Everybody knows about Stonehenge and Easter Island, the ancient monuments shrouded in legend and mystery that attract tourists like a moth to a flame. Well, we all love history, but if you want to avoid the large crowds, why not try a more modern attraction? There are infinite numbers of bizarre and interesting sites to see on your international travels, and we aren’t talking about the world’s biggest ball of yarn. Of course, art is subjective, but we think the following five sculptures are pretty darn cool and worth a look.

Hombre del Rio – Cordoba, Spain
This giant man has been soaking up the sun while lounging in the waters of the Guadalquivir River since 2006. It is said that the sculpture just mysteriously appeared one day, the government claiming to have never approved its placement. However, Rafael Cornjejo’s 16 foot sculpture weighing more than 4,000 pounds still sits in the river today, delighting every passerby.

Charles La Trobe – Melbourne, Australia
A lot of cities host monuments to their most famous residents, so what makes this statue of Charles La Trobe at La Trobe University so special? Well, it is upside down. The sculptor says this “embodies the notion that universities should turn ideas on their heads.” (La Trobe helped establish the University of Melbourne).

Le Pouce de Cesar – Paris, France
This statue of a giant thumb stands 12 meters high and is 4 meters wide. That is over 39×13 feet! It weighs in at a whopping 18 tonnes, more than 39,000 pounds. The statue was creates by Cesar Baldaccini, a world renowned French sculptor from Marseille (born to Italian parents, hence the name). You will find this massive phalange on Paris’ esplanade de La Defense.

The Virgin Mother – Manhattan, New York
A stroll through midtown will reveal a rather unique statue. A mother-to-be stands in all her glory, but she only has skin on half of her body. The other half is a colorful display of mixed metals revealing her skull, muscles, and the fetus she carries in her belly. Some people complain that the statue is a bit too gruesome for their tastes, but it is definitely interesting!

Space Cow – Stockholm, Sweden
Sweden is brimming with bizarre and interesting sculptures, but the space cow may be the most fun. Look up and you will find this guy suspended in mid-air, decked out in a full space suit complete with bubble helmet and oxygen tank. I wonder if cows enjoy Tang…

Kemwel offers cheap car rentals in Spain, Australia, France, Sweden, and all over the world. Book yours today! You never know what you might find.

Bookmark to:

Image courtesy of http://www.thehobbit.com

On this day in 2004, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King won the Oscar for Best Picture. It doesn’t seem like that much time has passed since the last installment of the epic trilogy, does it? The 2012 Oscars have come and gone, and while some choice films received awards, the world has yet to experience anything quite like Peter Jackson’s adaptation of Tolkien’s masterpiece since.

Fear not, movie goers! This year will bring us The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of Jackson’s two-part adaptation of the story that started it all. As if that is not amazing enough on its own, the film features Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug. This is particularly exciting for us here at the Kemwel offices, as we are huge fans of BBC’s Sherlock. Lee Pace (aka the Pie Maker) from the unfortunately cancelled Pushing Daisies will also make an appearance as the elven king, Thranduil. This phenomenal cast will be joined by the characters we know and love from the Lord of the Rings, including Sir Ian McKellen reprising his role as Gandalf, Christopher Lee as Saruman, and the beautiful Kate Blanchett as Galadriel.

Like the trilogy filmed before it, The Hobbit is being shot across the breathtaking landscape of New Zealand. The remnants of the Lord of the Rings set have been a popular attraction since the films’ wrap, but why not see magic in the making with a cheap car rental in New Zealand during the filming of the second half of the The Hobbit, There and Back Again?

Enjoy a leisurely drive through the Waikato Region on the North Island, where Matamata has once again been transformed into the Shire, or psych yourself up for a hike through the Tongariro National Park, where much of Frodo and Sam’s trek was filmed. If you are planning a trip to the South Island, you can explore Rohan, or as it is really called, Canterbury, or you can sign up for a guided tour in Queenstown or Nelson. You will feel as though you have been magically transported to Rivendell.

Book your cheap car rental in New Zealand with Kemwel today and experience Middle Earth in all its glory. And if you see Elijah Wood, get us an autograph.

Bookmark to:

1. Climate

This time of year, most of us in the States are already dreaming of stealing away to warmer places. If you haven’t given South Africa a go yet, why not plan a get away this winter? With a mix of subtropical and Mediterranean climates, South Africa offers warm, sunny days and cool, refreshing evenings. Their summer months occur between November and March, making this the perfect time of year to visit.

2. National Parks

There are more national parks in South Africa than you can shake a stick at. You will find over five hundred elephants among lions, buffalo, leopards, hyenas and more at the Addo Elephant National Park, the third largest National Park in South Africa. Karro National Park offers a glimpse at the largest eco system in South Africa, and the famous Kruger National Park is home to a diverse and impressive number of species of flora and fauna.

3. Adventure

As you may imagine, most of the national parks offer hiking and camping opportunities, not to mention safaris. But the region also offers a wide variety of other sports and adventure activities. Try white water rafting along the Orange River. These rapids are perfect for beginners and experts, and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and desert. If you enjoy the water, try scuba diving off the expansive coast in Sodwana Bay. Come face to face with a plethora of colorful fish and other marine life, including ragged-tooth sharks!

4. Cuisine

Because it has such a multicultural influence, South African cuisine is often referred to as “rainbow cuisine.” With meals influenced by the region’s indigenous people combined with flavors brought by immigrants from India, Malaysia and the UK, local fare truly has something to offer everyone. You may be surprised to learn that South Africa also has a rich wine making tradition. In recent years, they have focused mainly on producing decadent reds. You cannot leave without a sample or two!

5. Culture

Did you know that South Africa is home to what is believed to be the oldest creative artifacts in the world? Small snail shells with holes used to make jewelry were found, dating back approximately 75,000 years, and you can still view ancient cave paintings. South Africa is also the perfect destination for music lovers. Kwaito is a popular genre which emerged after the end of apartheid. Many black musicians who had previously performed in English or Afrikaans began writing in traditional African languages and including more traditional beats and instruments in their songs. South Africa is also world renowned for being home to some of the most revered jazz musicians of modern day.

With a cheap car rental in South Africa from Kemwel, you can experience all of this and more!

Bookmark to:

Are you tired of the same old sight seeing and amusement park vacations? Mix things up with a trip to one of these weird and wonderful attractions!

The Island of Dolls – Mexico City, Mexico

Photo by Esparta Palma

If you get thrills from the heebie jeebies, then La Isla de la Munecas, or the Island of Dolls, just might float your boat. The island was transformed into a total creep-show when a hermit named Don Julian Santana decided to spend the last fifty years of his life there in complete isolation. Santana believed that he was being haunted by the spirit of a little girl and he started collecting dolls to build a shrine to her. To add to the terrifying ambiance, upon his death, Santana’s body was found floating along the same canal he believed the little girl had drowned in. Legend has it that if you listen closely, the dolls will whisper to you, and many visitors bring offerings to keep the spirits happy.

Sedlec Ossuary – Sedlec, Czech Republic

Photo by Marcin Szala

Equally as creepy but completely fascinating is the Sedlec Ossuary in the Czech Republic. Situated beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints, the ossuary is estimated to house the skeletons of over forty-thousand people. Many of the bones have been arranged in a decorative fashion, most notably the gigantic bone chandelier found in the center of the ossuary. As history tells it, the King of Bohemia had sent the Sedlec Cistercian Monastery’s abbot to Jerusalem, and when he returned he brought back a jar of soil from Golgotha. This holy soil made the cemetery a coveted final resting place and it continued to expand until it became what it is today.

The Labyrinth of Buda Castle – Budapest, Hungary

Photo by Budavári Labirintus

Considered to be one of the seven underground wonders of the world, this intricate and beautiful network of caves offers a truly unique peek into Hungary’s past. Below the impressive Buda Castle, the caves were formed by early water springs creating shelter for the country’s prehistoric inhabitants over half a million years ago. During the Middle Ages the caves were connected and utilized for many purposes, including wine storage, prison cells, torture chambers, and some even housed valuables. They have served for many other uses throughout time, but today they are open to the public.

The Temples of Damanhur – Piedmont, Italy

Photo by thetemples.org

One hundred feet below the earth’s surface, Oberto Airaudi, a middle aged insurance broker, secretly created a 300,000 cubic foot temple. This temple is so impressive that the Italian government has declared it the Eight Wonder of the World. And wondrous it is! When Airaudi was a young boy of ten, he began having visions of temples that he believed to be from a past life. The visions also involved a peaceful community of like-minded people. The Temples of Damanhur (or the Temples of Humankind) are the realization of these visions. The Federation of Damanhur, a commune and eco-village, brings the rest of Airaudi’s dreams to life. You will never forget your visit the commune and its magical, ornate underground temples.

Glowworm Caves – Waitomo, New Zealand

You may be thinking, “Worms? Eeew!” But trust me; you are unlikely to experience anything in your life quite as breathtaking as these little guys illuminating their caves. A number of guided tours allow you to float lazily along the “Glowworm Grotto,” which is the underground portion of the Waitomo River. It is completely dark, apart from the seemingly celestial display of these truly amazing bioluminescent larvae. The rest of the caves are also open for tours an exploration, but the glowworm caves are literally the highlight of this location.

Kemwel offers cheap car rentals in Mexico, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy and New Zealand, so you can explore all of these unique destinations!

Bookmark to: