You Can Rent A Glass Igloo In Finland To Watch The Northern Lights

Imagine looking up at the Northern Lights from a cozy hotel room 250 km above the Arctic Circle.

From the resort’s website

Glass igloo provides an one of a kind opportunity to admire the northern lights and millions of stars of the crystal clear sky in a comfortable room temperature. Built from a special thermal glass the temperature inside the igloo always stays a normal level. It also prevents the glass from not getting white frosted, hence keeping the view clear even when the temperature outside drops to under -30°C. Every igloo is equipped with a toilet and luxury beds.

What to know about tipping in Canada

Toronto Canada Ontario Queen Street West trendy neighborhood corner historic building 1886 Black Bull Tavern restaurant student.

Though servers in Canada make around $11 an hour, more than the minimum requirement for restaurant employees in the United States, they very nearly mirror US tipping customs in the hospitality industry.

Even in places gratuity is not exactly expected, it is still surprisingly popular.

Here’s how it works.

From the big city to the little town

In Toronto, the calculation’s easy. There’s a 13% HST (harmonized sales tax) charge at the bottom of every bill. Take that amount, round it up, and you’ll be in the neighborhood of the 15% that Torontonians consider the minimum tip on a meal.

Especially good service will take it up to 18% or beyond.

Pubs are the classic drinking establishments in a city where cocktails are still considered fancy (and so merit percentage tipping), and the standard tip for a beer or equivalent drink is $1 per drink.

Vancouver’s tax system is more complicated — 5% on meals, 5% plus 10% provincial tax on alcohol — but the standard tip remains the same; you just may have to use your phone to figure it out.

According to a recent study by national pollsters Angus Reid, tips in small towns tend to be closer to the 10% mark for restaurants, with a similar buck-a-beer system for bars.

Quebec stands alone

In Quebec, French is spoken, and the provincial government is called the National Assembly. It’s maybe not surprising then that Quebecois tip differently.

The expectation is that you’ll be more generous in la belle province — and you will be called out if you fail to meet the standards surrounding gratuity.

There was a flurry of controversy last year when a popular tourist restaurant in Quebec City, the province’s second largest urban center, tacked on a 15% charge to a Vancouverite of Asian descent, revealing a long-standing practice of charging Asian tourists what amounted to a service charge. The overt racism caused a ruckus, but there was another underlying message: Don’t leave without tipping.

Eighteen percent is the norm, 20 not unusual, and if you have a really good time, 25% is not going to raise eyebrows.

Be ready to tip if you plan to visit Montreal. It is expected in hotels, bars and restaurants.

EVA HAMBACH/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

But it’s not only Quebec restaurants — where servers and bartenders make a minimum of $9.80 an hour — that expect a tip. The Montreal Yellow Pages — remember those? — has a whole section on tipping in hotels, just in case you decide to do some research.

It’s quite a long section, but the takeaway — confirmed by Eve Paré, CEO of the Hotel Association of Greater Montreal: $2-$5 a day for cleaning staff, $2-$5 for the parking valet, and $1-$2 a bag for the bellhop, and up to $20 for a concierge who gives you any advice you end up using.

A server in a Quebec City diner writes down an order.

RosaIreneBetancourt 3/Alamy Stock Photo

How tourism dictates tipping

Tourism is extremely seasonal in Canada, meaning the people working in tourist spots, like Niagara Falls in the summer, and Whistler in the winter, have limited earning windows. This is reflected in tipping expectations and, for the most part, behavior. Expect those table-side credit card point-of-sale devices to suggest 20% and even 25% as the default. Of course, you can tip whatever you want, but the floor in tourist destinations tends to hover around 18% rather than 15%.

Staff in establishments in heavily touristed spots such as Whistler have limited earning windows and do typically expect you to tip.

Pixabay/Creative Commons

Same for drivers — taxi and ride-share. Instead of rounding up, think 15%, and then round up on that figure. And don’t forget the guides, bus and boat tour narrators, paddle board instructors…the list goes on. These types of tour operators are usually looking for a little extra something.

Taxis, hotels and coffee and more

Across the country, in cities and small towns alike, the rule of thumb is to round up to the nearest $5 whenever you take a taxi.

The Montreal Yellow Pages model — $1-$2 a bag for bellhops, etc. — is a good one to reference whenever you stay in a Canadian hotel.

Not just a doughnut shop, Tim Horton’s is a national institution. And to some, the kerfufflesurrounding news earlier this year that one location was forbidding its employees to accept tips might have seemed curious.

With average bills of $2-$3, you wouldn’t have thought tipping was much of an issue.

But it most definitely is.

A nationwide boycott ensued, Canadian Twitter erupted in outrage, and people were standing outside Tim Horton’s locations handing out tips to employees when they finished their shifts or took mid-shift breaks.

Beck Mageau, a Tim Horton’s employee in Nova Scotia, even took to Quora to clarify the matter. Despite the low prices and largely take-out nature of the place, at least half of patrons tip their Timmy’s staff, often with round-up tips, but sometimes as much as $10 on a $6 box of Timbits (doughnut holes to the uninitiated).

Many Canadians also tend to be generous when traveling by train. Canada’s national rail service is often mocked, but much loved — a fact that is illustrated by about a third of its passengers on the busy Windsor-Quebec City rail corridor tipping their attendants when they order coffee or snacks. According to VIA server Alexandre Beland, it’s mostly a rounding-up tip. “A coffee is $2.25,” he says, “so people will sometimes just give $3.”

Unsurprisingly, he says he gets the most tips on Quebec routes between Montreal and Quebec City. Foreign-traveling tourists aren’t obligated to leave a tip in this situation, but the gesture won’t be rejected either.

New frontiers of tipping

With the proliferation of point-of-sale machines, everything from bike shops to dry cleaners can now suggest a tip when you pay by card. You’re free to do as you like, of course (minimum wage in Canada hovers around the $14-an-hour mark), but if a business does not have a clear system for distributing tips, you do so at your own risk.

There has been a flurry of no-tip restaurants popping up across the country since a spot called Smoke ‘n Water in tiny Parksville, British Columbia floated the idea in 2014. The latest is trendy upscale spot Bistro Rosie in, of all places, Montreal.

Instead of accepting gratutity, they charge a flat fee ($44 for two courses, $55 for 3, etc.). Staff, according to owner Sophie Duchastel de Montrouge, make between $15 and $25 an hour.

It’s not a trend yet, and given that Smoke ‘n Water gave up its policy after three months due to protests of customers who wanted to leave more money, it’s unlikely to be the tip of any iceberg.

How To Travel Like Marie Kondo

uncaptioned image

The KonMari method goes far beyond weeding through the stuff that takes residence within the four walls of our homes. In fact, you can apply the method to just about anything.

So how does one travel like Marie Kondo? Folding methods aside, this article is meant to both provide insight on gear that keeps your belongings super-organized, but also reminds you to pack only what sparks joy, of course.

One of the moments I like best in Marie Kondo’s Netflix series is how she takes the opportunity to bless each house she’s about to transform, letting the families know how important it is to express gratitude toward their home.

It seems to me, this is also a good strategy for travelers to practice while they are packing. After all, it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to leave town.

Here are 6 items that will make Ms. Kondo proud:

A Lunchbox With Style

Carry your lunch fashionably and sustainably.

Goodbye paper bags, plastic lunch boxes and take out. Modern Picnichas revolutionized the traditional lunchbox into a snazzy fashion-forward bag that will make you want to pack your own food no matter where you are in the world. The Luncher is designed to keep your food cool during your commute and is made with premium vegan leather on the outside.

The brand founder, Ali Kaminetsky, set out to bring a more functional, eco-friendly way for bringing your lunch (or snacks) with your while never feeling that you have to sacrifice your style for sustainability.

The Everything Bag

The Modern Bag is anything you need it to be.

PHOTO COURTESY OF POND LA

I’m not sure what to even call this work of genius, which I guess is why it’s appropriately named the Modern Bag, because it can be anything. Crafted from beautiful Italian pebble leather and finished with a waterproof coating, The Modern Bag by POND LOS ANGELES is for work, baby, travel and beyond. The interior is uniquely organized to separate shoes (or diapers) with plenty of room for a laptop and tablet. The coolest part: you can convert it from a shoulder carry, to backpack, to top handle.

“In today’s fast-paced world, a woman is busier than ever, yet her handbag has not evolved to keep up with her demanding schedule. In my previous job, many women carried multiple bags to fit all their personal and work essentials, and I thought, there just had to be a better and easier way to get through the day,” says Daphne Chen, founder of POND LOS ANGELES.

The Ultimate Carry-On

Meet the carry-on that has a spot for everything.

COURTESY OF TORTUGA

The Outbreaker travel backpack from Tortuga is a dream for the organized traveler. There are just enough interior pockets in the main compartment so you don’t feel confined by the packing space. The next compartment is all about your electronics. Whether carrying your laptop or tablet (or both), there are fleece-lined sleeves for your precious cargo. The front panel is for all of the little stuff that tends to get lost without some order: your passport, pens, keys, sunglasses, etc. Even the hip belt has pockets for the stuff you want to easily access without taking off the backpack. With two different lengths, the Outbreaker is meant to cater to individual body size. For more features and even a sample packing list, check out the product page.

Portable Air Purifier

Give your hotel room an uplifting scent.

COURTESY OF THE PURE COMPANY

We’ve all been in hotel rooms with unpleasant odors. If you’re lucky, you can switch rooms. But, if you simply don’t want to deal with the hassle or the hotel is booked solid, The Pure Company’s Portable Air Purifier will bring the life back into your travels by making the air feel cleaner. The device is lightweight, quiet and even has a built in aromatherapy pad that allows you to scent the room with your favorite essential oils.

Road Trip Necessity

Carry you picnic on your back

COURTESY OF HYDRO FLASK

Hydro Flask isn’t all about the water bottles. Stumbling upon this backpack cooler helped make family road trips a cinch. In true Hydro Flask style, food and drinks stay chilled up to 48 hours. “Advanced Thermal Mapping” with “Ultralon Buoyancy Foam” puts the insulation where it needs to be. With no bulk and lots of comfort, the kids may even offer to carry this lightweight pack (depending on how many goodies are stored inside). A bonus: it stands on it’s own when you set it down!

An All-Occasion Shoe

Shoes don’t need to take up space in your luggage

COURTESY OF OLUKAI

A big dilemma when packing is often the question of how many shoes to bring along. Versatile shoes are best for the obvious reason of taking up less space and weight in your suitcase. But, to find a pair that does all the things and sparks joy? For women, OluKai’s Pehuea Leather is that shoe. The comfort certainly matches the style. Some colors are embossed suede, making for a look of total sophistication. Men, check out the Nalukai Slip for your go-to.

100 Ways to Be Less of a Colonialist Jerk When You Travel

Repeat after me: It is never OK to take pictures with smiling, barefoot children. Even if it’s for your Tinder. Especially if it’s for your Tinder.

Comment: Changing face of travel

Source : Travelweekly

At last year’s Travel Convention, the rise of US companies offering quick and easy routes into selling travel was identified as one of the biggest threats to established UK agents.

In a panel I moderated, Alistair Rowland, group general manager for specialist retail at The Midcounties Co-operative and Abta board member, warned that allowing such firms to gain legitimacy would be a “dangerous scenario”.

Roll on five months and one of the largest of these firms – InteleTravel – has been granted Abta membership two years after it first applied.

The news will undoubtedly ruffle feathers among agents who warn that such companies fail to offer sufficient consumer protection and create sales forces that lack the expertise to properly serve their customers.

However, Abta insists InteleTravel has met strict criteria around its code of conduct and has focused heavily on training for its 1,800 UK agents.

In the US, schemes derided as “card mills” caused a furore when they emerged in the 1990s, blurring lines between established agents and newcomers.

But InteleTravel will point to the fact it is now an accepted and respected member of the US travel trade.

Abta says there is a long history of disruption in the UK industry and many of its larger members with homeworking divisions already recruit people with no travel experience – just not at the scale of InteleTravel.

But it is clearly anticipating scrutiny of its decision by posting the rationale for its approval on its website.

One thing is for sure. The decision won’t be the end of the debate.

The Most Expensive Cities in the World

a large body of water with a city in the background

In the past few months, a number of rankings have appeared, determining everything from the best cities in the world for expats to the best country in the world. Yet another survey has recently been released: The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2019 Worldwide Cost of Living rankings, which proclaims Singapore, Hong Kong, and Paris the world’s most expensive cities—the first time that three places have shared top billing.

The annual report, which ranks 133 cities based on a twice-yearly survey, collects more than 400 individual prices across more than 160 products and services—including food and drink, clothing, rent, transportation, utility bills, private schools, domestic help, and recreational costs—to arrive at the overall cost of living. A glimpse at some of the intel: In Paris, a two-pound loaf of bread costs $5.66 on average; in Hong Kong, a two-piece business suit will run you an average of $1,874.65. In Singapore, which had topped the “most expensive city” list for five years in a row prior, a women’s haircut averages $96. (For comparison’s sake, in the world’s “cheapest” city, Caracas, Venezuela, that same haircut would cost $1.77.)

Though the list is dominated by Asian and European cities, New York and Los Angeles cracked the top ten after being jointly tied for 39th place a mere five years ago. The reason? Sharp currency appreciation, or a stronger U.S. dollar, which means that U.S. cities have become more expensive globally. In fact, all but two U.S. cities rose in the list’s greater rankings this year, with the highest climbers being San Francisco (25th up from 37th previously), Houston (30th from 41st), Seattle (38th from 46th), and Detroit and Cleveland (joint 67th from joint 75th).

Interestingly, the report notes that certain regions are typically more expensive for certain things: In the U.S., for instance, domestic help and utilities remain expensive. Asian cities, meanwhile, tend to be most expensive for groceries, while European cities are hit hardest by household, personal care, recreation, and entertainment costs.

A full list of the most expensive cities can be found below.

1. Singapore

1. Paris, France

1. Hong Kong

4. Zurich, Switzerland

5. Geneva, Switzerland

5. Osaka, Japan

7. Seoul, South Korea

7. Copenhagen, Denmark

7. New York, New York

10. Tel Aviv, Israel

10. Los Angeles, California

The Venetian’s $450K Package Includes a Private Jet and Diamonds

a large building: Venetian, las vegas, palazzo, resorts

The Venetian is giving “the world” to its luxury travelers with a four-night $450,000 package. The “Want The World” package pulls out all the luxury stops in some outrageous ways.

Travelers who book the package will arrive in Vegas by private jet, be picked up by a Maybach car and whisked away to the Venetian.

They’ll receive a VIP check-in experience and be taken to the hotel’s presidential suite which includes a private, personal butler on-hand at all times. The suite comes with its own workout room, cedar-wood sauna, game room and baby grand piano.

With the package, guests will be able to enjoy a crystal-encrusted magnum bottle of Moet Champagne and munch on a cake adorned in a 2.5 total carat ruby and diamond necklace and a matching 2.47 carat Burma ruby and diamond ring from Bellusso Jewelers all in their comfortable monogrammed red silk pajamas.

They may even want to pair the cake with a red velvet cake batter CrazyShake from Black Tap with a 5.5 carat diamond bracelet or with the Forbidden Love Cocktail, a 21-year-old Japanese blended Suntory Hibiki whiskey with gold flakes and served with caviar.

The package offers more pampering like an in-suite champagne pedicure and diamond massage, as well as a four-course custom dinner served in the suite and a two-hour salsa dancing lesson. And when brunch rolls around, guests will enjoy the “24K Brunch and Bubbles” by Yardbird which includes a 24k gold-dusted chicken n’ waffles and Cristal mimosas.

If all that wasn’t enough, guests will have a personal photographer to document the entire experience so they can show their friends just how glamorous their stay was with this luxury Venetian package.

Get a glimpse of unspoiled Italy and explore the region of Puglia

Trulli Valley

Itria Valley, known also as Trulli Valley, is most famous for its peculiar architectural structures called trulli. These stone huts are characterized by their cone-shaped roofs and whitewashed walls. They were once the homes of peasants, but today they’re a symbol of the whole Puglia region.
Trulli can be found all over the valley, but some of the most popular places to find them are villages of Locorotondo, Cisternino and Martina Franca. The town of Alberobello has the most famous collection of trulli. In fact, the town consists entirely of trulli houses, 1,500 to be exact, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander around trulli-lined streets and enjoy this unique place, unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. To get an authentic sense of what’s it like living in these domed huts, you can even spend the night in a trulli.

Slide 3 of 12: At first glance, this magnificent city might remind you of Greece. Sitting on a hilltop, this charming town is famous for its whitewashed houses and maze-like alleys, hence the name the White City. Its shimmering architecture creates a dramatic contrast to the surrounding greenery. And just a few kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, this town features astonishing views over the water. Get lost in the city's lovely, narrow streets and feel the dolce vita vibes everywhere you turn!

Ostuni, The White City

At first glance, this magnificent city might remind you of Greece. Sitting on a hilltop, this charming town is famous for its whitewashed houses and maze-like alleys, hence the name the White City. Its shimmering architecture creates a dramatic contrast to the surrounding greenery. And just a few kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, this town features astonishing views over the water. Get lost in the city’s lovely, narrow streets and feel the dolce vita vibes everywhere you turn!

Slide 4 of 12: This spectacular network of caves stretches several kilometers underground, making you feel like you're on a journey to the center of the Earth. Considered to be the most important and largest karst complex in Italy, these caves are a truly spellbinding sight. Take a guided tour and admire the impressive stalactites and stalagmites, incredible underground landscapes, and canyons hiding inside. Also, a huge underground performance happens here all year round called Hell in the Cave. The show represents the first part of Dante's Divine Comedy and it's a truly extraordinary and one-of-a-kind experience.

Castellana Caves

This spectacular network of caves stretches several kilometers underground, making you feel like you’re on a journey to the center of the Earth. Considered to be the most important and largest karst complex in Italy, these caves are a truly spellbinding sight. Take a guided tour and admire the impressive stalactites and stalagmites, incredible underground landscapes, and canyons hiding inside. Also, a huge underground performance happens here all year round called Hell in the Cave. The show represents the first part of Dante’s Divine Comedy and it’s a truly extraordinary and one-of-a-kind experience.

Slide 6 of 12: Gargano is one of Puglia's most beautiful areas, renowned for its majestic cliffs, steep hills and beautiful coastline. Known as the "spur" of boot-shaped Italy, it's famous for its diverse landscape, with golden beaches and impressive coves on one side and the lush forests of Gargano National Park and Umbra Forest on the other. Its small towns feel like corners of paradise surrounded by crystal blue sea and bursting with old-world Italian charm. Slip away from the crowds, stroll around cobbled streets and feel the relaxed energy of the local culture. Also, the area is perfect for diving and hiking enthusiasts!

The beaches of the Gargano Peninsula

Gargano is one of Puglia’s most beautiful areas, renowned for its majestic cliffs, steep hills and beautiful coastline. Known as the “spur” of boot-shaped Italy, it’s famous for its diverse landscape, with golden beaches and impressive coves on one side and the lush forests of Gargano National Park and Umbra Forest on the other. Its small towns feel like corners of paradise surrounded by crystal blue sea and bursting with old-world Italian charm. Slip away from the crowds, stroll around cobbled streets and feel the relaxed energy of the local culture. Also, the area is perfect for diving and hiking enthusiasts!

Slide 7 of 12: This unusual castle is characterized by its octagonal shape with towers supporting each corner. The geometrical design of the fortress makes it unique, so it's no surprise it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The masterpiece of medieval architecture sits on a green hill, dominating the surrounding low-lying countryside. Get a guided tour to find out more about the castle's rich history and immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere!

Monte Castle

This unusual castle is characterized by its octagonal shape with towers supporting each corner. The geometrical design of the fortress makes it unique, so it’s no surprise it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The masterpiece of medieval architecture sits on a green hill, dominating the surrounding low-lying countryside. Get a guided tour to find out more about the castle’s rich history and immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere!

Monopoli

Situated on Adriatic coast, the fishing port of Monopoli is lovely town with rich history. The city’s name comes from the Greek word monos polis, which means singularly unique. Monopoli definitely stands up to its title, with glorious fortified sea-front walls, a 16th-cenury castle, a lovely harbor and a charming, historic city center full of white-washed churches and narrow alleys. The town is usually not crowded with tourists, allowing you to get a sense of the real Puglia. For a glimpse of local life, go to the city’s port and watch fishermen coming in with their small boats or repairing nets as they sit along the seafront promenade.

Slide 9 of 12: Who needs to fly to the Maldives when you've got golden sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water in Puglia? The beach at Pescoluse is nicknamed the Maldives of Salento and as soon as you get here you'll realize why. Stretching for miles and surrounded by sand dunes, its Caribbean-like clear water is heaven for sunbathing, swimming and watersports.

The Maldives of Salento

Who needs to fly to the Maldives when you’ve got golden sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water in Puglia? The beach at Pescoluse is nicknamed the Maldives of Salento and as soon as you get here you’ll realize why. Stretching for miles and surrounded by sand dunes, its Caribbean-like clear water is heaven for sunbathing, swimming and watersports.

Slide 10 of 12: The capital of Puglia is a true gem, often overlooked by tourists coming to the region. It might not have the attractive baroque architecture of Lecce or the stunning beaches of Gargano, but it doesn't lack impressive nature and historic attractions. Wander around medieval streets in the Old Town, known as Bari Vecchia, where you'll find great places to refresh yourself with a cup of Italian espresso and lots of historic monuments. One of the most famous landmarks in town is the Basilica di San Nicola where the remains of St Nicholas are being kept. To feel like a true local, get up early in the morning and visit the town's old port, known as Porto Vecchio, and buy a fresh catch of the day.

Bari

The capital of Puglia is a true gem, often overlooked by tourists coming to the region. It might not have the attractive baroque architecture of Lecce or the stunning beaches of Gargano, but it doesn’t lack impressive nature and historic attractions. Wander around medieval streets in the Old Town, known as Bari Vecchia, where you’ll find great places to refresh yourself with a cup of Italian espresso and lots of historic monuments. One of the most famous landmarks in town is the Basilica di San Nicola where the remains of St Nicholas are being kept. To feel like a true local, get up early in the morning and visit the town’s old port, known as Porto Vecchio, and buy a fresh catch of the day.

Slide 11 of 12: Translating to Cave of Poetry, this natural wonder is one of the most beautiful natural pools in the world. The 30-meter-wide sinkhole is surrounded by a stark, rocky landscape and the blue-green water of the Adriatic. An unforgettable experience is guaranteed here, but for a peaceful swim arrive early in the morning as it gets really crowded around noon. This amazing natural formation is also a major draw for adrenaline junkies who enjoy leaping from the high cliffs into the clear waters. It's also a hub for scuba divers from all around the globe who swim from the sinkhole through an underground cave to get back out to the sea.

Grotta della Poesia

Slide 12 of 12: This seaside town is the perfect place to get a glimpse of unspoiled Italy. When translated, the city's name means beautiful city, and it doesn't disappoint! Sitting on the Ionian Sea, the town features a beautiful beach and historic city center. Surrounded by water and ancient walls, this city will win your heart with its laid-back, easy-going atmosphere, fresh seafood and narrow paved streets. The town was once part of ancient Greece, so it's a must for history buffs. With its picturesque Old Town that can only be reached by a 16th century bridge, maze of alleys, majestic fortress and towers, Gallipoli will make you feel as if you've stepped back in time. Also, the town is famous for its fish market and excellent seafood in restaurants, delivered fresh by local fishermen every morning. Don't forget to try sea urchins here, because they're a specialty of Gallipoli. — Translating to Cave of Poetry, this natural wonder is one of the most beautiful natural pools in the world. The 30-meter-wide sinkhole is surrounded by a stark, rocky landscape and the blue-green water of the Adriatic. An unforgettable experience is guaranteed here, but for a peaceful swim arrive early in the morning as it gets really crowded around noon. This amazing natural formation is also a major draw for adrenaline junkies who enjoy leaping from the high cliffs into the clear waters. It’s also a hub for scuba divers from all around the globe who swim from the sinkhole through an underground cave to get back out to the sea.

Gallipoli

This seaside town is the perfect place to get a glimpse of unspoiled Italy. When translated, the city’s name means beautiful city, and it doesn’t disappoint! Sitting on the Ionian Sea, the town features a beautiful beach and historic city center. Surrounded by water and ancient walls, this city will win your heart with its laid-back, easy-going atmosphere, fresh seafood and narrow paved streets. The town was once part of ancient Greece, so it’s a must for history buffs. With its picturesque Old Town that can only be reached by a 16th century bridge, maze of alleys, majestic fortress and towers, Gallipoli will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. Also, the town is famous for its fish market and excellent seafood in restaurants, delivered fresh by local fishermen every morning. Don’t forget to try sea urchins here, because they’re a specialty of Gallipoli.

A Look Inside Under, Norway’s Underwater Restaurant

a close up of a rock next to a body of water

When we first reported about Under, Europe’s first underwater restaurant, in 2017, we were wowed by the renderings: They showcased a periscope-like concrete structure submerged along Norway’s southern coast with diners sitting in front of a 36-foot-wide acrylic window with direct access to the sea life outside. But at that point, that was all they were—renderings. There was no menu, no news as to when Under would open, or even if it would come to fruition. But now, interested travelers can finally make reservations, and the underwater restaurant will officially start serving diners in April after a soft launch this month, Reuters reports.

The space, designed by Oslo- and New York-based architecture firm Snøhetta, takes diners on a physical journey underwater. First, you walk from the coast along a 40-foot bridge out the restaurant’s wood-paneled entrance. Then, you make a pit stop in the mezzanine bar for a glass of champagne before finally heading down a grand staircase to be seated 16 feet under sea level in the concrete-walled dining room. “Part of it is allowing people to have a deeper relationship with the ocean,” Snøhetta’s co-founder Craig Dykers told the Wall Street Journal. “Humans are mostly made up of water. We’re tremendously connected. Being in the restaurant will take us back to our ancient history.”

But the concrete tube isn’t just meant for the diners’ enjoyment: in an effort to attract sea creatures like mussels to settle into its nooks and crannies, the architects left the exterior in its raw form. It offers an opportunity to study the jellyfish, cod, and mackerel that make these Norwegian coastal waters their home. According to the Wall Street Journal, marine biologists will be studying fishes’ reaction to light from the ocean-floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining room when the restaurant is not serving dinner. But the soon-to-form colonies on the restaurant’s exterior serve another purpose: they purify the water, making it more appealing for other fish to settle in and easier for diners to see out. Don’t worry—they’re not only relying on mollusks here to keep the water clear. The restaurant sends divers into the sea twice a week to clean that enormous panoramic window so you can actually see through it, it told WSJ.

If you’re intrigued by the architecture alone, be ready to fork over a bit of dough for your meal: the 18-course, seafood-heavy meal with wine pairings at Under will cost 3,700 krone (about $430), or 2,250 krone ($260) without wine. A sample menu hasn’t been released, but you’ll be in the capable hands of Nicolai Ellitsgaard, who previously worked at Traveler-fave Henne Kirkeby Kro in Denmark. The 40-seat restaurant has also already filled up all of its online reservations through mid-August, so be sure to book a table first and then start setting flight trackers to get a great deal. Since the restaurant is off the coast of Båly, about a five-hour drive south of Oslo, we’ve just got one thing to say: summer road trip, anyone?

Under, Europe’s First Underwater Restaurant, In Photos

a group of people in a room: The dining room at Under is submerged 16 feet below sea level.

Much of the light in the restaurant comes from sunlight filtered through the ocean, giving the space a blue-green tint.

a room filled with furniture and a lamp: The rest of the natural light comes from a window in the sea-level champagne bar (pictured)

The restaurant will offer an 18-course meal for $260, without wine.

a chair sitting in front of a wooden table: SnÃ¸hetta custom-designed all of the furniture, which was made from locally sourced oak, the Wall Street Journal reports.

a bridge over a body of water with a mountain in the background: Guest must walk among the waves, across a 40-foot bridge, to get to the entrance.

a group of shoes on a wooden table: Chef Nicolai Ellitsgaard is pulling from local ingredients to craft his menu, Under explains on its website.

a waterfall with a mountain in the background: The concrete exterior was left raw to develop mussel colonies.

a crab in the dark: It's safe to say you can expect a lot of seafood on Ellitsgaard's menu, pulled from local waters.

Get paid to travel this summer, but there’s one unique catch

One travel company is offering six people the adventure of a lifetime; to travel across a continent on an all-expenses-paid trip worth £8000 (€9316) this summer. The days will be spent having unique new experiences and capturing content. There’s only one catch; Instagram’s audience gets to dictate their next move.

Smiling young lady using cell phone against urban bridge at dusk — The experiment will see Instagram users casting votes on what the travellers should do next. Image by d3sign

Launched by travel company Busabout, The Great Travel Experiment will see successful candidates capturing videos and images while travelling. Every day holiday decisions will be in the hands of other Instagram users, from choices like whether to skydive or white water raft in Switzerland or whether or not to eat a deep-fried insect in Bangkok. Through the use of interactive polls on Instagram Stories, audiences will have their say in each and every moment of the winners’ global adventures.

Succesful applicants will travel through the USA, Europe or South East Asia. Image by Thibault Vr / EyeEm

The six winners will travel in pairs through either the United States, East Asia or Europe. There are two positions available in each destination, including an Instagram storyteller (someone who is confident in front of a lens and passionate about sharing tales from the road), and a videographer who has a flair for filming and editing engaging content. All successful candidates, no matter what their chosen position, will be required to get involved in the challenges set by Instagram’s audience. “We’re looking for adventure-loving-up-for-anything individuals. With the Instagram audience dictating their every move, the ideal candidate will be a fearless, charismatic storyteller that can show how being flexible and spontaneous creates better travel experiences,” Busabout managing director, Duncan Robertson told Lonely Planet Travel News.

The southeast Asia and USA itineraries both last for six weeks over the summer, while the 11-week European itinerary hits the hotspots across the continent, culminating with beer and pretzels at Oktoberfest in Munich. All six content creators will be paid £200 (€232) each week on top of the trip.

The Great Travel Experiment is open now for submissions. Applicants can select their chosen position and preferred destination and are asked to record a 60-second video showcasing the best bits of their own hometown. Candidates can apply as a pair or singly. Entries are open until 8 April, before a shortlist is selected for a public vote.