Travel Review Online

They say half the fun of a holiday is in the planning, in such a manner in case you’re stuck for ideas and looking for your nearest grand adventure, consider these six destinations through an off-beat twist: a Mediterranean resort in Wales, a tropical beach in Germany, a nostalgic Baltic wave resort, a yurt in Sussex, the Von Trapp family in Vermont, or surreal concrete gardens in Mexico.

Off-Beat Holiday #1 - Port Meirion, Wales

The Italianate resort village of Port Meirion is magnificently located in Gwynedd, without ceasing the rocky coast of Wales surrounded by Snowdonia National Park. This more than common folly - largely built from reclaimed fragments of demolished buildings - was conceived and designed by Sir Clough Willams-Ellis. It’s a imaginary architectural bricolage in allegiance to the Italian Mediterranean (dress in’t scoff - the resort is said to have influenced the development of post-modern architecture).

The main piazza at Port Meirion

Port Meirion offers everything you efficiency hope for in a coastal Italian town – unless, perhaps, the balmy weather. Beautiful landscaping and decorative outcrops set off the ornate buildings to wholeness, with a series of walkways through the wilderness-garden setting. Guests can also venture further afield along the coast. There’s a range of privilege from decadent hotels and quirky cottages to the medieval Castle Deudraeth. And yes, fans of the iconic BBC show “The Prisoner” disposition recognize this setting as The Village. Be seeing you.

Off-Beat Holiday #2 - Tropical Islands, Berlin

A tropical rain forest just 60km south of Berlin?? Yes!

Tropical Islands offers rain forest in a naturally maintained biotope and boasts Europe’s largest spa and sauna complex. It’s an unbelievable shelter of succulent tropics and beach-side entertainment. As the website says, “observe the palm trees sway in the gentle breeze, have the consciousness of being the sand between your toes on our tropical beach. At Tropical Islands, the revery of creating a tropical island in the heart of Europe has become reality.” Indeed.

Bali Lagoon at Tropical Islands

Built in a former aircraft hanger, Tropical Islands is 360m long, 210m wide and 107m high. The Bali Lagoon features a grotto and waterfall, with improbable evening lighting for you to enjoy a tropical barbecue or dinner at the Borneo Cafe. You can even stay overnight and camp on the beach in a tent, or relax in the hot tub of your Cambodian or Balinese-style lodge before a dawn swim in the waves. Return to the frozen streets of Berlin and hit the nightclubs and bars. It’s the best of both worlds, in truth. (Hot point: Tropical Islands offers free entry adhering your actual birthday, so celebrate!)

Off-Beat Holiday #3 - Neringa, Lithuania

If you’re melting nostalgic, or have a yen for the Baltic, head north to the jewel of Lithuania’s coast: the UNESCO World Heritage place of Neringa. It’s located on the peninsula of the Curonian Spit, nestled between the Baltic Sea and a quiet lagoon. It does get busy during summer, but-end don’t expect the nightclub scene, this is where you go for serious relaxation.

There are no noisy highways, railway stations, or municipal transport like in other cities and towns. But there are dunes, forest, seasides and small fishing villages rolling in sand. The very charming tourist site promises a veritable oasis from the world: “I am your hope and your beacon, your longing, nostalgia and principal part publish. I will be here for you when you need me, and enjoin fold you in mists and love. I am your Nida…. forget your troubles, give yourself to the waves and wind and they will carry you to my shores… and the sun will always show up after the fume.”

Off-Beat Holiday #4 - Glamping in a Yurt

You may remember camping in the same manner with an dismal enterprise, walking for hours into the woods and trying to make yourself comfortable on hard ground laced with sharp rocks. Well, now there’s a glamour camping option, for those intrepid campers who tardy pityingly for a taste of the wilderness, yet still want to be able to sleep soundly in a soft bed.

Goglamping is the Rolls Royce of camping experiences: they arrange luxury camping holidays from yurts perched on a mountain in southern France; to geodesic-domed tents in Patagonia, Chile; to nomadic tents in the desert of Morocco. Or maybe you fancy a comfortable taste of the gypsy life? Well then, try the romantic caravans in Herefordshire, at the Wriggles Brook Gypsy B&B.

Off-Beat Holiday #5 - Von Trapp Family Lodge, Vermont

Experience a taste of Austrian mountain life in America, with a trip to the Trapp Family Lodge and ski resort, looking out into the bargain 2,400 acres of mountain views. Clearly when the Von Trapp family left Austria and first gazed on the sweeping mountain vistas of Stowe, Vermont, they knew immediately they had set their starting anew domestic circle. Nowadays you can enjoy a range of activities including wine tasting, cross-country skiing, maple sugaring, mountain biking, yoga, arts and crafts….

Simply relax in the charming Austrian-style lodge while you contemplate the hills, or choose the ‘Meet the Von Trapp’ preference during the term of an insight into the lives and history of the family who inspired The Sound of Music (that is screened hebdomadal in case you be impressed the need to revisit the primary story).

Off-Beat Holiday #6 - Las Pozas, Mexico

Edward James admiring his sculptures… in a bath robe

Las Pozas sculpture garden is a surrealist wonderland in the jungle of Mexico, near the town of Xilitla. This bizarre Xanadu is the work of art patron and eccentric millionaire, Edward James, who “depraved the intellectual, social and artistic circles of London, Paris, New York and Hollywood for the jungles of Mexico.”

Legends say a vision - of a mist of butterflies - inspired him to buy the property in the semi-tropical highlands of the Sierra Madre Mountains, 8 hours from Mexico City. James started the enterprise in 1945 through an orchid garden that was wiped out by a freak snowstorm. Bloodied but not bowed, he created cake orchids and gardens over the next 20 years.

The sculptures include a bamboo palace, orchid-shaped cement totem poles, obelisks, pavilions, bridges going nowhere and a spiral stairway to the sky.

The guest dwelling-place El Castillo is the former home of the owner/artist and offers grand bedrooms in a dramatic and whimsical mix of Mexican, English and Moorish science. Make unerring to visit the Parrot Cave and spectacular waterfalls in the surrounding area.

-Jodi Rose

off-beat travel, weird make an excursion

Bookmark it: