The 10 most amazing swimming pools in the world!

Chongwe River House pool.

Zambia, Africa.

How many pools in the world allow you to watch elephants? The pool at this African resort and guest house is the perfect natural setting to lounge beneath a ancient Winterhorn tree while taking photos and watching wildlife on the banks of the Chongwe river. Even the poolside furniture is crafted from fallen native trees and the ceiling of the lodge is decorated with colored river pebbles. 

Oberoi Udaivilas pool.

Lake Pichola in Udaipur, India.

This luxurious resort in southern India actually can boast that they have two of the most exotic pools pin the world, a swimming pool spa overlooking a lake and a square pool in the center of a courtyard, mimicking the symmetry of the Taj Mahal. They certainly don't lack for size - both are over 88 feet long and one is over 78 feet wide!  

Starry lit pool at Jumeirah Dhevanafushi resort. 

The Maldives.

Sitting like an oasis in the middle of the tropical Indian Ocean, the Maldives are home to one of the finest resorts in the world, stretched over two otherwise deserted islands.  The white sand beaches and palm trees draw visitors by day, but at night, stargazing in the reflection of the world famous Jumeirah Dhevanafushi pool is the main attraction.

Katikies hotel pool.

Santorini, Greece.

The pools at this magnificent Greek resort on the Santorini Islands allows you to take in the most amazing views of the sea and and calderas around you, or lounge on fluffy pillows in the shade of natural stone grottos and caves.  

Pool at Boucan by Hotel Chocolat.

St. Lucia.

One of the most divine infinity pools in the world, Hotel Chocolat's swimmable water feature offers views of the lush jungle around a working coco plantation and Piton Mountain that transform you back in time.  The pool is lined with black quartz and offers plenty of comfortable areas to lay around complete with complimentary hotel iPads and a constant breeze, thanks to the elevation.

Pool at Richard Branson’s Necker Island Resort.

British Virgin Islands.

When you're one of the world's most iconic billionaires, it's nice to get away some times, so Sir Richard Branson built his own resort on Necker Island in the charming BVI's.  The good news is that the 74-acre private island is for rent; not just a room, but the whole island!  The price tag is a mere $60,000 a day - a pittance for all of those billionaires!  

Blue Lagoon Geothermal Resort pool.

Grindavík, Iceland.

Iceland is truly one of the world's hidden treasures, but with their friendly culture, short plane ride to New York, and breathtaking landscape, it's becoming far more popular.  Any trip to this unique country demands a dip into one of the many natural geothermal pools, heated by the vast underground volcanos and hot springs. There is no better place to spend a day in natural heated pools and at the spa than at Blue Lagoon in Grindavik!  

The Joule Hotel pool.

Dallas, USA.

This 5-star hotel built in 1927 is one of the oldest in Dallas, yet it is far from traditional.  It's famous for its 10th-floor pool that amazingly cantilevers out 8 feet into thin air. Just to make sure your routine swim turns into an invigorating experience, the protruding end of the pool is made of clear glass, so you can see the city and street below - and they can see you!

Hotel Caruso pool.

Ravello, Italy.

If you travel to Italy and become overwhelmed with the bustling city of Rome and the touristy enclaves of Florence and Venice, take a trip to Ravello, where you can relax at a hotel built from a 11th century palace.  The Hotel Caruso includes one of the most beautiful infinity pools int he world, dropping right down a sheer cliff into the Amalfi Coast.  But exercise caution - one you witness the most enchanting sunset of your life from the edge of this pool, you'll never want to leave!

Pool at San Alfonso del Mar Resort.

Algarrobo, Chile.

This private resort 100km from the capital city, Santiago, has the world's largest swimming pool, a marvel of modern construction so big you can even kayak and sail on it. Boggling the mind, this salt water pool is 3,323 feet long and spans 20 acres, with a maximum depth of 115 feet. It holds 66 million gallons of water pumped in from the neighboring Pacific Ocean. The pool only cost $2 billion to build and about $4 million a year in annual maintenance! 

Mold in your home can be a serious health risk - here's what you need to know to stay safe.

There is an enemy lurking in your home - almost undetectable, slowly spreading while you sleep, growing uninhibited until it can damage your family’s health.  We’re talking about toxic mold, which can spring up behind the walls and under the floors wherever there is a source of moisture.  There are more than 200 types of mold, but with and with 1 in 12 Americans affected with asthma or some respiratory illness, mold in the home can severely affect your health – or even cause hospitalization or death in extreme cases.  Luckily, if you’re buying a house there are very specific mold disclosure laws in California, and we always recommend you get a thorough home inspection, which should be able to identify potential problem areas.  But it can’t hurt to be careful and proactive, so here is a quick primer on the problem of mold in your home:

What is it?

Mold is an organic fungus and part of the natural environment.  In the outdoors, mold serves a purpose by breaking down dead organic matter like leaves and dead trees.  There are over 200 types of mold and it can come in several colors – like black, green, gray or white.  Some molds are visible and give off an odor, but others are virtually undetectable.  The most dangerous molds give off mycotoxins, which can cause severe illness.  Mold grows where there is consistent moisture or dampness.  Therefore, mold growth in houses or apartments is a major problem that could impact the resident’s health and should be taken seriously. 

Mold reproduces by releasing its spores, which are invisible to the naked eye but can spread through the air.  Mold spores will only grow and spread if moisture is present.

Where can mold grow?

The scary thing about mold in the home is that it can grow virtually detected wherever there is a moisture source and needs only 24-28 hours to appear.  Mold can grow at the base of leaking windows, on the back of sheetrock, the top of ceiling tiles, under carpet or flooring, and even take hold inside your heat and air conditioning vents.  Bathrooms, basements, anywhere there is a water leak, areas of flooding, and near area where pipes or vents access the outdoors are typical areas of potential mold.

Is mold dangerous?

Mold can be extremely dangerous so should be treated seriously and with the utmost caution.  Mold spores produce allergens, irritants, and sometimes mycotoxins, which can exacerbate allergies or health problems or even cause sickness.  While most molds are not deadly, black mold and other strains can seriously affect a person’s health or even prove fatal over time.  Some molds can take a toll on your health immediately, while others manifest over time.

How can I prevent mold?

Remember the mantra, “The key to mold control is moisture control.”  Around the house, look for dripping pipes, leaking plumbing, windows, doors, or areas of the roof that allow water in, or other constant moisture sources.

If you have an area of the home that is prone to moisture, like a damp basement, buy a humidifier to take some of the moisture out of the air.  Make sure your bathrooms have good ventilation fans. 

Inspect your home inside and out for areas of mold growth, water damage or consistent water access and fix accordingly. 

What are the warning signs?

Inside the home, look for wet patches or areas of flooding.  While these are often behind the walls or in other areas hidden from eye, there are warning signs.  Look for brown or discolored patches on sheetrock or building materials.  Look for signs of soggy or rotting walls, woodwork, door and window sills and jams, or ceiling tiles.  Of course keep an eye out for drips, leaks, and standing water.  Check basements, AC pans and hoses indoors and out, and in or behind appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, or dish washers.  Check ventilation registers and inputs for signs of discoloration or dampness.  Some mold gives off an odor that’s warning sign – a damp, earthy smell, but other mold is odorless.  But remember that mold can only exist with moisture, so thoroughly examine your home with that in mind.

How can it impact my health?

If airborne mold spores are inhaled, which means they can easily affect a person’s respiratory or immune system.  People with asthma or other respiratory illnesses usually are most susceptible, and could have problems sleeping and headaches.  Other health problems that could develop from mold spore exposure are breathing problems, congestion, headache, severe or increased allergic reactions, asthma, sinusitis, and many kinds of infections.  Since mold spores are allergens, they can cause skin rashes (dermatitis,) sneezing, red and itching eyes, throat and lung issues, and other symptoms.

How can I clean it up?

It’s recommended that you hire a professional if you have a serious mold problem or any doubt about its existence or seriousness.  But some times there may be small areas of non-toxic mold that you want to clean up proactively.  You can buy a simple test kit at any Home Depot or most hardware stores.  You’ll probably also want to wear a N-95 respirator, which you can buy for $20 or so.  Wear protective rubber gloves and dispose of everything carefully when finished.  Most non-toxic mold infestations can be cleaned up by scrubbing with regular household detergent.  Some people have used biocides like chlorine bleach to clean up mold, though it should never be mixed with other detergents or chemicals and a proper respirator, gloves, and protective eyewear should be worn.   Never just paint or caulk over mold and make sure to keep it away from children.

If in doubt, hire a professional to run the appropriate tests.  If mold becomes a significant problem or you suspect airborne spores or are having any health problems, consult professionals.

Further resources.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides extensive information in the Molds and Moisture section of the EPA website.

The Center of Disease Control (CDC) offers comprehensive information on mold on their site. 

Always get a home inspection when buying a home and pay attention to the seller’s disclosures about mold and water damage.

Mold remediation companies can do a thorough inspection of your home, inside and out, and detect mold in the air by running lab tests.  They can also take samples of building materials like walls or ceilings to check for mold.  A professional inspection may cost you a couple hundred dollars but may be the best money you’ve ever spent!

The 10 coolest and craziest houses you'll ever see!

Upside Down House

Poland

When wealthy business mogul and philanthropist Daniel Czapiewski wanted to make a statement about the fall of Communism in his native Poland, he didn’t just run for office or write a book.  Instead, he built a whole house to symbolize the upside down nature of the “Great failed experiment,” as Communism is called – and the house is built upside down.  Despite a giant construction crew it took 114 days to finish because the workers were so disoriented and no one could even read the plans correctly.  Now, plenty of tourists come to visit the upside down house every year, though it’s reported many of them leave dizzy and suffering from vertigo!

Shipping Container House

Australia

In Sydney, Australia, real estate prices are pretty high and preserving the environment is a hot button issue.  So when a Sydney man wanted to build his own house, he combined these aspects and made his abode out of four abandoned shipping containers.  With windows cut into them and three separate rooms, wood timber floors, two bathrooms, a nice kitchen and a laundry room, the shipping container home is as functional as it is practical-looking.

Slide House

Japan

When you were a kid, did you fantasize about living in a house that was basically a giant playground?  Well LEVEL architects in Japan made that fantasy a reality with a three-story house that has slides all the way from the third floor down to the first. 

Dar al Hajar House

Yemen

In the 1930’s, the prominent Yemen man Imam Yahya built this imposing structure as his summer home.  It’s built straight in to the cut rock and attracts visitors from near and far, who can climb all the way to the top for an incredible view. 

Toilet-Shaped House

South Korea

The World Toilet Association wanted to kick off their campaign to improve sanitary restrooms around the world, so Sim Jaw-Duck built his house to look like a giant toilet in Suweon, South Korea.  While we may question the judgment of the “Mayor of Toilet” as he’s now called, we can’t doubt his architectural taste.  The stunning toilet-shaped dwelling is 4,508 square feet of sparkling white concrete and glass, complete with a prize bathroom in the middle of the home with glass walls and a mister system. 

Transparent House

Japan

This ultra modern house in Japan was designed by Sou Fujimoto Architects to let plenty of light in and offer great views.  Unfortunately, everyone on the street can see just as much of the inhabitants in their daily lives.  While it offers no privacy, it certainly is a stunning feat of architecture.

Wooden Skyscraper

Russia

It started innocently enough when Nikolai Sutyagin, a former Russian gangster, visited Norway and saw some great wooden houses.  Once a millionaire, he lost his entire fortune when he was sent to prison, so he wanted to build his own humble shelter.  When he started building in his native Russia, he wanted to emulate the hand-built wooden dwellings he’d seen abroad.  But when he finished the two-story house, he thought the roof space wasn’t utilized properly so he added another story.  The only problem was that the house then “looked like a mushroom” according to Sutyagin, so he kept building up.  Now, the Wooden Skyscraper is a vertical spanning mish-mash of wooden additions.

Rock Island House

Serbia

In Serbia’s rough and stormy Drina River, a group of young men decided to build a little shelter back in 1968.  Whether it was a fishing station or a place to take shelter from the cold weather we’re not sure, but we do know they built it to last because the Rock Island House still stands today, having weathered floods, storms, and high winds over the decades.

Skateboard House

USA

Pierre Andre Senizergues designed this Malibu, Hawaii home as a skateboarding heaven, with just about every surface – indoors and out – either curved as a skating ramp or as an obstacle for fun hops, slides, and flips.  Rad house, dude! 

Seashell House

Mexico

A wealthy family in Mexico City wanted to build a house inspired by architects Gaudi and Frank Lloyd Wright that reminded them of the beach.  So they had the firm Arquitectura Organica build them a giant seashell house!  Their two kids love the stunning views from inside but they’re not the only ones - now it’s world famous.