Hello, Cappadocia!

A point made by last week’s deluge into some of the world’s wackiest dining experiences is to keep an open mind about travel locale. Especially for the seasoned traveling family, sometimes it’s not all about the location, but the destination – there is a difference! Choosing particularly unique accommodations can be great to write home about, and make family memories that nobody will ever forget.

Another note about some of these quirky establishments: more often then not, the more unusual the hotel, the less expensive. Being off the beaten path lends itself to inadvertent exclusivity, and that often means a tougher time competing with more conventional establishments. By opting for one of these properties, not only are you ensuring yourself some great stories, but are supporting local business.

Here are some of our top picks!

- If you thought IceBar was cool, check out ICEHOTEL. Constructed anew every winter season, this destination in the Swedish village of Lapland affords its patrons accommodations hand-carved completely out of ice and snow, early morning wake up service, and stellar views of the Northern lights. Enjoy the artfully lit and crafted sculpture, new every year, before snuggling up in a subzero sleeping bag for two. A little too frosty for your taste? Don’t worry – ICEHOTEL has heated, non-ice rooms open year-round.

- Take a trip to the Australian rainforest for a high-rise getaway at The Canopy Treehouses. Situated on 100 acres of ancient rainforest located on the Cairns Highlands, The Canopy Treehouses offers a secluded family eco-adventure with a luxurious twist. Each Treehouse is furnished with furniture crafted from local rainforest timbers, a gas barbeque, and hammock on the spacious balcony. Enjoy a soak in the Jacuzzi tub or cook dinner for the kids in the full gourmet kitchen, all while enjoying a bird’s eye view.

- How about something a little artsy? For the launch of the new Volkswagen Fox 21 International, a group of 21 artists transformed Hotel FOX in Copenhagen into a collection of flowers, fairytales, monsters, dreams, secrets, and more. Each room at Hotel FOX displays a unique environment of art and décor, ranging from whimsical forest spirits to the suits of playing cards.

- For an exceptionally special experience in a less-known place, consider the Anatolian Houses of Cappadocia, Turkey. Cappadocia itself is a magical place – one of the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage sites according to Unesco – hosting a plethora of 2,000-year-old homes and churches carved out of the volcanic lava rock, basalt, ignimbrite and ash, all full of rich history. The Anatolian House has utilized these historical structures to create a rich, luxurious environment that resembles something between a cave and a castle. For a total immersion experience on Planet Cappadocia, this is the destination.