Travel

[World Traveler]

This was a fun article to read, written by my favorite travel writer, Hristina Byrnes, 1/30/18, for The Active Times website. Which of these places would you like to try?

 

If you’re already abandoning your New Year’s resolution, how about setting a new goal, one that you’ll actually enjoy, such as travel more. And while you’re setting new objectives, pick travel destinations that are unorthodox as possible.

Litloy Lighthouse in Outer Vesteralen, Norway

Would you like an island all to yourself, but at an affordable price? This place is so remote, you have to literally cross the open sea in an open boat, and then climb 300 steps from the shoreline to get there. The lighthouse is an ideal place to stay for people look for the ultimate peace and quiet. If you go this year, you’re likely to witness the Northern Lights. The surrounding view is especially stunning when a storm hits. You can see how rough the Atlantic Ocean can get through the windows.

 

The Old Jailhouse in Ribe, Denmark

Hopefully you only get to stay in a jailhouse as a tourist as opposed to temporary resident. The prison cells have been turned into comfortable rooms, but you can’t escape the feeling that it was once a dark, cold jail. Some rooms are small and don’t have hot water – so you feel exactly like a prisoner. Even breakfast is served at 7:30 on the dot and if you miss it, you’ll be hungry. The building was used as a prison for a century until 1989.

 

El Cosmico, Marfa, Texas

Looking for a unique Texas experience? Stay in a 22-ft. diameter yurt with wood floors. It’s relatively modern to suit everyone’s tastes. The yurt has a queen bed, writing desk, a sofa, and electricity. You can take a shower nearby. This kind of adventure destination is a combination of the lifestyles of hipsters and nomads who have passed through the region over the years. You can also find tents and trailers to sleep in, in Marfa.

Wigwam Motel, Arizona 

This is a unique place to stay along your Route 66 road trip. The 15 concrete and steel freestanding teepees, each 21 feet wide at the base and 28 feet high, feature the original hand-made hickory furniture. Vintage automobiles are permanently parked throughout the property.

 

Giraffe Manor, Kenya 

This is a vacation destination that allows you to get up close and personal to wildlife. How would you like to eat breakfast with giraffes? Stay at the Giraffe Manor and find out. They literally pop their heads through your window and surprise you. The unique and luxurious hotel is set on 12 acres of private land.

 

The Treehotel in Swedish Lapland 

This tree-house hotel is among the most famous in the world because of its futuristic and high-tech design. One of the houses, the Mirror Cube, reflects the surrounding trees. You may be under it and not actually notice a tree house above your head. Talking about blending…another tree house is a cabin, and a third looks like a huge bird’s nest. Other than enjoy the awesome architecture, you can try Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding.

 

The Fairy Chimney Hotel, Turkey

Have you ever spent the night in a cave? It can be a very cool (literally) experience in the summer. The guesthouse is located at the upper southwest end of the village of Goreme, one of the most adorable small towns in Europe. Get out on unforgettable walks, see stunning lunar landscapes, the famous tufa caves, and the “fairy chimneys” directly behind the inn.

 

Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden 

This is the world’s first ice hotel. It arranges Northern Lights flights. Discover glistening snow clad forests and see reindeer from up close. Swap the luxurious silk sheet for a sleeping bag and switch lace for wool. The staff recommends booking one night cold and a couple warm, starting or ending with the cold night.

 

Sun Cruise Resort, South Korea

You can be on a cruise without the risk of getting seasick. The idea of the hotel is to have a cruise experience even if you can’t afford one. The ship sits perched high above the shores of Jeongdongjin. Go up to the gazebo at night to look down the beach. The view is stunning. There are 211 guestrooms, two restaurants, and a seasonal outdoor pool. There are lots of trails and picture taking locations.

 

Attrap Reves Hotel, France

Sleeping in a bubble can be quite the experience! It’s like being in a transparent luxurious tent; imagine how clear the sky is at night. This is one of the best stargazing opportunities you will ever get. Enjoy the incredible views of true Provençal pine forest. Little rabbits and squirrels may be eating and sleeping right next to you, outside of course.

 

9 Hours Capsule, Tokyo, Japan

Want to get a good night’s sleep for solid 9 hours? The rooms in this hotel, which are only big enough to fit one person while they are in a horizontal position, are equipped with ambient system to help people get the most of their long nap.

 

Free Spirit Spheres on Vancouver Island, Canada

Each of the three spheres is made from wood. They literally hang in the air attached to supporting trees with a synthetic rope. The tree houses are available to book all year round, which is not the case with many others. The spheres look like a yacht from the inside. In fact, they are built based on a sailboat construction. You can feel the spheres move “like a gentle rocking” when the wind blows.

 

Dog Bark Park Inn, Cottonwood, Idaho

At 30 feet tall, this can safely be said is the biggest beagle in the world. The B&B is the most famous hotel of its kind. It is a single room, complete with bathroom and loft, for visitors passing through the area, according to Atlas Obscura. The hotel is a roadside attraction for people who want to spend the night somewhere to relax.

 

Hotel Jested, Czech Republic

The unique hotel – a television transmitter, restaurant, and hotel in one tower – was awarded the Perret Prize for its unique architecture. It is a national cultural monument and the building of the century in the Czech Republic. The capacity of the hotel is 59 beds. The summit can be reached by a cableway, another unique attraction.

Jumbo Stay Hotel, Sweden

Those who simply can’t get enough air travel need to check out this converted Boeing 747 for the night. The plane-turned-hostel features 27 rooms (one of which is the cockpit suite) and a bar and café. It’s located at the Stockholm Arlanda Airport—the views of the runway and airport are nothing short of amazing.

Magic Mountain, Chile

You can stay inside a mountain, even if it’s an artificial one. That doesn’t change the fact that you’ll be under a waterfall as it blows like a volcano from the top. And you can only access your room by walking on a monkey bridge. This mountain hotel really shows you the magic of the native forest. Favorite tourist activities include rafting and paintball. In the winter people like to go snowshoeing and glacier trekking.

Zaandam Inntel Hotel, The Netherlands

The visually striking 4-star hotel will impress you with its design. The structure is a lively stacking of various traditional houses that are found in the Zaan region. The interiors reflect the history of the region as well, but you won’t be missing any of the typical modern amenities. There is a Wellness Club with swimming pool, a bar, and a restaurant. Stay overnight while visiting Amsterdam; it’s only a 12-minute train ride from Central Station.

Hotel de Glace, Canada

This incredible hotel is literally sculpted ice, including the beds. If you’re looking for an original vacation, this one certainly qualifies. You’re surrounded by pure white snow and ice, which allows it to change its décor as often as customers please. Nearby activities include dogsledding, cross-country skiing, and spa treatments.

Lake Malaran Utter Inn, Sweden

This is an underwater hotel that will change your life. Upon arrival you will be taken out onto Lake Malaren to the Swedish red house. Stay overnight, approximately 10 feet below the surface, and enjoy the magnificent ocean views. Bonus: Take out an inflatable canoe to view the island and catch a glimpse of even more marine life.

Marmara Hotel in Antalya, Turkey

Do you want to be standing in one place, but also moving? This impossible at first glance task is a reality at the Marmara Antalya Beach and Resort in Turkey. It is the only rotating hotel in the world. You wake up in the morning with a 360-degree view of magnificent Antalya. The hotel is floating on a pool of 478 tons of water and has six motors to do several circles around its orbit a day.

Faralda NDSM Crane Hotel in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

You can stay in this former industrial monument and you can also free fall from the top – it’s only 164 feet. This is an astonishing and unique experience, far removed from the bland standard hotels all over the place. Some tourists even call the Faralda a romantic place to stay, so maybe you should consider it if you haven’t booked a St. Valentine’s vacation yet. Basically, staying in a converted industrial crane with luxurious rooms and a hot tub on top is a bucket list adventure.

Spitbank Fort, England

Have you ever wanted to get married in what used to be a gun emplacement? Probably not, but you can anyway because the Spitbank Fort in England is now a luxurious small island with a pool, sauna, and a fire pit on the roof. A peace and quiet experience will rarely get more secluded than this. There is literally no one to bother you! 

[Mz iMac]

Marmara Hotel in Antalya, Turkey

Do you want to be standing in one place, but also moving? This impossible at first glance task is a reality at the Marmara Antalya Beach and Resort in Turkey. It is the only rotating hotel in the world. You wake up in the morning with a 360-degree view of magnificent Antalya. The hotel is floating on a pool of 478 tons of water and has six motors to do several circles around its orbit a day.

My GS actually stayed there w/his "other" grandparents, cousins & aunts.

[World Traveler]

@Mz iMac  What were his comments about the place, if any?

[Mz iMac]

@World Traveler

GS words, "Like being on a space ship in one of  my virtual reality games."

[World Traveler]

@Mz iMac LOL! Cool.

[Yahooey]

I think treehouses are so cool - there is a TV show where they build treeshouses for families - some are big and elaborate (lots of land) and some are smaller.

I think a fancy treehouse with window screens (bugs) would be great to wake up among the birds chirping. But I don't rough it so if there is no BR facilities - no go. Literally lol

Closest is camping in a campground (BR facilites /showers). Sleeping in a tent and just seeing trees is nice since I live in the city

[NicksmomESQ]

 Very interesting,thank you for sharing.I’m not that adventurous. I prefer 5 star hotels with a view & all the amenities.

[GingerPeach]

That ice hotel has always fascinated me.  Someday . . .

[CANDLEQUEEN]

Thanks for posting. These are always so fun to look at......I don't think I am adventurous enough anymore for any of them, but fun to look at......

[lulu1]

I would not consider it wacky but it definitely was a weird experience.  Our first trip to Wales was in 1997.  Our first night we stayed in Ruthin Castle in Northern Wales.  They take you on a tour of the grounds, show you creepy old dungeons, back and side escape routes complete with cobwebs, etc.  They then tell you the story of the murders of a cheating couple. Of course the castle and its grounds were haunted by their ghosts. If you wanted to be, it's quite easy to allow yourself to be scared.

The guest room were spread out, a few steps up, a few steps down, around the corner, over by a side stairwell.  There was no room right next to or across from yours.  There was no AC and it was an exceptionally warm summer.  You left your huge windows open for air.  When we'd gone on our tour, we saw a lot of peacocks.  Unbeknown to me, they make a lot of noise.  A good part of the night we heard what sounded like blood curdling screams, as if someone were being murdered.  Was it the ghosts?  The next morning at breakfast, I learned it was the peacocks.

Since our stay, I've read it is now a health spa, hotel, wedding venue.  It's been modernized. (back then our lights looked like a Thomas Edison experiment.