VMLIFE - Travel

The Shipwreck Lodge

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 11:00:00 +0000

When you are building tourist accommodation in an area so renowned for claiming vessels of the sea that it is actually called the Skeleton Coast then your choice of name is simple. Completely unique as it is remote, this is The Shipwreck Lodge.

Designed to resemble the crashed ships that line the shore the Shipwreck Lodge space in Namibia features ten spots for tourists, including eight twin or double rooms, and two family buildings. All of them come with en suite facilities, and are solar powered.
In fact, the only thing that is not solar powered is the wood-burning stove, but on chilly mornings or evenings (this is the desert after all) it is a most welcome edition.

Also in the centre of the camp you’ll find an equally as innovatively-designed lounge and restaurant with a wide, wraparound deck and uninterrupted view across the sand……all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.

The area in which it is lies is raw, rugged and impossibly remote slice of African wilderness, where towering dunes and wind-swept plains roll as far as the eye can see.

There is more to the location than just isolation though. There’s plenty of wildlife there such as desert-dwelling elephants, baboons, and lions. But that’s not all, as Marine life positively thrives, feeding off the nutrients in the Atlantic, with the most iconic species being the Cape fur seals that line the rocky shoreline in large colonies.

Birdlife is also plentiful, so get you binoculars ready to view Ruppell’s, Korhaans and Benguela long-billed larks.
Aside from that you can discover the enchanting desert flora, or why not sit atop the dunes as the sun sinks below the horizon, or how about beach-combing for whale bones and debris from centuries of shipwrecks, or marvel at the geologically-remarkable Clay Castles.

For more information please head to the Natural Selection website here.

Vortex // NYC

Mon, 8 Jan 2018 09:30:00 +0000

Take a look at New York from a whole new angle as Brooklyn Aerials return with a stunning new video entitled Vortex. The cinematographer geniuses have ditched the drones, kept their feet firmly on the ground, and dug out their iPhones, as they bring you a twisted view of NYC.

A couple of years ago we brought you Balance – An Abstract View Of New York City, - a stunning drone video from Tim Sessler and his company Brooklyn Aerials, that turned one of the most recognisable Cities in the world quite literally upside down.

Well now they are back with a new video entitled Vortex which offers a unique, but more grounded view of the ‘City That Never Sleeps’.
And whilst the spinning camera remains, this time the idea was to portray the buildings as the foundation - the body and bones - of all of it. That said, the people are the ones that really suck you into the video, as it creates the pulse and flow of the city and helps to create an overstimulating element in the piece.

This is also the first time that the company have used an iPhone in its entirety to film a project – attached to a Freefly Systems MoVI iPhone gimbal so it could achieve the 360 degrees barrel rolls.
But given that there is no other tool out there that could achieve this effect, and also being able to film without a large rig, in very busy, high security spaces like the World Trade Center, Penn Station or Grand Central, it was an obvious choice to use Apple’s finest.

Take a look at the finished piece below, and for more information please head on over to Brooklyn Aerials official website here.

The North Awakens

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 09:30:00 +0000

The stunning video The North Awakens sends you right into the rough and beautiful landscapes of Iceland where you can get the most magic moments regardless whether it’s day or night. If the ‘Land of Fire & Ice’ wasn’t on your bucket list already it will be after this.

Once upon a time getting drone footage was a big deal, but then it seemed like almost everyone started doing it, and video of landscapes, cities, etc were common place, and the end result was that it kind of lost its sparkle.
Now-a-days you have to do something pretty special to stand out……however that’s just what artists Jonathan Besler, Kevin May, and Florian Gampert have done with The North Awakens.

The ‘Land of Fire & Ice has never been more beautifully portrayed than with this footage of the Nordic island, with the eye-catching footage including blissful waterfalls, rugged stony mountains, glaciers, and of course the Northern Lights.

Captured on a variety of gadgets including a Phantom 4 Pro Drone, a Sony A7SII as well as a Nikon D850, check out the video below.

The Eye Library

Sat, 11 Nov 2017 11:45:00 +0000

Forget about your preconceived notions of libraries being dark, dusty, and dreary. The only ‘d’ word to describe this five-storied Dutch-designed space with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves is dynamic. Take a look…

Dutch firm MVRDV has built a public library that looks like a huge eye, as part of a new cultural district in Tianjin, China.
The atrium of the Tianjin Binhai Public Library is deliberately designed to look like a 3D eyeball, staring out through the building's glazed facade. But the design doesn’t stop there.

The five-storey-high space is framed by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, which are staggered at different levels to form the shape of an eye socket, while a spherical glowing auditorium at the centre forms the pupil.
The shelves themselves form a continuous sweeping cave wall like design, and also provide areas where visitors can sit and read.
Light and airy the windows are designed to deflect the glare of the sun.

The 33,700-square-metre building is the Dutch firm's fastest project completion to date – with a period of just three years between the first sketch and the opening ceremony.
It hasn’t been without its problems though. The upper shelves directly above the atrium are currently unreachable, after planned access rooms were dropped – a decision MVRDV said was taken by the local team against their advice.
Instead these shelves are covered in perforated aluminium plates to look like books, and not ruin the aesthetic of the building, although the company hope this can be rectified in the future, to fulfill its vision.

The library also houses education facilities, which are located around the periphery of the interior and accessed via the main hall. Subterranean rooms hold a large archive and provide extra book storage.
Reading areas for children and the elderly are located on the ground floor, with reading rooms and lounge areas on the first and second floors. The upper floors contain meeting rooms, offices, computer rooms and two rooftop terraces.

For more information feel free to visit MVRDV’s website here.

The Deplar Farm Resort

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 11:00:00 +0000

The Northern Lights are one of the world’s natural wonders, and something that everyone should see at least once in their life. Now an old converted sheep farm might just offer you the best possible views. You could say it’ll have the holiday makers ‘flocking’ in.

Deplar is a converted sheep farm, situated in the remote Fljot valley in the mountainous Troll Peninsula in northern Iceland. Today’s modern structure celebrates a rugged past, and honors authentic Icelandic architecture with 13 en suite bedrooms. It’s a one-stop-shop for adventure, solitude, mystery, and high-end amenities. The Fljot valley sees some of the highest average snowfall on the planet, and as a result, the eastern route to Deplar is closed all winter, making its remote location all the more raw and wild.

Strategically located between Europe and the States, Iceland and Deplar offer easy access to otherworldly landscapes without hours of traveling. New York and London-based clients can be fishing or skiing on the same day of travel. The only question here is, “What your call to action is?”

Iceland turns day and night on its head, with long days, short nights in the summer, and vice-versa in the winter months. It’s not unusual to only have 4 hours of daylight during the winter month, with it not getting light till after 10am, and alternatively you can find it still light outside even at 2am in the summer months.
So with that said making sure you get a good nights sleep regardless of what the season is is important. Think remote-controlled electric blackout blinds, and king-size beds with top-of-the-line linens. And our Eleven playlists sound even better at the top of the world – you’ll control when you want to tune in or drop out.

Deplar is made for lounging. Every room brings the outdoors in—floor-to-ceiling windows frame the mountains and often showcase lines from Eleven guests’ hard-earned heli-ski, or snowmobiling turns. Think stone sourced from local rivers, black timber cladding, and a grass-sodded roof. Oh and there’s also a full spa.

And when it comes to the food then expect Icelandic cuisine—Arctic char, north Atlantic salmon, skyr, and lamb—dished up with modern influences. Helmed by two chefs, meals are served in a dining room framed by rugged peaks. Deplar is striving to become a fully source-to-fork outfit, with the lodge being surrounded by sustainable land.

Also, when it comes to the phenomenon that is the Northern Lights, naturally the best time to see them are in the darker months, which are generally September to April, although it must be said that there is no guaranteed chance to see them – in keeping with their magically aura they simply appear and disappear with ease……but if you are going to see them there is no better place than the Deplar Farm Resort.

Nothing But Naples

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 16:00:00 +0000

From the Little Big World series comes a tilt-shift time-lapse video from one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, and the birthplace of pizza – the beautiful city of Naples.

Utilising tilt selective focus the Italian city is transformed into a miniature scene in the four-minute clip directed by Joerg Daiber. Shot on a Lumix GH4 and GH5 with 14-140mm and 7-14mm Lumix lenses, even the locals mundane everyday activities in the colorful city (which is third in terms of size in the country behind Rome and Milan) come to life in this transfixing and unique video.

The Little Big World Series has already been to over 80 places to record time-lapse videos, which have included Burma, Gibralter, Brooklyn, Boston, Shanghai, Bethlehem, Prague, San Fransisco, Toronto, Berlin, Vienna, and Helsinki to name a few.
For the entire catalogue of videos please click here.

In the meantime check out the Nothing But Naples video below, and as with all the high resolution videos we feature, it’s always at it’s best on as bigger screen as possible.

The Sun Cruise Resort

Thu, 25 May 2017 12:00:00 +0000

No this isn’t the end result of a holiday gone wrong, this is the world’s first on-land cruise ship and resort. Stunning views ahoy, and with no chance of getting seasick make this a must see!

Built at the top of a large cliff the Sun Cruise resort is set in the town of Jeongjin in South Korea, and is truly jaw dropping in appearance.
Standing at 540 feet long and 150 feet high this is a vessel that has never ever floated in the ocean – it was purely created as a hotel and to stand where is it.

The view from the ship (and the surrounding area) have become well known as the ideal place to watch the sun rise across the Sea of Japan, especially on New Year's Day.

The 30,000-ton boat has a gym, swimming pools filled with sea water and a covered golf range so guests can tee off into an ocean view.
It also boasts 6 restaurants including European and Korean orientated ones, as well as the Sky Lounge which is a revolving bar at the top of the ship lets visitors gaze at a panoramic view of the horizon, and not to mention hosting a nightclub and karaoke bar.

The ship has 211 cabins, ranging from hotel-style bedrooms to private apartments, they are nautical themed, which includes portholes for windows and you can have ocean noises played into enhancing the feeling of being at sea.

And if you want to ‘come ashore’ the resort also contains a park located adjacent to the hotel. Prominent within the landscaped gardens are ‘The Hands of Promise’, two giant hands rising from the ground, along with a variety of other sculptures and rare flowers. There is also an observation area with a glass floor suspended above the sea, an exhibition hall, and a lake.

With all this you may be surprised to learn that you can stay there for roughly £45 a night, although flights to get there may cost a little more.

For more information please head to the resort’s website here, on which you will be able to see that starting this month you are now able to book onboard the smaller boat hotel just a stones throw from the cruise ship one.

Standout Stag Do Activities

Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:00:00 +0000

‘Let’s do something crazy!’ is how every great stag do preparation starts, but putting this statement into reality can sometimes be harder than it seems, so here is are some crazy, wild and standout activity ideas to make your stag party truly epic.

Beer Bicycle

When you’re talking about stag do’s there is no better place to start than with beer……some times it ends there too, but we digress.

If you're visiting a new destination you want to make the most of it and see the sights, but if you're on a stag do then it's a toss-up between getting out and enjoying the local landmarks or spending time in the bar. Well now you can do both with the Beer Bicycle.
It’s not going to keep you fit, but at least you can burn off some of the calories as you consume them.

Each bike seats up to 17 and comes complete with a bar top, pint glasses and the all-important beer keg containing 30 litres of beer! Pour as you peddle and take to the mean streets of your chosen destination while taking an entire bar with you. Wine and soft drinks are usually available too.

Cities that the bikes are available in include Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest, Hamburg, Lisbon, Madrid, Munich, Prague, Riga, Valencia, and Vilnius, but demand is usually high so book early to avoid disappointment.

Wrestling School

If you grew up in an era of WWF/WWE there's a good chance at some point you and your friends tried giving each other a ‘Smackdown’. Whether in your head you were Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Andre The Giant, Bret 'The Hitman' Hart or The Rock pinning down your unsuspecting sibling for a count of 3 was mandatory. However wearing a robe or growing a wet-look mullet was/is optional.

Now you can relieve those glories and actually make the groom's boyhood wrestling dreams come true. What could be better than bringing the best man or even the groom down to size by pinning them to the ground for a count of three? Battle to find out who among you is the king of the ring, all whilst using you r newly created ring names.

With venues in Blackpool, Liverpool, London, and Manchester whilst you are coached by professional wrestling trainers (all ex pro wrestlers) you'll learn ring craft from seasoned fighters as well as the training required for those that make a living across the UK and in international bouts around the world.
This isn't an activity for whimps - it's not quite no holds barred either as you'll need to stick to the regulated wrestling techniques. The high skill level means you'll have to keep your wits about you and learn real wrestling moves to survive the final bout against your foes.

The session ends with either a tag battle or Royal Rumble, so come and have a go if you think you're hard enough!

Swat Team Training

‘You're either S.W.A.T. or you're not!’ So said the movie posters to S.W.A.T. and there is some truth in it. This is an activity that really does test you and see if you have what it takes in a high pressure, gun toting, adrenalin fuelled mission that really will get your hearts pumping – it doesn’t get any more manly than this!

This is the ultimate activity for those stags who demand stag excitement and are keen to try something totally different. This amazing SWAT experience will see you carry out an SAS style search and rescue in a thrilling custom built battle zone, with specially designed corridors, rooms and dead ends intended to stimulate and disorientate your senses.

This is a great activity for stags that haven't all met before as you'll soon buddy up with a need for total team work and awareness of those around you. Plus you'll get more than a few laughs a long the way as there'll be close shaves aplenty while you fight to keep your team in action.

Kitted out in a custom built SWAT style vest, combat clothing and head and face protection, you will be tested to the limit. You will be working in groups of small units and teams as you will be set a series of demanding challenges in a purpose-built mansion.
The mission’s include Recon, Assault, and Rescue, with venues in both Birmingham and Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Demolition Derby

While go karts, quad bikes and track days are indeed fantastic stag do events, Extreme Dodgems really is the ultimate in hardcore stag racing!

There's no half measures; this is real motor racing in heavy metal saloon stockcars, complete with commentators and trophies! This is genuine motorsport in race-prepared cars, with at least two highly competitive, adrenaline-pumping racing heats and a winner takes all championship final! That means you have the perfect opportunity to go head-to-head with your mates and find out once-and-for-all who is the main man behind the wheel!

Chase down the groom as you go wheel to wheel, all out for the win.
All extreme dodgems competitors receive a souvenir programme with their name in it. Event winners receive trophies. The extreme dodgems track is 330m long, providing the ultimate driver's arena.

This incredible event is the very real opportunity to drive track prepared 1300cc saloon stockcars. During the event, clients will be coached by professional drivers and officials. From that point on it's pedal to the metal and the winner takes all!

Foot – Golf / Darts / Pool

You can never fail with a game of footy as far as lads are concerned, but ordinary footy can be played every day of the week. When it comes to a stag do you need to up the ante….. enter Foot Golf, Foot Darts, and Foot Pool.

The basic premise of Foot Darts is simple genius. You'll shoot modified footballs at a giant inflatable dartboard, the balls stick to the numbers (similar to Velcro) to show your score. The board is massive! It's so big that even those players that normally have two left feet should be able to get some points on the board.
But that isn't even the best part. The board is double sided. While one side seemed like a fun, innocent, even friendly game of darts, the flip side is all about stag laughs. On this side the board has a set of forfeits for you to shoot at. The groom or best man will get to select forfeits for the guys to aim at.
Foot Darts can be played at Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, and Nottingham.

10 balls, 6 pockets, 4 players and a hushed crowd will gather around a 12ft x 8ft table for an example of extreme stag party sporting prowess……or some slightly hungover blokes watch and shout at some other hungover blokes trying to play Foot Pool.
Its classic pub pool tournament fun with the added bonus of being able to use your footy skills, which none of the stags will surely have played before. Once the group has been split into teams you can then fight it out on the green baize in your own stag party Foot Pool mini-tournament. Add fancy dress and a prize or trophy for the winning team and you've got a hilarious stag activity with plenty of banter, insults and superb competitive action.
Foot Pool can be played at Birmingham, Bournemouth, Cambridge, Liverpool, London, Newcastle, Portsmouth, and Southampton.

Foot Golf is a mash-up of two the world's greatest sports, football and golf and is perfect for sports loving stags. The rules themselves are pretty much based on the sport of golf, the essential difference being that instead of a club and Titleist, you're using your feet and a football and aiming at enlarged wholes.
With 3 different types of games to be played there will be no shortage of fun to be had.
Foot Golf can be played in Bath, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Maidstone, Manchester, Newquay, Nottingham, Oxford, Reading, Southampton, and York, as well as a host of places abroad including Amsterdam, Benidorm, Berlin, Bratislava, Budapest, Dublin, Marbella, Prague, and Reykjavic.

These are just a fraction of the stag do activities that are on offer over at Stag Web, with many more including Medieval Jousting, Beerkeg Racing, Zombie Paintballing, Segway Polo, Cliff Jumping, Zorbing, 007 Day, and even Werewolf Hunting!

For more information please click here.

Pano | LA - in 10K

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 10:00:00 +0000

Pano | LA was shot over a period of two years entirely in true panoramic form using two synced DSLR cameras side by side. The resulting panoramic time-lapse footage comes in at a whopping 10K x 4K resolution when stitched.

The City Of Angels rapid pace and dazzling nighttime scenes are brilliantly captured by photographer and filmmaker Joe Capra, aka Scientifantastic.
Iconic locations such as Chris Burden’s LACMA lights, the scenic Griffith Observatory, historic Venice Canals and the ritzy Rodeo Drive are just a few of the places that can be viewed, along with LA’s paramount vehicles which weave in and out of nearly every frame.

For more pieces of work like this please head on over to Scientifantastic’s Vimeo page here.