A Plane, a Nest, a Bus, an Igloo...? Cheapflights.com Uncovers the Strangest Bedfellows

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwired - Mar 12, 2014) -  What do a tree house, igloo, prison, plane, a mine and a nest all have in common? We can tell you what they are not -- your average accommodations. Strangely enough, however, they are in fact all places where you can book to spend a night (or more). The travel experts at Cheapflights.com, the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals, sought out the most eccentric lodgings around the globe and have come up with their list of  10 Cool Places to Spend the Night. So for all those daring travel adventurers seeking something somewhat -- make that very -- different, this list's for you. 

The six cool spots below to make the list have you spending the night with Mother Nature in all her wondrous, yet sometimes chilly, glory.

• Free Spirit Spheres, Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada - Harken back to your childhood days for a night (or two) in the forest near Qualicum Beach where you can sleep suspended in one of three Free Spirit Spheres. These spherical "tree houses for adults" are constructed using boat-building techniques and hang from rope tethers up in the area's Douglas firs. The spheres -- named Eve, Eryn and Melody -- are designed to fit seamlessly into the forest without disturbing their natural surroundings. They sway gently with the trees with the aim of fueling creativity and giving guests a spiritual experience and a sense of connectedness. Insulated and wired for power (with built-in speakers), these funky tree houses feature open floor plans inside. Bedding, towels and complimentary snacks are provided, and separate shared bathroom facilities are available.
  
  
• Snow Igloos and Glass Igloos, Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Saariselka, Finland - Snag a front-row seat to all the night sky has to offer at this resort in Finnish Lapland, about 155 miles north of the Arctic Circle. With plenty of annual snowfall, temperatures that can reach minus 40 degrees and no sun between December and January, this may just be the ultimate winter wonderland. You can stay at Kakslauttanen year round (in a variety of rooms and cabins), but the resort's most compelling accommodations may just be its glass igloos, available from late August through late April. These cozy, glass-ceiling bedrooms shield you from the elements while still giving you a chance to slumber under the stars (and, if you're lucky, the Northern Lights). Each igloo sleeps two, has its own toilet and maintains a moderate temperature. Showers and saunas are located in separate buildings. If you're a little more adventurous (and warm-blooded), book a night in one of the nearby snow igloos. The interior temperature of these snow caves stays somewhere between 20 to 25 degrees, but don't worry, the resort provides guests with down sleeping bags, hats and wool socks. The walls of these igloos tend to block out any outside noise so you can sleep in heavenly (and probably chilly) peace.
  
  
• Tribewanted, John Obey Beach, Sierra Leone, Africa - Join this sustainable beachfront community for a chance to bunk in anything from an Earth Dome to a bungalow. You'll fall asleep next to the fishing town of John Obey and, during the day, become fully absorbed in this eco-village -- part of Tribewanted's eco-tourism efforts. Clean bedding, mosquito nets and towels are provided, and hammocks and fresh seafood are never out of reach. Take part in community projects, help cook meals or just relax and soak up the beauty of Sierra Leone's Freetown peninsula.
  
  
• The Human Nest, Treebones Resort, Big Sur, California - Make like a bird in Big Sur by curling up in this wooden nest-like structure for a night. Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, you'll soak up a spectacular sunset and sleep to nature's soundtrack with nothing but a futon mattress, your sleeping bag and maybe your sweetheart (the nest accommodates up to two people) to keep you company. Constructed by a local artist, the nest is primitive but features a picnic table and water supply nearby, as well as all the glamping-related comforts of Treebones Resort. Guests will need to cart their own gear (think sleeping bags and pillows) to the campsite and climb a wooden ladder to reach this resting place. Cross your fingers for good weather -- after all, the nest isn't rainproof -- but all you'll need are the views of California's Central Coast to convince you this is the best place around to bed down.
  
  
• Roar & Snore, Taronga Zoo, just outside Sydney, Australia - If you've ever wanted to rise and shine to views of Sydney Harbour -- and the sound of a lion's roar -- this slumber party is for you. Dubbed "Sydney's ultimate sleepover," this overnight experience offers guests the chance to glamp in Taronga Zoo, overlooking the Australian city's iconic landmarks, namely the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Guests will be treated to an educational zoo experience featuring a nighttime safari, behind-the-scenes tours and up-close encounters with animals. All tents are equipped with linens and electricity. Meals and drinks are provided, and bathrooms are within walking distance. Roar & Snore guests can also spend the rest of the day at the zoo after the sleepover.
  
  
• Mount Olympus Refuge A, Litochoro, Greece - For a little adventure (and the chance to sleep alongside 109 others), make the trek to Refuge A. Situated about 6,800 feet above sea level along the trail up Mount Olympus, this stone building is a stopping point on the E4 route providing guests with an ideal overnight respite during their hike. To reach the refuge, start in Litochoro or Prionia (this is where the last parking lot is located); the hike from Prionia to Refuge A takes about three hours -- longer if you're taking your time. The 14-room shelter was founded in 1930 and stays open from mid-May through late October. Though the modern luxuries are few and far between here (hint: bring your own sheets), opportunities to meet fellow hikers and take in the beauty of your natural surroundings are many. Guests can enjoy meals served from the full kitchen, a spectacular patio and even Wi-Fi access. Don't miss the sunrise -- catching a glimpse may entail a 5 a.m. wake-up call, but you won't regret it.
  
  

Are planes, mines, buses and prisons more your thing? Then check out these four cool spots to round out our list: The Mine Suite, Sala Silvermine, Sweden; Karosta Prison, Liepaja, Latvia 1950s Bristol Freighter, Waitomo, New Zealand; and Big Green Bus, Sussex countryside, England. To read Cheapflights.com's complete list of 10 Cool Places to Spend the Night, visit www.cheapflights.com/news/not-your-average-accommodations-10-cool-places-to-spend-the-night.

About Cheapflights.com, part of the Momondo Group
Momondo Group is an online travel media and technology company that is driven by the belief that an open world is a better world. The group now serves travel search and inspiration to over 15 million visitors a month -- plus 7 million travel newsletter subscribers -- via its Cheapflights (www.cheapflights.com) and momondo (www.momondo.com) brands.

Skygate began the sourcing of complex air-travel data in 1992, while Cheapflights pioneered the online comparison of flight deals for users in 1996 and momondo launched meta-search in the Nordic countries in 2006. 

The Group has offices in London, Copenhagen, Boston and Toronto, with a consumer base across more than 25 core international markets but users all over the world.

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