Let’s face it - this is a Christmas where budget is a consideration for many of us. But you can still give your friends and family the perfect gift. A copy of Bed and Breakfasts and Country Inns, an award-winning guide with descriptions of more than 1,400 inns and B&Bs, includes a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free certificate.

The certificate is valid at any of the inns in this book, and your loved ones can save up to $300, depending on which inn or bed and breakfast they choose. The guidebook itself, costs only $24.95, which is a huge bargain when you consider that the average savings is more than $140. Here are some of the romantic examples of inns that accept the Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free certificate.

For some seaside romance, consider the Cheshire Cat Inn, located in downtown Santa Barbara, California. The inn combines romance with a hint of whimsy, with individually decorated guest rooms and suites bearing names such as the Mad Hatter or March Hare. Some rooms offer a fireplace, whirlpool tub or private patio or balcony. Breakfast and afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres are included in the rates, which range from $199 to $410 per night. If you use the Free-Night certificate, you could potential be saving more than $400 off a two-night stay.

At the Williamsburg Manor Bed and Breakfast, travelers enjoy historic ambiance just a few blocks from famous Colonial Williamsburg. The home was built in Colonial style in the late 1920s and the innkeepers have decorated the rooms with fine antiques. The innkeepers treat guests to a full breakfast each morning, with treats such as baked French toast or homemade English scones. Rates range from $159 to $179 per night, so with the Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free certificate, guests can save almost $200 off their stay.

Just outside of New York City, you’ll find the Pillars of Plainfield Bed and Breakfast. Located 28 miles from Manhattan in Plainfield, New Jersey, this elegant 1870 inn offers seven distinctive rooms all decorated in period style. There are plenty of thoughtful amenities, such as handmade lemon verbena bath products, fluffy robes, down comforters and fine linens. Multi-course breakfasts include a fruit course, homemade muffins or breads and a special daily entree. The rates run from $125 to $250, depending on room choice.

The guidebook is available at American Historic inns thorough its website, ILoveInns.com. This website also includes detailed listings for more than 19,000 inns, B&Bs, and other unique lodgings. Another gift option available at ILoveInns.com is a handy printable gift certificate. This instant present can be used at thousands of the website’s listing, and offers a quick and easy gift solution.

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Accommodation means Holiday Rental Homes
In many holiday destinations, vacation homes are to be had, helping households get pleasure from their break, typically at a substantial saving as opposed to renting a hotel room and eating every meal in restaurants. Most vacation rental houses are accessible, and entirely furnished even with all major appliances as well as CD and DVD players. These amenities make those renters feel at home during their stay.

While owners rent their holiday home when they’re not occupied, you can also enquire from real estate companies, who may own some homes simply as an investment. In either case, a family can find a home with as just two bedrooms planned to sleep four or as large as eight bedrooms planned to sleep up to 20 vacationers. Groups using holiday rental houses have the pleasure of lower prices than they might renting a holiday home on an individual.

Typically, when arriving at holiday rental homes, whether travelling in Spain or in a neighboring state, one conscientious holidaymakers gets the key from a real estate company and then the renter may occupy the unit for the rental period. They don’t need to pack anything apart from their clothes. Any toys they decide to use while on holiday can be packed and brought as well. Buying the food and beverage is pretty well looked after the same day you arrive. That allows everyone to unwind and rest on the first night from all the traveling.

Respect Is Key to Return Invitation
While you rent your holiday home respect for the property and its owner should be the number one consideration. If you want to rent from the owner in years to come this type of consideration is a must. Anybody allowing others to use their property for number of dollars owns everything that you find in the home. Should a family or a member of a group not respect the property causing damage, the chance of your being invited back in the future will be greatly weakened.

Remember that holiday rental homes make it possible to be more comfortable than in a hotel. There are useful advantages to this kind of vacationing; such there is no need to visit exceptionally costly restaurants. Preparing meals in the holiday rental home will save a lot of cash throughout your stay. The appliances and as well as items such as stem ware, tea cups and plates, and even the flatware, do not belong to the vacationers.

Staying in holiday rental homes might offer a means to saving money and winding down in a distant location with nothing to concern yourself with other than edibles and room. Locating an appropriate holiday rental homes in the correct destination might be a little bit complex, but if you do it, you’ll find them available to you for years to come.

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Let’s face it, planning a wedding isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. It’s a lot of work to make your special day memorable. But there is a way to enjoy the romance and wonder of the event without dealing with all the stress. Let an innkeeper plan and prepare your wedding.

Innkeepers are especially suited to planning weddings. Their natural flair for hospitality, planning meals and helping guests, as well as their knowledge of the surrounding community and businesses make them a perfect resource for planning a wedding. A seasoned innkeeper can find a florist, photographer, caterer, minister and anything else you need to make your day perfect. In addition, what better place to get married than a romantic, historic bed and breakfast?

The Holladay House Bed & Breakfast is one excellent example of how an inn and innkeeper can help create your perfect intimate wedding event. The historic inn, which was built in the 1830s, is located in the charming country town of Orange, Virginia. Innkeepers Sam and Sharon Elswick host many events throughout the year, from weddings for up to 30 guests to receptions to bridal showers to rehearsal dinners. They can help you plan every detail. Your bridal party can even book rooms at the inn to make the whole event even more convenient.

If you love old-fashioned charm and appreciate historic ambiance, the Holladay House is a perfect spot for your wedding. The Federal-style, Virginia inn has been restored with great attention to detail. Antiques and original features, such as the beautiful fireplaces, adorn the common rooms. Your guests will no doubt reminisce about this setting for years to come. Family members and the bridal party can even book rooms at the inn to make the day even more convenient.

There are six guest rooms, each with individual decor, fine linens and several house beautiful antique beds. Some rooms include double whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, so you can pick a favorite for your honeymoon night. Specialty hypoallergenic bath products, CD players, alarm clocks and televisions with DVD players are among the other amenities. There’s plenty of room for your bridal party, and inn guests enjoy not only the comfortable accommodations, but a full, homemade breakfast in the morning. So you and your friends and family can just relax and enjoy the whole event.

So remember, you don’t have to stress and worry. Let your expert innkeeper help you plan your special day. It’s sure to be the wedding of your dreams.

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In this era of faster everything, including faster and larger commercial airliners where passengers are packed in like sardines, one thing seems to remain constant. That is the wonderful, leisurely world of cruising. For many years the airline industry has experienced numerous setbacks, while the cruise industry has been growing by leaps and bounds. There are many reasons why you should consider becoming a part of this amazing phenomenon. Here are some of them.

According to some recent research from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), ninety-five percent of cruisers give top marks to their cruising experience and over seventy-five percent are planning to cruise again within three years.

Contrary to what some people think, cruises are really affordable. Usually, with most vacations you end up paying for airline flights, hotels or resorts, restaurants, entertainment, and possibly car rentals. If you add these costs up, cruises can really be a bargain. When you book a luxury cruise, in most cases you will pay for the airfare and cruise. However, if you do live close enough to your cruise ship departure port, you may be able to drive there a way lot cheaper than flying.

Even if you have to fly to your departure port you can always get a flight and cruise package deal that is usually less expensive than purchasing your flight and cruise separately. You will also save even more money as your lodging, restaurant meals, and entertainment are included.

When you book luxury a cruise vacation, more than 85% of your holiday is prepaid and that’s including all meals, stage shows, night clubs, movies, and entertainment, as well as many other activities and amenities. In addition, most ships have onboard activities such as swimming, scuba diving lessons that can lead to certification, golf, rock climbing, dancing, Pilates, yoga, and fitness trainers. You can also pamper yourself with relaxing spas and body massages.

Another way to save a bundle on a cruise is to book an inside cabin. If you don’t need to have a cabin that has a balcony or ocean view, then you will save a lot of money. You have use of all the shared amenities with your fellow passengers, but it is costing you a lot less.

You can also save a bundle on a repositioning cruise. A repositioning cruise is made possible at certain times of the year, usually in the spring and fall, when the cruise lines relocate their ships from one area of the world to another.

There are numerous luxury cruise vacations to choose from, that range from three day mini cruises to several month long cruises as well as an incredible around the world cruise odyssey.

When you cruise, you are traveling in the lap of luxury in a floating five-star hotel. You will be pampered and feel that you are living the life of a king or queen, not only for a day, but for the entire length of the cruise. Elegant surroundings, gourmet dining and impeccable service are a few of the superlatives that can be used to describe cruising.

If you like delicious food you will certainly love gourmet meals and scrumptious desserts prepared by incredible chefs and served in a variety of restaurants. There are also huge, delightful buffets available throughout the day and even midnight buffets. There are a number of themed lounges located throughout the cruise ships for your convenience.

Love watching Broadway style shows as well as theater performances without having to make reservations or pay exorbitant prices for tickets? Then going on a cruise is the answer. There are so many things that are included on cruises which make them such an incredible value for your travel and entertainment dollar.

From small children to great grandparents, there is always something to peak the interest of everyone on a cruise. You have the option to be as active as you like or you can just relax and experience magnificent sunrises and sunsets while watching the world go by. So many precious, wonderful memories and experiences will stay with you a lifetime when you’ve taken a luxury cruise.

Like to party around the clock? No problem. Whether you are with a partner or single, it is always party time. You don’t even have to plan the party or clean up after it, just have a lot of fun!

Businesses from around the world book conferences and seminars, team building get-togethers, new product launches and employee reward vacations on cruise ships. Cruise lines do not charge extra for conference room facilities and use of audio and video equipment.

Group cruises are not only for companies and business people. Family reunions, honeymoons and weddings, sports groups and clubs, charities and fund raisers are only some of the many kinds of groups that have their events on cruises.

When you cruise there is no hassle of having to pack and unpack again and again every time you travel to a new location. Another bonus is there is no limit on the amount of luggage you can bring on a cruise.

People with disabilities should not have problems getting around on a cruise ship. Cruise lines have made onboard accessibility a non-issue because their ships are equipped with ramps, elevators and easily accessible cabins and state rooms.

Modern cruise ships have drastically reduced the problem concerning seasickness. Today’s larger ships cut through the waves instead of riding on the top of them. Also, new and innovative technologies like stabilizers and counterbalancing systems have greatly reduced the pitch and roll of cruise ships, all but neutralizing problems with seasickness.

A physician and medical staff are never more than a few minutes away on a cruise ship should any passenger need to see doctor. Most common passenger ailments and minor mishaps occur less on a cruise ship than on shore.

Cruising is one of the safest modes of travel. The cruise industry has an excellent safety record. And as far as assaults and robberies are concerned, they’re over a hundred times less likely to occur on cruise ships than in your own home town.

For those that have a fear of flying or don’t enjoy being crammed like sardines into commercial airplanes when traveling to their destinations, here is some great news. The cruise lines in the United States are making terrific strides catering to cruise passengers needs. They are opening up more ports of call on both the East and West coasts so more and more people who would love to go on a cruise but don’t like flying, can easily drive or take a bus or train to most departure ports.

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Germany is a land of extremes. In this ancient land, you’ll find geographic wonders ranging from the sand dunes of the North Friesian Islands to the towering Alps to idyllic pastoral land dotted with enchanting villages. You can visit castles, sample some of the world’s best beer and wine, explore historic sites and so much more.

Of course, you’ll want to visit Bavaria, home to Munich with its many unique towns and villages, of which Neuschwanstein is perhaps the most famous. The castle, by the same name, was the inspiration for Disney’s signature Sleeping Beauty castle. There are plenty more interesting destinations, so consider planning a trip other regions, as well. You might a journey to Germany’s most northerly province, Schleswig Holstein, and visit Hamburg and the surrounding area. Another idea would be to explore the Black Forest, which boasts picturesque scenery, relaxing spas and even casinos.

If you cannot make up your mind as to where to travel, let prolific travel writer Karen Brown do the work for you. On her popular website, Karen Brown’s World of Travel, she has created several different itineraries for travelers to Germany. Her suggestions include places of interest, maps, regional tips and excellent places to stay. The following hotels and inns were chosen by her readers as the top lodging choices in Germany.

Situated across the Elbe River from the city center of Dresden, the Hotel Bulow Residenz offers romantic accommodations in a quiet neighborhood filled with historic homes. From the impressive Baroque exterior to the elegant interior with its mix of traditional and modern dcor, this is truly one of Dresden’s best hotels. Breakfast and afternoon refreshments are served in the charming courtyard. The hotel’s formal restaurant, The Caroussel, is Michelin-rated and ideal for a romantic, intimate dinner. Cocktails, wine and beer are served in the hotel’s piano bar. The hotel has been chosen by Karen Brown readers as Germany’s “Most Romantic” hotel.

The Romantik Hotel Markusturm was chosen as the winner of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for the “Warmest Welcome” in Germany. Located in Rothenberg, a fanciful medieval town surrounded by turrets, ramparts and walls, the hotel is just as charming as its surroundings. Hosts Lilo and Stephan Berger will make you feel right at home and pamper guests with inviting individually decorated guest rooms and plenty of hearty cuisine, complimented by Stephan’s signature homemade beer.

The Gasthaus Die Krone in the Black Forest town of Staufen is a delight. This family-run hotel is located in a pedestrian-only area, so it enjoys a quiet and peaceful spot. The exterior of the building is charming with shuttered windows, window boxes bursting with color and a mural depicting the Revolution of 1848. Guest rooms are simple and pleasing with light pine furnishings and beds topped with white duvets and fluffy pillows. The hosts are friendly and welcoming and in addition to the guest rooms, there is a restaurant where dinner is served nightly. The hotel won the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for “Greatest Value” in Germany.

The Hotel Benen-Diken-Hof offers both a unique location and all the amenities of a full-service resort. The hotel is the recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Germany’s best “Splendid Splurge.” It is located on Sylt, a sand-dune island in the northernmost portion of Germany. Several farmhouses comprise the hotel, all connected by glass corridors. There are plenty of different room options, and this is an excellent place for families. The hotel has a babysitting service, as well as a room full of toys and a children’s program. The restaurant serves breakfast until 1 p.m., so guests can take their time heading out in the mornings. There is a sauna and swimming pool, and you can even book a massage.

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Even the top luxurious five-star hotels and resorts can sometimes get an infestation of bed bugs. This is sometimes can happen because many hundreds, or even thousands of travelers and tourists could be staying at a hotel or resort at any given point in time. These little blood drinking insects can easily hitch a ride on unsuspecting travelers or be hiding in their luggage. Hotel and resort managers are very aware of this problem and take steps to prevent this from happening.

What do these blood loving pests look like?

Bed bugs are tiny, flat, wingless bugs. Their size can vary from a head of a pin to approximately one-quarter of an inch in length when fully grown. They’re oval shaped and look similar to small watermelon seeds. Their color varies from translucent yellow to dark reddish brown. If they have just dined on a traveler’s blood their color may look dark brown or black.

How easy are they to find?

Travelers are usually not aware of bedbugs until they observe or feel the red bite marks on their bodies and start scratching their itchy wounds. Bed bugs can be extremely difficult to find if the infestation is light. Their eggs are very tiny, about the size of grains of rice which are even harder to see. And to make matters worse they tend to be nocturnal so they’re waking up and looking for a blood breakfast when most vacationers are sleeping.

When checking into your room it is advisable to roll the bed sheets, blankets and comforters all the way down to see if you can find any bed bugs. A tell tale sign that they’re there are dark fecal spots or drops of dried blood on the linen, pillowcases, or in the seams around the mattress and box springs. You may also find what seem to be shells of bed bugs which are in fact the skins that they shed when maturing. If you find any sign of their presence, call down to the front desk staff and ask for another room. You may be able to get a good discount on your room for the upsetting experience and inconvenience.

However, bed bugs do not reflect on the cleanliness of hotels and resorts. These insects do not eat crumbs or dirt, or anything we may associate with unsanitary hotel room conditions. They only feed on blood. In terms of a vacationer’s health, current research indicates that these insects do not appear to spread disease even though they can harbor well over twenty-five different pathogens.

Not everybody gets bed bug bites. Sometimes, if there’re two travelers sleeping in the same bed, only one may be bitten. However, bed bugs never discriminate. If they have a chance they’ll gladly dine on anyone’s blood. Bedbugs are attracted to the warmth of our bodies and the carbon dioxide we exhale when we breathe. They also emit chemicals to attract and find each other. These night crawlers are fast and great climbers. They can silently tag along in a traveler’s luggage or on their clothing.

What can you do to avoid these pests when you travel on vacation?

Unfortunately, apart from checking the bed linen, mattress, box springs, bed frames, behind the bed’s headboard, any upholstered furniture, and along the baseboards in your room, that is about all you can do.

Bed bugs are a universal problem and can be found in motels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, hotels, resorts, pod hotels, hospitals, airplanes, trains, buses, cabs, cruise ships, etc. These tiny blood suckers can be located near any readily available source of blood, like tired travelers. Bed bugs can also hitch a ride home with you, turning your home sweet home into a living hell.

What can you do to exterminate bed bugs?

It is best to leave the job to a professional pest control company as these pests are very difficult to get rid of. It’s very expensive and can take time to treat an infestation of bed bugs which usually involves using steam and pesticides. This process will probably have to be repeated a number of times before the very hot steam and pesticides kill all of them. Remember that the insects must come into direct contact with the hot steam and pesticides for these tactics to be totally effective.

As far as your house is concerned, prevention is easier and far less costly than a cure. In your home, you do not have to throw your mattress and box springs out. You can cover your mattress and box springs with zippered plastic coverings that will prevent bedbugs from hiding in the cracks and crevices of your mattress. There also are zippered plastic protectors that are just as effective in protecting your pillows. This will prevent any bedbugs that are inside from getting out. And at the same time it will prevent any new infestations from getting in, thus eliminating the mattress and box springs as a problem. However, this is only one part of the bed bug solution. You will still need to use steam and pesticides to fumigate any room of the home where they could be hiding.

There is a new and exciting revolutionary product that looks very promising for monitoring and eliminating bed bugs. It is called the NightWatch Bedbug Trap designed by Bio Sensory, Inc.. This small, easy to use product has a kairomone, carbon dioxide, and heat lure that traps and kills bed bugs. Under a monitored field test this product captured and killed over a thousand bed bugs. The company’s website is Biosensory.com.

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Every girl dreams of her special wedding. What she doesn’t dream about is stressing out over catering, photography and flowers or selecting the perfect spot for the ceremony and reception. Instead of worrying over all these details, let an innkeeper host your intimate wedding and leave your worries behind.

Every year, hundreds of couples marry at historic inns and quaint bed and breakfasts. Innkeepers are experts as creating romantic ambiance, dealing with guests and coordinating events. Getting married at the inn is not only romantic, but convenient. You can prepare for your special day in one of the guest rooms, get married, enjoy a posh reception and even spend your wedding night at the inn. Innkeepers can do it all - plan the ceremony, find caterers and florists, direct guests and even house them, if necessary. They do all the work, and you have all the fun.

The Holladay House Bed & Breakfast is one excellent example of how an inn and innkeeper can help create your perfect intimate wedding event. The historic inn, which was built in the 1830s, is located in the charming country town of Orange, Virginia. Innkeepers Sam and Sharon Elswick host many events throughout the year, from weddings for up to 30 guests to receptions to bridal showers to rehearsal dinners. They can help you plan every detail. Your bridal party can even book rooms at the inn to make the whole event even more convenient.

If you love old-fashioned charm and appreciate historic ambiance, the Holladay House is a perfect spot for your wedding. The Federal-style, Virginia inn has been restored with great attention to detail. Antiques and original features, such as the beautiful fireplaces, adorn the common rooms. Your guests will no doubt reminisce about this setting for years to come. Family members and the bridal party can even book rooms at the inn to make the day even more convenient.

The six guest rooms at this Virginia inn are spacious and inviting, several include a double whirlpool tub and a fireplace. The carefully selected furnishings include antique beds topped with fine linens. The bathrooms are stocked with luxury bath products and there are plenty of in-room amenities, including CD players, alarm clocks and TVs with DVD players. Overnight guests are treated to a full, gourmet breakfast homemade by your warm and friendly innkeepers. There’s nothing for guests to do except relax and enjoy themselves.

So remember, you don’t have to stress and worry. Let your expert innkeeper help you plan your special day. It’s sure to be the wedding of your dreams.

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If you have travelled abroad you have probably experience having problems with your transportation. This is true to a lot of people this may be the reason why Car rental Companies are so popular and the business are booming because a lot of people opt to rent a car.

The Rental Industry is on rise. This is particularly true to places that attract most tourists. This industry is providing a great service to those people who are really into their comfort and taking their time enjoying their vacation. AN increase in demand of car for rent may not be only due to tourists but also because car owners are now looking for car rental because their car is broken or in the shop for monthly check-up. Also the growing popularity of “road trip” especially for the young ones helped in the growth of the rental industry.

Rental Companies are the people that offer car rental service to their costumers. This company will be the one that will entertain your demands and need for a certain car if you want one. They are also responsible for the pricing of a car or how many discounts off they will give you. Do not forget to get acquainted with the companies different Terms and Conditions when it comes to car renting. If you do not understand these conditions you can always ask a company representative or anyone working for the company to explain to you what the terms are about. This way there will be no confusion and problems will be avoided. Waiver and insurance are offered by the company and it if up to you if you will accept it or not.

These Terms and Conditions differ from company to company. You cannot expect to have the same services offered to you by your past car rental company to this present company that you are renting a car from. You need to remember that making a reservation online will not assure you that you will be getting the exact car that you have reserved online. Change in car model or sometimes the type of car might change. The next thing that you should know is to make that the company will provide you with a car with the features that you needed, like GPS and other important things. Also you need to know that do not expect to pay the same amount that you paid other companies. Each company charge differently.

Car Rental Chains are also one familiar characteristic of big car rental companies. It is the same as food chains it is just that their services are geared more on renting cars. If you have tried renting a car from the same company before and have found their services to be satisfactory you might want to rent a car with the same company. It’s in fact advisable that you do transactions with same company as you did before because more or less you are familiar with how the organization works.

The terms and conditions are clearer to you and you can expect to receive the same service that you had before. Do not forget to do a little background check of the company you are having a transaction with. A little search in the net won’t hurt. You will at least know if the company is reputable and dependable.

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Virginia, with its myriad of historic attractions and splendid scenery, is an ideal spot for an old-fashioned country Christmas. There are plenty of interesting seasonal events, and some excellent bed and breakfasts, where you can truly savor the spirit of Christmas.

Orange, Virginia, a charming historic town is especially delightful during the holiday season. A huge Christmas tree adorns local Taylor Park, and the businesses and homes along Main Street get into the spirit of the season with decorations and lights. The town is close to many historic attractions, including the homes of four presidents.

At George Washington’s home, Christmas heralds the annual Mount Vernon by Candlelit events. These three-hour evening programs include a tour of the home, as well as fireside caroling and mugs of hot cider.

Another local attraction is Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, which has its own evening holiday event. The program, which details the holiday season during Jefferson’s time, includes a tour of the main floor of the home, as well as the third-floor dome room. At James Monroe’s home, Ash Lawn-Highland, there are several holiday events. There are two concerts, gingerbread and lace ornament workshops, and, of course, the home decorated for the holiday season.

After a day of exploring the area, spend your nights at the Holladay House Bed and Breakfast. Located in Orange’s historic commercial district, this 19th-century Virginia inn offers plenty of historic ambiance and seasonal charm.

Each of the six guest rooms at this Virginia bed and breakfast is special, one has a romantic antique tester bed and one offers a brass bed topped with an antique quilt. There are plenty of amenities, from the fine linens that top the beds to the fluffy towels and hypoallergenic bath products in the private baths. A few rooms have a two-person whirlpool tub, and some have a fireplace. The innkeepers serve a full, gourmet breakfast, as well as homemade cookies and treats during the day. Your hosts can help you plan a romantic package, Civil War tours or perhaps a relaxing massage.

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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:

Selecting the most romantic place to stay in a nation that is known as one of the world’s great romantic destinations is no easy feat, but Karen Brown’s readers have voted, choosing Locanda dell’Amorosa as the “Most Romantic” spot in Italy. This Tuscan treasure was its own village and has been converted into hotel, restaurant and wine bar. Each of the guest rooms is different, simply furnished in an elegant style with antiques and rustic pieces. Views of the surrounding countryside and vineyards are sure to charm you. The hotel is a perfect home base for travelers wishing to explore Tuscany and Umbria.

Il Falconiere Relais, just a few kilometers outside of Cortona, is yet another Tuscan gem. The hotel, the recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Italy’s “Warmest Welcome,” offers an assortment of beautifully appointed, romantic guest rooms and suites. The setting at this hotel is amazing, from the views of the surrounding countryside to the ambiance of the dining room.

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.

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