| Years ago, our family took a trip to jolly old England. | | | | attacks of 1941, the lighthouse fell into disrepair and |
| We were looking for something different to do and | | | | in 1968, the special petrol lamp was extinguished in |
| somewhere different to stay. We landed at a unique | | | | favor of automated, unmanned operations. After |
| lighthouse in a corner of southern Wales. It was the | | | | years of repair, the lighthouse was reopened in 1995 |
| experience of the trip. Where in the world can you | | | | and features a lecture hall, chapel, cafeteria and post |
| see beautiful water views, admire collectibles and | | | | office on the lower floor. The former upper level |
| walk to a pub via a freshly used cow path? Well, as | | | | living quarters offer conference rooms and |
| it turns out, in quite a few places. | | | | accommodations for 24. The Lighthouse at Bengtskar |
| The trip planner, a trusty book on bed and breakfast | | | | hosts 10,000 tourists per year to see the |
| inns around the British Isles, led us to the West Usk | | | | archipelago's most famous feature. |
| Lighthouse situated on the Bristol Channel, near | | | | Southwest of Istria's southernmost cape is the islet |
| Newport, Gwent, Wales. Designed by Scottish | | | | of Porer situated in the Adriatic Sea, just kilometers |
| architect James Walker and built in 1821, the | | | | away from the mainland town of Premantura. The |
| lighthouse features a central stone spiral staircase | | | | Porer lighthouse was built in 1833 on this 80 meter |
| above a former collecting well, now a wishing well. | | | | cliff surrounded by strong currents and warm and |
| We all had beautiful wedge-shaped rooms with water | | | | cool water layers. The area is rich in fish and attracts |
| views. At one time, the lighthouse sat on an island | | | | divers from all over the world due to the surrounding |
| where the Severn and the Usk run to the sea, but | | | | area's historic shipwrecks. Other spots of interest |
| since then land has been reclaimed and now the | | | | near Porer include the dinosaur tracks of the islet of |
| lighthouse sits by the Channel instead. | | | | Fenoliga, the beautiful bays of Unije and the nature |
| The West Usk Lighthouse offers unique features | | | | site of Kamenjak where there are over 500 species |
| such as a flotation tank, a chauffeured Rolls Royce, | | | | of flora including endangered endemic orchids. The |
| rooftop hot tub and BBQ facilities, an infrared sauna | | | | year-round accommodations of Porer are two |
| and various well-being therapies. There is also a | | | | apartments: one with two double rooms with a |
| Mongolian yurt, an eco-friendly living space, available | | | | kitchen and shower facilities and another with one |
| for meetings and conferences. After being | | | | double room, one bunk bed, a kitchen and shower |
| decommissioned in 1922, the lighthouse became | | | | facilities. The islet takes about a minute to walk but |
| privately owned but fell into disrepair and remained | | | | make sure you stay long enough to enjoy one of |
| so until purchased in 1987 by Frank and Danielle | | | | Porer's beautiful sunsets. |
| Sheahan. Its unique and cozy style is a must see. Just | | | | On the southwest coast of England just six miles |
| remember: if you want hot water, you'll have to pull | | | | north of Land's End is Pendeen Lighthouse. This |
| the cord. | | | | operational landmark was built in 1900 and was |
| Lighthouse accommodations are featured in many | | | | automated in 1994. This includes the foghorn which |
| areas of the world. From Maine to Washington and | | | | sounds when mists move in to the area. Guests are |
| Lake Erie to Marathon, unique and historic inns are | | | | forewarned to bring their earplugs when visiting |
| peppered throughout the United States. The Big | | | | Pendeen. The lighthouse and cottages overlook the |
| Sable Lighthouse in Michigan will give you a two-week | | | | turbulent waters but are separated from the cliffs by |
| stint as a keeper. Volunteers can sign up to be the | | | | a four-foot wall. Accommodations are for four guests |
| keeper of the light and go through orientation to | | | | with two bedrooms and one bath, a sitting room, |
| learn their duties. The Whitefish Point Light Station is | | | | kitchen with dining area, hall and washer and dryer. |
| the oldest operational lighthouse on the far-east end | | | | Guests can stick close to home, visit the nearby |
| of Lake Superior. The wreck of the Edmund | | | | beaches or drive the scenic, narrow roads of the |
| Fitzgerald lies 15 miles northwest of Whitefish Point | | | | southwest coast. |
| along with over 200 other shipwrecks out of the 550 | | | | Built as a replica of the Thomas Point Lighthouse on |
| known to be at the bottom of Lake Superior. | | | | the Chesapeake Bay, Katie's Light is a one of a kind |
| There are over 50 historic and replica lighthouses and | | | | experience on Florida's east coast jewel, Amelia |
| bed and breakfast inns with keeper cottage | | | | Island. The 3-bedroom, 2 ½ bath facility features a |
| accommodations in the U.S. alone. Other areas where | | | | 360 degree deck with wood floors and ceilings |
| lighthouses offer a unique visiting experience are | | | | throughout. Relax in the downstairs kitchen, dining |
| Canada, Scotland, the Caribbean, South America, | | | | and entertainment level then take the spiral staircase |
| Australia, the UK, New Zealand and Europe. Almost | | | | up to two well-appointed bedrooms for waterfront |
| everywhere in the world, there are lighthouses to | | | | views. The deck extends over the beaches of |
| stay in or tour. | | | | Amelia Island and is a romantic place to view sunsets. |
| The Lighthouse of Bengtskar at the entrance of the | | | | Whether your vacation takes you around the world |
| Gulf of Finland has a rich history spanning 100 years. | | | | or just out your back door, consider the possibilities |
| The lighthouse was completed in 1906 after its | | | | of a lighthouse stay. And if lighthouses are too much |
| design was unveiled at the 1900 Paris World Exhibition | | | | for you to "sea" opportunities abound in some of the |
| by architect Florentin Granholm. The unique granite | | | | world's oldest windmills and castles. Stay tuned for |
| structure boasts breathtaking sea views from the | | | | part two where we nestle into historic windmills from |
| top of the 252-step spiral staircase. After the Soviet | | | | England to Denmark and back again. |