So your friends are heading to Majorca after watching Love Island, where there are more Essex types than Basildon, or they are going to Center Parcs yet again (abroad, because its cheaper).
And you are stuck in the UK wishing your trendy friend, who loves boasting about his gap year in Africa raising warthogs on Facebook, would bore off.
What you want is something seriously out-there. Whether its for a stag do, 40th birthday, or a trip of a lifetime, there are plenty of truly original holidays – especially if you have the money to pay for it.
I have researched some of the weirdest – for every budget.
Space (£££££):
Space: the final frontier. The new Wild, Wild West. Imagine looking back on Earth, a patchwork of blue and green, tranquilly floating in zero gravity.
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Lots of companies are joining the space race – with suborbital travel literally on the horizon for this year, trips to the moon predicted for the next decade, and then even asteroid trips and holidays to Mars (I doubt youll be stranded with Matt Damon, though).
OK, so you will need to cough up serious wedge.
Amazons Jeff Bezos is looking like the most likely contender for the first trips, stating that you and five others will be able to travel to space later this year with his company Blue Origin.
Space tourists will have to travel to West Texas two days before their flight to the launch site. The day before the launch, you will undergo safety training, mission simulation, and instruction on how to move in the weightless environment of space.
During the actual trip, the capsule is carried more than 62 miles to space on a rocket and then detaches.
Though the space company has not released pricing, in 2017, Fast Company estimated a Blue Origin trip to space would cost somewhere between $100,000 and $200,000 per person per trip.
So give up your avocado toast and Costa coffees and you just might be able to afford it.
Under the sea… (££££)
Many feel we shouldnt be looking outside our planet until we have fully explored the ocean. And what better way to do it than to book an underwater hotel?
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is launching the worlds first underwater residence – The Muraka – in November 2018, perfect for a Christmas getaway.
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No bickering relatives, tacky tinsel, or stress – just the calm, soothing ocean. And maybe a shark or two to shake things up.
The Murakas minimalist living quarters sit 5m below the oceans surface, where you will be safely ensconced in your own aquarium.
A stay at The Muraka will reportedly cost $50,000 (£35,700) per night. Or you could buy a mini aquarium and stare at it intensely.
…exploring the Titanic (££££)
Fixers like Steve Sims (who runs luxury concierge service BlueFish) can provide personal trips for the worlds wealthiest celebrities, professional athletes, and successful entrepreneurs.
Membership of the club is $5,000 – and not everyone is accepted.
And this year, BlueFish is offering dives to the wreck of the Titanic.
Participants will have dinner in St Johns, Newfoundland, then board the MIR submersible for the voyage to the Titanic the next day.
First you will submerge into an undersea world. Beyond 800 feet (250m), all traces of sunlight will be extinguished and you will be immersed in total darkness. But the ocean is alive with bioluminescent creatures so you wont feel alone.
The underwater experience will last approximately 12 hours. When you reach the wreck, your viewing port will be filled with images of the RMS Titanic, illuminated by the submersible, including the famous grand staircase. Sightings of Rose and Jack have not yet been confirmed.
The price, including one dive on the Titanic, is $59,680 (£45,000).
Japanese animal magic (££)
Thought you knew the real Japan? Think again.
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It is the only country ruled by several disparate feline, bunny, and fox emperors.
You can forget cat videos on the internet. Japan has not one but several cat islands, where the furry felines seriously outnumber humans. Aoshima is the most famous but there are others to investigate – if you dare brave Kitty McScratchScratch and her evil minions.
Or maybe foxes are more your thing? If so, head to the mountains near Shiroish and visit Zao Fox Village, where you can roam with 100 wild foxes.
And how about the ultimate place for a stag do? Situated in the west central section of Honshu, the largest island of Japan, Mikyajima is home to more than 1,200 deer – believed to be sacred among the locals. You can go Bambi crazy.
However, if you are still feeling a bit wary, then dont worry. Japan is the home of cute, cuddly creatures. And chemical warfare! Oh, sorry, did I not mention that?
Well, last century, they tested chemical weapons on a load of poor imported bunnies. However, the rumour goes, some escaped and bred in bunny fashion on Ōkunoshima island.
However, this story eerily echoes Godzilla – just replace bunnies with a lizard. There is also a danger of being smothered by them, however. Maybe having a kitty overlord is kind of appealing, after all.
Expect to pay around £5,000 if you want to travel to all the islands.
Trip to the Antarctic – or Arctic Circle (££)
For those on a more limited budget, and who dont mind a touch of frostbite, you can follow where the great explorers once trekked – but, unlike Scott, you can be sure to have a safe return.
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Roam with polar bears in the harsh Arctic landscape if youre brave enough. Or set foot on the least-visited continent of Antarctica – and sail around ice-bergs.
Expeditions run from November, when there is more daylight. And at least youll be sure of a white Christmas.
Prices from £2,449 with STA travel.
Fancy being chased by Cujo – or zombies? (£)
Yes, this really is a travel experience for the more adventurous – or maybe just for a hen or stag do.
You can be chased by rabid dogs (in reality, dog lovers, a Latvian state police K9 unit), or undergo the Riga prison experience which both, if Im honest, dont sound a whole lot of fun.
But Zombie Boot Camp or Amsterdam car-smashing sound more interesting – though even the companys website promises that the boot camp will see you end up bruised and battered, terrified and exhausted.
This is only for those who fancy being chased by dozens of blood-covered raving lunatics in Birmingham (happened to me once, though they werent undead, and it was Solihull).
Prices are tailored to each party but Zombie Boot Camp is £102 per person.
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