If you think you’ve already seen the most unusual places, think again!
So, you’ve seen the sky scrapers (you know the ones that almost reach the top of the stratosphere) and the ice hotels (where you can freeze to death for a price) but they pale in insignificance compared to some of the more unusual places we’ve found. Come and venture with us from the murky Parisian Catacombs, to stargazing (and Aurora hunting) in comfy glass igloos only to end up detained in a military prison, to be punished for all the bad things you’ve done. As you can see, the locations are wide spread and very different, each eccentric in its own way. Which one would you try out?
1. Paris Catacombs
The first entry is also the creepiest and the least accessible. Well, spending the night in the company of 6 million Parisians in one of the world’s largest mass graves is certainly going to be an experience to remember. However, this option is not always available, contests are periodically organized (by Airbnb or radio shows) usually for couples or groups to spend a night down below. Unsurprisingly, this event tends to take place on Halloween. Airbnb’s popular contest set up an improvised bedroom 20 m deep in the Parisian underground, the package was complete breakfast included, a private tour, and a storyteller who whispered tales of the catacombs before bedtime. This is certainly not for those who are faint of heart. The good news is that such opportunities periodically reappear, so keep an eye open to seize the chance.
READ ALSO: SHOWING THE ‘PACHAMAMA’ WHO’S THE TOP HOUND IN THE INCA DOG YARD: MACHU PICCHU TREK GUIDE AND SURVIVAL KIT
2. Glass Igloo Hotel
On a different note, you can spend a night under the Northern Lights in a Glass Igloo. There are several locations offering you this type of accommodation, but the most popular ones are Norway and Finland. What makes this offer unique is the fact that the igloo is built out of glass, so you can stare at the sky and hunt for the hypnotic Northern Lights. There are several types of such accommodations that offer a different degree of visibility. Of course, the most popular choice is the 360° igloo that offers an uninterrupted view of the landscape and the sky. There is also the option of a 180°, which has a reduced view span but offers more privacy. Nevertheless, all igloos tend to be privacy conscious: the beds are surrounded by curtains, which you can draw in whenever you need more intimacy; the bathroom has frosty glass, so people cannot see inside from the exterior.
This can be a magical experience in which you combine stargazing with the coziness only an igloo has to offer. You can enjoy the snow outside and then return to a well heated interior to defrost. The igloos are built from materials that help retain heat inside and in some cases even the floor is heated. Also, the interior design adds to the wonderful feel of the place, the rather minimalist look keeps things simple and relaxing. Finally, another great benefit is that all the while you will be embraced by nature, away from the noise and petty distractions of the city. While it will certainly be a memorable experience on our own, you could also share it with someone else, like your best friend or a girlfriend.
P.S. If you want to take advantage of glass igloos to view the Northern Lights you should do some research on when you will have the best chance of seeing them. Also, you should book well in advance. And do not get your hopes too high, as there is always the chance of missing them.
3. Karosta Prison, Latvia
Finally, we invite you to spend a night in a military prison. Construction of the prison building started around the 1900s and it served to detain military personnel. Now, the space has been turned into the service of the public as a museum. They offer a very generous range of services: tours of the prison, accommodation, lunch at the prison cantina, or an Extreme Night. The latter is of particular importance to us, you will not only sleep in a former prison, but experience the life of a prisoner: sleep on an iron bed or prison bunk, be submitted to the prison program under the command of a prison guard (you will be submitted to physical punishment as well, like doing pushups, or staying in very uncomfortable positions for a longer period of time). The possibility of staying in prison overnight is open from May till the end of November.
P.S. Karosta Prison is also popular for a very different reason, for being one of the most haunted locations on Earth. Various unexplained phenomenon have been reported: footsteps, ghostly apparitions, opening of locked cells, light bulbs unscrewing themselves… whether it is all just nonsense, an elaborate hoax or something else, you can decide for yourself during the stay.
We took you on a journey from the underground, through the magical Northern Lights, only to end behind bars. So, do you feel up for any of these?
1. Paris Catacombs
The first entry is also the creepiest and the least accessible. Well, spending the night in the company of 6 million Parisians in one of the world’s largest mass graves is certainly going to be an experience to remember. However, this option is not always available, contests are periodically organized (by Airbnb or radio shows) usually for couples or groups to spend a night down below. Unsurprisingly, this event tends to take place on Halloween. Airbnb’s popular contest set up an improvised bedroom 20 m deep in the Parisian underground, the package was complete breakfast included, a private tour, and a storyteller who whispered tales of the catacombs before bedtime. This is certainly not for those who are faint of heart. The good news is that such opportunities periodically reappear, so keep an eye open to seize the chance.
READ ALSO: SHOWING THE ‘PACHAMAMA’ WHO’S THE TOP HOUND IN THE INCA DOG YARD: MACHU PICCHU TREK GUIDE AND SURVIVAL KIT
2. Glass Igloo Hotel
On a different note, you can spend a night under the Northern Lights in a Glass Igloo. There are several locations offering you this type of accommodation, but the most popular ones are Norway and Finland. What makes this offer unique is the fact that the igloo is built out of glass, so you can stare at the sky and hunt for the hypnotic Northern Lights. There are several types of such accommodations that offer a different degree of visibility. Of course, the most popular choice is the 360° igloo that offers an uninterrupted view of the landscape and the sky. There is also the option of a 180°, which has a reduced view span but offers more privacy. Nevertheless, all igloos tend to be privacy conscious: the beds are surrounded by curtains, which you can draw in whenever you need more intimacy; the bathroom has frosty glass, so people cannot see inside from the exterior.
This can be a magical experience in which you combine stargazing with the coziness only an igloo has to offer. You can enjoy the snow outside and then return to a well heated interior to defrost. The igloos are built from materials that help retain heat inside and in some cases even the floor is heated. Also, the interior design adds to the wonderful feel of the place, the rather minimalist look keeps things simple and relaxing. Finally, another great benefit is that all the while you will be embraced by nature, away from the noise and petty distractions of the city. While it will certainly be a memorable experience on our own, you could also share it with someone else, like your best friend or a girlfriend.
P.S. If you want to take advantage of glass igloos to view the Northern Lights you should do some research on when you will have the best chance of seeing them. Also, you should book well in advance. And do not get your hopes too high, as there is always the chance of missing them.
3. Karosta Prison, Latvia
Finally, we invite you to spend a night in a military prison. Construction of the prison building started around the 1900s and it served to detain military personnel. Now, the space has been turned into the service of the public as a museum. They offer a very generous range of services: tours of the prison, accommodation, lunch at the prison cantina, or an Extreme Night. The latter is of particular importance to us, you will not only sleep in a former prison, but experience the life of a prisoner: sleep on an iron bed or prison bunk, be submitted to the prison program under the command of a prison guard (you will be submitted to physical punishment as well, like doing pushups, or staying in very uncomfortable positions for a longer period of time). The possibility of staying in prison overnight is open from May till the end of November.
P.S. Karosta Prison is also popular for a very different reason, for being one of the most haunted locations on Earth. Various unexplained phenomenon have been reported: footsteps, ghostly apparitions, opening of locked cells, light bulbs unscrewing themselves… whether it is all just nonsense, an elaborate hoax or something else, you can decide for yourself during the stay.
We took you on a journey from the underground, through the magical Northern Lights, only to end behind bars. So, do you feel up for any of these?
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A student of life and probably for life. She likes putting theory into practice and to challenge norms. Currently on a mission to understand human behavior and interaction. Always on the lookout for the next challenge.