Dogubayzit, Turkey, July 3-4

Tahran Hotel, room 301
Having fended off the touts near the bus station, we ended up at this gem of a hotel, which has comfy beds, ok, if quite lumpy pillows, views of Mt Ararat from some rooms and a great enclosed rooftop space where you can buy your last beer before the Iranian border. Unfortunately our room was quite noisy due to its location by the stairwell, but it's nothing a good set of earplugs won't fix. Management is extremely helpful and friendly and there is wireless available downstairs and free internet too. The breakfast room doubles as a chill out room and has a cracking view of the mountains. A really refreshing place to spend our last nights in Turkey.
Bathroom: private, although drains were a bit smelly
View: Mt Ararat (this wins best view of all the places we've stayed in Turkey)
Cost: 36 YTL including an average breakfast
Recommended: Yes, absolutely

Siena, May 19 - 20

Hotel Camollia, room 1

These are private rooms near the Porta Camollia gate, about 15 minutes walk to Il Campo. Our room was spacious, light and really clean, with terrazzo floors. Oh, and the bed and pillows were very comfy.
Bathroom: shared, reasonably new, but unfortunately could have been cleaner – and no toilet paper was provided either.
View: Terracotta rooftops, Tuscan countryside
Cost: 55 euros per night
Recommended? Definitely, but remember to bring toilet paper.

Verona, May 15-17

Casa Catullo, room 25


This hotel has a great location with large rooms in a big old building. The management are friendly, although have a policy which make it awkward for travellers without a car – you can't leave bags in the hotel after checking out; they suggest you leave them at the locked luggage area at the train station (approx 1.5km away). Our room was ginormous, with lovely parquet floors.
Bathroom: Shared, but clean.
View: streetscape
Cost: 55 euros
Recommended? Yes
Contact details: Address: Via Catullo 1, Verona

Lisbon, April 26-May 1

Casa David, room 2



This is the Cascais home of one of Jerome's ex-colleagues. He kindly put us up for several nights and allowed us to treat his house like a hotel. We got far too comfy here.
View: terracotta rooftop and urban streetscape
Cost: No fiscal cost, physical toll of 2 hangovers
Recommended: Yes, if you know David.

Mertola, April 23

Pensao Luz, room 1

This pension comes recommended by Lonely Planet for the river view from some rooms, and, seeing as we got a river view room (with terrace), we can recommend it too. Ours was a large, clean room with private bathroom, but for us, the clincher was that private terrace, which served us well as a calm shady spot to enjoy a glass of wine before dinner.
View: Picturesque, winding river
Special features: Swallows nesting below the terrace, private terrace ideal for pre-dinner drinks
Bathroom: Private
Cost: 35 euros
Recommended? Yes

Taveira, April 17 and 18

Residencial Taveira, room 101

We arrived in Taveira at 6pm and found this place on arrival. Our room was super-clean, with rustic decor. It featured a basin and also, strangely, a bidet. Extremely friendly owner.
View: Side street
Special features: Roof terrace ideal for supping beverages and playing card games
Bathroom: Shared, but very clean.
Cost: 30 euros
Recommended? Yes