We nipped over to Colonia del Sacramento with Claudia for her birthday and stayed at the wonderfully eclectic, verging on the eccentric (possibly bonkers) La Posadita de la Plaza, impeccably run by chatty, informative Brazilian-born Eduardo and his ever-vigilant attendant, Chiquiña, AKA Francisca de la Plaza. Chiquiña who, I might add is a street dog that ‘owns’ the Plaza and has adopted herself to Eduardo, becoming also the heroine in a story Eduardo has written for his little girl. She keeps guard outside, feet elegantly crossed and warmly greets the guests, walks them into the posada and is always around for a friendly pat and a photo opportunity.

Eduardo had two recommendations for dining, the wonderfully elegant CHARCO, with its sublime river-side setting and for the evening, the very local vibe of Don Joaquin for an artisanal Pizza.

If you ever find yourself in Uruguay (and why not I ask?), then stay with Eduardo at La Posadita de la Plaza and you’ll not only fall for Colonia, but I suggest Uruguay as well.