Sleeping in strange and new places not only
makes for a great story to tell, it can also change your perspective.
makes for a great story to tell, it can also change your perspective.
The best part about sleeping on the beach is waking up to the sound of the waves just inches away
Most of the time, there's nothing more delicious than your very own bed, made up just the way you like it. Sinking into its cozy depths at the end of a long day is one of life's small, regular pleasures. But every once in awhile, sleeping somewhere new and different is worth doing—for both the romance of falling asleep in another version of your own reality and the magic of waking up
somewhere completely outside your everyday world. Spending the night on the ground atop a mountain, on a bed made of ice, or rocking to-and-fro on a zooming train can also awaken powerful dreams, bring memories to the surface, or otherwise change your perception, just a bit.
somewhere completely outside your everyday world. Spending the night on the ground atop a mountain, on a bed made of ice, or rocking to-and-fro on a zooming train can also awaken powerful dreams, bring memories to the surface, or otherwise change your perception, just a bit.
Under the Stars in the Badlands: Ok, yes, this is very specific, but there's a reason why—everyone I have spoken to who has done this will not shut up about what an incredible experience it is
(including me). The Badlands of South Dakota are one of those places in the United States that feels like another planet, in the best way. I won't try to describe their incredible-yet-strange beauty of it, except to say that the memory of waking up here in the middle of the night and seeing the zillions of stars overhead lighting up the crazy landscape around me has stuck with me for nearly 20 years.
(including me). The Badlands of South Dakota are one of those places in the United States that feels like another planet, in the best way. I won't try to describe their incredible-yet-strange beauty of it, except to say that the memory of waking up here in the middle of the night and seeing the zillions of stars overhead lighting up the crazy landscape around me has stuck with me for nearly 20 years.
In the Ice Hotel: Every year since 1990, a hotel
is built from the ice of the River Torne in Sweden. The hundred
rooms—each different and conceived by an artist—are crafted each year in
December and stand until April, and everything, from chairs, to
sculptural art to glasses in the bar are made from ice. Yes, the beds
too, which are covered with many layers of reindeer furs and topped with
polar-rated sleeping bags. I'd opt for one of the incredible art suites, which change from year-to-year.
is built from the ice of the River Torne in Sweden. The hundred
rooms—each different and conceived by an artist—are crafted each year in
December and stand until April, and everything, from chairs, to
sculptural art to glasses in the bar are made from ice. Yes, the beds
too, which are covered with many layers of reindeer furs and topped with
polar-rated sleeping bags. I'd opt for one of the incredible art suites, which change from year-to-year.
In a Cave: Yunak Elveri in
Turkey is a modern 5-star hotel with all the amentities (you weren't
expecting to read that one after "cave" were you?). It's a combo of 7
cave houses (with 40 private rooms) that date back to the 5th and 6th
centuries that are connected by passageways. Located in the Cappadocia
region of Turkey that's known for outdoor adventures, this hotel is the
perfect (luxe) jumping-off point.
Turkey is a modern 5-star hotel with all the amentities (you weren't
expecting to read that one after "cave" were you?). It's a combo of 7
cave houses (with 40 private rooms) that date back to the 5th and 6th
centuries that are connected by passageways. Located in the Cappadocia
region of Turkey that's known for outdoor adventures, this hotel is the
perfect (luxe) jumping-off point.
In a Treehouse: There are all kinds of treehouses
to sleep in all over the world—just type "treehouses" into the advanced
search bar on AirBnB and see what comes up! It's never been easier to
sleep with the owls and birds.
to sleep in all over the world—just type "treehouses" into the advanced
search bar on AirBnB and see what comes up! It's never been easier to
sleep with the owls and birds.
Next to a Campfire: Sleeping outside sans tent
means you'll probably want to check the forecast beforehand, but other
than that, this is one of the lowest-cost items on this list. All you
need is a warm night and a campfire (or a good sleeping bag if it's
cooler). Fall asleep to the sound of the crackling fire, and wake up to
the sunrise.
means you'll probably want to check the forecast beforehand, but other
than that, this is one of the lowest-cost items on this list. All you
need is a warm night and a campfire (or a good sleeping bag if it's
cooler). Fall asleep to the sound of the crackling fire, and wake up to
the sunrise.
On a Train: The romance of a long train journey is
still very much a thing to be experienced. I've slept overnight on
Amtrak travelling between Portland and Los Angeles on the Coast
Starlight, in a private Eurostar car from Amsterdam to Munich, and in a
sleeping car on the Sunlander route of Rail Australia, which travels
between Cairns and Brisbane. Neither was my best night of sleep, but
both times I loved it; asleep, but still feeling the rollicking motion
of the train beneath you—always moving, even while you rest.
still very much a thing to be experienced. I've slept overnight on
Amtrak travelling between Portland and Los Angeles on the Coast
Starlight, in a private Eurostar car from Amsterdam to Munich, and in a
sleeping car on the Sunlander route of Rail Australia, which travels
between Cairns and Brisbane. Neither was my best night of sleep, but
both times I loved it; asleep, but still feeling the rollicking motion
of the train beneath you—always moving, even while you rest.
On the Street: Thousands of people sleep on the
street every day because they don't have a home or a bed to call their
own. Trying it yourself, just once, will make you a more compassionate
person. The Covenant House
is just one of many organizations that organizes sleep-outs so the
non-homeless can experience a bit of what it's like to live another
life.
street every day because they don't have a home or a bed to call their
own. Trying it yourself, just once, will make you a more compassionate
person. The Covenant House
is just one of many organizations that organizes sleep-outs so the
non-homeless can experience a bit of what it's like to live another
life.
Outdoors in the Winter: Also known as winter
camping, sleeping outside during cold weather is a bit of a project.
You'll need a serious sleeping bag, and preferably, some kind of shelter
to retain heat—and ideally another human being to snuggle (I mean
exchange heat) with. But it feels like a real adventure and waking up to
a crisp winter morning in the middle of the woods while snug is your
sleeping bag is unbeatable.
camping, sleeping outside during cold weather is a bit of a project.
You'll need a serious sleeping bag, and preferably, some kind of shelter
to retain heat—and ideally another human being to snuggle (I mean
exchange heat) with. But it feels like a real adventure and waking up to
a crisp winter morning in the middle of the woods while snug is your
sleeping bag is unbeatable.
In the Fanciest Hotel You Can Afford: You could
save up a pile of cash, set up an alert on a travel site like Kayak for
super-low prices, or cash in frequent-flier miles (they can often be
used for things other than flying). But at least once, you should stay
in a truly luxurious hotel, to see what all the fuss is about. You might
be surprised!
save up a pile of cash, set up an alert on a travel site like Kayak for
super-low prices, or cash in frequent-flier miles (they can often be
used for things other than flying). But at least once, you should stay
in a truly luxurious hotel, to see what all the fuss is about. You might
be surprised!
Next to the Ocean: We can be flexible with this
one, which can include sleeping directly on the beach, in a lean-to or
hut, in a hostel or other inexpensive lodging next to the water, or even
in a hotel that's located close to the surf. The idea is to sleep where
you can hear the ocean waves all night long. It will absolutely change
your dreams.
one, which can include sleeping directly on the beach, in a lean-to or
hut, in a hostel or other inexpensive lodging next to the water, or even
in a hotel that's located close to the surf. The idea is to sleep where
you can hear the ocean waves all night long. It will absolutely change
your dreams.
On a Boat: It could be a cruise ship, if you're
into comfort, or a rowboat if you're more of a fresh-water fan, but
whatever kind of boat you opt for, sleeping on the water is a life
experience not to be missed (or forgotten).
into comfort, or a rowboat if you're more of a fresh-water fan, but
whatever kind of boat you opt for, sleeping on the water is a life
experience not to be missed (or forgotten).
In a Hammock: In plenty of societies, both modern
and ancient, sleeping in a hammock is the norm. It keeps you off the
ground, it's portable, and it's relaxing. If you're used to a bed, it
will be an adjustment, but the free-yet-cozy aspect of a hammock's night
sleep is definitely an experience.
and ancient, sleeping in a hammock is the norm. It keeps you off the
ground, it's portable, and it's relaxing. If you're used to a bed, it
will be an adjustment, but the free-yet-cozy aspect of a hammock's night
sleep is definitely an experience.
Why did I pick 50 for the age to get to this list by? Well, it's
kind of arbitrary, of course, but mostly because older people generally
have a tougher time sleeping in uncomfortable or cold places. Also
because I've slept in all of these places save for the ice hotel and the
cave, and I'm only 37, so it seems like a doable list.
kind of arbitrary, of course, but mostly because older people generally
have a tougher time sleeping in uncomfortable or cold places. Also
because I've slept in all of these places save for the ice hotel and the
cave, and I'm only 37, so it seems like a doable list.
Where's the most ususual place you have ever slept?
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