Architectural Vacationing: Recommendations from Offbeat Homes

Hello there Fly Away Cafe readers. I’m Jennifer. 

Mary Jo nicely asked me to guest post while she’s away in Italy. I’d rather be in Italy. Wouldn’t you? I did accept because I love when people owe me favors - just kidding, actually I love to travel, and I love learning about other places; places far from where I am. Plus, Mary Jo is an all around good kid and cool blogger. That’s how I got here, now about my credentials as a guest travel blogger…

Fly Away Cafe notes that it’s chock full of, “Travel information, tips, and destination suggestions from a Flight Attendant.” Surprise! I’m not a flight attendant, I don’t even play one on TV. This leave me sort of sketchy credential wise. However, I do happen to have some stellar ideas for places to go. Being a terribly obsessive fan of architecture, my perfect trip would be to jaunt off to some of the cooler, kookier, architectural structures of the world. Places I get to write about, but never actually see. So strap in because that’s where we’re headed.

It was soooooo hard to narrow this list down by the way. I like an obscene amount of structures. Somehow I managed.

First stop: Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California. Actually I have been here. But since I was two years old at the time, I’d say it’s time for a return visit. Most of us know the story behind Winchester. Take one gun brand creator, have it kill many people, one guilty (and perhaps slightly loony) daughter of said gun creator, possibly some spooky ghosts; mix well, and you get Winchester House.

Sarah L. Winchester (the daughter) decided that to atone for her father’s sins, she’d just build a really huge house. Winchester construction went on for 38+ years and now what we’ve got is a really cool, really spooky, really strange house.

Second stop: Mushroom House in Whistler, Canada. Hippie cool, tree loving, well designed, oddly shaped, and nature inspired - why wouldn’t you visit? It’s privately owned but that doesn’t mean you can’t stand near it and stare until the owners ask you inside. Wait, does that make me a stalker? Learn more.

But we’re not done yet. . . .

Third stop: Casa Buzeta in South Maitencillo, Chile. This is a killer family vacation home designed by Felipe Assadi + Francisca Pulido. It would be nice if it was up for rent. I’m still showing it because I really want to see it in person. It’s so lovely and mod, with a setting and view to die for. See much more of this beautiful house, including the ocean view (you’ll faint).

Fourth stop: Spider Web Chalet in Dalat, Vietnam. This chalet is also known as the The Hang Nga Tree House Hotel, Hang Nga Guesthouse & Art Gallery, and The Crazy House.

There’s no way on earth I’m staying somewhere named after an eight legged creature. That said, you’d be a fool to pass up a chance to visit. I’d still go take pictures. The building itself is a hotel, so people not scared of spiders (or things associated with spiders) may actually stay there. The building was created in the likeness of a tree, but it’s really cement. There’s a spider web draped pond, a giraffe sculpture in the garden, fairy-tale like guest rooms, and not a single round or square window in the place.

Last stop: Hapuku Lodge in Kaikoura, on New Zealand’s South Island. Why here? Let’s look at the facts about these Tree House lodging options:

• It’s a treehouse!
• It’s got a whirlpool, bed, and space.
• It’s 30 feet up, with views of the mountains and the amazing Pacific coastline.

I can stop there. You know it sounds dreamy.

This is sort of the tip of the iceberg for me. Money and time willing there’s at least 200 other good and weird structures I can think of that would be worth seeing. I write about most of those at Offbeat Homes daily. You can also visit me at Tree Hugging Family or one of my other many blogs.

Photo source:  Image and idea source for Hapuku Lodge - CUBE Me, others courtesy of friends of Offbeat Homes.

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