World Cool Travel: 100 Unexpected Astonishing Journeys!

 

The most jaw-dropping travels that go beyond all imaginable boundaries. This issue of Traveler Luxe introduces 100 of the world’s most eye-opening itineraries and attractions, challenging the extremes of luxury, quirkiness, and unique perspectives from land, sea, and air. The coolest destinations paired with the most professional guides, the most unexpected ways to explore, and the most touching emotional experiences—100 challenges, 100 unique ways to enjoy seeing the world.

 

Visiting World Heritage Sites isn’t enough—something even cooler is about to happen!!! Please turn to the next page

 

Gaze up at the vast, clear night sky, where the mirror-like frozen surface reflects a hazy counterpart, and snow-covered mountain ridges stretch out to both sides. A flowing ribbon of green, like a Milky Way, appears to rise like smoke, shifting into various beautiful forms—sometimes a soft, meandering halo, sometimes bursting with radiant beams toward the sky, even curling into spirals or swaying back and forth like a flared skirt or a gentle curtain, embellishing the deep blue sky with extraordinary charm. All around is utter silence, while the dazzling colors before your eyes take your breath away, with twinkling stars behind creating a true canvas in the sky. This astronomical phenomenon, occurring near the Earth's magnetic poles and caused by collisions between charged particles from the sun and atoms in the atmosphere, presents a miraculous spectacle that attracts aurora enthusiasts from around the globe, all chasing this rare, fleeting light streaking across the sky. Due to its unpredictability and ever-changing shapes and colors, it often brings unexpected surprises, making the pursuit all the more thrilling. In addition to the most commonly visible green, you might occasionally spot a faint red—depending on your luck. For a once-in-a-lifetime aurora adventure, head to Tromsø, a major city in northern Norway located within the Arctic Circle, and join the daily non-stop aurora chasing tours organized by Arctic Guide Service from mid-September to the end of March. Led by experts, departures begin at 6:30 PM, taking you by shuttle bus to the most likely spots for aurora sightings. The entire trip lasts about six to seven hours. If one night isn’t enough, there are also two-night and three-night aurora chasing packages, sure to fulfill your dream of witnessing the magnificent aurora.

 

[info] Arctic Guide Service: Northern Lights Chase

Address: Søndre Tollbodgate 3A, 9008 Tromsø, Norway

Phone: +47-(0)92-809-057

Time: Every year from September 15 to March 31, 18:30–01:30

Price: NOK 950 for adults, NOK 475 for children (ages 4–12)

Website: www.arcticguideservice.com

At the July 2008 World Heritage Committee meeting, the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) between Albula and Bernina in Switzerland and Italy, along with its surrounding landscape, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Albula and Bernina lines of the Rhaetian Railway were completed in 1903 and 1910, respectively. These railways are not only outstanding examples of railway engineering innovation, showcasing how Alpine highland landscapes are made accessible to humans, but also rank among the world’s most spectacular narrow-gauge railways.

 

The Bernina train departs from Chur, and as it winds through the valley, castles dotting the woods offer an incredibly dreamy start to the journey. About an hour into the ride, the 20-minute section from Bergün to Preda climbs 416 meters in just a few minutes, reaching an altitude of 1,788 meters via five spiral tunnels, one regular tunnel, and nine bridges—truly living up to the Bernina Railway’s reputation for “spiral lines.”

 

Then, you officially enter the most astonishing glacier section of the Bernina line, where waterfalls and glaciers create a breathtaking glacial wonderland, with nature’s masterpieces passing by seemingly within arm’s reach.

 

The final section of the railway follows the riverside valley gently into the valley plains, where the scenery outside the window instantly transforms from the icy glaciers of half an hour ago to lush Mediterranean landscapes. The colorful houses of Italian style herald the arrival of the Ticino region, and after passing by the Church of Tirano, the train arrives at the station, completing this magical journey. Passengers can also exchange their ticket stubs for a journey certificate, preserving the most complete memories of this altitude-defying railway adventure.

 

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Rhaetian Railway (RhB)

Website: www.rhb.ch

Note: The Rhaetian Railway offers World Heritage package tours (available in German, French, and English on their website), with varying durations and prices adjusted seasonally.

June 22, 2013, was the proudest day for the Japanese. After decades of effort, Mount Fuji was finally added to the list of World Heritage Sites. For Japan, where Mount Fuji is regarded as a sacred national symbol, this was truly a monumental event of the century. Mount Fuji, whose last eruption was in the 18th century, is an active volcano with a summit elevation of 3,776 meters, straddling Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. Along with cherry blossoms and the Shinkansen, it is synonymous with Japan—and now, with this additional prestigious title, its charm has become even more boundless. To get close to Mount Fuji, hiking is one way to experience its true face, but the railway offers the best way to admire it from afar. Especially the Fujikyuko Line, with its 500-meter elevation change, is definitely “the railway closest to Mount Fuji.”

 

The Fujikyuko Line, known for creating buzz, goes the extra mile with its train designs. There’s the Fuji Excursion, offering a 180-degree panoramic view of Mount Fuji, and Thomas the Tank Engine, which instantly charms kids with its appearance. But the most popular is the Mount Fuji Ropeway Train, which began operating in 2009. This retro-style train, designed by railway designer Eiji Mitooka, features a dark red exterior set against the blue sky and Mount Fuji. Eager railway fans must be wondering: where can you take those envy-inducing photos? First is the level crossing between Mitsumata Station and Shimo-Yoshida Station, a signature photo spot on the Fujikyuko Line—but mornings are ideal since the afternoon light creates backlighting on Mount Fuji. The terminal, Kawaguchiko Station, not only offers a stunning view of Mount Fuji right in front, but also features a variety of trains parked on the platform. With different combinations of seasonal scenery and lighting throughout the day, it’s so beautiful you’ll only wish your camera had a bigger memory card!

 

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Fujikyuko Line

E-mail: traffic@fujikyu.co.jp

URL: www.fujikyu.co.jp

Michelin-starred restaurants always attract food lovers, but even these star-rated eateries might seem underwhelming compared to “Dinner in the Sky.” This is a restaurant suspended 50 meters in the air. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, “Dinner in the Sky” uses a crane to hoist the entire table, chairs, and diners high above the ground. “Dinner in the Sky” can be set up anywhere in the world—on golf courses, vineyards, racetracks, castles, or even ancient ruins—offering a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view. If you’re looking for a dining experience with altitude, “Dinner in the Sky” truly lives up to its name.

 

Don’t think being suspended in mid-air means compromising on delicious food. “Dinner in the Sky” brings the chefs, waitstaff, and bartenders up in the air to cook and serve your meal on the spot. And if you find this dining environment a bit too plain, “Dinner in the Sky” can also deploy a second crane to bring in a pianist or rock band to entertain you during dinner. Just like at any regular restaurant, when nature calls, you can ask the staff for directions to the restroom. “Dinner in the Sky” will then descend to the ground—an act that may be slightly impolite to other guests, but it won’t take more than a minute.

 

Besides Europe, destinations such as Turkey, Dubai, South Africa, the United States, and Canada are also on the list for “Dinner in the Sky.” Though the idea of dining 50 meters above the ground may sound a bit crazy, it’s bound to be an unforgettable culinary experience for you and the other 21 guests.

 

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Dinner in the Sky

URL: www.dinnerinthesky.com

Officially known as the State Hermitage Museum, the Winter Palace houses over three million priceless artifacts from around the world and is one of the most important museums globally. Aside from tight security, the adorable cats also play a big role in protecting these artworks.

 

The first cat in Russia was brought back from the Netherlands by Peter the Great. It wasn’t until the reign of Empress Catherine the Great that a formal “feline guard” was established to protect the artworks. Their job is to hunt down pesky mice, as the museum’s collection often far exceeds what is on display, and the dark corners of storage areas are their favorite haunts—places where these rodents could easily cause irreparable damage to the precious artifacts. These cats regularly patrol those shadowy corners, quietly guarding many important works of art for centuries.

 

To show their gratitude, museum staff began privately celebrating Cat Day (The Day of the Hermitage Cat) in 1998. To their surprise, the event became hugely popular, and with media coverage, it expanded into an official public event starting in 2010. By tradition, some rarely seen treasures tucked away in storage are displayed on this day. This year, the museum's only mummified cat went on display.

 

This event is held every spring in April, usually over a weekend. In 2013, it took place on April 6 and 7. During these two days, a variety of related activities are organized, including a particularly special musical performance titled *The Hermitage Cats Saved the Day*. The musical is adapted from a children’s book and was transformed into a stage production by Grammy-nominated composer Chris Brubeck. The story begins with the theft of an artwork, which threatens to cancel Cat Memorial Day—but through teamwork between humans and cats, the problem is resolved.

 

Currently, about 50 cats reside permanently at the museum. Most are stray cats rescued from the streets, and volunteers are dedicated to caring for their daily needs.

 

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The Day of the Hermitage Cat (Hermitage Museum)

Address: 2, Dvor tsovaya Ploshchad (Dvor t sov ay a Square), St. Petersburg, Russia

Phone: +7-812-710-9079

Hours: Cat Day is held on a weekend in April each year. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 to 18:00, with extended hours until 21:00 on Wednesdays.

Admission: General admission is 400 Russian rubles. Children and students are free (international students also qualify with a valid student ID). The first Thursday of every month offers free entry for all.

URL: www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/11/2013/hm11_6_187.html