Showing posts with label Travel Top 10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel Top 10. Show all posts



Why not sleep under the stars as a space traveler in a campsite that feels like you're in 2001: A Space Odyssey or The Martian? Rest your head in a cozy pod, kite cabin, or trampoline tent amongst sandscapes and quirky mobile art pieces for a unique camping experience on a remote, artificial island near Amsterdam.

Marring Art with camping, UrbanCampsite Amsterdam features art installations in an open-air exhibition 20 minutes away from the Dutch city. Created by local designers, any of the 12 campsites can be rented and slept in by outdoor-lovers.

1. Superfire Camp



Cook food over an outdoor fire pit that overlooks the IJ lake and is enclosed by a red
lounger, and a hot tub you can use. The cabin, also known as the sea beacon, contains a circular bed that sleeps two.

 2. Solid Family



The “Solid Family” campsite sleeps composed of two “icosahedrons” capsules is spacious enough for 4 people. Each of the capsules contains a queen-size bed.

3. Bed Bug

Franka te Lintel Hekkert created the pad for nomads, and it supports mobile living protected against the elements, with a shiny foil interior.

4. The Kite Cabin



The two-person pod has a transparent roof for night-time stargazing. Plus, you can fly the window blind which is an actual kite.

5. IBC Shrinkwrap House





REFUNK, designer of the IBC Shrink wrap House, frequently explores recycling and garbage, and its link and utilization in design and architecture. The white spacious interior (despite being made out of recycled materials) is surprisingly peaceful, relaxing, and airy.

6. Trampotent



Infuse your day with energy after a few rounds on the Trampotent. This tent is multifunctional, transforming into a trampoline. The creator, Vince Vijsma, combines existing objects to suggest a new picture, object, or function.

7. Goahti



A “Goahti” is the traditional home of the indigenous Sami, who used to explore Norway. With a king-size bed perfect for two, this Sami hut is perfect if you’ve always wanted to stay in one.


8. The Val Ross



Find your original purpose in this design created by MUD Projects. “It is important to study the form of the existing object and let it speak to you in order to transform the object to subjugate the relation to its original purpose.


9. Upside Down You Turn Me





Dutch Visual Artist Rob Sweere says of his futuristic creation, “Lying inside you can look left and right and also up and down through hemispherical windows. You can sit outside, sheltered from the rain below the object. Thus, there are two rooms: inside the capsule, for resting and sleeping, and beneath the capsule one can sit and dream.”


10. Attic




Arjen Boerstra built a reconstruct-able camping space; “The attic from my youth plays a key role in my artwork. The reconstruction of this room builds a bridge between unencumbered imagination and the loss thereof later in life. The attic window connects an intimate inner world and the discovery of the outer world. “


11. Carved from wood





Studio Plots enhances the way you experience waking and the morning sun. They also wanted to emphasize the differences between the inner and outer realm. “The shape is created using varying lengths of wooden battens that soften the incoming sunlight in the interior. In this way, waking up will be a warm and intimate experience. “


12. Universe 7



Robbert van der Horst’s Universe 7 turns with the sun, and offers an expansive view of the lake and beyond.

Complete campsite facilities provided by The Tribal Toilet Tower, including showers, toitelts, compost tanks, and septic tanks.



All twelve of the Urbancampsite’s pod installations can be booked on Airbnb.com until the end of August.

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Relieve stress and feast your eyes on the clearest blue waters in Southeast Asia. No overbearing crowd here! Check out the pristine waters and white sand beaches of some of the best tropical island getaways, from swanky to not-so pricey. Make any of these close-to-home paradises your very own happy place, and start planning your next travel destination.

1. Caramoan Islands, Philippines




Cut off from the rest of the mainland, this hidden gem remains unexploited by tourism. Immaculate beaches, a row of primeval caves, and spectacular dive spots make up the Caramoan Peninsula in the Bicol Region of the peninsula. It’s been also as the shooting location for adventure TV series, such as Survivor’s French edition, Koh-Lanta.


2. Gili Islands, Indonesia


Imagine three tiny deserted islands fringed by powdery white sand beaches, sprawling palm trees, and the clearest, most vibrant turquoise waters. Green is the way to go for these islanders, with not many concrete monstrosities. Expect tranquility with no motorbikes roaring past nearby or dogs howling and barking into the night.


3. Kata Beach, Thailand


Escape the hustle in Kata Beach with its charming white sand, clear blue waters, and palm-lined beaches. They provide delectable food and a dynamic, but not so seedy nightlife. Head there from May to October to surf the waves and from November to April to seek the sun.


4. Koh Tachai Island Beach, Thailand 





This still fairly deserted island, also known as the Maldives of Thailand, has one of the whitest beaches anywhere with sugary white sand. Unpopulated by speed boats, go snorkeling in the beautiful ocean, and enjoy the peace with other wildlife on this superb island.

5. Amanpulo, Philippines
Visit Amanpulo through a private plane ride from Manila. The posh resort on this remote island in Palawan has exquisite scenery, private bungalows, dive spots, and unparalleled service.

6. Suluban Beach, Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia





Take in jaw-dropping scenery at Suluban Beach. The mecca for surf junkies searching for world-class breaks, this secluded paradise joins the Uluwatu beach and is situated not too far from the Uluwata temple.


7. Bacuit Bay, Philippines





Bacuit Bay is made up of more than 45 islets. It’s a geological wonder for its limestone rockformations and sheer cliffs. Get your adrenaline fix from this region, a great place for kayaking, snorkeling, trekking, diving, or cliff-climbing.

8. Puka Beach, Philippines
The second-longest beach in Boracay is a little more secluded and serene than White Beach’s Station 1,2, and 3. You’ll find rare Puka shells along this stretch of pure white sand, just a quick tricycle ride away from the mainland to this side of the island. 

9. Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
Explore Phu Quoc Island’s beaches which are still largely empty. Rent a motorbike, snorkel, scuba dive, wind sail, jet ski, or fish for squid. Yes, squid fishing. Visit the early-morning Duong Dong market for a real firsthand experience of the local Vietnam culture. 

10. Gaya Island, Borneo, Malaysia





The Gayana Eco Resort in Gaya Island is hard to resist, even if you’re not an environmental warrior. With a resort built on stilts above the water, it has a 130-million-year-old prehistoric rain forest in the vicinity. When you want a break from the warm waters, exotic fish, and corals, go jungle-trekking, and you might get lucky and spot a Megapode, a local bird that appears similar to a chicken and meows like a cat!




We’ve covered some bucket list places to see (before they disappear). Now, we’re featuring some real-world places that seem like they’ve been taken straight out of Grimm’s fairytales, a Harry Potter movie, or your wildest, most magical dreams.

1. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany



Back in 1886, King Ludwig II built the magical Neuschwanstein Castle as a private retreat. Today it’s open to the public. Travel to Bavaria to witness the extravagant structure serving as inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty castle.

2.    Glowworm Caves, New Zealand



The Glowworm Caves are inhabited by Arachnocampa Luminosa, a small enchanting creature producing a spellbinding effect all on its own. You’ll find this specific location with minuscule, star-like speckles in the Waitomo Caves.

 

3.    Wisteria Tunnel, Japan



Enjoy a colorful walk down the fairytale-like Wisteria Tunnel. Pick a date from April to May (depending on the weather) as the best time to experience the sensational colors of the Kawachi Fuji Gardens in Japan.


4.    Paro Taktsang, Bhutan



Also called the Tiger’s Nest, Paro Taktsang is one of Bhutan’s most sacred Himalayan Buddhist sites. This location is both striking and captivating, with a monastery hugging the side of a rocky cliff.


 5.    Cave of the Crystals, Mexico



Catch a rare glimpse of this giant cave of crystals first discovered in 2000. It houses the largest natural crystals on Earth growing to over 10m long, with plenty left still unexplored. Nothing really prepares you for the sheer beauty of this site. You’ll need proper equipment and protection, though.

6.    Angkor Wat, Cambodia



The City of Temples or Angkor Wat in modern-day Cambodia is the 7th wonder of the world. Explore centuries of ancient Hindu temples and history hidden under overgrown plant life. Surrounded by a moat, this location is ripe for adventure with a tower and secret paintings.

 

7.    Pamukkale, Turkey



Find peace and tranquility at Pamukkale or Cotton Castle, which has been made perpetually famous by the glassy terraces of carbonate minerals. Calcium laden mineral waters flow over the cliffs of this natural site with hot springs and travertines in Southwestern Turkey.

 

8.    Sea of Stars on Vaadhoo Island, Maldives



Catch the world blanketed by stars, and meet a glowing blue tide on Vaadhoo Island. You’ll have a certain type of plankton to thank for lighting up under stress, and resulting in the most stress-relieving sight ever.


9.    Dark Hedges, Ireland



Walk down this mystifying road of birch trees in Ireland, curving in crazy cool ways. Planted by the Stuart family in the 1800s to dress up the road on the way to their manor, this location may seem familiar from scenes in the Game of Thrones series.

 

10. Skagit Valley Tulip Fields, United States




Come to these sensational fields, between April 1-30 on a weekday morning or evening, to avoid traffic as well as photograph and take in the gorgeous flowers in bloom. Don’t forget to bring your boots.

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One day soon, these fairytale-like destinations will cease to exist, becoming a thing of the past, gathering dust in a faraway bookshelf beside tales of Atlantis. Presently, booking tickets to the 10 travel bucket list places below remains a real-world possibility. Before they totally disappear off the map, learn how much time you have left to traverse the smallest, lowest, greatest, most historical, grizzliest, iciest, greenest, and saltiest places on Earth. 

 Under threat 1: The Galapagos Islands


10 Travel Bucket List Places to Visit

This isolated island is under threat as the state of its ecosystem is on the decline. Main threats include governance issues, illegal fishing, and the introduction of new species like rats. Nearly 9,000 diverse wildlife call the island and surrounding sparkling waters home. (The Galapagos Marine Reserve is abundant with life, from corals to sharks, penguins, and other marine mammals.)  A huge chunk of the reptiles, including giant tortoises and land iguanas, exist only in these young oceanic islands. Threat: Tourism. Time remaining: Unknown.

Under threat 2: The Maldives



The smallest Asian country, with the bluest waters, is also the world’s lowest nation. At no more than 1m above sea level, the Maldives could become uninhabitable within a hundred years! The president has officially announced that the government intends to buy land in other countries, like India, for displaced citizens. Threat: Sinking. Time remaining: Less than a hundred years.


Under threat 3: Great Barrier Reef





This living organism is larger than The Great Wall of China and is the only thing on Earth visible from space. The reef is a vast 200 km stretch of colorful corals along the Queensland seaboard, creating one of the most stunning diving landscapes imaginable. With rising ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, water pollution, and cyclones, the Great Barrier reef is under threat of being destroyed by mass coral bleaching. Threat: Mass coral bleaching. Time remaining: Less than a hundred years.


Under threat 4: Venice




The setting of the latest Dan Brown novel Inferno and Assassins Creed 2, is a historic city of artistic triumphs, glorious venetian architecture, and marble palaces built on a lagoon. Enjoy secret passages, the world-famous Carnevale, or a Venetian meal with seafood you won’t find elsewhere. (Pair it with canal side views at a bistro and a toast of Venetto’s signature bubbly, prosecco.)  Venice has long been sinking, but quickly rising sea levels has expedited the process. Tourism is another factor with visitors almost 40 times the size of its population. Threat: Sinking and tourism. Time remaining: Less than 70 years.

Under threat 5: The Dead Sea

 



The world’s saltiest sea is shrinking, and it has already shrunken by a third in the last forty years. The main and only source of the salty lake is the Jordan River, and with the increasing use of its waters by surrounding countries, less water reaches The Dead Sea every year. Its natural beauty is breathtaking, drenched in history with filtered sunrays, modern minerals and oils that pamper every inch of your body. Threat: Shrinking. Time remaining: Less than 50 years. 

Under threat 6: The Alps 

 


Alpine glaciers in Europe have already lost 20% of their size since the ‘80s. Before the ice is completely lost, make sure to explore the colossal peaks set against the cobalt-blue skies, graceful glaciers, crystal rivers, sapphire lakes, and mountain passes either on foot, by bicycle, kayak or car. See Threat: Global warming. Time remaining: 40 years.
 

Under threat 7: Madagascar

 

The world’s 4th largest island has a forest ecosystem inhabited by unique creatures such as lemurs and baobabs, with 80% of flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth. It’s the dream destination for outdoor folk and nature lovers with a myriad of activities and things to do: Rainforest, beaches, trekking, and diving. Half the fun is getting there. However, logging, poaching, and burning for subsistence farms are threatening the ecosystem. Threat: Deforestation. Time remaining: Less than 35 years.
 

Under threat 8: The Congo Basin

 


Track the last wild gorillas of the Congo in the world’s 2nd largest rainforest after the Amazon. Ten million acres of its natural habitat are degraded yearly by illegal logging, guerilla warfare, ranching, farming, and mining. The UN claims that two-thirds of its forest and unique inhabitants will be lost by 2040. Threat: Loss of the tropical forest. Time remaining: Less than 25 years.
 

Under threat 9: Glacier National Park

 

Situated in the US state of Montana is one of the world’s greatest natural wonders where grizzly bears still roam in abundance. The park’s management keeps it both accessible and authentically wild. Choose your moment for splendid isolation, trail runs or walks, and it is yours for the taking down the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Few of the world’s national parks are as magnificent and immaculate as Glacier. Threat: Ice loss. Time remaining: Less than 20 years.

Under threat 10: Taj Mahal

 


Emperor Shah Jahan had the Taj Mahal built as a memorial and embodiment of his love for his third wife. He was so enamored by its beauty that he once said; it made the “sun and moon shed tears from their eyes.” Get a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse of this “teardrop on the cheek of eternity” before tourism officials decide to close the 17th century landmark to the crowd. Air pollution and the public continue to contribute to the degradation of the white stone façade. In five years, you might have to enjoy the immaculate domed symmetry from afar. Threat: Closing to the public. Expected time remaining: 5 years.

About Me

About Me
I’m a wandering Filipina-German living in Manila. Flower child and moonlighter at heart, I dream, write, photograph, (model sometimes), and specialize in content and user experience design

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