Just 20 miles north of Venice, Treviso is a delightful town which has retained much of its medieval charm. Like its famous neighbor to the south, Treviso is laced together with a series of pretty canals and medieval arcades. But unlike in Venice, Treviso hotels are off the tourist trail.

Although Treviso was damaged during World War II, what was left was preserved, what could be rebuilt was sensitively restored, and new construction was designed not to overwhelm the existing buildings. Many of the original frescoes have been preserved, and today, there are stylish boutiques on every corner. Read more…

Located between Cannes and Nice on the French Riviera, Juan-les-Pins (Juan of the pines) was first developed in the 1920s. By the 1930s, trend-setters like F. Scott Fitzgerald put Juan-les-Pins on the map, and today, it attracts pretty much everyone.

The golden-sand beach is one of the best on the Riviera. And if you base yourself here, you’ll find it easy to reach all the attractions of the Cote d’Azur. Antibes and it’s museum are within walking distance. It’s packed during the Cannes Film Festival, so book well in advance. Read more…

As an art history major, I’ve wanted to visit Ravenna since college. It’s a little off the beaten path, so it took me a while. But it was worth the wait.

Ravenna has a fascinating history. At one time or other, it’s been under Roman, Papal, and Venetian rule. But what really put Ravenna on the map was the Byzantine conquest in 540AD. The most beautiful mosaics in the world were produced here during that era. And they’re remarkably well preserved today. Many of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Read more…

Banff is a wonderful destination. The natural beauty of Banff National Park is absolutely breathtaking. In fact, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And the town is packed with good restaurants and cozy pubs.

In summer, you can choose from hundreds of spectacular trails, take a gondola up a mountain and then ride a bicycle down, or just relax with a pint on a roof-top deck with a sensational view. In winter, you can ski, dog-sled, snowshoe, snowmobile, or go for a sleigh ride. Read more…

Growing up as huge Beatles fans, we always thought Liverpool was just a working-class port town that everybody couldn’t wait to leave. So when we headed there in the summer of 2008, we weren’t expecting too much.

There was a Gustav Klimt show at the Tate Liverpool that we wanted to see. And we were surprised that there was a Tate in Liverpool at all. But there were lots of things about Liverpool that surprised us — pleasantly. It was all dolled up for the European Capital of Culture festivities. It shared the title that year with Stavanger, Norway. But all in all, it was one of the most appealing places we visited that summer. 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…

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…