5 weird travel experiences to have in 2016
From staying in a hotel run by robots to surfing the internet in a historic Moscow cemetery, these are the travel experiences you’ll be able to dine out on all year
1. Check into a robot hotel
Robots are a part of everyday life in Japan. You’ll find them in stores and restaurants, and now behind the reception desk in the world’s first hotel run by robots in Nagasaki.
Called the Henn-na Hotel, (which means ‘Strange Hotel’ in Japanese), you’ll be greeted by English-speaking dinosaur robots and have your bag taken to your room by a robotic bag-check and concierge service.
2. Petrify your own souvenir
Looking for a travel souvenir that is both unique and hard-wearing? Then you need to get yourself to Mother Shipton’s cave in Yorkshire.
Set in unspoilt corner of the Royal Forest of Knaresborough, the cave is home to a well that ‘petrifies’ objects placed in it. Initially thought to be caused by witchcraft, it is actually an entirely natural phenomenon caused by evaporation and water with an unusually high mineral content.
Visitors are encouraged to leave objects to be turned into stone. But be warned. It takes three to five months.
Grave of heroes of the Soviet Union, Novodevichy cemetery (Shutterstock.com)
3. Hook up to free wifi in a Moscow cemetery
Forget cafes and bars – in 2016 the coolest place to update your Facebook profile in Moscow will be the local cemetery.
The city’s local government has announced plans to offer free Wi-Fi in three of the city’s best-known cemeteries.
Authorities are hoping it will encourage visitors to research the famous Russians buried in Novodevichy, Troyekurovskoye, and Vagankovo cemeteries.
