Karen Brown's Italy Charming Inns & Itineraries 2003 (Karen Brown's Italy Hotels)

This was a priceless resourse used by myself and my family when we were planning our trip to Italy. We did not want your typical tour since we have family spread through Napoli, Paliarmo and Tuscany. This more than web sites was what we relied on to find Villas to stay in around our family.

I have used these books to plan some of my most favorite trips. On one sabbatical, we took a 7 week driving trip, staying at her recommendations through France, Italy and Switzerland..fabulous places at great prices that we would have never found in the standard travel books.

You know, this book seemed to have lots of promise, but from the B & B's we chose to stay at on our trip to Italy, the dreamyness was not always quite as nice as indicated in the book. Overall, I rate it a 4 for exploring a different perspective to italy and suggesting routes and trips as well as offering a fun travel perspective.

My aunt loaned me one of Karen Brown's books so I could read it prior to my husband and I leaving for Italy. I liked her book so much I ordered two other's on Italy. I find her books very helpful and at this point we are staying at two of her Inn's that she suggested. One near Florence and one in Tuscany. Both Inn's are described in detail and look wonderful, we can't wait to check everything out. Both of her books that I purchased have so much helpful information and suggest many points of interest to visit. I know our trip will be wonderful. Very easy to read, I highly recommend her books. Chris

My family and I used a previous version of this book to locate B & B's in Northern Italy last year. We stayed at two selections: one a Tuscan farmhouse overlooking Florence and another in the ancient town of Bagnone. Each B & B was a uniquely wonderful experience. The dinners were incredible. Beautiful locations. Wonderful hosts. Beats a hotel any time.