Our Travel Partners:

Over the years we have met some outstanding people and organizations in the travel industry. After personally meeting them and experiencing their services first hand, we want to share them with you. We would hope as a result of our partnership and marketing alliances that you, the Karen Brown Traveler, will benefit from the information and services they afford.

Service Partners:

AUTO EUROPE: Readers frequently ask our advice on car rental companies. We always use AUTO EUROPE, a car rental broker that works with the major car rental companies to find the lowest possible price. They also offer motor homes and chauffeur services. Auto Europe’s toll-free phone service, from every European country, connects you to their U.S.-based, 24-hour reservation center (ask for the Europe Phone Numbers Card to be mailed to you). Auto Europe offers our readers a 5% discount (cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions) and, occasionally, free upgrades. Be sure to use the Karen Brown ID number 99006187 to receive your discount and any special offers. You can make your own reservations online via their website or by phone (800-223-5555).

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ACCESS AMERICA: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Etiam convallis vulputate sapien. Donec varius. Curabitur eleifend neque nec dui. Etiam turpis lorem, vehicula pulvinar, pharetra eget, facilisis et, est. Mauris congue dictum metus. Nunc rutrum auctor mauris. Nam sed nunc sollicitudin diam elementum tincidunt. Phasellus est purus, blandit id, lobortis et, sodales sed, felis. Integer et metus. Sed molestie consectetuer quam. Integer sed augue id eros accumsan egestas. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos hymenaeos. Donec molestie. In vestibulum quam in dolor. Phasellus bibendum hendrerit arcu. Morbi venenatis sem ut lorem. Duis tristique. Nullam non nulla.

Property Partners:

ABITARE LA STORIA: ABITARE LA STORIA is an affiliation of outstanding hotels and bed and breakfasts that includes some of the finest places to stay in Italy. The majority of their properties are featured either in our Italy Inns & Itineraries guide or our companion guide to Italian Bed & Breakfasts. Their search for quality, welcome and charm is a perfect match with our own selection criteria. Properties that belong to this group will have the Abitare La Storia icon on their description, information page.

SCHLOSSHOTELS & HERRENHAÜSER: SCHLOSSHOTELS & HERRENHAÜSER (CASTLE HOTELS & MANSIONS) include some absolutely gorgeous properties whose owners are committed to "fostering the traditions which are their heritage." They have opened up their castles and mansions, their homes, in order to both share and preserve "a unique way of live and cultural monuments as living environments for future generations."

Each property is unique and each owner imparts his own personality -- but all are proud members of Schlosshotels & Herrenhäuser whose criteria for selection assures a high standard of comfort and "that even the most discriminating guests will feel spoiled by excellent personal service." The majority of properties are located in Austria, but the membership has expanded to include a limited few in Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

CHÂTEAUX ET HÔTELS COLLECTION: CHÂTEAUX ET HÔTELS COLLECTION is an affiliation of outstanding hotels and bed and breakfasts that includes some of the finest places to stay in France. Many of their properties are featured either in our France Inns & Itineraries guide or our companion guide to France Bed & Breakfasts. Their search for quality, welcome and charm is a perfect match with our own selection criteria. Properties that belong to this group have Châteaux et Hôtels Collection noted on their information page.

DIFFERENT WORLD: While searching for hotels for the original edition of our Mexico guidebook, we were amazed at how many of the gems that we felt so clever to have discovered had already been found by DIFFERENT WORLD, a company in England that represents a select group of inns in Mexico.

Without exception, when we chatted to the owners of the hotels, they poured out accolades of praise for this company, its professionalism, fine service, high standard of excellence, and integrity in terms of their selections. On the same trail as their researcher, our paths often almost crossed, but we never had the pleasure of meeting in person. However, we soon became friends by phone as we shared some of our mutual finds.

HIDDEN TREASURES OF ITALY: Nicole Franchini who researches our guide to the bed & breakfasts has her own company titled, HIDDEN TREASURES OF ITALY. For almost twenty years now, she has been working with discerning independent travelers to help make their visits to Italy a truly memorable adventure... not as a "travel agency," but as a personalized "travel consultant," specializing solely on Italy as a destination. Fees for services apply.

HOTELS HERITAGE LISBOA: HOTELS HERITAGE LISBOA represents five properties conveniently located in the heart of Lisbon that offer travelers some of Portugal's finest accommodation. Personal favorites for many years the hotels are graciously managed by a wonderful family you are assured attentive service, a warm welcome and comfortable and attractive accommodation.

RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX HOTELS: Karen Brown Guides feature many RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX HOTELS member properties. We are familiar with their selection process, criteria, and membership standards and while we have not had an opportunity to visit all of their hotels, we feel comfortable in recommending members of this prestigious association to our readers. An additional benefit of our new partnership is that you, the Karen Brown traveler, have access to information about hotels of guaranteed quality in parts of the world we have yet to research.

ROMANTIK HOTELS & RESTAURANTS: ROMANTIK HOTELS & RESTAURANTS is an affiliation of family-owned hotels selected for their accommodation, cuisine and most importantly, welcome. Member properties are found throughout Europe. Many of their properties are featured in our individual country guides. Properties that belong to this group have Romantik Hotels & Restaurants noted on the hotel listings page.

SELECT REGISTRY: Karen Brown’s Guides is pleased to recommend the member inns of SELECT REGISTRY, (formerly Independent Innkeeper Association) a collection of 366 of the premier Country Inns and B&Bs in the U.S and Canada. Each inn featured in the Select Registry is filled with hospitality. All of them are inspected regularly for quality as well as cleanliness, attractiveness, fine dining and safety.

TRESORS OF FRANCE: Marie Ksstentini Notot, who is a research editor for Karen Brown’s Guide to France, has launched her own travel related company, TRESORS OF FRANCE (Treasures of France). Knowledgeable and very professional in service, Marie offers travelers assistance to plan the perfect personalized itinerary through the French countryside. Service fees apply.