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/srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/PUMPKINS-SCREAMING-ABOUT-LOVE-BEYOND-INFINITY-3.jpg 291429 12383x4279 53 yes /srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Aston-Martin-Wings-Logo-Evolution.jpg 369810 10240x4433 45.4 yes /srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Design-Vision-Int_SH012.jpg 350876 10592x3832 40.6 yes /srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Karnak-Temple-Egypt-joshrubin.jpeg 350875 10142x3780 38.3 yes /srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/JR-Miami-Superblue-joshrubin.jpeg Total images > 10000px on a side: 99 Without a -scaled version (fix these first): 21 With a -scaled version (lower priority): 78 COOL HUNTING® - Deserts https://coolhunting.com Informing the future since 2003 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:19:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ch-favicon-100x100.png?crop=1 COOL HUNTING® - Deserts https://coolhunting.com 32 32 220607363 This Tiny Autonomous Robot Concept Cultivates Desert Sands https://coolhunting.com/tech/this-tiny-autonomous-robot-concept-cultivates-desert-sands/ Thu, 23 Dec 2021 16:23:10 +0000 https://coolhunting.com/?p=277298
Link Tech

This Tiny Autonomous Robot Concept Cultivates Desert Sands

David Graver
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Imagined by designer Mazyar Etehadi at the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, the nocturnal “A’seedbot” autonomous robot charges through solar panels during the day and crawls around on seal-like propeller legs at night. Through a series of sensors, the little robot can detect areas in arid desert sands with enough moisture to plant seeds. It then deposits them and moves forward with enough distance for a seedling to sprout. The aim of the rather cute robot is to address desertification. Read more about the project at designboom.

COOL HUNTING always gets permission to use the images we publish; however, as an independent publication, we cannot afford to continue fighting unfair claims of copyright infringement, so the images have been removed from this post.

]]> 277298 Serenity in The Desert at Six Senses Shaharut https://coolhunting.com/travel/six-senses-shaharut/ Thu, 14 Oct 2021 11:18:24 +0000 https://coolhunting.com/?p=271292 The stunning Arava Valley provides inspiration for this tranquil property
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Serenity in The Desert at Six Senses Shaharut

The stunning Arava Valley provides inspiration for this tranquil property

Ross Belfer
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Whether by car, plane, helicopter or camel, arriving at the newly opened Six Senses Shaharut is akin to entering another dimension. Located in an undisturbed, mountainous part of Arava Valley in Israel’s enchanting Negev Desert, the property pays homage to its restorative location with architectural ingenuity, unwavering sustainability measures, locavore cuisine and transformative wellness experiences.

Courtesy of Six Senses Shaharut

The latest addition to the Six Senses brand, Shaharut opened in August 2021 after a meticulous 12-year planning and construction process that adheres to a high level of sustainability and pays homage to the Negev Desert and its current incarnation after millennia of floods, erosions and tectonic shifts of biblical proportions. The same lands deemed imperative by the Nabateans whilst mapping the ancient civilization’s spice route today camouflage the Six Senses Shaharut, manifesting a serene property where buildings do not obstruct views, rather blend seamlessly into the natural landscape.

Courtesy of Six Senses Shaharut

What is most striking about the hotel is the painstaking attention to detail.  Plesner Architects were in charge of construction and landscape, with all materials of the property—including glass-reinforced concrete, Tadelakt (a waterproof plaster surface used in Moroccan architecture) and stones from the surrounding valleys—having been manicured or produced on site, thus minimizing environmental impact and creating an authentic dialogue with the arid landscape set among the Edom Mountains. The use of stone, wood, copper and fabric reflects the natural surroundings of weathered rock, vibrant sunsets and minimal vegetation.

by Ross Belfer

Atmospherically, a moment in the desert can feel like a year, and one night can feel like a lifetime. That feeling is reflected during meditation workshops with the hypnotizing breathing rhythms of Dr Sujeet. From inhale to exhale, worries slowly dissipate and new energy begins flowing. Also available are body treatments, massages, facials, yoga and pranayama sessions, and sound baths. Each visit to the Shaharut Spa begins along a sheltered walkway lined with green shrubs and fairytale lanterns and leads to a lush, outdoor courtyard pergola, which in itself, is a sensory experience.

by Ross Belfer

Like at Six Senses properties worldwide, the team at Shaharut goes to great lengths to conserve energy, create sustainable water systems and inspire guests to think more mindfully about the environment and human impact. The property’s villas are built from local sandstone rocks and pigments similar to that of ancient Nabatean farmers, while electric Hummer buggies transport guests across the property to minimize air pollution and maintain the desert’s serene atmosphere. Travelers with a penchant for hyperlocal sustainability will be delighted by Six Senses Shaharut’s organic garden, where the very fruits, vegetables and herbs eaten across the hotel’s dining outlets are grown.

Courtesy of Six Senses Shaharut

The property partnered with artists, ceramicists and carpenters from nearby desert villages to dress the 60 suites and villas, lounge areas and various nooks with a holistic aesthetic representative of the Negev Desert and its copper, brown, red and orange color schemes. Decorative plates evocative of Nabataean-era pottery by artist Rachel Elimelech Urbach, custom looms and tapestries by textile artist Erez Nawi, bed-runners reminiscent of the forms and textures of the nearby sand dunes, and brass-bottled bath amenities are all in harmony with the bronze and earthy tones reflected by the Edom mountains.

by Ross Belfer

The hotel caters to the palates and diets of the most discerning travelers, with myriad eateries, each with their own unique cornucopia of treats. Executive chef Amir Kalfon helms the property’s anchor restaurant, Midian, where an evolving, seasonal degustation dinner menu brings forth the best of the region. Guests—seated in a spacious outdoor dining area with panoramic views of the desert and its serene landscapes—can dine on perfectly braised lamb chops with a singular dehydrated leaf of kale covering a bounty of Jerusalem artichoke risotto, paired with a crisp white wine from the nearby Midbar desert winery. Providing a more relaxed culinary experience is the music-laden Jamillah, where dishes and cocktails are elevated with in-house DJs playing an eclectic selection of vinyl curated by Tel Aviv’s Teder bar and radio station. The outdoor restaurant Edom View provides mezze-style dishes, while the Pool Bar has light snacks (including homemade ice cream) and drinks, and of course there are in-room dining options too.

Courtesy of Six Senses Shaharut

With Six Senses Shaharut offering an unparalleled experience of desert hospitality representative of landscape and cultures past and present, it’s tempting to stay within the grounds, but the hotel can arrange a plethora of off-property adventures. Guests can take part in expert-guided jeep tours, astrologer-led stargazing sessions, camel rides and more. It’s almost essential to visit Makhtesh Ramon (the world’s largest erosion cirque) and architect Ben Gitai’s Landroom Observatory—an ecological architectural structure for star- and desert-gazing that’s made entirely from local sandstone—is the perfect locale for watching the sunset. With so much magic and history imbued in the Negev Desert, it’s no surprise that a visit to Six Senses Shaharut is transcending.

Images courtesy of Six Senses Shaharut

]]> 271292 Word of Mouth: Tucson, Arizona https://coolhunting.com/travel/word-of-mouth-tucson-arizona/ Mon, 23 Mar 2020 11:03:12 +0000 https://coolhunting.com/?p=233177 Just 30 minutes from a desert oasis, the city boasts a Googie-style diner, funeral-home-turned-bar, a cafe that doubles as a mezcaleria and more
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Word of Mouth: Tucson, Arizona

Just 30 minutes from a desert oasis, the city boasts a Googie-style diner, funeral-home-turned-bar, a cafe that doubles as a mezcaleria and more

Leora Novick
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Located at the southern tip of Arizona, Tucson is the state’s creative enclave. Nestled between the Saguaro National Park, the Old Pueblo draws millions of travelers for its larger-than-life saguaros, a variety of cactus whose blossoms form the state’s official wildflower. Just 30 minutes from Tucson’s downtown, this desert oasis presents the icons of the southwest in their natural environment. Stunning vistas aside, Tucson’s designation as UNESCO’s very first City of Gastronomy highlighted its slew of food and drink options—many of which offer more than traditional dine-in scenarios. The blend of Sonoran culture with the Mexican heritage of many inhabitants creates a unique flavor that stands out within the region, and the city’s obsession with heritage and heirloom seeds only fuels this further. Here we have selected some of our favorite small businesses for locals to patronize now, or for when visitors may find themselves in the dynamic city.

Welcome Diner

When Chaffin’s Diner closed in 2015, the owners of Phoenix’s beloved Welcome Diner saw a listing on Craigslist that would prove to be fortuitous. Opened in 2016 as the Tucson branch of Welcome Diner, this Googie-style eatery was reborn. Featuring a sky blue color scheme, from the floating bar stools to the exterior, Welcome Diner takes the best of ’60s-style diner ambiance and pairs it with modern fare, on par with Tucson’s gastronomic reputation. For vegan diners, the Jackfruit Torta and Three Sisters Burrito are local favorites while the carnivores have four variations of chicken and biscuits to choose from. They also offer plenty of to-go options that can be picked up curbside from 10AM to 8PM.

The Downtown Clifton

A former motel, The Downtown Clifton is located at the edge of Five Points, one of Tuscon’s exciting newer neighborhoods. In walking distance to downtown, yet set far enough back to afford a feeling of serenity, the location of this property is only part of its charm. Guests are encouraged to grab one of the many record players stacked in the lobby and select their favorite vinyls from the hotel’s collection for in-room use. There’s seating in the campground-styled backyard which is completed by wood-burning fires. In the morning, walk just two blocks down the road to the convergence of Five Points and enjoy breakfast at 5 Points Market & Restaurant. Bright, airy, and serving farm to table ingredients, the eatery offers one of the tastiest breakfasts in town. On Sundays, they host a farmer’s market in the park next door, offering up local produce and products.

Tumerico

Another option for plant-based eaters, Tumerico is a woman-run business with a fantastic reputation. (Ask anyone in Tucson for a vegan recommendation and the first name you’ll hear is Tumerico.) Chef Wendy Garcia focuses on cooking Mexican-influenced seasonal food from scratch. The menu here changes with the seasons so each visit may offer something new, including unexpected dishes like a Mexican-style pad thai. They are currently running pick-up hours between 11AM to 6PM and offer delivery too.

The Owl’s Club

Housed in a former funeral home, Owl’s Club takes its theme seriously. A blend of religious icons make up the decor from the church pews to the tapered candles. As it’s just a five minute walk from The Downtown Clifton, it’s easy to start your night here. It may sound somber, but the combined effect of the decor and the haunting music creates an eerie yet ethereal quality that, if nothing else, provides a fantastic conversation starter.

El Crisol

By day, Exo does a bustling trade in its bright, industrial cafe environment—offering to-go coffees and snacks from 7AM to 4PM daily. By night, Exo Bar, or El Crisol, is an entirely different experience, despite the shared space. From the outside, this mezcal bar looks run of the mill, tucked behind the cafe’s entrance, but it’s one of the best local spots in town to have a drink. Located in the Historic Warehouse Arts District, the interiors are kept dark and the bar is illuminated with the light of dozens of bottles of mezcal, framed by a few saguaro references for decor. The unpretentious nature of this mezcaleria combined with the encyclopedic knowledge of its staff, makes El Crisol an easy nightly routine for visitors and locals alike.

Hero image by Leora Novick

COOL HUNTING always gets permission to use the images we publish; however, as an independent publication, we cannot afford to continue fighting unfair claims of copyright infringement, so the images have been removed from this post.

]]> 233177 Purified Sewage Water Nourishes Forest in Egyptian Desert https://coolhunting.com/design/purified-sewage-water-forest-in-egyptian-desert/ Fri, 03 Jan 2020 21:36:48 +0000 https://coolhunting.com/?p=225280
Link Design

Purified Sewage Water Nourishes Forest in Egyptian Desert

Evan Malachosky
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To prevent desertification (the eventual progression of land from fertile to arid) in a region of Egypt where the issue is prevalent, scientists are rerouting sewage waste water from nearby cities, passing it through natural purification processes, and using the nutrient-rich solution to fuel the growth of a “green wall.” Named the Serapium Forest, this oasis exists in the barren area around the Suez Canal and is home to eucalyptus, teak and mahogany trees. The 500-mile forest is just the beginning of an effort that is to be mirrored across 10 countries in Africa and China. Read more at Good News Network.

COOL HUNTING always gets permission to use the images we publish; however, as an independent publication, we cannot afford to continue fighting unfair claims of copyright infringement, so the images have been removed from this post.

]]> 225280 Word of Mouth: Chile’s Atacama Desert https://coolhunting.com/travel/word-of-mouth-chile-atacama-desert/ Fri, 20 Sep 2019 10:59:13 +0000 https://coolhunting.com/?p=215342 Trekking from salt flats to see pink flamingoes and landscapes reminiscent of the moon
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Word of Mouth: Chile’s Atacama Desert

Trekking from salt flats to see pink flamingoes and landscapes reminiscent of the moon

David Graver
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Covering more than 41,000 square miles, Chile‘s Atacama Desert stretches along the Pacific and spills across borders into Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. Its innumerable splendors—rare flamingoes, mind-bending salt flats, desolate landscapes and celestial access, all high among the list—have many entry points. But none are so closely congregated as those around San Pedro de Atacama, which is set atop a volcano-speckled, arid plateau. To reach the remote town, a flight to Calama followed by a one-hour drive is most advisable—as we did while exploring the region with Luminox.

Our experience made the best of the Atacama’s natural wonders and involved high-altitude hikes, treks and stargazing. Because of its altitude, Atacama—and the area around San Pedro, in particular—harbors scientific observatories, public observation centers and those seeking to look at the heavens above. It’s an astronomical access point almost unmatched globally. And yet, as one of the driest places on earth, the ecoregion and its inhabitants impress in often unexpected ways, too. With the marvelous volcano Licancabur in sight, San Pedro’s comforts make it the ideal place to rest after a late night peering at the Southern Cross or before rising to see the sun illuminate the vast expanse of sand and stone.

Hotel Altiplanico

Earthen materials and straw roofs compose the many Chilean-Boliviano buildings of Hotel Altiplanico, which sits a short walk from the center of San Pedro. While the structures seek to blend into their surroundings, and respect the spirit of the area, the services are world-class and even luxuriant. From delectable food and drink to reliable WiFi and a pool (opened seasonally), it’s a well-situated and safe 29-room destination.

ALMA Observatory

When news broke that several observatories had united to capture the first-ever image of a black hole, the ALMA Observatory was one of the crucial, data-capturing partners. ALMA—which stands for Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array—is a multi-country operation, funded by space organizations in the US, Europe and Asia. 80% of the workers, however, are Chilean. Here, 66 satellite dishes collect information pertaining to the search of our cosmic origins—and scientific breakthroughs happen regularly. Tours are available for those who schedule in advance.

Cejar Laguna

Surrounded by the Atacama Salt Flats (Salar de Atacama), Cejar Laguna glows an uncommonly bright blue. Truly an oasis in the desert, the water’s salt content allows swimmers to float easily on its surface. The cold, crisp water clearly reflects the cloudless sky and surrounding volcanoes, and a pathway between Cejar and a nearby emerald green lagoon makes for a stunning, simple walk.

Toconao

In the Andean village of Toconao, both the San Lucas church and bell tower have been declared national monuments by the Chilean government. Built from volcanic Pumicite rock, they can be found at the town’s central green, which often bustles with visitors. It’s under 25 miles from San Pedro and provides an alternative for dining, drinking and stocking up on provisions.

Los Flamencos National Reserve

Los Flamencos National Reserve actually encompasses some 285 square miles and seven distinct sections. In the reserve, quite close to San Pedro, however, one finds the Laguna Chaxa (pictured above). Several famous occupants frequently make themselves seen at the lagoon: a variety of rare Chilean and Andean flamingoes. While their numbers are on the decline, flamingoes continue to return and take the breath away of anyone who’s lucky enough to catch sight.

Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley)

Another must-visit spot in Los Flamencos National Reserve, Valle de la Luna (aka Moon Valley) is named for its several lunar-like geological wonders, all of which are nestled between jagged rocks and the optical illusion of Cordillera de la Sal. Moon Valley offers hikes of varying lengths for those with varying skills. From a crest within the valley, one can see out for miles.

High-Elevation Hiking

Days after arriving to San Pedro, and only when feeling fully acclimated, it’s possible to take a high-elevation hike with a tour group. Driving along route 27 toward the Bolivian border, and up past the second (and higher) ALMA station, one can reach trails beyond 15,700 feet up—as we did. Here, flora begins to diminish and ice formations congeal along streams. Air thins and the landscape becomes more harsh, but a quiet beauty takes hold. From obelisk-like geological formations to unbroken landscapes, true wonder remains.

Night Sky Photography

As with high-elevation hikes, night sky photography (or simply organized stargazing) is a must in Atacama—and isn’t affixed to one venue or tour operator. Many observatories can be found around San Pedro, often with guided programs. San Pedro de Atacama Celestial Explorations offers telescope rentals. Regarding camera equipment, it’s best to bring your own—and, in that case, it’s quite easy to pull off the road anywhere that’s truly dark enough (so long as everyone is safe and aware of their surroundings) and set up an unencumbered night sky photoshoot.

Images by David Graver

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