MEDIA RELEASE: FRIDAY 28 MARCH 2008
Off-the-wall and unusual places to stay
Add a little quirkiness to your summer holiday and choose an unconventional, out of the ordinary accommodation from a selection at responsibletravel.com's dedicated 'Unusual Places to Stay' section:
www.responsibletravel.com/UnusualPlaces
Blend in with nature at a cave hotel, treehouse, tipi or forest cabin or alternatively, head back in time with a stay at a windmill, lighthouse or renovated eco village. Here's ten of our favourites to get you started.
 Cave hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey - from £75-£95 per room (sleeps up to 4), per night on a B&B basis
This eighteen-room cave hotel is new to responsibletravel.com and is the site's first 'hole in the wall' accommodation. Located in a restored thousand-year-old Byzantine monastic retreat it offers modern conveniences alongside a distinctly spiritual atmosphere. Part of the hotel was used by Christian monks until recently.
The cave is heated by solar panels, the electricity is from hydro electric sources and only local materials were used in the renovation. The hotel kitchen uses organic produce.
You'll have the chance during your stay to try yoga and massage therapy; Turkish cuisine courses; home style wine making; grape jam cooking; and bread baking in the stone oven. And for those looking for a wedding venue, you can actually get married in the historical cave church!
 Pyrenees caravan park and campsite - from £59 for 2 people per caravan, per night or £435 per week. Airstream caravans (2-4 persons) from £67 per night or £514 per week
This is a unique place near Mirepoix in the French Pyrenees which combines nature and fun. Run by Perry and Coline, an Irish and French couple who were previously circus artists, they have created a campsite of Airstream caravans - the only one in Europe - with fantastic views of the Pyrenees.
There are plenty of easy walks and mountain bike rides in wild surroundings with lakes, forests, and typical French villages. Massages in an authentic mongolian yurt are also available. There is a small shop on site with local organic farm produce. Organic fresh vegetables, fresh bread and croissants are available on order. This project has been built around the importance of tranquility, space, organic farming and protection of the environment.
 Italian Riviera eco village - f rom £28 (4 bed room) - £42 (double with bathroom). All prices are half board (breakfast and dinner included) per person per night
The thirteenth century abandoned medieval village is located in the Ventimglia hinterland, a few kilometres from the sea and the French border. Since 1989, a not-for-profit NGO Association has gradually bought the village and started the process of rehabilitation with the aim of transforming it into an ecovillage with a permanent cultural centre, a guesthouse for those interested in sustainability and a resident community.
The guesthouse offers double and multiple rooms (up to four beds per room), with and without private bathroom; a restaurant with special evening meals (Mediterranean and ethnic cuisine, meat, fish, vegetarian dishes) based on organic and locally-grown produce; ample terrace space for sun-bathing and relaxing; trekking; as well as pottery, cookery, yoga and massage workshops.
 Dyfi forest tipi and yurt accommodation - f rom £295-£329 per tipi (sleeps 2) for 2 nights & £315 - £349 per yurt (sleeps 2) for 2 nights
Located in Machynlleth, Powys in the heart of the Welsh Mountains, this 1300-acre organic farm deep in the Dyfi Forest is a full retreat experience, with organic fare, holistic therapies, a meditation tent and a visit to the Centre for Alternative Technology.
Tipis and yurts are luxuriously furnished with beds; pure cotton white linen and sumptuous bedspreads; a central chimnea fire; two ring gas hob cooker; cool box and chilled cool bricks; complimentary organic and fair trade goodies; private compost toilet; fresh spring water shower; a sink, tap and mirror; and environmentally friendly hand soap and washing up liquid.
 County Sligo retreat accommodation - from £13-£21 per person, per night
Located near Castlebaldwin, Co. Sligo, this 100ft wide wooden Christmas-pudding shaped ring fort - a green and discreet hobbit-like edifice - overlooks Lough Arrow. Nestled in the heart of Sligo’s rich archaeological countryside, the relaxed fun atmosphere makes this ecolodge a popular destination at any time of the year. It is green in every way and has geothermal heating, reed bed drainage, solar power and wind turbines.
With open fire and large movie screen you can spend time relaxing in the circular entrance hall or reading in the cosy, glass domed library. Alternatively you can explore ancient archaeology sites or surf or walk in the Bricklieve mountains with a qualified guide. Accommodation is in dorm rooms, double rooms or interior tents. It is also possible to rent out the entire building for larger groups.
 Windmill accommodation in Provence - from £395 - £554 per week for accommodation (sleeps 2)
Situated just outside La Rochegiron in an idyllic rural setting, overlooking lavender fields in the foothills of Haute Provence, this delightful 17th century windmill has recently been beautifully restored. Top quality locally sourced materials have been used by traditional craftsmen and there are stone walls and exposed beamed ceilings.
There is a shared swimming pool, a boules court and there are bicycles available for hire. There is garden furniture for outdoor dining or for relaxing in the sunshine.
 Treehouse on the Garden route in South Africa - from £40-£76 per treehouse (double) per night and from £49- £114 per family treehouse per night
Stay in the canopy of the forest, surrounded by birdsong and butterflies. This unique, tented, self-catering tree house resort sits high on the foothills of the ancient Outeniqua mountain range. These eco-friendly treehouses are each set apart from each other and have comfortable tented bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens and leafy luxury bathrooms.
Constructed from wood, glass and canvas, the treehouses were designed to blend into the forest. All of the windows are recycled from demolished buildings and the expansive wooden decking is sourced from local plantations via the local saw mill. Rain water is harvested for drinking and river water is used for bathing and washing.
Swim in the cola-coloured water of the remote and unspoiled Karatara river, picnic on its beautiful banks and explore the deep forested gorge. Or chill out on the wooden deck of the swimming complex perched high on the hill - the converted farm dams are fun for both kids and adults. There is also an entertainment room with table tennis, soccer table, videos etc. and a playground with a sandpit, jungle-gym and trampoline.
 Lighthouse in Scotland - (sleeps 20) - from £540-£590 (2 nights)
Situated on a remote peninsula in the North-West Scottish Highlands, this Lighthouse is a unique and exciting place to 'get away from it all'. Built in 1910 by a cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson, it is now fully automated and sits amongst some of the finest mountain and coastal scenery in Britain. Deer and goats roam wild and birdlife include the rare and magnificent golden eagle.
Seals, sharks, dolphins, otters - even the occasional whale - are regularly seen from the lighthouse. Daytime activities include excursions to deserted sandy beaches, gentle cliff walks, local historical sights (mesolithic caves, Bronze and Iron age hut circles, mediaeval forts etc.), whale cruises and pony trekking.
 Dordogne self catering cabin - from £200-£300 per week
The cabin provides the perfect antidote to anyone with a busy, stressful life. It has one double bedroom, a lounge area with a woodburner and well equipped kitchen with gas oven, hob and gas fridge. The cabin has it's own wet shower room, fitted with a hand basin and normal flushing lavatory. There is an outside decking and BBQ area with table and seating for four. Activities include walking, birdwatching, sampling local produce and cycling.
The whole ethos of the cabin is to provide a welcome retreat with minimal impact to the environment. The cabin has no electricity so lighting is provided by candles, solar lamps and oil lamps. The shower-water is heated using the woodburning stove. Waste is recycled, water is used sparingly and only eco friendly cleaning products are used. Fuel for the fire is gathered from the surrounding forest. You can offset your carbon emissions if you fly here by planting a tree in the woods.
 Houseboat holidays in Devon - from £335-£689 per boat per week (each sleeps 4 to 6 in ensuite cabins)
This area of North Devon boasts 35 acres of unspoilt countryside. Each widebeam barge is permanently moored on her own private jetty. The boats have spacious galleys, plenty of natural light, BBQ areas, sun decks and wood burning stoves. The boats operate on electricity from solar power, have marine toilets (water efficient) and a woodburning heat system.
Fishing is available at no extra charge (organic Rainbow Trout) and binoculars are available for bird watching. Other activities in the area include walking, cycling, fishing and horseriding.
All prices and deals are subject to availability. For further information or to make a booking, visit www.responsibletravel.com or call 01273 600030.
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Notes to editors
About responsibletravel.com:
responsibletravel.com is an online travel directory - based in Brighton, England - launched in 2001 for travellers who want more real and authentic holidays that also benefit the environment and local people. responsibletravel.com markets carefully pre-screened, handpicked holidays from over 270 specialist operators and over 550 accommodations.
Contact:
Krissy Pentland
press@responsibletravel.com
01273 648 519 or 07717 348 368
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