TRAVEL QUESTIONS FOR KAREN:
Dear Travelers,
I hope you will understand that because of the overwhelming number of questions received each day it is impossible for me to answer every one. I will select questions to answer based on what I believe will benefit and interest the greatest number of travelers. Also, please make your questions as specific as possible and know that I do not have the luxury of time to plan or detail personalized travel itineraries.
If your question is not selected, I sincerely apologize, as given the time, I would answer them all. If your question is selected you will be informed that it is published on our website as well as receive the answer by email.
Kindest regards,
Karen
Category: France Dear Friends, Thank you for using our recommendations! And, I am pleased to say you have chosen well with the Chateau Hotel Andre Ziltener - it is truly one of my personal favorites!!!! I would suggest you contact them for their recommendation of someone local to drive you around and introduce you to the region. They are extremely service oriented and I would feel very confident with someone they personally endorse. However, another option would be to contact the tourist office in Beaune. For your convenience, simply Click here to link directly to the information on their website specific to private tours. Enjoy your travels in Burgundy! Best, Karen
Question:
My wife and I, following your recommendation, have booked a suite at chateau ziltiner near Dijon, France for September 1-5, 2010. We have also just purchased your suggested itinerary for touring the Burgundy region. Can you please recommend a driver/tour company to show the Burgundy region to my wife and me? We are not interested in wine tasting; rather, we would like to see and learn about the various villages and their history. Thank you.
Asked by A Karen Brown Traveller [Mar 11, 2010]
Answer:
Category: California Dear Joan, I am sorry to learn of your disappointment with the Squibb House although, I greatly appreciate your feedback. We sincerely value reader comments based on their own experiences and most definitely take them into consideration when updating guides. The award was not for the Best B&B but for Best Value and is a result of votes as collected by our readers. It is not a Karen Brown Award, it is a Karen Brown Readers' Choice Award. We would welcome your votes for next year's candidates. Kindest regards, Karen
Question:
Why do you list the Squibb House in Cambria as the best B&B in California (back page of your 2010 book)? We have used your books for many European Inns and B&Bs and found them terrific. The Squibb House is the most minimal place we have ever stayed it lacks even basic amenities. There is no heat in the bathroom (we had the Garden Room recommended in your book), no radio, alarm clock, or TV, no manager on the premises, no way to leave a wake-up call (telephone access is limited to emergency calls or use of a telephone card, which we did not have with us.) We did wake up early however, because the white curtains somewhat covering the windows are so thin that they do not keep out any light. Also, the room is far overpriced compared to what is offered by other B&Bs in Cambria. We cannot understand how you would even list the Squibb House let alone rank it as the best B&B. We are saddened by this experience because we feel that by loosing trust in your recommendations we have lost a valuable travel resource. Joan Mandel
Asked by Joan Mandel [Mar 7, 2010]
Answer:
Category: Portugal Dear Elizabeth, Thank you for your email and thank you for using Karen's Guides and website. By my count you have 5 nights (23rd, 24, 25, 26 & 27) after Lisbon (21 and 22). I would probably recommend staying in Ourem, Marvao and Evora. The last night you might want to be closer to the airport so the drive is not as long the last day or if you have an early flight. I think you will probably want to keep moving if you are trying to fit everything in rather than basing one or two places. If you have 5 nights than I would spend two nights at one of the cities mentioned above. Have a wonderful trip. Rick Herbert Karen Brown's Guides
Question:
I am going to Portugal, and I have purchased your Portugal guide. My granddaughter and I will arrive on July 21 and will leave on July 28. We'd like to spend the first 2 nights and last night in Lisbon, but do the loop you suggest (Alentejo and Medieval Monuments),spending two nights in each area. We are interested in staying in pousadas. Where would you suggest we spend these four nights?
Asked by A Karen Brown Traveller [Mar 4, 2010]
Answer:
Category: France If this is going to be your first trip to France, you definitely need to allocate time to her capital city- Paris is beautiful and a wonderful city to explore on foot. Then, since you do not want to travel by car, I would recommend countryside destinations you can reach by train. Unfortunately, the transportation network is not as extensive as it once was (trying to reach the little villages and places to stay that are remote in their location would probably prove to be frustrating, time consuming and expensive), but there are some wonderful towns that you can reach by rail. Some recommendations for regions that would make sense to travel by train: LOIRE VALLEY - you can easily travel to Tours from Paris via the TGV or local trains and then many of the smaller towns with their respective chateaux are connected by train service (Amboise, Saumur, Chinon to name a few). We have places to stay in many of the Loire Valley towns. BURGUNDY - Travel to Dijon via the TGV (at the heart of the region) and then continue on to Beaune. You can use Beaune as your base and either rent bikes, carriages or take a private tour for exploring the numerous wine routes that navigate through the little villages. Trains also service Chalon sur Saone, Macon and Lyon. ALSACE Travel from Paris via the TGV or regular train to Strasbourg, a beautiful city and then use it or Colmar as your base. Again you can rent bikes or take a private tour of the wine region. PROVENCE I would travel to Provence from Paris and then use Avignon, Arles or Aix as your base of operations. NORMANDY I would travel first to Vernon (and then taxi to Giverny - 3 km distant) to see Monet's home, then take the train to Reims, then on to Honfleur (actually final leg is a connection by bus) then Caen and Bayeux. To tour D-day beaches you would need to take a private tour or use local buses. Hope this helps! Safe travels, Karen
Question:
HI Karen, we are thinking to have a vacation to France, we never been there, we don't like to drive, we like to have a relaxing time, have a nice place to stay and to see the scenery, do you have any recommendation for us?
Asked by cy wang [Feb 25, 2010]
Answer:
Category: Canada Dear Bernice and Michael, Unfortunately, we have not yet personally researched eastern Canada. However, in terms of places to stay there is a wonderful membership organization, Select Registry and they have two properties in Quebec: Ripplecove Inn and Auberge des Gallant. For ease of your reference I have included a link to the map page from their website below: http://www.selectregistry.com/qv/stn/Quebec/st/QC/locateinnmapsstate/bedandbreakfast.aspx Enjoy Quebec! Also, please know we would welcome knowing of any personal recommendations and discoveries after your own travel experiences! All the best, Karen
Question:
Could you suggest a small charming town in the Laurentians, Quebec that would be perfect for a 3 day winter vacation- r&r, cross- country skiing, show shoeing? I heard Mont Saint Sauveur was quite beautiful. Any other suggestions? thanks, Bernice & Michael
Asked by Michael Lurie [Feb 17, 2010]
Answer:
Category: Netherlands Dear Salese, Although, Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities, we have yet to research it for our guides or for our website. However, a property that contacted us that looks wonderful and is well-located is the Flying Pancake. For your reference, their website is http://www.theflyingpancake.com/ Their email contact is info@theflyingpancake.com If you do decide to stay here, we would welcome your feedback based on your personal experience. You can either share directly with me or, better yet, with the Karen Brown Community by submitting it as a Reader Discovery. The link to submit a discovery is: http://www.karenbrown.com/user_discovery.php Thank you for the confidence you place in our recommendations! Correspondence from travelers like you give us the incentive to keep going! Enjoy your travels! Karen .
Question:
Hi Karen: We have always enjoyed your inns, and can't seem to locate a Travel Book of yours for Amsterdam. Do you have a recommendation for a one night accommodation with a good location for sight seeing. We have one night and one full day before boarding our River Cruise down the Rhine. Thank you for your suggestions. Salese
Asked by Salese Kanter [Feb 8, 2010]
Answer:
Category: France Dear Virginia, You are traveling to one of my favorite regions in France! Since your time is limited with only five nights in the Dordogne - I would most definitely travel the distance by train. As you say, simply getting out of Paris will take a lot of time and when you travel by train you simply leave from the center of the city - a simple taxi ride from your hotel. When researching the southwest quadrant of France I always travel by train (to either Brive or Cahors-a little further south-depends on where you are spending the other three days) and then pick up a car rental. It is a pretty train ride and very relaxing. I always spend my time on the train with maps and detailing where I am going! Another thought to complicate your decision, assuming your return flight home is out of Paris, you might want to get a flight from Bordeaux to connect with your flight out of Paris. If you haven't already booked your flights, I would compare fares Vermont/Paris/Vermont against Vermont/Paris then Bordeaux/Paris/Vermont. The difference in round trip fare is often negligible. Or, now with wonderful intra-Europe fares, you could research on the website purchasing an additional airline ticket Bordeaux/Paris to connect with your flight home. Ryan Air is one that has incredibly low fares. This will save you time and I believe the airfare will be comparable to the cost of traveling by train especially if train and air times require that you add one more overnight in Paris or at the airport before you fly home. Note: FYI - When I looked at Rail Europe for fares it showed $84 per person, one way for a first class ticket to travel from Paris to Brive. I am so pleased to know you have booked the Moulin de Fresquet -Claude & Gérard are wonderful as is their inn! Definitely take advantage of dining with them! Also, with the Moulin as a base you can easily explore a bit of the Lot River Valley and the Dordogne. May I ask where you have booked your other three nights? Thank you for your kind letter. We look forward to welcoming you to our team in your second life! In the meantime, we would welcome any discoveries you have found. You can share them as Reader Discoveries - a new part of our website. If you have other questions, don't hesitate to contact us. Kindest regards, Karen
Question:
Dear Karen, I've been a follower of yours for the last 10 years and have enjoyed quite a few of your wonderful B & B recommendations in both France and Italy. This May, a friend and I will be spending 5 nights in Paris and then 5 nights in the Dordogne (2 of which will be at the magical looking Moulin de Fresquet!). We are trying to decide whether to take the train from Paris to Brive and then rent a car, taking the train back to Paris, or, whether to rent a car at Orly and drive down and back. Would you have any ideas about the type of roads we would be driving on. Neither of is thrilled about the idea of driving in Paris, though I see that Orly is 14 miles south, which might get us out into the country a bit more. Would it be a scenic trip and worth the drive, or would we be smarter to just take the train? I've checked and AutoEurope would have cars in both spots. Thank you, so much, for any advice you might be able to give us. Sincerely, Ginger Foss, Vermont P.S. In my next life, I want to work for Karen Brown Guides!!!
Asked by Virginia Foss [Feb 3, 2010]
Answer:
Category: General Dear Mr. Krall, Thank you so very much for your kind note. It sincerely means alot! In terms of Hawaii, we have considered researching the islands but, our challenge would be not to recommend just inns and bed & breakfasts as we do with our other destinations, but, to research all types of accommodations (i.e., resorts, luxury hotels, rentals, condominiums, bed & breakfasts and inns) and then make a selection of what we consider the best in each category. As a result, the daunting task has remained in the planning stage! However, an incredible travel industry reference is The Star Report. The report not only rates properties but also offers editorial to support their rating. The report always impressed me as being honest and candid - not a paid reference. I couldn't find a reference online that was available to the general public, but most travel agencies will have the Star Report Binder and I would believe they would let you look at it and the listings (especially if you were willing to book through them so they would receive the resulting commission.) Other than the Star Report, I think the best resource (although, a bit overwhelming) is researching via websites...it is just hard to receive an objective critique when most websites are written by the properties themselves - or either paid advertisements. Cross-referencing any properties you are interested with reviews on Trip Adviser might help in your evaluation and selection. Again, thank you for your interest in our guides and recommendations. Kindest regards, Karen
Question:
Karen, We have used your guides all over Europe for many years and found them to be an irreplacable resource. Now we are planning a trip to Hawaii, including most islands, and are looking for a resource nearly as good as yours. Can you make a recommendation? Warm Regards, Harold Krall
Asked by Harold Krall [Feb 1, 2010]
Answer:
Category: General Dear Marlis, I forwarded your question on to Jack Bullard who is responsible for the majority of research for our guide to New England AND he is a New Englander by birth! His response: "There are two ways to get into the heart of New England in the fall - one is to fly to Boston and then drive west on the Mass Tpke to Route 5 north to Route 30 stopping perhaps at the Four Columns Inn in Newfane (this village is quintessential New England with its village green and all buildings painted white with narrangansett green shutters). Taking route 11 out of Newfane will bring you to Route 7a from which you can take a short drive to the village of Dorset staying at the Barrows House - a more casual family oriented inn. North of these two inns located in the southern part of Vermont are three others that cannot go unmentioned. In Jamaica there is the Three Mountain Inn'; in Barnard is the Maple Leaf Inn and then further north up Route 100 we all love the Pitcher Inn in Warren for its unusual folk art decor. These are five of the best. Be sure to make your reservations promptly as foliage is at its height in the first two weeks of October; and be sure to make reservations in the dining room of the inn in which you stay and then another recommended by the innkeepers. The other route to these same five properties is to fly into Albany, New York and rent a car to access the routes mentioned above. You will have too ask these inns if they can accommodate three of your in the same room. All inns have a rollaway, and you might even find an inn with three twins. Good luck and let us know how your trip went. We are always interested in our readers' comments." Jack Bullard
Question:
KAREN! WE ARE "3 STEAMROLLING-TOWARD-'75' AND 60-YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP" SWEET BUT SASSY LADIES. THIS SEPT. WE PLAN TO SEE THE DELIGHTS OF AUTUMN IN NEW ENGLAND AND LOVE YOUR 2 ITINERIES BUT ARE TOTALLY CONFUSED! ALL B&B'S SOUND BREATHTAKING SO WOULD YOU PLEASE DIRECT US WHERE TO GO FOR 4 DAYS OF 'GIRL-STUFF..'.ANTIQUING', ETC? PERHAPS STAY 2 NIGHTS IN 2 DIFFERENT PLACES? MOST I LOOKED AT WERE FOR DOUBLE-OCC...AND WE NEED 3 TWIN BEDS? BLESS YOU! MARLIS
Asked by MARLIS CARSON [Feb 1, 2010]
Answer:
Category: General Dear Carol, Thank you for traveling all over the world using our recommendations! We so very much appreciate our loyal Karen Brown Readers! Unfortunately, we have yet to research places to stay in Florida. However, we do recommend a membership organization, Select Registry, that sets high standards for acceptance and admission. I looked on their website and found a property in Key West. I will copy below their contact information and the write up as published on their site. If your friend does find a property she likes in Key West, we would love it if she would be willing to share her experience as a reader discovery - a new area on our website that allows us to expand the Karen Brown World to destinations we have yet to research. Wishing you all the best, Karen The Marquesa Hotel
Question:
I have traveled all over Europe with your books. Will not leave home without it! Do you have any info on Key West I can share with a friend of mine? She wants a good B&B.
Asked by Carol S Peck [Feb 1, 2010]
Answer:
Key West, FL - US
305-292-1919, 800-869-4631
Fax: 305-294-2121
Category: Italy Dear Marjorie, Some questions are truly a challenge!!! This one qualifies as there are so many wonderful places that I could recommend as a base for exploration for Umbria-there are simply so many charming towns as well as incredible places to stay. That being said, I do think it is easier to come and go from a "base" that is located in a countryside town as opposed to a larger town or city. But, another consideration, since you want to use a property as a base for five nights, I would also assume that you would like a little bit of a town with restaurants and a few shops and not a property that is completely isolated on a country road removed from any urban center. Therefore, I would recommend Assisi, Orvieto and or Spoleto as places that would make a good base and have more than one recommended property to select from. Hope this helps! Karen
Question:
If you were going to spend 5 nights in Umbria, Italy which city would you base out of?
Asked by Marjorie Cushman [Jan 30, 2010]
Answer:
Category: Italy Dear Monika, Thank you so much for your interest in becoming a Karen Brown Recommendation. I will enter your information into our database so that an author will include your property on the list of "to sees" when next researching in your area. In the meantime, with the launch of READER DISCOVERIES to our website, if you have a guest submit a review of your property - you can now be referenced on our website in advance of a true Karen Brown visit and write-up. In a separate email I will forward the information about Reader Discoveries on to you. The properties featured as Reader Discoveries are receiving lots of traffic! Wishing you all the very best and thank you for taking the time to contact us. Kindest regards, Karen
Question:
Dear Karen, I would like to present my B & B to you. How can I do it? Thanks & Best Regards, Monika Grahl La Valle B & B www.bedandbreakfastlavalle.asti.it info@bedandbreakfastlavalle.asti.it
Asked by Monika Grahl [Jan 29, 2010]
Answer:
Category: California Dear Louise, A wonderful and favorite property on the Mendocino coast that welcomes pets by special arrangement is the Stanford Inn by the Sea. To faciliate your search, the direct link to their page on our website is: Another thought would be to consider Carmel as it is known to be a dog friendly destination - many inns even welcome four-legged with a treats! Happy birthday to your son! Best, Karen
Question:
HELP! I am looking for a nice place to send my son and wife for his birthday, preferably on Pacific ocean , no more than 4 hours from Sacramento that allows one well behaved dog!
Asked by Louise Halm [Jan 28, 2010]
Answer:
Category: Britain Dear Paula, Congratulations on celebrating your tenth year in business! We definitely have your property on our list of "to sees" when we next research your area. I apologize that we have not yet found our way to your doorstep! However, with the launch of READER DISCOVERIES to our website, if you have a guest submit a review of your property - you can now be referenced on our website in advance of a true Karen Brown visit and write-up. In a separate email I will forward the information about Reader Discoveries on to you. The properties featured as Reader Discoveries are receiving lots of traffic! Wishing you all the very best in this New Year and I sincerely thank you for your interest in being featured in our guide. Kindest regards, Karen Brown Herbert
Question:
I work for Janet and William Hutchings who own The Bell at Skenfrith a restaurant with rooms in one of Wales's prettiest historical villages. We were in contact with you some time ago and I don't think anyone was visiting this area. We just wanted to let you know that this year we shall be celebrating our 10th birthday and wondered whether you would like to come and celebrate this with us some time in 2010. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you are planning to be in Wales, we've got some fun events planned for our decade. Happy New Year Paula Snow
Asked by Paula Snow [Jan 19, 2010]
Answer:
Category: Italy I THINK A 10 YEAR OLD BOY WOULD ENJOY ALL THREE. ROME IS SO FULL OF HISTORY AND THERE ARE SO MANY HISTORIC PLACES HE WILL BE READING ABOUT IN HIS HISTORY CLASSES ETC. THE VENETO: I DON'T THINK I WOULD DO THE COUNTRYSIDE AROUND VENICE, BUT STAYING FOR A FEW DAYS IN VENICE ITSELF IS TRULY MEMORABLE--EVEN FOR A CHILD. THE PROBLEM VENICE IS PACKED WITH PEOPLE, BUT IF YOU STAY THERE AND DO YOUR SIGHTSEEING ALWAYS EARLY IN THE MORNING, YOU CAN AVOID LOTS OF THE CROWDS THAT COME IN FOR DAY TRIPS. I THINK YOUR SON WOULD LOVE THE AL THE FERRY RIDES UP AND DOWN THE CANALS AND ALSO THE MANY TINY BRIDGES AND QUAINT LITTLE BACK ALLEYWASY TO EXPLORE. THE LAKE DISTRICT: I THINK THIS MIGHT BE A FAVORITE FOR YOU SON SINCE HE WOULD PROBABLY ENJOY EXPLORING THE LAKES BY THE MANY FERRIES. I WOULD SUGGEST STAYING IN A HOTEL WITH A SWIMMING POOL SO THAT HE CAN ALSO HAVE A BRIEF RESPITE FROM SIGHTSEEING. I THINK I WOULD CHOOSE LAKE GARDA SINCE IT HAS EASIER ACCESS AND ALSO HAS THE SUPER CUTE TOWN OF SIRMIONE TO EXPLORE.
Question:
My husband and I are planning to take our son and grandson (age 11) to Italy for about 9 days in August. I was thinking of focusing on Rome, the Veneto and the Lake District. Your hotel selections are just what I want, but I wonder if any are appropriate to an 11 year old boy. Are there any destinations and accommodations that you feel would be particularly suited to him? Thank you, Jackie Frey
Asked by Jacqueline Frey [Jan 16, 2010]
Answer:
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