BLOWUP HALL 5050- Poland

What do you get when you fuse a dash of inspiration drawn from the 1966 British-Italian cult art film Blowup with futuristic electronic designs crafted by famed Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, monumental photography from Holland and iridescent installations from Spain? Why…the most futuristic hotel in Poland (of course). Blow Up Hall 50 50- A combination of luxury, hi-tech, the finest design, and the top in personal artistic experimentation.

Let’s start with the sexy low-lit lobby. You won’t find any room keys here, or even a reception area. Instead, you’re given an iPhone which will guide you to your room and will open your door via electronic command. Open e-Sesame….or something like that.

Rooms here are sleek, one never knows exactly what you’re going to get until your handy gadget directs you but they’ve got all of your creature comforts in place, surrounded in hip décor. There’s plenty to do around the area, especially if you love to shop as it’s just minutes from one of the top shopping centers in the world, as well as the lively Old Market Square with a huge selection of bars and restaurants. Browsing not your thing? Then have a steam or a massage back at the hotel before heading down to the ultra-chic bar replete with galactic style designs and hypnotic lighting. 50% art, 50% complementary elements, and 100% intrigue.

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE- - Complimentary room upgrade*, bottle of sparkling wine in room upon arrival + late check out. Email info@theexplorateurportfolio.com for more info and as always, be sure & tell 'em The Explorateur sent you!

*subj to availability

TERELJ HOTEL- Mongolia

Head 70 km upcountry from Ulaanbataar and a most unexpected surprise awaits in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, one of the most unspoilt, untouched places in the world where rare birds fly, glacial lakes sparkle, mountains beckon to be climbed, edelweiss sprawls across the hills, and hospitable nomadic tribes roam. This lavish oasis otherwise known as Terelj Hotel is a world unto itself, a veritable portal into Mongolian culture, history and pure adventure.

Terelj is tremendous in its beauty, and stunning array of offerings, and everything you might not expect in this corner of the world. Rooms were created as tranquil oases, rich with local artwork, exquisite linens, environmentally-friendly amenities and hi-tech gadgets galore. Bliss awaits in many forms at the property’s Terejlmaa Spa, a space entirely devoted to earthly indulgence, where you’ll find a vast menu of enriching body treats designed to restore your glow (and who couldn’t use something like that these days…) before you feast on the splendid array of dishes at four different restaurants.

They’ve thought of everything, from a creative Children’s Club to a Gentleman’s Club, where a game of cards and a Cuban cigar can be enjoyed, a museum filled with Mongolian antiques and souvenirs down to a Karaoke Room where you’re likely to hear jovial guests belting tunes in Mongolian, English, Russian or Japanese. Sporting from basketball to ice skating, cycling to camelback rides, this Small Luxury Hotel member has it all. And, what they haven’t added, nature takes care of in the surrounding areas where guests can visit the natural springs, scout wildlife, gaze in wonder at stunning natural rock formations, spelunk in the 100 Monks Cave, or explore a Buddhist meditation temple. A most amazing, unexpected jewel. www.tereljhotel.com

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE- Complimentary room upgrade upon check-in, plus complimentary detailed Explorateur Concierge Mongolia Guide to help you prepare for your journey. Click HERE for more info and as always, be sure & tell ‘em The Explorateur sent you!

IT'S IN THE TOILET- LITERALLY

They say sometimes that jokes just don’t translate from one language to another, but bathroom humor is pretty much universally funny and never more so than the Toilet Restaurant. Born of a daydream had by a man on the throne reading manga, this Taiwa eatery which began as an ice cream shop has expanded to a full-scale restaurant with multiple locations. Meet The Modern Toilet.

Just about everything here was designed with #2 in mind…from the lights to the plates, and as you might have guessed, your meals are served up in a ceramic toilet dish for what they say is to “deliver a shock and confusion to the senses”. We should mention you’ll also be sitting on a throne while dining- keep the lid down!. Be forewarned, things like “green dysentery” on the menu really mean “kiwi yogurt” (we promise) but some of the curries may not look that appetizing in the bowl. http://www.moderntoilet.com.tw/en/store.asp

Doesn’t quite sound like your thing? Or maybe you can’t get enough? Then try Das Klo (aka the toilet) while in Berlin, which is an all-out hammer-falling, water-spraying, gust of air-shooting, skeleton hanging bizarre world where wine is served in blood transfusion packets, seats are choice of coffin or toilet, sausages are served in mini-toilet dishes, and as you may have already guessed, beer is served in urine specimen bottles. The website narration is hilarious… http://www.berlin-klo.de/

NB to the squeamish…don’t order the chocolate frozen yogurt. #justsayin

WOULD YOU GO THROUGH SOMEONE ELSE'S LUGGAGE?
We've all been there...standing at the base of a baggage belt that's spewed the last of it's contents before the belt stops with a thud and the screen changes. "NO! PLEASE! THIS ISN'T HAPPENING! I HAVE NO TIME FOR THIS! THIS AIRLINE S(**^$S!" might be the kinder things that flow out of your mouth while inside you're raging inside and prepping for the fight of your life at a counter where you're likely to receive nothing more than a standard form to fill out and absolutely zero sympathy. OK- stats say that 95% of these bags find their way back. But, what about those that don't? Well, many of them wind up at the Unclaimed Baggage Center.

Yes- this place exists. It's a veritable luggage graveyard in Alabama that's under contract with airlines around the world, for the right to purchase luggage that otherwise goes unclaimed. Then, they open it, sort it and sell it. Treasures to find? Or is it just plain bad karma?

We want to know what you think. Would you buy something from the Unclaimed Baggage Center Store?

Shout out your opinion on Facebook or Tweet us & use hashtag #explodeal

Looking forward to your responses!

The price to air a Super Bowl ad ($3.5M) would pay for 140,000 people to get @water for life

Sometimes, it takes a staggering fact like that to sit back and say WHOA....what are we doing here? What could I do with dollars and change? It's that initial lightnening bolt of a feeling that strikes us and causes us to make a change. I remember my moment well, years ago when I held an orphan infant in my arms, and saw the plight of homeless and ill children in South Africa. Since then, I've been deeply immersed in several related charity projects ever since and not a day goes by where there isn't something I try to do to raise awareness. A tweet, a Facebook post, a mention to a friend and sooner or later something sticks.

To our loyal readers, we request you just read that first sentence again and think about what it is in the world that YOU can do to help someone somewhere. Sure, getting involved with our causes (just ask for info, we're happy to send!), or such an amazing organization as WATER.ORG is fab, but it really all comes down to what inspires you. It's got to strike you in order to motivate you, so whatever it is, we encourage you to just do it.

We'll all be watching the Superbowl this weekend (GO GIANTS! sorry guys...it just came out) and we'll all be enjoying it and making merry as we should. But, maybe take half a second when you're watching that commercial and think about how differently that money could have spent, and look around at what you might be able to help with. It just takes one person, one cause, one initial dollar, one idea.

Thanks as always for listening.....

HOTEL ARCTIC- GREENLAND

You've got to really want to get there, but once you arrive at Hotel Arctic, you understand why you made the hefty journey to what is literally the world's most northern 4-star hotel. Talk about a sense of arrival, the surrounding views stun you almost immediately when you realize you're on the edge of the Ilulissat Ice Fjord, a complex phenomenon full of constantly changing shapes, colors and sounds.

Head to reception, past the display of thick coats made of skins and it's game time: take the room, or the IGLOO? Sure, there are rooms here, but why the heck do that when you can stay in an igloo on the edge of the fjord? There are 5 to choose from, set so close to the edge it could make your knees week. Solid as a rock with aluminum frames, they're surprising modern and filled with creature comforts just like any other room.

But the view? We're talking majestic cliffs, drifting floes and a bay with waters that are completely at peace. Just like you'll be.

Greenland cuisine takes some getting used to if you're not a hearty fish or meat eater but they've got a decent selection of fresh specialties and a curious collection of wines around the world at their Ice Rock Bar.

All roads lead first to Copenhagen when you're heading through, from there, Air Greenland has several flights per week to Kangerlussuag where you'll need to hop another 45 minute regional flight t Ilulissat for your 5 minute transfer.Alternatively, if you find yourself in Reykjavik, Air Iceland flies to Ilulissat directly. Hey, getting there is half the fun anyway, right? www.hotelarctic.com

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE-Special winter warmer gift pack pre-departure to prep you for the brisk temps! Click HERE for more info and as always, be sure & tell 'em The Explorateur sent you!