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Is a traditional hotel room with four walls too...square? For the third year running, here are our picks for the world's weirdest hotels. Book a room to sleep in a beer can, live like a hamster, or get chauffeured by an elephant.

Hotel Kakslauttanen, Finland

It's hard enough to pronounce "Kakslauttanen" sober, so don't even think about attempting it after a shot of Finlandia vodka (we do, however, recommend a few glasses of the stuff to keep warm while staying at this Finnish resort near the North Pole). The snow igloos here are cool (pun intended), but what really caught our eye were the futuristic glass igloos, which guarantee unrestricted views of the aurora borealis from the comfort of your zebra-striped bed; the phenomenon turns the night sky dazzling shades of green, red, and blue from late August to April. (The special thermal glass doesn't frost over -- even if outdoor temperatures drop to -30 degrees Celsius.) Staff supply wool socks and down sleeping bags for guests who opt for one of the 12 "real" igloos, where the interior temperature hovers between -6 and -2 degrees Celsius. If you get cold feet, the property also features more conventional accommodations like wood cabins.

011-358/1666-7100, kakslauttanen.fi, glass igloos from $468 for two people.

Photo courtesy of Hotel Kakslauttanen.

Jumbo Stay, Stockholm, Sweden

For most jet-setters, getting on a big jet plane and going nowhere might seem like a prank of transatlantic proportions. Then again, most people have never boarded Jumbo Stay at Stockholm's Arlanda Airport. The 450 seats on this retired Boeing 747 have been replaced by 27 rooms, all of which, we assure you, have plenty of legroom. To fly really high, book the cockpit-located suite, where you can move the controls and push as many buttons as you'd like without ever worrying about crashing.

011-46/8-593-604-00, jumbostay.com, doubles from $149.

Photo courtesy of Jumbo Stay.

Palacio de Sal, Bolivia

If you're one of those people who believe you can never have too much salt, then we've got the place for you. The luxurious Salt Palace, located on Bolivia's vast salt flats, is made entirely out of the mineral. From floor to ceiling, including the walls, beds, and chairs, it's all salt, all of the time. And the 16-room property offers dishes like salt-encrusted lamb, of course. Sufferers of high blood pressure should probably look elsewhere for a room.

011-591/2- 62-2951, palaciodesal.com.bo, doubles from $135.

Photo courtesy of Palacio de Sal

Hotel Utter Inn, Vasteras, Sweden

What's so weird about this pint-size property in Sweden? At first glance, the one-room hotel appears to be a cheery red house in the middle of the lake -- yes, it's in the middle of a body of water but how strange is that, really? Don't be fooled: The room isn't actually in the house; it's 10 feet underwater. It's also the only functioning underwater hotel that started out as an art installation. Designed by artist Mikael Genberg, the 10-year-old inn's sole room consists of two twin beds with panoramic windows on all sides. There is no electricity, but there is lighting and a portable gas heater. When ready to come up for air, guests can relax on the deck or take the dinghy out to one of the nearby uninhabited islands.

011-46/21-39-0100, vasterasmalarstaden.se, from $328 for two people, open April-Oct.

Photo courtesy of Hotel Utter Inn.

Can Sleep, Lake Skanderborg, Denmark

Beer lovers of the world unite at Lake Skanderborg for a full-immersion experience: drinking by day and sleeping in a giant beer can by night. No, we weren't imbibing the sudsy stuff when we found this one. The collection of 121 aluminum Royal Unibrew beer cans is known as Can Sleep, and it's only open one month out of the year during the Skanderborg Music Festival every August. The cans are clustered in sections of six (six pack, get it?), and each has a loft and is 12 feet high with a "lid" that cracks open. The loft is the sleeping area, and the Ikea furniture-bedecked bottom floor is a living-room-type space, complete with a minibar that's restocked each day with Royal Unibrew products.

011-45/8793-4444, smukfest.dk, doubles from $336.

Photo courtesy of Can Sleep.

Les Roulottes de la Serve, Provence, France

Gypsy (Roma) circus performers once travelled through the French countryside in the three restored caravans that now welcome guests at Les Roulottes de la Serve. It's run by Pascal and Pascaline Patin, who bought this lush plot of land for their horses more than 20 years ago. They outfitted the caravans (roulottes) with eclectic bohemian and Indian touches: lanterns, garlands, woven carpets, framed images of deities, and plush armchairs. Guests share bathrooms, a kitchen, and a campfire -- a communal setup that's gypsy-like indeed.

011-33/04-74-04-76-40, lesroulottes.com, doubles from $87, open early Apr.-late Oct.

Photo courtesy of Les Roulottes de la Serve.

La Villa Hamster, Nantes, France

Ever wonder what life is like for a hamster? If so, you're not alone -- ever since it opened in 2009, La Villa Hamster has been booked almost every night. The owners, a local businessman and an interior designer, spared no expense when it came to the details of their property, an unusual addition to the town of Nantes in western France. Wrought iron has been affixed to the walls to suggest a cage, and, if they so choose, guests can drink water out of a tube attached to the side of the wall. Naturally, there's a large, fully functioning hamster wheel (consider it the hotel's gym) located on one side of the cage, ahem, room.

011-33/6-64-20-31-09, uncoinchezsoi.net, doubles from $136.

Photo courtesy of La Villa Hamster

Elephant Safari Park Hotel Lodge, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

The first confirmation that you're not at just any old luxury resort comes when pachyderm "chauffeurs" show up to transport you to your room at the Elephant Safari Park Hotel Lodge. The 26-room property is adjacent to an 8.5-acre sanctuary for the largest herd of rescued Sumatran elephants in the world. The rooms feature elephant art -- literally painted by the park's pachyderms -- and elephant-inspired decor and artifacts. Guests can hang out in the on-site baby nursery and catch the 29 resident Sumatran elephants performing in four shows per day. They roam the property, and you can admire them while you're lounging in the pool or dining in the restaurant.

011-62/36-172-1480, elephantsafariparklodge.com, doubles from $260.

Photo courtesy of Elephant Safari Park Hotel Lodge.

Free Spirit Spheres, Vancouver Island, Canada

A whole new approach to tree houses has taken shape in an old-growth forest on Vancouver Island. Set on five acres, Free Spirit Spheres consists of three pods (made of cedar, spruce, or fiberglass, respectively) that are suspended 10 to 15 feet in the air and accessed by staircases that wind around the trees. The heated interiors are surprisingly comfy -- and are even equipped with an iPod docking station. The pods sway gently, so those prone to motion sickness should take note. But look at it this way: At least a bear or other wild beast won't be able to get you.

250/757-9445, freespiritspheres.com, doubles from $135.

Photo courtesy of Free Spirit Spheres.

Wigwam Motel, San Bernardino, California

The Wigwam Motel -- located on Route 66 -- feels less like a place one might commune with Native Americans and more like a quirky stopover on a 1950s road trip. But whatever authenticity this hotel lacks, it makes up for in serious kitsch, starting with the teepees themselves. The western-themed interiors are simple: Each wigwam is outfitted with a wagon-wheel headboard as well as air-conditioning, a 25-inch TV, free Wi-Fi, and an in-teepee bathroom. There's also a kidney-shaped pool, a barbecue pit, and a gift shop stocked with Americana.

909/875-3005, wigwammotel.com, doubles from $66.

Photo courtesy of Wigwam Motel.

Our experts share their 'must-visit' spots for the coming year

Each year, Frommer's editors, authors, and experts from around the world sit down to talk about the best cities, islands, beaches, and other vacation destinations for the coming year. We aim for a list that steers clear of too-hot spots or places that are so under the radar you'll find yourself lost.

More from Frommer's:
• World's best holiday lights
• Best and worst hotel booking sites
• 8 airport survival tips
To tell you about our choices, we turned to our experts in the field: authors and editors who live in the destinations or who travel there on the regular. We think the best people to share about a city or a region are those who can't stay away from them for too long.

Doha, Qatar

Doha doesn't attract the hordes of beer-swilling British tourists or the sheer number of hotels that the U.A.E.'s Dubai does, but its beaches are more beautiful and its gourmet restaurants are less crowded. The Al Jazeera news network is what put Doha on the map a decade ago, although a different sort of camera -- the movie kind -- is what's drawing tourists for the Doha-Tribeca Film Festival. Next year marks its third installment. Doha is concentrating on beefing up its presence on the international stage by following up its world-class, I.M. Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Art with a bid for the Olympics in 2016 and the Fifa World Cup in 2022. Plus, the city is hosting professional soccer's Asian Cup in January. (Photo by gwilson/Frommer's.com Community)

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Although hardly a secret destination, Rio de Janeiro is shedding its image as a sun, sea, and samba town and going for glamour and sophistication. Join the friendly Cariocas for an innovative 10-course Amazonian dinner at Rio's top Le Pré Catelan restaurant or some delectable "brapas" (Brazilian tapas) at hip eatery Oui Oui. Even Rio's magnificent beaches are better than ever before; from Leme to Leblon, new outdoor cafés boast fabulous seaside patios with comfortable bathroom facilities. As host of the 2014 Soccer World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics, the city is abuzz with exciting developments that will be sure to attract huge crowds. Beat the rush and see how the Girl from Ipanema is all grown up. (Photo by Queensue/Frommer's.com Community)

Stockholm, Sweden

Best-selling writer Stieg Larsson has rocketed Stockholm to the top of the list of most popular European cities through the exploits of computer hacker Lisbeth Salander, better known as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It's high time: Stockholm has always been a city of under-appreciated surprises and discoveries. Every visitor should see the main sights (like the Royal Palace and the winding cobbled streets of medieval Gamla Stan), but then hop on the 1900 steamboat that takes you past hidden creeks and marshland to the royal family's palace on Drottningholm. Swim in a restored 1904 Art Nouveau pool, tuck into reindeer or arctic char in a gourmet food market, or try a distinctly different guided walk over the rooftops. And of course, follow in the footsteps of Lisbeth Salander on the former working-class island of Södermalm. (Photo by foehner/Frommer's.com Community)

Atlanta, Georgia

As the gateway to the New South, Atlanta has certainly come a long way since it burned to the ground during General William Tecumseh Sherman's March to the Sea in 1864. And while remains of the Civil War are still a big draw for visitors -- the Kennesaw Mountain/National Battlefield Park and Cheatham Hill specifically, there is much more to this great city than 150-year-old confrontations. Atlanta boasts the world's largest aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola museum, a world-class zoo, an impressive botanical garden, and Federal parks highlighting the life and works of native son Martin Luther King, Jr. Reinvigorated neighborhoods scattered throughout the city, such as Virginia-Highlands, Midtown and Buckhead, are easy to navigate on foot and boast great shopping, dining and nightlife. Progressive yet rich in history, Atlanta truly has something for everyone. (Photo by Jay Filter/Frommer's.com Community)

Kent Coast, England

Less than two hours from London by train, the Kent Coastline offers long stretches of clean, sandy beaches, secluded coves, and bustling seaside towns. There's plenty to keep visitors going over a long weekend, from quirky independent shops to worthy eateries to stylish boutique hotels. A focus for visitors is the area from Whitstable to Ramsgate, taking in the colourful beach huts of Herne Bay and the traditional seaside resort of Broadstairs, with many beaches to be discovered along the way. Walkers can take off on a bracing cliff top ramble whilst exploring the 27-mile-long Viking Coastal Path, taking in smugglers haunts, and some of the oldest churches in England. (Photo by Jill Emeny)

Hokkaido, Japan

The northernmost island of Hokkaido was the final frontier for the citizens of Japan, so it's only fitting that it's the final frontier for visitors as well. Hokkaido confounds expectations at every turn. While the mainland of Japan has a reputation for being tiny and crowded, Hokkaido is expansive and sparsely populated. While the mainland features typically Asian architecture, the major cities of Hokkaido have a distinct, almost European feel. And while Japan is known as a technological paradise, Hokkaido overflows with natural wonders, from fields of alpine flowers in the summer to breathtaking ice-scapes in the winter months. (Photo by Wend In Leong/Frommer's.com Community)

Cesme Peninsula, Turkey

The picturesque villages with crumbling Greek facades and enormous stretches of sparsely populated beaches that were once the hidden playground of Izmir's working class have developed into a veritable international holiday sensation. Today, relaxation can be found at more than a dozen deluxe thermal spas and visitors can find lodging at opulent bayside resorts, romantic boutique hideaways, or even a stately Pasha's manse. Step back in time at Erytrai, the city of antiquity peeping out from under the Mediterranean brush, and pass into the medieval era in Çesme's hybrid Genoese-Ottoman fortress before returning to the 21st century in one of the many elegant streetside cafés of Alaçati or the white-glove restaurants at Dalyan cove. (Photo by Spiterman/Flickr.com)

Nahanni National Park, Canada

If there's such a thing as a quintessential Canadian wilderness experience, paddling down the Nahanni River may be it. While the remote Nahanni National Park in the Northwest Territories has always had a degree of recognition -- it was the world's first-ever UNESCO World Heritage Site -- its profile increased dramatically in 2009 when the park underwent a massive expansion to become more than 11,500 square miles of protected land (nearly the size of Switzerland). While the park's remote nature means that this is not a budget trip, you also don't have to be a grizzled outdoorsman to enjoy it -- warming in the north means that the season gets a little bit longer every year, and many people choose to float comfortably down the river in a whitewater raft, enjoying the abundant wildlife. (Photo by Mike Beauregard/Flickr.com)

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

A tiny town fronting a small protected harbor on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, Puerto Viejo offers up a laid-back environment, spicy food, palpable tropical heat, and streets filled with the rhythmic lilt of patois and reggae music. From the shore right in town you can watch surfers tackle Salsa Brava, a steep reef break reminicent of Hawaii's treacherous Bonzai Pipline. Just south of town are white sand beaches backed by thick rain forest and protected park lands. If you decide to do more than sunbathe, you can hike the trails of the nearby Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and Cahuita National Park. You'll almost certainly hear the roar of howler monkeys, and watch parrots fly by. (Photo by Kim Mazzucco/Frommer's.com Community)

Ponza & the Pontine Islands, Italy

The principal island in Italy's Pontine archipelago is one of the most naturally gorgeous and downright fun islands of Italy, and just far enough from the mainland to be an impractical destination for mass tourism. So much the better for those who do go to the trouble of making a trip here, because what you'll find is a rare Mediterranean gem that has kept its Italian identity intact and undiluted. It's not that Ponza is "undiscovered." On the contrary, it's a summertime escape that enjoys feverish devotion among the bella gente of Rome and Naples. If you want to avoid the holiday scene altogether, just come in the gorgeous shoulder months of May, June, and September -- locals will tell you this is when their island really shines. (Photo by bitter like a coffee/Flickr.com)

The top-five cities -- Vancouver, Victoria, Montreal, Toronto and Halifax -- have high population densities, which affect how people interact with space and urban planning, he said.

The magazine gathered its information through a number of sources, including StatsCan and individual city statistics and then developed a 12-point questionnaire on topics such as the percentage of people who walk to work, park areas, vehicle use, etc.

The information was presented to a panel of judges -- author, broadcaster and director of Jane's Walks, Jane Farrow, Guillermo Penalosa, consultant, planner and executive director of the non-profit 8 ? 80 Cities, and sustainability professional Amanda Mitchell.

Up! discovered a city with a higher population density embraced a visitor-centric approach when it came to urban planning. The more walkable a city, the more livable it was for its citizens (and easier for tourists to navigate).

It comes as no surprise that Vancouver came out on top (see below for the complete list).

The city has a number of factors in its favour, from its population density (about 5,000 people per square kilometre), pleasant climate to expansive parkland.

Nearly 40 per cent of downtown residents walk to work and it's easy to see why.

Vancouver is packed with attractive streetscapes and a progressive street pattern with many maps that help pedestrians find their bearings, Gierasimczuk said.

The city provides ample opportunities for its inhabitants and tourists to be active.

"It's got this mystique. It has built a reputation as this walkable, active, car-free paradise," he said.

A walkable place means a city respects its inhabitants enough to want to provide a manageable and livable space.

"All these factors that make a city walkable means that a city celebrates its citizens," Gierasimczuk said.

Walking is also one of the simplest, cheapest and healthiest ways to get around. Not only is walking a great way to shed the pounds, it doesn't cost anything to use our own two feet.

More often than not, when you go for a walk you discover something new.

You notice things you normally wouldn't see from the vantage point of a car or even a bicycle, since walking is an activity that forces you to slow down, breathe, look around and take things in.

Now, who wants to go for a stroll?

Canada's Most Walkable Cities 2010

1. Vancouver
2. Victoria
3. Montreal
4. Toronto
5. Halifax
6. Quebec City
7. Ottawa
8. Calgary