Unusual vacations you must take in 2019
You’ve done the boring, everyday vacations – going to the beach, maybe visiting another city. Maybe you need to try and experience something completely different and, perhaps, a bit… unusual.
I am no stranger to enjoying a week away, chilling by the pool or on a beach, sipping cocktails and catching up on much needed sleep. Sometimes, however, it’s nice to do something a little different. With this in mind, I began searching for unusual vacation ideas, trips that are truly iconic and will be remembered for years to come. Over the last year I have been lucky enough to be able to travel to some of these places and experience some of the most unusual hotels that the world has to offer.
Here is a list of my top five unusual vacations that will take you out of your comfort zone and leave you with unforgettable, iconic memories.
Here is a list of the most unusual places on my travel list this year:
Pioneer Town – California
Have you ever watched a western film and wished that you could experience what life was truly like in the Wild West. On an adventure filled weekend away I actually got to experience what it would have been like to life like a cowboy in a movie. Stepping into Pioneer Town is like stepping back in time. Originally a motion-picture set built in the 1940’s as accommodation for actors while filming in the desert, the town includes an Old West jail, boutiques, salon, BBQ joint and traditional style lodgings. With very few modern luxuries, you instantly feel immersed in the Old West lifestyle.
During the day there are a number of activities around town to take part in that give you a feel for what life was really like back then. If you feel that you need a break from town life, Pioneer Town is situated on the edge of Joshua Tree National Park, a great place to hike and take in nature. Evenings in Pioneer Town offer the chance to try out the local cuisine, before heading to the salon for drinks and live music, western style.
You should definitely stay at Pioneertown Motel.
Knight’s Glamping – Kent, UK
Knight’s Glamping transports you back to the Middle Ages in the heart of the Kent countryside, with this unusual camping experience within the ground of Leeds Castle. Staying at Knight’s Glamping gave me the chance to live out my childhood fantasy of being a Medieval Knight, sleeping in a traditional tent and cooking over a fire pit, just as real knights would have done the night before a battle.
As part of the glamping package, you also receive free access to the Castle, meaning you have no excuse not to soak up all of the history that the site has to offer. In addition to the castle, there is a maze and adventure golf course just waiting to be explored.
What I really appreciated was the effort put into keeping the experience as traditional feeling as possible, while still providing guests with the small modern luxuries that we have become accustomed to in the 21st century, like flushing toilets and warm showers. You get to experience all of the fun of camping without losing those comforts you love.
Hotel Costa Verde – Costa Rica
Hotel Costa Verde is a unique hotel hidden between Manuel Antonio National Park and the Pacific Ocean, offering stunning views of both the jungle and ocean. If the location isn’t enough to draw you in, the upcycled 1965 Boeing 727 plane that has been transformed into a luxury guest house surely will. The plane house features, 2 bedrooms, kitchen, air conditioning and a patio over the wing. In keeping with the theme of the hotel, the restaurant and bar are housed within a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane and offer fantastic meals and entertainment.
The surrounding area offers great opportunities for adventure seekers, with iconic surfing beaches and the chance to try out sport fishing, as well as there being a number of stunning jungle hikes to get you exploring. My personal favorite was the resorts three cliff side pools to relax in after an afternoon of hiking and adventuring.
Hotel de Glace – Quebec
Hotel de Glace is the only ice hotel in North America and somewhere that I had to check out after their re-opening at the beginning of January this year. The hotel is made entirely of snow and ice and really is like nothing I have ever seen before. Each room has its own Icy theme, with everything from a romantic weekend away, to an arctic explorer cave. The effort that has gone into the building of this hotel is an architectural marvel, with one room offering walls that are covered in ice carvings and sculptures.
You also get access to the outdoor spa and sauna, which was a welcome chance to relax and warm up a little. The hotel’s ice bar has a menu full of themed cocktails, which even come served in an ice glass. This is a hotel that takes the popular concept of an ice bar to the next level and is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for a vacation with a twist and you think you’re brave enough to survive the cold.
The Manta Resort – Tanzania
The thrill of an island vacation is the chance to jump in the water and explore all that the ocean has to offer. Spending the week living like a fish, diving among the coral and discovering local fish. At the Manta resort you actually do get to live like a fish, thanks to their underwater rooms that provide you with the chance to sleep among the fish. Cabins offer a five-star luxury experience with a twist, the bedrooms are built under water, and made completely of glass. It is hard to contain your excitement when you’re lying in bed and fish swim past your head. A really cool feature of the rooms is a row of spotlights under the windows that have been designed to attract fish when turned on.
The iconic Manta Resort is situated on the beautiful Pemba Island, off the coast of Tanzania. Stepping onto the island is like stepping into paradise with pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear water, along with bright blue skies and temperatures to match. It is the ideal place to spend a week, exploring all that the ocean has to offer. My days on the island were filled with scuba diving trips, trying delicious freshly cooked local dishes and falling asleep on the soft white beaches.
Let us know in the comments of some unusual places that you have vacationed or are planning on visiting sometime soon.
Author: Sam Eskenazi
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