Silence, spring water, fresh air and organic food is the order of play at this traditional village in the foothills of the White Mountains in Crete. Used by resistance fighters during World War II, and later abandoned, the 14 stone houses in this tiny village have since been restored into a self-sufficient eco-settlement.

With eight miles of sandy Blue Flag beaches, the old-fashioned Victorian seaside resort of Burnham-On-Sea is home to this lighthouse tower, the first in Britain to be converted into a self-contained holiday let. Enjoy some of the best views in Somerset from the latern-room, at the top of this unique eight-storey building.

This award-winning wilderness camp, in the heart of the Australian outback, has raised the bar in luxury camping, or glamping as it's becoming known. Set atop an isolated sand dune on the edge of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, each of these chic safari-style tents command private views of Ayers Rock.

Claustrophobics are advised to leave their phobia at the check-in at this Capsule Hotel in Akihabara, the famous electronics district of Tokyo frequented by the otaku. The concept of the capsule hotel has been around in Japan since 1979, when the first one opened in Osaka. For some further insight, read this article.

Since 1979, the Tundra Buggy has been conducting polar bear tour trips from Churchill in Manitoba to the frozen tundra, a mere 30kms away. Guests can observe polar bears round the clock from within the safety and comfort of specialised modules that, when linked end to end, stretch almost 100 metres long.

Facing the Amstel River in the village of Ouderkerk near Amsterdam, this former 18th century gunpowder factory has been transformed into seven freestanding boutique cottages, each with kitchenette and living room. Designed by Marcel Wanders, famous for his knotted chair on display at New York’s MOMA.

Originally conceived as an exploration base, the Hotel Salto Chico is situated on Lake Pehoé in the Torres del Paine National Park, considered to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve site in 1978, the park features granite peaks, glaciers, lakes and waterfalls.

This unique turret house is located in Kanal, a picturesque town in the Soca Valley, an area of outstanding beauty. The owners pride themselves on running a carbon neutral house, so you can sleep soundly in the knowledge a holiday here will help save the planet, which is nice.

Less motorhome, more juggernaut, the Exploranter overland hotel weaves its way through Brazil, Argentina, Chile on custom-made itineraries. With beds for up to 28 people and fully equipped with hot showers and kitchen, the Exploranter is based out of São Paulo with routes in Patagonia, Pantanal, Atacama and beyond.

This is not the new album cover by The Residents but in fact the brainchild of boat-builder Tom Chudleigh. Situated in a private forest close to Horne Lake Caves, these unique tree houses on Vancouver Island borrow concepts from sailboat construction and are suspended from the trees by a series of ropes.

Inspired by a trip to Hermanus Bay in South Africa, these delightfully cute thatched roundhouses sit behind the sand dunes in the unspoiled fishing village of Winterton-on-Sea: an excellent base from which to explore the Norfolk coast as well as the nearby Norfolk Broads.

If you've ever wondered, as we often have, what it would be like to spend the night in a crane, then this quirky hotel in Harlingen promises to satisfy your fantasy. With an interior to match any boutique hotel, the real fun to be had, however, is in the driver's cabin where you can rotate the crane 360 degrees as you please.

Cuddle up with the playful possums in these luxurious tree houses in the North Queensland rainforest. Well, perhaps not literally, but many of the animals at this private 100 acre wildlife sanctuary actively seek human contact. The tree houses offer total 4-star luxury in the wilderness.