Have you ever longed for adventure in a foreign country? I don’t mean visiting museums, looking at buildings and having traditional food, I am talking about weird and wacky experiences and destinations that will leave you awestruck.

New York

Surfing in New York is impossible, right? Not anymore. Rockaway Beach is the first beach in New York to allow legal surfing. Now, not only can you enjoy New York in all its urban splendour, but also rock out your skills on a surfboard. Go to www.surfline.com for more information.

Dubai

Who knew that the desert-landscapes could house a ski-resort – an indoor ski-resort, that is. 22 500 square metres of real snow all year round, 5 runs (varying in difficulty), restaurants, retail shops, ski- and snowboarding equipment AND professional trainers at hand – that is what you can expect at Ski Dubai. This is not the only fantastic attraction that Dubai has to offer, their underwater hotel is also causing quite a buzz. www.skidxb.com has more information.

French Alps

You may associate the French Alps with skiing, but now one can also dive in the Tignes Lake. This is said to be a truly unforgettable experience. Professional ice divers take you on this wild adventure. You have to be an experienced diver though. http://winter.savoie-mont-blanc.com/winter-holidays/our-suggestions/other-winter-sports/ice-diving-964-2.html has more.

Auckland

Beautiful New Zealand has something very cool to offer – an ice bar! Minus 5 is a bar made entirely out of ice, including the seats, glasses, walls and sculptures! When visiting this bar you receive a warm jacket and a tour, which includes a lovely sip of vodka. Visit www.minus5experience.com to find out more.

Bolivia

If you are looking for a rather unconventional travel experience, drop by the La Paz prison in Bolivia. For a small fee, guards let you in, then they leave you in the hands of the inmates, yes, the inmates. These convicted felons then give you a tour around the prison. Probably not for everyone, but it promises to be a once in a lifetime experience! The site www.boliviabella.com has more on this experience.

Canada

Planning your holiday over February? Going to Canada would be a great idea, not only because airfares are low this time of year, but also because you can attend the Winter Olympics 2010. Once every four years the world's top athletes meet to compete in the Winter Olympics. Opening Day ceremonies for the Winter Olympics is a huge and very special event. The Olympic competitions are held over a two-week period. It concludes with a closing ceremony. See www.vancouver2010.com for more details.

For the zany…
o    Swim in red wine in Japan’s Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Wine Spa. www.yunessun.com

o    Visit the Cabbages and Condoms restaurant in Bangkok. www.cabbagesandcondoms.com

o    Drink a cocktail with a preserved human toe in Dawson City, Yukon. www.sourtoecocktailclub.com

o    Toss cream in the Czech Republic in the Whipped cream Battle.
www.igougo.com

o    Party with Winnie the Pooh in Texas.
www.eeyores.com

Unusual accommodation

o    Wigwam Motel, Arizona
Ever slept in an Indian teepee? Now is your chance! This is a much more modern version, though. Furnished with a double bed and air-conditioning, it promises a very pleasant stay.

o    Waitomo Caves, New Zealand
At the Waitomo caves, you can enjoy your stay in a train, plane or even underground…

o    The Boot Bed and Breakfast, New Zealand
This B&B is a giant boot that travellers can sleep in. It is a very unusual and romantic getaway.

o    Propeller Island City Lodge, Berlin
An extraordinary hotel with flying beds and upside-down rooms! Very unique indeed.

Unusual accommodation at www.unusualhotelsoftheworld.com
Next time you feel like travelling, why not visit one of these weird and wacky places and experience extraordinary travel.

Words: Anzél van der Mescht

About the author: Anzel is currently completing her internship with Hallo Crazy World and Hola Cape Town. She loves the colour purple, laughing, writing and singing loudly. When she travels, she prefers to keep it local, because she hates aeroplanes. Although she has a fear of flying she has travelled to places such as England, Wales, Prague, Germany and Egypt. Her motto in life is "no regrets, only lessons learnt" and she stresses that being young should be an adventure!

Sources:
See travel.ca.msn.com for more details.