The seaside commune of Équihen-Plage lies on a section of France’s northern coast called Côte d’Opale (Opal Coast), near the port city of Boulogne-sur-Mer. While the relaxed town draws in holidaymakers with its serene beaches, Équihen-Plage has a far more unusual claim to fame: its houses made out of upside-down boat hulls, known locally as quilles en l’air (which translates to “keels in the air” in English). If you’re wondering how these decommissioned fishing boats became unconventional abodes — and later unique accommodations for travelers — dive into the unique history of Équihen-Plage’s upside-down boats.

The Origins of the Boats

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Équihen-Plage was a thriving fishing community. However, the sea here has a significant tidal range, and Équihen-Plage is an example of a port d’échouage, a port that has no water at low tide. Rather than drop anchor offshore, traditionally village fishermen would beach their boats and haul them up the sand by hand (though these days, you might see a tractor being used instead). 

Their vessels, called flobarts, are traditional to northern France and have a number of characteristics that make them especially suited to places like Équihen-Plage. They were designed to be capable of floating in just a foot or so of water. Their wide bow was well equipped to deal with strong waves, while the flat stern could be slid into the water on logs whenever it needed to be launched. 

How the Boat Houses Were Constructed

More than a century ago, money was tight for many in Équihen-Plage, and nothing was wasted. Boats that were no longer seaworthy were salvaged so they could be repurposed as homes, providing shelter for entire families at minimal cost. First, a low wall was constructed so that the finished dwelling would have sufficient headroom. A doorway-sized opening was then cut from the side of the boat, along with a small window or two. Builders then flipped the vessel over and lifted it on top of the wall. Many were tucked against the hillside, providing some protection against the elements on this wild and often windy coast. But in their original state, the boats would have been drafty and leaky. 

The interiors of the quilles en l’air were also fairly basic, lacking adequate ventilation, natural light, and running water. Often simply and sparsely furnished, the boats had an open floor plan to maximize the space. Still, they rarely reached 26 feet long, often resulting in a tight squeeze, given the average family size of the time. But for many of these impoverished families, having an affordable roof over their heads would have been a blessing. 

A New Era for the Quilles en L’Air

By the time World War II broke out, the days of the quilles en l’air were sadly numbered. In Équihen-Plage, the Quartier des Quilles en l’Air — the district that contained around 20 upturned boats — was a casualty of the bombing raids that flattened many of the buildings in this part of France. The last boat to be occupied was used as a studio by a painter named Paul Christol. It was the only boat to survive this era, albeit with significant damage. 

Though the quilles en l’air were gone, they weren’t forgotten. By the 1990s, a desire to resurrect this old tradition arose. Local authorities decided to build new boat houses and rent them out to visitors vacationing in Équihen-Plage. Several decades later, they’re as popular as ever — and often fully booked well in advance.

How to Visit the Upside-Down Boats of Équihen-Plage 

Today, the quilles en l’air are located within Camping La Falaise at the south end of Équihen-Plage. If you’re driving, follow Rue Charles Cazin to the main beach parking lot and walk back up to the campsite. 

Aside from admiring the boats and their role in the region’s unique cultural history, visitors can also book them for a unique overnight stay. The replica boats are finished to a higher standard than the originals would have been and provide a comfortable, yet simple place to spend the night. In high season (July and August), rentals are only offered on a weekly basis, from Saturday to Saturday. Outside of peak season, visitors can reserve for shorter periods. Prices vary according to both season and size: Two of the eight boathouses sleep only two people, while the others can accommodate parties of up to five people. One is also accessible for people with limited mobility. And all of them have sea views..  

If you’re planning to visit in early fall, it’s worth checking out Boulogne-sur-Mer’s Fête de la Beurière. This festival, which takes place during the second weekend in September, celebrates the fishing quarter’s history and traditions. There are typically local historians who will happily share old photos of the quilles en l’air and tell you their story. 

To reach Équihen-Plage from Paris, catch a TER train from Gare du Nord to Boulogne-sur-Mer and take a 25-minute bus ride. From the other side of the English Channel, you can board a DFDS ferry to Calais, which makes the 90-minute sea crossing multiple times a day. A local bus connects the port and main train station, from where you can travel along the coast.  

Other Upturned Boat Houses Around the World

Though Équihen-Plage’s quilles en l’air are certainly fascinating, they aren’t entirely unique — several other places in France, including Normandy and Brittany, are home to similar dwellings. Further afield, on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland, England, redundant herring boats have been turned upside down and given a new lease of life as boat sheds. Similarly, in places such as Greenland and Alaska, upturned umiaks (skin-covered boats) once created temporary shelters for local fishermen.

Tourists flock to London to visit iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower Bridge — and for good reason. These fascinating, history-filled sites are an essential part of any first-time visit to the English capital. But if you’ve already checked these attractions off your list, London offers a wealth of hidden treasures that are every bit as interesting. From quirky museums to serene gardens, here are 15 under-the-radar London landmarks to check out. 

Wilton’s Music Hall

Wilton’s Music Hall in London’s East End is the world’s oldest surviving grand Victorian music hall. Opened in the late 1850s, the storied venue brought the glitz and glamour of the West End to a working-class audience in the East End. Performances typically included sing-alongs, variety routines, and musical comedy shows. During the Victorian era, Wilton’s was London’s premiere venue for live performances, but after a fire in 1877, the building was repurposed to become a Methodist mission and then a warehouse.

Troubled by the hall’s planned demolition in the 1960s, some of the era’s top showbiz personalities, including Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers, fought to save the iconic structure. Today, the building again serves as a venue for theater performances and concerts and retains much of its original charm and character.

Old Operating Theatre

The Old Operating Theatre lay hidden for many years until it was uncovered during construction on St. Thomas’ Church in the London borough of Southwark. The area was actually the original site of the old St. Thomas’ Hospital, and the operating theater took surgery out of the ward and into a dedicated space in the attic. Before the days of antiseptics and anesthesia, operations were bloody and painful, so conducting the procedures far from other sick patients was crucial to maintaining an orderly facility.

The theater also served another purpose, however. It was a teaching space, so the tiered seating would have been occupied by medical students keen to observe techniques. Today, the building operates as a museum, which visitors can reach via a spiral staircase, and serves as a reminder of the advances of modern medicine.

Brixton Windmill

Before London became the sprawling city it is today, it was a series of villages. One of those villages, Brixton, retains its historic windmill. While such structures are common in the English countryside, they’re rare in urban locations. The one in Brixton used to be known as Ashby’s Mill and was built in 1816. Its sails harnessed the power of the wind to mill flour until the 1860s, when the business moved to a watermill in the Surrey village of Mitcham. But when the lease expired, Ashby’s moved back to its original site, using steam and then gas to modernize and increase productivity.

The mill did considerable trade supplying London’s bakeries and restaurants with flour until it finally closed in 1934. These days, it’s the centerpiece of a city park, restored by a committed team of volunteers. Guided tours of the structure take place on open weekends from April to October, when you can learn about the business and watch flour being milled.

Postal Museum

London’s congested streets created a bit of a headache when it came to ensuring that postal deliveries made it on time, so engineers came up with an unusual solution — an underground railway. From 1927 to 2003, the “Mail Rail” carried millions of letters across the capital, from Paddington in the west to Whitechapel in the east. Though it’s no longer in use commercially, the train reopened in 2017 as a visitor attraction run by the Postal Museum.

Take a ride on a tiny train to experience the tunnels for yourself. Interactive exhibits give visitors the opportunity to sort the mail on a moving train — courtesy of a realistic simulator. Above ground, you can learn more about the Royal Mail’s history and how stamps are designed.

Eltham Palace

While a steady stream of tourists makes it to Buckingham Palace, Eltham Palace receives considerably fewer visitors. Located south of the Thames in the borough of Greenwich, this historic gem in suburbia began as a 13th-century manor house and was later gifted to the royal family. King Edward IV was the monarch responsible for adding the Great Hall, which is all that remains of the medieval estate.

King Henry VIII expanded Eltham so it could accommodate his large entourage, but the greatest transformation came in the 1930s. Wealthy couple Stephen and Virginia Courtauld are to thank for the extravagant Art Deco-style interior; they took a maximalist approach to design, even creating a rainforest-themed room for their pet lemur Jongy.

“God’s Own Junkyard”

London’s answer to the Neon Museum in Las Vegas can be found in Walthamstow, one of the city’s easterly neighborhoods. “God’s Own Junkyard” is a treasure trove of salvage; the collection includes neon signs, movie props, and fairground lighting. Many of the pieces are the work of the late Chris Bracey, an exceptionally talented lighting designer whose art was featured in movies such as Batman (1989) and Bladerunner (1982).

Bracey learned his extraordinary craft from his father, who was London’s first neon sign maker in the 1950s, and later opened his premises to curious members of the public in 1978. Tucked away on the Ravenswood Industrial Estate between a car mechanic and a microbrewery, the collection was soon credited as being one of London’s quirkiest, most remarkable, and colorful attractions.

Postman’s Park

Postman’s Park was built at the end of the 19th century on top of what was once the former St. Botolph’s Without Aldersgate Church. The peaceful greenspace is best known for George Frederic Watts’ Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, which was unveiled in 1900. A series of memorial stones have been added over the years to commemorate acts of bravery and courage by ordinary folks. Each stone is dedicated to someone who lost their own life while trying to save another.

Another unique garden in the park is the grounds of the former church of St. Dunstan-in-the-East. Sir Christopher Wren, the architect responsible for St. Paul’s Cathedral, designed some of it. During World War II, the church suffered extensive damage. Wren’s steeple and tower survived, but the Church of England decided not to repair and reopen the building. Instead, the bombed ruins were redeveloped as a beautiful garden.

Russell Square Cabmen’s Shelter

There are few London sights as iconic as the capital’s black cabs. But while you’ll see them on every street, you’ll have to put in a little more legwork to track down the 13 remaining cabmen’s shelters. These little green huts were a response to a tricky problem: In bad weather, cabbies often took shelter in pubs. As driving while intoxicated was prohibited, the idea was born to create somewhere for cab drivers to get an affordable meal and a cup of tea during their shift.

The first shelter opened in St. John’s Wood in North London in 1875. More followed, though since then, many of the structures have fallen victim to road widening and traffic management schemes. Today, some of the shelters remain; Cabmen’s Shelter in Russell Square is one of them. Other shelters still serve cabbies at Grosvenor Gardens, Embankment Place, and on Warwick Avenue. Most of the shelters enforce a cabbies-only rule inside, but if you can manage, it’s worth a peek.

Highgate Cemetery

Highgate Cemetery is a bit of a trek from central London but well worth the effort, particularly if you take one of the excellent guided tours along the tree-lined paths. The cemetery is home to the graves and tombs of many notable Londoners; Karl Marx was buried here, as were scientist Michael Faraday, authors Douglas Adams and Beryl Bainbridge, artist Lucian Freud, pop impresario Malcolm McLaren, and comedian Max Wall.

Another notable cemetery can be found in Kensal Green. This atmospheric place was styled after Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. It is the final resting place of authors Anthony Trollope, Wilkie Collins, and William Makepeace Thackeray; Niagara Falls tightrope-walker Charles Blondin; Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel; and the inventor of the computer, Charles Babbage.

Museum of the Home

Formerly the Geffrye Museum, the Museum of the Home reopened in 2021 following a refurbishment and rebrand. Located in Hackney, East London, the building houses a fascinating collection of exhibits that chart the changes in Britain’s domestic interiors over the past four centuries. Faithfully recreated room sets bring history to life, from a garish 1970s living room to a genteel parlor that looks just as it would have in 1695.

The museum also has a series of gardens that exemplify fashions such as Elizabethan knot gardens and the informal cottage gardens embraced by the Arts and Crafts movement. You might even be inspired to create a heritage space for your own home after your visit.

Kyoto Garden

One of London’s most unusual gardens lies in Holland Park in West London. As its name suggests, the Kyoto Garden takes its inspiration from Japan, but what you might not realize is that it was a gift from the city of Kyoto to mark the friendship between the two countries. This serene oasis features tiered waterfalls, a koi-stocked pond, and, of course, the stone lanterns and colorful maples commonly found in Japanese gardens.

The garden is a joy to wander through, though you’ll need to share the tranquil space with a muster of peacocks. Holland Park is also home to the Fukushima Memorial Garden. It’s a place for quiet contemplation and reflection, designed to demonstrate Japan’s gratitude to the British for their support following the devastating earthquake in 2011.

Dennis Severs House

London has a wealth of Georgian architecture. Among the best preserved streets to see this iconic style are Roupell Street near Waterloo, Little Green Street in North London, and East End addresses, such as Fournier Street and Elder Street. But if you’re keen to peek beyond the façades, you’ll need to head to Dennis Severs House on Folgate Street near Spitalfields Market. This house, open to the public as a museum, dates to 1724.

After Californian-born Dennis Severs bought the property in 1979, he set about transforming it into an accurate representation of what it would have looked like as the home of an imaginary family of Huguenot silk weavers. Weekly candlelit tours are a multi-sensory experience which evoke the past. Make your way to nearby Brick Lane afterward for further insight on how immigrants have shaped this multifaceted neighborhood.

Word on the Water

This century-old Dutch barge was repurposed as a North London bookstore. Tethered on the Regents Canal close to Kings Cross Station, every inch of this historic vessel is now crammed with new and used books. This is a place to come without a plan. Browse Paddy’s collection and you might stumble on something unexpected: cult, classic, children’s, and contemporary books are all here waiting for you to peruse. Special events, from poetry readings to live music performances, are a reminder of why this place is so much at the heart of its community.

Afterward, wander over to Coal Drops Yard, where you’ll find plenty of places to sit and read. Consider buying your coffee from Redemption Roasters, a café chain with a social conscience. They roast their coffee inside Her Majesty’s Prison The Mount and help offenders reintegrate after serving their sentence by training them as baristas.

Barbican Conservatory

The Barbican was flattened during World War II, and if you want to get acquainted with its brutal yet bold postwar architecture, consider taking one of the fascinating tours of the complex. After you’re done taking in the history of the place, pop in to the Barbican Conservatory, a green oasis amidst all that concrete. This rainforest under glass is as verdant as its more-famous Kew counterpart, the only one larger in London.

Lush plants include palm and banana trees and plenty of floral displays to evoke a sense of being far from England. Check out the terrapins in the water, though you’d be wise to keep your distance; these bad boys were evicted from Hampstead Heath after some antisocial behavior, leading local wits to dub them the “terror-pins.”

The Monument

The Great Fire of London ripped through the city in 1666, leaving a trail of destruction and shattered dreams in its wake. The Monument was constructed the following decade to honor those who were lost but also to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in the city’s history. It is located at the corner of Monument Street and Fish Street Hill.

The height of the column is exactly the same as its distance from the site of Thomas Faryner’s bakery, where the fire started. It’s possible to climb the 311 steps to the top of this landmark. Video images are displayed for those who don’t want to head to the top, but it’s worth the effort for the view of the London cityscape, including skyscrapers such as the Shard, the Walkie Talkie, and the Gherkin.

Halloween may be known for costumes and candy, but the holiday originated as an ancient Celtic harvest festival. On the night of October 31 — the night before the new year according to the Celtic calendar — lines between the living and the dead were blurred. Ghosts and spirits were thought to roam the earth, and the occasion was marked by bonfires and costumes designed to scare away evil forces. While these ancient traditions have evolved into more lighthearted activities such as jack-o’-lanterns, haunted houses, and trick-or-treating, the supernatural spirit of the holiday remains. That’s particularly true in these eight cities around the world, which honor the Halloween spirit in unique ways. 

Transylvania, Romania

The Transylvania region of central Romania is renowned for its rich history and stunning landscapes, but its associations with vampire lore make it a required destination for Halloween enthusiasts. Bram Stoker found inspiration for his famous 1897 novel Dracula in the historical Romanian military figure Vlad the Impaler (also known as Vlad III or Vlad Dracula), and the author designated the real-life Bran Castle as the monster’s home. On Halloween, Bran Castle — now widely known as Dracula’s Castle — hosts tours of the storied hallways and dungeons, after which guests can feast on traditional Romanian food and dance the night away.

Transylvania is not solely defined by its vampire legends, though — the region’s storybook medieval towns, fortified castles, and mist-shrouded forests contribute to its eerie atmosphere, especially during the Halloween season.

Anoka, Minnesota

This small Minnesota city is known as the Halloween Capital of the World — and with good reason. Anoka was the first U.S. city to host an organized Halloween celebration. On November 1, 1919, the residents of Anoka awoke to find cows roaming through main streets and outhouses turned upside down — the aftermath of Halloween pranks orchestrated by local youths. In an effort to prevent similar destruction in the future, the community rallied together the following year to organize an official celebration.

The event has since grown to take over the entire month of October, with parades, haunted houses, movie nights, and more festivities. In 1937, Congress officially declared Anoka as the Halloween Capital of the World, and residents wear the title proudly to this day.

Mexico City, Mexico

Halloween isn’t a traditional Mexican holiday, but Mexico City has embraced the spooky spirit, blending ancient traditions with contemporary celebrations. One of the biggest seasonal draws is the celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). From late October to early November, the city — along with much of Latin America — comes alive with colorful ofrendas (altars) and marigold-adorned cemeteries, where families honor and evoke their deceased loved ones. 

A familiar sight during Día de Los Muertos is la catrina, a traditional skull painted with decorative makeup. The skull has become an emblem of the festival and of Mexican traditions and beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife — that it is to be honored instead of feared. Other historic neighborhoods, such as Xochimilco, offer their own eerie attractions — as its name suggests, the Island of the Dolls is covered in decaying dolls. 

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans has earned a reputation as one of America’s most haunted cities due to its rich — and often tragic — history. Among the many reported ghostly encounters, the spirit of Marie Laveau (aka the Voodoo Queen) might be the most famous. Visitors have claimed to witness her apparition wandering the streets of the French Quarter, while others swear they can feel her physical presence around her tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.

The Big Easy’s distinctive above-ground graves create a uniquely eerie atmosphere, and while they’re popular tourist destinations throughout the year, Halloween is when they truly shine. The city also hosts costume parades and parties, a Voodoo festival, haunted tours, and elaborately decorated homes.

Edinburgh, Scotland

With a past marked by bloody battles, witch hunts, and other sinister tales, Edinburgh’s ancient streets are a major draw for Halloween lovers. The iconic Edinburgh Castle is considered the country’s most haunted place to visit. The castle was originally built in the 12th century as a military fortress, and alleged sights have included ghosts that still haunt its ancient underground dungeons, a missing piper, a phantom dog, and a headless drummer roaming the grounds. 

The Samhuinn Fire Festival is also held in the Scottish capital on October 31, celebrating ancient Celtic traditions with fire, performances, drumming, and costumes of mythical creatures and deities. The Halloween spirit is strong along the city’s famous Royal Mile, too, a historic street filled with narrow alleyways (known as “closes”) and haunted underground chambers.

London, England

England’s capital is home to plenty of haunted historical sites, one of the most famous being the Tower of London. The fortress’s grim history of royal beheadings, including those of Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey, contribute to its enduring tales of paranormal activity. On Halloween, the Tower plays into its past by decorating the grounds and hosting an immersive haunted house.

One of the world’s most haunted theaters is also in London, and during Halloween, the venue offers late-night tours. Over the years, actors and staff at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane (nicknamed “the Lane”) have experienced encounters with a mysterious figure they’ve dubbed the Man in Gray. Wearing a powdered wig, a gray coat, and a distinctive hat, he is said to walk back and forth across the theater’s balcony before disappearing into the wall. 

Boyne Valley, Ireland

What better place to visit for Halloween than the place where it all began? Halloween originated over 2,000 years ago as a pagan Celtic festival that celebrated the end-of-summer harvest with fires, dancing, and costumes. The Boyne Valley region is home to the megalithic tombs of Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth — which are believed to have also served as solar calendars. On the autumnal equinox, the sun aligns with the passage of Newgrange, illuminating its inner chamber in a stunning spectacle that highlights the mystical nature of the season. 

Boyne Valley celebrates its Halloween heritage with yearly festivals and events, including the spooky Spirits of Meath. The county’s Púca Festival features live comedy and podcast events, performances from world-renowned musicians, and tours of some of the area’s significant historical sites. 

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem is infamous for its 1692 witch trials, and the Massachusetts city leans into its history when Halloween rolls around. Fueled by superstition and hysteria, the trials resulted in the tragic hangings of 19 people accused of witchcraft. But today, the people of Salem — as well as more than 100,000 visitors —  honor this dark chapter of American history with a month full of festivities.

By early October, Salem is decked out and ready for the Haunted Happenings Grand Parade, which features elaborate costumes, floats, and live music. The city’s historical landmarks — such as the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and the House of the Seven Gables, whose original owner was accused of witchcraft and executed — offer immersive experiences that explore the history of their hallowed grounds.

Bordeaux. Burgundy. Chianti. These names are world-famous for a reason — the centuries-old vineyards in these regions produce some of the most revered wines in the world. But that popularity can present a challenge when it’s time to plan a wine getaway. And while you won’t find any vineyards in Antarctica, the rest of the world is rich in wine-producing regions that offer fine vintages with fewer crowds. If you’re seeking the festive pop of a cork or the taste of unique terroir at an off-the-beaten path destination, here are five lesser-known and underrated international wine regions to explore. 

Jura – France

Often called “France’s best-kept wine secret,” the Jura region is a favorite among in-the-know wine aficionados. Sandwiched between better-known Burgundy and the Swiss border, these cool mountains produce quirky and memorable wines that are often difficult to source in the United States. Savagnin is an under-the-radar local grape, and a technique known as sous-voile (under the veil) produces an oxidized wine known as Vin Jaune. Aged for six years, it has a nutty character that pairs well with Jura’s distinctive local cheese.

Canary Islands – Spain

Tenerife is the largest and most popular of the Canary Islands, where wine has been produced since the Spaniards colonized the archipelago in the 15th century. Lying 60 miles off the coast of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean, the Canary Islands escaped the phylloxera insect scourge, which affected many Old World vines in the 19th century, and so they contain some of the few remaining ungrafted vitis vinifera (common grape) vines in the world. There are 20 recognized unique grape varieties produced on the island, including Marmajuelo, a rarely cultivated white wine. Tenerife’s beautiful climate and mineral-rich volcanic soil is beautifully expressed in wines made from popular grapes like Listán Negro and Malvasia.

Okanagan Valley – Canada

British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley has both stunning scenery and a stunningly diverse range of climates — from cool, green hills to the country’s only desert. This diversity nurtures an equally wide variety of grapes, and Okanagan’s relatively fledgling wine industry is attracting attention from connoisseurs around the globe. The valley has almost 200 wineries, along with many creative restaurants. In the north, try a distinctive cool-climate Riesling from Tantalus Vineyards. Then head south for bold, Bordeaux-comparable reds like the Gamay Noir from Desert Hills Estate Winery.

Lombardy – Italy

With its light golden hue and crisp elegant bubbles, Champagne is perhaps the most celebrated beverage in the world. And though the name Champagne is protected by an AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, a controlled designation of origin) and is specific to the Champagne region of France, magnificent sparkling wines made with the same method (méthode Champenoise) can be found in many wine-producing regions. 

In the center of northern Italy — not far from the fashion capital of Milan — lies the region of Lombardy, Italy’s answer to Champagne. In the province of Brescia, Italian winemakers craft Franciacorta, a celebratory sparkling wine fermented from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc grapes. Effervescent and sunny, it is similar to Champagne in perhaps every category except price. The small region has more than 100 wineries, but Guido Berlucchi, where the wine was created, is a must-visit.

Maldonado – Uruguay

South America is no stranger to good wine — Argentina’s robust reds are legendary and Chile boasts an enviable range of terroirs — but the up-and-comer in the Southern Hemisphere is definitely Uruguay. Located north of the resort town of Punta del Este along the Atlantic Ocean, the fast-growing Maldonado wine region is producing an interesting selection of high-quality red, white, and sparkling wines at affordable prices. Seek out wines with a Vino de Calidad Preferente (VСP) designation, which are made using only cultivated grape varietals, including Tannat, a grape which originally hails from Basque Country.

Sometimes, there’s no substitute for old-fashioned snail mail. While we don’t often think twice about going to the post office, there are a select few post offices around the world that defy convention. From the top of a mountain to the ocean floor, here are nine of the coolest places around the world to send mail.

Underwater Post Office – Hideaway Island, Vanuatu

The world’s only official underwater post office is located in Vanuatu, an archipelago nation composed of 83 islands in the South Pacific. Located nine feet underwater near Hideaway Island, the functioning post office opened in 2003 and has been a delight for snorkelers and divers alike ever since.

If you want to send mail from Vanuatu’s Underwater Post Office, there are waterproof postcards available for purchase at gift shops on land. Instead of stamping the postcard with ink, the underwater clerk will use an embossed cancellation device to approve mail. And yes, a postal clerk is available to receive your underwater mail — a flag will be raised above water to indicate the employee is present and you can dive down to mail your letter. Outside of office hours, there is also a postal box available for sending postcards, which are guaranteed to be delivered domestically and internationally.

Penguin Post Office – Port Lockroy, Antarctica

The Penguin Post Office in Port Lockroy, Antarctica, is the southernmost post office in the world. Located 7,000 miles south of Argentina on Goudier Island, the post office is named for the colony of gentoo penguins, which are often found on the premises. In addition to the 3,000 penguins who inhabit the island, other notable residents include five postal clerks who manage the small post office.

As a one-time port for whaling fleets, Port Lockroy also contains a small historical museum and a gift shop, but the Penguin Post Office remains the most popular spot. With 70,000 postcards dispersed around the world from Port Lockroy annually, this unique post office continues to draw people who are interested in sending a letter from the end of the Earth.

Black Mailbox – Route 375, Nevada

Located on the edge of Area 51, the Black Mailbox is a famous extraterrestrial landmark in the Nevada desert. Before the Black Mailbox became a landmark, however, it was just an average mailbox belonging to a local rancher named Steve Medlin. It wasn’t until Bob Lazar, a former Area 51 employee, began to use the mailbox as a congregation site for “believers,” that the unassuming P.O. box began to gain fame.

Located along Nevada State Route 375, also known as the Extraterrestrial Highway, a stretch of road that claims many UFO sightings, the mailbox’s location eventually became a nuisance for Medlin. Unhappy with the consistent tampering of his USPS-issued mailbox, he moved it off the highway and closer to his ranch. Much to Medlin’s chagrin, the Black Mailbox continued to be a pilgrimage for UFO enthusiasts. As a result, the rancher eventually added a second mailbox marked “Alien” for visitors — many of whom leave a dollar inside.

Post Office Bay – Floreana Island, Ecuador

Located off the coast of Ecuador, Post Office Bay has long been the unofficial post office of the Galápagos Islands. The bay’s history of sending letters began when whalers became homesick after months at sea. The men started leaving letters for friends and family on Floreana Island, which were then carried back to the U.K. or the U.S. by ships departing from the region. With all the letters coming and going from Floreana Island, the whalers began calling it Post Office Bay.

This moniker remains fitting today. Visitors to the Galápagos can leave letters at Floreana Island’s unofficial post office. Using an honor system, travelers are permitted to take letters from the post office with the intent of delivery. While some letters are stamped and can be mailed, traditionally the letters are supposed to be hand-delivered, in order to relay the fascinating tale of where they came from.

Tibetan Paradise Post Office – Mount Everest, Tibet

Located 17,388 feet above sea level, Tibetan Paradise Post Office is the world’s highest post office. Originally called the China Post Space Office when it was established in 2001, the post office can be found at the base camp of Mount Everest. Originally housed in a military tent, the building has since been renovated to include exhibits on local culture, meteorology, and ecology. It also offers free drinking water and rest services for visitors.

Operating during the mountain’s peak climbing season, the post office is open from April to August, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. However, the post office’s unusual location means that postage is more costly than it is at sea level. If you’re sending mail from Mount Everest, you can expect to spend around $2 USD to send a postcard from Tibet to North America.

Juliet’s Mailbox – Verona, Italy

However fictional Romeo and Juliet may be, the two lovebirds are alive and well in the Italian village of Verona. Thousands of letters have been addressed to “Juliet, Verona” for years, with visitors making the pilgrimage to the “town of love” to see where Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers originated. The trend took off in the 1930s when a man who guarded Juliet’s tomb — an empty sarcophagus purported to be the site of the last scene in the tragedy —  began collecting and answering letters addressed to Juliet.

These letters eventually led to the creation of the “Juliet Club,” with thousands of letters to Juliet being answered by volunteers. Known as the “Secretaries of Juliet,” these volunteers answer letters from all over the world in several languages, an act that served as the inspiration for the romance film Letters to Juliet (2010). If you’d like to send a note to Juliet yourself, letters can be mailed, emailed, or delivered by hand to Juliet’s Mailbox in Verona.

Ochopee Post Office – Ochopee, Florida

The smallest United States Post Office can be found on the edge of the Everglades in Ochopee, Florida. As an old shed that once stored irritation materials on a tomato farm, the building was converted into a post office in 1953, after a fire destroyed the local general store. A mere 56 square feet in total, the office has enough room for a single clerk to serve a town of 11 people.

Located between Miami and Naples, the Ochopee Post Office attracts plenty of visitors who want to see the pint-sized post office for themselves. They can use the office’s pre-stamped postcards to send international and domestic mail from the 34141 zip code. A word of warning — alligators are common in Ochopee, and can often be spotted in the parking lot, so be careful.

J.W. Westcott Mailboat – Detroit, Michigan

The J.W. Westcott mailboat services the Great Lakes marine community, and has done so for nearly 150 years. Fist captained by a seaworthy entrepreneur named John Ward Westcott, the mailboat originated in 1874 when Wescott implemented the “mail in a pail” system on the docks of Detroit. In lieu of a P.O. box, a pail was tied to a string and hoisted over the side of passing vessels, allowing crewmen to send and receive letters without setting foot ashore.

The system was so popular that the J.W. Westcott mailboat became the first official United States Postal Service Mailboat and the first boat with a non-military zip code – 48222. Today, J.W. Westcott still operates out of Detroit, delivering mail and other goods to maritime vessels. In addition to the USPS mail, the company also delivers food and transports crew members from the ship to the shore.

Hoolehua Post Office – Hoolehua, Hawaii

Located on Moloka’i, one of the least visited Hawaiian Islands, Hoolehua Post Office sees more coconuts sent than handwritten letters. In 1991, the post office started an initiative that allowed visitors to send coconuts to friends and family on the mainland. Fourteen years later, after facing severe budget cuts, Postmaster Gary Lam expanded the program as a way to increase post office traffic. The marketing ploy worked, with “Postanut” (Post-a-Nut) becoming a trend on the island.

Today, postal employees in Hoolehua mail over 3,000 coconuts a year, accounting for nearly half of the post office’s revenue. To assist with the demand, and in order to be out of federal jurisdiction, an island local named Teri Waros installed a Postanut store across the street. Embossed and painted coconuts can be purchased at the shop before they receive an agricultural stamp at the post office to be shipped worldwide.