Travel gets interesting when you stay inside nonconventional accommodations. Hotels and tents that take on a clear, bubble format are becoming more popular around the world.
For example, in Jordan, the Sun City Camp offers dome tents where you can lay beneath a blanket of stars in the heart of the Wadi Rum desert, and in Finland’s Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, you can view the northern lights from glass dome private igloos. Glamping Tent Suites
One of the best parts of sleeping in the bubble hotels are the nature-based activities that they offer. You can take part in reindeer viewing and snowmobile safaris at a bubble hotel in Alaska, play volleyball on the beach next to a bubble hotel in Bali or explore lava tubes on La Reunion Island before settling in for the night in a bubble tent.
Read on to find out about seven places around the world where you can sleep in a bubble.
At the heart of southern Jordan's Wadi Rum desert, Sun City Camp is a destination for those looking for to experience the arid valley as the nomadic Bedouins did. The camp has 20 "martian domes," which include air conditioning, a private bathroom and a sightseeing terrace. Camel rides, hot-air ballooning, Jeep tours, hiking and yoga are activities available to guests. Breakfast and dinner are included in the overnight rates, which start at $133.
More:The world's best hotel rooms, according to Forbes Travel Guide
Ten bubble rooms and suites are immersed within the vineyards of the Valle de Guadalupe wine region in Mexico's Baja California. The futuristic bubble eco-hotel, Campera, was designed to withstand the aggressive climates and harsh terrain before opening to public use. The bubble accommodations are climate-controlled, include private bathrooms and are stocked with regional soaps and creams. Rates for bubble rooms are $145 and $180 for bubble suites.
Located in Lapland, Finland's northernmost region, Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, is a place to both stargaze and see the northern lights, which you can watch from your private igloo. The bubble igloo structures are comprised of wood with glass domes. From the window of the igloo, you can see reindeer and husky sleds or take part in snowmobile safaris and ice-fishing excursions. Daily rates for double occupancy in the summer and fall start at $479 and $626 in the winter.
More:Best places to see the northern (and southern) lights
Alaska is another destination to catch the northern lights. Located 45 minutes from Fairbanks, Alaska, Borealis Basecamp is home to custom-built fiberglass igloos that feature clear, curved windows on the roof, which stretches 16 feet across. The igloos were inspired by research stations and people who undertook polar expeditions. Each unit features a bed, en-suite bathroom and kitchenette with European-influenced decor. Adventurous activities at the camp include snowmobiling, dog sledding and fat-tire biking. Prices start at $599 per night during the winter, in-season months.
You can sleep under the stars inside one of seven bubbles at BubbleTree on La Reunion Island — an island that is part of France but located between Mauritius and Madagascar off the coast of Africa. BubbleTree is outside of the village of Les Makes, 4,900 feet above sea level. Visitors you can go zip lining or explore jungles, volcanoes and lava tubes created by the island's volcanic lava flow. Pricing is determined by tour operator partners.
Comprised of three inflatable bubble tents — Leo, Virgo and Cancer — Bubble Tent Australia seeks to provide guests with absolute privacy (the location of each tent is disclosed only two weeks before your arrival). The bubbles include wood-fired tubs, fire pits, outdoor rinsing stations, telescopes and a deck with an outdoor fireplace. The Bubble Tent Australia property spans an 1,000-acre working farm and affords views of the Capertee Valley, the world’s second-largest canyon. Pricing ranges from $370 to $610 per night.
Pvc Geodesic Dome Tent A few steps from the beach in Bali, Indonesia, is the Bubble Hotel Bali. Located in the Pecatu district of Uluwatu, the bubble tent has views of the Indian Ocean and comes equipped with a king-sized bed, private bathroom with a shower and secure storage for luggage. A barbecue pit is also provided upon request. If you're feeling tense, you can also book an in-bubble massage. Room rates start at $86 a night.