Named after singer/songwriter Gram Parsons, this quaint bed and breakfast in Tampa is as kitsch as they come.

A favourite with troubadours and travelling musicians looking for a kooky stop-off on the road, the hippy-trippy owner insists you call an hour before arrival so he can give you a proper welcome.

Housed in two cutesy cottages, each room has its own musical theme and a comment book so guests can add decorating tips. My favourite touches are the real musical instruments that line the walls, and cassette player and book to teach you about your room’s style of music.

You can take your pick from a full score of ‘genres’ from Country Music to the Blues Room, or upgrade to the ‘Adventure Room’, a stand alone cabin-cum-tree-house with a skylight for star-gazing.

Let the novelty continue with a night in the Train Room – a sleeper car that has been converted into a co-ed dorm, or rustle up some grub in the ‘I Love Lucy’ Kitchen.

More dive bar than the Hard Rock Hotel, there’s a BYOB ‘Parson’s Pub’ where cats laze around on the veranda and strains of folk and reggae fill the air.

Wannabe rock-stars can spend an evening in the playboy-grotto-esque Jacuzzi, surrounded by an overgrown garden of waterfalls, palm trees and vines.

www.grams-inn-tampa.com/index.htm

www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/tampa/5096/

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Tucked away in the middle of Florida is the Historic Bok Sanctuary built by a Dutch born journalist and environmental campaigner in the early 20th century. It's located just off US27 between Tampa and Orlando. When you turn off the highway you must drive for a while on a 'country lane'. There is an entrance and parking fee but we felt it was well worth it.
There is a visitor centre where you can get something to eat and drink, walk through the beautiful gardens and admire the 'art deco' belltower itself.

Go to the visitor center and learn about how and why the tower was built. There is a surprising connection with Loughborough, England. The gardens are beautiful and make an enjoyable walk. The tower itself is described as Gothic and art deco, and houses a 60 bell carillon (common in his native Holland). The sanctuary makes a very intriguing site in the middle of Florida.

The gardens are on an area of raised ground and overlook the surrounding area. When I first saw the gardens I found it something of an oddity in amongst all that commercialism and glitz. However spend a day there and you won't regret it.

Visit before you go at www.boksanctuary.org/
Located off US27 near Lake Wales about 20 miles south of Haines City (between Tampa and Orlando).

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