The holiday season is almost upon us: they’ve already started playing Christmas melodies in supermarkets, and we’re certainly not complaining. We’re becoming seasoned travellers these days and another trip to another major city just seems so passé. It’s not that we don’t love Paris, Rome, or Tokyo – it’s just that they’ve been explored to death. Here’s a guide for those who are looking for a stay that’s off the beaten track – something slightly more unconventional, but a whole lot more interesting. We’re not talking about your standard hotel chain, boutique hotel, or even AirBnb stay, but lofts from all over the world.
Sometimes, it’s not just about the destination, but also about the place you’ll be staying in and what you absolutely have to try. And that’s why our guide tells you what the must-trys and the must-stays of each destination. These three lofts are at the top of our travel stay wishlists – we haven’t been to these places yet, but we can assure you that we’re already looking at booking details.
Lisbon, Portugal
Most people spend their holidays in Spain then venture off for day trips to her next-door neighbour, Portugal. Instead of leaving Lisbon as the place to explore when you have a bit of spare time, why not make it the main destination? It’s super picturesque due to its scenic location near the River Tagus. Also, as one of the oldest cities in the world, there’s an arts and culture scene that rivals Paris – you can look forward to visiting Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art) or simply strolling through the boulevards to admire the vast array of architectural styles.
What to eat in Lisbon, Portugal
Besides the famous Portuguese tarts, you have to try their queijos – cheese made from sheep’s milk. The most famous is queijo da serra, which comes from the Estrela mountains, in the north-central part of Portugal. Theirs is made from sheep’s milk and also comes with thistle flower. If you don’t feel like leaving Lisbon, you can find it at Manteigaria Silva in the historic center.
Where to stay in Lisbon, Portugal
This Chiado Loft has plenty of history – it’s in a building that’s almost 400 hundred years old but is decked out with all your modern needs and whims. The apartment accommodates four guests, with a double bed and two single beds. We love how the gently sloping ceiling is padded with large windows, which lets natural light stream in. Suitable if you’re travelling with a small group of friends, since it’s within walking distance to bars and lively streets like Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré.
$55 per night, Chiado Loft 2 .
Gippsland, Victoria
The entire Gippsland, Victoria area is a haven for nature lovers – it has some of Australia’s most secluded national parks. You have the blues of the ocean and the greens of the Alpine National Park. Not as popular as nearby Phillip Island or Wilson’s Promontory, but Cape Liptrap in Gippsland, Victoria has its own fair share of seaside charm.
What to eat in Gippsland, Victoria
Set at the gateway to Wilson’s Prom, Trulli Pizzeria’s well-known in the local area for their thin base wood-fired pizzas. Reviewers online are blown away by their generous toppings and excellent service –not what you would expect from a small country town in rural Gippsland. Prices are reasonable too, with an Al Crudo (San Daniele Proscuitto, Fior Di Latte, Rocket, Grana Padano) starting at AUD17.50.
Where to stay in Gippsland, Victoria
Liptrap Loft is such a unique place. It’s described as a “large shack built from recycled timber and tin”, but the owners have lovingly restored it for guests to enjoy a secluded stay from city life. Suitable for a nature-loving family with young children, since there’s a separate room with single beds.
It’s set on five acres of land, so just imagine grass as far as your peripheral vision can see. Well, occasionally there will be a few cows munching on the grass too. But this is no ordinary “farm-stay” location – there’s a Japanese bath house with a soak tub where you can throw open the doors. It’s almost as if you’re soaking in a tub in the middle of a field.
The owners, Fleur and Mike, also own a few other unique properties around Australia – you can visit their website Dufflebird to see more unique getaways.
From $245 per night, Liptrap Loft.
Stockholm, Sweden
Sweden’s one of those countries that seem so very far away from us, but so worth the 12 hours and 28 minutes in a plane. Even better, Singapore Airlines has added a new route between Singapore and Stockholm just earlier this year, with a stopover at Moscow. Water’s all around Stockholm – it is built on 14 islands, after all – and this means that you can take a ferry around to leisurely sightsee the different areas and even go island-hopping. Word on the street says that you’ll find your latte-sipping and man-buns at Södermalm island, which is home to Stockholm’s vintage stores and fashion boutiques.
What to eat in Stockholm, Sweden
You might’ve stumbled across the word “fika”, maybe in a reference to a coffee break. But it’s not simply a mere coffee break – to the Swedes, fika is a way of life. From the book Fika: The Art of the Swedish Coffee Break, the authors Anna Brones and Johanna Kindvall define it as:
“Functioning as both a verb and a noun, the concept of fika is simple. It is the moment you take a break, often with a cup of coffee, but alternatively with tea, and find a baked good to pair with it. You can do it alone, you can it with friends. You can do it at home, in a park or at work. But the essential thing is that you do it, that you make time to take a break: that’s what fika is all about.”
Unlike our fast-paced coffee culture here, where we grab a takeaway Starbucks cup or kopi-o, a fika break lets you make time for the break you deserve. And what better place to try a Swedish coffee break than Sweden’s capital itself?
Where to stay in Stockholm, Sweden
This particular loft is located in central Stockholm, in the heart of Östermalm, which is supposedly a posh residential neighbourhood with the highest concentration of nightclubs at the same time. Shops and restaurants are nearby, and the loft is well-connected to public transport for you to explore other areas. Suitable for a couple.
$118 per night, Loft in Central Stockholm.
If none of these really speak to you, you can always check out Airbnb for more interesting places for your next holiday.
Header Image: Liptrap Loft
Images: Airbnb
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