Skip to main content

Latest by Mike Richard

most beautiful cemeteries in the world overlooking cemetery at okunoin

The World’s Most Beautiful Cemeteries Worth Traveling to See (Seriously)

Some cemeteries are so downright fascinating that visitors flock to them by the hundreds of thousands each year. It’s not surprising since it’s a lot more fun to visit a cemetery when you’re actually, you know, alive. With that in mind, here are the world’s best cemeteries worth traveling to see.
Shimao Wonderland

China’s Shimao Wonderland is a World-first Luxury Hotel Built in a Water-Filled Quarry

China is intent on giving Dubai a run for its money on out-of-this-world construction projects. When they announced a luxury hotel built inside an abandoned, water-filled quarry, we filed it away as an insane concept. Now they’re building it, and it looks just as amazing as the original concept.
off the grid travel tour company hike peru

Off The Grid’s Sold-Out Tours Promise a Smartphone-Free Vacation

The easier that technology companies make it for us to stay connected to the web, the more we crave ways to disconnect. Off The Grid recently launched with a simple mission: to provide “phone-free experiences with inspiring people.” The company facilitates group travel tours around the world.
best all inclusive resorts kalon surf dining

5 Amazing All-inclusive Resorts for Anyone Who Hates All-Inclusive Resorts

If you’re a frequent reader of The Manual, all-inclusive resorts probably aren’t your thing. However, these five amazing, destination-worthy retreats in places like South Africa, Chile, and Arizona will challenge your notion of a typical all-inclusive vacation.
v2 jets grand prix charter 044 falcon7x 2015usb49 hd

V2 Jets Will Fly You to Every Major Grand Prix Race This Summer (For a Price)

If you have the disposable income, V2 Jets, an ultra-luxury charter jet service, will fly you to the most significant racing events this summer in the most exclusive racing-inspired travel package on the planet.
audi on demand delivery

Audi on Demand Luxury Car Rental Service Comes to the U.S.

With ride-share services launching around the world, car ownership is shaping up to be a thing of the past. The Audi on demand luxury car share service just launched stateside, and it promises to literally bring the brand’s lineup of luxury vehicles directly to consumers.
man sleeping bed pillow

Better Sleep Through Technology: Wyndham’s ‘Stay Well’ Experience Packs All the Comforts of Home

Sleep science is about as exciting as it sounds, but travelers who suffer from jet lag and other post-travel issues can benefit from innovations. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts recognizes this, which is why the brand is doubling down on creating the perfect sleep space.
slow cabins 1

How to Disconnect From the World at a Secret Cabin in the Woods

We’re drowning in technology, so it’s hardly surprising that we’re looking to escape — to digitally detox — to anywhere without Wi-Fi, Facebook, and the 24-hour news cycle. Enter “secret cabin” vacations. U.S.-based Getaway House and Slow Cabins in Belgium are prime examples of this new trend.
airbnb experience puerto rico

Airbnb Launches Experiences in Puerto Rico, Donates All Proceeds to Recovery Efforts

It’s no secret that Puerto Rico has been in a bad way since the 2017 hurricane season left much of the island without power, water, and food. Now, Airbnb is helping out with the local launch of Airbnb Experiences and a commitment to donate 100 percent of the program’s proceeds to rebuilding efforts.
worlds longest cruise

Circle the Globe on the World’s Longest Cruise: 245 Days, 6 Continents, and 59 Countries

It’s no secret that Americans don't get enough annual vacation time. If the typical two weeks of paid leave just isn't enough for you, Viking Ocean Cruises has the remedy. The famous luxury cruise line just announced the world’s most epic, continuous, around-the-world cruise, and we desperately want in.
Stock-Channel-Island-National-Park-2

Far Off the Beaten Path: 3 Most Remote National Parks in the United States

Big-name destinations like Grand Canyon and Yosemite may be the most popular, but the the most remote national parks in the United States are lesscrowded and just as awe-inspiring.
selina accomodations costa rica

You Can Live, Work, and Travel (Almost) Anywhere in the World With Selina

At its core, Selina is part Airbnb and part WeWork with a healthy dose of Viator sprinkled on top. The company offers a live/work/play model that provides not only accommodations, but purpose-built coworking spaces and connections with local tour operators and other service providers.
truck surf hotel

Truck Surf Hotel is a Go-Anywhere Mobile Adventure Pad

They say real estate is all about location. That adage applies doubly when you’re on vacation. We can’t all afford waterfront hotel stays at the best nature spots in the world. Truck Surf Hotel solves that problem by bringing outdoor-loving guests directly to those destinations.
my best life contest

This Hard Seltzer Company Wants to Pay You $60,000 to Travel the U.S.

We can all agree that hard work is for suckers. The dream is finding a proper brand ambassadorship that can sustain your travel dreams indefinitely (or until your stipend runs out). White Claw Hard Seltzer wants to pay you to do just that for six whole month in its My Best Life Contest.
airplane flight switzerland

How to Score the Best Flight Deals to Europe This Summer

Finding bargain airfare during the summer travel season is difficult. Booking cheap flights to Europe, in particular, can feel impossible. Here are five tips for scoring the best flight deals to Europe this summer 2018.
tiny house hotel florida siesta key dragonfly exterior

Florida’s Tiny House Hotel Lets You Try Living Small Before You Buy

Tiny houses have fast become the next big thing, but it’s a unique lifestyle that’s not right for everyone. If you’re not convinced, one Florida destination is letting people try before they buy. Located along the Gulf Coast, Tiny House Siesta is one of a handful of tiny house hotels in the country.
ifonly helicopter

IfOnly’s Travel Experiences Read Like a Bucket List of Awesomeness

IfOnly.com offers a broad range of unique travel experiences that we’ll officially file under “Cool Guy Sh*t.” The Outdoors section reads like a teenage boy’s diary of all the impossibly awesome things they plan to do someday.
pollution pods michael pinksy somerset house london

‘Pollution Pods’ Let You Choke on the Air of the World’s Most Polluted Cities

The most obvious signs we're slowly killing our planet are in the congestion, pollution, and abysmal air quality of some of the world’s greatest cities. British artist Michael Pinksy sought to demonstrate just how bad things have become in his exhibit "Pollution Pods."
MVRDV SeaSaw 1

This Stunning Dutch Art Installation Will Gently Rock Visitors Like a Seesaw

The architects of northern Europe never sleep. In the last few months, they’ve unveiled some truly stunning designs including the world's most beautiful bathroom. Not to be outdone, Dutch architects have debuted a one-of-a-kind viewing platform that literally rocks back and forth as visitors walk on it.
Roam-Luggage-Red

This New Line of Customizable Luggage Offers Over 1 Million Color Combinations

We love Tumi's iconic luggage, but you pay handsomely for the privilege of owning it. Several of the company’s top brass have gone rogue to launch their own affordable suitcase brand. The result is ROAM, the most customizable luggage on the market.
dog walking

TrustedHousesitters Is Like Free Airbnb for Pet-Lovers

Do you love pets, travel, and not paying for hotel rooms? TrustedHousesitters is an Airbnb-style site that connects adventurous animal-lovers in search of free accommodations with home- and pet-owners looking for a free and reliable house-sitting service.
sleep with the fishes at worlds first two story underwater hotel suite conrad rangali undersea king guest 2 hr

Sleep With the Fishes at the World’s First Two-Story Underwater Hotel Suite

We’re witnessing a whole new era of hotel awesomeness and Conrad Hotels is leading the charge. The luxury hotel brand has just announced what is believed to be the world’s first underwater bungalow at Conrad Maldives. The MURAKA hotel suite looks every bit as amazing as it sounds.
2001 Space Odyssey Barmecide Feast Smithsonian

Step Inside the Most Iconic Scene of ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’

"2001: A Space Odyssey" is among the most iconic movies ever. The Stanley Kubrick and masterpiece was decades ahead of its time. Now, thanks to the Smithsonian Museum, we can appreciate the film in a whole new way: by stepping inside "The Barmecide Feast," an interactive exhibit by Simon Birch.
best layover cities reykjavik

Get Paid $10,000 to Move to Iceland and Travel the World This Summer

What if someone offered to pay you handsomely to move to Reykjavik for the summer, travel the world, and write about it? That’s precisely what Iceland-based WOW air is planning with the latest Travel Guide competition.
Airport air travel couple suitcase

What You Should Know When Your Flight is Overbooked

The key to “surviving” an overbooked flight is to be prepared so you can use it to your advantage like an air travel pro. These tips will help you navigate the stress and pitfalls of frustrating airport situations like these.
hollow hotel escape room haunted house lobby

London’s New Hollow Hotel Is Part Escape Room, Part Real-life Murder Castle

Not content with the idea of escaping a single room, one interactive theater group is taking the concept to a whole new level — one inspired by a real-life house of horrors. The recently opened Hollow Hotel in London is an escape room on steroid.
best privacy apps tools man computer laptop phone

4 Privacy Apps and Tools to Help You ‘Ghost’ Like Jason Bourne

Under the crush of technology, we’ve all fantasized about dropping off-grid. Now, more than ever, we’re struggling to regain our privacy. If you’ve ever daydreamed about disappearing forever, here are four tools to help you go anonymous and vanish without a trace -- to “ghost” like Jason Bourne.
007 elements james bond museum soelden 2

This New James Bond Museum in Austria Looks Fit for a Villain

The aptly named 007 Elements is part James Bond museum, part interactive installation. The location — 10,000 feet above sea level atop Austria's Gaislachkogl Mountain — is dramatic enough, and the building that will house the exhibit is just as stunning.
british adventurer donates frostbitten toes to infamous canadian hotel bar sourtoe cocktail preparation from yukon flickr

British Adventurer Donates Frostbitten Toes to Infamous Canadian Hotel Bar

The Downtown Hotel in Dawson City is best known for their Sourtoe Cocktail. It’s an uncomplicated affair: a heavy pour of booze (typically whiskey or tequila) with a mummified human toe floating in it. And Nick Griffiths just added a couple of more digits to the drink lineup.
finn lough bubble domes 2

Bubble Domes Are the Only Way to Camp in Ireland

The Bubble Domes at Finn Lough Resort offer some of Northern Ireland’s most unique accommodations, far from the maddening crowds of tourist hot sports like Belfast.
iceland vacation

Hide Away in these 4 Awesome Iceland Vacation Cottages

Iceland has fast become the go-to destination for Americans seeking out-of-this-world experiences on a budget. Here are the country's most amazing, rural vacation cottages.
Dynamiq GTT 165 Foiling Superyacht 1

The Dynamiq GTT 165 Foiling Superyacht Is the Toy Boat You Deserve

There are boats, and there are yachts — and then there are superyachts. The Dynamiq GTT 165 Foiling Superyacht is a 165-foot pleasure craft for the 1 percent of 1 percenters.
Ureddplassen toilet 7

Norway Lifts the Lid on the World’s Most Beautiful Public Toilet

Scandinavians cornered the market on beautiful, Minimalist design. In the last year alone, Iceland debuted the “5-million-star” Aurora Bubble Lodge and Denmark launched the charming “Parkipelago” project. Now, Norway has put their design savvy to the test with the world’s most beautiful ... bathroom.
jet capsule on water

Don’t Call It a Dinghy: Jet Capsule is a Luxurious ‘Compact Yacht’ for the Rich

The Jet Capsule Compact Yacht is designed for the sort of well-heeled hotshot who just won’t stand for owning anything called a “dinghy.” For those times when you need to roll up to the marina in a Star Trek-worthy vessel, this one-of-a-kind boat has you covered.
orion span aurora station

The World’s First Space Hotel Is Officially Taking Reservations

Orion Span is officially accepting reservations for Aurora Station, a private space station and the world’s first space hotel. The future is indeed now, folks.
detroit siren hotel wurlitzer bulding the

Detroit’s Abandoned Wurlitzer Building Is Reborn as The Siren Hotel

Detroit may be down, but she’s not out. In April 2018, the historical Wurlitzer Building — an abandoned architectural masterpiece that many believed would never reopen — is finding new life as a The Siren Hotel by ASH NYC.
hotel bed beach view

This Free Service Stalks Your Hotel Reservations and Alerts You If the Rates Drop

Pruvo rethinking budget travel booking by going to work after you’ve already made your hotel reservation. This free service will let you know if you can save money once you've booked your stay.
feather star coral great barrier reef australia

A Giant, Floating ‘Sun Shield’ May Be Our Only Hope to Save the Great Barrier Reef

Pioneering research and development at the University of Melbourne and the Australian Institute of Marine Science concluded that a massive "sun shield" could help cut coral bleaching on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
Copenhagen floating island

This ‘Parkipelago’ Is a Beautiful, Artificial Island Chain in the Copenhagen Harbour

Architects announced plans to build a sleek, modern, wooden “archipelago” in the middle of the Denmark capital's industrialized harbor called Copenhagen Islands.
ken burns american journeys tauck tours speaking

Here’s How You Can Travel America Like You’re in a Ken Burns Documentary

Few documentarians have been as essential to modern American storytelling as Ken Burns. The filmmaker has teamed up with Tauck Tours to craft numerous bucket list-worthy experiences and exclusive itineraries across the United States.
Radinn G2X Jetboard surf

This Jetboard Offers Next-Generation Electric Surfing Without Waves

We’re living in a golden age of personal watercraft with access to everything from hydro jetpacks to “flying” Jet Skis. Now, thanks to one Swedish brand, even surfing has gone high-tech making the sport possible without waves.
sweets hotel exterior wiegbrug

Amsterdam Transforms Abandoned Bridge Houses Into One-of-a-kind Hotel Rooms

Amsterdam is well-known for its charming waterways, and perhaps even more so for its quirky, progressive design style. When the city’s manned bridge houses were decommissioned, they were repurposed in the most Dutch way possible: the one-of-a-kind boutique Sweets Hotel.
best rooftop bars around the world mama la 011

That High Life, Though: The Coolest Rooftop Bars Around the World

Spring means finally getting outdoors. The only thing better than getting outdoors is drinking outdoors — both of which are made better still with the help of a great view. So, let’s check out five of the world’s best rooftop bars.
dog pet flying airplane

Digi-Pet Is a High-Tech Baby Monitor for Your High-Flying Pets

These days, airlines are going out of their way to make sure no one likes them. There may be no help for keeping you safe and sane. But, thanks to one company, at least your furry companions now have a fighting chance in the air.
himalaya helicopter expedition heli at tilicho

Explore 8 of the World’s Highest Peaks on this Himalayan Helicopter Tour

Impossibly remote destinations once unattainable are now within reach to those with enough money and will. One company is offering a bucket-list-worthy helicopter tour of some of the world’s most stunning mountains.
Superfly GT 42 boat aerial

This ‘Superboat’ Boasts 1,881 Horsepower and You Absolutely Need It

Choosing a car typically means sacrificing performance for luxury amenities or vice versa. Boats aren’t much different — usually. Scandinavian boatmaker Flying Flipper is thumbing its nose at conventional marine design with their high-performance Superfly GT 42.
vipp shelter hotel sweden exterior 9 0 2

Vipp Shelter Hotel Is a ‘Human Charging Station’ in the Remote Swedish Wilderness

For all the time we spend insulating ourselves with the trappings of modern, digital life, it seems that we’re also looking to escape those same “conveniences.” One Danish company is rethinking the idea of a proper digital detox by updating the traditional cabin-on-the-lake getaway.
best dog tours

Celebrate the ‘Year of the Dog’ with the World’s Best Wild Canine-Spotting Tours

If you’ve been searching for the perfect, bucket-list-worthy way to celebrate the Year of the Dog — and we know you have — you’re in luck. These four once-in-a-lifetime journeys will take you on the hunt (no, not literally) for the world’s most elusive and majestic canines.
Freefly Movi Smartphone Gimbal feature

Must-Have Gadgets for Shooting Travel Videos on Your Phone Like a Pro

We’re fast-approaching a world where smartphones will replace every mobile gadget in your luggage, up to and including a studio-quality video camera. While we’re not quite there yet, these five accessories are among the best for upping your travel video game.
GM Maven

GM’s Maven Car-Sharing Service Wants to Become ‘Airbnb for Your Car’

Why buy a car, a house, a lawnmower, or a dog when you can pay to use someone else’s? GM is planning to double down on the brand's Maven wheels-on-demand app by allowing peer-to-peer rentals.