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Experience the Best of Italy at These Top Hotels
November 18th, 2008 by Josh Prizer, under Vacations. No Comments
Whether you long to tour the historic sites of Rome or sip wine from the terrace of a Tuscan villa, a trip to Italy is sure to rank as one of your top travel experiences.
Italy offers so many unique and interesting experiences; it can be difficult to narrow them all done 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.
Travel expert Karen Brown describes a variety of unique itineraries on her much-visited website. These itineraries will help you get the most out of your Italian vacation. As for lodging, her readers have voted the following as Italy’s best hotels:
Locanda dell-Amorosa, chosen by Karen Brown readers as Italy’s “Most Romantic” lodging, is in an ideal spot for those wishing to travel around Tuscany and Umbria. The historic hotel is part of a larger complex that once formed a small town. The stables have been transformed into a restaurant, the main house now offers more than two dozen guest rooms, and each one has been individually decorated. The rooms boast views of the vineyards and surrounding valleys, and they feature antiques and rustic wood-beamed ceilings.
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.
Pamper yourself at one of the world’s great resorts on the stunning Amalfi Coast at Il San Pietro di Positano. Everything about this hotel is spectacular, from the unparalleled views from the many terraces to the elegant guest rooms to the gourmet cuisine served at the hotel’s restaurant. The list of amenities is enormous – a full-service spa, fitness center, swimming pool and tennis court. Best of all is a private beach cove where you can lounge and sunbathe to your heart’s content. Il San Pietro was chosen as Italy’s best “Splendid Splurge” by Karen Brown readers.
Be Gone With the Wind at an Atlanta Bed and Breakfast
September 21st, 2008 by Josh Prizer, under Vacations. No Comments
Atlanta is all about Southern hospitality, and there is no better place from which to enjoy all that this Georgia city has to offer than from a cozy bed and breakfast. Whether you come to town on business or pleasure, here are some Atlanta bed and breakfasts that are sure to please:
Located just minutes from downtown Atlanta, Ponce de Leon Place Bed and Breakfast offers both relaxing accommodations and close access to historic sites, museums, shops and restaurants. The four guest rooms include special features such as private patios, a pot-bellied stove or perhaps a Jacuzzi tub.
Buckhead, a stylish enclave of Atlanta known for its gracious homes, upscale shopping and fine cuisine is where you’ll find the Beverly Hills Inn. This Atlanta bed and breakfast is located in a historic three-story building constructed in 1929. There are 18 suites and rooms, each with a different decor. Guests can walk to shops and cafes.
Stonehurst Place is another Atlanta bed and breakfast that is just minutes from all the city’s major attractions. The National Register home, built in 1896, is located in the downtown area’s theater and arts district. There are five guest rooms and quiet, peaceful grounds with gardens. Breakfasts are often served on the screened-in porch where guests can enjoy the tranquil surroundings.
Located near downtown, the Virginia Highland Bed and Breakfast is located in historic Craftsman-style home in a garden setting. Two of the guest rooms include a whirlpool tub. The Victoria Suite also has a balcony and private entrance. Guests can walk to the Atlanta Botanical Garden in nearby Piedmont Park, as well as shops and restaurants on the Highland Avenue Corridor.
The King-Keith House is one of Atlanta’s most photographed historic buildings. Its stunning Victorian architecture is enhanced with its whimsical exterior paint. The interior is equally lovely and the guest rooms feature antiques and period touches. Several rooms boast either a Jacuzzi or clawfoot tub. The Cottage is a perfect spot for a romantic getaway. The whirlpool tub is tucked into an alcove lit by a stained-glass window and the bed chamber includes a sitting area and fireplace. This Atlanta bed and breakfast is located in the city’s Inman Park neighborhood, just minutes from downtown.