Mt Fuji, Japan

In the land of the rising sun, it's a national pilgrimage now to climb the country's highest peak, Fuji-san, to see goraiko (sunrise). Climbing season stretches from July 1 to August 31.

Climbers at any time of year should wrap up warm as it's cold at the top. Sunrise during climbing season is at 4.30am-ish, so you may climb overnight, a common practice, or make the ascent in the afternoon and sleep overnight in a mountain hut.

Places to see the sun come upTall ships

There's no clearer view of the sun rising than on the open seas and since the Cutty Sark Tall Ships race was founded in 1956, there has been a revival of interest in these great old sailing vessels.

The Jubilee Sailing Trust, based in Portsmouth, has two ships that cater to both able-bodied and disabled passengers. Destinations include the Canaries, the Scottish Highlands and France.

Places to see the sun come upCadillac Mountain, United States

At 1,530 ft, Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the US. It's also known as the first place in the continental US to be hit by the rays of the rising sun, though that's only true from October 7 to March 6.

The views are incredible, looking out over pineforests, rocky coastline and the deep blue of Frenchman's Bay and the Atlantic, across to the tiny Cranberry Islands and the Schoonic Peninsula.

to the USA.

Places to see the sun come upPitt Island, New Zealand

Kahuitara Point, on Pitt Island, is just west of the International Date Line, making it the first inhabited place where the sun rises. This windswept island is a spectacular place with rare and unique flora and fauna, amazing scenery and an interesting history.

Almost 800 km from New Zealand, it's also a good place to fish, catch crayfish, scuba dive or simply laze on a deserted beach and wait for the sun.

to Wellington.

Places to see the sun come upSouth Foreland, England

The first place in Britain to see the sun's rays, the view from the white cliffs across the Channel is well worth waking up for. South Foreland is less than two miles east of Dover and a prettier spot than the town itself.

It's a worthy detour en route to an early ferry. It also makes a good goal while walking the North Downs Way, which stretches from Farnham in Surrey to the Dover coast.

in the UK..

Places to see the sun come upTromsø, Norway

Tromsø is the largest town in the north of Norway. Nicknamed The Gateway to the Arctic, it's a popular destination for those wishing to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights.

The poor people of Tromsø experience polar night (no sunrises and no sunsets) from around November 25 to January 17. The first sunrise of the year is welcomed with a happiness bordering on delirium and communities make a big deal out of the occasion.

to Norway.

Places to see the sun come upMt Sinai, Egypt

Mt Sinai is supposedly where Moses received Ten Commandments from God, and a trek to see the sunrise at the summit is a popular spiritual quest.

Climbers beginning their hike at 2 or 3am will reach the peak by sunrise and be down before midday temperatures really kick in. It's also possible to hike up in the late evening and sleep overnight just below the summit.

in Egypt.

Places to see the sun come upSerengeti, Tanzania

The wide-open savannahs of Africa are the perfect place to see the sun rising in all its glory as you head out on safari in search of the "big five."

In the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, for a truly amazing experience, you can take in the sunrise and a safari in a whicker basket suspended beneath a hot-air balloon.

to Mombasa..

Places to see the sun come upKoh Phangan, Thailand

Thailand's Koh Phangan is one of the most notorious spots for beach raves. Despite claims that the area has become over-touristy, visitors to it's tropical shores don't seem to care.

They're still living it up in paradise, dancing at sunrise under the palm trees as the first rays of dawn shed light on another chilled-out morning. Seek Foreign Office advice before booking your holiday following last year's tsunami.

to Bangkok.

Places to see the sun come upStonehenge, England

Standing among the stones is a rare feeling, indescribable, something that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand on end and sends little prickles of electricity through your body.

This is especially true at sunrise or sunset, as the stones, erected between c.3000 and 1600 BC, are oriented on the direction of the rising and setting sun. Groups can apply for special access to the stones at sunrise, and can wander at will through the inner circle.

Source: Teletext Holidays - September 2006