Like a shot in the arm, the Punk Rock Hotel, in the bohemian Black Sea resort of Vama Veche, provides the antidote for anyone hopelessly addicted to boutique hotels. The town plays host to the Stufstock festival, set up in part as a protest against the gentrification of Vama Veche. Condé Nast travellistas, beware!

Europe's first official Earthship has landed in Normandy: as an eco-gîte with a difference. Made from recycled tyres rammed with earth, glass bottles and beer cans, this type of architecture, or biotecture as it is known, is the brainchild of self-styled Garbage Warrior, Mike Reynolds. In eco terms, this is the real deal.

When he's not photographing the Beckhams, Dean Freeman is sensitively snapping more interesing if less famous subjects in Brazil. His fabulous beach house, with its hip New York loft vibe and exclusive cliff-top location, has magical views of the Atlantic Forest, in the Bahian village of Arraial d'Ajuda.

Holiday Pad has gained a reputation for showcasing some of the world's most unusual holiday homes and this massive cave house in Arkansas is no exception. Taking nearly four years to complete, such is its scale, the house is set on a 530 acre estate in the wild beauty of the Ozark countryside. Perfect for spelunkers!

Apart from being situated on a lovely Blue Flag beach with unobstructed sea views, the other great thing about these brightly painted beach huts is the fact you can sleep in them. Fully equipped and capable of accommodating up to six people, the huts are on Nollenstrand Beach in the seaside town of Flushing.

More design museum than holiday let, this former village school, an hour from Brussels, is quite possibly the most remarkable holiday home in the whole of Belgium. Designed by the owners, a couple of globe-trotting photographers, the house features: a cinema, cellar bar, table football, jukebox and basketball court.

Just a short drive from the glamour of Punta del Este lies the tiny fishing village of José Ignacio, home to these exclusive beachfront suites owned by the charismatic Adolfo Suaya, a Los Angeles restaurant mogul. Sadly, Adolfo knows toss all about websites as casasuaya.com is virtually unusable. Nice houses though!

Nestling in the fork of an ancient oak tree, 8m from the ground, this enchanting treehouse is reached via a spiral staircase. Fully equipped with a double bed and en-suite shower room, the treehouse is situated in the grounds of Château Gauthié, now a bed & breakfast sympathetically restored in Périgord tradition.

Go wild in the country at this North American style tipi campsite in Cumbria. There are 7 tipis available ranging in size, with the largest ones capable of sleeping up to 12 people. A truly unique way to lessen your carbon footprint in the beautiful surroundings of the Lake District, whilst having some fun into the bargain.

Designed and built by the owner in the style of a classic Greek windmill, this whitewashed villa on the volcanic island of Santorini boasts 360-degree views of surrounding vineyards and the Aegean sea. We can't stop dreaming of relaxing in the hydro-massage pool and eating fresh produce from the organic garden.

Bring your guitars and enjoy the acoustics in these Buckminster Fuller inspired geodesic domes, located near the entrance to the Joshua Tree National Park. The two houses can be rented together to provide accommodation and leisure facilities for up to 20 people, making this an ideal venue for corporate retreats.