La Casa del Tio Dach may be advertised as a hostel and a bed and breakfast, but it’s really an exquisitely restored historic house filled with artwork and antiques that just happens to welcome guests. The house was built in 1890 by the Paz Ferraez brothers, who were well-known grocers in Merida, capital the State of Yucatan in Mexico. When the last of the original brothers passed on, the property was handed down to nephews who decided to restore the home to its former glory and convert it to a bed and breakfast.

Historic Hostal La Casa del Tio Dach in Merida

Named in honor of one of the uncles who built the home, La Casa del Tio Dach has five rooms that offer configurations ranging from two and four beds to an eight bed dorm. Each of the sparkling clean rooms has an ensuite bathroom and is furnished with modern, quality furniture and upscale linens. The $120 peso per night rate (less than $10 USD) includes towels, in-room wireless Internet, fan, 24-hour hot water and reception, as well as a delicious continental breakfast of fresh fruit, pound cake, and coffee. Read More »

On my quest to ferret out the most economically priced accommodations (read “cheap”) as I backpacked through Mexico, I’ve stayed in hostels, hotels, B&B’s and inns that have ranged from utterly disgusting to marginal to amazing finds. In the central Mexican town of Queretaro I discovered one of the latter. Casa San Gallito was represented as a hostel but from the moment I set foot on the property it became a home away from home.

Mixed sex doem

If you weren’t looking specifically for this hostel it would be easy to miss. The unassuming entrance is just an open doorway in a long row of flat-facade colonial buildings, with only a placard sign set in the center of the doorway to advertise what is within, but step around the sign and into a lovely open courtyard dotted with tables, chairs and potted plants. Beyond the courtyard are more common areas, including the best kitchen I have ever seen in a hostel, where breakfast (which is included in the room rate) is served every morning, and a full living room with couches, bean bag chairs, TV, library, and computer. Unlike other hostels, which often provide minuscule common areas, the living room at Casa San Gallito Hostel was large enough to accommodate Read More »

Car from 24 Hours of Lemons

So, my friends and I were supposed to this event called 24 Hours of Lemons this weekend in Kershaw, South Carolina. It’s a car race, of sorts, and the actual event was called LeMons South Fall. Long story short, the car we were entering died before we even left Atlanta, so we didn’t get to go.

We were very bummed out, but there are plenty of other events, such as the one coming up in Garrettsville, Ohio. This one is actually a bit too far for us to get to, assuming our car is ever fixed, but you should go see the race! They are so much fun – ridiculous, funny and over the top.

If you’re planning on being somewhere near Garrettsville, Ohio the weekend of October 3-4, check out the following hotels for your stay! Most of these are Bed & Breakfasts; I thought I’d choose these since they’re a little more interesting than your standard hotel.

Stonewall Bed & Breakfast

Lots of privacy – you can actually make a romantic weekend out of this wacky event!

Hiram Inn

Top-rated B&B. Close to beautiful Hiram College and the Pioneer Trail. Features twelve uniquely appoined rooms.

Lily Ponds Bed & Breakfast

This B&B was built in around 1940. You’ll enjoy the two scenic ponds as well as the stone bridge. The syrup on your breakfast waffles is local!

Photo Credit: Carl 242

New Hampshire Fall Foliage

New Hampshire’s Warner Fall Foliage Festival is coming up in a little more than a month! This festival has been around since 1947 and is one of the state’s most popular autumn events. Warner, New Hampshire has been described as a classic New England village, so even though this festival is not a huge festival, I thought it would be nice to suggest to lodging in the area. It’s a great little town to escape to, festival or not.

Hotels, Lodging and Bed & Breakfasts near Warner, New Hampshire:

The Maples at Warner
This adorable B&B is surrounded by maple trees, has a stream that wraps around the property and even has a pond. And, you’re within easy walking distance of all the cafes, restaurants and shops that Warner is famous for.

The Candlelight Inn

This one isn’t actually in Warner, but it’s in Bradford, only eight or so miles away. It’s a quintessential B&B – you can have breakfast every morning overlooking the pond.

Rosewood Country Inn Bed and Breakfast

This is also in Bradford, and it’s one of the most beautiful Victorian houses I’ve ever seen. Think wraparound porch, pointy roofs, lots of chimneys. Very romantic place.

Photo Credit: ReneS on Flickr