You could walk past 100 times without noticing. You certainly wouldn't go in unless someone recommended it. The restaurant is on the second floor of the Strand Continental Hotel, which was popular with Indian intellectuals in the 1930s, and nothing has been changed since, not even the lino on the stairs.

It takes dinginess into a whole new dimension and the service can be a little odd, but it offers really good authentic Indian food at rock-bottom prices. An unforgettable experience.

143 Strand WC2 (020-7836 0650)

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Camping, but not as we know it. Sleep out in style in designer yurts in a forest at the edge of the Ardeche Gorge.

La Bastide de Virac, Ardèche (+4 7538 4277, canvaschic.com)

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There are 24,000 islands in all and you are free to camp on any of them. The bigger ones have campsites; the smaller ones you can have all to yourself. Buy a five-day Batluffarkortet archipelago ferry pass, for about £25 and use taxi boats to get to the smaller islands.

stockholmtown.com

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Largely undeveloped inlet, accessible by road but, thanks to Robert Graves, coach parties are banned here. The beach is stony, but the swimming is safe. Eat fresh fish caught by the local fishermen at Can Lluc restaurant, right on the beach, then stretch your legs on the lovely stretch of coastal path between Cala de Deìa and Alconassar.

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Small pebble cove leading inland to a narrow, 1,000ft high gorge, the Torrent de Pareis. Wonderful swimming. The beach is on the coach party itinerary but if you go early in the morning or late in the afternoon you’ll find it deserted.

Between Sóller and Pollença.

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Seriously good ice cream made from sheep's milk from their own herd and fruit from local growers. Buy a cone and eat it sitting on the grass in the "honesty" bookshop under the castle.

9 High Town, Hay-on-Wye
Tel: 01981 550716 www.shepherdsicecream.co.uk

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It claims not to be a festival but a four-day camping event focused around sustainable living and green campaigns. Northern Green Gathering is a membership organisation and joining NGG entitles you to free entry (see website for details). It should be fun in a peaceful, eco-friendly way with plenty of entertainment, but strictly no sound systems.
August 17-20, somewhere in Yorkshire.

www.nggonline.org.uk

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The few tourist who come this way go to the more famous Sandwood bay, but this is even better. Some of the best golden sand in Europe and you should feel agrieved if you can't find 10 acres of empty space to put your beach towel on.

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Brilliant remote eco-hostel near Voss, surrounded by mountains, woods and lakes. Its own mini-hydroelectric plant powers a ski lift in winter and a heated swimming pool in summer. It even has its own riding school. Double/family rooms with ensuite bathroom as well as dorms. And you don’t need a car to get there — take the train to Newcastle, ferry to Bergen then train to Ørneberget, only 300m from the hostel.

tel: 0047 5652 3150;
www.mjolfjell.no

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A peaceful retreat in a beautiful valley, seemingly untouched by the outside world. Walking, horse riding on the doorstep. The book town of Hay-on-Wye is eight miles away. Yoga and drawing weekends. Great vegetarian breakfasts. Singles £25, doubles £40, ensuite £45, children £10.

Pen-y-Maes, Capel-y-Ffin, Powys
01873 890477
www.thebarn-wales.co.uk

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If you like minimalism, this isn’t for you. The former Victorian bank specialises in over-the-top decadence. The Rolling Stones liked it so much they booked the whole hotel. Doubles from C$400.

355 rue St-Jacques
Tel: + 514 841 3111
www.hotellestjames.com

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Sadly no human sacrifices but it won the Best Cult Following award in last year's UK Festival Awards. Two main stages (the Woodward Stage and Summer Isle Stage), as well as a dance tent and an acoustic and reggae arena, and plenty of authentic festival atmosphere culminating the ritual burning of the 30ft high Wickerman at midnight on Saturday. £50 for the weekend including camping

July 21-22, East Kirkcarswell Farm, near Kirkcudbright; www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk

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A 14th-century farmhouse set in its own 43 acre nature reserve. On the edge of the Black Mountains half a mile from Offa’s Dyke Path. Four-poster beds, antiques, mullioned windows, great views. £33pp, £31 for two nights or more.

Llanveynoe, Longtown, Herefordshire
01873 860356
www.golden-valley.co.uk/olchoncourt

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