Travel Blog

From the canals of Venice to the architecture of Florence to the ancient historic sites of Rome, Italy is land of plenty for travelers. The food is rich, the people warm and the scenery varies from towering mountains to beautiful seascapes. Italy truly offers something wonderful for every traveler.

With so many choices, it can be a daunting task to plan a visit to Italy. Your best course of action is planning a personalized itinerary, listing the top places you want to visit. One choice might be to explore Tuscany, a region synonymous with romance. Perhaps you’ll choose to spend your time exploring Rome, Milan and the Italian Riviera. Another fun choice would be to explore the island of Sicily.

Expert travel writer Karen Brown has created several special itineraries for travelers to Italy, allowing them to truly experience all the fun of this vast country. She also describes some of the best places to stay, and the following hotels are all recent winners of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Awards:

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.

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.