view gorgeous sunsets in King Arthur's legendary land. Land's End is probably the best-known and has the added attraction of a bar from which you can watch the sun go down over the Atlantic Ocean. Other good places include Trebarwith Strand, three miles from Tintagel, Widemouth Bay and Bude in North Cornwall, and Falmouth where you can watch the sun sink over the bay.

Bagan, Myanmar

One of the wonders of south-east Asia, it contains thousands of ancient temples and monuments. View the sunset over the Ayerwaddy river and many of the temples and monuments of Bagan from the top of one of them - Mingalazedi. Also good for sunset viewing is Shwesandaw Paya, where you see the Old Bagan monuments to the northwest. For river views, go to Bupaya in Old Bagan or Lawkananda Paya in Bagan Myothit.

Nile Valley, Egypt

Watch the sun set behind the mountains of Thebes from the River Nile on board a felucca (traditional sailing boat). From Luxor, take a felucca in the late afternoon to palm-clad Banana Island and sail back watching the sun sink over the river. Luxor has around 85 per cent of ancient Egypt's artefacts - but almost anywhere along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan is good for sunset watching.

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

The Taj Mahal, in the Agra region of Uttar Pradesh, is best visited between October and March but is glorious any time you see it. This monument to love is at its most spectacular at sunset. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, who died in childbirth in 1631, it took four years and 20,000 workers to complete. Also visit the massive red Agra Fort - where Sha Jahan was imprisoned for life by his son, Aurangzeb, who deposed him.

Cape Sounion, Attica, Greece

The temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, at the southern tip of Attica and some 70 kilometres from Athens, stands on a craggy spur of rock that drops 65 metres into the sea. Built in 444 BC, its marble columns have guided sailors home for over 1,000 years. Enjoy the fabulous sunset views - looking across to the little islands of Kea, Kythnos and Serifos to the south east and the island of Aegina and the Peloponnese to the west.

Kenya

Sunset is one of the best times for viewing wildlife, especially around waterholes where animals come to drink. Some safari lodges are built close to such areas, with viewing decks so you don't even have to stir from your early evening tipple. Horizons are wider in Africa - the sky seems endless. Go to Mount Kilimanjaro, the Masai Mara or the Great Rift Valley, or some say the sunsets in Tsavo are among the finest.

Sahara Desert, Morocco, Tunisia, Africa

The mighty Sahara covers some nine million sq km of North Africa and is most commonly reached from Morocco and Tunisia. Dusk is breathtaking, with the sun sinking behind the dunes. Hire a four-wheel drive vehicle or brave a camel ride. Afterwards you can camp out under the stars with a friendly nomadic tribe such as the Tuareg people.

Cape Promthep, Phuket, Thailand

Don't miss a trip down to the southernmost point of Phuket. Prom is the Thai word for the Hindu god Brahma and Thep is Thai for God, and you can certainly expect some heavenly sunset views from Cape Promthep overlooking the Andaman Sea. Next to the viewpoint there's a shrine to Brahma. It's a photographer's paradise with its palm trees and coral reefs - and is a great for snorkelling during the day.