Nestled in the great Gobi Desert of Mongolia is a very unique Bed and Breakfast indeed. Three Camel Lodge provides an unparalleled experience for any traveler wanting to know what nomadic existence is really like without having to survive the rigors of the desert alone, or without board games.

Of course, its location alone means that Three Camel Lodge is not a Bed and Breakfast for the faint of heart, nor for those who simply want hot tea and toast triangles prepared by a rosy cheeked hostess. This isn’t accommodation handy to your Aunt Ida’s house.  This is accommodation for travelers who wish to touch the essence of mankind amongst landscapes which date back over 47 million years.

Lodging at the Three Camel Lodge consists of brightly colored tents known as Gers, furnished with hand carved and intricately painted furniture. Though the accommodations are undoubtedly sparse, they are amongst the most unique on in the world, and care has been taken to make them both welcoming and comfortable. Western travelers will feel especially at home in the toileting department, with all amenities modeled after Western style facilities.

The Gers themselves are constructed from felt fabric stretched across a latticed wood framework. Their light, but strong construction allows them to be disassembled and carried away relatively quickly. Gers boast a circular design which culminates in a round window at the top of the structure.  This design ensures that a Ger is cool during the summer months, and in winter, a wood stove can be placed in the center of the Ger to heat the whole space.

But just because you’re in the middle of the Gobi desert living in traditional Mongolian style, don’t think you’ll be cut off from all technology. Three Camel Lodge boasts a conference center complete with TV and VCR facilities, 24 electricity generated from solar panels located on the roofs of the Gers, and even a gift shop.

And what is there to do amongst the rocks, sand and snakes of Monglia? During your stay in the Gobi, you will be able to ride camels, go on guided treks through the desert,  inspect ancient petrogryphs inscribed on outcrops of rocks near the lodge, and observe the day to day lives of real Mongolian nomads. Those lucky and persistent enough may even be able to participate in locating and unearthing dinosaur fossils which have been found throughout the region.

Once a great conqueror of the known world, today Mongolia is a largely unknown and misunderstood Eastern treasure. The opportunity to stay in style and comfort in one of the world’s largest and deadliest deserts represents the makings of a trip of a life time. Maybe it is time you discovered your inner adventurer?

http://www.threecamellodge.com

One of the more common complaints of the modern world is that it is so hard to find peace and quiet. We’re constantly surrounded by noise and din. Loud music, traffic, the eternal buzz of the electronic equipment we just can’t seem to get away from, it all contributes to the sense of being overwhelmed by noise.

Desperate for some peace, many people try and find quiet places to go on holiday. They might rent a batch on a remote windswept beach, they might tramp miles into the forest and huddle under a tent, they might buy some good quality ear plugs. But even if they do manage to get away from it all, even the most extreme attempts to find a quiet spot in the world are often in vain because of the habit of humans to natter on all day and all night about whatever pops into their heads.

Sometimes it might seem like peace and quiet are out of reach, however there is a way to have a truly silent holiday, go somewhere where even speaking is forbidden, a monastery!

One such monastery, Mepkin Abbey, located in South Carolina, is home to Trappist monks who have taken a vow of silence. Each day, the monks rise at 3.00 am, and observe the Grand Silence until 8.30 am. Bed time comes quickly after a hard day of manual labor at 7.30 pm, when the Grand Silence begins once more.

Mepkin Abbey welcomes those seeking a quiet spiritual retreat, though there are a few conditions. All guests must partake in the same vegetarian fare as the monks, and all guests must also observe the same periods of silence. Married couples are welcome, as are single men and women.

Retreatants, as the monastery calls them may make payment for their accommodations by donation. Longer stays of up to thirty days are possible if you happen to be male. Becoming a long term guest means undertaking the physical labors of the monks and observing all spiritual rituals associated with the monastery, though there are no costs associated with this type of stay as the retreatant’s work is considered to be payment enough.

http://www.mepkinabbey.org

If you happen not to live or be holidaying in the vicinity of South Carolina (don’t feel bad if that’s you, the majority of the world’s population isn’t,) it doesn’t mean you can’t experience the quiet joy associated with speech being forbidden. Many religious institutions of various denominations and traditions welcome guests on a retreat basis. Local monasteries, convents, and yes, even Buddhist temples are all good places to start your inquiries.