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alastair sawday
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What are special places? Alastair Sawday himself says
"We want our guides to be THE guides for those looking for:
- Warm, very human, interesting people
- Beautiful buildings, original style, elegant simplicity
- Fine old things that, however dilapidated, carry their age and authenticity with dignity
- Delicious food, much of it grown at home and cooked with devotion
- A touch of fun with a touch of class. Quirkiness with seriousness, a light touch, an easy style
- Honest writing with a dash of panache
- Comfort – yes, but not at the expense of everything else.
We cherish our relationships with our owners and readers; the notion of 'special' is at the heart of what we do.
The notion of ’special’ is at the heart of what we do, and highly subjective. We take huge pleasure from finding people and places that do their own thing - brilliantly, places that are unusual and follow no trends, places of peace and beauty, people who are kind and interesting - and genuine. Life is too short to be wasted in the wrong places. A night in a special place can be a transforming experience. |
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Endorsements
"This eclectic series stands head and shoulders above the rest. Opinionated, lively and, most of all totally independent" The Bookseller
"Guidebook guru Alastair Sawday" The Times
"Alastair Sawday guides are the Bibles of those who want somewhere comfortable and welcoming to stay" Country Life
"Sawday's user-friendly books give honest opinions on the most interesting and best quality accommodation the researchers have found." Health & Fitness Magazine
"I need devine intervention but reach for the next best thing, an Alastair Sawday guidebook." The Guardian
"The best guidebooks ever." BBC Good Food Magazine
"Alastair Sawday, the authority on special places to stay." The Independent
"When they say special that's exactly what you get." Glamour
"The best guides: essential reading for people who appreciate real character, interesting people and good value.....Highly recommended." Choice Magazine
"Alastair Sawday has never failed to pinpoint welcoming, stylish B&Bs, self-catering and hotel accommodation anywhere in the world." Red |
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Caserma Carina's entry
Nothing is too much trouble for Lesley, whose easy-going vivacity makes this place a delight. Cots, toys, DVDs, a bottle of wine at the end of a journey, a welcoming smile - she and Dean provide it all. The apartments are immaculate, the gardens prettily landscaped, the pool has long views. A 15-minute walk down the hill from historic Mogliano (three restaurants, shops, banks and bars) is this magnificent 19th-century country house, its four new apartments spanning three floors. The unrestored part sits quietly, rustically alongside. Inside, all is new, inviting and spotlessly clean. Showers have cream tiles and white towels, kitchens are quietly luxurious, sofas gleam in brown leather, cushions add splashes of red, wooden furniture is stylish and new, indoor shutters cut out early morning light, and views are of rolling hills. You are in the heart of the lovely, unsung Le Marche, an easy drive from historic Macerata, and not much further from the Adriatic coast. Couples will love it and foodies will be happy: out of season cookery courses are planned. An all-year-round treat. |
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Visitors' comments
- These apartments are the most tastefully decorated I have seen and incredibly comfortable. The pool is fantastic and, even when at full occupancy, there was masses of space, so we never felt as if we were on top of others. What really made the holiday, however, was Lesley and Dean's incredible hospitality. Their genuinely thoughtful recommendations for sampling the local culinary delights, beaches, Roman ruins - and a whole plethora of other activities - turned a week in the sun into a fantastic break into a wonderful part of Italy. I would thoroughly recommend Caserma Carina.
Stayed: 09/2008
- We spent a perfect holiday here. We didnt take advantage of the cookery school as we had two 14 year old boys with us , who had a great time. the hosts more than went out of there way to recommend activities,restaurants and places to visit. The location of Caserma carina is fantastic, close to town but secluded, the whole place is a delight. We will be returning to join this super family again. Next time to include the cookery school.
Stayed: 08/2008
- A beautifully furnished apartment,which was more than perfect for two adults and two teenagers. They made full use of the pool, treating it as their own luxury. The area is so tranquil, a perfect aid for r/r, the hilltop villages a joy to discover. Lesley and Dean are a delightful couple, who go to extraordinary lengths to arrange outings or suggest restaurants. We had a perfect break here.
Stayed: 07/2008 | |
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Publishing beautiful books is only the most recent of Alastair’s endeavours: in the past he has led tours all over France, guided disaster relief teams in Turkey, worked for the VSO in Papua New Guinea, and any number of other exotic things – all pursued with the same intelligence and exuberance he demonstrates as a publisher.
His lifelong passion in all his work has been the environment. This explains such wrinkles in his career as standing for Parliament with the Green Party in 1992, and vice chairing the Soil Association. His convictions are manifest today in the way our books are produced, and the way our office is run. In 2006 Alastair Sawday Publishing was awarded a Queen's Award for Sustainable Development.
Our books succeed because readers trust our high standards.
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