Want to hike in the nude? Don’t go to Switzerland. It’s now a no no.

by Jamie Rhein on

In Switzerland shedding clothes and hitting the trail used to be fine and dandy. Nude hiking was allowed. Not any more. That fun has ended. In a move to protect children from seeing those body parts usually located in places where the sun doesn’t shine, the Swiss government has made a law, at least in the Appenzell Innerrhoden canton, that nude hiking isn’t allowed.

It sounds like this was a rush job, according to our pals over at Jaunted. From what I read, the Swiss rushed this law through before hiking season starts this year. Nude German hikers, in particular, have had a growing fondness for hiking in this pastoral region in nothing but a pair of good hiking boots. I can just picture the vote.

“Quick, quick, quick, the Germans are coming!” Germans have a history of nudism that dates way back when. There will be some pretty disappointed Germans with this year’s spring thaw, if they’re looking to go to Switzerland for unencumbered exercise.

There was a well known nudist who lived in Albuquerque when I lived there. He used to walk around town in skimpy shorts, slung low, or a Speedo bathing suit. The suit probably wasn’t his preference, but it kept him out of trouble. Maybe someone in Switzerland who wants to make some extra cash could set up a Speedo stand, or sell towels near hiking trails. Sarongs also work nicely in a pinch.

Taking Chessboxing to a whole new level – with a hotel

by Scott Carmichael on

It has been 4 years since Gadling devoted an article to the fine sport of Chessboxing.

Chessboxing is a hybrid sport combining chess and boxing (duh). The name describes exactly what the sport involves, but if you don’t have a very creative imagination, picture a boxing ring with a chess board. The game switches between playing chess and punching the crap out of each other.

The sport is apparently so popular, that the man behind it has opened a hotel in Berlin with the sole purpose of offering affordable living space for people who play the sport, or those that just want to be surrounded by art inspired by famous chess and boxing icons.

Located in an old East German building near the Potsdamer Platz, the hotel offers 3 different rooms for just 90€ a night. Beds are named after Muhammad Ali, Bobby Fischer, Mike Tyson, Miyamoto Musashi and Anantoly Karpov.

Source: Chessboxing rental apartment

Nazi megahotel to be converted into a youth hostel

by Scott Carmichael on

During the Second World War, the Nazi’s had many grand plans. One of their more ambitious was to build the world’s largest beach resort on the island of Rügen.

The Prora complex was not just big – it was absolutely absurdly big. So big in fact, that you can see the complex taking up the entire coastal region on this Google map link.

The main buildings are 2.7 miles long, and every single one of the almost 10,000 rooms faces the sea. The Nazi’s, and Hitler in particular wanted the resort to be where Germans would go for their well deserved beach holiday, and like many of his other plans, the place had to be “the most mighty one to ever have existed”.

The plans also included a festival hall large enough for 20,000 people, two wave pools, a theater and docks for arriving ships.

Portions of the complex were never completed, as Hitler moved troops away from the construction site to work on his V2 rocket program. After the war, the East German army used parts of the complex as a military outpost.

After the German reunification, the buildings were left completely vacant and started to rot away. For years, the complex stood empty, with only a small portion being used as an exhibit center.
Things are about to change, as the village council in Binz has voted to approve a plan to return portions of the complex into its original purpose – a tourist resort. Part of the plan also includes a youth hostel. Construction is scheduled to begin by the end of 2009. Of course, this still leaves large portions of the building vacant, but I’m sure someone will find a good use for it.

This isn’t even the only time a crazed dictator has attempted to build an insane hotel, just ask the poor people of North Korea who have to look at this unfinished monstrosity every day.

(Photo from Wikipedia)

More weird hotels:

Budget Travels’ top 10 budget destinations and a Gadling twist

by Jamie Rhein on

As you may have noticed, Gadling’s been busy this month with budget destinations. Each one we’ve found deal worthy from personal experience. Budget Travel magazine has picked top 10 budget destinations for 2009. The variety is such that anyone should be able to find a deal to his or her liking whether it’s a particular city you’re after, or a whole country. Instead of presenting them in a rated fashion, the magazine lists them according to what makes them list worthy.

Each of the suggestions offers details that range from what to do to where to stay and describes exactly each place was chosen to highlight.

Throughout the past few years, we’ve had personal experiences with these destinations ourselves. Here are the destinations with a Gadling blogger’s angle. Some bloggers are alumni and others are current.

Closer to Home

Tumbling Currencies

  • Budapest, Hungary–Erik’s first visit to Budapest was after college where he found the architecture and the women sublime.
  • Reykjavik, Iceland–The economy has helped make it a bargain. Although Brook Silva-Braga didn’t talk about Iceland’s economy in this post of his, he did give a close-up look at a pretty wild and fun camping experience.
  • Mexico– If you’re going to be driving in Mexico, Kelsey gave the tips on how to survive the experience. She and her husband drove the length of Mexico from north to south

Major Events and Anniversaries

  • Berlin–Iva headed to Berlin in June 2008 and offers her first impressions. The anniversary is the 20th year after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
  • Vancouver, B.C.–Ember Swift who spent some time at Gadling blogging about her travels in a band, spent time in Vancouver riding the SkyTrain. The upcoming Olympics have the city going through some additions that will add to the traveler’s experiences.

Before They Become Overrun

  • Cambodia–For a perfect way to see Cambodia, Erik suggests a boat trip from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, one of the most interesting trips he has had.
  • Panama–Kent’s version of Panama is from the unusual perspective of the cockpit. He was there during the riots in Panama City earlier in 2008.

Perhaps you’ve have your own ideas of budget destinations, and we have more on the way.

Berlin celebrates 20 years of wall’s collapse

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The Berlin Wall was pulled down 20 years ago, giving birth to a new industry: selling pieces of the Berlin Wall. Remember that? Well, all the pieces were probably bought long ago (well, except the “real” one that you picked up last week, of course), but there is still plenty you can do to celebrate. The list of cultural events is long and impressive, like the German translation of a short word in English. So, take a look at what Berlin has to offer.

Long Night of Museums lets you visit 100 museums will be open from 6 PM Saturday until 2 AM on Sunday every weekend from January 31 to August 29.

Take in the 59th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) from February 5 to February 15; more than 400 films will be screened, many of them European premieres.

At the Festival Days at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Wagner’s Lohengrin opera will be staged, and other classical music performances will be available from April 4 to April 12.

Enjoy even more of the cultural stuff at the Extended Opera and Theatre Night on April 25. Half-hour events are available from 7 PM to 10 AM on 60 stages, and buses take visitors from theater to theater.

Other events include:

  • Berlin’s Lesbian and Gay Street Festival, June 20-21, and Christopher Street Day, June 27
  • Fete de la Musique, June 21, free concerts on over 50 open-air stages throughout Berlin
  • Jewish Cultural Days, Aug 29-Sep 6
  • Classic Open Air Berlin, July 2-6; opera, classical music
  • Berlin International Beer Festival, Aug 7-9, when Karl-Marx-Allee turns into the world’s longest beer garden and bar, with 190 breweries offering beer along a mile-long stretch
  • Real Berlin Marathon, Sep 19-20, a 42-km run
  • Festival of Lights, Oct 13-25; fireworks, light shows
  • JazzFest Berlin, Nov 5-8, with big bands and international jazz stars

Noticeably absent from the agenda: David Hasselhoff.
[Via Toronto Sun]