Platinum, The Road Less Travelled
5 Sep 2008
Now travel destination have to be bespoke, a bit off the
beaten track and in ever more remote parts of the world. If all that gives you
travel fatigue before you even step on a plane, don't worry. To help you stay
ahead of the holiday pack, we've come up with four exclusive trips that'll
trump your globetrotting friends. Know someone who's bragging about their
forthcoming 'green' holiday? We've unearthed an incredible eco-lodge in Egypt
that'blow them out of the water. And tell your colleague who's walking to
Macchu Picchu to take a hike. This year, you'll be visiting the spellbinding
stone giants of Easter Island in five-star style. You get the picture. Pack
your camera - it's time to take some snaps the will make everyone jealous.
We know......Luxploring from a bespoke ice house.
Why choose and existing hotel of character when you can have
one built just for you? On a remote glacier. Entirely form ice. Complete with a
heated swimming pool.
For those 'luxplorers' looking to go one better on their
next adventure trip around the freezing wastes of Iceland, this is the ticket. Tavel
experiences company Black Tomato can arrange to build you an ice house - with bedroom,
living room, bathroom and veranda - on a remote icy spot where no human has
ever trodden.
Once chipped into shape, the house is heated and fitted out
with creature comforts such as a music system - because you're going to want to
throw a party to show off you new pad. It also comes with its own chef, who'll
bring in all the shopping on a snowmobile. But the piece de resistance
is the outdoor swimming pool, filled with bath-like warm water.
It makes for an unforgettable base for a week spent with a
group of friends sledding, ice-skating and cross-country skiing. You can even
hire a expert guide to take you ice-climbing.
James Merrett, co-founder and director of Black Tomato,
says: "your workmates will take a lot of persuading to believe that you've had
a week-long party in your very own house built of ice. The trips and activities
you can do out there are totally mind blowing. On a clear night you can watch
the northern lights from the pool with is dug into what is essentially a giant iceberg,
miles away from civilisation."
Available from Black Tomato (www.blacktomato.co.uk) from £80,000
per person for seven nights full-board including flights, transfers, fully
staffed icehouse and unlimited champagne.
