Category: Travel Planning

Italy is a place where you could spend a year, exploring every day, and still not scratch the surface of all the things to do and see. From Tuscany to Rome to Florence to Venice and all spots in between, you’ll find some of the world’s finest art, architecture, food and scenery.

Italy offers so many unique and interesting experiences; it can be difficult to narrow them all down for one vacation. Perhaps the best way to approach Italy is to plan to follow several different itineraries and focus on a few unique places. You might decide to combine a visit to Sicily with a driving trip that takes you from Rome to Milan. Another option is explore southern Italy and hit Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Capri and the remote area around Apulia. A unique option would be to head inland and explore the mountain towns and lake regions of Italy. For more information, check out our list of itineraries for Italy.

Il San Pietro di Positano - Italy

In addition to these wonderful itineraries (complete with maps, local attractions and excellent lodging suggestions), also check out what KarenBrown.com readers have voted as Italy’s best hotels and inns:

If you wish to bask beneath the romance of a Tuscan sun, look no further than Locanda dell’Amorosa, which was chosen by Karen Brown readers as Italy’s “Most Romantic” hotel. The hotel is located in what once was a small village, which has been converted into a hotel, restaurant, extensive wine cellar and wine-making facilities. You can wander the grounds, take a dip in the pool or sip a glass of wine from one of the well-appointed common areas and share your daily adventures with other guests. The guest rooms are simple, yet elegant with a few antiques and lovely views. The hotel’s restaurant boasts an amazing setting, perfect for a romantic Italian dinner for two, featuring traditional Tuscan recipes and an extensive wine list.

Hospitality and Italy are practically synonymous, and a stay Il Falconiere Relais is further proof of that fact. This Tuscan hotel was chosen as the recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for the “Warmest Welcome” in Italy. Just outside of Cortona and nestled in the Italian countryside, the hotel provides an excellent home base for day trips to Florence, Assisi and Siena. After a day exploring, return to the inn for a scrumptious dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. Hotel guests can opt for special themed visits, one of which includes a mini cooking school and another includes guided tours of five different wine regions, such as Chianti and Montefalco.

Albergo Villa Belvedere is proof that you can eat your cake and have it too. This beautiful villa was chosen by Karen Brown readers as Italy’s “Greatest Value.” While not luxurious, the guest rooms are clean and comfortable with simple furnishings, and some have pleasant views of Lake Como. Breakfast and dinner, both filled with hearty fare, are included in the rates, adding to the value of this lakeside retreat. The Cappelletti Family and their warm hospitality are another huge plus, and you’ll be treated more as a friend than a hotel guest.

Spend a few days at Il San Pietro di Positano and you may never want to leave. Located in Capri on the Amalfi Coast, this glorious hotel boasts spectacular sea views and has its own private beach cove. The guest rooms, many of which offer an excellent view, are spacious and elegant. The hotel’s restaurant is fabulous with a huge wine list. There’s a full-service spa, fitness center, swimming pool and tennis court. During the summer season, complimentary boat charters are available for morning rides along the coast.

Here is more information about these hotels in Italy and other Italy details.

A wise Irishman once noted, “Ireland is where strange tales begin and happy endings are possible.” Travelers to this Emerald Isle are sure to discover the truth of that statement. Exploring ancient sites, wandering through castles and sampling a pint or two of fine Irish ale are just a few of the happy adventures awaiting visitors to Ireland.

Your journey might begin in Dublin, a beautiful city full of quaint, historic charm. Dublin is a perfect spot for exploring on foot, and driving here is not recommended so save your rental car for trips out of the city. Museums, historic sites and, of course, the Guinness Brewery await guests to the Republic of Ireland’s capitol city. From there, you can head north up to the coast and the attractions of Northern Ireland and Belfast, or perhaps head south and enjoy the Killarney Lakes or take a trip to Blarney Castle.

The Quay House, Connaught, Ireland

We have created a variety of unique Ireland itinerary ideas for visitors to Ireland, all of which are detailed on our site. KarenBrown.com readers have chosen the following lodgings as Ireland’s best:

Located in Ireland’s picturesque region of Connemara, the Quay House has been chosen by Karen Brown readers as Ireland’s “Most Romantic” inn. The view alone invites romance. Most of the guest rooms and studios face the town harbor of Clifdon. The inn is the oldest building in town and originally served as the harbor master’s house. It now houses seven guest rooms and seven studios, each with a unique theme. The decor ranges from posh Irish country to the eclectic Out of Africa safari room.

The enthusiastic innkeepers at Ballyvolane House encourage their guests to relax and enjoy themselves. Their passion for innkeeping has earned Ballyvolane the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Ireland’s “Warmest Welcome.” This idyllic Irish country home is surrounded by spectacular gardens, and also offers seven kilometers of private salmon fishing along the River Blackwater. The tastefully furnished guest rooms include special items such as clawfoot tubs perfect for a long, restful soak. Spend an hour with a good book in the drawing room or ask the innkeepers to prepare a picnic lunch and you can find a sunny spot on the inn’s grounds. Four-course dinners are served each night in the beautiful dining room, featuring an ever-changing seasonal menu.

The grounds at Ballaghtobin are part parkland, part tillage farm where acres of wheat and Christmas trees are grown. An old ruined Norman church rests next to the charming ivy-covered main house. The interior is elegant and includes three lovely guest rooms, each with a private bath. Guests are encouraged to put on their walking shoes and tour the extensive grounds, taking what 18th-century Irish gentry would no doubt praise as a proper country walk. Ballaghtobin was chosen by Karen Brown readers as Ireland’s “Greatest Value.”

If you plan a trip to Dublin, The Merrion is ideal if you want to treat yourself to one of Ireland’s poshest hotels. Named by Karen Brown readers as Ireland’s top “Splendid Splurge,” the Dublin hotel consists of a main section and a garden wing, both with elegant rooms and suites. There is a full-service spa and fitness center, which includes an infinity pool. There are also two restaurants (one is the only two-star Michelin restaurant in Ireland) and a relaxing pub. Christmas at The Merrion, and just about everywhere else in Ireland, is a special time and the hotel is decorated to the hilt for the season.

If you need more information, KarenBrown.com has it. Read further for more on Ireland hotels and related trip planning information.

It’s not only visiting the wineries that makes this area so special—these valleys are also memorable for their beauty. A visit to the wine country makes a pleasant excursion any time of year.

With several hundred wineries spread among scenic Napa and Sonoma counties, you’ll have plenty of tastings to select. There are also hot-air balloon rides for the not-so-faint at heart, plenty of shops to explore, gourmet restaurants and top-notch spas.

One particularly special town is Calistoga, where you’ll find hot springs that have soothed many a visitor for hundreds of years. A trip to Calistoga wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Chateau de Vie (winner of Readers’ Choice Award for California’s Warmest Welcome).

This Calistoga bed and breakfast is surrounded by vineyards, and offers a variety of amenities. Each morning, coffee and tea is placed outside your guest room door, and whenever you are ready, there is a full, seasonal breakfast to enjoy. There is a lap pool, as well as a hot tub in the private garden where you can relax under the stars. The inn sells its own Chateau de Vie wines, so be sure to pick up a bottle as a souvenir.

Check out our itineraries for more details on Wine Country travel.

If you are doing any California trip planning, be sure to check out our itineraries. The first part of this route includes many well-loved attractions: Muir Woods, the Russian River, Sonoma County wineries, the Mendocino Coast, and the Avenue of the Giant Redwoods. Then it becomes less “touristy” as you reach the Victorian jewel of Ferndale, the bustling town of Eureka, and the coastal hamlet of Trinidad, and concludes amongst the giant coastal redwoods of Redwood National Park.

San Francisco is an iconic town, famous for its skyline, its marvel of a bridge, and its many unique neighborhoods. You’ll need several days exploring the city before heading north to Mendocino. Along this four-hour drive, be sure to make time for the Point Reyes National Seashore, which offers bird-watching excursions, nature trails and the often-photographed Point Reyes Lighthouse.

Mendocino, your next big stop, is a bit like a trip to an old New England fishing village. After exploring the town, you’ll want to head up to the Avenue of the Giants, where you’ll feel a bit Lilliputian compared to the trees, the world’s tallest.

For a lavish treat near San Francisco, head across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and the posh Inn Above Tide (winner of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Splendid Splurge). The view is absolutely spectacular — a panorama of city lights and rugged coastline. The spacious, contemporary rooms are pricey, but this is one experience you’ll always treasure. All guests enjoy a great view, whether you choose a simpler double room or the opulent Penthouse. Many rooms have private decks, fireplaces or spa tubs. Here’s more information on this San Francisco Boutique Hotel/Inn.

You can find more information on this area here: California Travel Plans.

From the redwood forests of the north to the sunny shores of San Diego to the snow-capped peaks perfect for skiers, California offers a little something for everyone. With so much do and see, planning that California trip can be a little daunting, so the best advice is pick a region and explore.

From the North to the South

One way to hit a lot of major attractions is to plan a coastal trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles; you’ll be amazed at the scenery and the myriad of places to visit. You’ll want to spend at least two or three days exploring San Francisco, hitting the big sites such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf and maybe Alcatraz and Chinatown. From San Francisco, head south toward Monterey and Big Sur, where you’ll find some of the best views on Earth, as well as some of the best bed and breakfasts. 

If budget is an issue, the Sea View Inn in Carmel (winner of the Karen Brown Reader’s Choice Award for Greatest Value in California) offers the best location with the best rates. The charming historic Victorian is within walking distance to Carmel’s beautiful beaches, and the home’s third story offers a peak view of the sea. Continental breakfast is served, as well as afternoon tea and evening wine and sherry.

If it’s romance you seek, the Tickle Pink Inn is ideal for couples. Many of the rooms boast stunning ocean views, and guests can enjoy a soak in the ocean-view spa. Several rooms have wood-burning fireplaces and balconies. The Deluxe Ocean View Suites include the aforementioned, as well as a whirlpool tub and wet bar. Upon arrival, guests are treated to a glass of champagne, and each night there is a wine and cheese reception. The Tickle Pink Inn won the Readers’ Choice Award for Most Romantic in California. Check out this great California inn.

After your stop in Carmel, head south to Hearst Castle and on to Santa Barbara, where you’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants. After that, it’s just over an hour’s drive to the edge of Los Angeles, where you’ll find everything from the finest shopping to art galleries to museums to amusement parks to spectacular sunsets at the beach. Head into Orange County for a trip to Disneyland or the art Mecca of Laguna Beach.

Check out our detailed California Travel Itineraries to make your next trip a memoriable one.