this new brochure celebrating Wales - Great Little Places proves that small is beautiful.

The brochure features 52 small hotels, restaurants with rooms, and guest houses, as well as a vineyard, all hand-picked by author Emyr Griffith. Gwent doesn't feature this year but Cantre Selyf does. It's a three-bedroomed town house in Brecon, which is easy driving distance away.

Pwll-y-Faedda, at Erwood, near Builth Wells, is also in the guide. This is the former fishing lodge of Lord Glanusk and has been carefully renovated with wood panelling, period furnishings and a sumptuous drawing room. Standing in 27 acres, it boasts fantastic gardens through which its guests can wander.

In this year's brochure Mr Griffith says: "We looked for hosts with personality, enthusiasm and uncompromising standards.

"We looked for people with an acute awareness of the needs of today's more discriminating travellers.

"We looked for characterful buildings, beautiful locations, houses with a sense of history, warm welcome and relaxing atmospheres."

Membership of the guide is by invitation only and is restricted, in the main, to properties with fewer than 10 bedrooms.

It also includes nearly 30 recommendations for good places to eat, such as the Nantyffin Cider Mill Inn in Crickhowell, the Woods brasserie, Cardiff, and the Tipple 'n'Tiffin, Brecon.

Prices start at £22 for b&b accommodation at Cwm Llwynog Farm, near Welshpoolm and include an £80 two-day short break including dinners, at Brynhir Farm, near Llandrindod Wells

n For a brochure contact Wales - Great Little Places, Prince's Square, Montgomery SY15 6PZ; 01686 668030. Log on to www.wales.little-places.co.uk