Do you consider yourself a bit of a foodie? Always on the lookout for the next cool place to eat? What about a hotel junkie?
Are you always researching and keeping your finger on the pulse for the next wave of unique places to rest your head?
Look no further! Below are the places to eat and stay that you do not want to miss:
1. Mongolian Yurt, Mongolia
Image: Wikipedia
Used for generations by nomadic herdsman across Central Asia, a Mongolian Yurt is a traditional family communal tent. These tents will act as your own little temple and are perfect for moving around and exploring at your own pace. Best tip is to check out the Terelj National Park (especially in Winter), here you can explore the best of what the national park has to offer all at the foot of your ‘door’.
Prices start from $35USD per person per night.
2. Ice Hotel, Finland or Sweden
Located above the Artic Circle, there are many Ice Hotel’s to choose from in the Scandinavian countries. These hotels are definitely not your everyday hotel but one that you should experience at least once in your lifetime. In these suites you will be surrounded by beautiful artwork made from snow and ice. As long as you pay careful attention to the reception staff who will let you know the best way to dress for bed, you will have one of the most unique sleeping experiences around.
Prices start from SEK4000.
3. Tree Houses, South Africa
Ever wanted to revisit that childhood treehouse pastime but with a spot of luxury? Well the Tsala Treetop Lodge in Plettenberg Bay is a must do bucket list item. Overlooking the Tsitsikamma Forest you will find 10 secluded tree-house suites each with floor-to-ceiling bedroom windows, a log fireplace in the living room, a private deck and an infinity edge pool. Now how’s that for one of the best tree houses ever!
Prices start from 4050ZAR per person per night.
4. Tundra Lodge, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Image: nathab
Immerse yourself among the resident polar bears at the exclusive Tundra Lodge, which is situated outside Churchill on the vast expanse of the subarctic tundra itself. This unique accommodation allows you to view the Polar Bears in their natural surroundings from the comfort of your private cabin window or the open air observation platforms. This custom “Train” consists of connected bedrooms, dining room and lounge car that is built on wheels allowing it to move around for optimal bear viewing each season. Best time to visit is from October to February.
Prices start from $789CAD for seven days.
5. Tubohotel, Tepoztlan, Morelos, Mexico
Located approximately 45 minutes south of Mexico City, the Tubohotel is a unique and affordable holiday accommodation created from recycled concrete tubes. Designed by architect firm T3arc, the rooms are stacked in a pyramid shape, reflecting the Aztec pyramid of El Tepozteco that overlooks the town.
Prices start from 500pesos per night.
6. Izakaya Kayabuki, Japan
Local residents mix with foreign teachers and other inquisitives on the tatami mats. The space is small, intimate, unassuming. Tucked away in a corner of Utsunomiya’s concrete jungle. By all appearances, Kayabuki Tavern is just your ordinary, run of the mill Japanese restaurant. However behind these doors, a very less than ordinary story emerges.
A monkey wearing a woman’s mask and wig will wait on you, and if you are lucky, jump on your head. Two monkeys work as waiters here. Their names are Yacchan and Fukuchan. Yacchan dresses in a shirt and shorts while he takes customers drink orders and delivers them to the diners tables. Fukuchan has the main duty of bringing attendees hot towels to clean their hands before ordering drinks.
7. The Cave Restaurant, Maroubra, Australia
Image: Total Venue
The Cave Restaurant is not your average sushi train dining experience. The restaurant was carefully designed with the notion of creating an intimate and controlled dining space that experiments with forward design technologies.
Integrating nature into the design the curved timber creates a continuous yet open canopy above the dining spaces while also having the added benefit of producing an acoustically intimate dining experience.
8. El Diablo Restaurant, Lanzarote, Spain
The chefs at El Diablo definitely has a one of a kind kitchen – a volcanic hole in the ground. As you can imagine building a restaurant on top of a massive heat source is not an easy task, the architects had to lay nine layers of basalt rock to build a foundation.
The food is cooked on a giant grill that is laid across the opening where six feet below the gentle giant is softly bubbles lava at 400 degrees Celsius. Fear not though this is a dormant volcano that has been peacefully gurgling below since its last eruption in 1824. If that wasn’t enough the restaurant also boasts panoramic views of the Lanzarote’s Timanfaya National Park.
9. District Six Eatery, Johannesburg, South Africa
D6, as it’s known to the locals, is a vibrant and colourful eatery in Johannesburg. The traditional South African menu takes a sense of pride in the authentic Cape Malay cuisine which is famously characterised by its spices and full flavours. Visitors should try some local favourites including bredies (stews), bobotie (a baked mince dish), snoek (a local fish), oxtail, curries (of course) and some of the best milk tart in the country.
10. Restaurant Kalemegdanska Terasa, Belgrade, Serbia
Situated atop the Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade, the Kalemegdanska Terasa’s interior is reminiscent of a medieval era. Overlooking the majestic site where the river Sava flows into the Danube you will be entertained by live music every night while you enjoy a range of flavours from the menu including Serbian, Mediterranean and French cuisine. Ranked as one of the most wanted venues during the warm summer days this is the perfect location to enjoy a night out.
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