Sophie’s World

In enchanting Hay-on-Wye, opposite the town clock, the Seven Stars offers something quite unusual for a British B&B: a heated swimming pool and a sauna. My daughters enjoyed it so much, they refused to get out of the pool in the morning and I had to have breakfast by myself. Their loss. Russell Sime, owner and award-winning chef, serves up a delicious Full Welsh breakfast: eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, smoked haddock, tea, toast, fruit compote, the lot.

The Seven Stars

Just a few hours’ drive from London, Hay-on-Wye makes a great weekend destination. Skirting the border between England and Wales, this little town is perhaps best known for being the world’s first book town and member of the International Book Towns Movement. Quirky book shops and shelves abound and books are often sold on a trust system. Along the walls of 12th century Hay Castle, brightly coloured books enliven the mysterious Norman citadel. Every year in May - June, the town hosts the Hay Festival of Literature & Arts.

The Seven Stars B&B is in the centre of town, well-placed for the Castle, the book shops, tea rooms and pubs. We liked The Granary Cafe, right across the street, with its cheerful staff and comprehensive menu (including creative vegetarian fare). Next door to the B&B is a large old-fashioned toy shop, where my 7-year-old spent most of her holiday money.

We stayed in a huge bright airy suite: a sitting room and two bedrooms, with brick walls, oak beams and creaky floors. It’s as if history is alive in the walls of the 16th century house. This B&B has a soul.

Prices from GBP 39.95 per person double occupancy or GBP 94 for the suite, including breakfast and free use of the pool.

The Seven Stars
11 Broad Street
Hay-on-Wye
Herefordshire
HR3 5DB
Tel + 44 1497 820886
e-mail: bookings@theseven-stars.co.uk

Photo credits: Anne-Sophie Redisch

Casolare di Remignoli

Located in the hills about 5 kilometres from San Gimignano, Casolare Remignoli is an ideal base for exploring Tuscany. Florence, Siena, Vinci, Monteriggioni and Volterra are all less than ½ hour away.

Italian country roads, especially the small, unpaved ones, aren’t always clearly marked. As a result, I got lost a few times and had some difficulty finding it in the dark. But even though we arrived after midnight (much later than planned), we were greeted warmly. My two daughters and I enjoyed every moment of our 5-day-stay.

A large renovated ancient farmhouse, its rooms are spacious with beautiful terracotta floors, wooden ceiling beams and wrought iron beds. Outside, surrounded by olive trees and grapevines, is a nice swimming pool overlooking Chianti and the towers of San Gimignano. It’s the perfect place to watch the sun set after a busy day of sightseeing. Especially with a glass of the local white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano. My girls (a seven-year-old and a teen) were perfectly happy to play with the cat, in the pool or at the ping-pong table. Casolare di Remignoli had all we needed.

View towards San Gimignano

With prices from EUR 80 for a double room (we paid nothing for the extra bed), the Casolare di Remignoli is affordable and family-friendly. In summer, continental breakfast is served outside on a pretty covered patio: cappuccino and delicious Tuscan bread with a fabulous view.

Here, as in most of Tuscany, you’ll need a bicycle or a car to make the most of your stay. The B&B has free parking (often next to a Lamborghini tractor).

Address:
Casolare di Remignoli
Remignoli 26
53037 San Gimignano
Siena (SI) Toscana
Tel. + 39 348 6615984
Fax + 39 057 7094618
info@remignoli.com

photo credit: Anne-Sophie Redisch

I was going to cover my visit to Kuwait in one post, but too many things just leaped out and demanded their own space. So first out: Kuwait Towers. 30-year-old Kuwait Towers is probably the best known landmark on the Arabian ... [Continue reading this entry]

Corsicans aren't very friendly, I'd been warned. Not very welcoming. I ask Marco about this. «They say people don't smile as much in Corsica,» he replies. «I don't know. Some people smile. Some do not. Like everywhere else.» Then he ... [Continue reading this entry]

To get to Corsica, we take a bus to Santa Teresa di Gallura, then a ferry to Bonifacio in southern Corsica. We have with us an inimitable guide, Marco. Leaving town at 6 am to catch the 10 o'clock ferry, ... [Continue reading this entry]

About 3 months ago – at the beginning of summer – Cat and I took a short trip to Sardinia. We flew with Ryanair to Alghero for next to nothing, then found a very nice little B&B called Aigua, with ... [Continue reading this entry]

Paris isn't part of the Channel Islands. Not even that near. (Neither is London.) But Paris is where we started. Not necessarily the best idea. I should have done some more pre-trip research on travelling times. And prices. But last ... [Continue reading this entry]

About 20 minutes from pleasant little Vejle is Givskud Zoo with its lion park. When I was growing up, families went on summer holidays to Denmark, particuarly to Legoland and the Lion Park. We never did. But my mum took ... [Continue reading this entry]

Castletown was the first Manx capital; a Viking city. That's where I finally had lunch. At about 5, I stopped at a cheerful pub called The Castle Arms that looked cosy ... [Continue reading this entry]

Continuing my 1-year-later blogging, this week I'll be talking about the Isle of Man, a lovely island that gets an undeservedly bad rap. A year ago today, I hopped on a flight to Liverpool's John Lennon airport (with a yellow ... [Continue reading this entry]