Holidays are set to become a great deal more memorable if these incredible hotel designs become a reality. From the off-centre Unbalance hotel in Peru (bottom right) to the magnificent Hotel Crescent, Azerbaijan (centre), architects are seeking to push the boundaries of building designs. Many take to the water to provide an unusual stay, like the floating Krystall hotel, Norway (top right), Amphibious 1000 in Qatar (top left) and the Water Discus hotel, Dubai (bottom left).
Inside the world's most luxurious suites: From a first class plane cabin to a New York penthouse, take a 360-degree tour of the places most of us can only dream of staying
In a stunning 360-degree sphere, this is a a virtual reality tour of some of the world's most extravagant accommodations. Suites on a Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 (bottom right), Cunard's duplex stateroom aboard the Queen Mary 2 ocean liner (top right), and the Ty Warner Penthouse suite at the Four Seasons hotel (left) in New York will give you a real taste of the high life.
Getting away from it all... in 1948: The fascinating photographs that reveal what life on a dude ranch in Wyoming used to look like
Escaping the stresses of early 20th century city life, 'dudes' would head to Western retreats to experience the cowboy lifestyle. Dude ranches such as Jackson Hole (right) thrived on the tourism. As the lure of fresh air, cowboy bars (centre) and fishing (left) pulled in vast numbers, many ranchers gave up their cattle livelihood completely to focus on offering ranch activities and businesses.
Back on track: Nitama the cat becomes the new stationmaster at remote Japanese railway after death of previous feline boss
Cat lovers across Japan - and indeed the world - mourned the loss of Tama, the first and only feline stationmaster, based at the Kishi train station in the Kinokawa neighbourhood of Japan. But now, after 50 days, the much loved cat has been replaced - by his former assistant stationmaster, Nitama - or Tama II - who beat several other cat challengers to take on the much coveted role.
Not your average Bed and Breakfast: From private islands to £1150 a night penthouses - how the super rich are taking over the world of online property rentals
The super rich from Santorini to Tokyo are making a mint by renting out their second and third homes - even planning their own holidays around how they can accommodate guests. According to recent reports, in June, the number of one bed listings charging more than £1,000 per night had increased threefold since the year before.
Is this the coolest home on two wheels? Vintage Airstream trailer is transformed into the ultimate hipster caravan
The 1956 Whale Tail, also known as the Orvis Airstream, has entered the modern era thanks to updated interior decor and state-of-the-art mechanics. Formerly used as a hunting and fishing lodge near Goose Lake, Oregon, the vehicle is now road-ready. Although this model was crafted for fly-fishing apparel company, Orvis, Timeless Travel Trailers estimates that an Airstream that has undergone such an extensive renovation would retail for approximately $250,000 (£159,805).
Safari under the stars in a 'bush bedroom': The South African hotel that offers breath-taking Big 5 views from the comfort of a luxury tree house
This out-of-this-world property in Sabi Sands Game Reserve, adjacent to Kruger National Park in South Africa, offers guests the chance to get in touch with nature in the most lavish way possible. The Lion Sands Game Reserve boasts four full-service lodges and three spectacular tree houses, illuminated by candles and lanterns (left) where guests can sleep under the stars and get up close and personal with nature.
The mysterious Petrifying Well said to be cursed by the Devil that turns everyday objects to STONE
The mystical watering hole, which is located on the banks of the River Nidd, near Knaresborough in North Yorkshire, has the power to convert objects to stone. Due to its high mineral content, the water causes a hard mineral shell coating to form on any object that touches it. It's a similar process to what happens when salactites or stalagmites form, but at a much faster pace.
Incredible aerial pictures show US and European tectonic plates in Iceland pulling apart leaving dramatic 200ft water-filled crevices that divers can explore
The dramatic terrain in Iceland - the join between two tectonic plates - is popular with tourists who can explore the natural wonder on land and underwater. The splits in the land, which has many faults, valleys, volcanoes and hot springs, are caused by the Eurasian and North American plates in Iceland pulling apart.
Terrifying headcam footage shows climbers risking their lives jumping the 'Leap Of Faith' gap on 14,000ft Colorado mountain
The Leap Of Faith separates Maroon Peak from North Maroon Peak in the US state and requires nerves of steel as the rocks on either side are loose. The video begins with one climber gearing himself up to jump (left) before leaping safely across (right) and turning around to encourage his friend to do the same. However, tensions are high because the first climber sends several rocks tumbling down the mountainside.
Miracle crash landing of small plane on a Florida beach packed with tourists that left pilot, passenger and bystanders uninjured
A dramatic picture shows the plane (main) on the beach at Singer Island on Saturday evening after engine problems forced the pilot, Jamie Barker, to bring the plane down. He had just flown passenger Gina Mason (inset with Barker) past landmark Jupiter Lighthouse and was on his way back to Lantana airport when the engine reportedly stalled.
Suds in the city! From London's Tower Bridge to Hong Kong's dazzling skyscrapers... the world's most amazing skylines from hotel bath tubs
While stunning sights during private moments are usually reserved for resorts in the wild, with jungle ferns or an open expanse of beach out the window, these deluxe bath time retreats are a pane of double-glazed glass from a memorable view. The perfectly appointed baths take in some of the most iconic city sights there are, including a tub overlooking the Taj Mahal (top right), a jacuzzi above the bright lights of Hong Kong (main) and London's Tower Bridge from the privileged position of The Shard (bottom right).
Where to REALLY get away from it all: The world's most secluded hotels... from luxury yurts in Mongolia's Gobi Desert to aluminum igloos in Greenland
Whether you're in the market for an adventurous exploration in Patagonia or prefer a romantic retreat to a southern atoll in the Maldives, there's an off-the-beaten path destination for everyone. And while it may require a bit of commitment to reach these isolated destinations, guests will be rewarded ten-fold. Pictured: Hotel Arctic Ilulissat, Greenland (bottom right), Jade Screen Hotel in Huangshan, China (bottom left), Explora Patagonia in Chile (top right), Mongolia's Three Camel Lodge (top left) and Jumeirah Dhevanafushi in the Maldives (inset).
Novel idea: The quaint Scottish bookshop holidaymakers PAY to run while staying in the flat above
Guests pay £150 to work a 40-hour week at The Open Book store, while staying in the flat above the shop in Wigtown, Dumfries and Galloway. The unusual holiday retreat has just been listed on lodging website AirBnB. Holidaymakers will be given training in bookselling from local book experts. They will also have the opportunity to put their 'own stamp' on the store while they're there.
Jedi training with Star Wars characters, giant water slides and circus workshops: The BEST adventure family cruises
From October, the liner Disney Dream (top right) will bring Star Wars to life, with themed areas and Jedi training. Here are some other family cruises that are sure to entertain youngsters at sea. Kids will love the 455ft-long raft ride, Kaleid- o-Slide on Carnival Vista (top left and bottom right) and circus workshops on Norwegian Cruise Lines (bottom left).
Hue goes there! Villagers in Bali paint their bodies VERY bright green to ward off bad luck and evil spirits
The Grebeg ritual, which is aimed at neutralising all of the 288 evil spirits that are believed to inhabit the rivers nearby, is staged every six months in Tegallang village, Gianyar, Bali, in Indonesia. During the parade, which requires that villagers dress up as demons, community members walk through the village carrying bamboos sticks or palm branches (left) to symbolise a weapon. As part of the ceremony, villagers also offer prayers with their painted bodies (bottom right).
An Inspector Calls: Inside Britain's most expensive hotel where the cheapest room is £720 a night, there are three staff to each guest and the fruit salad comes with strips of edible gold leaf
The Lanesborough (inset, bottom right) is a luxury recreation of 18th-century Regency London. The cheapest room is £720 a night (top right), while the seven-bedroom Royal Suite (bottom left) is available for a staggering £31,200. The Inspector spent the night at this iconic hotel, where a standard room with breakfast and dinner (top left) sets guests back at least £1,300.
Rolling hills, award-winning food and a luxury spa: Inside the traditional Dartmoor hotel that's been welcoming guests for 100 years (just don't expect a rainforest shower or mini bar in your room)
MailOnline's Carol Driver spends a long weekend at the Ilsington Country House Hotel (main pic) in Dartmoor, which boasts a new spa (left inset), a 2 AA rosette restaurant serving top-quality food (right inset) and the perfect location to explore the rolling countryside. Dartmoor is a draw for walkers and hikers, with more than 450 miles of public rights of way, and routes to suit all abilities - not to mention breath-taking panorama.
Shocking photos and underwater film show $6m American-owned superyacht sinking after running aground off the millionaire's favorite Greek island of Mykonos
Footage and photos have emerged showing a multimillion-pound superyacht sinking after hitting a reef off the idyllic island of Mykonos, with reports suggesting it was a 106ft vessel that was delivered to its owner in 2009. Local reports said four foreigners had not suffered any injuries when they were rescued from the sinking vessel between the tourist resorts of Platis Gialos and Psarrou. Port officials have launched an investigation into the incident.
Bloomin' lovely! Photographer captures playful polar bears having the time of their lives in a field of wild flowers
Canadian photographer Dennis Fast captured these stunning wildlife shots near Northern Canada's Hudson Bay in the province of Manitoba. Aspiring photographers and animal lovers alike can also see these white giants for themselves as part of a safari with Arctic adventure company, Churchill Wild, where Dennis serves as chief photographer.
Inside the former Soviet ship used to spy on the UK and US during the Cold War that now has a new mission... holiday cruises!
One of the last remaining spy ships of its kind, La Sultana has been transformed into a classic luxury superyacht with a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, helipad and seven passenger cabins (bottom left). With marble baths and wood finishes throughout, the 213ft vessel (inset) is now available for charter from £160,000 ($250,000) a week. It boasts an enormous owner's cabin (top right), an elegant lounge and bar (top left) and original features, including a Russian language dial on the bridge (bottom right), and plenty of Cold War secrets.
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TOP STORIES IN TRAVEL
- Inside the world's most luxurious suites: From a first class plane cabin to a New York penthouse, take a 360-degree tour of the places most of us can only dream of staying
- Getting away from it all... in 1948: The fascinating photographs that reveal what life on a dude ranch in Wyoming used to look like
- 'I'm sure the shark is missing its left eye and has a sore nose': Brave surfer recounts how he fought off a man-eater that attacked him and managed to swim ashore despite a gaping wound torn in his buttocks
- Back on track: Nitama the cat becomes the new stationmaster at remote Japanese railway after death of previous feline boss
- From poverty-stricken children to the golden glitz of Kim Jong-un's family museum, new photographs offer a fascinating insight into everyday life in North Korea
- A vine mess: Hundreds of locals and tourists drench each other with red plonk in Spanish town's epic 'Battle of Wine'
- British holidaymakers have £663MILLION in leftover foreign currency after holidays abroad... with few converting it back
- Police to patrol beaches in Dubai after complaints about men taking photos of women sunbathing
- Would YOU dare to walk on this? Gigantic glass viewing platform to open 820 feet above China's Wulong National Geological Park
- Couple cancel their three-week honeymoon in the Caribbean to enjoy a post-wedding holiday in Banksy's Dismaland instead
- Whoops! Wobbly street performers attempt at creating a human tower ends in disaster
- Pictured: The moment drunk British tourist went to sleep on top of an arch in Malaga city centre
- Woman who was banned from taking £125 brandy on to plane downed FULL BOTTLE - then rolled drunk around the airport floor
- Snared by the jaws of death: Wildebeest is caught by a killer crocodile before being dragged to its doom after trying to cross a river in Kenya
- Not your average Bed and Breakfast: From private islands to £1150 a night penthouses - how the super rich are taking over the world of online property rentals
- From underwater rooms to 'unbalanced' designs: The hotels of the future that will make holidays more wondrous... and bizarre
- Safari under the stars in a 'bush bedroom': The South African hotel that offers breath-taking Big 5 views from the comfort of a luxury tree house
- Is Blackpool making a comeback? Hotel bookings for historic seaside resort up over 70%... days after outscoring the Maldives for its beaches
- His feet don't even reach the pedals! Watch passengers' shock as their taxi pulls up with a THREE-YEAR-OLD driver in hilarious prank video
- Going off the grid in Kate Humble's rustic holiday home: A weekend in the Dordogne hut where the Springwatch celebrity relaxes
- The far edge of Morocco: Dazzled by the dunes in the surfing enclave of Daklha (if you can't surf, you can just lie on the beach)
- An Iceland for all ages: Taking the kids to the land of fire and rock, where the geysers are reliable even if the local whales are not
- Benidorm to follow Ibiza and Magaluf and deploy British police officers on the streets to curb alcohol-fuelled trouble
- Officials seize 23 TONNES of potentially lethal foods in Italy including 300 bottles of counterfeit Champagne
- The mysterious Petrifying Well said to be cursed by the Devil that turns everyday objects to STONE
- Crisis? What crisis? Soaking up the sun in the pretty Peloponnese - where, if Greece is in money-meltdown, you really won't notice
- Surf's up... in Snowdonia: Making waves in the mountains of Wales - sampling the UK's best new adventure zone (sea not required)
- The dirtiest areas of an aircraft revealed: E.coli and fecal matter found on aeroplane tray tables, blankets and seat pockets
- Is this the coolest home on four wheels? Vintage Airstream trailer is transformed into the ultimate hipster caravan
- Flight attendant is grounded after airline decided she was 'too fat to fly'
- Where to REALLY get away from it all: The world's most secluded hotels... from luxury yurts in Mongolia's Gobi Desert to aluminum igloos in Greenland
- Terrifying headcam footage shows climbers risking their lives jumping a gap known as the 'Leap Of Faith' on 14,000ft Colorado mountain
- An Inspector Calls: Inside Britain's most expensive hotel where the cheapest room is £720 a night, there are three staff to each guest and the fruit salad comes with strips of edible gold leaf
- Hidden dangers of Times Square, Notre Dame Cathedral and Disneyland Park: Infographic reveals tourist spots where your mobile phone is most likely to be hacked
- Miracle crash landing of small plane on a Florida beach packed with tourists that left pilot, passenger and bystanders uninjured
- Incredible aerial pictures show US and European tectonic plates in Iceland pulling apart leaving dramatic 200ft water-filled crevices that divers can explore
- Novel idea: The quaint Scottish bookshop holidaymakers PAY to run while staying in the flat above
- Suds in the city! From London's Tower Bridge to Hong Kong's dazzling skyscrapers... the world's most amazing skylines from hotel bath tubs
- Why Falkland Islands' cruise ship tourism is booming, with 60,000 visitors expected to arrive this year
- Hunting for pinxtos, searing your own cod and dropping as many napkins as you like: How to spend an ultimate foodie weekend in San Sebastian... and why it doesn't need Michelin stars to shine
- Clean, punctual and a top speed of 160mph... we're not in Britain any more! Why the brand new Shinkansen train is the only way to see Japan
- Put your neck pillow under your chin, skip the booze and try the headbanger: The ultimate guide to falling asleep on a plane
- Helipads, a rooftop hot tub and an incredible view of the setting sun: Inside the Victorian fort that looks like the perfect lair for a Bond villain
- Jedi training with Star Wars characters, giant water slides and circus workshops: The BEST adventure family cruises
- Ten years after Hurricane Katrina changed New Orleans forever: Six things you must do in the Big Easy
- Five hundred miles of coast and more sheep than people: A revealing look at Sweden's largest island (where there are just two hours of darkness in summer)
- Exploring churches, castles and a jamon-curing house on a foodie adventure through the heart of Spain
- Rich history meets the 21st Century in one of Britain's classic seaside towns: Lapping up ice cream and nostalgia at Blackpool
- Hue goes there! Villagers in Bali paint their bodies VERY bright green to ward off bad luck and evil spirits
- Dodgy food in Lagos, a week of rain in Llandudno and a return to Lebanon after being held hostage: Author Terry Waite reveals his most memorable travels
- Wish 'roo were here! Australia's incredible Kangaroo Island is home to more than 60,000 marsupials (but only 4,500 humans)
- Dublin named Europe's cheapest capital for a culture break (and bottom-ranked London is four times more expensive)
- British Airways Dreamliner forced to land at Siberian airport after smoke from passenger's overheated smartphone caused alarm on board
- Rolling hills, award-winning food and a luxury spa: Inside the traditional Dartmoor hotel that's been welcoming guests for 100 years (just don't expect a rainforest shower or mini bar in your room)
- Paradise lost: Shocking photographs and underwater footage show £4million superyacht sinking after running aground off Greek island
- Horror of tourists who went on a whale watching trip... but only saw dead endangered whales being dragged to shore
- Spain's very own Wild West: Tourists flock to Fort Bravo/Texas Hollywood to stay at real-life set where Indiana Jones was filmed
- The 'dark side' of frequent flying: Academics warn that the consequences include serious physiological and emotional damage
- Ben Nevis like you have never seen it before: Climber captures stunning drone footage of his solo ascent of UK's highest peak
- Now THIS is a tight squeeze: The tiny green island ruled by an army of four million penguins
- Bloomin' lovely! Photographer captures playful polar bears having the time of their lives in a field of wild flowers
- Indian airport becomes the first in the world to be powered ENTIRELY by solar energy using 46,000 panels - but will the idea take off?
- Inside the former Soviet ship used to spy on the UK and US during the Cold War that now has a new mission... holiday cruises!
- Now YOU can visit the infamous Big Brother house: The Elstree Studios residence will open its doors to the public this autumn
- Is nothing sacred? Hotels reveal that light-fingered Brits steal over 300,000 items a year (with toiletries, plants and BIBLES popular items to pilfer)
- More than 2million passengers could claim compensation over delayed flights after Ryanair loses legal battle
- Rare 'fire rainbow' cloud spotted above South Carolina beach (and visitors say it lasted for over an HOUR)
- Volcanic lightning, 600-mile-long clouds and mesmerising ocean sinkholes: Infographic highlights the world's weirdest and most wonderful natural phenomena
- Give yourself to the dark side! The world's top ten places to star gaze revealed (and they're all in just THREE countries)
- No escape from the daily grind: One in three admit to checking their work emails EVERY DAY while on holiday
- Our love affair with the coast remembered: 'Lost' days of the great British seaside holiday are revealed in rare vintage photographs
- Guns, saws and camping stoves (but not snow globes): Infographic reveals the surprising items you can take on an airplane
- Video captures terrified screams of passengers on plane forced into emergency landing after 'violent hailstorm' destroyed its nose cone and shattered cockpit window
- Inches from the largest animal on earth: Stunning drone footage captures lone kayaker's thrilling encounter with blue whales
- Electrifying footage captures the incredible moment that a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737 was struck by LIGHTNING
- Uber launches take-away delivery service... and in New York drivers will pick up your dry cleaning, too
- Stunning Italian beach seen in Il Postino now closed to swimmers after excrement in the water sends bacteria levels THREE TIMES over the acceptable limit
- Pensioner forced to miss flight after artificial hip set off metal detector and all-female security team refused to frisk him
- Friends who were forced to quit their 40,000-mile adventure to the Arctic just 500 miles short of their destination complete the trip 50 YEARS on in the same Land Rover
- Incredible time-lapse video shows Airbus A330 being stripped bare and filled with new business and economy seats
- Pictured: Shocked passengers leave plane that aborted take-off at the last minute and crashed through fence into long grass to 'avoid flock of birds'
- Man born on board a Turkish Airlines plane grows up to be a flight attendant... with Turkish Airlines (well, he was bound to feel at home)
- Passenger who arrived late for flight to high school reunion 'chased down plane as it pulled away from gate and tried to stop it from leaving without him'
- Live like an Academy Award winner! Inside the stunning four-bedroom holiday retreat once owned by Elizabeth Taylor that's available to rent...
- Air fare war breaks out as Norwegian launches £179 Dreamliner ticket from UK to Boston (but you'll have to be quick as only 26 people per flight can buy one)
- Women suffer more from post-holiday blues than men (with many buying themselves expensive presents to boost their mood)
- 'It's very steep and too high... but at least it's free': Tourist leaves hilarious one-star TripAdvisor review of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis
- Fire on Boeing Dreamliner at Heathrow that caused airport to close runways was caused by 'trapped battery wires' that led to a short-circuit
- Magaluf crime gang arrested for 'swindling drunk tourists out of £320k by cloning their bank cards'
- How a tiny bar in South Africa became an unlikely tourist attraction after pranksters painted the word 'sex' into its name (and now there's a bizarre trend to leave bras there)
- Stunning mountains, lush rainforests and iconic landmarks: The most breathtaking wedding photos of the year revealed
- Incredible pictures of the world's most breathtaking waterfalls from the stunning frozen landscapes of Iceland to the rainforests of South America
- The destinations on Lonely Planet's ultimate travel list that you WON'T have heard about: World's best bizarre attractions include a church of bones and NORTH KOREA
- The secret language of cabin crew: From 'deadheading' to 'the heavy', what your flight attendants are REALLY talking about
- British holidaymaker arrested for 'hitting conductor in face with skateboard' after being kicked off train for not having a ticket
- Deadly jellyfish with tentacles the length of FIVE London buses spotted around the English coast as experts warn of 'invasion'
- Silent baggage carousels, seats covered in dust... and the bones of dead animals scattered at the entrance: Inside the £10million 'ghost' airport that has never been used
- Dream job? 'Hotel tester' paid to sleep in the beds and make sure they are comfy enough (but the loo inspection isn't quite as fun)
- Upgraded to a 'private' jet! British holidaymaker has ENTIRE Boeing 737 to himself after other passengers failed to show up
- Is it safe to travel to Thailand? Foreign Office tells Britons to 'take extra care' when visiting, but NOT to avoid the country
- Finally, the definitive bucket list: The Temples of Angkor, Great Barrier Reef and Machu Picchu lead the places you MUST see, say Lonely Planet's adventure experts (and the British Museum makes the top 20)