Thailand, Laguna Beach, Washington and the UK

First up, we'll explore the ancient Thai city Chiang Mai and check out an EVH nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. Built by an American expat, the sprawling Villa Mae Rim was designed by the renowned architect Bill Bensley and built by local master craftsmen in a traditional Thai style. Built from locally sourced materials, the five-bedroom home is made up of seven interconnected pavilions interspersed with lush gardens and dramatic water features, including an enormous swimming pool. If you want to experience Villa Mae Rim first hand, rent out the Teak Pavilion, which serves as a private guest suite starting at about $6700 for an all-inclusive weeklong stay. Then we'll head into the hills of Laguna Beach, California and discover an unassuming EVH that's hiding some major secrets. Built in the early '90s by the Hanna family - of Hanna-Barbera cartoon fame - the 6,600-square-foot home has five bedrooms and six and a half baths spread out over four levels - all with fabulous views of the Pacific coast. With its whitewashed walls, high ceilings, and sleek wood floors, not to mention its major deck space, this house was designed to take advantage of the fabulous coastal vistas. But it was also built with a few secrets - namely two suites of hidden rooms accessible via secret panels in the pantry and master closet. Next up, we'll visit picturesque Mukilteo, Washington and check out a truly unusual EVH that you've got to see to believe. Located on a wooded bluff overlooking the Puget Sound, this notorious glass-walled home was designed in the late 1970s by architect Robert Champion to take advantage of the gorgeous natural surroundings. The five-bedroom home has an open floor plan topped off with a 145-foot vaulted skylight running the length of the home and a series of trippy stained glass windows. Check out the view from the master bath or settle into the cozy Jacuzzi and watch the sun go down. Finally, we'll explore the ancient British isle of Jersey and tour the historic Fort Leicester - a 19th century British fortress turned extreme vacation rental. Perched on a lonely cliff overlooking the picturesque Bouley Bay, this venerable castle was built to guard against potential French invasion, offering distant views of the Normandy coast. The three-level structure includes a kitchen, dining room and bedrooms, in what were once the guardroom and ammunitions store. Also visible is a converted cement bunker dating from the German occupation of the Jersey during World War II. Booked up to a year in advance through Jersey Heritage trust, prices start around $2500 a week.