Phrases like guesthouses, bed & breakfasts, inns and pensions are sometimes interchanged, and the traditional distinctions are more grey here than in other places. Even apartments and boats call themselves B&Bs, further blurring the picture.

While they tend to have fewer amenities than their hotel counterparts, these places are cosier, more personal and may be part of a flat or take up an entire floor in a building. Like other rooms, prices and quality vary.

The International Bed & Breakfast Pages (www.ibbp.com) and BnB Finder (www.bnbfinder.com) may help you find an appropriate place.