Once you've booked your first casa particular you enter an unofficial chain where the owners of your present casa will offer to book your next one and arrange for you to be picked up at your point of arrival. We were gently bounced from one casa to the other up and down Cuba. Of course they're taking a cut but it does make things easier for you.

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Luxury B&B, superb breakfasts inc. choice of vegan and vegetarian. Kate and Alan were superbly witty and entertaining hosts and also cater for restricted diets.
Excellent base for The Peaks, with lots of information on what to do and where to eat.

www.sherifflodge.co.uk/
51 Dimple Road Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3JX
+44(0)1629 760760

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This hostel felt like staying at home! It is run by Miriam, Lucas and Hector, a lovely Argentine family that treat you like you are part of their family. The hostel is charming and clean, and the staff helped book excursions and make the best of my time in Ushuaia. The breakfast is better than most hostels - including Argentine medialunas, or croissants.

www.laposta-ush.com.ar/
Peron Sur 864, Ushuaia Tierra del Fuego
+54 2901 444650
Google map: bit.ly/rxbLup

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Before we went to The Secret Garden last month, I was somewhat sceptical as to how anywhere could have elicited so many wholly favourable remarks. But there's absolutely no doubt at all: for us the Secret Garden lived up to every possible expectation.
From the very first moment that John shows you round town and then offers a cooling drink, through the excellent (and seemingly endless) caipirinhas, tapas and snacks in the early evening, to the extremely generous and tasty breakfasts with home-made jams, and the lovely evening conversations with John as a charming host: it is an entirely delightful and special experience.
John's advice on how best to divide your precious time in Iguazu - as well as on restaurants, transport or any other question - can be followed unhesitatingly.
We spent three full days in Iguazu and enjoyed our time enormously. Even the after-effects of a huge tropical storm that wiped out some two-thirds of a precious day was leavened by John's generosity and our fellow guests' company.
The staff who cannot do too much to help, bouncy Roxy the Jack Russell, the chalet room that has everything one could want, the lovely garden ... and, above all, John. Truly a very very special experience.

www.secretgardeniguazu.com/
Los Lapachos 623, Puerto Iguazu N3370JMC, Argentina
+54 3757 423099

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If travelling from Vancouver to Banff this has to be the place to stay to break the journey. The welcome, breakfast and accommodation is first class. Stay at least a day to go up Revelstoke Mountain and Bigbie falls. Eat at the Village Idiot in Revelstoke town. What a lovely place to stay where nothing seems to be too much trouble.

www.adventurersguesthouse.com/
1789 Hay Rd Revelstoke, BC Canada V0E 2S1
+1 250 837 4876
Google map: bit.ly/pVJSsM

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We stayed at Roundwood House recently and thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. Just an hour outside Dublin but feels like a world away! The house itself is absolutely stunning, but homely and comfortable at the same time. We received a warm welcome from the owners Hannah and Paddy, who couldn't be more accommodating. But the best part of the weekend was dinner time! The food was delicious and the hosting perfect.

www.roundwoodhouse.com
Mountrath, Co. Laois
+353 57 8732120
Google map: bit.ly/pyVLUF

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David, the landlord at the Barley Mow pub in the pretty Derbyshire village of Bonsall will regale you with ambitious plans to develop the car park as the first UFO Space Centre in the UK or sign you up for one of his Landlords Walks.
However, the Mow’s major claim to fame is as host of World Championship Hen Racing. This eccentric mix of serious racing and training and hopeless enthusiasm means that the thoroughbreds of the hen racing world stand as much chance as any have-a-goer who can acquire a hen and turn up on the day.
Occasional battles between competitors see yellow warning cards for fighting on the track. Hens might take the warning to heart and reform their behaviour, or ignore it, get the red card and be sent off. Competitors have been known to travel from as far afield as Belper (10 miles), Chesterfield (15 miles), Finland and Australia.
A great family day out, the World Championship supports the Battery Hen Welfare Trust, a registered charity which aims to provide a comfortable retirement for battery hens. (www.thehenshouse.co.uk.)

www.barleymowbonsall.co.uk/
The Barley Mow, Bonsall, DE4 2AY
+44(0)1629 825685
Google map: bit.ly/qNnpsR

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La Nube del Angel is a small, homely and really comfy hotel in Puerto Piramides on the Peninsula Valdes. For those who aren't familiar with the place, it's the best spot to go whale watching in the whole of South America, truly an amazing spectacle.
I recommend the place for it's great view over the bay - we could see whales jumping from our bed!
The posada is run by a lovely young couple who recently moved there and will go out of their way to make you feel at home. The breakfast is a killer with homemade bread and jams, and the location is a must!

The hotel is located in the "quiet" part of town, very easy to find with the simple street naming policy of the village. You will find the Nube on the Segunda Bajada al Mar, literally the second way down to the sea.
www.lanubedelangel.com
+542965 495070
Google map: bit.ly/pwljMg

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We enjoyed a fabulous 10 day stay at Gasthof zur Post in July 2011 with our four-year-old son. The Familie Kohlmayr and their staff were so friendly and hospitable that they made us feel that nothing was too much trouble. We enjoyed delicious real Austrian food and drink throughout our stay and the grill night at the Kohlmayr's Mountain Cabin is one of of best memories of the holiday. The Gasthof is in a wonderful location among the mountains and yet is so convenient for so many nearby places of interest and enjoyment.

www.kohlmayr.com
Ferienhotel Gasthof zur Post, Dorfstrabe 22
5561 Untertauern, Salzburger Land
+43 6455 238
Google map: bit.ly/pMST9q

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Beautiful setting, a basic but exceptionally clean small block of apartments. Hosts Josh and Kadir are really welcoming and their home cooked food is glorious. Only 10 minutes walk from the sea and it's a flat 10 minutes. A relaxing week in paradise looked after like a five star guest - what else could you want.

Golenye Mah Manolya Cad 9, Icmeler 48720, Turkey
+902524553836

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It is a small hotel but with ensuite rooms, air con, swimming pool etc. Situated in beautiful natural surroundings on the coast near Lycian - site of Olympus. Owners Jon and Sue Graham offer fantastic value holidays and organise activities for all the family or just relax by the pool. Jon and Sue are exceptional hosts making everyone feel like visiting friends rather than paying guests.

www.jonnyturk.com
Deniz Mah, Cavuskoy Beld, Kumluca, Antalya
+90 242 883 1462

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I saw this bistrot recommended in a 2008 Guardian article as one of the 'Top 10 Paris bistrots on a budget'. I can gladly say that it continues to please. We were superbly attended to from start to finish by the friendly owner/ waiter making us feel very welcome. We ordered the three course menu (€18.50-very reasonable for an evening meal in Paris) and let the owner suggest a wine, which went perfectly with the fish we ordered. A constant supply of chilled water was brought to the table and baskets of wonderful fresh bread. The chocolate pudding and the tiramisu were delicious. As a digestif we had the excellent homemade Vanilla rum (€4.50).

30 Rue Pierre Leroux, 75007 Paris
Metro: Vaneau
+33 (0)1 42 73 28 34
Google map: bit.ly/l0TGpp

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We found this accommodation totally by chance, and are so happy we did. Not only did the place looks great, but our hosts, Tomo and Zeljka (and their dog Duje) were more than perfect hosts. We were accommodated in the Garden apartment, which is situated (as the name says) in the garden, separated from the other apartments. It was a great choice for us as we were there with our two-year-old: there weren't any stairs, so we could leave him free to run around the yard without being afraid something would happen. the garden was really beautiful, very tastefully arranged with stone table, barbecue, small fountain, lemon and orange trees, and aromatic lavander that gave a special touch to this peaceful place. There is also a jacuzzi "separé", where you can hide yourself from other people and relax.
Tomo and Zeljka were there for us any time we needed, and they offered us their help in everything they thought we might need, including preparing sea food and the barbecue.

www.villa-kamenica.hr
Villa Kamenica, Mihovila Pavlinovića 15, 21485 Komiža, Croatia
+385 99 41 22 696
info@villa-kamenica.hr

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Secret Garden is a small B&B of only three rooms. The host John could not have done enough for us. He picked us up from the bus station (even recommended the best company to travel with from Buenos Aires) and gave us a tour of the town. Each night we had cocktails amid the most relaxing environment. John organised a driver to take us to the Brazilian side of the falls and also recommended the fantastic bird park that we really enjoyed. The bus to the Argentinian side of the Falls picks you up at the end of the street. Would highly recommend Secret Garden to anyone interested in seeing the majestic Iguazu Falls. A really delightful place to stay.

Los Lapachos 623, N3370JMC Puerto Iguazu
Argentina
+54 3757 423099
www.secretgardeniguazu.com
Google map: bit.ly/lG8hKK

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Try this self catering house and apartment on a organic olive farm on the hills outside Florence. It's not just the views, the peaceful countryside, the organic produce, the barional rooms, cosy kitchen or the refreshing pool that make this place special. Nor is it even the location which is excellent for touring Tuscany, or trips to the highlights of Florence (just a bus ride away), Pisa, and Siena. It is the warmth and welcome of the family who run the farm and live on site. Nothing is too much trouble! We sailed past all the queues at the Uffitzi museum and places of interest due to their prior telephone bookings, making the holiday with children stress free. Magical memories!

www.poderedelleone.it
Via dell'Arrigo, 28, 50018 Scandicci Firenze, Italy
+39(0)55 76 89 82
www.poderedelleone.it
Google map: bit.ly/iEYhs4

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Stay in a comfortably rustic cottage along a farm track; sitting on a hillside surrounded by cork oaks, olive trees and tranquility in the grounds of an Andalucian Cortijo. The natural park of the Sierra de Aracena y Los Picos de Aroche abound with walks for all abilities and the cottage has a copy of Guy Hunter-Watts' book to help you on your way. The area also has caves, the mines of Rio Tinto are an easy drive away and the owner, Caroline, can organise riding. The restaurants, bars and shops of Aracena are only two kms away and Caroline's welcome includes filling the fridge with a delicious selection of local food.

www.ownersdirect.co.uk/spain/s8263.htm
Guy Hunter-Watts, 'Walking in Andalucia; Walks in the Natural Parks in Andalucia.
Aracena is about one hours drive from Sevilla.
Google map: bit.ly/lkjW9y

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This Bed & Breakfast offers wonderfully friendly accommodation with optional evening dinners close to St Cere. The rooms are very comfortable and well decorated but it is the hosts that make this place worth visiting. Nothing is too much for them and the evening dinners are delicious (they provide vegetarian meals for those who want them). It is a renovated farmhouse in a beautiful location perfect for exploring the area around St Cere and the Dordogne Valley. Excellent value.

www.jardin-segala.com
Le Bourg, 461901, Lacam, Dourcet, France
+33(0)565344706
Google map: bit.ly/mMHtWU

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This is a bed and breakfast in the wonderful Highland countryside. A hidden gem, with fantastic views, food and wonderful hosts.

www.carndaisyhouse.co.uk
Easter Urray, Muir of Ord, IV6 7UL
+44 (0)1463 870244
Google map: bit.ly/iP7FRa

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Pen Y Cefn is a brilliant guest house in the historic town of Amlwch on the north coast of Anglesey. We visited as a family and had a brilliant time. The entire house is spotlessly clean and when you come back from a day exploring you can tell everything has been aired out, it's got that lovely smell. The rooms are beautiful, decorated with Laura Ashley (don't see that in a guest house very often), with sparkling bathrooms. The hosts - Jenny and Colin - are absolutely fabulous. They are truly lovely, and always happy to help. Oh, and the crux of any B&B - the second B - BREAKFAST. Colin's breakfast is cracking. He makes exactly what you want, the attention to detail is astounding. Even the butter comes in little curls! It's five star luxury for a two star price tag - a real treat.

Pen Y Cefn B&B, Salem Street, Amlwch, Anglesey, North Wales, LL68 9DD.
www.amlwchbedandbreakfast.co.uk
+44 (0)1407 83 23 78
Google map: bit.ly/lrGpuA

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We stayed recently and found the host and hostess extremely welcoming; the breakfasts were exemplary the beds extremely comfortable and all very clean and most comfortable. A definite home from home.

www.pinegrovelodge.co.uk/
2 Pinegrove Park, Ballymena, Northern Ireland BT43 6TJ
+ 44 02825643434
Google map: bit.ly/miIY4n

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