Inspired by his work on the TV show ’71° Nord,’ Norway’s answer to ‘Survivor,’ Jan Fasting cobbled together nine yurts by one of the country’s lakes to create Canvas Hotel, striking a perfect balance between comfort and outdoorsy thrills. As a guest, you can hire a bike and spend your days throttling the 100 kilometres of granite tracks twisting through the bush, or head on one of the hotel’s organised tours. At the end of the day, return for refreshments from the beer tap on wheels, and enjoy a feast cooked on a raclette tabletop grill.
Soak your aching muscles in a vintage bathtub by the lake then simmer in the sauna and, if you’re game, do as the locals do and dive into the ice-cold water. Once you’re ready for bed, bunk down in your yurt where carpet, a layer of wool insulation and a log fire keep things comfy.
Add a touch of the bizarre to your experience by booking a lakeside concert with Keith Austin, a former member of the rock band Dr. Hook who lives in a nearby village, and relax with a massage. For the ultimate showstopper, explore the countryside by helicopter.
There’s just one tent Hurunui Jacks’ amazing property, which forms part of the wild and remote west coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The closest town is Hokitika, a link in the chain of the best coastal drives in the world, and you can break up your tour with a couple of nights at this getaway, which appears rustic but has every creature comfort you could imagine, from an outdoor bathtub to a special heater that keeps the canvas cosy. It’s completely surrounded by bush brimming with robins, fantails and wood pigeons, and a stream flows just metres from the tent, making for a natural lullaby after the sun goes down.
Grab supplies on the way, and cook meals in the fully equipped camp kitchen or over the open fire. During the day, hike through the bush or, if you’re feeling a little more daring, take one of the mountain bikes out for a spin – you’re right on the West Coast Wilderness Trail. Visit the 12-hectare property’s lake, which brims with rainbow trout.
Since some crazy souls decided that throwing themselves off a bridge tied to a piece of string sounded like a good idea, bigger bungees have thrown down the challenge all over the world. But this is where it all started, on a bridge outside of Queenstown in 1988, thanks to AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch. Kawarau Bridge, 43 metres above a river of the same name, was the world’s first commercial bungee jump and still attracts thrill-seeking punters from around the world.
Today you can even choose to do a water touch, take a mate on a tandem dive or strip down to your birthday suit. Although we can’t imagine the sort of friction caused by harness meeting bare skin…
New Zealand’s answer to Burning Man is all about self-exploration, collective living, creativity and, well, burning things. This eco-friendly paddock party is full of free spirits, art installations and nude strangers happy to share a hug. You’re sure to have your fair share of hippie-inspired conversations as you mingle with the festival’s open-minded crown. Who knows, you might even find the answer to all the world’s problems while staring into the flames.
It’s not every night you get to bed down in a former brothel. If the walls of Cocomama could talk they would have some sordid stories to tell, but fear not, you won’t find any icky notches on the bedposts here.
Touted as Amsterdam’s first boutique hostel, Cocomama combines the elegant style of a luxury hotel with more informal comforts. Located in the heart of the city, the building boasts high ceilings, chandeliers and quirky Dutch ornaments hanging from the walls.
Travellers can keep to themselves or hang out in the ‘movie corner’ with Joop, the resident cat. Go for a private pad and choose between the Dutch-themed rooms – think tulips and forests – or grab a bed in the ‘red light district’ dorm.
Full of Dutch courage? Then join the 9,999 other orange-clad maniacs by the pier at Scheveningen on January 1 for a frigid swim in the North Sea, where the winter mercury plunges below zero. But it’s not an entirely masochistic enterprise.
Half of the proceeds from the exorbitant entry fee of €2 goes to charity, and you’ll be rewarded with a nice hot bowl of snert (split pea soup) for your troubles.
Everest Base camp – it’s on every traveller’s bucket list, but why put your lazy arse through a gruelling, multi-day trek at high altitude when you can take a shortcut to glory? Soar above jutting peaks and mountains thick with snow as you whirl to the pinnacle of trekking triumph, without even getting your shoes dirty. Designed for the time poor and, let’s face it, the instant-gratification-seeking idle tourist, this 4.5-hour trip costs a cool US$10,000.
Clamber aboard at Kathmandu and swoop through the Himalayas, before diving into the Hotel Everest View for a dandy spot of tea and a pat on the back for dealing so well with altitude. Add a whiff of culture and hover above Sherpa villages and monasteries dotting the Solukhumbu region, or fly direct to your main destination. Touch down at Base Camp to snap a few obligatory pics and scoot back to Kathmandu to upload them over lunch. Everest Base Camp – check.
At the hottest time of year, any excuse to get wet is a good one, and in Myanmar there’s no better reason than to celebrate Thingyan. Traditionally a new year’s festival to herald the rainy season and ensure a good harvest, Thingyan brings dancing and typical festivities, but the main event is the countrywide water fight. While it’s a joyous tradition, be warned – the Burmese are ruthless when it comes to the ritual dousing, and they take no prisoners, unless you happen to be pregnant or a monk. Even then, there are no guarantees.
In the desert sprawling below the snow-capped Atlas Mountains sits Scarabeo Camp, a luxurious offering created by a graphic designer and photographer duo. The surrounds may be striking, but the camp itself is the true visual feast. Crisp, white cotton tents stand in the desert plain, each furnished with a queen-size bed, local artwork and Berber rugs.
Located about an hour from Marrakech, the camp takes you on a journey back in time to when pioneers settled the secluded area. Not to be outdone by the explorers of yesteryear, the camp comes equipped with ensuite showers and a separate tent for dining. Bread is baked daily in a traditional earth oven and regional produce is turned into authentic Moroccan cuisine.
During the day the camp offers board games, boules and a projector, and there are plenty of more adventurous activities to partake in, including hot-air balloon rides, paragliding, trekking and horse rides. Relax by booking a massage, enjoying picnic or joining an astronomy class, or check out a nearby hammam.
Shack up in a bungalow hemmed with succulents near the tiny coastal town of Puerto Escondido. To retain a beach-bum vibe, the architecture at Hotel Escondido (a member of Design Hotels) utilises traditional aspects – palapa roofs, wooden floorboards and regional artefacts – combined with modern touches. Each hut, for example, has a private plunge pool with sun deck and polished concrete bathroom.
There’s a spa on site, and a restaurant serving simple Oaxacan cuisine. While it might be a challenge to drag yourself from the sunlounger, think about picnicking at the nearby lagoon, surfing the region’s legendary breaks or jumping on a horse and galloping movie-star-style along the shore. At night, play cards in the bar or sweat it out in the underground nightclub.
(
