10 Travel Adventures For The Oddball Traveler

PHOTO: The Paris Sewer Museum is just one of the unusual destinations that make for the funnest vacations. (courtesy Paris Sewer Museum)

Some of us are, well, different.

We do things commonly described as weird and we don't like common descriptions.

When everyone flocks to the top tourist attractions throughout the world, we look for pogo stick competitions or places that accept obnoxiously bright clothes. 

For those who haven't embraced this side of yourself, you have been selling yourself short.

Why?

Because there are plenty of unique destinations in this world to discover that will make you feel right at home.

Here are 10 destinations for the oddballs on this diverse planet.

Paris Sewer Museum

Some kids like Disneyland. But when little Billy screeches that he wants to go to the Paris Sewer Museum, you need to stop living in denial and call him the oddball that he is.

In 1805, a man by the name of Pierre Bruneseau decided to discover Paris' sewer system. He found dungeons, jewels and even the remains of an escaped orangutan. He was consequently dubbed "the Christopher Columbus of the cesspool." Now, the Paris Sewer Museum honors these sewers.

Best of all, none of this is fictional.

During the one-hour tour, you learn about the evolution of Paris, its drinking water, its remediation techniques, its ecological balance … and all the smells that come with it.

Human Tower Competition (Tarragona, Spain)

This is exactly what it sounds like: a competition based on building human towers.

This wild event—dubbed the "castells" competition—draws thousands of people every year to Tarragona, where teams of hundreds join forces to be part of a human tower from six to ten levels high.

The top castells clubs and associations can be found competing at Tarraco Arena Plaza.

The competition is held in October of even years (because, naturally, it is so grand that doing it every year would just be too crazy).

The Peabody Memphis

Are you a fan of ducks?

Well, you're in luck.

Every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., ducks march to and from the lobby at the Peabody hotel in Memphis … on a red carpet.

Where do the North American mallards go once they're done?

Why, back to Royal Duck Palace on the hotel's rooftop, of course. Naturally.

The Peabody Ducks have received a wealth of attention since first marching in 1933. They have been highlighted by "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson," "Sesame Street" and "The Oprah Winfrey Show." They have also appeared in People magazine and the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves (New Zealand)

The glow worm—or Arachnocampa luminosa—is native to North Island, New Zealand. It uses its luminescent glow to attract unsuspecting prey like midges into its snare lines.

By taking a boat ride through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, you get a chance to view these unique oddities up close. Who needs glow-in-the-dark stars for the ceiling when you have this?

Waitomo Glowworm Caves is currently offering special deals for those who are fascinated by the rare and peculiar species on this planet.

Dog Bark Park Inn (Idaho)

The Dog Bark Park Inn—located in Cottonwood, Idaho—is a bed and breakfast built in the shape of a giant beagle.

The two-story hotel—founded by artists Dennis Sullivan and Frances Conklin in 2003—has received a wealth of publicity since it first opened its doors. It sleeps four, with two queen beds and two twin foldout futons. It is also relatively cheap at $92 for single occupancy and $98 for double occupancy.

And, of course, pets are allowed for an additional fee with prior approval.

Dennis and Frances also have a gift shop where you can purchase their other miniature creations.

Jumbo Stay (Sweden)

For a truly unique perspective, how about sleeping in the cockpit of a jumbo jet?

Oscar Dios, owner of Jumbo Stay, saw a business opportunity in this decommissioned Boeing 747 model after Swedish airline Transjet went bankrupt in 2002. By the summer of 2008, he had acquired a permit to turn it into a hostel at the entrance of Stockholm Arlanda airport.

The rest is history.

Jumbo Stay features dormitory rooms, as well as private suites complete with bathrooms and showers, flatscreen TVs, free WiFi and comfy beds.

If you are looking for a traditional 5-star hotel, this probably won't be your cup of tea. Then again, you're different, aren't you?

Boll Weevil Monument (Alabama)

No, that statue isn't holding a trophy high above its head in triumph.

That statue is holding a boll weevil.

Yes, a boll weevil.

The Boll Weevil Monument—located in Enterprise, Alabama—was built as a tribute to the cotton-destroying pest in 1919.

Why?

Because when farmers discovered cotton wasn't a practical method anymore back in the day, they diversified, which consequently led to a boom in the industry. Such crops as peanuts sprouted from the boll weevil's destruction.

Funny how things happen sometimes.

The original statue was vandalized, which naturally led to The Daily Show creating a segment called "See No Weevil." However, a replica can be found at the Depot Museum.

Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Hot Springs Amusement Park & Spa Resort (Japan)

OK, this is truly bizarre.

For those of you who are not amused by the run-of-the-mill jacuzzi, how about relaxing and/or partying in a spa filled with red wine, sake, green tea or coffee?

Yes, this really exists at Hakone Kowakien Yunessun in Japan.

It's not all about being different, though. The 25-plus water attractions can also do wonders for your body. Sake and coffee is said to be good for the beauty of your skin, red wine supposedly can rejuvenate your skin and green tea carries powerful antioxidants.

There are also normal spas for the normal people.

Mexico (Las Pozas, Island of the Dolls)

Mexico gets its own section for having a couple of noteworthy destinations.

First, there's Las Pozas near Xilitla, an impressive sculpture garden worked on by artist and poet Edward James for decades.

The property spans for 20 acres and included 36 surreal sculptures by the time James died in 1984. All you have to do is check out some of the names of the sculptures to get an idea of what you're in for: the Staircase to Heaven, the House with a Roof like a Whale and—my favorite—the House on Three Floors Which Will in Fact Have Five or Four or Six.

If you are looking for something odd with a touch of creepy, look no further than the Island of the Dolls.

In the canals of Xochimico, therein lies the Island of the Dolls.

Supposedly, a man by the name of Don Julian Santana found the body of a drowned child about 50 years ago. He began hanging dolls that he found on trees to appease the little girl's spirit.

The result is the perfect location for a horror movie. As for me, I'll be having nightmares tonight.

Washington (Seattle Gum Wall, Fremont Troll, Garbage-Eating Goat Statue)

Last but not least, we have the state of Washington.

It starts with Seattle, which has been known to be unique from time to time.

In Seattle, there's the Seattle Gum Wall and the Fremont Troll.

The Seattle Gum Wall is what you think it is: a wall with a bunch of gum on it. It reaches 15 feet high, spans 50 feet long and has sections that are several inches thick. Well, at least you won't be finding gum under a table anytime soon in Seattle...

The Fremont Troll started when the Fremont Arts Council wanted to do something "more imaginative" with the space underneath the Aurora Bridge in 1989. Their imaginations came up with a giant statue of a troll that is clutching a Volkswagen Beetle as if he's going to eat it. Good imaginations.

There's also the Garbage Eating Goat sculpture in Spokane at Riverfront Park, which will literally eat small pieces of trash using a vacuum system. You have to give it to Spokane; this makes throwing away trash incredibly fun.

Did I miss anything? Hit me up at rrudnansky@travalliance.com. 

Follow me on Twitter @RyanRudnansky.