When planning a trip, sometimes a cookie-cutter hotel just won't do it. Vacation rentals can help give you a more private and out of the ordinary experience, especially when you choose an architecturally innovative property.

From luxury tree houses that sit 60 feet above the ground to suspended spheres that look like birds' nests, these unusual properties will help you experience your destination in a new way. They aren't just quirky, but take into account design, surroundings and the culture of the area to create a space that's creative and original.

For a more visual idea of some of the world's most architecturally innovative vacation rentals, check out the gallery below.

Gallery: Architecturally Innovative Vacation Rentals

[Images above via Flipkey. Gallery images via Flipkey, Vacation Rentals, Holiday Rent Club, OSA Architect, Owner Direct, HomeAway]

Ouch! When base jumper Richard Henriksen decided to add a gymnastics element to his daring stunt, he expected everything to go smoothly. Unfortunately, Henriksen did not foresee the high bar he was performing his routine on to completely collapse, propelling him head first over a cliff.

According to news.com.au, the father of five was performing the stunt for a television program on the NRK network in Norway when the terrifying incident occurred. In the video, you can see Henriksen make one complete flip around the high bar, the crowd cheers and then everything falls apart.

Luckily, the daredevil survived the 3,937-foot fall. Narrowly missing contact with the rock face of the cliff, Henriksen managed to open his parachute on the way down.

We're just glad he's okay.

Holland's most recent campaign, "Faces of Holland," allows travelers to get to know the iconic facets of the region. Here are the six "faces," and how you can meet them for yourself.

Bicycles

Biking and Holland are almost synonymous. In fact, out of Holland's 16 million inhabitants, 18 million own bicycles, which means there are more bikes than people. With a flat landscape and over 18,000 cycling paths, there are many opportunities to enjoy the active pursuit.

Renting Bicycles

Biking in Holland is safe and there are many marked routes, even in busy cities. In Amsterdam, a majority of bikes are old-fashioned, one-speed cycles with a back-pedal brake. You can get a biking map from the tourist office, which also gives information on safety, routes, repair shops and restricted areas. Major rental shops include Bike City, which use traditional bikes to disguise you as a local, Mike's Bike Tours, which offers daily tours and rentals, and Damstraat Rent-a-Bike, one of the cheapest options.

While many travelers enjoy using TripAdvisor to browse reviews of hotels and excursions, employees of tourism organizations have reason to fear the popular website and its unverified critiques. In fact, Fred Keeler, a former bartender at the Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia Northeast hotel for almost 14 years, was fired after being the target of a TripAdvisor review.

"I've never heard of anyone being targeted specifically and actually being fired over a TripAdvisor review," Fred Keeler told NBC News. "I want to prevent this from happening to anyone in the future."

The post, written by user "Angelo G" and titled "Bad, Bad, Bad... Did I Say Bad!" gave the Sheraton a rating of 1 out of 5 and complained about everything from a "crappy check-in" to shower drains being clogged. What hurt Keeler, however, was a comment the writer made about the "one good thing" about his stay. Angelo G wrote, "The bartender, I think his name was Fred said for $20 tip he would give me open tap all night, he said 'they count the good stuff."

Keeler had had an argument with one of his co-workers the night before, and this is who he believes wrote the post. When the bartender was summoned to the human resources department, denied the allegation when shown the review. He was fired five days later.

While Manhattan has endless offerings for the curious traveler, the honking cabs and incessant chaos of the city can leave you needing a break from your vacation. For a laid-back day trip, head to eastern Long Island and explore their expansive wine country.

Getting There

From Manhattan, you can take a train from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma and then transfer for the train to Mattituck. Just be sure to check the schedule, as the train to Mattituck only runs a few times per day. You can also take the Hampton Jitney on the North Fork Line, with the best stops to get off being Mattituck, Cutchogue and Peconic. The wineries are close together, so you can technically walk from one to the other, although better options would be to take a taxi, bike, tour or car. Renting a car is a smart option as the trail is quite easy to follow, with most of the wineries being on Sound Avenue and Route 25. Your best bet, however, is booking a tour as it will allow you to have a designated driver. Some reputable companies include North Fork Wine Tours, Elegant Wine Tours of L.I., Long Island Wine Tours and North Fork Trolley Co.

To experience something out of the ordinary on your next trip, check out some of these bizarre natural phenomena.

Morning Glory Cloud, Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia

While you can occasionally see a Morning Glory Cloud or roll cloud in other parts of the world, the Gulf of Carpentaria in northern Australia is the only place it can be predicted and observed regularly. A Morning Glory Cloud can be up to 620 miles long, 1.2 miles high and is often only 330 to 660 feet off the ground. Additionally these clouds, which sometimes appear both solo and in groups, can move at speeds up to 37 miles per hour. While this phenomenon is not clearly understood, certain theories do exist, such as effects from mesoscale circulations linked with sea breezes that develop over the area and high humidly and pressure mixed with strong breezes. You can visit Buketown in Queensland for the best chance of witnessing the phenomenon.

"Art should not be segregated in museums; it needs to live free among us"- Isaiah Zagar

While most travelers to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, spend time exploring rich history, colonial architecture and delicious cheese steaks, there's another facet to the city worth getting to know: its detailed murals.

Walking down the streets of the city, it will immediately become clear Philly has a creative side. One major reason for this is the existence of the Mural Arts Program, which "unites artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural-making, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives." One of their most successful projects is the "Mural Mile," which showcases Philadelphia's most iconic murals along a walking route in the downtown area. Additionally, they put on a "Restorative Justice Program," which incorporates the concept of justice into the art process and gives inmates, juvenile delinquents and ex-offenders a chance to do something good in the community. My favorite way to explore mural work in Philly, however, is through the work of local artist Isaiah Zagar.

Gallery: Isaiah Zagar's Murals In Philadelphia

One reason many people hesitate to travel solo is a fear of loneliness. Although I am an advocate of traveling alone, I will admit sometimes this feeling can begin to seep in. Luckily, there are many ways to overcome the problem. To help you get over your feelings of solitude, use these tips when traveling on your own.

Travel Slower

Many solo backpackers tend to rush from one city to another, trying to fit in as much as possible in the time they have. Unfortunately, this tactic doesn't give you much opportunity to meet other travelers, interact with locals and form an attachment to the city. You'll end up constantly feeling like a confused, lonely outsider in every city you arrive in. However, if you travel slowly, you'll be able to form relationships with the people, places and things around you. Your hotel will begin to feel like home, the barista at the nearby coffee shop will know your name, you'll find a favorite park or cafe to hang out in and you'll form friendships with other travelers and locals. Additionally, a slower pace makes you less likely to come down with a problematic case of travel fatigue.

Vancouver, Canada, has much to offer the visitor in terms of restaurants, nightlife, hotels and culture. However, while it's a worthwhile destination, it can also get expensive. To help you make the most of your trip to the city without breaking the bank, here is a budget-friendly guide to Vancouver.

Get Outside

Vancouver's waterfront location, mountainous terrain and many microclimates allow for some beautiful landscapes. One of the best ways to experience this is by walking the Seawall. Stretching 14 miles from Coal Harbour to Kitsilano Beach Park, you'll stroll past colorful sailboats, beaches, parks, bridges and ancient trees. You'll pass through Stanley Park, one of the largest urban parks in the world. Encompassing 404.9 hectares, the park features First Nations artwork, beaches, gardens, forests, monuments, recreation areas and the Vancouver Aquarium. You can also stroll through Queen Elizabeth Park, Crescent Park or Pacific Spirit Park.

While Chinatown's Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden offers a free park, I would recommend spending the fee and visiting their traditional Chinese garden. According to their website, it is the first of its kind outside China, with the site mimicking the private spaces within a Ming scholar's residence.

Want to celebrate Halloween on the road this holiday? Stay at one of these U.S. hotels offering festive packages and programming.

The Sanctuary Hotel
New York, NY

Located in the heart of Manhattan, The Sanctuary Hotel is offering a "Haunted Hotel" package this Halloween. Along with luxurious accommodations, guests staying from October 29 to November 4 will receive:

• A tour of the city in a hearse, highlighting everything from haunted buildings to where famous mobsters got whacked
• A basket of sweet treats from Dylan's Candy Bar in your room
• A classic horror film screening in the hotel lobby on Halloween Eve, complete with popcorn and candy
• Breakfast buffet each morning
• Wi-Fi

Rates start at $554 per night based on double occupancy. Click here to book.