Hotel Plaza e de Russie: Clowning around in a Renowned Tuscan Kitchen Viareggio, Tuscany: Filling and rolling out three different flavors of pasta looked easy when Luca Landi was doing it. Landi is the chef of Lunasia, the Michelin-starred restaurant of Viareggio’s Hotel Plaza e de Russie, and was conducting a cooking class for a group of non-professional foodies. His recipe this day was ... Read Full Article
Puglia: Where to Stay on Italy’s Boot
The most characteristic choice for lodging in Puglia is a trullo, a stone hut topped by a cupola. These peasant dwellings, found only here in this region of Italy, date back to the 13th century, but don’t worry – those that have been turned into luxury hotels or rental properties are of more recent vintage, with all the mod cons an international visitor expects.The problem with trulli, aside ... Read Full Article
Five Places to Stay in Aix-en-Provence
In charming, lively Aix-en-Provence, lodgings abound for every taste and budget. This civilized, cultured, fountain-filled city in southern France has been a popular tourist destination for a very long time. Here are five hospitable choices in the historic center, close to the famous main boulevard, Cours Mirabeau:Hotel Cezanne 4-StarHotel Cezanne, named for Aix's most famous ... Read Full Article
Where to Stay in Sorrento, Italy
A luxurious, coastal Italian town if ever there was one, Sorrento offers a great selection of high-end ‘where to stay’ options; but budget travelers will have a hard time of it. Nevertheless, you’ll find a small selection of budget hotel recommendations below. The following ‘where to stay’ options are organized by hotel star rating, beginning with five-star hotels, and preference has been given to ... Read Full Article
Where to Stay in Bologna, Italy
The ancient city of Bologna has a thriving hotel scene, and though it is short on five-star accommodations, Bologna has numerous four and three-star ‘where to stay’ options. When choosing where to stay in Bologna, note that the city is quite spread out and that it’s best to stay either within or close to the Ring Road, where most of the important sights are located. Consequently, the following ... Read Full Article
Where to Stay in Bordeaux
One of France’s larger cities, Bordeaux offers a great selection of ‘where to stay’ options, from five-star hotels to family-friendly B&Bs imbued with Bordeaux’s wine-culture style. Whereas in many areas of France, you cannot find truly luxurious accommodations worthy of the five-star designation, Bordeaux offers a solid selection, and the following list of ‘where to stay’ ... Read Full Article
Where to Stay in Bilbao, Spain
A medium-sized city, Bilbao offers a good selection of ‘where to stay’ options; and there’s no excuse for staying outside of the city center, where the most important sights are located. The following where to stay in Bilbao hotel recommendations give preference to centrally located hotels as well as to hotels that offer complimentary WiFi, though this is somewhat rare in Bilbao. Additionally, ... Read Full Article
Where to Stay in York, England
When choosing where to stay in York, England, the city’s medieval center calls out with 13th century city walls and views of the York Minster, one of the most impressive cathedrals in England if not Northern Europe. The following ‘where to stay’ options give preference to centrally located hotels in York as well as hotels that provide free WiFi.5-Star Hotels in York Cedar Court ... Read Full Article
Where to Stay in Turin
In the northwest corner of Italy, the city of Turin is one of the largest cities in the country, and, though it is short on 5-star accommodations, it offers a solid range of ‘where to stay’ options. Turin is off the beaten path for most tourists, and yet it is surrounded by the culinary riches of the Piedmont region, from excellent wineries and white truffles to Slow Food restaurants and ... Read Full Article
Best Budget and 3 Star Hotels in Paris – by Arrondissement
Finding a great 3 star hotel in Paris is a joy. There really are some 3 star hotels in Paris that are better than 4 star hotels. Stars many-times are awarded for amenities like larger rooms or restaurants, not on the quality of the hotel experience itself. These are 3-star hotels that we recommend wholeheartedly and hope you love them as much as we ... Read Full Article