Nine Crazy Cat Destinations for Feline Aficionados

The Cat Boat, Amsterdam

Amsterdam's Poezenboot, or Cat Boat, bills itself as the only animal sanctuary that floats. While we can't confirm that, we do know that the Poezenboot is unique. It's a houseboat-turned-cat shelter set along the city's picturesque and popular central canal ring. In exchange for a small donation, visitors can climb on board and spend some time with the adoptable felines. (Or lend a hand from your hometown with an online donation.) I visited the Poezenboot in Amsterdam a few years ago when I was missing my stateside kitties. Like most houseboats, it's a tiny space. But it's cozy, and it provides a welcome cat fix for traveling feline owners.

Cat Museum of San Francisco, San Francisco

The Cat Museum in the City by the Bay is a pop-up institution dedicated to exploring the history of the relationship between cats and people. Although the museum doesn't have a brick-and-mortar facility as of yet, the nonprofit organization sets up temporary exhibitions on the streets of San Francisco. Follow the Cat Museum on Facebook for your daily dose of cat-focused art and feline facts and to find out where the museum will appear next.

Cat Heaven Island, Japan

Cat cafes are a huge trend in Tokyo. But Japan takes the kitty craze a step further: In Japan, there's an island ruled by cats. Known as "Cat Heaven Island," Tashirojima is a small fishing community with way more kitties than humans. In exchange for good luck (in Japan, cats are thought to bring good fortune to their caretakers) and mouse control, locals feed and care for the island's large population of semi-feral felines. Tourists are welcome to visit, but don't bring your pooch: Dogs are not allowed in Cat Heaven. To see more of Tashirojima, check out 50 photos of the island on Buzzfeed.

Le Cafe Des Chats, Paris

If you want to have a cat-accompanied espresso at Le Cafe des Chats, the first and only cat cafe in Paris, you'll have to plan ahead: There's a monthlong waiting list for a table. We're not surprised. The crowd-funded business is a cozy space where cat lovers can sip their cafe au laits to the soothing rumble of a purring lap cat or play with kittens while munching on homemade muffins. We couldn't imagine a more purr-fect haven from the busy streets of Paris.

Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary, Rome

Roughly 250 cats reside in the Cat Sanctuary in Largo di Torre Argentina, a Roman ruin comprising four ancient temples. Volunteers take care of the cats who roam this excavated site, which encompasses the Theater of Pompey where Julius Caesar was killed. Visitors come to explore the archaeological marvel, but they also come for the cats—to take photos of the felines or, on occasion, to adopt them. The organization that cares for the felines runs a spay-and-neuter program to keep their numbers in check and also facilitates adoptions of some of the cats.

Houtong Cat Village, Taiwan

Like Cat Heaven Island in Japan, Houtong is a destination overrun with felines. There's a sweet story behind the local cat mania: The once-distressed mining community was on the decline until locals began posting photos online of the town's more than 100 stray cats. A wave of cat-loving tourists soon arrived, enlivening the area. Today, the town continues to court cat tourism and has even constructed a special cat bridge that allows felines to safely cross over a train station. According to the Wall Street Journal, thousands of travelers visit the town during peak season.

Hemingway Home, Key West

The dozens of polydactyl cats who inhabit the Hemingway Home in Key West, Florida, are a living memorial to the cat-adoring American author. Some of the animals are direct descendants of Hemingway's cat, Snowball. Felines bask in the sun in the property's tropical gardens, lounge in Papa's bedroom, and purr near the pool at the writer's former home. The cats are a big draw at this Key West museum. Take a tour and you'll notice visitors snapping more photos of the furry residents than of the historical home itself.

Best Friends Animal Society, Utah

At this animal sanctuary nestled near the red canyons in Kanab, Utah (about a four-hour drive from Las Vegas), visitors can cuddle up—overnight—with a homeless cat, dog, or rabbit. The no-kill shelter offers pet-friendly accommodations for visitors, including guest cottages in Angel Canyon that provide views of nearby horse pastures. And if you volunteer at Best Friends, you can elect to host a sleepover with an animal from the sanctuary.

Kuching Cat Museum, Malaysia

The Kuching Cat Museum, located in "Cat City" (kucing means "cats" in Malay), contains more than 2,000 cat artifacts, including a mummified Egyptian cat, as well as plenty of kitty kitsch (bad cat art, cat statues, even a giant cat doorway). Most notably, the museum has a stuffed Felis badia, the rarest cat in the world, which can be found in the jungles of Borneo.

You Might Also Like:

• How to Pack a Cat (and Other Tricky Packing Tips)
• Airport Amenities That Make Everything Better
• 10 Best Destinations Seen from Above