Some of the best Italian restaurants in the world are in Rome. The cuisine of Rome is rich and rustic, with hearty meat dishes and terrific pastas. Two of the best known are Spaghetti alla Carbonara with pancetta, eggs, and Parmesan cheese, and Bucatini all’Amatriciana with tomatoes, pancetta, and onions.

Other Roman specialties you should try include stuffed fried zucchini blossoms, Saltimbocca, which is veal stuffed with prosciutto, cheese, and sage, and porchetta, or roast suckling pig. You’ll also find traditional Italian foods like gnocchi and pizza on most menus. Read more…

Being named the European Capital of Culture (ECC) has really helped to elevate some of Europe’s lesser-known destinations. In 2008, Liverpool, England shared the title with Stavanger, Norway, and both got a big boost in tourism. And many of Stavanger hotels were renovated or upgraded for the event.

But even before ECC, Stavanger had reaped the economic benefits of being the hub of Norway’s North Sea oil industry. And today, Stavanger is a prosperous, cosmopolitan place that effortlessly combines old and new. Read more…

Palm Springs has been a popular destination since the 1920s when the clear, desert air was thought to cure all sorts of maladies. It fell into disfavor in the 1970s, when its iconic mid-century architecture just looked tired and dated. But by the 1990s, Palm Springs was cool again. And these days, it’s a popular winter getaway for Los Angelenos, affluent gay travelers, and those who love swanky piano bars, well-made cocktails, and 1950s and ‘60s-style glamour.
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Located on a beautiful fjord, Trondheim was founded in the 10th century by King Olaf I. The city served as Norway’s capital until the beginning of the 13th century. Today, it’s a vibrant university town and the 3rd largest city in Norway. Trondheim hotels are the best in northern Norway.

The city boasts several well-preserved examples of medieval architecture, and many timbered buildings. The historic center of the city lies on a small island reached by bridges. Read more…

With its shimmering lakes, green valleys, and towering peaks, England’s Lake District is one of the loveliest parts of the country. And some of the finest English manor houses are now hotels in the Lake District.
There are several towns in the Lake District that you can use as a base.
Lake Windermere and [...]

Times have been tough for hotels lately. Their occupancy has been way down. And when their occupancy rates are low, all their other revenue streams – food and beverages, spa services, etc. – suffer too.

Most luxury hotels have big mortgages or management fees that are due every month. So they have to fill their rooms. And sometimes, the only way to do it is to really slash their prices.

So where can you find these great deals and save a bundle at a five-star hotel? Here are three travel websites that specialize in selling luxury travel at a discount. Read more…

Dining out is one of the great pleasures of traveling in France. But Americans are often befuddled or irritated by what they consider to be bad service or rude treatment.

With a better understanding of French culture and more realistic expectations, these problems can usually be avoided. So be sure to do a little trip planning in advance. It will help you feel more relaxed and more confident when you dine in French restaurants – which also aids in digestion. Read more…

Naples gets a bad rap. For years, travelers have been advised to avoid it because it’s dangerous, dirty, and a little rough around the edges. All of this is true, but it’s more or less true of many places that travelers happily enjoy.

If you use common sense, keep a close eye on your valuables, and don’t go where you don’t belong – especially after dark – you should be just fine. And you’ll get to enjoy all that Naples has to offer. Not the least of which is great food. Read more…

But Rome is very much a city of the present. So your trip planning should include some insider experiences that let you enjoy la dolce vita away from the crowds. Read more…

The right hotel can really make or break a vacation. So before we go on a trip, we do lots of research, both on and offline, to try to find the perfect places to stay. But sometimes, it seems like no matter how much trip planning we do, we’re still disappointed. [...]

If you’re expecting old-fashioned, movie-star glamour, Hollywood is likely to disappoint. Today’s Hollywood is more Target than Tiffany. But where else can you stroll along the Walk of Stars, admire Marilyn Monroe’s hand prints, and have your picture taken with Spiderman?

The heart of the neighborhood is Hollywood & Highland, where you’ll find the Kodak Theater (where the Academy Awards are handed out), Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and lots of restaurants and shopping.

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Just seven miles from Nice, Eze was built in the 9th century. The spectacular hill-top location which made it an ideal defensive strong-hold in those days, makes it an ideal vacation retreat today. The views of the Cote d’Azur from here are breathtaking.

If you don’t have a car, there’s both train and bus service from Nice to Eze. Cars aren’t allowed into the village, so if you do drive, you’ll need to park in the lot outside the town gates and walk in. If you take the train, which takes 20 from Nice, you’ll then take the shuttle from the train station up to the village. Read more…

We adore Paris. Who doesn’t? And the great thing about going often is that once you’ve crossed all the major attractions off your must-see list, you can relax and discover all sorts of wonderful treats you may have missed while you high tailed it from the Musee d’Orsay to the Louvre.

Over the years, we’ve discovered many trip planning ideas to make your next Paris vacation more rewarding – whether it’s your first visit, or your fortieth.

Here are our top ten tips for enjoying Paris like a local: Read more…

Vacation rentals can make a getaway more affordable. But a house exchange can really slash your travel costs. By making your accommodations virtually free, home swapping can eliminate one of the biggest vacation expenses.
Since many house swaps include the use of a family car, transportation expenses are reduced. And you’ll [...]

With a lovely central plaza lined with antique and kitchen shops, restaurants, and inns, Healdsburg is one of the most charming towns in the Sonoma Valley. And with numerous tasting rooms on or near the plaza — including Kendall-Jackson, Todd Hollow, La Crema, and Souverain — you can taste dozens of wines here without ever moving the car.

Most Healdsburg hotels are within walking distance of the plaza, which has concerts, and farmers’ markets in summer, and tree-lightings and holiday markets in winter. A building boom in the 1870s produced many charming Victorian mansions, and several have been turned into world-class inns. Read more…

Last year was a challenging one for airlines, hotels, and other traveler suppliers. But 2009 was a big winner for one segment of the travel industry. It will likely go down as the year of the vacation rental.

PR Newswire reported in July 2009 that 43% of travelers planned to stay in a vacation rental in the next 12 months – 24% of travelers had already stayed in one last summer. And 31% of vacation rental owners reported that their bookings were up this year.

And why not? Vacation rentals offer fantastic value for money. Usually your dollar buys a lot more square footage. For the same price as a luxury hotel room – or maybe even less – you might end up with a bedroom, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace, patio, or lanai. Read more…

Arles has something for everyone. Well-preserved ancient architecture, a rich artistic heritage, and plenty of charming restaurants and squares. And Arles hotels make it easy to explore the compact city on foot.

If the surrounding landscape looks familiar, it’s because it’s little changed since van Gogh painted it around 1881. You can see drawings by Picasso, and work by other Provencal artists at the Musee Reattu. And visit Espace van Gogh, the hospital where he was treated. It now contains a small van Gogh museum.

There’s a colorful market on Wednesdays in Boulevard Emile Combes and Saturdays on Boulevard des Lices. It’s a good place to pick up cheese, wine, and other picnic supplies. Read more…