Viewing entries tagged
Unique Experiences

It's April Fools Day...but these hotels are no joke. Here's a roundup of some of our favorite unique places to check out. We promise, they are the real deal!

CAPSULE INN- Akihabara district, Tokyo, Japan
Akihabara is the digital mecca of Japan, lights everywhere, mile-high electronics palaces, and the center of the Earth for diehard Anime fans. It is also home to the Capsule Inn. This place is NOT for the claustrophobic. While you’ll surprisingly find a TV, blinds, a bed, radio, alarm clock and adjustable lighting schemes in this 1m x 1m x 2m box and even separate areas for men and women with separate restrooms too along with a complete list of instructions on how to make the most of your stay, what you will not find is space. It’s worth a try just for the experience, but maybe on the hourly room rate plan. www.capsuleinn.com

EUROMAST TV TOWER- Rotterdam, Netherlands
That’s right, it’s several suites set in a futuristic bubble-like dome high atop a TV tower. While the suites are beautifully outfitted and naturally provide some of the most breathtaking views you can imagine, they’re by far not the main attraction here. Their famous extreme sports adventures are what it’s all about, and just about anyone at any experience level can join in. Abseiling Descending down 100 meters without a wall to position yourself upon is pretty unbelievable in itself, but if that’s not enough- try their famous Pluck- a 100 meter glide down at a speed of 100 km/hr. 15 Seconds from top to bottom…shivers! www.euromast.nl

EXPLORANTER- Brazil
The “unexpected Brazil” is exactly what you should expect when embarking on one of these amazing adventure tours that personally introduces you to the soul of Brazil that very few travelers ever get to meet. Board a 25-ton truck and trailer, outfitted with a kitchen, 28 beds, and fueled with adrenaline. You travel along amazing routes in this motel on wheels- all the while being regaled with wild tales of interesting journeys by your effervescent, fearless native tourguide and diving into experiences you would have never imagined. www.exploranter.com

PLANE MOTEL- Waitomo, New Zealand
As if flying to New Zealand from most parts of the world didn’t have you airborne enough, here’s an opportunity to stay in an actual plane, on the ground. The Plane Motel in Waitomo, NZ was actually one of the last allied planes to leave Vietnam, and now sits open waiting to welcome guests who wish to pitch up in one of their two suites. The Cockpit Unit fits up to 4, word of caution- the ceilings are LOW so best for kids. Or, opt for the Tail Unit, complete with a double bed and bunks. www.woodlynpark.co.nz/planemotel.html

SALA SILVERMINE- Vastmanland, Sweden
It’s the world’s deepest bedroom- 155 meters underground in a preserved silver mine complete with winding passageways, deep cavernous spaces and mystical lakes that seem to appear out of nowhere. Word to the wise, it’s cold, damp and dank so bring proper attire, but this spelunking experience is well worth donning some layers for. www.salasilvergruva.se

URBANE NOMADS' "WORLD'S MOST LUXURIOUS TRIP"
It takes quite a bit to bowl us over with travel-related shock and awe, but when we learned of this experience, we did a triple-take and proceeded slip into a suspended state of intense curiosity as to the composition of what they dub "The World's Most Luxurious Trip". While that's subject to opinion, we ceratinly find it one of the "most interesting". Leave it to Urbane Nomads to painstakingly design something like this, a group famous for its "no holds barred/nothing is impossible" attitude to creating absolutely incredible experiences.

The journey strings together a collection of truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences all relating to equestrian, falconry and hunting themes. Actually, what it is at the very core is a recreation of a hunting expedition of Kublai Khan himself. The trip begins at the Presidential Suite of the Park Hyatt Beijing for a reason...to completely pamper guests and prep them for the road to come which takes travelers through western Mongolia, led personally by an award winning filmmaker and hunters who know the region like the back of their hand.
The itinerary is not for the faint of heart - Mongolian terrain can be notoriously unforgivable though, and activities like eagle hunting and horseback falconry are not engaged in with considerable ease. But, made ever so much more bearable with the comfort of a luxurious private jet, personal chef, butler, abjectly lavish mobile accommodations that travel along with you throughout your Mongolian jaunt. Price tag? US $2 MILLION. Hey, we told you it wasn't for the faint of heart...

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE- Book any journey with Urbane Nomads and receive a special gift reflecting the heritage of the destination you're traveling to...from a batik pareo in Trengganu, to the "world's best chocolates" in Damascus, to a kilkoy cloth in Zanzibar...you get the idea. Contact http://www.urbanenomads.com/ or info@urbanenomads.com for more information and be sure & tell 'em The Explorateur sent you!. To know more about Luxury Travel Destinations around the world please browse the www.theexplorateurportfolio.com