QUIRKY ACCOMMODATION - Fact File

25 SEPTEMBER 2003
F A C T F I L E

Troglodyte caves – Tunisia
The Oasis Trail, a five-day tour across southern Tunisia, takes in the villages of Mides, Tamerza and Chebika, the eerie salt desert Chott el Jerid and a community of Berber tribesmen before finishing on the island of Djerba, the legendary home of the lotus eaters. The £499 price includes flights, b&b accommodation for three nights and a night's half board in a cave hotel.

Yurts – Mongolia
A 17-day Crossroads Of Asia tour to Kazakhstan, China and Kyrgyztan visits the Tien Shan Mountains, the Taklamakan desert and staging posts along the Silk Road. A stay in a yurt and meetings with nomads are included in the stay. Other nights are spent in hotels on a b&b basis. The £1,595 price includes flights.

Sherpa teahouses – Himalayas
A 15-day Teahouse Trek escorted by Sherpa guides with eight nights' full board in Sherpa teahouses costs £1,125 including flights. The walking is graded as moderate, with about six hours a day on foot. Two rest days are included.

Longhouses – Borneo
A 16-day Borneo Jungle Adventure with a stay in an Iban longhouse includes a visit to the Mulu caves – famous for stalagmites, stalactites, and bats – a trip down the Terikan River on bamboo rafts and walking the ancient Headhunter's Trail through virgin jungle. Prices for the tour, which is mainly full board, start at £1,240 and include flights.

All the above tours are available through Explore Worldwide, tel: 01252 760000; visit www.exploreworldwide.com.

Trulli – Italy
Trullo Azzurro, which has been beautifully restored, lies about two miles from the town of Cisternino. It has three double bedrooms and three bathrooms, with a courtyard for alfresco dining and built-in barbecue, making it ideal for three couples or a family. The price is £650 including car hire. For couples who want to chill out à deux Trullo Oliva, also near Cisternino, has been renovated with great care. It costs £480 a week including car hire. Return flights to Brindisi can be arranged from £235 per person. Available through Long Travel, tel: 01694 722367; visit www.long-travel.co.uk.