I Booked a Haunted Hotel Room by Accident—Here's What Happened Next

How a night in a brand new hotel had one TripSavvy editor completely spooked. [Sherri Gardner]( Associate Editor After spending two weeks cruising the Arctic Ocean with Wi-Fi so limited that I couldn’t reply to texts, it feels weird to be back at my desk typing up this newsletter. So many people have asked, “How was the trip?” To be honest, it’s hard to describe how amazing it was. But I’ll do my best. The luxury expedition cruise was offered by [Abercrombie & Kent]( and was dedicated to finding polar bears on their home turf. And oh, did we find polar bears! A whole seven of them, which may not sound like a lot, but a competitor cruise line traveling the same general area for a period only caught sight of one bear. But polar bears weren’t the only wildlife we saw. We took a Zodiac cruise around a bearded seal lounging on a piece of drifting sea ice, saw a pile of napping walruses, pods of dolphins and whales, and saw too many sea birds to count. Even without the animals, the scenery was incredible. There’s really nothing like opening your blinds and seeing mirror-like water with icebergs and glaciers. Even when things went a little sideways—like when our Zodiac made contact with a sneaky piece of ice, sending the driver sprawling on the floor of the little boat and snapping off my pinky nail that I spent the past 10 months growing out—it was hard to stay upset when you’re sailing around some of the most remote areas on Earth. There’s only one caveat: this kind of trip doesn’t come cheap. But when you factor in the quality of the ship, the small group (maxes out at 199), the expert expedition team, and all the incredible excursions you’ll enjoy, it’s a bucket list trip worth saving for. On Our Radar [This New Hotel in Nashville Will Transport You to the Smoky Mountains]( The outdoors-inspired oasis is the city's first sustainable luxury property. [7 Micro-Adventures You Can Incorporate Into Your Everyday Life]( If climbing Mount Everest isn't yet in the cards, start with these small thrills. [I Booked a Haunted Hotel Room by Accident—Here's What Happened Next]( How a night in a brand new hotel had one TripSavvy editor completely spooked. Destination of the Day Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Sprawled more than 800 square miles along the Saigon River, [Ho Chi Minh City](, formerly Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest and busiest city. It’s as diverse and rich with [things to do]( as you would expect a city of 9 million to be. Busy Ben Thanh Market gets all the attention, but there are smaller [markets for shopping]( and sampling street food. The [museums around Ho Chi Minh City]( are an excellent option for waiting out afternoon thunderstorms, but once the weather clears, retreat to one of the many [peaceful parks]( or [pagodas]( around town for reflection. Don’t leave without partaking in [the city’s incredible culinary scene](; be sure to try pho—a large bowl typically costs less than $2—as well as banh mi and fresh Vietnamese spring rolls. Ho Chi Minh City is also notoriously known as [the epicenter for nightlife]( in Vietnam, so do check out a beer hoi bar or two while you’re here. The whirlwind of people, motorbikes, and sights feels overwhelming [the first day or two](, but travelers quickly slip into the city’s unique rhythm. Vacation Like a Pro Although a lot of short-term visitors don’t wander too far from Pham Ngu Lao and District 1, there are many exciting [neighborhoods to explore in Ho Chi Minh City](! Get lost in Chinatown, wander “Book Street,” and [explore even further afield]( for a bigger sample of Saigon. [Greg Rodgers]( Contributing Writer Your Packing List Ho Chi Minh City’s rainy season (May to mid-November) brings humidity and rainfall to their yearly heights. Plan for monsoons by packing easy-dry clothes that allow moisture to evaporate effortlessly; rain gear like [an umbrella](, [waterproof shoes](, and a light jacket (don’t bring a heavy raincoat, it’ll just feel uncomfortable in the humidity); [polyethylene bags]( and silica gel to keep your electronics dry; and [DEET]( to ward off mosquitoes. During the dry season (November to April), protect yourself against UV exposure by bringing [a light, breathable hat](, or slathering on some [sunscreen](. You’ll also want moisture-wicking clothes that can help your sweat evaporate easier. Don’t forget comfortable footwear ([closed-toe shoes]( with springy soles ideally! Trending in Travel [Why Checking a Bag This Summer Is a Terrible Idea]( [The Best Fake Engagement Rings to Wear on Any Trip]( [Your Trip to Santa Fe, the Oldest Capital City in the US]( Get Inspired Established in 1872, [Yellowstone National Park]( is America’s first national park. Travelers here are rewarded with big adventures as the park sits on an active volcano, experiences one to three thousand annual earthquakes, and is home to 10,000 hydrothermal features and 500 active geysers (more than half of the world’s geysers). The wildlife here is unbelievable. You’ll see herds of bison—the largest land-dwelling mammals in North America—throughout the park, in the valleys and grasslands, near the thermal areas, and even wandering in front of cars. Got Any Tips? Have a travel tip or feedback on how we can improve? Send us a note at feedback@tripsavvy.com and you may just see it in a future newsletter! [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the TripSavvy newsletter. A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005 © 2021 tripsavvy.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy If you believe this has been sent to you in error, please safely [unsubscribe](.