Graffiti Wall: Heroic B&B Friendliness

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Heroic B&B Friendliness: 2005

European bed and breakfast hosts and hostesses are notorious for confounding travelers with inexplicable kindness. Share tales of B&B hosts who went above and beyond the call of touristic duty to give you a great trip.

Note: This board is for tips about great European B&Bs (not hotels). If there are multiple comments on the same place, we will delete repetitious posts. Comments about more traditional hotels should be posted in the appropriate Rick Steves guidebook forum. Questions should be posted in our Travelers' Helpline area; questions posted here will be deleted. For specific lodging recommendations, please refer to Rick's guidebooks, and read his tips on planning your trip.

If you have a complaint about a B&B in one of Rick's books that you could not resolve with the management, we would like to hear about it; however, please do not express your misgivings here. Instead, feel free to comment in the appropriate Rick Steves guidebook forum. You can also e-mail any complaints to Rick's editor at books@ricksteves.com.

B&B Recommendation
Brugges, Belgium: Koen & Annemie Dieltiens - Debruyne Wonderful hospitality, great food, very helpful and within easy walking distance of all sites. Definitely recommend.
Dave Young
Forest, Va USA Sat 12/31/2005

Favorite B&B's in Scotland
My husband and I spent 2 weeks in Scotland in October to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. We stayed at 8 B&B's during our vacation. Of those, 3 B&B's stood out as our favorites and we highly recommend them.

In Edinburgh we stayed at the Straven Guest House, www.stravenguesthouse.com. Both the house and location were beautiful as it's next to the beach. Our room was very nice, especially the bathroom. My husband and I could both actually fit in the bathroom at the same time which we found fairly rare in the UK. The breakfasts were excellent with lots of different things to choose from and the portions were large. Mac's homemade yoghurt and his porridge were the best. Mac and Marian think of everything and no detail is too small which is very evident when you stay with them. Mac gave us great advise on places to see and was very helpful with driving directions.

In Inverness we stayed at Ardconnel House, www.ardconnel-inverness.co.uk. They are also in a great location as it's less than a 5 minute walk to the City Centre and Inverness Castle. John and Liz went out of their way to make sure our stay was great. They are extremely friendly and helpful hosts. Their breakfasts were also great, with excellent porridge and homemade scones. They gave us great advise on places to see, restaurants and an alternate driving route to the Isle of Skye. While in Inverness you must eat at Zanzibar Restaurant in the City Centre, www.zanzibar-restaurant.co.uk. It comes highly recommended by John and Liz and will definitely be the best meal you've ever eaten...guaranteed.

On the Isle of Skye we stayed at Darnbrook Guest House, www.darnbrook.com. They are located on the Waternish Peninsula near the well known Stein Inn. The views from their B&B are unbelievable and unmatched. They overlook Lochbay and the islands which makes for awesome sunsets. Duncan and Caryl are extremely friendly and helpful hosts. We greatly enjoyed our visits with them in their guest lounge. They have many wonderful stories to tell and offer lots of suggestion on what to do on Skye. Their breakfasts were also very good and filling. We tried haggis and black pudding which are Scottish favorites...but not ours. Duncan is a great photographer and takes many pictures of local Skye scenes. You can view his pictures on their website. While at their B&B I also recommend eating at the Lochbay Seafood Restaurant and enjoying a few pints at the Stein Inn.

We would definitely stay at all 3 of these B&B's again. I highly recommend you give then a try.
Diane L.
Denver, CO USA Fri 12/30/2005

Christkonig Pension
We stayed in Christkonig Pension in the first week in December, 2005. This pension is absolutely basic accomodations, but the atmosphere and location (being less than 500 yards from the Salzburg Christmas markets!) makes this pension a fabulously convenient place to stay. As far as driving, I would say just take a taxi, as the taxi fares are around 7-8 euro from the train station and around 10-12 euro to the airport. I would definitely stay there again.
Steve Johnson
Alexandria, VA USA Thu 12/22/2005

Hotel Washington-Amsterdam
If you are staying in Amsterdam, you must consider Hotel Washington. It is closer to two trolley lines and adjacent to the park and the museums. The owners were wonderful. When we first arrived, they let us into our room, even though it was 10am. They did a load of laundry for us (a necessity after Oktoberfest!!) and even circled all the places to see on a tourist map. The rooms were basic but very comfortable and I believe most have a bathroom. It was a wonderful experience overall!!
Maureen
San Diego, CA USA Tue 12/20/2005

Royal Stewart B&B
Earlier this year, three of my sisters and I visited Bruges and had a marvelous time in that enchanting city. But what made our visit there truly memorable was our stay at the Royal Stewart, an utterly charming B&B. It is centrally located, within walking distance to the Market Square, but in a quiet neighborhood. The rooms are comfortable and tastefully furnished, reflecting the owner's love of antiques. Ah, the owner! She is Maggie, a delightful Scottish lady, whose warmth and helpfulness made us right away feel so much at home that we wished we could have stayed with her much longer than three days. What a special lady--we shall never forget her! For more information about this gem of a B&B, please visit www.royalstewart.be
D. Nelhybel
Dalton, PA USA Thu 12/15/2005

Patty's kindness
Patty is a gem. During the time of the Pope's funeral, she helped us to get other accomodations when she was booked solid. Her place is beautiful and in a very nice area near the Vatican.
Bob
Gettysburg, PA USA Wed 12/14/2005

B&B in Rome
High praise for Patty's rooms again! This is our second time with Patty and Rudy and it really felt like returning home! The rooms are big for Italian standard and cozy but what makes this location unique is the dedication of the hosts with all the services offered: airport transfer, tours and always helpful tips on restaurants, planning of the day or just a nice conversation between friends! Here is their web site: www.pattysrooms.com .The sad thing is that they will be leaving Rome...
Randy Henderson
USA Tue 12/13/2005

Loire Valley B & B
Le Moulin du Fief Gentil (http://www.fiefgentil.com/) Having visited France 15 times over the past 20 years, I am always delighted when I discover a new "find". The highlight of our most recent trip to the Loire Valley was our stay in the 500 year old former water mill, "Le Moulin du Fief Gentil". Our hosts, Florence and Francois-Xavier, were very welcoming, outgoing, and fluent in English. The atmosphere was really as if we were invited guests in their home. We all met for drinks in the two story high living room with its exposed beams and rafters each evening and enjoyed local Vouvray wines. The breakfasts and four course dinners were delicious and served in the amazing dining room, one wall of which is glass and allows a view of the remnants of the old mill wheel and waterfall as the stream from the pond outside runs directly under the house. Unlike some other B & B's which are miles from anything, this magical place is within easy walking distance of Blere's wonderful village center. We also loved the convenience of having the chateaux of Chenonceaux and Amboise only minutes away by car. "Un grand merci" to Florence for her great advice on day trips, local restaurants, etc. and many thanks to Rick Steves and Steve Smith for finding this gem of a B & B.
Dean
Seattle, WA USA Wed 12/07/2005

Friendly Hosts in Brugges, Belgium
Koen and Annemie Dieltiens could not have been more gracious to us during our stay in Brugges. One of our group had a genealogical connection to Belgium and Annemie researched the local community for him AND called some of these names to see if they might be related to him. When I accidentally forgot my digital camera on our last day there, Annemie immediately mailed it and trusted that I would reimburse her. Their guest house was warm and inviting. The corkscrew staircase was interesting and each room was warm, inviting and extremely clean. Breakfast each morning was lovely - surrounded by antiques, listening to classical music and being tended to by the hosts. On one morning we met another couple who comically admitted that she accidentally pulled out the Rick Steves' guidebook one morning for devotions.....because of course, that was her bible for the trip. The fact that they also were staying with the Koens should be an additional validation. I would HIGHLY recommend this B&B and would absolutely stay there again when I return to Brugges

Their website is: http://users.skynet.be/dieltiens Email: koen.dieltiens@skynet.be
Renee
Birch Bay, WA USA Tue 12/06/2005

evesham uk. abby manor b.and b.
I like to travel and stay at back door places.The most memorable is the West Wing Abby Manor in Evesham uk.John and Jill are fantastic hosts.You will want to spend extra time here, ask John for a tour of the grounds. The monument to the battle of Evesham is on the grounds.The abby in Evesham third largest in england ,to this american was jaw dropping.The wrath of the king and his absolute power became clear to me in this place.www.simon-de-montfort.freeserve.co.uk
jean gorzalka
sheridan , wy USA Mon 12/05/2005

Web address for B&B in Hay-on-Wye
Sorry, I should have given name of the B&B in Hay-on-Wye. It is Hardwicke Green and can be reached at www.hardwickegreen.co.uk
Nylah Chilton
Citrus Heights, CA USA Sun 12/04/2005

Highly Recommend this B & B
John & Jane Neville are extrodinary hosts in their restored 18th century stone famhouse just outside Hay-on-Wye, UK. Every detail is addressed from tea and fresh cake on a blustery night when we arrived after a long tiring drive to helping us make last minute reservations for the December mini Literary Book festival. Very resonable cost--25 pounds/per person per nite in the large Victorian bedroom including a full English breakfast. They take great pride in their recent restoration and make every effort to make your stay as comfortable as possible. We will go back again.
Nylah Chilton
Citrus Heights, CA USA Sun 12/04/2005

Venice Al Campaniel
Stayed at Al Campaniel (www.alcampaniel.com) during Nov 2005. Marco the owner was really great and they serve great breakfast too! Rooms are very cosy and clean. We really enjoyed our stay.
Karen
Fri 12/02/2005

Belle's B&B, Brugge, BE
Belle at Belle's B&B in Brugge definitely went out of her way for us. I actually confirmed the wrong dates for our trip, so when we got there she did not have availability for one night of our Brugge stay. She found us another place, close, with the same price that was great. Her breakfast is awesome. She makes made to order eggs! No other B&B we've stayed in went to that extent. We were very pleased with our stay at Belle's.
Kellye
Dallas, TX USA Thu 12/01/2005

Highly recommended B&B
Just came back from Belgium and wanted to recommend this B&B in Bruges : www.woodside.be/english.html Nice and quietly positioned on the green outskirts of Bruges. Clean, modern rooms and nice continental breakfast. Hostess Stacey made us directly feel at home.
Boboluc
Portsmouth, UK Thu 12/01/2005

Tuscany, Casa Portagioia - Totally Chilled!
It's been a long time since I have stayed somewhere that makes me want to write about it! Casa Portagioia (www.tuscanbreaks.com)was a fantastic find. Its name means peace and tranquilty, but it's more than that.

The hotel (or bed and breakfast) is an old farmhouse that's been beautifully, I mean beautifully, restored with every detail checked to provide high quality accommodation. It's also set in one of the most gorgeous valleys of Tuscany.

The rooms are incredibly clean, bright and have all the extras that one would find in an expensive 4 star hotel. The only difference is that it's not full of artificial fixtures and plastic smiles! The owners here seem to have taken on board the fact that travelling is not an easy pastime and can be stressful even for the hardened traveller. Arriving at Casa Portagioia was a breath of fresh air. A perfect welcome and nothing too much trouble.

Although November is not a warm month, the gardens and flowers still looked wonderful and I can imagine what it must be like to just relax by their pool during warmer months. The views are breathtaking and oh so peaceful.

Casa Portagioa is tucked away from the main town. It has easy acesss to the main roads and we were able to visit many of Tuscany's (and Umbria's) treasures including Cortona, Siena, Montepulciano, Assisi, etc. What made it so much easier was the help the owners offered each day in planning our journeys from a trip to Florence with pre booked tickets for the main galleries to a couple of vineyards and wine tasting, and of course up to date information on some great restaurants.

Casa Portagioia does not have a full restaurant service, but they offered dinner twice during our stay. It was certainly one of the best meals we had. It was a 5 course affair and went on for a few hours, but the beauty was that we were entertained by the hosts and all of the guests were totally at ease, relaxed and enjoying one anothers company. We all had wonderful evenings there and many memories to take back home.
Brian Hutchinson
Sydney, Aus Wed 11/30/2005

Nice, well
An amazing stay while in Rome, Italy!! We arrived at Roman Italian B&B tired after a long flight from USA!! We were very happy to have a quick check in, in order to refresh and begin our adventure in Rome! The map that Maddy provided for us was great, all the details were helpful, she even told us about this little market 2 min. away from the B&B where we found great deals on some little presents we bought! The bed was extremely comfortable, the room was very clean, the price was amazing, 70 euro per night with an ensuite bathroom.The cleaning lady was very frendly and attentive with us!! Breakfast was excellent, a good size for italian standard and Maddy kept us company. Location was great, right under the window we found the metro station which connected us to everything in the centre of Rome!!Maddy recommended places for dinner but above all we had the most delicious dinner at RomaAntica a place that also offered us a 10% discount when we mentioned we came refered by Maddy & Marco!!Armando-the waiter is a gem! I have to say that our stay here was the best we have had while touring all Italy and we will be sure to return or refer Maddy & Marco's place to our friends and family here at home. Keep up the good work "Guys"!! You are amazing
Nicolle
Austin, TX USA Tue 11/29/2005

BEST B&B IN SITGES (Near Barcelona)
Antonios Guest House in Sitges is a real pleasure. The rooms are cozy and your host Antonio will be eager to help you in any way. Most Hotels in Sitges are a bit old and run down as well as pricey. Antonio´s guest house although not on the ocean front es very well located, near enough to walk to the beach and Lively part of town...and far enough to be in a quiet setting.
Claudia
PERU Tue 11/29/2005

Caebetran Farm B & B in Wales
This is a stunning B & B in the heart of the Beacons near Brecon. (In mid Wales, UK) My friend and I stayed for one night after spending a day pony trekking. It is a working sheep and cattle farm and is quite isolated up a lane. The views are absolutely breathtaking all around, with the Beacons on one side and rolling hills on the others. When we arrived we were met with a warm welcome on arrival and shown into the lounge. Hazel who runs the farm/B & B got us some fantastic coffee and homemade flapjacks and left us to relax. She was incredibly helpful when it came to us wondering where the nearest pubs were for dinner and had recommendations and menus for the local pubs and restaurants. She drew us a much needed map for getting to the village and asked us what time we'd like breakfast and what we would like. We had a twin room which was spotlessly clean, well decorated and had an en suite roomy bathroom. We were really happy to find a bath as well as the shower to soothe our aching limbs from the horseriding! Nice touches included the selection of teas and coffee in the room, fresh milk in a communal fridge downstairs for guests and kitkats in the room! The breakfast was fabulous and we couldn't have been happier. All in all a brilliant place to stay and a bargain for the money. Much better than many hotels I've been to as well.
Lisa Kennedy
Cardiff, UK Sun 11/20/2005

Lake District B& B or small hotel
Looking for a special B & B or small hotel in the Lake District preferably with evening meal. Any suggestions appreciated.
Lesley Hulme
Victoria, Canada Sat 11/19/2005

Center of Rome!!
Accidentally finding a great place! We booked a B&B online that claimed to be central (but was 30 minutes from the center!) so we moved the second night to this cute little B&B called Matisse in the very center of the city. The people were super friendly and very helpful. It was homey and clean. Also we could walk to all of the major sights! Sometimes a last minute change of plan is the best thing! Definitely recommend Matisse B&B!
Michelle
Huston, TX USA Sat 11/19/2005

Dormouse House
My daughter stayed last year at the Dormouse House B&B and told me about it so I decided to go myself when on a medical convention. Lisa, the owner, is a longtime RS fan and her own travels and philosophy are twins with those of Rick. She couldn't have tried harder or done more and the place is lovely. I took a fabulous cooking class and thoroughly enjoyed myself!
Dr. Dana Head
San Diego, CA USA Sat 11/19/2005

Brugges, Belgium B&B
I highly recommend Carmers B&B in Brugges. It is very quiet yet in walking distance to everything in the town, including being across the street from a small market. Host Robert gave us a ton of very useful information on tours and restaurants (plus which to avoid), spent time indicating them on a map for us, and left us with 2 video's on Brugges. Host Lievetje's breakfasts were huge. The room has been beatifully renovated to include fridge, TV, coffee and tea facilities, sink, couch, and a microwave in the hall. It was the little touches that were wonderful; the printed train schedule left out for us the night before we had to leave, the goodie bag for the airport since we were leaving so early. It was a very comfortable and welcoming place to stay.
Corina Going
Tacoma, WA USA Fri 11/18/2005

Cimatori Guesthouse –Florence, Italy
We found this B&B through www.cross-pollinate.com We stayed there in July 2005. Great location right in the historic center of Florence. We got terribly lost driving in. The owner directed us to a good parking garage, met us there, and walked us to the B&B. Very nice rooms, air-conditioning (a must for Florence in the summer), and wonderfully friendly Gulianna. Gulianna serves breakfast every morning and runs the show. She is a delight. Friendly, funny, and helpful. Internet access available for a very reasonable price. www.cimatori.it July 2005
Lynch
Port Townsend , Wa USA Sun 11/13/2005

Grand Camp Maisy B&B - Normandy, France
Manoir De L'Hermerel B&B-Normandy July 2005 I loved this castle-like manor in Grand Camp Maisy, Normandy. Agnes Lemarie and her family were kind and welcoming. Located in the countryside close to the coast it is a great location for exploring the D-Day beaches. The Lemarie's work a dairy farm and the milk comes right to the table. For breakfast we had amazing rice pudding made from the fresh cream topped with rhubarb compote, homemade breads and jams, and cereals with fresh milk. Amazing price double room for 60 euro/night. www.manoir-hermel.com
Lynch
Port Townsend , Wa USA Sun 11/13/2005

Honfluer, France - Normandy
Madame Giaglis B&B-Honfleur, Normandy Venture into an impressionist painting by visiting lovely Honfleur. Madame Giaglis was a delight. We arrived from Italy and having just gotten grounded in Italian, we didn't speak a word of French. She didn't speak English, but we communicated just fine with gestures and smiles. We loved the beautiful courtyard with overflowing flowers and large quaint rooms. Breakfast was wonderful with fresh amazing chewy French bread, flaky croissants, homemade jams, and fluffy omelets served in the lovely breakfast room or courtyard. Madame Giaglis will park your car for free in her garage a few blocks away....let her park it for you as they are experts at fitting the car into the tiny garage. Internet access. Great location right in town. Great price double room $70. July 2005
Lynch
Port Townsend , Wa USA Sun 11/13/2005

Cinque Terre, Vernazza
Cinque Terre, Vernazza – Affita Camere da Annamaria We were on the top of town in a tiny, but perfect little apartment we rented from Annamaria. Two simple and clean bedrooms stacked on top of each other with a tiny spiral staircase and little bathroom. Rick was right when he said Annamaria has the best views in town, we had a panoramic view of the ocean from our huge terrace balcony. Annamaria works hard in her family restaurant, so she can be a little hard to get a hold of. Pack light, it is a climb to the top of town. We felt the effort was worth it as we are still staring dreamily at the pictures of our view. July 2005
Lynch
Port Townsend , Wa USA Sun 11/13/2005

Castelrotto, Italy - Hotel Wolf
Castelrotto – Hotel Wolf/Hotel Lupo Experience a touch of Austria in Italy. Visits the Dolmites where the people prefer to speak German, the Hefewiezen will make you forget that you came to Italy for wine, the beautiful mountains are at your doorstep for the hiking, and the wild mushroom dishes will make you never want to leave. The people are a little "cooler" in the north, but just as friendly in a quieter sort of way. With tranquil rooms, cozy down comforters, wonderful breakfast with eggs, pumpernickel breads, and cured meats, Hotel Wolf is the place to relax after a day in the mountains. Owned by the Silbernagl family, the husband will help you plan your hiking and has lots of helpful information about activities around town. We have gone back 2 summers in a row, and hope to go again! www.hotelwolf.it
Lynch
Port Townsend, Wa USA Sun 11/13/2005

Florence - Novecento
Novecento Bed & Breakfast was a great place for us to spend our honeymoon. Not only were our hosts kind, helpful, and with a great sense of humor, they also served up a great breakfast and were quick to help recommend restaurants or offer other travel info. Staying less than a block from the Duomo was a real treat. The rooms were spacious and clean, having been newly remodeled in the last 5 years. We stayed in the orange room which had windows that opened onto the street. One of the best parts of the B&B is the rooftop terrace which has an up-close-and-personal view of the Duomo, a great place to retreat to after a few hard hours of sight-seeing. I'd definitely stay here again.
Rosa & David Cheney
Washington, DC USA Sun 11/13/2005

Venice B&B
Riccardo was wonderful! He didn't have availability at Corte Campana B&B, so he set us up in his friend's beautiful B&B called Ca' Formosa for the same price. Riccardo met us in Piazza San Marco and walked us to the B&B. The location was perfect, a short walk from Piazza San Marco, but on a quiet canal for a good nights sleep. Air conditioning and a wonderful breakfast. Trust friendly Riccardo to set you up in an amazing place.
Lynch
Port Townsend, Wa USA Sun 11/13/2005

Tuscan B&B-Poste Regie
Poste Regie B&B is 30 minutes west of Siena. Owner Beatrice was wonderful. Having taught in the US, her English was so good that we thought she was American at first. She helped us with mapping out day trips in Tuscany and Umbria. Great homemade breakfast with pastries, fresh fruit, granola, and yogurt. We booked a room and ended up with an apartment with full kitchen and dinning room. Amazing price at 65euro/night. You will be in the Tuscan countryside, very beautiful, but bring earplugs to block out barking farm dogs and be prepared for heat in the summer. If you want a Tuscan countryside experience, we highly recommend.
Lynch
Port Townsend, Wa USA Sun 11/13/2005

Great B&B's in Ireland
We just returned from a great trip to Ireland where everyone was just fantastic and we had a great time. We stayed at 4 exceptional Bed and Breakfasts that are definitely worth mentioning. Aisling B&B- just outside of Waterford in Mooncoin. We arrived very late as we had been lost and Aedemar and her husband were very sweet and recommended a good place for us to have dinner. We only stayed one night here, I wish it could have been longer. Cill Breac House- Angela McCarthy was a very sweet hostess and this was a great place to stay in Dingle. Dingle is a great place and probably one of our favorite spots on our trip because it just has it all. Visit Murphy's Pub here and have dinner at the Blue Zone (if you like great pizza) and definitely stay at the Cill Breac House, you won't regret it. The Periwinkle B&B- Galway. Joan O'Dea runs this B&B in Galway and it was hands down the best place that we stayed for our trip and this is really saying a lot. Our room was very warm and cozy and the ambiance of the whole house is just lovely. Joan is one of the nicest people you could ever meet and has a real genuinely sweet Irish personality. She was very helpful in helping us find our way around and giving us advice on what to do. One night she even gave us a ride into town because it was windy and raining. She is a talented artist and has her work displayed in the house. She also cooked a very nice breakfast for us both days. I would have loved to have stayed longer with her. If you are going to Galway, definitely choose The Periwinkle to stay, you will not regret it. Ashgrove House-Bunratty. We only stayed one night at the Ashgrove House and we arrived late and left early, but felt very welcomed all the same. Frank and Shirley are super nice people and their home had a nice friendly feel to it. If you are visiting Ireland a stay in any of these 4 places will not let you down. I know that if we are able to go back again we will definitely choose them again!
Amber Chambers
Kalamazoo, MI USA Fri 11/11/2005

Italian B&B
Stayed at several B&B while touring in Italy. As we were driving these had parking available(or at least advertised that). In Monteross al Mare, Marie at Villa Pietrafiore is friendly,helpful and provides good value. In Sorrento, Villa Oriana is friendly, great breakfast but expensive. In Florence, Novecento is well located, but pricey for what is offered. I would not recommend it if you have a car. In Venice Al Giardino a disappointment. In Montecatini Rossy is a delight and recommended by Sylvia from La Tartaruga(who was full). In Cortona, Il Sole del Soda was a jewel and the best B&B of the bunch we stayed in. It is well located and reasonable. In Vernazzo, Tonino provides excellent rooms(but no breakfast). However downstairs there is an excellent restaurant called Il Pirata delle Cinque Terra is real find!
John
Edmonton, Alberta Canada Fri 11/11/2005

Brugges B&B
We recently have returned from a weekend in Belgium and spent 2 nights at the beautiful Setola B&B in Bruges. Our hostess Lut was amazing and her breakfasts were great! The B&B is situated close to the Grand Place, about a 3 minute walk. She gave us a very warm welcome and gave us information on the local scene. Would have stayed longer but had to return to Paris.
sheila
vancouver, bc canada Fri 11/11/2005

More on Venice B&Bs
One more B&B to add to my list of the creme de la creme...

Palazzo Soderini :: This is a lovely, high-end, very modern space. Also operated by Anna and Marco, the couple who operate the Ca' del Dose (just down the street from Palazzo Soderini). The rooms at Palazzo Soderini are clean and modern. Large and spacious. The breakfast at Palazzo Soderini is fantastic. Fresh coffee or tea, wonderful fresh pasteries from the local bakeries. Cereal, yogurt, etc. Many choices and everything is prepared fresh that very morning. Wireless Internet access if you have a laptop computer (you must bring/have your own laptop to enjoy this service). An incredible Venetian garden for your enjoyment! Simply lovely. There's even a pond with lily pads and multi-colored goldfish!! The space is wonderful, indoors and out. Anna and her staff make you feel at home and well cared for. Any help you could require -- directions, restaurant recommendations or reservations, etc. -- Anna and her staff will be glad to help you. Palazzo Soderini is on a wonderful Venetian campo (square) that is full of life and locals. There is a small and lovely church on the campo and there are pastery shops, bakeries, small grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and other shops in the streets right off the campo. This is an authentic Venetian neighborhood and you will get a true taste of life in Venice here. It's perfectly located and just a short 10-15 min. walk from the major sites like The Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Square, Basilica, and Campanile. I think it's ideal because while it's close to these sites, it's located in a vibrant residential neighborhood. So you get to enjoy the best of both worlds -- tourist and local!

More info on Palazzo Soderini: http://www.veniceby.com/soderini/

More info on Ca' del Dose: http://www.cadeldose.com/
Marisa Allegra Williams
Oakland, CA USA Thu 11/10/2005

Milestone B&B - Dingle Ireland
We just returned from Ireland. Our stay at Milestone B&B in Dingle was the highlight of our trip. Our hosts Barbara & Michael made us feel so welcome. They were so gracious that we stayed an extra day at their B&B. They recommended sights to see, including Slea Head, which is not to be missed. They recommended a wonderful restaurant for dinner, and Barbara made the reservation for us. Also recommended the best places to go for entertainment. The breakfasts are delicious, with Michael doing all the cooking. Barbara offers all guests coffee or tea and cookies, which just adds to the warmth of this B&B. Barbara & Michael were the best hosts, and we would recommend their place to everyone who is planning a trip to Dingle. We feel fortunate that we met two such wonderful people.
Ann & Charles Scott
Bronx, New York USA Thu 11/10/2005

L'Atre Fleuri, Balleroy, Normandy France
L'Atre Fleuri in Balleroy, Normandy is elegant, the rooms and furnishings confortable and charming, the breakfasts superb, the location very convenient to the D-Day beaches and other Normany attractions. All of this is wrapped in the friendly, helpful, warm hospitality and refined good taste of hostess and owner Margaret Stephenson. We loved our week there!
Florence and George Hall
Falls Church, VA USA Thu 11/10/2005

B&Bs in Venice
I've stayed at three bed and breakfasts in Venice and all three were lovely; the Ca' del Dose being the best and my personal favorite, without a doubt. I often travel alone and so safe/friendly finds like these are great to share with other travelers (especially women traveling alone).

#1 Ca' del Dose :: Located within a short walking distance from major sites of interest like St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace, this B&B is operated by a delightful couple; Anna and Marco. Anna and Marco, and indeed everyone who works for/with them, go out of their way to help you and make you feel welcome and at home. The property was recently renovated and all of the rooms have a private bath/shower and are impeccably clean and delightful. Simple breakfast with in-room coffee/tea. Located in a residental area right around the corner from a campo (square) and a church, there are also plenty of restaurants, bakeries, and grocery shops in the neighborhood. This location has everything you could need or want. Close to both the Arsenale and San Zaccaria vaporetto stops. I love this B&B. I stayed here for a full month in the tiny but lovely Room #1 in the fall of 2004 and again for two weeks in the fall of 2005. Anna and Marco also rent out larger rooms and apartments.

#2 Hotel Messner :: The Messner is in the quiet Dorsoduro neighborhood and is closest to either the Accademia or the Santa Maria della Salute vaporetto stops. If you can, request a room overlooking the canal, ahead of time. These rooms are the nicest (I've stayed there twice in two different rooms over the canal) in that they have the canal just below. Very quiet area. Lovely large rooms with private bath/shower. Nice breakfast downstairs in the common area with other guests. Coffee, tea, fruit, bread, cereal, etc.

#3 Hotel Rigel :: The Rigel is on the Lido and for this reason its rates are a bit cheaper than in Venice proper. It is a somewhat older hotel and while the rooms and furnishings are nothing to do cartwheels about, they are clean and generously sized. Private bath/shower. Some rooms also have balconies and something of a view. Quiet neighborhood. Nice breakfast downstairs with other guests. Coffee, tea, fruit, pastries, etc. Kind and helpful staff. The walk from the Lido vaporetto stop is not too far, at all. Maybe 10 minutes, max.
Marisa Allega Williams
Oakland, CA USA Wed 11/09/2005

Sylvie is GREAT!
LA TARTARUGA Contact: Sylvie Leder www.la-tartaruga.com

This B&B is located near a very cute town of Montecatini Therme just off the autostrada between Florence and Lucca. You will need a car to enjoy all the cities and countryside in neighboring areas and to arrive at the B & B. Although the B & B is not actually located in the country or traditional Itallian hillside (like the picturesque Chianti region of Tuscany), it was a great central location to explore lot's of Tuscany for a first trip to Italy. For example, it was within a 2-3 hour drive to the Cinque Terre villages and And seriously, Sylvie is truly the best and most responsive, informed B & B host I have ever met. Her kindness was so appreciated. Sylvie helped us each day- providing maps, directions, giving insights and telling stories about the Tuscany countryside, history, culture and customs and making reservations for us at museums and wineries. Logistically, we stayed in both the Orange and Blue rooms- both wonderfully clean and spacious...For approx 60 Euro a night, you cannot beat this wonderful accommodation.
Theresa
Twin Cities, MN USA Wed 11/09/2005

Venice B&B
Ponti Chiodo B&B is the most wonderful experience we had on our 10 day adventure through Italy. It was so nice we hung out at the B&B most of the time. The owner was so kind and elegant, the only place I will ever stay in Venice is the Ponti Chiodo!!!!
Shawnyka
NJ USA Wed 11/09/2005

Exceptional B&B: Dormouse House
I had a terrible situation salvaged by the exceptional kindness and sympathy of Lisa who runs the B&B Dormouse House right near Paris. I had come over on the ferry from Ireland and had lost(?) my wallet, arriving on a sunday with nothing! I called Lisa and she paid my taxi fare there from Paris and soothed my nerves with tea by the fireplace, then lent me more money to get to the US Consulate the next day where I was issued a new passport etc (they were also really helpful). Lisa also let me call my family in the US so I could arrange to have funds transfered. What could have been a disaster was salvaged by generosity and a reasssuring 'can-do' attitude. Lisa is a long-time Rick Steves fan and after many solo trips to Europe decided to move here on her own(!) 7 years ago, and after a disability made it impossible for her to continue teaching (she speaks 4 languages) she decided to build a gorgeous house and to open a B&B. She is a testament to courage and cheerfulness despite her obvious pain and though her own traveling days are limited she delights in helping the rest of us enjoy her adopted country. I could go on about the loveliness of DH itself (top quality antiques, art, thick towels, great garden, jacuzzi) but frankly I was most impressed by Lisa herself when I felt most vulnerable. She does all this by herself and I hope all the other Rick Steves fans will support this truly exceptional place - a real winner!!
J. Murphy
Tampa, FL USA Wed 11/09/2005

Carmers B&B
I would highly recommend CARMERS B&B to anyone traveling to Bruges. It is a beautiful home on a quiet street close to the center of town. Breakfast is brought to your room each morning and is generous! We had enough to make lunch every day as well! Robert and Lievetjes were very friendly and helpful.
Carolyn
Austin, TX USA Tue 11/08/2005

Crannmor House
We just returned from Ireland and stayed at the Crannmor House in Trim. It was wonderful. The rooms were large, the mattresses great and it was extremely clean. We were wet from a storm when we arrived. Mrs. O Reagan built us a fire and served tea for us to dry out. we would stay there again!
Liz Finc
Washington, NJ USA Tue 11/08/2005

Great B & B's
A couple of new finds. We recently returned from a month in France. We found a couple of great new B & B's.

Albi... Mas de la Muse A 18th century brick mansion recently renovated by Jan and Angela, a couple from the Netherlands. They are outstanding hosts. The room was large, the bath had a great walk in shower, comfortable large bed with a fluffy down duvet. Sitting area with TV in our room. Newly opened in May 2005. They have a nice out door sitting area, with pool. We were there in Oct. so a bit cool to appreciate these facilities. We had the option of Jan preparing dinner or going out. After a long day of driving we opted to stay in for dinner. A lovely 4 course dinner at a reasonable price, all fresh ingredients. We liked dinner so much the 1st night we had him prepare dinner again on the second night of our stay. After a full day of sight seeing it was nice to come "home" to a nice bottle of wine in the sitting area while we waited for dinner to be prepared. There are a lot of things to do in the area, Albi with it's lovely cathedral and Toulouse-Lautrec museum. Bastide town of Cordes sur Ciel, and wine chateauxs for wine tasting. A great spot to use as a home base. To contact www.masdelamuse.com.

Cesseras- Sur les Remparts-Languedoc region. Land of the Cathars... Again a newly renovated house in the tiny village of Cesseras. Gery and Roberto have done a outstanding job of creating a warm and comfortable B & B. The rooms have large new beds with en suite baths with beautiful showers. Gery prepared a outstanding dinner for us. They are in the process of adding 2 more rooms. The village is close to Carcasonne, 20 minutes to a beautiful beach. Vineyards abound. Two hours from the Spanish border. This was our 3rd visit to this area. Several wonderful restaurants within a short drive. Again a great location to explore the area. Contact: Sur les Remparts at their e mail:zambomba@tiscali.fr Contact me for more information
Doris
Lynnwood, WA USA Mon 11/07/2005

Bay Tree House B&B, London
Another nod to the Monaghans at Bay Tree House in Arnos Grove, London. James and Janice truly make you feel at home, and the little details are never overlooked. James went to the trouble of picking up day passes for the tube before my partner and I ate breakfast. They also allowed us to leave our car in their driveway *after* we had checked out for the day - helped us save a few quid in parking tariffs at the local tube stop. This B&B is a bit north of the City, but it's only 20-25 minutes away by tube.
Rudi
Washington, DC USA Mon 11/07/2005

Great Find in Dordogne; Chateau Nineyrol
We just returned from two weeks in France and stayed at some wonderful places. The best B&B was Chateau Nineyrol near Castlenaud in the Dordogne. Ann and Phil are fabulous hosts and went out of their way to make our stay excellent. The rooms are great with real showers and comfortable beds. The food was wonderful and it was a delight to have Ann and Phil join us. They provide all the little extra's too. This is a great find in this part of France.
Bob Perkins
Ancaster, Ontario Canada Mon 11/07/2005

Hotel Pankow -Berlin
I would firmly recommend Hotel Pankow to anyone staying in Berlin, even though it is away from the Mitte. Christoph was an extremely helpful host. He would ask us what we planned to see & make sure we had the transporation route(s). Christoph also had some good restaurant recommendations we tried out. The breakfast was above average & the rooms decent for the EUR71 we paid for the triple room when we stayed in Mid Oct this year.
D Floyd
USA Mon 11/07/2005

Outstanding B&B in Dornie, Scotland
Outstanding B&B in Dornie, Scotland, the gateway to Isle of Skye and short walk to Eilean Donan Castle and major bus route. The hosts-Mary and Harry--have just rennovated this old schoolhouse into a 4 room, self catering B&B. We were in the double (40£/nite)ensuite that was designed to be accessible with large walk in shower, wide doors, convenient shelves. The modern kitchen has gas hobs, microwave, fridge and internet availability. Ikea furnishings give it a Swedish feel. The hosts invited us to the local Guy Faulks bonfire and kept us posted on local music and other events while we were here. We stayed 2 nights, then went to Isle of Skye one night and back here again for third night. Contact them at 01599555482 or leigh@eilan.freeserve.co.uk. I found them on visitscotland.com under B&B called Schoolhouse though it doesn't always come up on line. Great hosts, lovely building and beautiful Scotland Highlands scenery.
nylah chilton
citrus heights, ca USA Mon 11/07/2005

Corte Campana Bed and Breakfast
It was thru Rick Steves Travel Guide that we found Corte Campana B&B in Venice. Riccardo was most helpful and when we arrived (and saw that my husband had a cane) he gave us the key to his newly acquired apartment on the ground floor which was right across from the Hotel Ca'Dei Conti. This was a very spacious apartment with 3 very large rooms. The bedroom sleeps at least 3 and room for another bed (if an extra bed is required). The kitchen was very large with everything you would need to be self sufficient. The bathroom was a good size with a very nice shower. Riccardo showed us how to use the Italian coffee maker and if we chose we could go up to his B&B and have our morning continental Breakfast served by Riccardo himself. He has all the information you would need regarding restaurants, etc. I would be sure and book ahead to be able to get this roomy apartment. Go to Venice and enjoy your stay. If you need exact directions to this place...e-mail us and we can help or you can e-mail Riccardo at www.cortecampana.com
Jan & Larry
Laguna Beach, CA USA Mon 11/07/2005

Amazing Monterosso B and B
We found a gem in Cinque Terra! Just up the hill form Monterosso is Villa Pietra Fiore. Amazing views form the garden, and great hosts in David and Marie. Marie speaks good english and will take the time to give you great advice and don't miss the history of this property. Awesome!
Allan Horwood
Vancouver, B.C. Ca Mon 11/07/2005

St Leonards B&B in Bath
We spent 3 nights in Bath at the St Leonards. I had fallen in love with the pictures on their web page. We were not disappointed! The prices were reasonable. Tony and Kelveen were excellent hosts - they provided us with good maps and helpful tourist information. We had a large, comfortable room with a most incredible view of the Avon valley. Breakfast was great - continental or cooked to order - there was a great view from there also. Our walk downhill into the center of Bath was very pleasant and an important part of our Bath experience- we crossed over the Kennet and Avon canal in Sidney Gardens - we had to stop often to take photos. For the return uphill walk, there was a convenient bus stop or taxis were easy to find. We would definitely stay there again (and hope we can someday!) http://www.stleonardsbath.co.uk/
Kay Crissman
Chapel Hill, NC USA Sun 11/06/2005

www.stravenguesthouse.com
My Mom and I were made to feel like members of the family at Straven Guest House in Edinburgh, Scotland. A lovely home, walk to the beach, a 10 minute bus ride to City Centre, & the nicest people as our host & hostess. Superb breakfast & Mac will even do a little bit of song & dance in the morning. I can't imagine staying anywhere else on our next visit!
Nancy Hartman
Branchville, NJ USA Sun 11/06/2005

Ca Fosca Due Torre
Ca Fosca Due Torri. We stayed here for five fantastic days in November. It is an Art Deco Palazzo on the fourth floor with a fantastic roof garden overlooking some of the best sights in Bologna. Patrizia will make you feel right at home by giving you the run of the apartment where you can meet your fellow guests, sip wine on the terrace or just chill and enjoy. Ca Fosca is right in the middle of town and I mean right in the middle, you are so close to everything that you can walk everywhere in minutes. All of the sights and the restaurants are on hand and you will feel like a true bolognese for a few days. Look Patrizia up at www.cafoscaduetorri.com and you will not regret it.
Tracey Simkin
Maidenhead, Berkshire UK Sun 11/06/2005

Edinburgh's Best B&B
My friends and I stayed in June 2005 at the beautiful Priestville Guest House (www.priestville.com) in Edinburgh. What a treat!! We had a perfectly wonderful time there with Colin & Trina as our hosts. They were helpful in every aspect - directions, bus routes, all Edinburgh tourist info.!! It is very easy to find their B&B with their precise directions and I am STILL craving their fabulous Scottish breakfasts. The most remarkable thing is that we left a couple of t-shirts in our room when we left and we received them via the mail without any comment on how we could repay them. What great people!! We will definitely stay there again. Thanks Colin & Trina for making us feel so comfortable in your house.
Angie
Orem, UT USA Sat 11/05/2005

Great Paris B&B
I just returned from a weekend in Paris and stayed at the lovely Dormouse House B&B. Lisa made a special effort to help me (I'm a single woman traveling solo) figure out places to go and how to get there feeling safe the whole time. Dormhouse is 30 min train ride from Paris in a safe, quiet suburb. Her home is lovely and I found the blue room to be extra-ordinarily comfortable. She also was very understanding in a difficult circumstance.
Elaine
Pocatello, ID USA Thu 11/03/2005

You can't do better in Tuscany!!!
Based on the rave reviews I found on this message board about Sylvie Leder and her B&B in Tuscany (info@la-tartaruga.com), I decided to stay there for several days during our month in Italy. I discovered that everyone was right. She is WONDERFUL!!! Her rooms were large, clean and beautifully decorated. Her location was great, but better than all of that was Sylvie and her wonderful family. Her sons lugged all of our heavy baggage (we stayed there at the end of our trip and not only did I overpack but I over shopped!) up to our room. Sylvie's breakfats were the best of our trip. She went out of her way to provide examples of different Italian meats, cheeses and baked goods, explaining what each item was and the region of Italy from which it originated. She also considerately provided enough food and saran wrap so that we could pack a lunch for later! Sylvie had maps on hand to give to us, so that when we asked questions about where to go and what to see she could give advice and directions. She takes obvious pride in her role as a hotelier and we benefited from it. If I lived in her town, I felt that Sylvie and I could be good friends... she's that type of person. Thanks Sylvie for everything!
Joanne
Cortland, NY USA Wed 11/02/2005

B&B Vaison la Romaine
Stayed at your recommneded B&B L'Ecole Buissonniere, John and monique were incredible hosts providing us with great day trip itenaries and fabulous restaurant recommendations. Highly recommended! Comfortable and great value!
John Miroslavich
Oakville, Ont. Canada Wed 11/02/2005

My wish is her command in Dingle
Mrs. Barbara Carroll, Manager of Milestone B&B, provides exquisite hospitality on behalf of Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland. When my family visited Milestone in October 2005, she took us under her wing continuously throughout the weekend. Each morning she took every party into the living room to consult about their individual travel plans for that day, offering practical advice, local lore, and town stories about the sites in the vicinity of the Ring of Kerry.

During one of these conversations, I brought up a movie, "Into the West". The Irish film had topped my wish list for years but was not available stateside. Barbara mentioned that her only film on hand was "Ryan's Daughter", set down the road. When I returned home from my sight seeing, I found a copy of "Into the West" on her coffee table, waiting for me. Barbara had made two trips to locate the movie. She watched the feature with us and annotated the scenes. Afterwards she answered our questions about Irish society that the story raised.

The breakfast aspect of this B&B is phenomenal. The menu surpasses the traditional filling but unvaried Irish breakfast. Imagine scrambled eggs and salmon molded into local recognizable objects. Brilliant and delicious. When we complimented the chef on the soda bread, we found a loaf ready for us to take with us on our departure.

My physical disability and my wheelchair make traveling and finding lodging a gamble. The Carrolls understood my situation perfectly as they have a nephew who also has cerebral palsy. They greeted us in the parking lot and helped us settle in to expedite the arrival and check-in process. My speech impairment did not impede any communication. The Carrolls recognized and tapped into my passion for Irish history and sustained a dialogue all weekend. I value this direct but rare learning experience.

The Carrolls have worked tirelessly for most of the year. I wish them a relaxing and well-deserved holiday season until St. Patricks Day. I'll be back then.
Johana Schwartz
Minneapolis, MN USA Tue 11/01/2005

B&B near docks for Aran ferries
If you need a B&B that is close to the docks for a trip to the Aran Islands, may I suggest Tuar Beag B&B in Spiddal, Ireland, County Galway. It was everything we could have wanted. The owners are friendly and the accommodations were great. Breakfast(no additional charge)is as small or large as you would like it. The B&B is 15 minutes drive time to the docks at Rossaveal and only a 5 minute walk into Spiddal, which is a small town just to the west of Galway. There are 4 pubs and at least 4 restaurants in Spiddal. Most people speak gaelic, which is quite fun. The rate was 28 euro per person.And, they have a great dog,a collie with a greek name that I've forgotten. He's the greeting committee!
Mike
Tampa, FL USA Tue 11/01/2005

Great B and B in the Barolo wine route
Hi, I just wanted to mention a real fantastic find we had last week in Piedmont Italy. A converted castle made into a most delightful small hotel-B and B named Castello di Sinio, in the Barolo-Alba area. Jay and Denise go completely out of their way to make a great stay. They are very knowledgable about cuisine frequently preparing gourmet meals as well as wine tastings in their fabulous castle hotel. I have been travelling to Europe for 15 years now using the Rick Steves Philosophy and I can honestly say this is a new high of quality, service, charm and hospitality. Oh, did I mention it was in a CASTLE? You gotta check this place out.
Jim todd
Dalton, ga USA Mon 10/31/2005

switzerland
Can anyone recommend a nice B&B in the Lucerne, Switzerland area? Thanks
skiobx
USA Fri 10/28/2005

B&B's in Paris, Venice, Tuscany, Sorrento, Rome, and London
This Graffiti Wall was helpful to us when we planned our accommodations in Europe. Hope our comments can be useful to others.

Paris

Hotel Le Hameau De Passy Ph: 01 42 88 47 55 www.hotel-hameau-passy-paris.federal-hotel.com Near subway Green Line to La Muette or Passy

Within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. Residential neighborhood, large grocery store across the street. Rooms located in private, quiet courtyard. Good refuge from crowded Paris streets. Rooms are small and clean with private bath. Breakfast of fresh breads, pastries, coffee and juice. Have to leave key at front desk when you go out. $109 Euro/ni. Staff speak English. Cannot beat price or location, would highly recommend.

Venice

CA' DEL DOSE Contact: Anna or Marco Ph: +39-041-5209887 www.cadeldose.com

Found this B&B on the graffiti wall. Three bridges from San Marco Square. In quiet, residential side street. Rooms are average size with large closet, nicely decorated, comfortable bed. Bathroom is narrow, clean, and water pressure decent. We stayed on the 2nd floor. No elevators, but owners carried our luggage up the stairs. Very clean with private bath. Breakfast basket of dry goods, coffee, and tea in room. Owners knowledgeable and helpful with directions and restaurant recommendations. 115 euro/night, a bargain in Venice. Highly recommend this B&B and would stay there again.

Tuscany

VILLA LA TARTARUGA Contact: Sylvie Ph 0039 0572 70166 www.la-tartaruga.com

This B&B is located in Montecatini between Florence and Lucca. Good central location for visiting various cities: Florence, Siena, Lucca, Pisa, Cinque Terra, etc. B&B is hard to find the first time, be sure to follow directions closely. The "Orange Room" is huge with a sitting area, large balcony, and oversized bathroom. We asked for a private bath, which meant the "Yellow Room" would not be rented during our stay. The owner, Sylvie, allowed us to store our luggage in the "Yellow Room." We had the entire floor to ourselves. Sylvie went out of her way to accommodate us. She provided numerous maps, directions, and restaurant recommendations. Her breakfasts were the best we had at European B&B's and included local meats, cheeses, danishes, and breads, as well as fresh coffee and juices. She allowed us to prepare sandwiches to take with us for lunch on the road. For 66 Euro a night, you cannot beat this wonderful accommodation. You will need a car.

Sorrento

CASA ASTARITA Contact: Alfonso Ph +39 081 877 4906 www.casastarita.com

Casa Astarita is located in the heart of Sorrento. The location cannot be beat. The rooms are clean, each with private bath. The floors are tiled in the rooms and hallway. This makes it noisy in the mornings (at breakfast time) and at night when there are loud talkers. Bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper. Bread, jam, fruit, cereal, juice, and coffee are served for breakfast. Cookies, juice, and cereal are always available for snacking. Free internet access available. Owners work in store below B&B and not always available for inquiries. 85 Euro/night.

Rome

Hotel Roman and Italian B&B Contact Maddy or Marco Ph: 39 06 070451285 www.italianbandb.com

This B&B is located 2 metro stops away from Termini (Rome's train station). Not the greatest or most beautiful location in Rome, but safe enough (if you are use to a big city). We stayed in Room #3, the only room with a private bath. It was a big room, with a large bathroom, and solid furniture. This B&B had the best bed of any we experienced in Europe. "Breakfast" was limited to bread, cereal, juice and coffee, served only from 8a-10a. Free internet access available. Maddy was kind and helpful. Marco drove us to the CIA airport for a fee. The restaurant they recommended down the street, RomAntica, was a disappointment. The food was salty, the service unfriendly and incredibly slow. This was the worst meal we had in Italy. We were provided a basket of bread and charged 4 euro for 5 slices of bread. Skip RomAntica and find a restaurant where the locals eat. There is a fabulous Sicilian pizzeria and Casa del Gelato a few doors down from the B&B worth trying. The room was expensive considering the location, 135 euro/night, but the going rate for a decent B&B room in Rome with a private bath. The other rooms at this B&B share a bath and are less expensive.

London

Cherry Court Hotel Ph 011 44 20 7828 2840 bookings@cherrycourthotel.co.uk

Booked this B&B based on the recommendations on the Graffiti wall and tripadvisor. This was the most disappointing B&B of our trip. The room was small (even for London standards) and the "bathroom" was an after thought. To sit on the toilet, one has to put one's feet into the shower. What's worse is the "door" to the bathroom is a paper thin, sliding door, with glass panels. You read that right, GLASS (see-through) PANELS. Hence, no privacy when nature calls. The plumbing under the sink leaks. The room is slightly bigger than the bed. There is no room for your luggage, even if you pack light like we did, with only a 20 inch backpack. On the positive side, it's a short walk to Victoria Station, the owner was friendly, internet access is available, and only 55 pounds/night. We stayed here one night before our flight home. If we were not so exhausted at the end of our trip we would have searched for different accommodations. Suggestion: stay at a different B&B; pay a few extra pounds to get a bathroom without a see-through door.
G DLG
San Francisco, CA USA Fri 10/28/2005

Picks and Pans in England and Scotland
My husband and I just returned from a two-week trip to the UK, and had the opportunity to stay at five different B&Bs. Some were charming and memorable, others more utilitarian in nature. We traveled exclusively by train, and most of our accommodations were within reasonable walking distance of the station. The others were easily accessible by bus and/or taxi.

BATH: Our first B&B was Holly Villa in the historic town of Bath. Our third-floor room was large and clean, but not particularly charming, and the bed was a bit uncomfortable for us. But what the room lacked in appeal, our hosts more than made up for it with their witty banter and helpful sightseeing tips. Breakfast was delicious—lots of choices. And Jill went out of her way to drive my camera to the train station after I'd inadvertently left it upon our departure. We'd stay at Holly Villa again. http://www.hollyvilla.com/

LONDON: In London, we stayed in Belgravia at Lynton Hotel. Mark was the resident brother-on-duty during our weekend stay, and he was an outgoing, kind, and friendly host. We were on the fourth floor (62 stairs—ugh!). Though clean and fairly quiet, our bare bones room was quite small—we couldn't pass each other at the foot of the bed. And the one-person-only en suite bathroom was teeny-tiny and cramped, like a motor home's. A large person would have a tough time in there. My husband and I are average sized people, and it was hard to maneuver around. On the plus side, the breakfast was tasty and we were just a short walk from Victoria Station. Still, though others on the graffiti wall recommended Lynton Hotel, and it served its purpose as a place to hang our hats, I don't think we'd stay again, even at the bargain price of 70 pounds/night. http://www.lyntonbedandbreakfast.com/

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON: Salamander Guest House, right across the street from a lovely little park, is a winner. After our London experience, we were thrilled to have a large, warmly-decorated ground floor room with a nice en suite bathroom. Our sociable and outgoing host Pascal was more than happy to help us plan our afternoon in town. We appreciated all his tips since we only had a few short hours in Stratford. In the morning, breakfast was served in the Delins' charming dining room. http://www.salamanderguesthouse.co.uk/

YORK: Arnot House is deserving of two thumbs up. Located in a quiet neighborhood about 10 minutes' walk from town, this house is Victorian inside and out. If you don't like fussy décor, you may not care for Arnot House, but the Victorian bric-a-brac and furnishings suit the place perfectly. Our room, though on the topmost floor of the three-story home, was large and comfortable, with a cozy four-poster bed. The en suite bathroom was enormous, offering both shower AND elegant tub. Kim Robbins and her mom, Ann, provided lots of extras, like shampoo, lotion, and bubble bath. We even had washcloths! Each morning, Kim serves a bountiful breakfast in her richly-appointed dining room. In addition to the traditional full English breakfast, she bakes a specialty sweet bread or muffin each morning. She also offers a choice of juices and fruits, including a lovely compote of mixed berries. And her sautéed mushrooms make a fabulous accompaniment to the eggs cooked to order. We just loved it here, and highly recommend Arnot House. http://www.arnothouseyork.co.uk/

LAKE DISTRICT: We stayed at 2 Cambridge Villas in Ambleside. It's not in Rick Steve's book because he focuses on Keswick, but Ambleside is a delightful little town with nearby hiking trails, quaint shops, and a killer bakery, and it's only a half mile from Lake Windermere. The B&B was very conveniently located. A trail head led us to a lovely little waterfall, and a short walk took us to the lake. As a B&B, 2 Cambridge Villas is clean and comfortable. Our room and bath were both good sized. Décor leaned toward the contemporary. They especially cater to mountain bikers, with bike storage available. Our hostess, Bridgid, was helpful and warm and kindly offered to hold our luggage after we checked out so we could explore the town before catching the bus to the train station. We'd likely stay again. http://www.2cambridgevillas.co.uk/

EDINBURGH: Our last few nights were spent at the highly acclaimed Colquhoun House, which is truly deserving of two thumbs up! The rooms in this stately home, with their 12-foot vaulted ceilings, feel positively palatial. Grace McAinsh, our delightful hostess, enjoyed visiting with us as much as we did with her. Because the family lives upstairs, most of the guest rooms are on the ground floor, a plus for the stair-weary (though the dining room is on the second level). Our room was quite large and well-appointed, with a nice-sized shower-only en suite bathroom. Breakfast was a cheery affair. In addition to the usual full Scottish breakfast, Grace offered porridge (oatmeal), which was a nice change from the cold cereals we'd had at all our previous B&Bs. The downside to booking here? No website. But rest assured that it's a lovely, well cared for and tastefully furnished home. We loved it at Colquhoun House and would return in a heartbeat! grace@colquhounhouse.freeserve.co.uk
Kim Kautzer
Alta Loma, CA USA Fri 10/28/2005

B&B Smart in Rome
We stayed at B&B Smart for 3 nights in October . Room was clean , large and nice , bed was comfortable , and at good price , we did enjoyed to stay this B&B ! The place is also near the Termini train station & supermarket . Anyway, we will stay here when we go to Rome again.www.bandbromeitaly.com
Mattias Steven
New York, USA Thu 10/27/2005

B&B in Sarlat France
We found a wonderful place to stay right on the square in Sarlat France. It's called les Chambres du Glacier. They only have 2 rooms but they are huge, the bathroom fixtures were all new and the owners were extremly nice. They own a little cafe below the rooms. And it was only 55.00 usd per night. The phone is 0553299999.
Dawn
Bellingham, Washinton USA Thu 10/27/2005

Amazing B&B in Rothenburg, Germany
Karin Weiss's B&B was one of my favorite accomodations during a 2-month trip around Europe. Located in a beautiful residential area, it is only a five minute walk to the city centre. The 22 euros/night rate includes being picked up and dropped off at the train station, a spotless room including a fridge full of beer and water, and an enormous German-style breakfast served to you each morning. Karin goes so out of her way to make you feel right at home, it would be a shame if people missed this place while in Rothenburg. Check out her web site for more info: www.haus-karin.de.
Russ Treloar
Victoria, BC Canada Thu 10/27/2005

wonderful agriturismo in the Veneto area
I tried to put this in the agriturismo site but had it removed, I suppose because it is not in Tuscany or Umbria. If you are looking for a wonderful place to stay, convenient to Padua, Verona and Viscenza, you can't do better than Il grande portico. (ilgrandeportico@libero.it) The family has converted their 100 year old dairy barn into a wonderfully charming and comfortable B&B with big rooms and modern bathrooms. The breakfast with homemade cakes, marmalade, cheese and salami was delicious. Only the college-aged son spoke any English and his was limited, but through gestures, pictures, maps and a mix of Italian, French and English words, Alessandro and his wonderful father told us about their farm and directed us to some of the sites of interest in their area. Our stay was well worth the 60E they charged.
joanne
Cortland, NY USA Tue 10/25/2005

To Molly, St. Peters, MO
I was glad to read your review about Irish B & Bs. Just wondering what it was that you found unfriendly at Carrabaun in Westport? I stayed there in October 2002 and found it convenient; Mrs. Gavin (our hostess, Angela Gavin), seemed pleasant enough but that was 3 years ago, so maybe things have changed. Anyway, I hope the rest of your trip was great!
Julie
Gaithersburg, Maryland USA Tue 10/25/2005

Dormouse House
I am French and often have to travel from Nantes, where I live, to Paris for business where I freelance as a translator. By far the best place I have found to stay after many trips is Dormouse House where I know I will sleep well and eat well so that I will be able to concentrate the next day on the job in Paris. The other thing I can count on is the owner, Lisa, doing everything possible to make sure I am happy. She has a great ability to balance between offering help and being unobtrusive so I can work late if I want to without interruption (but bringing me coffee until the late hours if necessary!) This is a good place for either families or 'working holidays' in the Paris area and the price is really 'bon rapport/qualite prix' (good value!!) Michel
Michel Leseach
Nantes, France Tue 10/25/2005

Conwy
Our favorite B&B in 4 weeks in England and Wales was the Castle View in Conwy. The lovely generous hosts were super welcoming, plus they served a great breakfast. Our room looked out over their garden. Recommended.
Joan Greenland
Vancouver, WA USA Mon 10/24/2005

England,Scotland,and Wales B,Bs
We just returned from a great time in England,Scotland,Wales.We loved the following B,Bs-Ardconnel House in Inverness and Bryn B,B in Conwy,North Wales-both are in Ricks Great Britain.
Jan Moore
Ocala, Florida USA Mon 10/24/2005

Egi Rooms in Vernazza
We throughly enjoyed our 4 night stay in a beautifully decorated and immaculate room in Vernazza. Friendly Egi met us at the railway station and brought us to our room, located a stone's throw from the waterfront. Vernazza is a lovely relaxing town and was an excellent choice for a "homebase". Egi recommended several great restaurants and was available to help us with any concerns. I'm still amazed that I was able to make all arrangements via e-mail and that everything played out as expected. I can't wait to go back!!!
Patty Zimmerman
Chico, California USA Sun 10/23/2005

Agritourismo
We stayed at a wonderful agritourismo in the Veneto area. It was run by a family on there farm and they were the most gracious hosts that I experienced in Italy. We arrived late and the local restaurant was closed, so they provided a nice meal and didn't charge us. The rooms were really clean and had great showers. The family was very friendly but spoke little English, this made it more fun, through hand signs and limited Italian we made do. The name of place is Il Grande Portico. It was ideally located to explore the Veneto area.
Gary Blagg
Sutter Creek, Ca USA Sun 10/23/2005

Great B&B in ROME
Max and Lavinia were very friendly and helpful to us during our stay. The property is located quite close to the Vatican and within a bus/train trip to go everywhere in Rome. There are some good local eateries close by. We found the location very convenient. Also, because the number of guests is limited, it has a very homelike atmosphere. Everything is clean and the presentation is excellent. I would thoroughly recommend this property to anyone visiting Rome. www.romabandb.it
Hutton P.
Sydney, Australia Sun 10/23/2005

Novecento B & B Florence Italy
I can't say enough good things about the Novecento in Florence Italy, run by enthusiastic Franco and organized Sawako...a delightful pair. They made reservations for us at the very popular Uffizi, and Acadamia, carried our luggage up their stairs, recommended very good restaurants...definately wonderful Ambassadors of Florence. The rooms were cheerily decorated, and the colorful tiled bathrooms were a delight! And everything was so clean. Then we walked up the steps to the cozy rooftop terrace and were blown away by the very close view of the Duomo. Wow, what a way to arrive in Florence...Novecento was the Best! Thanks to friendly Franco and that lovely Sawako...our trip was priceless.
Alice Dammen
Rushford, Mn. USA Sat 10/22/2005

Best Bed and Breakfast in Dingle, Ireland!!!
The Emlagh Lodge-- a small B& B in Dingle Bay--this was the best, most wonderfully accomodating B&B I have ever been to. Maggie, the propreitor, is a charming woman who managed to handle my somewhat "crazy" kids, both 6 and 3, almost effortlessly. The breakfasts were incredible and the view of the bay from our room was wonderful--definitely 4 ****!!!
Tracy Herrera
Stuttgart, Germany USA Thu 10/20/2005

Guesthouse in Prague
On a recent trip to Prague, we stayed in the Lida Guest House. Jan, and brother Jiri, were fabulous. For an extra fee, they will pick you up at the airport (and after travelling 14 hours with a toddler, that was a lifesaver!). When we arrived, Jan offered us coffee/tea and then sat with us to give us the lay of the land in Prague. He has a small amount of currency to exchange for his guests (so we didn't have to run out and find a currency exchange/amer. express), and was great in offering suggestions for places to shop, eat, visit. All the places we stayed around Europe were great but Lida Guesthouse was like going home.
Heidi Hall
Prague, Czech Repub. Thu 10/20/2005

UK B&Bs
York: Abbeyvilles was as described in Rick's book. But a bit sterile. Richard always seemed rushed, but very friendly. Never met Gwen. Third night not available, so stayed at St. Raphael's, 44 Queen Annes Rd, 44 1 904 645 028 (Set up by York TI). Outstanding across the board (I've asked Rick to check them out). Edinbraugh: Three nights at Ardenair. Excellent. Rustin, North Wales: Highlight of our trip. Try hard for Gorphwysfa (One en suite room). Margaret was the B&B host you dream about. Whatever she recommends, do it. Don't bother with the Rustin Castle feast (She doesn't mention it, and too expensive for what you get). We'd stay with her anytime.
Don Karpen
Talent, OR USA Wed 10/19/2005

UK B&Bs
Just wanted to plug a few B&B's that were sooo great in the UK. Ariel House in Dublin -a little way out of the city, but the DART is less than a block away and takes you right there. In York,23 StMary's was wonderful and so gorgeous.Edinburgh,Scotland-The Ben Doran;great room, great breakfst, again, a little away from the main stuff, but the busses are amazing-come by every 15 minutes and run until the wee hours. The Winchester in London was highly recommendedby more than one source;it was only so so. They had "upgraded us to a suite"(yay!) that had no shower,bath only (boo!), so they crammed us in their smallest room, small black&white tv with no remote (I know, who cares about tv while in London, but some nights it is nice to just cuddle up and watch tv and rest). Also, very noisy. It is close to Victoria Station, which was nice, but for $170/night, I expected a little more. Not a B&B, but to warn evryone;do NOT stay in the Travellodge in Londonderry,N.Ireland-a complete pit that ripped us on a parking scam. Ugh!
Jamie Clark
Albuquerque, NM USA Wed 10/19/2005

Heroic B&B Friendliness
Wonderful Country House B&B in Assisi, Italy The "Il Roseto" in the farmland below the hill town of Assisi in Umbria, Italy provided the best view, grounds, food, fun, and friendship we had in Italy (and the only combined toilet and bidet I've seen). Massimo the owner, his family and staff were magnificent hosts. Massimo - arranged cars for us and activities with his knowledge of languages and of the area when the Tourist Information, other local travel agencies, and guidebooks didn't or wouldn't help. Our mastery of Italian was non-existent compared to Massimo's mastery of English. Massimo was the master of ceremony, facilitator, instigator of the lively multi-language conversation/entertainment between guests at dinner. His wife Rose prepared the wonderful five course Umbrian dinners as well as a delightful breakfast spread each day we were there. The Il Roseto was reasonably priced and in a great location for visiting Assisi, Spello, Perugia and other Umbrian hill towns with or without a car (close to trains and bus routes). We highly recommend it.
Rich & Janice Bayless/Newton
Portland , Oregon USA Tue 10/18/2005

hi guys! we read about Dormouse House on the grafitti board and are now staying here...it's really really nice! We can't believe how much effort Lisa, the owner, puts into taking care of her guests, plus after some bad experiences at other b&bs we are SO happy to be somewhere that understands what a GOOD b&b should be about! The place is so beautiful and tranquil and we have the use of almost the whole house (which is very big) plus the garden; you couldn't get this in the center of Paris at any price, let alone for what we are paying. It is really a luxurious place with HUGE towels (warm!mm!!) and robes and soft sheets and art and antiques...well, we could go on, but the real reason to come here is for the friendly welcome. It is really easy to get into Paris by train but there are a lot of other things to see around here, too. (Hey, this area was good enough for Louis XIV, Empress Eugenie, and the Impressionists, all of whom could have chosen to stay in Paris!)
Anne and Helen
Eugene, OR USA Mon 10/17/2005

Favorite Brugge B&B
It came to my attention that I had not given an email address for the B&B we adored in Brugge.. it is: Gheeraert.brugge@skynet.be .. it had the best hosts, breakfasts, locations.. and sooo close to the chocolate museum!
Ellen M Johnston
Rockville, MD USA Sun 10/16/2005

Limetree hotel london
This place is great! Good location, good staff and very comfortable accommodations, not easily found in London. Would highly recommend and definitley hope to return.
USA Sun 10/16/2005

B&Bs in Italy
Friendly, English speaking B&Bs in Italy where I have stayed reacently: In Venice--Ca' Del Dose, in Rick's Italy book. www.cadeldose.com. In Palermo--Giorgio's House (www.giorgioshouse.com) Giorgio is very helpful, takes guests on little walking tours of Palermo, meets them at the train station when they arrive. Inexpensive.
Swan
USA Sun 10/16/2005

Bed and Breakfast Estoril, Lisbon
Highly recommend Pica Pau bed and breakfast in Estoril, near Lisbon. The people are very friendly and Susan, our host, suggested a wonderful public bus trip to Sintra. They serve great chicken there - be careful with the piri piri sauce.
Barb
Vancouver, BC Canada Sat 10/15/2005

Le Mas Normand
We knew the value was great, the place was beautiful when we arrived, the hosts extraordinary at dinner - but we couldn't have known how lucky we were to have picked this B&B in Ver Sur Mer.

Just three days into our first trip to France my husband came down with a 105 degree fever in the middle of the night. Mylene and Christian helped us negotiate our adventure through the French medical and hospital system with care and attention that only family provides.

These people truly want your stay to be magical, that was evident from the moment we arrived. But they also ensure that you are cared for. Even with the drama, we left there feeling calm and at peace; a combination of the setting and the hosts. Minutes from everything Normandy has to offer, this place has it all - great rooms, fabulous food, and owners who know the true meaning of the word hospitality.

The Bayeux emergency room and hospital - while I don't exactly recommend it - gets two thumbs up for quality of care, English speaking (can you say lumbar puncture in French?), and patience with frantic Americans.

www.lemasnormand.com
Lisa Voudy
Napa, CA USA Sat 10/15/2005

B&B Awards in Ireland
Just returned from a fabulous 3 week trip to Ireland, England, Italy, France and Spain. Ireland was the most beautiful country with the friendliest people and the best B&Bs. Wanted to recommend The Blue Door in Wexford with its' young new proprietor, Derrick. We gave Derrick the Best Proprietor Award as he was so helpful, made us feel right at home after we arrived sleep deprived and weary from flying all night and a horendous 8 hour drive from Dublin. He parked our car, directed us to city sites and prepared a delicious Irish breakfast for us. He gave us undivided attention and sat with us for coffee and chat before we were on our way to Kinsale. ( and he let me use his personal computer for email!) We voted The Blue Door..the best B&B for those reasons. We also enjoyed the Waterside House in Kinsale with our hosts, Phillis and PJ Crowe. We voted this, the most comfortable and inviting rooms..with a beautiful view of the bay and a very nice Irish breakfast. We however, did not like the Mainstay in Dingle as the room was not very clean and the mattresses were old saggy and uncomfortable,and the room small and uninviting with very poor lighting in the bath. The Mainstay has a great breakfast, but the atmosphere is that of a guest house, as it has numerous hotel-type rooms, rather than a friendly, quaint B&B. There was a sparesly furnished cold sitting room but the proprietors did not seem to have time to spend talking with their guests. We would not stay there again with so many other smaller B&Bs in the area to choose from.
Jackie and Annette
NC USA Fri 10/14/2005

Vernazza and Giulianno Brasso
Oh Vernazza! Oh Giulianno! I am returning as soon as possible not only because Vernazza is stunning, but because Giulianno is quirky, wonderful and is such an authentic human being.

His rooms are beautiful, located on a hill overlooking the town, the railroad station and the sea in the distance, with a deck above Giulianno's amazing gardens. My daughter and I spent 75 Euros for two bedrooms and a private bath, and these are lovely rooms that Giulianno designed and built.

Giulianno brought us a bottle of wine, talked with us about his life, joined us for breakfast one morning. He is funny, passionate and quirky. I know that everyone that stayed with Giulianno adored him.

The only aspect of Vernazza that was a bit disconcerting were the number of tourists that got off of the train en masse, walked to the sea, took photos and turned around for the train station. Of course I am a tourist, so who am I to complain. I wondered what the elders sitting in their windows thought of all of us.

So, I am returning to Vernazza. It is totally relaxing if you allow yourself to just sit and relish the beauty.

Thank you Giulianno for your warmth and hospitality.
Susan Marschalk
St. Paul, Minnesota USA Thu 10/13/2005

Great Ireland B & B
Killarney Ireland Lake Lodge B&B Squeaky clean, wonderful shower, 'fat' towels, over-the-top breakfasts with real linen napkins and tablecloth. Fine family. Good value for money.
DLK
Oxford, MS USA Wed 10/12/2005

Dormouse House
A word about a very special place with a special name--Dormouse House--just outside Paris. When you are in this beautiful village you feel 300 miles from Paris, but the truth is you're just minutes away by train. The 12th century church in the center of town is one reason. The hills and dales and the river running through it are others. Dormouse House is lovely place with incredible gardens from which the owner prepares the most delicious home-cooked meals. The bedrooms are all comfortable, clean, and serene, in contrast to many more costly ones in Paris. To experience both rural and urban France in one holiday, I can't think of a better place to stay than Dormouse House and I've been visiting France for 48 years, ever since I went to school in Paris in the late 1950s. Finally, the hostess of the House is Lisa Quinn, whom guests will come to regard as a friend, even after a short stay. Her goal is to offer visitors a restorative holiday and a respite from the kinetic pace of Paris, and she delivers. A top rating seems inadequate.
Robert Fuller
Berkeley, CA USA Mon 10/10/2005

Radnor Guest House-Bath
This B & B isn't listed in Rick's book, but it should be! Great location less than 10 min level walk from train station and center of town (baths, abbey, etc.)--Just across the N. Parade bridge. Very friendly hosts & great breakfast. Room was en-suite and nicely decorated. Very reasonable prices. Radnor Guest House 44 01225 316159. They also have a web site.
Marcia
Spokane, WA USA Mon 10/10/2005

Le Mas Normand
We just returned from 3 nights at La Mas Normande in Ver sur Mer. I can't think of a better spot for exploring the Normandy countryside. 20 minutes to Bayeux, a 5 minute stroll to Gold beach, and a world away from the ordinary. The rooms were beautifully decorated and the beds were very comfortable. The grounds are lovely, with tables and chairs set around the courtyard and a grassy area leading to the duck and chicken coop. Mylene and Christian were very helpful and are happy to help you plan your day out. But all of that pales beside the reason we'll be returning – Christian's cooking. For a grand total of $30 Euros each for dinner, we had one of the best meals I've ever eaten. I highly recommend this B&B.

http://www.lemasnormand.com/
Yvette S.
Pinole, CA USA Mon 10/10/2005

B&B near Siena
The Post Regie B&B near Siena, which was listed in Rick's Italy guidebook, was charming and had very friendly service. It is a good option if you are looking for a back door experience in the Tuscan countryside. It did not seem very busy and we were the only guests the first night. Our room had a great view.
Bill W.
Minneapolis, MN USA Sat 10/08/2005

A special place in the Academia area of Venice
To stay at Palazzo Guardi or at Cà Centopietre, both dating back to the 15th century, is to experience hospitality in an authentic Venetian home. These two residential palaces have been lovingly restored and offer comfortable accommodations in rooms decorated in traditional Venetian style. The owners of these inns work in collaboration and offer accommodations in one or the other house, based on availability. My husband and I stayed in Cà Centopietre, tucked away in a quiet little back street in the Dorsoduro area. Breakfast is served in a beautiful room with painted wooden ceiling and original floors (just like the floors of the Doges Palace!). Lucio, Andrea, and Carlo, the owner/managers were warm hosts and made sure we didn't miss some of the lesser known places in the Academia area, like the shipyards where the gondolas are still made and repaired, or the decades-old cicheteria were locals have enjoyed a glass a wine with traditional Venetian cicheti for generations. All in all, the owners of both Palazzo Guardi and Cà Centopietre made our stay very special. We felt at home in a delightful neighborhood and if we are lucky, we'll get to stay here again.
Mr. & Mrs. M.G. Simpson
Perugia, Italy Sat 10/08/2005

Zimmer Leimer in Bad Goisern
For those traveling in & around Hallstat or Bad Ischl you might find Zimmer Leimer both convenient and very good value. It's right off the main road from Bad Goisern to Bad Ischl and the zimmer's lady of the house is a delight. Phone (in Austria) is 43-61-35-80-15. We came by car but it looks from her guest book like she's a real popular stop for motorcyclists and bicyclists. Good food, beautifully maintained house, and very affordable!
Rich Molitor
Bothell, WA USA Fri 10/07/2005

Staying in Italy
Have four great places to stay if you go to Italy 1. Roman and Italian B&B was awesome with friendly hosts, great breakfasts and super location. Highly recommend. 2. Il Porcellino in Florence has a great location with a wonderfully helpful hostess. 3. C'a Moroni in Venice was run by Rita, the most gracious of ladies who had great breakfasts and the best coffee in Italy. A wonderful location. 4. Hotel Ideale in Assisi had the best views of any place we've ever stayed with the best breakfasts and a helpful family staff.
Bob and Donna Johnson
Hendersonville, NC USA Fri 10/07/2005

Bologna B&B
Ca'Fosca Due Torre is a lovely B&B in the heart of Bologna. The B&B is right next to the Two Towers and Piazza Mercanzia and steps from the most glorious gourmet food shops in all of Italy. The B&B is on the top floor of an historical palazzo. The windows are sound-proofed, which is necessary for this bustling university town. A rooftop patio and antique fittings complete the charm. Hospitality is overflowing from owner Patrizia, who regales you with interesting historical information about the city of Bologna and its place in Italy's history. And she does her best to ensure that your stay in Bologna is fulfilling by offering helpful sightseeing tips and restaurant suggestions. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!
G.Abbey
Boston, MA USA Thu 10/06/2005

Italy B&B Experiences
I just returned from a memorable two week trip through Italy with my girlfriend. A few B&B spots on our journey made it all the more enjoyable.

(1) Il Bargello B&B - Ideal location near the Bargello. Very affordable at just 99 EURO/night with cash. Gabriella was a great host and went above and beyond to ensure a great stay. She managed to secure us an Accademia reservation a day in advance. I wish we could have stayed longer. This place should be in the guidebook.

(2) Albergo Pasquale - Monterosso - By title, this is a hotel, but I felt it to be more of a B&B. The breakfasts were a great way to start the day ahead of our C-T area hiking. The family recommended and was able to secure us a 20% discount at a local wine shop. Nice, clean accomidations with a view for 125 EURO/night. This spot is in the book.

(3) Hotel Modigliani - Service here was excellent. Paolo (sp?) who was the daytime manager while we were there and provided us with several suggestions and material for a pleasant stay.

Overall, I was very impressed by the hospitality and abilities of the places we stay to provide us as authentic a stay in each city as possible. We didn't fall into any tourist trap with any of these spots.
Deven R.
Wenham, MA USA Wed 10/05/2005

Fabulous b&b near Paris!
I am currently staying at the Dormouse House B&B just outside Paris and cannot recommend it highly enough!It is run by a former San Franciscan, Lisa, who had the house built from scratch (gorgeous all-wood with terraces, rose garden, organic veg garden) 3 years ago and has 2 private suites available with baths. The rooms are lovely with views, GREAT beds and SHOWERS, and the house is filled with art and antiques from her world travels. It is a tranquil oasis only 10-20 odd minutes direct train from Paris. It is absolute luxury with jacuzzi, fireplace, heated towel bars, etc BUT the REAL reason to stay there is the heroic attention of Lisa who completely devotes herself to her guests! Her motto is 'kindness counts' (I think that says it all) which, coupled with a great location (not only Paris but Versailles, Giverny, etc) makes this place a real find. She has sites at ibbp.com (click on Dormouse House, Paris area), innsite.com, lanierbb.com, and lots of comments also on tripadvisor.com. (PS: you get free use of a high speed computer, free calls within France, use of fax, etc.) Highly recommended!!
Mary Crutchfield
berkeley, CA USA Wed 10/05/2005

Ireland - Great B&B's
Returned last week from 2 wonderful weeks in Ireland. I can recommend all of these B&B's highly - they each have very friendly and helpful hosts, clean and comfortable accommodations, and are well-located: The Mainstay Guesthouse in Dingle (my favorite!); The Chart House B&B in Kinsale; and Butler Court in Kilkenny. The Mainstay and Chart House both had outstanding breakfasts (Butler Court had a nice self-catered continental breakfast). Happy Travels!
Katherine Burks
Seattle, WA USA Tue 10/04/2005

UK & France B&B's
We just returned from two wonderful weeks in the UK and France.

Our first stop was Bath, England where we stayed at The Henry B&B, located about 1-2 blocks from the bus station. Sue And Derek, our hosts, recommended sightseeing tips on our arrival to assure that our first day was a smooth transition to UK time. We enjoyed the delicious English breakfasts each morning and the conversation with fellow traveler's from around the globe. Sue checked in with each of us daily to determine if we had any questions and offerred sightseeing recommendations. We would definitely recommend The Henry and Bath to UK traveler's.

Our second B&B was located in Bayeux, France at the Chateau de Lignerolles. We stayed for two nights and also enjoyed the private five hour D-Day tour provided by Roel (Victory Tours). It was truly one of the highlights of our trip. Pia's delicous breakfast was a multi course meal which fortified us for the day's events. Both Pia and Roel helped with sightseeing suggestions, coordinated dinnner reservations and loaned us their detailed map for the day. I hope to see the Chateau de Lignerolles featured in Rick Steeves France'06 edition.

Le Logis du Jerzual, located in Dinan, France was the last B&B that we stayed in. It was located on a narrow cobblestone street right out of the medieval era. Sylvie, our hostess, was a delight and also recommended restaurants within walking distance. We only spent one night there but would definitely return for another look.

Each B&B made us feel very comfortable, we will definitely revisit these B&B's as well as new ones in the future.
Joane & Tom
Oak Hill, VA USA Mon 10/03/2005

Salzburg B&B
Salzburg is a great place to visit for more than a day or two - lots to do, see & hear. Four of us (two couples) stayed in a terrific B&B (Brigitte's: bedandbreakfast4u@yahoo.de), just a 15-20 minute walk to the Old City (quicker by bus). We had a suite with two bedrooms, bath, kitchen and large living area - all newly completed and very reasonable. Brigitte couldn't have been more helpful in planning our days, getting tickets, transportation, etc. One problem we've had with in-town accomodations is noise; not a problem at Brigitte's. Highly recommended.
Ken & Pat
Niantic, CT USA Mon 10/03/2005

Roman and Italian B&B in Rome
We have just returned from the most amazing vacation in Rome. A big factor in making this vacation so special was the hospitality, warmth and friendliness of the staff at the Roman and Italian Bed and Breakfast. Marco and Maddy need to be commended on their level of customer service, which is so hard to find sometimes. They made us feel right at home. Their recommendations for restaurants were great, especially RomeAntica. Their place is clean, roomy by European standards and their staff was super friendly. Free Internet access, a stones-throw away from the metro stop and a really good gelateria. Yes the Coliseum is only 12 minutes away. You really need to consider their B&B for your next stay in Rome.
Monica Brockmann
Zionsville, IN USA Sun 10/02/2005

Lime Tree Hotel was amazing!
I want to second a post down below and tell you guys that THE BEST B&B I've ever stayed at in my life, anywhere around the world, was the Lime Tree Hotel in Belgravia, London. Excellent location, the staff were phenomenal. They would talk to us as if they'd known us forever, and recommended wonderful places to eat and great things to do every day. They let us use the internet all the time and showed us how to operate it. The breakfast was very good and is included in the price. The girls that all work there are so sweet. Every single one of them! No place has ever been so hospitable. Every room is different as well. It feels like you're living in someone's home! Plus, it is located on a quiet street. The backyard area has a beautiful garden and bistro table that people would sit at with a glass of wine or coffee and just relax each evening. It was an amazing hotel with a wonderful experience of London tied in. Thanks for the recommendation Rick! www.limetreehotel.co.uk
Megan
USA Sun 10/02/2005

A Wonderful Brugge B&B
We want to add another great B&B to the Brugge list.. Paul and Roos Geeraert.. very comfortable room with bathroom en suite.. best breakfast with fresh meats, cheeses and fruits.. very short walk to the Market Square and the Chocolate Museum.. and so very helpful with maps and recommendations for everything.. we highly suggest you stop there..
Ellen and Mike Johnston
Rockville, Maryland USA Sat 10/01/2005

Haus Reichl
Frau Reichl runs an efficient, immaculately clean B&B on the south edge of Salzburg. She is very friendly and hospitable. We have stayed there over 15 times in the last 20 years!
Wayne Carpenter
Adrian, MI USA Fri 09/30/2005

Belle's B&B, Brugge, Belgium
We recently stayed at Belle's B&B in Brugge, Belgium. It was a delightful place, quaint and tastefully decorated. Belle serves a very nice breakfast in a warm atmosphere. The B&B is about a ten minute walk from the Market Square. On our last morning in Brugge we had to leave at 6:30 A. M. to catch a train to the airport in Paris. Belle ordered a cab for us the day before and also got up at 5:45 to be sure we were awake and then she served us a great breakfast before we left.
Bernie and Joyce Delorey
Wakefield, , MA USA Fri 09/30/2005

Palermo B&B
I'm staying at Giorgio's B&B. www.giorgioshouse.com. Giorgio is friendly and gracious, speaks fluent English, and meets his guests at the train station to escort them to his place. It is plain and basic, very clean and inexpensive. I am paying 25 Eu per night for a single, doubles go for about twice that. Bathrooms are shared. The B&B is walking distance to the Norman castle and the Cathedral.
Swan
USA Fri 09/30/2005

Baert B&B in Brugge!
We just spent three nights at the Baert B&B in Brugge, and recommend it very highly! Huub is friendly and extremely helpful, yet gives you your privacy. He leaves a bountiful breakfast outside your door at the hour of your choosing, and you can eat it in your room or on your private patio by the canal. Another thing we liked: He leaves the room to you. He simply provides clean towels (or anything else you may need, and leaves the room to you. Ask for the Yellow Room, as it has an en suite shower (although the couple staying in the other room were very happy with there full bathroom across the hall). Another thing: You can rent their two bikes for half the price you will see elsewhere and ride all the way home!

We loved it.
Rick & Cynthia Davies
Annandale, VA USA Fri 09/30/2005

Il Poggiolo
My husband and I stayed at Il Poggiolo which is located just outside of Florence. Graziella has two rooms available for guests, both are great. I stumbled upon Graziella's home while reading comments on this website, somebody had suggested that if you wanted an "under the tuscan sun" experience, and they were right! If you don't have a car you have to take a bus from the city centre to Graziella's (which we did), but the bus ride is short and easy, and part of the fun. During the day we saw the sights of Florence, but by the end we were so happy to get back to the peaceful and beautiful Tuscan countryside with its fresh air, clear night skies, and beautiful landscape. Graziella was fantastic, so kind and helpful. She made reservations for us at the museums and local restaurants (which had some of the best food we had tasted!!) The view from her place is absolutely amazing. We hope to go back to Florence one day and would definitely stay with Graziella again!
Julie
Burlington, Ontario Canada Thu 09/29/2005

Edinburgh
Warm and lively Scottish hospitality! Owned by Max and Annette Preston, the Hotel Ceildh-Donia was one of the highlights of our trip. Our comfortable room was spacious and nicely decorated. The private bathroom was top notch. And the breakfast was delicious. Especially memorable, was the on site pub where Max and other friendly locals welcomed us like old friends. www.hotelceilidh-donia.co.uk
Kirsten
Edmond, OK USA Tue 09/27/2005

Tuscany B&B with kids
Hi, I've been reading everyone's posts and wondered if anyone stayed in a B&B in the Tuscany area (within driving distance of Florence, Pisa and Siena)that would be fun for kids 11 and 13? Thanks for your help.
EJ Saab
Hopedale, , MA USA Mon 09/26/2005

B&B in Menerbes, Provence
We just returned from three weeks in France, and one of the best places we stayed was at Les Peirelles just out of Menerbes (2 KM). (www.les-peirelles.com) The rooms were really nice, and quite reasonable. There is a large kitchen which guests are welcome to use to prepare lunch and dinner. Breakfasts are included, and are great. There is a washer & a dryer that guests may use (They even provide detergent!) There is a large swimming pool, where you can swim or have your breakfast. Best of all, Muriel will help you with reservations, answer questions about local sites (in French, English, or German), or provide you with the local gossip. (Her husband is the mason described in A Year In Provence as "Half-man, half fork-lift truck)." All in all, one of the best B&B experiences we had on this, or any trip. We're already making plans to go back.
Gerald Cosby
Portland, OR USA Mon 09/26/2005

B&B in Florence
It is with great pleasure I report our stay at the lovely B&B "Il Poggiolo" in Florence. This was my second stay here and I have to say the care in which Graziella (the proprietor) treated us was fabulous. We stayed in the smaller of the two apartments as it has a view from the bedroom overlooking the city of Florence. Our room was always clean and inviting. The setting at her home is one of country living in the olive orchard and vineyard covered Tuscan mountains. We ate at several of the restaurants on the mountain and found them to be exquisite. Our first stay here was without a car but access to and from town was easily accessed by bus starting right at the base of her driveway. All connections were smooth and easy and put us right into the heart of the historical city. Our second stay was with a rental car and this gave us even more access to the surrounding cities such as Sienna and San Gimignano. Every morning Graziella would provide us with breakfast, which included fresh coffee, breads, cereals and her homemade marmalades that were delectable. All in all I must say if you want accommodations outside of the city confusion and would rather enjoy a beautiful setting in the countryside a short distance away, "Il Poggiolo" is the place to be. Let here know Fillipo from America said so.
Philip Guelfi
Santa Rosa, CA, CA USA Sun 09/25/2005

Residence Versailles, Beynac, France
My fiancee and I just spent the most amazing week in Dordogne with Francoise and Jean-Claude Fleury, who own the small and charming Residence Versailles in Beynac. What a treasure! They overwhelmed us with hospitality, treating us like longtime family. Our immaculate bedroom overlooked the Dordogne valley with 2 beautiful chateaus in the distance. Every morning Francoise (a chef in her prior life) handmade a wonderful breakfast. For 55E/night, we felt as if we stole the deal of the century. They were superb hosts, and we are already planning a return trip next year to see them.
Chuck H
Charleston, SC USA Fri 09/23/2005

Hotel Gerberhaus in Rothenburg
I have to recommend the Hotel Gerberhaus in Rothenburg (recommended by Rick Steves). I got a horrible bout of the flu while there and was supposed to check out after one night but was unable to. The hotel was able to accomodate (thanks to a Rick Steves travel group that was also there -- someone gave up there room for me -- a million thanks!) me and let me recooperate. The hotel staff was amazing helpful, and our room as just beautiful. I am eternally grateful to them.
Kristen O.
Oakland, CA USA Thu 09/22/2005

Nineveh Farm in Cotswolds
We stayed at Nineveh Farm in Mickleton, near Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds. It was wonderful! The hosts had prepared guides for drives, walks, or bike rides around the area, and the room was full of little touches that made the B&B very cozy. They have bikes for your use, and serve a great breakfast. Plus it's literally like 5 minutes from Chipping Campden, so dinners are quite easy! http://www.ninevehfarm.co.uk/
Nicole Partridge
Issaquah, WA USA Wed 09/21/2005

B & B in Burgundy, France
We followed Rick's advice in the 2004 France guidebook and stayed at he Chateau de Melin in Auxey-Duresses in Burgundy. We had a delightful stay and were trated marvelously by the owners. The chateau is very nice. We had a two room suite w\bathroom that was very charming and had a ton of character. Perfect for a family of 4. Great base for day trips in Burgundy. It's about 10 min from Beaune. We highly recommend it! They have a web site: www.chateaudemelin.com
Dan
Ca USA Wed 09/21/2005

Italy B&B Recommendations
I highly recommend the following B&Bs from Italy:

Il Perlo in Bellagio - the rooms are beautiful and large, the views priceless, the breakfast average, but huge.

Camere Guiliano in Vernazza - Guiliano has recently remodeled these rooms overlooking town. They are beautiful and the deck with the view was priceless. Guiliano is a kick and will even carry your bag up the stairs.

Siena - Poste Regie. Beatrice runs a wonderful facility filled with antiques and a terrace overlooking the vineyards.

Montepulciano - Locanda Rosati. Gorgeous interior, beautiful pool, views...you must spend the E30 on the farmhouse dinner...delicous!!
Jen
Snohomish, WA USA Tue 09/20/2005

Cinque Terre
We just got back from a visit to Italy. I would recommend staying at L'Antico Borgo, a wonderful place!! A fantastic view and fantastic hospitality. Antico Borgo Bed and Breakfast.Dosso-Levanto. http://www.anticoborgo.net/borgoantico-inglese.html
Loriane
Cope T., USA Mon 09/19/2005

Hotel Staubach Lauterbrunnen
We just got back from 2 weeks in Europe and by far the best time and most breathtaking location was the Hotel Staubach in Lauterbrunnen Switzerland. The rooms were great, the breakfast was great and free with your room, the hotel is beautiful, and located right down the street from the Staubach Waterfall, the people working there were super friendly and it was very well priced. We would highly recomend it and if you're anywhere near that area of Switzerland, divert yourself to the area, it is one of the most picturesque areas in all of Europe
Steve and Stephanie
Omaha, NE USA Fri 09/16/2005

Soggiorno Pezzati in Florence, Italy
We would love to recommend Soggiorno Pezzati in Florence - it was a great location, and the service was excellent. Very comfortable accomodations (especially on a budget), and a very easy walk to all attractions.
South Pasadena, CA USA Thu 09/15/2005

Copenhagen
My husband and I just enjoyed a wonderful three days in Copenhagen at the home of Annette and Rudy Hollender. It was wonderful. The home was squeaky clean, quaint, and very comfortable. Annette and Rudy are wonderful, warm and friendly people that quickly become friends. I will always stay at their B & B when in Copenhagen.
Linda Crenshaw
Okemos, MI USA Thu 09/15/2005

Italy
Thoroughly enjoyed the Nicolas Inn in Rome. Very friendly owners that take care of everything for you. They arranged tours, restaurant reservations and a car at the airport for us. The airline lost one of our bags and they called the airline to track it down so we could sightsee. With only 3 days in Rome we needed at the time we had! The place is non-smoking and only accepts cash.

In Venice we stayed at Venezia Antica Locanda, a hotel that operates like a B&B. Can't beat the price for the proximity to San Marco Square. Another set of friendly owners. No elevator and it's located on the third floor.
Bob Finkle
Boston, MA USA Wed 09/14/2005

Bath B & B
On a recent two week trip my wife and I stayed at Brock's B & B in Bath, England. Marion Dodd, the owner and host went out of her way to accommodate us. The room was quite clean and the breakfast great. We'd recommend Brocks in Bath.
Carter Rogers
Tempe, AZ USA Tue 09/13/2005

B&B Smart in Rome
We stayed at B&B Smart in Rome for 4 nights in the end of August . It is clean and nice place and very well located , five minutes walk from the Termini train station , well connected with bus and metro , next to the police station , and we felt very safe , 15 minutes walk to the Roman Forum , Colosseum.... supermarkets just round the corner , hostess Isa was very helpful and friendly , it is perfect for young people looking for a quiet and comfortable room at fairly priced , highly reccommend this B&B ! www.bandbromeitaly.com .
Julia Cranie
New York, USA Tue 09/13/2005

l'Antico Borgo - Cinque Terre(Italy)
I would like to recommend L'Antico Borgo B&B(www.anticoborgo.net), a little piece of paradise in this big world! We loved the rooms, the views, the wonderful food and friendly people.Everything has been absolutely perfect!
Ylva
USA Mon 09/12/2005

Casa Portagioia
Absolute 5-star service and accommodations. Friendly, clean and as picturesque and serene as a Tuscan postcard. Immaculate and incredible--this place sets the standard for what a bed and breakfast should be. I recommend it without hesitation.
Larry Smith
Orlando, FL USA Fri 09/09/2005

Ireland B&Bs
My sister and I spent 2 weeks in Ireland in July. Our favorite B&B's were:

Kilkenny - Dunromin - you couldn't ask for more friendly hosts.

Dingle - Milestone House - again - incredibly friendly, helpful hosts. Great Food!

Oughterard - Riverwalk House - Friendly and LARGE room! And an adorable little Bailey dog!

Trim - Cranmor House - called at last minute, had huge room and shower!

Wouldn't recommend Marchmont in Lisdoonvarna (not friendly in the least and very old, dated room with extremly saggy mattress) or Carrabaun in Westport (again, unfriendly, was very uncomfortable there).
Molly
St Peters, MO USA Thu 09/08/2005

FRANCE DORDOGNE B&B SARLAT
Les Charme Carlucet Dordogne France

I have just visited this wonderful family run Bed & Breakfast business in a most wondeful area of France. I have only just bothered to explore this region perigord, and it proved to be a great success with all the family. Especially our children who happily played with our host's Helen and Eric's children.

The accomodation has been tastefully renovated,the stone biult house with traditional shuttered windows, and oak timbers,is complemented by the modern facilities which are first class..This is very much down to both Helen and Eric's good taste, there are also 2 self contained Gites one of which has it's own pool.

The area around Carlucet has wonderful scenery the fairytale Castles following the course of the River Dordogne made a great impression on us!!! Eric kindly helped to arrange our canoe trip down the river with the kids which took about an hour.

The restaurants are extremly well located one within walking distance, and the small town nearby provides cash point machine, supermarket, and all you might need, even an Estate Agents with properties in the window for a fraction of the price of home tempting!!.

Both my wife and I as well as our children enjoyed the whole holiday experience, it was so relaxing, so much so we intend to revisit again next year, so watch out Eric
Diane & Guy Simmons Family
OXFORD , UK Thu 09/08/2005

B&B Zinneke in Brussels
B&B Zinneke is a new and fantastic treat in Brussels. It is located in the Koekelberg neighborhood (metro stop Simonis) and is newly renovated, clean, and lively. Our host Geert was very friendly and helpful, and his breakfast included a really nice spread. (www.zinneke.info) -The Motas, Switzerland
- The Motas
Brussels, Belgium Thu 09/08/2005

The Olde Bakery B&B, Kinsale, Ireland
Great location, fabulous family style breakfast cooked by Tom and Chrissie. Clean, bright rooms and friendly helpful guidance offered by the Quigleys for Kinsale happenings and restaurants.
The Biedermanns
Salt Lake City, UT USA Wed 09/07/2005

Marlborough House, Bath, England
I stayed with my family in Marlborough House, in Bath, England this summer. The staff were extrememly friendly. The moment we stepped in the door they showed us our room and sat down with us and showed us a map, detailing areas to eat, where to go shopping, and things to see. It was a vegetarian B & B, so all the food was extrememly healthy, organic, and delicious. It was also within walking distance of town. The only thing I would say is that if you are going with a family of four, get two rooms. We all were in the only room downstairs, and the sofa bed was awful. Otherwise, the room was beautiful and full of antiques. This B & B is very quaint and charming.
Sara
Chicago, IL USA Wed 09/07/2005

Les Charmes de Carlucet, Dordogne
"Les Charmes de Carlucet" in Carlucet, Dordogne (France) is a first-class B & B set in the gorgeous Dordogne countryside, ten minutes away from Sarlat by car. It is surrounded by gentle rolling hills and is very close to a medieval church that can be reached by foot in five minutes. The main house and the two guest houses next to it have been beautifully renovated and offer incredible calm, comfort and cleanliness. The owners Eric and Ellen go way beyond what you would expect from B & B hosts: they are so gracious my husband and I were literally swept off our feet. We stayed at "Les Charmes" for a week last August with our two sons (6 and 8 years old) and while we were enjoying the fantastic outdoor pool at the end of the afternoons the youngsters would happily run around the large (in fact, very large) grounds chasing cats and grasshoppers. We had the best time at "Les Charmes" and strongly recommend it to anyone travelling in the area.
Chloé Archambault
Montreal, Canada Wed 09/07/2005

Paris/ Relais Bosquet
Just returned from a wonderful 4 day trip to Paris. Our hotel Relais Bosquet was great. Room was lovely and clean, with a wonderful view of the Eiffel tower. Both Gerard and Frederika were most helpful with any questions we had. very well appointed rooms with everything you need, quiet and peaceful, 2 minutes to Metro station and of course Rue Cler. We will go back for sure. As a side bar do not eat at the CROQUE DE SEL restaurant on St Dominique street. Bad service and nasty staff. Food no better.
Vera
toronto, ontario canada Tue 09/06/2005

Cashel Kindness
We just got back from a visit to Ireland. We stayed at Hill House in Cashel and were delighted with the accomodations and the wonderful breakfast. The biscuits and brown bread were the best of our trip. But, Carmel, our hostess truly went out of her way to help us after I fell and got my jeans muddy. Our trip was almost over and we didn't have time to leave the laundry anywhere so she washed them for me. If you're going to Cashel, this B&B is beautiful and has a great view of the Rock.
Chris James
St. Louis, MO USA Mon 09/05/2005

Lucca's Charm
If your travels take you to Lucca (delightful!)in the Tuscany region, I would recommend staying at La Boheme B&B. We enjoyed this small, charming B&B very much (very lovely decor)and Ranieri was the perfect host. We also loved Trattoria da Leo, located just around the corner, for dinner. We felt like we were part of the neighborhood scene, if only for a few days!
Kathy
Santa Rosa, CA USA Thu 09/01/2005

Il Poggiolo / Florence
This summer we returned to Italy for vacation and knew it would be only fitting to stay with Graziella at Il Poggiolo outside of Florence once again. This was our second visit to this wonderful country setting just outside of Florence. Graziella is such a gracious and accomodating hostess. We enjoy the simple life of sitting under her fig tree having a light bite, or heading to one of the nearby resturants for a great meal. My husband and I wouldn't think a visit to the Florence area complete without a staying here. This time we rented a car and explored the area. After getting over the initial confusion of Italian maps and road signs, we navigated our way around and preferred the independence this gave us (no bus to catch!) True country experience with a lovely family. Thanks, Graziella, for the warm memories!
Kathy
Santa Rosa, CA USA Thu 09/01/2005

Haltwhistle
Hall Meadows, in little Haltwhistle (along the Newcastle-Carlisle train line, near Hadrian's Wall) was a pleasant little place, and the owner was kind to me. She did her best to be helpful when I missed the early Hadrian's Wall bus and was desperate to still get a look at the wall before I had to catch the train out of town that afternoon! A couple backpacking and driving had stayed in the B&B that night, and generously gave me a ride to a nearby area of the Wall. Everybody gave me advice and the B&B had plenty of maps and flyers with info for me.

(I admired the Wall and said hi to some backpackers, cows and sheep, then I got a bus back and hit the train station. Hall Meadows was very inexpensive and delightfully comfortable for someone used to cots and bunks; I recommend it! Haltwhistle is a nice place to visit if you're looking to get away from the big-city bustle, it's a tiny town and quiet as can be.)
Elizabeth
Seattle, WA USA Wed 08/31/2005

Rothenburg o.d.t.
I just want to add my recommendation for Karin Weiss in Rothenburg o.d.t. The other posts here are absolutely right about her hospitality and the nice rooms. She met us at the rail station and took us back to the station at the end of our stay. My wife and I visited with our two teenage daughters. We had two rooms on the ground floor; one with a King bed and the other with two single beds. She calls her breakfast a "Royal Breakfast," my youngest daughter called it a "Feast." See other posts for her contact info.
Jim Beck
Littleton, Colorado USA Tue 08/30/2005

Cortona / Il Sole del Sodo
Il Sole del Sodo was by far the best B&B we stayed in in Italy. Being in beautiful Cortona made it even better. Claudia was charming and extremely helpful. The room was spectacular with picturesque views. The walk up the mountain into Cortona was great exercise (30 min walk up steep mountain)and beautiful. This was perfect!!!
John & Roberta
Bayville, NJ USA Mon 08/29/2005

Venice/ Le Mansarde
Our room at Le Mansarde was perfect. Meticulously clean and maintained. Anna was very accomodating and friendly. This B&B was in a nice section that was not overly crowded. We highly recomend it.
John & Roberta
Bayville, NJ USA Mon 08/29/2005

Varenna/Hotel du Lac
Excellent breakfast, with very wide range of food available. Incredible view on veranda overlooking Lake Como. Incredible location and room, and the view was wonderful even though we didn't have a lake view room. The male receptionist in his early-30s was extremely helpful, but the other members of staff were surly, and the people in town were not very friendly. Very relaxing town. Would definitely recommend Varenna and would definitely go back to Hotel du Lac. Very romantic walks at night. Great room.
Robert
Belfast, Ireland Mon 08/29/2005

Venice/Lido/Villa Casanova
The directions to this bed and breakfast from the boat dock at Lido were not as clear as the website suggests. Lovely room and quality bed linen. Good air conditioning. Quiet. Delightful neighbourhood. Helpful staff. Delicious organic breakfast. Would recommend that you spend some time strolling the main street at Lido at night to enjoy the nightlife and that you rent a bike and go to the nearby beach.
Robert
Belfast, Ireland Mon 08/29/2005

Milan/Doria Grand
We received an excellent rate on Venere.com on our room at $80. The same room was selling for $200 that day. Best place we stayed at on our trip, with great breakfast. Would return to Doria Grand. Helpful front desk. Five minutes to Central Station but unsafe at night. Pretty central location. $6 fee for room service for breakfast. Make reservations if visit "The Last Supper."
Robert
Belfast, Ireland Mon 08/29/2005

Sorrento/Casa Astarita
The breakfast was fine. The bed was on a wooden pallet and too hard. Excellent location. "Storta" room was very quiet. Beautiful place. There's a delicious and very affordable restaurant next door with excellent service. Would recommend visits to Amalfi and Capri.
Robert
Belfast, Ireland Mon 08/29/2005

Florence/Il Poggiollo
Great location, relaxing, and quiet, with a great view. Mediocre breakfast. Graziella is helpful and did her best to assist us by giving lifts. Bed linen and towels were unchanged during our several nights here, and the room could have used a safe for valuables. Self-contained apartment. Getting to Il Poggiollo requires two lifts from Central Station. There's an excellent pizzeria and grocery store in the nearby town of Serpiolle.
Robert
Belfast, Ireland Mon 08/29/2005

BLADES & LONDON
Just returned from a life time dream trip to London and stayed at the Blades Hotel near Westminster. The first comment is 'great location' - we found it so easy to walk to Buckingham Palace, the River Thames and the wonderful royal parks. Blades is a converted 1895 private home turned into a 'town-house' hotel. Our room was fine - in Europe do not expect huge rooms but ours was spacious enough. The breakfast room was delightful and the buffet breakfast was excellent - so fresh and appetizing. Noreen, the owner is clearly a lady who likes her establishment kept sparkling clean and her staff were all very friedly and helpful. Our stay in London was all we dreamed of and thanks to the recommendations on this web site our hotel was a great choice too. www.blades-hotel.co.uk
Cindy Morell
Brooklyn, NY USA Mon 08/29/2005

Vegetarian B&B in rural Brittany, France
I booked two nights at "L'Arc en Ciel"--a Vegetarian B&B /retreat in central Brittany in August 2005. We looked forward to driving to this out of the way country place but in the final hour we unexpectedly were not able to get our rental car. I called the B&B and they offered to come pick us up in the nearest town--Pontivy--and take us to and from their place. This extra effort on the owners' part enabled me to have 2 beautiful days with them. If you are looking for quiet, beauty and relaxation in the heart of rural France, I recommend this place.

It is a small farm with acreage and several ancient stone houses which have been beautifully remodelled by Arthur and Linda Cutler, a couple from England who have teenaged children. Our room was a spacious, modern, had a private bathroom, and was thoughtfully outfitted.

The Cutlers are currently working on setting up a yoga studio and some additional rooms with bunk beds which will make lower cost accomodations for groups possible.

They have lovely gardens on the grounds where much of the food served is grown.

Eating dinner there by candlelight felt like a romantic vegetarian restaurant was being operated for just the two of us--delicious and self indulgent. Meals were served very professionally by hosts Arthur and Linda, who have had extensive experience in the hotel and restaurant industry. They are also friendly people with a good sense of humor, available for conversations in English and willing to share their insights into the local culture.

The surrounding countryside is gorgeous and tranquil. We had great walks to a nearby lake, and they even loaned us bicycles for more exploration. The area is a bicyclist's dream.

Ideally you should not follow our example of trying to go there with no car-- this place truly "out in the boonies" with NO town anywhere nearby. With no city lights competing, you see the stars really well at night... We would have liked to stay longer. For what you get, the prices are quite reasonable.

Their web site is: http://www.vegetarianfrance.com
Katrina Whitfield
Bellingham, WA USA Sun 08/28/2005

Tonino Basso's Rooms - Vernazza
Loved Tonino's rooms. Air conditioning in August was a God-send. Though the computer in our room didn't work properly, our friend's did, so we used it. Very nice perk. The restaurant next door - Il Pirata delle Cinque Terre was great as well. FRESH, Hot pastries every morning!! Very convenient to train station...and the elevator was great when checking in with luggage. We called Tonino from the restaurant at which we were eating...he showed up 5 minutes later...and we were off. Highly recommend.
cap
Lansing, MI USA Sat 08/27/2005

Great B&B in Venice
B&B Al Teatro - Venice. We spent 3 days at the B&B al Teatro and absolutely loved it. Easily reachable by going to San Giglio stop (no steps or bridges en route). Cost was 120 euros for bedroom w/ balcony; 110 euros for other bedrooms. Large BRs, nice shower & bathroom. Breakfast good. Could hear gondoliers going by ... very nice. Next to Fenice Theater - five to ten minute walk from San Marco. Very quiet area. We would highly recommend!!
cap
Lansing, MI USA Sat 08/27/2005

B&Bs in Florence and Sorrento
I just returned from an extended holiday traveling around Italy. There are two B&Bs that I stayed at that I would recommend. [1] Florence - Relais Il Campanile. I could look out my window and see the Duomo, the markets and the long line for the Accademia. The rooms were clean, air conditioned and quiet and Leonardo was wonderful. Since the the private room was available, for the same price, he put me in a private room rather than in the 3-bed female dorm room I booked. [2] Sorrento - Casa Sorrentina. This is a new B&B, situtated on the main street. It was quiet, air conditioned, spacious and modern. There was even a washing machine in the room. Our room did not have a view, but there was a lovely stained glass window. Sonia greated us very happily despite our late at night arrival due to a missed train.
A.K.
Columbia, SC USA Fri 08/26/2005

B&B De Zorzi-- Venice
B&B De Zorzi, on Giudecca Island, across the Canale from Piazza San Marco, is a great place to stay. It is behind a green door, just ten steps from the Redentore vaporetto stop, so it is convenient (no long haul for the baggage, ten minutes to San Marco.) Breakfast was ample, and the large room (with a view of San Marco) costs 90 Euros. The owners don't speak much English. We didn't find any good restaurants on Giudecca.
Pat and Nancy
Kailua Kona , HI USA Thu 08/25/2005

Mami Camilla's in Sorrento
Wonderful place! Great room with our own little patio. Fantastic 3-course dinners (for an additional charge) each evening! Warning: can be a little casual for the more "fussy" traveler--but we would go back in a heartbeat!
Pam
McPherson, KS USA Thu 08/25/2005

The Romance of Amsterdam
My husband and I loved our Amsterdam trip even more this time, thanks to Rick! Any city that combines bicycles, canals, flowers, and art to that degree is heavenly to experience! Wanted to say thanks to Rick for letting us know about Majel and her Wetlands Safari Tour....a great way of visiting the polderland, seeing tiny windmills, and being able to talk to the locals! We also fell in love with the Wildervanck B&B (also a Rick pick) as it has always been my dream to stay in a 17th century canal house overlooking the Keizersgracht...and their breakfasts were delicious! The Amstelkring museum was a big favourite as well as watching Dutch movies outdoors in the Vondelpark while sipping drinks at the cafe attached to the Film Museum.
Rachel Bauch
Long Beach, CA USA Tue 08/23/2005

Superb B&B La Tartaruga near Florence
We originally found this wonderful place from a posting on Rick's graffiti site. We were leaving Venice for Florence and need to find a place to stay. Sylvie was wonderfully helpful on the phone and we decided to stay at La Tartaruga. Very happy that we did. We had an amazingly relaxing time. The breakfast was delicious! Sylvie went out of her way to help us with directions and places to go. We went to Vinci on her recommendations which was very pretty and had an amazing museum of Leonardo's inventions. Sylvie and her family were very accomidating and I really could not say enough about the wonderful stay we had in Montecatini. www.la-tartaruga.com
Julia & Mark
NJ USA Tue 08/23/2005

Ardconnel House Inverness Scotland
My sisters and I recently returned from a trip to Scotland. John and Liz Reid at Ardconnel House in Inverness are absolutely tops in my book! The many food items offered for breakfast were great – we tried them all, including Haggis and Black Pudding. And Liz makes the most awesome scones! We were very comfortable in their immaculate, elegant and lovely home. Because of many e-mails prior to our trip, I knew we would have a wonderful stay with John and Liz. We were not disappointed. We could not have been better cared for. If you are looking for the best place to stay in Inverness, you won't go wrong at Ardconnel House. Check out their web site at www.ardconnel-inverness.co.uk.
Sandy Powers
Sapulpa, OK USA Mon 08/22/2005

Holly Villa Guest House, Bath, UK
After 9 weeks of R.S.recommended B&Bs, over 3 years,this is one of the best!Lovely gardens, tasteful furnishings, immaculate lodging and delicious breakfast with tender loving care given by Jill & Keith McGarrigle.
The Biedermanns
Salt Lake City, UT USA Sun 08/21/2005

Oslo B and B
My wife and I stayed at Roy Everson's home in Oslo in August. The room was formerly used by the Norweigan Resistance during WWII and we had a great view of the city and Oslo Fjord from our room. Roy was very kind and helpful. Our room was large as was the bathroom (shared). His house is only a 3 minute walk to the public transit which then takes about 12 minutes to get to downtown Oslo. He also served us breakfast for around $70 per night. http://www.solveigs.com/
Marty Bach
Cleveland, OH USA Sun 08/21/2005

Rome B&B
My husband and I stayed 3 nights at Abitazione Pigneto, Via Perugia 16, Rome. Our host Giorgio picked us up at the airport for a very reasonable fee (30 euros). We paid 50 euros per night for the B&B during the first part of Holy Week. Giorgio gave us many tips on what to see, how to get there, where to eat, etc. He served a beautiful breakfast each morning. He drove us to our car rental place when we were leaving. His home is on the third floor, has an elevator and is filled with artifacts, photos and souvenirs of his travels around the world. His B&B is within walking distance of the centre of Rome (about 20-30 minutes) or 2 small blocks from a direct bus route to downtown - bus tickets are one euro and good for 75 minutes of travel). We were very happy with this B&B and would not hesitate to stay there again.
T. M. Willemse
London, ON Canada Sat 08/20/2005

B&B in Prague
Prague Czech Republik - Pension Anna Had a delightfull as in delightfull with an extra cherry on top staying at Pension Anna. This is for people driving in particular but is accessable for others via the tube. Located in the suburbs & a 5 min. walk from the tube into downtown. Secured parking right outside your door. Anna provides subway tickets at cost (no need to figure out Czech instructions) and a map (at cost). Breakfast was geared toward nationallity (eggs, fruit, toast, tea for us). Great resturant down the street (dinner w/a Czech beer $4 and yummy). Clean and quiet with a mini kitchen (fridge, sink - no cooking). VERY clean and in a safe neighorhood. www.aa.cz/pensionanna (tel/fax (420-251-612-178) or try annalemrova@volny.cz Anna's English is basic but her son is fluent. Give her a couple of days to respond as her son is a physician and not always available.
Marie
San Diego, CA USA Sat 08/20/2005

Winchester Hotel, London
Based on Rick's recommendation, we booked 10 days at Jimmy and Juanita's lovely B&B. After experiencing their wonderful hospitatlity, we departed to return to the States on August 11, the same day British Air walked out and cancelled all flights, including ours. At 20:30 we called Andre at the Winchester and told him out plight. He welcomed us back. The next day, Jimmy and Juanita could not have been any more helpful considering we had no luggage and no idea of how or when we were getting home. Juanita helped us locate a British Air office in London and along with Jimmy and their staff helped us with umbrellas, jackets and where to find what we needed to survive for a few extra days. The Winchester is in an ideal part of town. Convenient to Victoria Station, the tube, walking distance to many London landmarks and many fine dining places. More important is the hospitality and kindness Jimmy, Juanita and their staff show to you as guests. When we were able to return to the states, we felt as though we were leaving family and not just a hotel.
Debbie
Broomall, PA USA Fri 08/19/2005

Butler Court Kilkenny Ireland
I need to make a correction to a previous rec for B&B in Kilkenny,Ireland.I stayed at Butler Court not Butler House.There's a big difference.Butler Court was modest but comfortable.Butler House ,next door where my in-laws stayed was beautiful outside but awful inside.
Ruby Eickhoff
LaGrange, GA USA Tue 08/16/2005

B&B Kilkenny&Dingle Ireland
Butler House in Kilkenny was extra comfy with a great shower.Only continental breakfast available but plentiful.Yvonne was a very helpful & gracious hostess. Heaton's in Dingle was exceptional!Breakfast best I've ever had at a b&b and Cameron and Nuala were extremely accomodating.
Ruby Eickhoff
LaGrange, GA USA Tue 08/16/2005

Amsterdam disaster
The postings for Gabriele's B&B are written by friends of hers I suspect as she lived in California a short time. The "B&B" is what looked like a goverment funded housing project. It is a room in her apartment 5 floors up (no elevator) a dodgy looking building and neighborhood. You share the bathroom with her and the balcony overlooks more concrete and dodgy apts! It is NOT central located and I did not want the added expense of cabs or finding buses everyday. We left immed. and for 20 Euro more stayed at Rick Steves recommended Hotel Turin which WAS central overlooking the canals. Actually ran into Rick Steves there and he said unfortunatley people falsely "plant" fake reviews on his sight. Amsterdam has so many quaint and affordable places to stay and enjoy this cool city . Gabriele's is just not one of them. We also stayed 2 nights at the Canal House, prices negotiable and very cool place. Good luck
Deborah
Mpls, MN USA Tue 08/16/2005

Brugge Best
Just want to add another rave about Absolut Verhulst run by Frieda and Benno. This was my second trip to Brugge in 4 months. I stayed at the Heritage hotel the first time and with Freida and Benno the second. There is no comparison to the warmth and personal attention by these 2 wonderful people. They gave me much more direction on what to do and where to eat. Loved their wonderful old home and was very comfortable in our large room my daughter and I shared. We had our own keys and private entrance so felt free to come and go without disturbing. My Sister stayed also and had to catch a 6 a.m train. They got up with her at 5 to fix breakfast and make sure the taxi they called for her came on time. Just couldn't have been more wonderful to us. Bon Voyage to all lucky enough to travel to their home.
Deborah Lynch
Minneapolis, MN USA Tue 08/16/2005

The best place in Brugge
My husband and I just stayed at the most fantastic B&B in Brugge, Belgium. The B&B Verhulst, run by wonderful Benno and Frieda make you feel like family, they are so warm. The house is gorgeous, the rooms spacious and meticulously cared (super clean) for and so well decorated. The only thing that got us out of the extremely comfy, cozy beds was the sensational breakfast. This is the only place to stay in Brugge!!!
The Riloffs
King of Prussia, Pa USA Tue 08/16/2005

Inverness Scotland
There is a "crown" in Inverness Scotland. This is no ordinary crown, this is the Crown Guest House. The jewels on this crown are the owners Gordon and Catriona Barbour. Not only was this B&B the most comfy, clean, nicely decorated, and had the best variety for breakfast; they deserve many stars in the "heroic friendliness" category. It was our 1st day of a 3 week trek through Scotland and Ireland, when my mom missed a stair while walking down a staircase in town. When we went back to the B&B, Catriona brought my mom a bag of ice and checked on us. The next day they took us to the doctor and the pharmacy. The next day they said I should book a day trip and that they'd pop in on mom since the doctor made her stay off her feet. They took her in and treated her as part of their family. I can not express in words the incredible kindness the Barbour family showed us. They took what was a bad situation with mom's hurt leg, and made it one of the most memorable parts of our journey by having the pleasure of getting to know this terrific family and stay at such a wonderful place! Rick--we got this B&B listing from your book, but if you have not personally stayed there--you need to put it on your agenda because in our opinion it was the best of the best!!! Gordon and Catriona Barbour 19 Ardconnel St Inverness Scotland IV2 3EU Telephone:01463 231135
Mary and Kelly Klinkoski
lexington, nc USA Sun 08/14/2005

Edinburgh Scotland Straven House B&B
We have stayed twice Stravenhouse B&B in the Portobello area (Joppa) last Fall and again July 2005. Mac and Marian are wonderful hosts providing an excellent breakfast menu. The rooms and location on the Firth of Forth are excellent. Our fondest memories are walking along the boardwalk in the evening after a day's touring in Edinburgh. In July we brought our two teens and the family room was just what we needed.
D. Julio
Niceville, FL USA Sat 08/13/2005

Les Charmes de Carlucet
Dordogne, France: We stayed at this beautiful B&B for three nights. The location is very tranquil and yet close to nearby towns (ie Sarlat, Salignac) and sights. Our room was lovely and spacious. Eric and Helen were the most wonderful hosts. They were very welcoming from the moment we arrived. They go that extra mile by recommending restaurants and making reservations to helping us plan/book our daily excursions. We highly recommend this B&B and look forward to the next time week can visit.
Janine and Andrew
Oakville, Ontario Canada Fri 08/12/2005

Dieltiens B&B in Brugge, Belgium offered this solo traveler very pleasing and reasonable accommodation which was clean, comfortable and very quiet. I stayed seven evenings in August 2005. The home is beautiful, the hosts (husband, wife and on occasion their daughter) gracious and helpful, the breakfasts tasty and fresh and the location just off the beaten path but easily accessible to the markets. The home is so beautiful and comfortable. I would certainly return to Dieltiens to further my explorations of Belgium (from the train station I easily travelled to Gent and Antwerp) and to meet more interesting and friendly guests.

Kristin Pennsylvania, United States

USA Fri 08/12/2005

Prague
We recently completed a five country tour of Central Europe and began our trip in Prague. We stayed at Lida House for four nights and found it to be the perfect spot to begin our trip. Our host, Jan, was very knowledgeable about the city and went out of his way to help us. If traveling to Prague, Lida House is a great place to stay!
Julie and Joyce
Bakersfield, CA USA Wed 08/10/2005

Rothenburg
Rothenburg, Germany We were never so happy to see a(very)clean and comfortable bed as the night we arrived at Kreuzerhof Pension. Driving from Paris as a group of 9 Girl Scouts and adults we got lost and ended up arriving at 4:00 a.m.! We had called to say we'd be late and the Maltz family said they would leave the light on... and they did. We had to pound on the door a bit but they graciously led us to our immaculate rooms and agreed to extend our morning stay and let us eat breakfast about two hours later than normal. Breakfast was wonderful, the setting was quaint, lovely courtyard and just a couple blocks from the shops and city. Our only regret was that we arrived so late and didn't get to enjoy it more.
Anne Troy
Toledo, Ohio USA Tue 08/09/2005

Halstatt, Austria
The first thing my son-in-law said when we arrived was, "Did you ever feel you were in the middle of a picture post card?" A lovely little town to kick back and relax. Nothing really special to do or see unless you are into hiking UP, way UP, to tour the salt mine. Strongly suggest Braugasthoff Hallstatt for rooms. 500 year old former brewery right in the middle of town on the only street overlooking the BEAUTIFUL lake surrounded by mountains. The Lobisser family is a great host. Furthermore they have a biergarten across the street with an excellent menu. I recommend the fish that are caught from that lake.
Roger Rhoads
Mentor, OH USA Tue 08/09/2005

Salzburg B&B
Following Rick's advice we stayed at Christkonig Pension just below the fortress in the Old Town. It's close in to where everything is happening, a block to the Cathedral and the Music Festival which started the night we arrived. Outdoor opera and soprano arias until midnight and church bells from everywhere at 7:00 in the AM! The "bishop's suite" is nothing special with two of the beds hardly a pallet on the floor and the toilet down the hall. Shower and sink in the rooms. Couple of warnings: get very specific directions to get to it within the old town which is a rabbit warren of one-way and pedestrian streets. Even our auto GPS got us lost. Would help to have a map on their website. Secondly, make sure if you are driving that Frau Anna saves a parking permit card for you. She is only allowed a few of them, and they must be displayed in the windshield otherwise a ticket or you must public park ($$) 20-30 minutes away.
Roger Rhoads
Mentor, Ohio USA Tue 08/09/2005

Rothenburg, Germany
Karen Weiss hosts one of the very best bed and breakfasts we have ever enjoyed. Clean, airy, modern rooms on a quiet street just 5 min. walk to the north tower of the old town. She met us at the curb with a most welcome hug after our drive from Frankfurt. Lovely patio, flowers and plantings everywhere, cold beer and drinks in the fridge and a chocolate on the pillow. Good German breakfast as well. Email at karinweissrtbg@aol.com or web-site at www.haus-karin.
Roger Rhoads
Mentor, OH USA Tue 08/09/2005

Chateau Nineyrol
This Chambre d'hote situated between Beynac and La Roque Gagneac in the Dordogne Region was the best place we stayed in our 17 day trip through France. Anne and Phil truly spoil their guests. Upon arrival we were greated with a cup of tea. Each night we were invited to sit for a visit over a glass of wine to discuss the day's events and plan our next day. They join their guests for breakfast each morning with a cheery sense of humor to start the day right. Our room had a beautiful view of Castelnaud plus the bonus of a full moon.

Their insight into the area is superb! They individualize their recommendations based on the age and interests of each guest and go out of their way to make you feel welcome. They made us reservations for dinner each night as well as reserving a canoe trip down the Dordogne River. They even took care of our laundry for us! I highly recommend a stay with them!
Fred & Diane Dahm
College Station, TX USA Mon 08/08/2005

Willow House in Dublin
While in Dublin my group stayed at Willow House B&B on Upper Drumcondra Rd. Bernadette, the proprietor is very efficient and professional. Everything was always correct. Enjoyed my stay
Steve A
Canon CITY, CO USA Mon 08/08/2005

bruges b&b
while in belgium we spent 4 lovely days in bruges at koen & annemie dieltiens. the room was very cozy, the owners kind and informative, the house very central and the breakfast was delicious!! highly recommended! and only 60 euros a night! :)
arian & rob neill
eugene, OR USA Mon 08/08/2005

B & B Absoluut Verhulst, Bruges, Belgium
If you are traveling in Bruges,I highly recommend staying at the Absoluut Verhulst B and B. Benno and Frieda Verhulst make you feel right at home, and the house is charming, clean and the breakfasts are absoulutely delicious. They even have bicycles, and cycling through the countryside was one of the highlights of our trip.
Jodi
San Diego, CA USA Sun 08/07/2005

Viva La Chevalerie - Revisited
Last year our family had the most fantastic B&B experience in all of our travels thus far at La Chevalerie, outside of Amboise (see earlier post). We returned in June to a friendly welcome after a long journey from Brittany. We were offered beverages to go with the food we had brought for dinner and then were left to our best night's sleep of the three week trip.

The next morning, concerned about finding a service laundry that would work with our travel schedule, M. and Mdme. Aleksic offered to do our laundry while we were out for the day. When I expressed concern at the extra work for them, M. Aleksic shooed me away with a smile, saying "Holiday... promenade"!

We returned late that night to fresh, line-dried and folded clothes that got us through the end of our trip! We gladly paid extra euros (along with a bouquet of flowers) for this service, although no payment was requested other than the room charge. Rooms, by the way, are still an incredible bargain (with no increase from the previous year) at 40 euros for a double, including breakfast.

M. and Mdme. are simply the loveliest, kindest couple who provide a comfortable and restful home away from home in the Loire. We will return again and again.
CO USA Sat 08/06/2005

B&B Belgravia - London
B&B Belgravia is almost too good to be true. Perfectly located on Belgravia's Ebury Street, it's a couple minutes walk to Victoria Station and close to Buckingham Palace. There are plenty of good eating establishments within walking distance, including Hunan, an excellent but fairly expensive Chinese restaurant. Karin and Penny, the owners of B&B Belgravia, have created a perfect home away from home for those traveling alone, as a couple, and even for families. For our family of four, we found the family room accommodations more than adequate, and very reasonably priced. The price includes a delicious homemade hot breakfast, shared use of a computer with a high speed internet connection, and a wonderful automated cappuccino machine that is available for use around the clock. It's quiet, secure, and extremely clean. We can't wait to visit again. Check out the website at www.bb-belgravia.com.
Liz and Joel
Seattle, WA USA Sat 08/06/2005

B & B for Burg Eltz by train
The little town of Moselkern is your access to Burg Eltz if you traveling by train. In June we found a wonderful little place in Moselkern to stay. Limited "traveler's English" is spoken by Herr Weckbecker. He gave us a free ride to the head of the trail to Burg Eltz. The walk is gorgeous along Eltz Creek through a fir forest. With the shuttle it took about 1/2 hour to walk in. The walk without the shuttle is about one hour. Ferrienwohnung Weckbecker is on the street along the Mosel River about five minutes from the train station. It is a pretty location with a view of the Mosel. They will pick up and deliver to the train. I have several flyers in German that I am willing to mail to interested parties. They have a two person Wohnung (apartment) and a four person, two bedroom apartment. Both have full bath and kitchens. 30 Euros for the 2 person rooms and 45 Euros for the four person rooms.

Here is their web site: http://62.159.133.5/individual/374840/ but it has little information. e mail: www.quenter.weckbecker@lycos.de

I would be willing to help write a German e mail to reserve a room there for those who have no German.
Marty Kehrein
Blanchardville , WI USA Fri 08/05/2005

West Deyne B&B, Cotswolds
In May my husband and I stayed at the West Deyne B&B in Stow-on-the-Wold, run by Joan Cave. It was perfect for our needs and very affordable. Joan was a delightful grandmotherly woman who served tea and biscuits every evening and HUGE, delicious English breakfasts. Her place was homey and cozy, and our bedroom window overlooked beautiful green fields and hills dotted with trees. It was extremely peaceful and quiet, and only a couple minutes' walk from the restaurants and town square. Its location in Stow-on-the-Wold is a perfect home-base for sight-seeing in the Cotswolds. My husband and I loved our stay, and we would definitely stay there again.
melinda westervelt
whittier, CA USA Fri 08/05/2005

Leifers/Laives (Bolzano, Italy) apartment
Residence Zelger is a MUST if you are visiting Sud Tirol in Northern Italy. The setting is wonderful - orchards, vineyards, moutains and the hosts are unbelievable. After 6 nights there I feel like Inge, who's in charge, is "family". I definitely will return there. There's hiking, biking, sightseeing, shopping, opera, museums all nearby. The apartments are spacious and spotless. The swimming pool is so welcome after hot days spent touring. The garden surrounding the pool I refer to as my "garden of Eden". Bikes are available for biking the nearby paths. Dinner once a week provided by the hosts for guests is a real treat. Contact them at zelger.inge@akfree.it. I'd be happy to provide more details if you wish to contact me also.
Dianne
Kitchener, Ontario Canada Fri 08/05/2005

The smiling host of the Amalfi Coast!
MY SALERNO APARTMENT, SALERNO ITALY Just wrote my B&B review in the HOSTEL section OOPS!... But I would like to add that my girlfriend and I missed the train (our fault) from Rome that we were supposed to take originally and showed up at 2:30am at the B&B, woke up the host and we were still met with a sunny smile and big friendly welcome (and we still got a nice breakfast to boot). If that wasn't enough there was a city bus strike the day we had to leave Salerno - she arranged for her friend to drive us to the train station so we wouldn't miss our train (and subsequent connecting flight). Grazie Mille!
James Veer
Somerset, NJ USA Wed 08/03/2005

Baraka Beauty, B&B, Ronda Spain
After my trip to the Baraka Bed and Breakfast, I was reflecting on the shear beauty and magnificant rooms of Baraka. It is hard to believe that more people don´t know about this place, because when it comes to being comfortable, immersed in culture, and a relaxing environment, Baraka is the place to stay. This B&B is run by a women (Anahid), who is as nice of a person as you will ever find. She helped us plan our trip, told us where to go in Ronda, and even went out with us, when we asked her to join us for dinner. I could not stress enough, that if you are staying in Ronda, that you should definetly stay at Baraka. To look for avalability and pricing go to www.andalucia.com/accommodation/baraka
Arsen Ari Kalfayan
San Carlos, CA USA Wed 08/03/2005

Treehouse B&B, Cotswolds
I had only stayed in one B&B before our trip to the Treehouse B&B in Moreton-on-Marsh. Our stay at the Treehouse was so pleasant, I now think of hotels in a lackluster fashion. Our rooms were large and quiet and we lacked no comforts. We all agree that the perfectly-cooked breakfasts served in the sunny morning room were the best experienced during our 3-week trip. We very much appreciated hostess Liz being so very accomodating allowing my 11-yr old son to 'run the grounds' and beautiful gardens with her puppy Trevor. Our stay in the Cotswolds was the first stop on our 4-country visit and the warm welcome we received here was key to my two teenage sons getting a great start on their first international trip.
Julie
Oak Park, CA USA Tue 08/02/2005

B&B in Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland
Randy, what is the name of the B&B in Westport, Co. Mayo that you just stayed in? Thanks. My husband and I are off to Ireland for our third trip in September.
Bonnie
Portland, OR USA Tue 08/02/2005

Klatovy Pension Nela
In Klatovy (70 Km south of Pilsen)we hit the jackpot with Pension Nela. Vendula, our hostess, took on our genealogy project and made phone calls for us. She asked her friend, Standa, to help us "open doors" in persuit of our ancester's old homestead. Standa is a self employed computer programmer who is a history buff and embraced this opportunity to practice his English. He enthusiastically worked with us for three days even getting the archives in Pilsen to let us look at original record books. What wonderful serendipity all due to Sárka (Prague Guide), Vendula and Standa.

The Stojkas do not speak English but we managed very well in my limited German. Vendula treated us as though we were guests in her home rather than clients to her pension. Rudolf & Vendula Sojka Pension Nela Gorkého 840/2 339 01 Klatovy Czech Republic

I asked for a Discount price: Single room 455 CZK - 15 Euros - $18/person/night w/breakfast Double room 450 CZK - 14 Euros - $17/person/night w/breakfast tel.: 00420 / 376 314 487 mobil : 00420 / 723 906893 e-mail : nela@leverrier.cz http://www.klatovy.cz/pension-nela/default.asp?lng=de
CA Nulk
San Jose, CA USA Tue 08/02/2005

Prague Lida Guesthouse
While in Prague we stayed at the Lida Guesthouse. Jan and Jitka Prouza, Jiri Prouza, hosts, are friendly and extremely helpful. The guesthouse is located in a local neighborhood, Podoli Praha 4, and is a five minute walk from the efficient Prague metro. They have a computer with network hookup available for their guests. In the neighborhood are good local restaurants (try Josefina), grocery stores and even a T-Mobile store to help with your T-Mobile cell phones.

We bought Czech SIM cards from Cellular Abroad http://www.cellularabroad.com to use in our cell phones and went to the T-Mobile store to add krounas to our account. One cannot believe how easy it is to use your cell phone to call not only in country (with proper SIM card) or to call home to the U.S. We also did the same while traveling in Italy two years ago (using Italian SIM cards). It's a good way to keep in contact when traveling with family.

Jan & Jitka Prouza Lida guesthouse Lopatecka 26 147 00 Praha 4 - Podoli Czech Republic

I asked for a Discount price: Double room 1580 CZK - 50 Euros - $60/night w/breakfast Single room 1290 CZK - 40 Euros - $50/night w/breakfast tel: & fax: 420-261 214 766 lidabb@seznam.cz http://sweb.cz/pensionlida
CA Nulk
San Jose, CA USA Tue 08/02/2005

Favorite B&B
We just returned from 2 weeks in Ireland and wanted to add one of our favorite B&B was in Westportk, County Mayo at Ellenville. It is just up the street from one of Rick's suggested B&B. Ellen is wonderful and when she is full up will call around to find you a place to stay. Westport is a lovely town of about 4,000 people and within easy driving of Croagh Patrick, Knock and a lot more. Ellen like many B&B does not accept Mastercard. One lady indicated that the reason she no longer accepts Master Card is that they wanted to charge her 25 Euros a month, 12 months of the year in addition to other fees and she didn't feel she could afford this during the slower times of the year.
Randy Nease
Dallas, Texas USA Tue 08/02/2005

Florence Hills
During our honeymoon, my husband and I recently stayed at a wonderful bed and breakfast only 5 miles outside of Florence called La Paggeria. It is set in the hills and overlooks Florence and Fisole with the most breathtaking view. The rooms also have great views, with huge windows in the living area. Breakfast was served on the terrace and was a beautiful way to start the day. It is really easy to get to by car, since we didn't have one though, we took a bus that left the SMN Bus Station and it was a quite easy and beautiful ride. We will definetly go back for our 10-year anniversary. The website is www.lapaggeria.com
Jennifer and Theo
Chicago, IL USA Tue 08/02/2005

Romancity Guesthouse in Bath
My husband and I made our first trip to Britain in May 2005. Our first three nights were spent at the Roman City Guesthouse in Bath where Shiela and Sean Davies took superb care of us. They offered to take my husband to their doctor (he decided to wait out his sinus infection). Sean gave my husband a driving lesson before letting us take off on our own. The 1812 house has been renovated to include the gorgeous large room we had. Sean is a superb cook. He willingly prepared whatever we wanted for breakfast, and lavish it was. The B and B is located within easy walking distance of the major sites, as well as lovely neighborhoods worth exploring. The Davies were so kind that everywhere else we stayed was measured against their high standards.
Sharon Winningham
Centralia, wa USA Mon 08/01/2005

Ruthin Castle
Just realized I left out exact location for Ruthin. Ruthin Castle is in Ruthin, No. Wales -- just slightly to the south and west of Chester, UK. Sorry for the lapse. Very easy to find and truly lovely part of the world!
Mary Yates
Yulee, FL USA Mon 08/01/2005

Les Charmes de Carlucet
Our family stayed for a week at this incredible gite - the surroundings are beatiful and quiet, the gite itself was amazing (large, clean and charming with our own private pool) and the hosts Eric and Helen made our stay unforgettable with their hospitality - we'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gite in the Dordogne - and we will definitely be returning!!
Tina Swinton
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada Mon 08/01/2005

B&B Rothenburg, Salzburg, Luzern, Paris, London
Thanks to Rick and his wonderful books and website which helped me plan a holiday for myself, husband and two teenage daughters. We prebooked all accommodation over the internet and we had no problems - just a fantastic holiday. We prebooked our car through Europe travel centre in Sydney and got the best deal with Europcar. I would recommend getting GPS as I'm sure it saved our marriage. All the accommodation was non-smoking.

Rothenburg: Pension Kreuzerhof. Our host, Walter Maltz,was extremely helpful. Excellent location within the city wall, huge breakfast, large room which was very clean and the beds were so comfortable. Car parking is available within the Pension for 2euros per night. Nightwatchman tour is a must.

Hohenschwangau: Pension Weiher. Frau Oswald was really sweet although her english is very basic. The Pension is a short walk to booking office for the castles and from our rooms we had a beautiful view of Neuschwanstein Castle. Rooms were large and clean and the breakfasts were excellent. As we were there on Easter Sunday, Frau Oswald even surprised us with easter treats. Car Parking is free.

Salzburg: Haus Reichl. Franziska Reichl is a wonderful hostess and her english is excellent. She gave us lots of information and even booked tours for us. Her home is a short bus ride (or 20 minute) walk into Salzburg town centre. The rooms were very large and clean and our clothes were washed for us at a cost of 4 euros. Breakfasts were superb and the hospitality unforgettable. Car parking is free. The Sound of Music tour was great fun.

Luzern: The Bed & Breakfast. Our hostess, Isabelle Holdener, has recently transformed her grandparents home into a lovely B & B. She speaks excellent english and is well travelled herself. The Bed & Breakfast is about a 20 minute walk into the town centre. Our attic room was very large, clean and the beds comfortable. Breakfast was good. Car parking was CHF 12.

Dole - Le Jura: Gite Chatenois. Host Michel Meunier speaks little english but very pleasant. Lovely olde world home at short drive from Dole. Rooms were large but a bit musty smelling and bathrooms could have been cleaner. Beds comfortable. Breakfast was simple. Car parking free.

Dourdan - St. Cyr: Le Logis d'Arnieres: Hosts Claude and Tae Dabasse were delightful and Claude spoke good english. Beautiful old hunting lodge. Large rooms with comfortable beds and a large clean bathroom. The continental breakfast was good. Free parking.

Giverny: Le Clos Fleuri. Hostess Danielle Fouche was lovely and spoke perfect english (having lived in Australia for many years). Beautiful setting just a couple of minutes walk to Monet's Gardens. Our room was huge and very clean with a separate meals area downstairs. Beds were comfortable and breakfast excellent. Free car parking.

Paris: Hotel des Grandes Ecoles. Hostess Marie was very nice. This is a great little privately owned hotel in a very quiet part of the Latin Quarter yet central to everything. We had a large room which was very clean with comfortable beds. No sign of Bed Bugs! Breakfast 8 euros - cheaper at the little cafes nearby. Car parking available in an underground car park on site for 30 euros per day. Laundrymat and internet cafe are across the street.

Metz: Ferme de Haute-Rive. Our hostess Brigitte Morhain was really lovely and spoke excellent english. Our rooms were large and clean and beautifully decorated by our talented hostess who has a passion for arts and crafts. Breakfast was excellent and car parking is free.

Cotswolds: Bowers Hill Farm. Hosts Sarah and Martin Bent were very helpful and attentive. Our room was large and clean. The guest lounge was inviting. The breakfasts were plentiful and excellent. A good base to explore the Cotswolds and Strath-upon-Avon regions. Free parking.

London: Winchester Hotel. Our hosts were Jimmy and Juanita who were great fun and very helpful. Special thanks to Frank who supplied as with so many tips for getting around and sightseeing and made our stay special. We had a large room - plenty of space for the four of us. We had a front room and it was very quiet at night. Room was clean and the beds comfortable. Great location just a short walk from Victoria Station. Breakfasts were superb.
Cheryl
Sydney, NSW Australia Sun 07/31/2005

Duncree B & B, Dun Laoghaire
During my family's weeklong trip through Ireland, we marveled at the tremendous hospitality we received at each of the B&Bs. One particular place, the Duncree House in Dun Laoghaire, deserves a special mention.

We arrived in town on a Sunday afternoon, hoping to do the laundry that had piled up during our first week (bascially, all of the clothing except that on our backs). After looking around three towns with our infant son in tow, we found that none of the local laundrettes, including the one Rick recommends, were open. My wife and I had resigned ourselves to wearing dirty clothes for another day. When we mentioned our predicament to Anne, who was running the B&B that night for her convalescing mother, she gladly offered to put some of our clothes in the wash that night. If this doesn't qualify for "heroic" friendliness, then I'm not sure what would.

As if Anne's kindness hadn't been enough, her brother, Brian, took the time on our final morning there to draw out some excellent directions from the house to the Dublin Airport. I simply can't recommend this place enough.
Jeremy Neely
Nevada, MO USA Sun 07/31/2005

Roman and Italian B&B in Rome, Olga's House in Florence
Add us to the list of really satisfied families who stayed with Marco at the Roman & Italian B&B (italianbandb.com). 140 euro per night for a room with a double and bunkbeds, shared bathroom. It's a 10 minute walk from the Coliseum, literally steps from the Metro, free internet access when the office is open, nice staff. In Florence we stayed at 'Olga's House' (olgashouse.com) owned by Roberto. It's on the Via Calimaruzza, a tiny street off the Piazza della Signoria. 100 euro for a double with private bath and fabulous air conditioner, up 80 (yes, 80) steps, but worth the exercise. What an amazing holiday!
Amanda
Visalia, CA USA Sun 07/31/2005

Sparkles Hotel is great kid-oriented B&B in Blackpool UK
We stayed 3 nights are The Sparkles Hotel in Blackpool (www.sparkles.co.uk), it is a great kid-oriented B&B with about 7 suites. Each morning, Mrs. Sparkles takes the kids down for breakfast and play time, and each evening she organizes a pantomime or puppet show. She can also organize baby sitting. The kids really loved her! The suites are decorated in themes, we had the "Ruined Castle" suite, with 2 rooms and a huge bathroom. Other themes were Narnia, 101 Dalmations, Barbie, and Dinosaurs. The building is a 100 year old Edwardian, the funky theme decorations take advantage of the building's age. Mrs Sparkles really goes all out to make things fun for the kids, and the location is very close to the amusements in South Blackpool.
Bruce
Fremont, CA USA Sun 07/31/2005

Salzburg
For 2 nights, we stayed at Trude Poppenberg Bed and Breakfast (mail@trudeshome.com). It was a pleasant experience. She had a wonderful breakfast for us each morning (with home made cake) and shared with us her vast knowledge of Salzburg. She was a wonderful hostess and eager to help us out in numerous ways.
Konni
Bay Point, CA USA Sun 07/31/2005

Sorrento B&B
I would like to recommend the Villa Oriana B&B in Sorrento, Italy. From the moment you drive up the lemon covered drive you feel special which a glass of fresh lemonade from their trees. Maria and her son Pasqualle run this B&B in the hills overlooking the Bay of Naples and are very willing to help with all site seeing needs and make arrangements for cabs to downtown Sorrento. It is a lovely place where you can sit and watch the sun set over the bay. Also they serve wonderful breakfast overlooking the bay. Maria's husband would serve fresh from their trees orange juice each morning, followed by warm rolls, eggs, meats, cheeses, yogurt, a different cake every day, and coffee with steamed milk. A great way to start the day. While each room has TV and ensuite, all rooms are on different levels and some in different buildings as it is a family compound. We loved our stay and can't wait to return someday.
Barbara Weisenbach
Barrington, NJ USA Wed 07/27/2005

Great B&B's--Edinburgh, London, and Normandy in July
My wife and father-in-law have returned from a wonder vacation covering Edinburgh, London, Normandy, and Paris. Here are some of our recommendations: In Edinburgh, we stayed at the Colquhoun Guest House. The accomodations were excellent and the proprietor, Grace McAinsh, could not have been any nicer--one day we had to get up early for a full-day tour; we were going to miss breakfast, so she made and packed us a nice lunch to bring with us! In London, the B&B Belgravia [they have a good website] was awesome. The rooms were very crips, clean, and new, and location could not be beat--walking distance to many of the attractions. We were in London during incidents on July 7; Karin at the B&B fielded more than a few phone calls from our concerned relatives and friends while we were out for the day. She was extremely friendly and helpful throughout our stay there. While in Normandy, we decided to take a D-Day tour with Roel via his Victory Tours and we stayed at the B&B he and his wife [Pia] run. The B&B Château de Lignerolles in the Normandy countryside was an outstanding, romantic, and relaxing location. Roel's tour was fantastic and Pia was extremely friendly and treated us to outstanding breakfasts during our stay. My family whole-heartedly recommends any of these locations... the Colquhoun Guest House is already in Rick's Britian guide book, and the B&B Belgravia in London and B&B Château de Lignerolles in Normandy should certainly be considered for the next editions! They were outstanding locations and values, and we can't say enough about the friendliness of our hosts--Grace, Karin, Roel & Pia--especially during the turmoil in London at the beginning of July. We only wish that we could have stay longer at each place! Let me know if you have any questions...
CL
Philadelphia, PA USA Tue 07/26/2005

Heoric B&B
We recently stayed at the wonderful Rivermount B&B in Kinsale, Ireland. We loved it, the beautiful setting, friendly hostess, and outstanding breakfast which included yummy scrambled eggs in smoked salmon. When we returned home I wanted to make the same dish. I sent an email to Claire, our hostess, who promptly replied with that recipe and another! We wish we could have stayed longer...will next time.
Sue Meagher
Oxnard, CA USA Tue 07/26/2005

Dubrovnik-Villa Ragusa a hit!
While I was planning a trip through Croatia this Spring, I happened upon the recommendation for Villa Ragusa in Dubrovnik, Croatia that Rick recommends in his May news. Astoundingly, I was able to reserve the top floor room. The view from there was indeed incredible. Petar Carevic was also gracious. He even allowed us to stay in the room for a week even though we originally reserved it for two nights and someone else was interested in moving in. In short, a great stay! The only complaints I had were minor, such as a very small bathroom and inconsiderate fellow guests who had no compunction to making noise at 3:00 am (hopefully they won't be there when you are).

Mr. Carevic did indicate, however, that on account of Rick's recommendation he is now booked solid for the foreseeable future, so plan ahead!
James B.
Spokane, WA USA Tue 07/26/2005

Ruthin Castle
What a fantastic place! Although a tad pricey, you get what you pay for! While Rick states it's not the actual castle, you do get the feeling that your staying in a real castle! Our room was extremely large, the bath larger than at home and very clean. The bed was a bit lumpy but with a quick turn it was alright. Incredible views from the turreted windows. This was an unbelievable experience. Of course, the Medieaval Banquet was awesome too. Other than a very loud Eagle's fan with the American tour group, we enjoyed the food, atmosphere and entertainment. Can't wait to go back and stay there again.
Mary Yates
Yulee, FL USA Sun 07/24/2005

Warwick B & B
Cambridge Villa Hotel in Warwick is a lovely place to stay. Family owned and run by the spunky Ms. Bruna. We arrived late in the evening and tried to find accomodations in Rick's recommended Forth House but it was fully booked. However, Ms. Elizabeth Draisey, the owner was very kind and immediatley began calling neighboring B&B's and referred us to the Cambridge Villa Hotel, just up the road. Ms. Bruna was jovial and quite an interesting lady. Room was spacious, clean and quiet. Breakfast was cooked to order and very filling. Great place to stay and within easy walking distance to restaurants and pubs. Would definitely stay there again. Rick should consider adding this hotel to his recommendations.
Mary Yates
Yulee, FL USA Sun 07/24/2005

Great B & B
In the Cotswolds, Chipping Campden, is the Bramley House with the Povey's as the most gracious hosts possible. On this five week trip in the UK visiting 16 B&B's from Cornwall to the north coast of Scotland, Jane and David Povey stand out at the top of our list. They are the definition of gracious. We enjoyed the intimacy of this small B&B where conversation was easy with the hosts who had time for us in contrast to other B&B's run more like hotels. Very good food, meticulous clean bedroom and bathroom, sitting area in the garden to enjoy our wine and conversation with our hosts. Charming hosts, delightful small village, and beautiful gardens. You can find them at www.bramleyhouse.co.uk
Jim Sellers
Visalia, Ca USA Sat 07/23/2005

Hotel D'Argouges, Bayuex, France
The Hotel D'Argouges has the nicest driveway I have seen in any smaller hotel worldwide. It is very convient with a car. Rooms were 86 EURO/night/dbl but skip the overpriced breakfast and just go across the street to the pastery shop. The cathdral, tapestry, d-day museum, cemetary, the d-day beaches, etc. make this an amazing stop and a must-see. I would highly recommend the hotel.
Marc
Greenwich, CT USA Sat 07/23/2005

Straven Guest House
We stayed in the Straven Guest House at Edinburg for three nights, and what a tremendous treat that was. Great breakfasts, only four buildings from the beach, very clean, very tidy. Exectptionally friendly and so very helpful in getting you pointed in the right direction for your days activities. We plan on going back next year without hesitation.
Brice
Wichita Falls, TX USA Fri 07/22/2005

Eruopean B&Bs
My husband and I stayed at the most wonderful B&B in the tiny village of Ozenay (not too far from Dijon). The hosts, Marie-Laurence & Bernard Fachon are charming. And if Marie-Laurence offers to cook, immediately say yes!! We had a wonderful time driving through the french countryside, but our stay in Ozenay was definitely the highlight of the trip. email: bernard@golfenfrance.com phone: +33(0)385 511 611
Lisa Honea
Tustin, CA USA Thu 07/21/2005

LIDA GUEST HOUSE PRAGUE
After seeing "The Lida Guest House" in Prague recommended on the Graffiti wallwe stayed there in July/05.The place was great, Jiri picked us up at the airport(and return). There was a lounge with free internet and a honour bar( supermarket prices), it was a real home from home very freindly and helpful. lida@login.cz
Fred & Rita Meaden
Port Coquitlam, bc. Canada Wed 07/20/2005

B&B Haus Maximilian
On a recent trip to Tirol, Austria, we found a fantastic B&B in the small&quaint village of Soell (reachable by bus from Woergl or Kufstein or St. Johann) Their rates (15euros pp) are lower than the local hostel (24euros) and what a difference. The friendly owners Max and Andrea are wonderful hosts. They 3 blockswalking distance from the town center. They have 10 doubles w/balcony, radios and w/bath&hairdryers and 4 singles/twins w/shared bath. Continental breakfast was included. Their email is maximilian.soell@aon.at or phone from USA 011-43-5333-5468.For information about Soell click on www.soell.at.
Karl & Hilde
Seattle, WA USA Wed 07/20/2005

B & B Le Clos des Cigales, Provence, France
My wife and I just recently spent five days at an exceptional B & B located just outside Roussillion. We found this location on the graffit page earlier this year and decided to give it a try. No stairs or elevators as you stay in individaul cottages that surround a great swimming pool. Breakfast is served outside in a dining area adjacent to the pool. Not only were the accomodations exceptional but the hosts, Phillippe & Brigitte Lherbeil, were very accomodating.A car is a must. Phillippe sat down with us every day and plotted our driving routes that took us by Lavender fields and many small towns. We were even able to catch a market day in one them. The town of Rousillion is convient for eating, has nice shops and an ATM. A great area to experience Provence.
Max Cobb
Cleveland, OK USA Tue 07/19/2005

budapest accomodations
Will be travelling to Budapest in August and would be grateful if anyone can suggest a B&B/pension.
Tiffany
Taylor, PA USA Sun 07/17/2005

B&B on farm in Normandy
Ferme Montfiquet in Ste. Marguerite d'Elle, France (in Normandy) was a unique experience. It is run by Debbie and Ian, who are English, and their three children. It's a real hobby farm, complete with chickens, pigs, donkey, and such. They have at least two available rooms which share a bathroom, and they only rent to one group or family at once. Price is 45 Euros per room per night with breakfast, and they will optionally make you a complete dinner for 15 Euros per person. They are very friendly, and you will interact with them quite a bit during your stay! If you don't tolerate children well, keep this in mind. You will definitely need a car to get there. Normandy beaches are about 30 minutes away. Rooms are very basic. Mattress and pillow quality (I'm a little picky about pillows) aren't great. Debbie will e-mail you quite promptly. the room fees are payable in cash on check-out.
Carol Sabbar
Kenosha, WI USA Sat 07/16/2005

B&B Edinburgh
Wonderful guesthouse with lovely hostess Judy: "The Beverley" on Murrayfield Ave. www.thebeverley.com or enquiries@thebeverley.com Beautiful family room for 4 with private bathroom. Great hospitality and breakfast. Paid 110 GBP. Parking out front. Bus stop down the street or 20-30 walk to Edinburgh center. Great bus transportation system.
Kim
USA Fri 07/15/2005

B&B Barharach, Germany
Family of 4 stayed at Pension Winzerhaus, in Barharach on the Rhine River in May. Highly recommend! Wonderful hospitality, great breakfast. Lovely quiet location on a vineyard a short walk from town/river. Family room was joining double rooms, one with shower/sink and toilet, other with a sink. Paid 60Euro for the 4 of us with discount for having R.S. book!
Kim
USA Fri 07/15/2005

Carmers B&B, Brugge
We stayed Carmers B&B owned by the Van Nevel family in Brugge, Belgium for 2 nights in April. Informative, conveniently located, well equipted, fab breakfast served in room. Our family of 4 stayed in their 2 double rooms with shared shower/toilet in the hall. Sinks in room. Highly recommend. 50Euro/night/Double
Kim
USA Fri 07/15/2005

B&B Smart in Rome
Very nice and comfortable, We stayed at B&B Smart in Rome for 4 nights in the end of June . It is clean and very well located , about five minutes walk from the Termini train station , well connected with bus and metro , next to the police station , and we felt very safe , 10 minutes walk to the Roman Forum , Colosseum.... supermarkets just round the corner , the hostess Isa is very helpful and friendly , anyone interested in staying in a clean, nice, fairly priced B&B in Rome , look at the web : www.bandbromeitaly.com
Elizabeth Lee
New York, USA Thu 07/14/2005

B&B's in Lincoln, UK
I'm traveling to Lincoln, UK (my first time there)the end of Oct-Nov 2005 and am looking for a B&B to stay for the 5 nights I'll be there. Nothing too fancy just a nice, comfy place to put my head at the end of the day. Any suggestions would be very welcome.
K.
Seattle, WA USA Thu 07/14/2005

Katwijk b&b (The Netherlands)
If you're in Katwijk, on the North Sea near The Hague & Leiden, stay at De Schaape Wei. 60 euros per night (in the high season). Private bathroom. Our room had a TV and an Internet connection for our notebook/laptop. Bikes were included in the price. Breakfast is delicious and served at your convenience! Lovely garden. Ineke is a gracious host who gave us our privacy but was available the minute we needed her. It was raining the day we left and she even drove us to the train station in Leiden.

The website is: http://home.planet.nl/~lagas041/index_gb.html
Elizabeth
Austin, TX USA Thu 07/14/2005

Eric's BnB in Amsterdam
Eric's is a great place to stay at a great price. We stayed in Apartment V, which is 2 levels (not counting the entry floor) and overlooks a canal. 110 euros per night. Living area, TV, tons of books, stereo, umbrellas, complete kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Lots of windows and natural light. Central location. Due to outside dining on the street below, it can be noisy if sleeping with the windows open. Ear plugs worked like a charm. The hosts live next door and are just lovely.

The website is: http://www.eric-bnb.bigstep.com
Elizabeth
Austin, TX USA Thu 07/14/2005

London - July 2005.
As a manager of a London hotel I just wanted to post a comment on London at this time (July 2005). I trust it is not improper to use this page to do it on.

One week ago a small number of cruel individuals committed a crime against this great city of London. Our reaction was immediate - anger, sympathy for those who suffered, but most of all defiance! We have had Hitler bombing us nightly for four years and the IRA attacking us infrequently for nearly 20 years, one mornings work of evil is not going to scare Londoners!

Four days, yes only four days after the attack, the Queen led the nation in a tribute to the veterans of World War Two. Hundreds of elderly veterans stood straight and proud in hot sun carrying with pride their regimaents flags. The Queen and Prince Phillip then led these heroes very slowly along the Mall to Buckingham Palace - the royal vehicle was open topped, no armoured glass, and the Queen and Prince Phillip waved to a great crowd of nearly one million people. The fly past of veteran planes brought cheer after cheer but the loudest cheer was for four veteran planes of your airforce! The final plane a British World War two British bomber poured one million red poppies over our heads. We were proud that only four days after a terrorist attack this city stood for freedom in a manner that will remain in our memories forever.

I run a small hotel in central London, most of our guests on that day were American, they came along and witnessed a city proud and free. So ofcourse the news is bad at such times but fear is the victory of the terrorist. Come to Europe, travel, enjoy our differences and defy evil!

I write this not on behalf of the hotel I manage or other good hotels in London, I write this for all cities - New York, London, Madrid or anywhere else that evil dares insult our liberty.
Kevin, Manager of Blades Hotel. London
London, UK Thu 07/14/2005

B&B Logis Les Remparts, Bayeux, Normandy, France
Les Remparts B&B is very conveniently located in the city of Bayeux, near a park where there is not a lot of night-time traffic, so guests aren't kept awake at night by too much noise. Air-conditioning is rare in northern France, especially at B&B's, so travelers who feel a bit warm at night will need to open windows for fresh air. Open windows also let in traffic noise, which is why Les Remparts's location is so good. The building itself is quite old, but immaculately kept -- and the creaking wood floors add to its charm. We stayed in the "Bourbesneurs" room, as there were three of us, and it included a full bathroom with modern features.

The Les Remparts website indicates that it is about a 25-minute walk from the Bayeux train station; it's actually a bit shorter than that, but may feel that long if you're carrying a lot of luggage. Catching a taxi at the train station appeared to be somewhat hit-or-miss, from what we observed. It's a scenic walk, up and down slight inclines passing by centuries-old buildings and the majestic Cathedrale.

The proprietors, Francois and Christele Lecornu, are apple farmers by trade and also hold the "Appellation Originee Controllee" designation for their own brand of Calvados (an apple-based brandy), apple cider (which is fermented and bottled like champagne) and blended aperitifs. These are traditional Norman drinks (and very pleasant). They sell these and related items in their ground-floor shop, which also functions as the lobby and, at the rear, the dining room for breakfast.

M. and Mme. Lecornu were very gracious hosts whose English is good. The breakfasts were excellent, as were the recommended restaurants for dinner which covered a variety of price ranges but were all within an easy 5-minute walk from their home.

We also went to the 900-year-old Cathedrale, the Bayeux Tapestry Museum (which is a must-see itself -- this is the famous 75-yard-long 11th-century embroidery chronicling William's Norman Conquest of England in 1066), and a day-long guided driving/walking tour of the D-Day Normandy beaches and museums. All of these sights, and the departure point for the tour, are within a short walk of Les Remparts.

I wish we could have stayed another day or two at Les Remparts for more extensive exploring of the D-Day beaches and many museums in the region. We had a delightful stay there, beginning with our first night in France after flying overnight from the USA, and highly recommend it to other travelers.
John Reilly
Plano, Texas USA Wed 07/13/2005

Beautiful, Comfortable & Friendly B&B in Tuscany!
We had the good fortune and great pleasure to spend 4 days in Montecatini Terme, Tuscany. Sylvie and her family, fluent in English, Italian, French and German, were wonderful hosts - always smiling and ready to lend a helpful hand. Their B&B, La Tartaruga, http://www.la-tartaruga.com/, is beautiful and very comfortable (complete with satellite TV and wireless internet) and offers a huge breakfast buffet that includes local cold meats and cheeses. Sylvie introduced us to many wonderful foods that are specific to the region that we wouldn't otherwise have known about. Our children loved their turtles!! Montecatini Terme is a beautiful town in itself, but it is also ideally located - close to Firenze, Pisa, Sienna, Cinqueterre and all those wonderful vineyards!
Nora & Marius
Mukilteo, WA USA Wed 07/13/2005

Ardconnel House in Inverness GB
I'd like to compliment John and Elizabeth at the Ardconnel House in Inverness GB. John went out of his way to show me the local sights. I would not have been able to see the magnificent battlefield without his assistance. Elizabeth was a gracious host as well. Our stay was most pleasant and our memories of our brief time there are brighter for their hospitality.
Charles A. Smith
Manhattan, KS USA Tue 07/12/2005

Romantik Villa, Salema, Portugal
We Highly recommend staying at the Romantik Villa! We were on our honeymoon and found the place very beautiful and peaceful with a private pool in a well manicured garden. The walk to the restaurants was only about 10-15 min. The owner, Lisa, had some great sight seeing ideas as well. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Monica Decker
chicago, il USA Mon 07/11/2005

A Lovely B&B in Karlsruhe, Germany
I recently enjoyed a wonderful stay at the Pension Anita in Karlsruhe. Frau Anita Subeit has lovingly renovated her Art Nouveu style house, and single-handedly cares for the beautiful garden behind the house. Guests are welcome to enjoy the garden and also to cook in the kitchen! It's a short walk to the Plus market where you can pick up everything you need for a wonderful "home-cooked" meal. Frau Anita went out of her way to make me feel welcome, from serving me some of the Sunday cake intended for her own family to driving me through the Black Forest so I could visit one of the world's leading Icelandic Pony Breeding Farms (Der Wiesenhof in Marxzell-Burbach). Single rooms start at 42 euros, double rooms from 74 euros, including breakfast and 16% value-added tax. Contact Frau Anita Subeit at Pension Anita, Schenkendorfstr. 2, 76199 Karlsruhe-Rüppurr, Germany. Website: http://www.pension-anita.com/html/english/index_e.html; Telephone: From the USA: 011-49-721-887606; email: info@pension-anita.com.
Robin Mulkey
Tigard, OR USA Mon 07/11/2005

A Unique B&B in Normandy
We highly recommend L'Atre Fleuri, a charming bed and breakfast that sits just on the edge of the main square in the village of Balleroy and provides a great base for exploring the Normandy beaches, the Beaueau Tapistry and is not far from Mont San Michael and Brittany. The rooms are beautifully decorated and the bi-lingual hosts Jim and Margaret provide guests with wonderful food, hospitality and impeccable service. We have stayed with them twice and are anxious to return. The room range from 70 to 100 euros per couple. Contact Jim and Margaret Stephenson at L'Atre Fleuri ,12 Rue des Etangs.14490 Balleroy France. Website: http://nighty-night.net/; Telephone: From the USA: 011-33-231219739. email: latrefleuri@yahoo.com
Debra LaBerge
Poway, CA USA Mon 07/11/2005

Great B&B in Huntly Scotland
Southview B&B was a great bed and breakfast in northern Scotland (Huntly, about 30 miles west of Aberdeen). Centrally located for castles and distilleries, Mrs. Thomson was like a grandmother to us.
Ed Boesiger
San Jose, CA USA Sun 07/10/2005

Hotel Haus Lipmann, Beilstein, Germany
We consider Hotel Haus Lipmann in Beilstein more a B&B than a hotel, so we're commenting on it here. It is a very professionally, family-run operation in a quiet, seemingly made for tourists village. The food, both @ breakfast and dinner was fine-dining quality, and the "house-guest" special prices made it affordable...and the wine!! Our recently-remodeled room (w/towel warmer/heater in bathroom) faced the Mosel, directly across from the ferry landing. We could have easily stayed in the room and watched river-traffic all day were it not for our sightseeing demands. We stayed 4 nights here, and made an easy day-trip to Burg Eltz (a must-see) w/ a Texas couple we met @ Haus Lipmann. We arrived in Beilstein romantically via riverboat. Haus Lipmann is a very short walk from the landing.
John & Cindy Jenkins
Flagstaff, AZ USA Sat 07/09/2005

Altfrankisches Weinstube, Rothenburg
Altfrankisches Weinstube in Rothenburg was an excellent choice for our 1st 3 nights in Europe. It is located down a quiet side-street (an alley in our world), with a very atmospheric pub downstairs. We were worried that the pub noise might disturb us, but we never heard anything louder than faint laughter. Mario is a professional host - he even gave me a ride to Rad & Tat bike rental shop gratis. We thouroughly enjoyed our stay and would recommend it as a quiet inn located in a quiet, convenient corner of an otherwise bustling, touristy small city.
John & Cindy Jenkins
Flagstaff, AZ USA Sat 07/09/2005

Gasthof Simony, Hallstatt, Austria
We stayed 5 nights @ Gasthof Simony in Hallstatt, Austria in early May '05. We thoroughly enjoyed our relaxed visit there. Frau Scheutz is very helpful, friendly, and professional. The Simony is just as Rick describes (old, creaky, great lake view), and Frau Scheutz refuses to heed the advice of the TI to "modernize", for which we are grateful.
John & Cindy Jenkins
Flagstaff, AZ USA Sat 07/09/2005

Straven Guest House, Edinburgh
In late May 2005 we had the pleasure of staying at Straven Guest House in Edinburgh. It's a lovely, comfortable home located a few yards from the beach on the Firth of Forth and a short block from the well-serviced bus stop. Our hosts, Mac & Marian McCool, made us feel right at home with their warm hospitality. And they serve a great bowl of Scottish porridge. We can't say enough about this wonderful B&B and would stay there again in a heartbeat. Check out their website at www.stravenguesthouse.com.
Alice & Bill Weissmann
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Thu 07/07/2005

Provence
We stayed at the Mas Du Petit Grava the week of June 23-30 2005 in Moules about 20 minutes from Arles. It was perhaps the most exceptional travel experience we have ever had. As a celebration for my mother's 75th birthday our group crossed all generations and we had three of their four rooms. Jim and Ike not only picked us up at the train at night they brought us back to get our rental car the next day. The breakfasts baked by Ike and served by Jim were wonderful. The rooms were spacious and the bathrooms ensuite for each room were incredibly large for European standards. They opened their home to us and as we enjoyed the pool and picnics on their 7 acres we can only tell you that we felt as though for that one magical week it was our home in Provence.
sue nathanson
edmonds, washington USA Tue 07/05/2005

La Tartaruga in Tuscany is Exceptional!
My husband and I recently traveled to Italy (May 2005). We wanted to visit Florence and some of the surrounding areas in Tuscany. Our hope was to find a nice bed and breakfast to stay in while we were there that could accomodate both areas. We decided on La Tartaruga and were so please that we did. The location is very quiet and welcoming. It was, to us, the perfect way to experience authentic Italy while we stayed. The large "Orange room" was exceptionally spacious and immaculate. The bedding was top of the line and the breakfast was gourmet quality. The room and dining room (for the wonderful breakfast) overlook the beautifully landscaped grounds. Although, this Bed and Breakfast is small (only 3 available rooms) it exceeded our expectations. Sylvie, the owner is fluent in English, French, Italian and German and absolutely goes out of her way to make every wish come true for her guests. Try La Tartaruga; you won't be dissapointed! (Wireless high speed internet is available as well). The website just doesn't do justice to the beauty and quality of the inn, but visit the website and plan your trip right away. You'll want to plan your return before you ever leave. For the budget minded travelers: the price is well below it's value!

One final point is that Montecatini Terme is just a wonderful little city with quaint shops, fine (but inexpensively priced) resaraunts and very, very kind people. We will go again and Montecatini and the La Tartaruga will be our home base! www.la-tartaruga.com
Todd and Stephanie Douma
Kansas City, MO USA Tue 07/05/2005

IRELAND ACCCOMDATIONS
4 of us travelled to the Emerald Isle for the first time! Had an excellent time and have a few accomdation recommendations. Dublin - we stayed near the airport (The Crowne Plaza) - very nice and accomodating. The rooms were great as was the bar and cafe. Difficult to return to after Midnight as the buses stop running and taxi's are not cheap! Kilkenny - Alcantra B&B. Very nice and clean - good breakfast and a nice walk into town. Kinsale - Our biggest disappointment of the trip. We stayed at Blue Haven Hotel - had the smallest room in the place and they still charged as if we had the largest. I mean we had a double bed squeezed into a closet! Not to mention their website quoted one price and we were charged 30 Euros more! Nice location.... not many nice restaurants as I had expected - being the "culinary" town it has been talked up to be. DINGLE TOWN - GREAT!!!!! This town had it all. Alot of nice restaurants and so many decent pubs with great live music. Stayed at Heatons Guesthouse about 1/2 mile outside of town. Awesome!!! Well worth the 67 Euros per night! Finally - Ennis.. we stayed at Cill Eoin B&B. Would rather sleep in the car. Very dingy and cramped. Very far from town - at least a 1 1/2 mile walk. Didn't even offer discount for not staying for breakfast. Anyway... we really enjoyed our trip. And I agree with the others - pack lightly!
Tracy Ellis
Chicago, IL USA Tue 07/05/2005

Dingle
Mainstay B&B in Dingle,at 35 euros/person, rarely have I found accomodation of such good value. Gus and Ruth run a friendly place with excellent food (especially if you are looking for a change from the tranditional Irish breakfast) I highly recommend the fritatta and don't forget to add the chorizo.

If you are lucky, you might catch Gus playing traditional Irish music at O'Flaherty's.

For our few days in Dingle Gus and Ruth made us feel like locals, helping us select restaurants and even joining us for a few pints at a local pub on a sunny afternoon.

Needless to say I encourage you to make your bed at the Mainstay and help Gus and Ruth with their labor of love.
Mike
Minneapolis, MN USA Tue 07/05/2005

Dingle B&B Recommendation
I arrived in beautiful Dingle without a hotel reservation or even a guide book and boy was I fortunate. We knocked on the door of the Mainstay Guesthouse and were greeted by Gus. For 70 Euro a night, this was great value. This is not your typical B&B. It is homey like most and clean and the rooms are nice. However, the real charm of the Mainstay is Gus and his wife Ruth who are very kind and interesting people. In addition, Gus is a unbelievable cook. The 70 Euro price is even more reasonable when you consider the fact that Gus is a gourmet cook and he prepares the breakfast. The frittata that he prepares which is loaded with veggies and different kinds of meats is wonderful. That will literaly serve as your breakfast & lunch. They also have some of the best french toast I have ever had and also offer an Irish breakfast. In addition, there is a continental breakfast which includes Gus's homemade banana bread, scones and brown bread. They were all wonderful. If you are going to Dingle, make sure to rest your head at the Mainstay. Gus even plays traditional Irish music on some nights at a local pub.

email: info@mainstaydingle.com www.mainstaydingle.com
Chris Sarcletti
Chicago, IL USA Tue 07/05/2005

Florence, Italy
While the Hotel Duilio is a small place in Florence (only 4 rooms),the owner/operator has a huge heart! He went way above and beyond, offering great advice on places to eat and sights in the city. When we accidently left our Rick Steves guide book at the front desk, he literally ran after us but was not able to find us. He did, however, hold onto the guidebook for several days until we called looking for it. Anytime our travels take us through Florence, we will definitely stay at the Hotel Duilio!
Jacqui A.
Santa Cruz, CA USA Tue 07/05/2005

Ireland Summer Travel June 2005
My husband & I recently returned from a wonderful 9 day trip abroad to Ireland. Landed in Shannon, spent 2 days in Galway (could have limited that to 1 day had the airline not have lost our baggage), 1 day in the Burren at Gregans Castle Hotel, 1 day in Lahinch, 2 days in Dingle (one of our favorites), 2 days in Kinsale (another favorite, highly recommend!) & last night in Adare. My husband & I very much followed Rick's book's for the most part & highly recommend most of what you will find on this site & his book. It certainly helped us in our travels! Our tips & thoughts on Ireland are as follows: **Pack as lightly as possible & take clothing you can easily layer as temps fluctuate during summmer months. **Rent as small a car as possible... roads are narrow & parking tight, good on gas too, you will be glad you did! **Pack a washcloth & soap, many B&Bs do not provide **Take your patience. Service tends to be a bit slow in restaurants & pubs & driving on those roads absolutely requires patience as well!! **As Rick suggests, do try to sit or stand at bar, you will meet more locals that way **Take a journal for keepinga daily detailed journal of your trip, you'll be seeing so much it's amazing how quickly you'll forget things! **Picnic at least once in a scenic point of choice (for us it was Charles Fort, Kinsale). It's a wonderfully romantic way to spend an irish afternoon & gets you out of the pubs for a change! The fresh air in Ireland is good for the soul! **Learn & listen to the locals as much as possible. They have great stories to tell, even better sense of humor, are good sources of information & you simply can't beat that beautiful irish accent! **Seek out & enjoy as much trad irish music as possible. It's a sound you won't soon forget & something the Irish take great pride & passion in. **Drink the tea & always with milk **You don't come to Ireland for the weather so enjoy a bright & sunny day IF you get it but accept & relish in a foggy/rainy/chilly day, it's part of the mystic of Ireland. **Wear comfortable & durable shoes & clothes, you didn't come for a fashion show. **To battle jet lag best, always go to bed at local time only, it's the best way to reset your clock & avoid jet lag (tough it out the first day in, you'll be glad you did!) **Take a sleep mask for the ride over (will help you sleep when lights/movie is on) & for your summer travel around Ireland. Does not get dark there during summer until around 11pm. **Keep 1-2 guidebooks on Ireland with you at all times. Helps for accomodations & food reco tremendously! **Purchase Ordinance Survey Road Atlas in addition to the car rental map they give you. Has better road detail & good way to find short cuts! **Stay in Cill Breach House if you visit Dingle. Angela is by far the nicest lady in all of Ireland! We adored her!
Ashley Hoy
Charlotte, NC USA Sun 07/03/2005

Lynton House
I'm a little slow in getting this posted,my friend and I stayed here back in April. The owner, Mark, was so kind and funny and helpful, that I wanted to tell everyone. This bed and breakfast is located just a short walk from Victoria Station in the Belgravia area of London. His prices were extremely affordable for the area. the least exprensive on that street (113 Ebury)It was very clean, tiny bathroom, but comfortable. Mark is a very good cook., always in a cheerful mood, and excellent at giving detailed directions. There is a lady from Canada that often stays there and helps out, she has attended many royal weddings. She has a tea set that was a gift from the Queen. (Originally given to a friend of hers). She is an interesting character. They have a rooftop table and chairs on a balcony that makes you truly feel you in the London of old.
Sara Jane
Houston, Texas USA Sun 07/03/2005

Vernazza, Verenna and Venice B & B's
Vernazza - We loved our room with Francamaria. We had room #2, right near the harbor with a view of the church and harbor from our room. It was also nice because, with the heat, we were washing clothes a lot and were provided a clothesline and clothespins right outside our window. It's the thing to do in Vernazza. Our tip on Vernazza - bring earplugs. If you're in bed before midnight, you will hear lots of partying going on right outside your window with the restaurants right below. You can shut the window but it gets so hot, you'll probably want it open. Although they don't advertise it, Francamaria does have fans so ask for one. We also had a small refrigerator in our room which came in handy. And Maria really helped us with planning our train trip to Varenna the day before we left.

Varenna - Eremo Gaudio is perhaps the best B & B I have ever stayed at in Europe. It's not right in town but it's worth the short hike and two funiculars to get there. The hotel is perched high up on the hill overlooking the Lake and town. What amazing views!! Get the room with the balcony if you can. You won't want to leave. A great buffet breakfast is served on an incredible stone patio, also overlooking the lake. We had our 10 year anniversary dinner there too - wonderful! I will never forget this place.

Venice - Ca del Dose is an awesome B&B - clean as can be, comfortable, lots of closet space, great location and the friendliest owners and staff you can imagine. If you are a runner, it's ideally located near the city gardens with lots of trails in the gardens and on the waterfront.
Shannon Teslow
Fort Collins, CO USA Sat 07/02/2005

Aviemore B&Bs
We will soon be travelling in Aviemore, Scotland, and were wondering if anybody had any recommendations for B&Bs there?

Thanks!
USA Thu 06/30/2005

B&B London
Wish I had known about the great B&B in Venice. Just got back. Stayed at the Madison in Jesolo, which was like a B&B but very touristy. Recently my daughter and I did a whirlwind trip to London. Using the Steves guide, we selected the Cherry Court Hotel. The Patels were wonderful. They offered to hold our bags (early flight) and then checked us in four hours early because the room was ready. The rooms are tiny but clean and the fruit and bisquit basket was plenty for a morning snack--neither of us are big breakfast eaters. The location is superb, less than five minutes to Victoria Station and within short walking distance of many attractions. There is a lively pub just around the corner and the street is well-lit and always felt safe, even when we were returning quite late. The Patels let us call a mobile phone, which costs A LOT when we were trying to reach a local friend. I am planning a trip to London around Thanksgiving and plan to stay at the Cherry Court again. It's simply too good a deal to pass over.
Dee Dilks
Orlando, FL USA Thu 06/30/2005

Wonderful B&B Siena, Italy
Siena, Italy--Wonderful B&B

On May 20, 2005, we ended our day in Siena, Italy around 6:30 p.m. without reservations. We called several hotels listed in Rick's and other guides with no luck (except one at 170 euros). We walked to the TI and it was closed. We drove just out of town and saw a small sign "Rooms," "Camere," "Zimmer" and on a chance drove in. We ended up staying there, at Podere Le Vigne, www.levigne.it, e-mail info@poderelevigne.it. It was a delight! Highly recommended & great value. Beautiful, clean rooms with bathrooms, nicely decorated inside & out, simple breakfast included, wonderful hostess, Carla. 76 euros per night. Very close to Siena, almost walking distance. We would go back in a minute.
Sue
Denver, Co USA Wed 06/29/2005

Fabulous B&B in Odense, Denmark
My family and I stayed at a fantastic B&B in Odense, Denmark that was not listed in Rick Steve's guidebook. We stayed with Marethe & Poul Erik Speth in their guesthouse located directly behind their own residence. It was immaculate and the grounds were beautiful. They also served a delicious breakfast. The house sleeps 4-6 people, so it is perfect for couples traveling together. The price for a double is 350 kr. and it is located right outside of Odense, and is easy to find if you've rented a car. Check out their website at www.blommenslyst.dk Their email address is ingvartsen-speth@post.tele.dk We highly recommend this B&B!
Cynthia H.
West Valley City, UT USA Wed 06/29/2005

Wonderful B&B
A wonderful B&B for those driving in the Brussels area is the Rosebank B&B run by Rene and Hilda-Ann Debecker-Foster in Halle(Breedhout),a very personable couple. Wonderful friendly, caring hosts with nice rooms, shared very nice bathroom, and outstanding breakfast. Website is www.bedandbreakfastbrussels.be
Paul and Tessie Marques
Decatur, alabama USA Wed 06/29/2005

b&b in provence
i recently stayed in a b%b located in drome provencial (i think that's how you spell it?), just a bit north of avignon, france. i was originally put in touch with the location, La Bergerie des Sources, because one of the owners went to my college in minnesota.

anyway, come to find out that the family that owns and operates this place (with such love and care) is american, although they have been living in france for over ten years. the location was ideal--it's located in a small village with a few surrounding small towns. and it's an old farm house from the 18th century that has been converted into a beautiful home and b&b/apartments.

every morning we had a huge and beautiful breakfast of pastries and fruit and most of all it was SO nice to have some american guidance during my tour of provence, not to mention the charm of this family.

their rates aren't bad and they'd love to have more visitors from the states (most of their clients are dutch and french), so i would highly recommend this for anyone that's looking for a small b&b to stay while away in europe.

their website is www.bergerie-des-sources.com

bon voyage!
Katie LaZelle
Woodinville, WA USA Wed 06/29/2005

Bed and Breakfast
If you are looking for a GREAT B&B in Normandy, stay wityh Francois and Christele Lecorneu in Bayeaux at Le ramparts. Nice looking large rooms, home made breakfast in the cider shop next to the cider cellar!!! Near Omaha!! Take the Battlebus!! Barry Hylas
Le Ramparts
Bayeux, France Tue 06/28/2005

Favorite places to stay
My sister and I have just come back from a month-long trip to Europe and found some fantastic places to stay while we were there. Here are some comments on the most notable.

London: Cherry Court Hotel. 55 pounds. The Patels were so friendly and welcoming and were kind enough to hold our bags until our room was ready when we staggered in at 8 am. The location is absolutely fantastic (a block from Victoria Station, which has a direct link to Gatwick and several lines of the Underground running through) and the internet access in the front hallway was a HUGE bonus. The rooms were admittedly small (what can you expect for London?) but very comfortable. Overall, for the price, location and friendliness, I would definitely return.

Paris: Hotel Lyon-Mulhouse. 68 euros. I couldn't believe how inexpensive this hotel was for a roomy ensuite twin with balcony! The room itself was well-appointed and extremely comfortable, linens and towels were changed daily and Hady at reception was extremely friendly. The only complaint I had was the service of the rest of the front desk staff - one woman refused to call us a taxi and yelled at us for not leaving our key at the desk one night. The location (Bastille) may also not be ideal for some, though it's very close to a Metro stop. Overall a good experience though.

Amboise: Hotel la Breche. 64 euros. This hotel was very comfortable and quiet. The owners, Madame and Monsieur Lavison, were friendly and accomodating, and the dinners (half board, 87 euros) were delicious and large. We were there during a heat wave, making our room uncomfortable hot, but we would definitely return at any time other than summer.

Bayeux: Logis les Remparts. 50 euros. My hands-down favourite B&B of the entire trip. I almost hesitate to rave in case I'm not able to get a reservation the next time I want to go. Christele and Francois were friendly, sweet and helpful. Christele always had a smile for us and Francois was so gracious in carrying our luggage up to our room and pretending not to see the puddles we made on his stone floor (it was pouring outside and we didn't have umbrellas). Our room was absolutely beautiful and the bed was the most comfortable I've ever slept in. Breakfast was delicious and came complete with homemade apple-cinnamon jelly, which we loved so much we bought several jars to take home (Francois is an apple farmer as well and brews and sells Calvados, cider and jelly). I loved it here and will most definitely return as often as possible.

Bruges: Debruyne's B&B. 60 euros. Another great place. It's close to the Markt (about a 10-minute walk) but extremely quiet and mercifully empty of tourists. Marie-Rose and Ronny were friendly and extremely helpful. They leave maps, a guidebook and a handmade list of their favourite restaurants, cafes and bars in your room, as well as the locations of supermarkets, laundromats and other important things. Breakfast was plentiful and included a delicious bread, which Marie-Rose informed us was traditionally Belgian. The room was large and roomy, and the general architecture of the place was fascinating. I loved the giant swinging doors (Ronny's an architect and designed everything himself). I'll definitely return.
Linda
Toronto, Canada Tue 06/28/2005

Finding B&Bs Roma, Firenze, Venezia
Try the website www.cross-pollinate.com for B&Bs in the three cities mentioned. It's mentioned in Rick's Italy book. We used this to find our B&B for Rome & Venice. Worked out very nicely. Ca'Riccio in Venice was really nice.
Danacat
Winnipeg, MB Canada Tue 06/28/2005

Hotel Aldobrandini, Firenze
We stayed here May 25-June 30. The location was great, 5 minutes walking from the train station. We were practically in the middle of the market, and a short distance from Duomo. Hotel is clean and simple. Ignazio goes out of his way to help you and give you information. Although it was warm, the fans in the room keep us cool. Breakfast was simple and a good start to the day. We would recommend Hotel Aldobrandini for the budget minded traveller.
Danacat
Winnipeg, MB Canada Tue 06/28/2005

wawel tourist hotel, krakow, poland
The staff of this little gem (I found it in Rick's Eastern Europe guide) went over and above the call of duty when my online-purchased rail tickets from Krakow to Budapest proved incorrect and useless. After repeated phone calls to airlines, bus companies and the railroad ... all of which yielded absolutely nothing ... one of the clerks suggested hiring a car and driver for the 500-kilometer trip. We agreed on a price and the driver was contacted ... who then picked us up at the Wawel Tourist and drove us for 7 hours south from Krakow, through Slovakia, into Hungary and on to Budapest.

The Wawel Tourist is cozy, elegant, centrally located and staffed by caring professionals who can also save a vacation when the need arises.
bill boltinoff
boca raton, FL USA Tue 06/28/2005

going well beyond the expected
Marie Dubois, the hostess at B&B Villa Pietrafiore in Monterosso, Italy, on the Cinque Terre, found so many ways to make our stay there a memorable one. From giving us rides to town to offering us home made breads and lemon liqueur when our dinner plans went awry, she and her family went that extra step. The B&B is majestically set on the hills above Monterosso and her terrace(where you are served a wodeful breakfast) gives you a breathtaking view of the Ligurian Sea. Their beautiful gardens make this a picture perfect site.
terry kelly
milwaukee, wi USA Mon 06/27/2005

Great dordogne accommodation near sarlat.
Thanks to all of those who recommended " Les Charmes de Carlucet " on this page! We have returned having spent a week of unforgettable sightseeing. Great castles, markets, gardens, all on their doorstep. The breakfasts are generous and varied, the rooms impeccably kept, they speak English which helps too. On the restaurant side Sarlat can have some tourist traps. So we enjoyed some great local dinning to Les Charmes (they have 3 good addresses within 3 miles!), our favourite being the Auberge du Sol a 5-minute walk on a quite Country lane where we drank lovely wine, watching the view of sunset in Carlucet, leaving the hire car behind. They have a website: http://www.carlucet.com/
Mathew
Cork, Ireland Mon 06/27/2005

Royal Stewart B&B, Brugge
June 26, 2005

Royal Stewart B & B: On May 15th, my wife and I arrived in Brugge at 6:30 PM (18:30) with no place to stay. We had refused to stay in a disappointing hotel in Brussels and, using our Rick Steves' book, left immediately for Brugge. We called around but the R.S.'s recommended places were booked. Using suggestions from these places, we called Maggie at the Royal Stewart. She was booked also but after I explained our situation, she managed to accommodate us (I'm a Scot too and I think that helped). It was the best thing that could have happened. With a little juggling, we managed to stay four nights during which time Maggie helped us find lodging for the next five weeks (we like Brugge so much that we just could not leave without seeing it thoroughly). We cannot say enough good things about Maggie, her friendliness, the rooms, the breakfasts, her help and the surroundings. Please visit the Royal Stewart; you'll love it, I guarantee it.
Vern & Judi Riddell
Fraser, Michigan USA Sun 06/26/2005

Zimmer in Ellenz on the Mosel
We found our most delightful zimmer frei, by chance, in Ellenz, Germany on the Mosel River. It was our least expensive and the most delightful. They are in partnership with a winery and the wine was wonderful and reasonable@ 40 Euros. It was the Furmann-Burg Gastezimmer with a lovely hostess and a lovely breakfast.
Sherry Campbell
Rockford, Il USA Sat 06/25/2005

Great B & B at Rothenburg o.d.t.
For a comfortable, clean Bed & Breakfast just north of the wall, and only a 5 min walk to the middle of town, I highly recommend "Karin's Haus". We had lovely rooms, great hospitality and a wonderful breakfast, each day that we were there. Plus the location is great, close enough for a nice walk, but on a very quiet street so you get your sleep. The house is beautiful on the inside with a marble floor and staircase. Karin speaks English very well, so communication is not a problem. You can contact her by e-mail at karinweissrtbg@aol.com or check out her web-site at www.haus-karin.de
Janet & Matt Collard
Ft. Worth, TX USA Sat 06/25/2005

Great B&B in Rothenburg o d Tauber
We found a nice B&B in Rothenburg o d Tauber. Frau Froehlich approached me at the train station and asked if I wanted to stay in a private home. She took us in her car to the center of town to a nice home with two apartments. We stayed in the double with a shower and kitchen for 19 Euros person. They also have a two bedroom apartment in the same building. Good breakfast served when you wish in your room. Not much English spoken but good for adventourous travelers. Just two minutes from town square. Can write to email in English. www.froehlich-rothenburg.de into@froehlich-rothernburg.de
Marty Kehrein
Blanchardville, WI USA Sat 06/25/2005

Wonderful B&B
In Bruges,Belgium we stumbled on the most incredible B&B within walking distance of city center, with kitchenette,outside private patio, private bath, safe parking place, and more food than you eat breakfast basket. Owners Els and Kris are superb hosts, speak English well, and are such fine people. Web site is www.bedandbreakfast-kwalito.com
Paul and Tessie Marques
Decatur, Al USA Thu 06/23/2005

Bed and Breakfast in Normandy
If you are planning to be in the Normandy (France) area, do consider this Bed and Breakfast: L'Atri Fleuri (www.nighty-night.net) It is in Balleroy, only 15 minutes from Bayeux and worth the trip. The rooms are lovely, clean, with wonderful linens. The Stephenson are so helpful and provide a delicious breakfast to their guests. A perfect setting in a picturesque French village.
Carolyn Rampmeier
High Point, NC USA Wed 06/22/2005

Terrific Find in Holyhead, Wales!
Terrific Find in Holyhead, Wales!

Gary & Jan Bavister of "Bod Gruffydd" literally saved our group from sleeping in our rental van. We had planned to try and find a place when we arrived in Holyhead since we were leaving the next day for the ferry to Ireland. However, we found ourselves driving around with no place to stay at 7pm. Not a good thing! In desperation, I called and asked one of the B&Bs (they were all booked) for some sort of recommendation. They gave me a name and number. When I called, Gary, took pity on us and found a way to fit our group of 5 even though they didn't really have the room. Bod Gruffydd turned out to be a true blessing from heaven! They just opened in March of 2005 but they are off to a great start. They make Holyhead worth a visit instead of just a layover for the ferry! We ended up deciding to return from Dublin and stay with them for a second night instead of sleeping in Dublin because we just loved the place. The house is lovely and full of history, the decor is so nice and well done. The breakfasts were delicious, the price was great and the hosts, including their sweet dog, were fabulous!!! RS, please consider listing this jewel in your next Great Britain book!

Bod Gruffydd 6 Gors Avenue Holyhead Anglesey LL65 1PB Tel: 01407 762595 gary-bavister@btinternet.com
Dawn
La Mesa, CA USA Tue 06/21/2005

Hot London!
On our fourth trip to London and second stay at the Blades Hotel very near Westminster. The hotel is a converted Victorian house so no elevator - but plenty of charm. Very clean accommodation and excellent buffet breakfast. London is going through a mini heatwave, so coming back to the hotel for a late afternoon shower before theatre and plenty of hot water (last hotel this was not always the caee). Very friendly and knowledgable staff with endless suggestions for a day trip. London can be expensive but the great museums and art galleries are all free. We booked direct with hotel and found room rates unchanged from last visit - www.blades-hotel.co.uk Off to Paris on Eurostar tomoorow so hope Paris will be as much fun as London.
The Charlwood Family.
Idaho USA Tue 06/21/2005

Guesthouse Lida - Prague
I agree Guesthouse Lida is a great place to stay when in Prague....their new contact information:

tel: 420-261 214 766 fax: 420-261 214 766 lidabb@seznam.cz http://sweb.cz/pensionlida
D FLoyd
CA USA Tue 06/21/2005

France guest house
What a joy, thanks Steve! Anne and Phil At Chateau Nineyrol near Beynac, were so gracious, we had our best nights sleep on the whole trip to France, comfy beds, a really quiet house and cool rooms. The table d'hote was perfect, with far ranging conversation. Anne had prebooked our tickets for the caves and really helped us to make best use of our week. We had our first taste of paintball, in the woods above La Roque Gageac fun and laughter all afternoon. We want to go back in the fall......
maggie and jim legon
dallas, texus USA Tue 06/21/2005

Prague- Lida House
Following the suggestions of previous travelers on this web-page, we stayed 4 nights at the Lida House in Prague. The first thing that comes to mind were the owners Jiri and Jan, who treated every guest as if they were the only ones there. They were so patient in giving everyone sight-seeing ideas and explicit directions. We had a room for three, which was clean and had a brand new bathroom, which is always a plus. The cost per night was approximately $77. In addition to the previously mentioned hospitality, Jiri (George) provided transportation to and from the airport/train station for a small fee, regardless of the time. We arrived at 11:00 pm by train, and left the B&B several days later at 6:00 am for the airport, and George was there! Although this large home is outside the center of Prague, transportation by electric trolly was easy and fun. George has trolley tickets available to buy. Contact them at lida@login.cz.
Susan Dixon
Tulsa, OK, USA Tue 06/21/2005

Cinque Terre B&B
In Vernazza, we found a delightful B&B: the Pensione Sorriso. "Sorrisso" means "smile" in Italian and everyone here certainly did that! The Pensione, which is convenient to the train station, is bright, clean, attractive and colorful, as befits its artist-owner. Francesca Boe runs the Pensione with her mother, Graciella; both are warm and hospitable. We had a comfortable double room with private bath and access to a terrace overlooking the main street of Vernazza. We waked every morning to the scent of baking croissants and enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the sunny blue and white dining room. Extra touches, like a small blossom in the cappucino,made the place extra special.The cost, in April, was 80 Euros/night including breakfast. The telephone number is 0187.812224
C. Varney
Atlantic Beach, FL USA Mon 06/20/2005

Levanto, Italy
Agriturismo Erba Persa, a lovely and quaint BB/villa just north of the Cinque Terra is a wonderful alternative to the crowded CT villages. We have spent several nights here the past two years and highly recommend Erba Persa. The ambiance and amenities are inline with many of the places we have stayed listed in Rick Steve's books. Levanto wraps itself around a small bay with sandy beaches and a boardwalk. The train station is a 3-4 block walk from Erba Persa, however, Grazia or Claudio (propreitors) will pick you up upon request. The rooms are clean, the breakfast is ample and varied, and free internet access is available. Prices are reasonable and available on their website www.erbapersa.it, or e-mail them at erbapersa@aliceposta.it. Phone: (0039)0187 0801376 They both speak English.
Susan Dixon
Tulsa, OK, USA Mon 06/20/2005

Website for Lida B&B Prague
I have been asked by several board readers for the Website and E mail address for the Lida B&B in Prague...here is website http://www.sweb.cz/lidagh/

Their new E-Mail address is lidabb@seznam.cz
Jean
Alameda, CA USA Sun 06/19/2005

Vienna and Salzburg
Pension Suzanne in Vienna has delightfully Victorian decor, a delicious restaurant across the road, easy access to the Opera and the pedestrian mall, and transportation. The staff but one was helpful and friendly. (On Sunday morning breakfast was serviced by a rather stern woman.) In Salzburg we stayed at Hotel Weisses Kreuz. It took a bit to find it, but the two citizens we asked were very helpful. It is a treasure hidden at the top of a narrow road off Kapitalplatz. Our corner room had lots of windows, a very comfortable bed, and a terrific bathroom. The ambiance was warm, relaxing and historically intriquing. Moreover, the food in the restaurant was delicious, and everyone was patient as we tried to communicate in fractured German and English.
Brian and Ginger Carney
Oconomowoc, WI USA Sun 06/19/2005

Hotel Pankow, Berlin
An easy tram ride away from Berlin Center, the Hotel Pankow was a wonderful way to begin our holiday in Germany and Austria. Exceptionally clean, friendly, and comfortable, although a bit noisy until the trams end their day's run. Herr Steiner welcomed us like family and was very patient and encouraging with our attempts to speak and understand German. (Herr Steiner speaks English very well). If you'd like a more neighborhood-like experience in Belin with fast and easy transportation at your front door, Hotel Pankow is the place to stay.
Brian and Ginger Carney
Oconomowoc, WI USA Sun 06/19/2005

23 St. Mary's in York and Dunedin in Edinburgh
We just got back from a fifteen day trip to Great Britain. We stayed at 23 St. Mary's in York and found our hosts to be absolutely charming. Chris greeted us with a map and pointed out all the shortcuts to the sites and back to the B&B. So helpful.

In Edinburgh we stayed at the Dunedin and also had a great experience. The rooms were large and extremely comfortable for our family of four. Our hosts were friendly and helpful. Also, the bus stop was half a block away.
Regina I.
Raleigh, NC USA Sun 06/19/2005

Reservations
We get so many phone calls from Inverness station from RS travellers asking if we can come & collect them, and bring them to our guesthouse. Our entry in the Great Britain guide does mention that John or Elizabeth will pick you up from the station, for free. This offer is aimed at travellers who have made reservations with us.In June, July & August we are always heavily booked, and it is extremely unlikely we will be in a position to offer accommodation, let alone free transportation at such short notice. John & Elizabeth, Ardconnel Guesthouse, Inverness
Ardconnel Guesthouse
Inverness, United Kingdom Sun 06/19/2005

Best B & B Holiday Apartment in TIROL, Austria
We are still on our vacation in Europe but I wanted to share the highlight of our trip so far. We stayed in the Feistenauers' holiday apartment in Höfen, Tirol, Austria. Höfen is a small blink-and-you-will-miss village near Reutte, which Rick Steves mentions as his favorite place to stay for visiting Neuschwanstein. Our hosts, Lydia and Johann Feistenauer, gave us a warm welcome and made us feel like royalty during our entire 4-night stay. In fact, by the end of our stay, we felt like we had forged such a friendship with the Feistenauers that we took them out to dinner! The location of the apartment was awesome, just outside Reutte, which is a 30-minute drive from Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. Lechfalls was along the way, as were a couple of clean, bright and well-stocked grocery stores and gas stations. The Feistenauers' apartment was modern, clean and comfortable, with two bedrooms sharing one bathroom with a washing machine (no clothes dryer but our clothes dried within 24 hours). The rooms open out to a balcony; when you step out, you are surrounded by gorgeous snow-capped mountains and can see the Ehrenberg ruins, which are lit with spotlights at night, and hear cow bells jangling softly. Inside, the kitchen has all the silverware, plates/bowls/cups, pot/pans, etc., that you would ever need. There was even a safe and dishwasher! Lydia speaks just a smidgen of English but be prepared to use your dictionary and to draw in order to communicate. It was THE best place we stayed at during our trip -- kind hosts and a relaxing far-from-the-maddening-tourist-crowd environment. The Feistenauers' Web site (in German only) is: http://feistenauer.at/eingang.aspx If you need a good online translator, I like to use: http://worldlingo.com/en/products_services/worldlingo_translator.html Have a great summer travelling! Feel free to e-mail me with any questions: jww3388@excite.com
Janice W.
Phoenix, AZ, AZ USA Sun 06/19/2005

Krakow B & B, Dom Pod Tujami
My wife Dee & I, along with two friends, Al & Joyce recently returned from a trip which began in Munich & took us to Bled, Budapest, Krakow & Prague. We found the Dom Pod Tujami located on the outskirts of the city & about 5 minutes from the tram. It is run by Baeta & Andrae. Upon arrival we found a safe place to park the car & all the info we needed to vist the old city including a loan of 400 zoltys to buy tickets on the tram. Andrae was out guide who took us in his car to the salt mine and Auschwicz. Finding both places on our own whould have been frustrating because the signs are in Polish. No signs can be found for Auschwicz because its name in Polish is Oswiecim. The modest fee that we paid Andrea was well worth it. He took us to the Wieliczka Salt mine, put us in the right line & patiently waited as we toured the mine for approximately 2 hours. After the mine we drove for an hour to Auschwicz where again he got us in line & patiently waited. After another two hours we were ready to move on to Birkenau, which is about 2 miles away, where again he patiently waited another 3 hours. After the tour Andrea dropped us off in the Old City for dinner & picked us up later that evening. Oh yes, this was by far the best B & B experience of our trip & also the least expensive. The B & B is brand new, has a great breakfast room & some very friendly folks who will help you with your stay in Krakow. By the way, don't be afraid to drive in Eastern Europe, although Hertz was the only company which would rent us a car without any hastle.
Monty Hopey
Beaufort, SC USA Sat 06/18/2005

B&B in Rome
We just returned from a wonderful trip to Italy where one of the highlights were the friendliness of our hosts, Patty and Rudy, while staying in their cosy home. Not to mention all the attention and care that we have received...Rudy even came with me to the car rental place to make sure that I wouldn't get overcharged! Lovely place. www.pattysrooms.com
Stan Rotenberg
Florida, USA Sat 06/18/2005

Panella's B &B; Florence,Italy
Graziella & Joseph, owners of Panella's provided us with a wonderful beginning to our first trip to Italy. Their home is charming, warmly decorated with many antiques and special family heirlooms. Our bedroom was spacious, clean, and comfortable and had a sitting area as well as a spacious modern bathroom. Breakfast was delicious with homemade cakes and breads in addition to other items. Graziella is a very warm and gracious host and made us feel very much at home. She gladly provided guidance as to where to eat and also helped with directions. Highly recommend Panella's to anyone visiting Florence. It is easy walking to all the highlights of Florence.
Elyse & Marv
Pottsville, PA USA Thu 06/16/2005

Three BIG Winners in Ireland
Just returned from three wonderful B&B experiences in Ennis, Dingle and Kilkenny. We chose all three through the Web, with no personal reference for any of them, but fortune smiled on us, as did the weather!

Ennis--Lakeside Country House, Joan Quinn: just south of town, pastoral peacefulness, awesome view of Killone Abbey remains. Efficient, unobtrusive service, wonderful accommodations.

Dingle--Cill Bhreac House, Angela McCarthy: A more gracious host is not to be found--Angela is amazing!! She has energy and friendliness to burn, and she warms her guests with both! The view of Dingle bay and environs is breathtaking.

Kilkenny--Melrose House, Nuala Brennan: Nuala has left no detail out. A place that feels like home and a pleasant 10-minute stroll into town are superseded only by Nuala's charm and helpfulness.

If you're visiting any of these great places in Ireland, do yourself a favor and strongly consider these three wonderful B&B's--you won't regret it!!
Anita & Brad Newcomer
Dallas, Tx USA Thu 06/16/2005

Top Copenhagen B&B
I read the letter from Morten Frederiksen about his Copenhagen B&B, and now I want to stay there. It sounds very refreshing to me.

Editor's Note: To stay at Morten's B&B in Copenhagen, visit his website.
Bruce Martin
Tempe, Arizona USA Thu 06/16/2005

B & B in Bruges, Belgium
The B&B run by Koen and Annemie in Bruges, Belgium is a real gem. Stayed 2 nights and wished for more. Lovely, clean home near the town square filled with charm and antiques. Delightful, helpful hosts, great breakfast, just the best! Can't wait to go back. Their email is koen.dieltiens@skynet.be They are listed in Rick's book. He is right on this one!!!
Dana
Charlotte, NC USA Wed 06/15/2005

Provence B&B
Provence, Roussillon - Fabulous B&B in a restored Provence farm house. This one definitely should be added to the book.

Mas Du Micocoulier. Website:www.masdumicocoulier.com.

This was the only non-Rick hotel we stayed at during a 24 day trip to France and Italy and was the highlight of our trip. Gracious hosts who speak excellent english, go out of their way to make your stay memorable, take care of you and make you feel a part of the family. Breakfasts to die for by the vineyards(fresh squeezed orange juice, fresh breads, French toast, fresh fruits). Beautifully decorated, comfortable rooms (actually suites) with outdoor seating areas. Pool. TV. Moderately priced with a 4 star feel - 82 euros including breakfast."
Dean Greenough
La Conner, WA USA Wed 06/15/2005

B&B Krakow, Poland
My family and I stayed at a wonderful B&B while visiting Krakow, Poland. Grazyna was a wonderful host who helped us set up our tours and was wonderful to sit and chat with. Her mother lives next door and does the cooking - the food was excellent!! Most of the dishes are prepared from vegatables grown in the garden out back. Our children had such a wonderful time. The family room was about 60 euro a night (250zlty) with breakfast included (a very large and full breakfast). Dinners are available at an additional cost. The B&B is located about 1.5 miles from the center of Krakow and there is a bus line nearby. There is secure parking on the premises. My family and I can not say enough wonderful things about Grayzna and her establishment!!

http://www.bandbkrakow.com/english.html
USA Wed 06/15/2005

Fabulous Venice B&B
My husband and I stayed in Venice at Le Mansarde more than a year ago and recently found out that it was included in the Italy 2005 book! Anna Maria is fantastic! We loved her so much that we have kept in touch with her ever since and she is planning a trip to America to see us and fulfill her life-long dream of coming to the states! Her cooking lesson is wonderful and eating on her terrace overlooking Venice was just magnificent! It was a great room at a reasonable rate and her hospitality amazed us. She helped us get in local restaurants and made us feel at home. We are forever indebted to her for our memories of our first European trip. We can't wait to go back! We found her through a hotel that Rick Steve's recommended who was booked - they gave us her number - we are so glad she is included in the newest addition!
Sharon Carroll
Panama City, FL USA Tue 06/14/2005

B&B Normandy
Just returned from five nights in Normandy over the D-Day anniversary. We stayed at Relais du Marais in Bricqueville a few miles south and west of Bayeaux. Beautifully decorated, clean, modern room with a very modern bathroom and a fine breakfast. Secure parking. It was a pleasure to stay there and only 55 euros a night. Their excellent website is: http://relais-du-marais.chez.tiscali.fr
Joe DeVita
Phoenix, AZ USA Tue 06/14/2005

L'Ecole Buissoniere
My wfe and I just returned from a wonderful trip to Provence. Our 2 day stay at L'Ecole Buissoniere was a delight. Please read other postings about this B&B as we agree completely. Don't miss this beautiful B&B and the gracious hosts John and Monique.
Gary Reimer
Winnipeg, MB Canada Tue 06/14/2005

Milestone House / Dingle, Ireland
I am one of the many fans of Milestone House in Dingle, Ireland. My mother and I spent a week in Dingle with Milestone as our home base, and it was the best choice we could have made! Michael and Barbara are incredibly generous-spirited people, and they do an excellent job hosting their guests. In the week we were there, I saw them welcome many different sets of people, and Barbara customized her "local tips" information to suit the interests of each different group; whether you go for sightseeing, for music, for food, for archaeology, or whatever your interests are, Barbara listens so well that she tells each group what they most need to know.

The rooms are beautiful, the views are great, and the breakfasts have spoiled me forever -- eggs and smoked salmon - yum!; Michael's incredible bread (fresh-baked early every morning) - yum!; Barbara's mother's homemade marmalade and black currant jam - yum! (Thanks, Anne!)

There was always hot water, and their parlor was a warm and welcoming place to visit with other guests, unlike the other B&B's we stayed in, where being in the house meant being isolated in our own room.

I really want to recommend Milestone House over any B&B I've ever stayed in, in any country ... but I'm torn -- I want them to have room for ME when I'm able to go back again!

I'm completely in love with Michael and Barbara (and Anne ... AND Linda), and with Dingle, and with the Dingle Peninsula; and I don't think I would have come away feeling that way without Michael and Barbara.

(Did I mention Michael's BREAD?? WOW!!)
Lori Louise Michalos
Santa Rosa, CA USA Mon 06/13/2005

Heroic B&B Kindness
In England, we had great hosts who wonderfully friendly, helpful with destinations and routes, and thoroughly helped to make our stay in their regions remarkable:

The Forge, Churchill, Oxfordshire Martin and Betty Rushbrooke; Dunedin Guest House, Edinburgh - David and Irene Wright (they bought Dunedin G.H. from Marcella); Wheelgate Country House, Torver, Cumbria - Steve and Linda Abbott; and The Cornmill Guest House, Kirkbymoorside, Yorkshire - Karen and Chris Tinkler.
Julie H
Jacksonville, Fl USA Sat 06/11/2005

B&B RESIDENZA VILLA MARIA. ROME, ITALY
We spent 4 nights on the tail end of a 10 day, four city vacation in Italy.This villa is located just outside of rome on a bus line and it is surrounded by other quiet and well maintained villas. It was very clean. There was free secured parking and a pool.The grounds were also well maintained. The staff ( a man and wife team) was very helpful and hard working. The some of the rooms were a bit small and others of were not in acceptable location,according to some of the other guests, within the villa itself important. But all in all, great price! beautiful location.
A. Alsbrooks
St. Albans, ny USA Sat 06/11/2005

B & B Belgravia, London
My family and I spent 10 great days at the B & B Belgravia. I have the utmost praise for the friendly staff, great location (a block to Victoria Station)and comfortable rooms. There is a guest lobby where tea and coffee are available anytime and free internet access also. I definitely recommend this B & B, which has only been opened since September '04. It underwent a complete remodel and has a chic modern decor. I want to go back!!!
Madelyn Montjoy
Tallahassee, Fl USA Fri 06/10/2005

Venice B&B
I traveled to Venice and stayed in the Le Mansarde B&B. Anne Maria was such a fun, friendly hostess! She told us later that she was in the Rick Steve's guidebook! She is listed under one dollar sign, but the quality of the rooms are superb. The rooms are flats with a kitchen or kitchenette and very nice for the price. Excellent if you are travelling in a group. Anne Maria provides a free cooking lesson which I recommend! It was a great way to get to know her and learn about Venice while preparing a traditional Italian meal! The meal also includes desert which is homemade gelato. At the end of the trip, Anne Maria also left each of us a CD of the choir she sings with! We had such a fantastic time and will stay there again when we return to Venice.
Amy
Holladay, UT USA Wed 06/08/2005

Provence B&B
The Bastide De La Fave in Provence, France provided my husband and I with wonderful memories. It is located on a vineyard off the highway about 2 miles. The hosts were warm and welcoming and the rooms were charming, clean, with lovely bathrooms and a personal sitting area outside each room. The hosts Jean Patrick and Cecil will cook dinner for you and I highly recommend it. It is 24 euro per person and THE best meal I had in Provence. The hosts and some other couples ate with us, providing interesting conversation. Some of our greatest moments were around their dinner table until well past midnight! The website for the B&B is http://www.bastide-de-la-fave.com/
Amy
Holladay, UT USA Wed 06/08/2005

A Bed & Breakfast Jewell
Absoluut Verhulst in Brugge, Belgium. Run by Frieda and Benno, you will not find a more friendly and well run bed and breakfast. Centrally located in Brugge and yet reasonably priced. The breakfasts were wonderful and you will feel welcome the minute you enter the front door.
Ray McFalone
Lafayette, CA USA Wed 06/08/2005

Ashgrove House, Bunratty, Co. Clare, Ireland
Two thumbs up for Ashgrove House, Bunratty, County Clare, Ireland. On my last visit in October 2004, Frank Tiernan met me at the front door. I was absolutely dead tired from the overnight flight (Washington, D.C. - Boston - Shannon) and EXTREMELY EARLY ARRIVAL, but I was immediately whisked into the kitchen for a good cuppa with brown bread and a bit of the "craic" with Frank for the next 2-1/2 hours. Even got to speak with the missus, Sheila, who was visiting family in Co. Roscommon but was still cracking the whip from there! The next morning I almost invited myself into the kitchen to help Frank with fixing the full Irish breakfasts for the other guests! Gotta love Ireland.
Julie
Montgomery Village, MD USA Wed 06/08/2005

B&B Moreton in Marsh Cotswalds
My daughter and I and a British friend were priviledged to spend a night at Warwick House B&B on London Road Moreton in Marsh Cotwalds England. Our hosts could not have been nicer. It really felt like home. Our host will pick you up at the train if you'd like. He also will cater to dietary needs or preferences with bit of notice. The rooms were comfortable and the traditional English breakfast was wonderful. The hosts delightful. I'd stay there again anytime.
Pat Wells
Morgantown, WV USA Wed 06/08/2005

Friendly hotel in London.
We are in London now (June 2005) with our two teenage daughters. Our hotel, Blasdes Hotel, is truly like being at home - both the staff and fellow guests of all nationalities really are friendly. The location is called 'Pimlico' and very near the underground, great bus service and walking distance of royal palaces. What we really like is the help and advice the hotel gives each morning for the day and coming up events. We are leaving to return home on Sunday and are already excited about this Saturday (June 11) as the hotel has posted up full details of the Queens birthday parade - thousands of troops, miltary bands and royal carriages carrying the Queen and royal family down the Mall. If any fellow Americans are in London or coming before Saturday be sure to get to the Mall by 9a.m. Two years ago we stayed at a well known chain hotel and got no such information at all - so staying at small hotels like Blades seems to be certainly friendlier and more helpful.
Jack Mc Call & family.
Tampa, Fl USA Wed 06/08/2005

Morgan Guest House, London
I recently spent eight nights at the Morgan Guest House on Ebury Street in London. (20-28 May 2005) I had a single room with shared facilities. The room was small but comfortable enough and the closet (with shelves) allowed me to completely unpack for the week. It was a little noisy being on the front of the building but it was never too bothersome. The toilet and shower rooms were very handy and they were kept very clean. There wasn't a huge variety on the breakfast menu but it was good and service was quick. I didn't require much assistance from the staff but they were helpful when I had questions or needed something. The proximity to Victoria Station made it very easy to get around the city on the Tube and out on various day trips from Victoria and other train stations. (The proximity to my favorite pub, The Duke of Wellington, was also appreciated!) I wasn't expecting a fancy facility but I was expecting one that was convenient, clean, comfortable, and a good value. I feel I received all that and I would certainly stay there again.
Chris Johnson
Marion, IA USA Tue 06/07/2005

Le Mas Perreal in Provence
My mother, sister and I had the fortune of being hosted by Elisabeth and Kevin for four days at the beginning of May. Elisabeth and Kevin are such gracious hosts that we were regretful to have had to move on; on the bright side, we know where we can go the next time we go to Provence.

On Kevin's advice I did not go to Avignon on May 1st - labour day parades, etc.. Kevin was kind enough to offer to get me some local maps which I had not been able to obtain in Canada. On our arrival, Kevin took us to the Chambre sur le Toit, a beautiful and spacious two-bedroom unit and gave us a tour of of the common areas, including the sitting area which has an extensive collection of books and tourist information, the kitchen (a beautiful provencal with the most modern of appliances), the outside sitting area and the pool area.

We met Elisabeth and other guests the following morning over breakfast. The easy going manner of Elisabeth and Kevin was so infectious that within a fiftteen minutes we were sharing personal notes - it was like a family get together. What a wonderful way to start our holiday! During our stay, Kevin and Elisabeth were most attentive to all our needs - from the breakfasts, travel recommendations, dining suggestions (go with them, you will not go wrong!). By the end of our stay we felt we were leaving family behind - but wait, the good thing is - we know that we will find a wonderful place to stay again on our return trip.
Linda Woo
Toronto, ON CA Tue 06/07/2005

Henry House, Bath, England
Two thumbs up for the Henry House in Bath, England. They are opening a second B&B shortly, which will have rooms with baths, for those who prefer not sharing.
Judy Quinby
Ridgefield, CT USA Tue 06/07/2005

almond villa perth scotland
my partner and I have just returned from a truly wondrful trip to scotland, it rained a lot but that did not stop us enjoying the wonderful scenery. we stayed in perth at a great b and b called almond villa. our hostess was very kind and we loved chatting to her. Richard is the chef and was a great help with our route planning. we spent five days with them and perth was a good base as well as a pretty city
amy ancaster
orlando, fl USA Tue 06/07/2005

Adare, Co. Limerick, Ireland
I highly highly recommend Abbey Villa in Adare, Co. Limerick, Ireland. Elizabeth, the woman who runs it, went the extra mile--giving the children we were with her son's toys to play with, giving us breakfast after hours were over, providing hair dryers and alarm clocks in each room. Prices were also fantastic as far as quality B&Bs go! If you go to see what the guidebooks call "the prettiest village in Ireland", be sure to pay Abbey Villa a visit.
Jen Gaynor
Peachtree City, GA USA Mon 06/06/2005

Padua B&B
I will be in Italy this Sept. and am looking for a B&B with lots of ambience and charm near Venice, and one also in Lake Como. Any recommendations?
Kathleen
Santa Ana, CA USA Mon 06/06/2005

B&B's in Ireland
Just returned from a trip to Ireland and encountered two absolutely outstanding B&B's - Ashfield in Mallow, Co. Cork, Eileen O'Shea met us with tea & apple tarts & loads of information about the area. Turned on the bed warmers for us & treated us like royalty! Her B&B is new & bright and warm, great breakfast menu & beautiful country around it. #2 was St. Bridget's, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow. Maeve Scott is so friendly and helpful & her breads are delicious & Rathdrum is a lovely little village, great location for several things.
Kathryn Gray
Denver, CO USA Mon 06/06/2005

Gabriele's B&B in Amsterdam
Gabriele's Bed & Breakfast in Amsterdam was absolutely wonderful. Gabriele was gracious and always available with a friendly smile and any help she could give us. She made our stay in Amsterdam even more special. The B&B is very small and centrally located, 10 minutes walking from the center and the room we stayed in was very comfortable with a great atmosphere and had a fantastic balcony with lots of flowers! She realy makes you feel at home. I'd highly recommend it to any one planning a stay in Amsterdam. For contacting Gabriele: yellowroses@gmx.net
Jenna van Hagen
San Luis Obispo, CA USA Mon 06/06/2005

inburgh --> Colquhoun Guest House !!
To all of Rick?s UK enthusiasts or Scotland first-timers:

If you are planning a stay for any length of time in Edinburgh, Scotland you must VISIT OR STAY WITH the wonderful and most pleasant and extremely helpful Grace McAinsh, proprietor of Colquhoun Guest House, who will, in her always-gleeful breakfasty way, help you have the happiest journey through that city that you could ever possibly desire.

Colquhoun Guest House can be reached from North America by dialing 011-44-131-667-8481, or from within the UK 0131-667-8481, or via e-mail at Grace@ColquhounHouse.Freeserve.co.uk

To stay with her you must reserve in advance for she is one of the most popular bed and breakfasts in Edinburgh! Even if you are not able to stay with her, just swing by to say ?hello? and wish her a piece of your holiday exuberance. Grace is one in a million, and her whole family will do whatever they can to ensure that your departure is one of tears for having to leave her most gracious care, a feeling that always reminds me of Christmas at my favorite relative?s house!!

I have stayed with her for one or two visits, for varying lengths of time, and I guarantee that no matter how many days you are there, regardless of what the Scottish weather rains or shines down on your visit, each and every morning you will be met by the most charming, intuitive and energetic breakfast chef who will show you a most welcoming smile and happy ?good morning, did you sleep well?? Every morning will feel as refreshing as your first, and each night you will return, exhausted from an excitement-fulfilled touristy day, to a room and bed made to perfection, and a front door closing behind you more secure than any in your own neighborhood!

Speaking of awesome neighborhoods, Grace?s place is smack in the middle of a quiet residential cul-de-sac, one block from the largest public pool and fitness center in Scotland, which is along the main motorway just one mile into the heart of all your fun Edinburgh sites, including the main transportation hubs, Waverly rail station and the main Edinburgh bus terminal. Just across the street and a few minutes? walk up the road are tons of local restaurants, eateries, convenient banking and ATM?s, newsstands, local grocers and internet cafes, all within one or several minutes? walk!!

Bussing around town is carefree, cheap and most convenient with stops on her side of the motorway about 2 minutes? walk to her front door! When you walk up, be sure and ask about her glorious flower garden in the back, and also about that funny looking cactus in the front that isn?t a cactus at all!

By the way, a simple 30-minute walk from Grace?s front door is that of the new Scottish Parliament building, which is directly across from the tour-friendly Queen?s official residence in Scotland, at the base of the well-known Royal Mile that leads right up to Edinburgh Castle!

Gaze out of her spacious 2nd floor breakfast room window view towards Arthur?s Seat and a local prestigious golf course while you plan your day with juice, coffee or tea in hand, chatting among your fellow guests who will, no doubt, be complementing the most satisfying previous days? advice that Grace had given. You will find no better travel or tourism hints and guidance anywhere!

Gracious to no limit, alwaysReady to add smiles to your journey, anAce in your Edinburgh stopover, soCall ahead to reserve for this mostExcellent hostess!!

You can be in the midst of the worst travel experience of your life before you arrive at her door, but once there, and with an open mind, Grace?s grace will make it all worthwhile.

So, you see, there is absolutely every reason in the world to travel to Scotland, visit Edinburgh and stay at Colquhoun Guest House with amazing Grace McAinsh so that you can go home wishing that you didn?t have to, planning your next return, and hoping that your sharp return to our American reality will be even half as pleasant as strolling up to 5 Marchhall Road off Dalkeith Rd, ringing her doorbell and waving ?hello? up into her conveniently placed closed-circuit-TV security camera:)

Best wishes and happy travels,Bill (NC)
Bill
NC USA Sun 06/05/2005

Ashfield B&B, Mallow, Ireland
Eileen O'Shea's sparkling clean Ashfield House in Mallow, Co. Cork was by far the best B&B we experienced in Ireland. Eileen is a warm and welcoming hostess, and she provided great tips on places for us to visit in the area and breakfasts that filled us up until dinnertime. I highly recommend a stay at Ashfield if you'll be in the area (Killarney, Cork and Blarney are all just a short drive away).
Kelly D.
WI USA Sat 06/04/2005

Wonderful Provence B&B
For the quintessential Provencial experience, I highly recommend La Ferme des Belugues outside of Vaison La Romaine in the Provence region of France. Catherine and Bruno are the charming new hosts of this centuries old stone farmhouse, where breakfasts are sumptuous, rooms are beautiful, bathrooms are large, and the landscape is gorgeous. Located at the foot of Mt. Ventoux, the weather is a bit cooler and more pleasant than in the villages, yet it's an easy drive to any sight in the region. We wish we had stayed here the entire two weeks. Find it at www.gites-de-france.fr/eng under owner name PINCET (or website info@lafermedesbelugues.com).
K. Jones
EDH, CA USA Sat 06/04/2005

Auvergne region France
While Rick doesn't cover this area of France I want to recommend a wonderful B and B in the small village of Chadeleuf near Issoire.The rooms are beautiful, the hosts very gracious and their table d'hote outstanding. Daisy and Pascal welcomed us warmly and prepared wonderful meals which revolved around great conversations. This was our first experience with a table d'hote and we hope to repeat it.The area had many interesting sites and beautiful vistas.website: www.lapellandrine.com
patricia
pa USA Sat 06/04/2005

London: very central hotel and friendly.
Just about to return home but taking time out to thank contributors to this page for advising others to stay at the Blades Hotel in the centre of London. Rooms very clean, basic but clean. Bathrooms are small and this we found throughout our trip to Europe. They serve a really good buffet breakfast and Kevin, the manager, is a fountain of information and has a great humor too! The hotel arranged a car to meet us at Heathrow Airport at a good rate and though we arrived at 9a.m. we were invited to have breakfast even before we had officially 'checked in'. Fortunately we are fit and healthy as the hotel has no elevator but the hotel still has a charm. The location is terrific and the hotel boasts that it "has the same zip code as the Queen, the Cardinal and the Prime Minister". We found booking direct was slightly cheaper so would recommend cheching out www.blades-hotel.co.uk
The Charltons.
Chicago, IL USA Sat 06/04/2005

Scotland & England B&Bs
We recently stayed at the Priestville Guest House in Edinburgh, Scotland and had a wonderful time. Colin and Trina were very hospitable and provided us with a large, comfortable room. The breakfasts were amazing! We also had a small bar fridge in our room (not sure if they are in all the rooms), and we were able to buy lunch food from Sainbury's and take it with us during the day instead of having to "eat out". Colin went above and beyond for us when we left as we had to leave very early in the morning and weren't able to have our breakfast before we left. He packed us smoked salmon sandwiches and juice so that we could eat at the airport.

We also stayed at the Gable of Park Road Guest House in Ipswich, England, and enjoyed a great stay there. Nancy was very accomodating and nice, and the breakfasts were huge!
Debbie
Austin, TX USA Fri 06/03/2005

B&B in Langue d"Oc
One of the very best B&B's in the Langue D'Oc in my experience was " l'Ancienne Boulangerie" in the charming town of Caunes-Minervois, close to Carcasonne. The owners were a never tiring source of information about the area. In fact, Terry Link wrote the US book on retiring to France! As the French say:"impeccable!"
hanne Huisjes
Amsterdam, NH NL Fri 06/03/2005

Casa Portagioia-Cortona Italy
Cortona, Italy-Casa PortagioiaMy friend and I loved Casa Portagioia!! It truly is a ?Door to Joy and Tranquility?. Our hosts Terry and Marcello make our last stop in Italy the most enjoyable stay of our entire trip! The grounds and surrounding scenery are gorgeous. They did such an incredible job renovating the old farmhouse into a comfortable beautiful updated accommodation, yet keeping it authentic to the original feel. It was fascinating seeing the pictures of reconstruction. All the old materials were incorporated into the new buildings. Our room was spacious with high ceilings, lots of windows and a beautifully tiled bath. Beautiful flowers everywhere and a pool with an incredible view.

But most of all we enjoyed our hosts Terry and Marcello...their warm hospitality made us feel comfortable, spoiled and pampered. The food was wonderful! They were so much fun they made our stay a pleasure. The area has lots of great hiking and is a nice central place to explore other areas of interest around Tuscany.

I have friends planning on going to Tuscany on their next visit to Italy and I will be sure to send them Casa Portagioia. If my travel plans ever bring me back to Italy (which I hope they will) Casa Portagioia will be on my itinerary.Debby KinderSun Valley, ID Fri. 06/03/2005
Debby Kinder
Sun Valley, ID USA Fri 06/03/2005

Bluehaven, Dingle, Ireland
If you are planning to go to Dingle, Ireland, try out BlueHaven Lodge. The rooms are clean and fresh, with a view of the ocean. Fresh bread, smoked salmon,and a variety of cheeses are available in your own personal fridge, as well as coffee, tea and cereals. There is also a hot tub in the backyard. John and Joanna were the best hosts ever, if you go to Dingle, this is the place to stay!
Dixie and Matt Wright
Fresno, Ca USA Wed 06/01/2005

Cotswolds B&B
Millview Guest House-CotswoldsJust returned from a fabulous weekend in the Cotswolds and found the best B&B host/hotess in Naughton,6 miles from Stowe. After a minor computer glitch at the Mews in Stowe had us overbooked, the wonderful Barbara and Peter King referred us to a friends home. Although we had preferred to stay right in Stow-on the-Wold it was a bank holiday and the Kings were generous to transport us to our new digs. The Mews home in Stow is a perfect location but we were welcomed to the Millview Guest House a short distance away in a quaint town with a single pub. One thing to note about the Millview is that they have a handicapped accessible room on the groundfloor.We had dinner the last night with the Kings and the Ralph and Pat Boults which we will remember as a hightlight of our trip! These two B&B's are not to be missed! www.millviewguesthousecostwolds.com andwww.themewsfoxlane.co.uk
Julie Bartz
Shawano, WI USA Wed 06/01/2005

London - Recommended B&B
My wife and I visited London in May 2005 and truly enjoyed our stay at the Ealing B&B in the quiet, green community of Ealing lying midway between central London and Heathrow. Ealing B&B features comfortable accommodations, a great breakfast, and cheerful hostess Ursula Hilton-Jones who was most helpful with advice on our plans for the day. Ealing B&B is a pleasant 8-minute walk from the Ealing Common tube station; via the tube you are a half-hour from central London. See www.ealing-bed-and-breakfast.co.uk.
Kit
Kirkland, WA USA Tue 05/31/2005

Milestone House-Dingle, Ireland
This was our favorite place to stay on our 3 week tour of Europe! You will not find kinder, more helpful people than Michael and Barbara. We went during shoulder season, so Barbara called around to see if any peninsula tours were open and arranged a private tour for us (for only 5 euro more per person!) when no tours were running. If you want a tour, ask Barbara about Dennis, he was wonderful. The rooms were immaculate, the views incredible and the breakfast totally spoiled us for our return home! The only downfall to the breakfast is that it was so huge and the food so great that we left almost sick from overeating every morning. I wish I would have asked Michael for his brown and soda bread recipes! Be advised that it is about a 20 minute walk from town if you don't have a car, but the view on the walk is beautiful and you can rent bikes in town, cutting your commute to 5-10 minutes. Barbara and Michael were a great source of advice on tours, music, food, and things to do. They enjoy what they do and are great at it. We wished we could have stayed longer!
Emily
Stillwater, MN USA Tue 05/31/2005

Heroic B&B Hosting - Ireland
Near Cork in the town of Mallow is the incredible Ashfield B & B run by the delightful and funny Eileen O'Shea. Her spanking new B & B offered my family beautiful rooms overlooking the rolling countryside. Eileen's breakfasts were superb, every morning a new surprise. And she went far beyond her duty when a family member felt ill, she whisked him off to her doctor, sat with him and returned him to his room with some restorative tea. What more can you ask for? We plan on returning next spring and can think of no place we would rather stay.
Bob Reilly
Yonkers, NY USA Tue 05/31/2005

Loire B&B First Rate
Le Moulin du Fief Gentil, near Amboise is a real find. Florence is the delightful owner. Rick says to splurge for dinner if Ann is cooking. Well, Ann is the former owner and long gone. But Florence made a wonderful light dinner for us, with wine, for a very reasonable price. She speaks very good English, is full of tourist info, and is a delightful lady. I recommend this B&B highly.
John Hampel
Des Moines, IA USA Tue 05/31/2005

Volterra Agriturismo! Eat up!
While in Italy in the fall of 2004 I stayed in this very unique bed and breakfast in the hill town of Volterra. What was unique about this place was that the dining room was a 12th century or so monestary, was a working olive farm, and has a 'natural' swiming pool. The owner cooked and encouraged me to take a cooking class. It was really fun as a group of people from all around the world sharred their own languages word for flour. I have visited many agritourismos and this is honestly on of the cleanest and friendliest places to say. You can email the owner Marinella at info@agriturismosanlorenzo.it or email me and I can point you in the right direction. These people got it right and are some of the most simple and accomidating people I have ever met! Dive in!
Daniel Chapman
College Station, TX USA Tue 05/31/2005

New Chambres D'Hotes in Carcassonne France
Bruce & Johanna are recently closed their Scotland B & B and opened this one in the walled city of Carcassonne, France. It is a lovely place with an inner garden court and a great breakfast. Although Johanna was away, Bruce was a wonderful raconteur and conversationalist. They do not have a sign up yet and we found it through the tourist office after finding suggested ones in the R.S. France booked full. It is next door to the Rick Steves recommended restaurant, Auberge des Lices (a worthy listing). Address: 5 Rue Raymeond Roger Trencavel, Cite Medievale, 11000 Carcassonne, France. Phones: 04 68 25 33 40 Cell: 06 21 70 17 67. E-mail: info @carcassonne-chambres.com or www.lechappeebelle
Terry Hanna
Everett, WA USA Mon 05/30/2005

Cortona, Italy - Il Sole del Sodo
My husband and I just returned from four weeks in Italy, Bruges, and Amsterdam. We spent our first week in Cortona, Italy, using a wonderful B&B as a hub for day trips to Siena, Arezzo, Assisi and other nearby towns. We can't say enough good things about Il Sodo de Sole, located just outside the Cortona city limits. Our host, Claudia Toppani, was terrific--full of helpful hints about where to eat, etc. Our rooms were spacious, quiet, and immaculately clean. While we didn't make time to use the swimming pool, it was inviting, and the B&B's lovely walled courtyard was a great place to sit and read, and end the day with a cold beer. And Claudia's breakfast was the best we enjoyed on our entire trip! Fresh bread, fruit, and the best cappucino we had in Italy, all for 75 euros/night. We hated to move on, and will definitely go back. Take a look at the pictures on the website.(info@ilsoledelsodo.com)
Sally Hunter
Olympia, WA USA Mon 05/30/2005

B&B's that made southern Italy unforgettable
Trulli Holiday
Ginda
USA Mon 05/30/2005

Vienna - Hargita Pension
Vienna - Hargita Pension - Rick you definitely know how to pick the good places! We stayed here for three nights and loved it. It was so clean and so handy to shopping. We also walked to the centre from here every day. There was a breakfast offered each day for 3 Euros which we ate one day but just across the road was a McDonald's so they won out on the other days.Thank you to all the helpful ladies at Hargita.
Jewell
Calgary, Canada Sun 05/29/2005

Vernazza - Camere Annamaria
Vernazza - Camere Annamaria. The bed and breakfast here was very clean and the room was very spacious.Our stay was marred by a group of very unruly teenagers that reside on the second floor of this house. The music was so loud and the screaming from these kids was horrible. I would have thought that living in the same house that Annamaria would have said something to them but I eventually had to tell them to shut-up. Then of course they got louder to the point that my friend and I had to leave the building to get some peace. I know that kids will be kids but Annamaria should have stepped in at some stage.We loved Vernazza but on a return trip will be staying somewhere else. Considering this was the only place in a four week trip that we had any problems is pretty good.
Jewell
Calgary, Canada Sun 05/29/2005

Prague - House Lida
Prague - House Lida Again Rick was spot on about this place. We had no trouble getting there by public transport. Even though we needed to take a tram to get into central Prague it posed no problems. The room we had was just beautiful for 55 Euros for 2 of us. That included a wonderful breakfast.Thank you Jan for all your help - also for sharing your experiences of Prague before and after the revolution with us.
Jewell
Calgary, Canada Sun 05/29/2005

Assisi - Camere Martini
Assisi - Camere Martini - Rick was spot on about this place. The room was quite simple but it was so handy to Piazza del Commune. Annalisa and her mom were both so helpful with maps and making us feel welcome. There are no facilities here for breakfast but you are so handy to many of the cafes on the Piazza.We stayed for six nights and used this as our base for trips to Rome and Florence.Thank you Annalisa and Mama
Jewell
Calgary, Canada Sun 05/29/2005

Oberammergau - Dedlerhaus
Dedlerhaus - Oberammergau This was my first time to Oberammergau and Brigitte and her husband made us feel at home. They have a lovely bed and breakfast above their shop. They both went out of their way to take to the train station and back. Each morning a lovely breakfast was awaiting us. Thank you Brigitta and Sebastian
Jewell
Calgary, Canada Sun 05/29/2005

Karin and Hans - Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Karin Weiss wins again for her fantastic bed and breakfast. Karin and Hans are Europe's #1 bed and breakfast. This was my fourth stay and they never fail to impress me with their kindness, cleanliness and the breakfast is unbelievable.Thanks Karin and Hans
Jewell
Calgary, Canada Sun 05/29/2005

LeDetour B&B
Le Detour, Buffard France is worth the detour! Half way between Paris and Geneva it make a perfect stopping place that should be more than just for a night. Large clean, beautiful & modern rooms with a Kir welcome cordial are just the beginning of fabulous stay in a centuries old chateau in a quaint ancient village of about 40 homes. Our favorite stay of our 5 country trip and inexpensive! Find @ www.chambres-hote.com Bill from PA
Bill
Bausman, PA USA Sun 05/29/2005

Recommended UK B&Bs
Just got back from a 3 week trip to the UK and found Rick's B&B suggestions very helpful. Amar Agua in Edinburgh was a great place, easy to get to on the buses (I even walked it once), hosts are very nice and helpful and *by far* the best food I had at any BB in Britain and France. Glan Heulog in Conwy Wales--the most helpful hosts ever, large comfortable room, best sleep I had, do check a map first as the directions in guidebook are not very specific. Swan Cottage in Conwy Wales-not recommended. Milton House in Bath--for some reaon overlooked by Rick, this BB is awesome--great host, excellent food, very comfortable room and good location close to city center (1 bus or easily walkable). Georgian House in London--clean and very friendly staff, not the fanciest place I've been but a good deal for the money, very tasty food, easy walk from Victoria Station.
Kevin Smith
Chicago, IL USA Sun 05/29/2005

Anoch Mor in Edinbrough
We are a family of four and the pleasure of staying at Anoch Mor in Edinburough, Scotland. Friendly host, comfortable beds, and wonderful breakfasts. Very kid friendly. Would recommend to any family.
Mike Calendine
Toledo, OH USA Fri 05/27/2005

Fabulous Find in Berlin
The Hotel Bregenz, www.hotelbregenz-berlin.de, in Berlin was one of the highlights of our recent European trip. Family run, a perfect location, wonderful accommodations, and above and beyond helpfulness and kindness by the staff make us look forward to a return.
P. Lagano
Clearwater, FL USA Fri 05/27/2005

I highly recommned the Ardconnel House in Inverness. John and Elizabeth are wonderful hosts, the place is immaculate, and the breakfasts are wonderful. Four nights there in early May was a delight.
Don Fraser
College Station, Tx USA Fri 05/27/2005

Marieke's B&B in Bruegge
We have stayed at many B&Bs over the years, but none as charming as Marieke?s B&B in Bruegge, Belgium. Our room ? the upper of two rooms -- was well appointed and abounding with TLC, and everything spotlessly clean. The bed was super! Excellent view from the room, overlooking the canal and with the great Brugge churches in the background. The 2 flights of stairs are steep and tight, but we readily managed, even with a large suitcase. The hosts are personable and very knowledgeable, and clearly committed to provide the best service possible. The European breakfast was complete, and this includes the delicious home made jams. High speed internet access was available to the guests at any time, day or night. In short, e felt right at home. The B&B is located within easy walking distance of the center of Bruegge and all major museums and churches -? we never once needed or used our car during the 2-day stay.
Jorg & Anke Raue
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA USA Thu 05/26/2005

italian b&b
stayed in a fantasticly friendly b&b IL GIARDINO ERBOSOin mon sanpaulo torronto april 05 our car broke down and had to be towed back to uk but the host went out of their way to help us even taking us with them to meet friends in the evening a lovely place fantastic hosts
debbie rumble
chatham, uk Thu 05/26/2005

b&b Leeche italy
another fantastic place to stay Ville Del Palme in Leeche family fun very friendly and welcolming well worth a visit
debbie rumble
Uk Thu 05/26/2005

Edinburgh B&B
I would highly recommend Joppa Turrets Guest House while in Edinburgh. It was fantastic. Beautiful views of the sea from our bedroom.Breakfasts were delicious.Our room was spotlessly clean,and Felicity, our hostess was very friendly and helpful.The website is www.joppaturrets.demon.co.uk
Shelly
Canada Wed 05/25/2005

exceptional Bruges B&B
In September of 2003, my husband and I stayed at Absoluut Verhulst in Bruges, Belgium. We traveled through the back door for 2 weeks throughout Holland, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom. To this date we still bring up the part of our trip that we could not have done without, that is a trip to Bruge staying at Absoluut Verhulst. Frieda and Beeno treated us as part of their family. While staying here, they so kindly had their precious grandchildren their who gave us a great lesson in Flemish. I have never experienced such kindness, hospitality, and openess in such a beautiful home with true beauty in the design of the home and the kindness of Freida and Beeno!
Elizabeth
Greenwood, MS USA Wed 05/25/2005

London B&B, Bay Tree House
Wanted to pass along this b&b we stayed at over the summer. Its in the New South Gate & Arnos Grove area. That's N. LondonFriendly & helpfulThe owners went out of their way to show us how to use the also near-by light rail system (18 min walk)to cover for the NO Tube day...That came in handy when the "Tube" had "wildcat" strike one day. The Brit's had their own term for this "Union Action" Still able to get to Kew Gardens and to Downtown to catch our play, "Joseph"http://www.baytreehouse.pwp.blueyonder.co.ukBay Tree House is on the Piccadilly Tube line, a 4 minute fast walk from the Arnos Grove Tube Station. It is a 20 minute ride to Central London. Nice place, family owned & operated, they live there, middle classresidential area also...We came in late from from Germany mid evening to Stansted(sp) airport and the B&B is located on that side of greater N. London town...We were looking for a B&B that was nonsmoking, kid friendly, quiet local, near a Tube station, and short walk to a rail station too. under/around ~$100/ night for the 3 of us (2+child).http://www.london-bed-breakfast.netIt lived up to all they say it is...Hope this was the right amount of info... CJ.
CJ
Warmister, PA USA Wed 05/25/2005

Casa ai Due Leone in Venice
This place is completely delightful. From the house cat that wonders around, to the helpful staff (who take the time to draw a map and offer tourist advice etc), to the breakfast that is served on the sunny patio outside..One night I returned to the hotel at 1am, at which point the lovely man working on the reception desk, proceeded to tell me that he had waited up for me to ensure that I returned safely, being a woman travelling alone in a strange city and all... Every person visiting Venice should make it a point to stay at this place.
Yana
Melbourne, Vic Australia Wed 05/25/2005

Glyn Isa Country Manor House, Conwy Wales
Stayed at the Glyn Isa Country Manor House in Conwy Wales. Only has 2 rooms but they were large and very comfortable. Liz and Darrien Wharton, the hosts, were very accommodating. Had a great Welsh full breakfast there. And...sheep in the pasture right outside our window.
Carol
Orlando, FL USA Tue 05/24/2005

Good Conversations
The Ardconnel House, Inverness, is a special place to stay: Everything is 4-star including humorous and informative conversations about culture differences, political and global problems with John and Lizwww.ardconnel-inverness.co.uk
Yeager Bush
Boulder, CO USA Mon 05/23/2005

Cinque Terre / Monterosso B&B FABULOUS
This is the best B&B we have found, gorgeous water view,extremely friendly,peaceful, parking.Perfect for couples 80 euros for a double room with breakfast and parking includedFor all information : maritadubo@yahoo.frMonterosso al Mare Cinque Terre O187 81 73 11
Lambeth
Petaluma, CA USA Mon 05/23/2005

Castle stays
I think a castle would qualify as a b&b as a scrumptious breakfast was included. The Castle Liebenstein in Kamp-Bornhofen along the Rhine in Germany was great fun, for both my kids of 12 and 14, and for my husband and I. The charm of the twisty staircase, hidden passageways, knights armour, and the friendly staff was just what we needed to start our stay in Germany. Close to Bachrach and St. Goar as well. Enjoy!
Leigh
USA Sun 05/22/2005

Great accommodations in Ireland
Thank you for recommending the Ballinsheen House in Lisdoonvarna, Ireland. Mary Gardiner was delightful and her B & B could not have been nicer.In the two wks of travel in Ireland, the four of us also stayed in three B & B's that we thought have equally pleasant and helpful hostesses, and accommodations that were also superb. They are: Margaret Drennan at Hillgrove in Kilkenny, Maureen McCarthy at Harbour View inKenmare, and Claire O'Sullivan at Rivermount House in Kensale.Adele and RonElizabeth and Ronald
USA Sat 05/21/2005

B&B Perigord Noir (Dordogne) France
If you are looking for a B&B in Dordogne near the castles and prehsitoric caves, you should definately check out Chambres d'h?tes "Montfort - La Barde"http://www.perigord.com/montfort/It is an incredible find. Nice rooms, great hosts, very low prices but you'll need a car. It was one of the nicest places we have stayed in Europe.
Chuck Hansen
Salt Lake City, UT USA Sat 05/21/2005

Accomodations - Great Britain
Just returned from 8 days in Great Britain and have to say Rick's picks work every time. I stayed at the Cherry Court in London. It's only a couple of blocks from Victoria Train station making it great for the jet-lagged just arrived traveler. No need to take the tube, bus or taxi, just a quick walk around the station and down the block. The Patels were very helpful and extremely friendly. I stayed for 5 nights, 2 at the beginning of my trip and 3 at the end. The rooms are exactly what I expect in a small hotel in London but with far better service. My last 3 nights I was in a small single on the top floor. While the stairs were a little long at the end of the day, it was clean, quiet and the window opened up into the treetops of the courtyard behind. I could sleep with the window open and get no street noise whatsoever. The Patels kept one of my bags while I went north to York and Edinburgh and it was in my room when I got back. I was also surprised by the free internet service. All in all a very positive experience and my first choice for my next trip back. I stayed at the Riverside Walk in York. Nice sunny room with a buffet breakfast. Much more business like and I'm sure no one remembers I stayed there. Great view from the front of the river and, while I didn't get any warm fuzzies, I could stay there again if necessary. Aonach Mor in Edinburgh was fantastic. I had a pretty little room at the top of the house with tea, coffee provided (as in the other two) but with cards, information about the area, etc. also included. The room and other accomodations were immaculate and inviting. A breakfast menu was provided the night before allowing several choices, all delicious. The owners' parents were taking care of the house for the weekend and were delightful. They were one of the reasons I enjoyed the city so much. They left me with a wonderful impressions of the Scots. This would be my first choice on my next trip to Edinburgh.
twalker
Lexington, NC USA Fri 05/20/2005

Unforgettable Umbrian B&B
My husband and I were told about El Marsam B&B by friends who had stayed there, remarking more then once that it was the highlight of their trip. We checked out their website (www.elmarsam.com) and did not hesitate to write for reservations. We enjoyed a five-night stay at El Marsam, a very old stone farmhouse with incredible views on the outskirts of Umbertide, north of Perugia. The American owners have created a veritable slice of heaven ? each room is charming, enhanced with the personal and creative touches that reflect an artist?s home. In fact, the name El Marsam means The Artist?s Studio. Breakfast was generous and served outdoors as were evening meals, which are optional. We opted to dine here on several occasions. But what really made our stay special was the assistance Mike and Ginda gave us each day in planning our excursions to all the nearby sights, keeping us informed of any special events in the area and directing us to little-known places that never disappointed. I hope to return with my daughters someday soon. It is such a special place.
Grandi
Baltimore, MD USA Thu 05/19/2005

Wonderful B and B in Honfleur
We stayed at La Coeur Ste Catherine and found it to be charming. The buildings are an old Cider press and Convent. Madame Giaglis is charming as is her husband. This is a place to go out of the way to see. Honfleur is charming and the restraunts were excellent. The rooms are very large and the garden charming, in the afternoon we had crepes.
Pat Frederick-Perona
Minden, NV USA Wed 05/18/2005

B&B in Carndoagh, Ireland
A heads up if you are near Carndonagh, Ireland. Patricia's Oregon B&B was wonderful. The house was built around 1911 by her in-laws, and is a big place. The one bath even has a bidet and bathtub! Her breakfast was wonderful. She hasn't been getting many guests lately, so if you are in the area, please stay a night! It's not in a major area, but it's quiet and a cute little town.
Kathy
Stoughton, WI USA Wed 05/18/2005

Wonderful place to stay in Ireland
Allcorn's Country Home - Blarney, County Cork, Ireland.This is a gem of a place to stay! While visiting Ireland, which has a monumental amount of nice places to stay, my buddy and I were in Cork, late at night, looking for a place to stay. There were no vacancies anywhere, so I looked in my B and B guide and called Allcorn's. The owner, who is a remarkably nice person, let us stay there even when the B and B was closed for repairs and NOT accepting visitors!Breakfast was excellent, hospitality was second to none, and I would HIGHLY recommend this place to anyone. Price per person was very reasonable.Wonderful country setting, very close to Blarney Castle and not too far off the beaten path, so convenience of Allcorn's is nice.Rooms were very clean, the place smelled like a true country home (for those who grew up in the country, you know what I mean)!

Address:Shournagh Road, Blarney, County Cork, Ireland
Barry Southers
West Chester, OH USA Tue 05/17/2005

Great B&B Stay
We traveled Ireland for the first time in April. Having excellent accommodations for most of the trip, we do however wish to compliment one in particular. We spent 3 nights in Kinsale - staying at the picturesque Rivermount B&B - owned and operated by Clare O'Sullivan. This was truly the highlight of our vacation! Not only was Clare most gracious and hospitable, the accommodations and sun parlor (if they call them that in Ireland - chuckle) are magnificent! We needed a day of rest after driving for 3 - and the views from Clare's parlor are restful, yet breathtaking. Clare's breakfasts are also nothing shy of scrumptious (try the Special Pancakes for sure); and, her helpfulness in eating at the right spots - and which points to see - made our Kinsale stay a most memorable one! We strongly recommend this pretty village for the true hint of Ireland's south coastal life - but be sure to book your stay with Clare online at www.rivermount.com - tell Clare Lou & Jean from Cape Cod sent you, and will be back someday.
Lou & Jean Orleman
Sandwich, MA USA Mon 05/16/2005

Prague B&B
We stayed at the Lida Guest House in Prague as recommended in Rick's Eastern Europe Book. It was a very good choice--it has a wonderful ambiance, the rooms are great, and the owners very, very helpful. The price is very reasonable. 55 Euros for a double room. It is a short tram ride to Old Town...but the ride is enjoyable. There are also several excellent and very reasonable restaurants near the Guest House.
Jean
CA USA Mon 05/16/2005

Suzanne's B&B, Fuessen, Germany
My wife, 17-yr old daughter and 80-yr old aunt spent most of a week at Suzanne's B & B in Fuessen, Germany and had an absolutely wonderful time! Suzanne is a most entertaining character who we found to be enormously helpful. We planned to make several day trips using her B&B as a base, and Suzanne was extremely helpful in providing approximate driving times, 'fastest' or 'most scenic' routes, and actually highlighted our maps for us to help us 'get there.' She also helped us avoid a couple of 'train wrecks' by gently pointing out that one of our tentative plans would most likely lead to frustration and disappointment. We took her advice and were all the happier for it. Fuessen, with the marvelous castles and spectacular backdrop of Alps is a gorgeous place, and should we ever be back through that area again, we would definitely choose to spend our time at Suzanne's B&B.
Dean Nygaard
San Marcos, ca USA Mon 05/16/2005

B&B's in Ireland
Just returned from Ireland and I wanted to add my comments: many B&Bs in Ireland still do not take Credit Cards. Use townandcountry.ie (I think) to search for them on line before you go, or there is a good B&B guide put out by same group that you can buy at many tourist offices or airport for 5 Euros that shows many B&Bs, their cc acceptance, and amenities. We used this once we got out of Dublin, and it was very helpful, since we didn't want to use cash for B&Bs.
Kathy
Stoughton, WI USA Mon 05/16/2005

Arromanches France
Rick's suggestion, Madeleine Sebires working farmhouse, near Arromanches turned out to be my favorite place in all of Europe. What a perfect host! What a charming place!A great place to stay while visiting D Day beaches. Thank you Madeleine.
Linda Callahan
Chicago, Il USA Thu 05/12/2005

B&B Marieke
My wife and I stayed at the B&B Marieke in Bruges in April 2005. What a joy! Trees and Willy were the greatest hosts. Exceptional room and bathroom, fresh delicious homemade breakfast, knowledge of Bruges (where to eat, get a drink, what to see, history with old photos). Plus they let me use their computer. Ideally located on a canal, less than 3 minute walk to the Markt and Burg squares. Great price. Visit me at brusm.com for a link. You'd be crazy not to stay with them.
Bruce Smith
Cincinnati, OH USA Mon 05/09/2005

Moulin Du Fief Gentil Loire Vally Blere France
Florence prepared a great dinner when we arrived late. The rooms were large and spacious and the breakfast enjoyable for the food and conversations with fellow guests. Great dinner one night and excellent directions for Loire Valley sights and restaurants.
Alfred and Harriet Arkley
Belllingham, WA USA Mon 05/09/2005

Galway, Ireland B&B
Joan's Periwinkle B&B was the nicest I have ever stayed in. Her company was priceless and definitely made my trip memorable. The location is perfect, right near the water and only a short, scenic walk to town. Joan will schedule your day's events and give you everything from advice to a heartwarming story. This place is a must for any traveler.
Georgia
Dix Hills, NY USA Mon 05/09/2005

Cotswolds, Blockley
This B & B was the best I have stayed in for years in Europe for its price range. Let me define 'best', the rooms were authentic, they gave me a sense of the 19th century and earlier. The country view from all the rooms are lovely. Gloria Baylis, the hostess, complemented the feeling of living history. Blockley is a quiet village that is centrally located and ideal for a base. www.arreton.demon.co.uk, bandb@arreton.demon.co.uk
Yeager Bush
Boulder, CO USA Sat 05/07/2005

The finest taste of Edinburgh
I recently spent a week at Trina and Colin's Priestville Guest House in Edinburgh. I truly felt at home and slept so comfortably in my warm and cozy room. Colin makes the best breakfasts and my favorite was the most delicious smoked Scottish salmon I have ever eaten. The Priestvile is conveniently located and has a most beautiful view of King Arthur's Seat. I know when I return to Einburgh that I will also return to the Priestville B&B.
Margaret Loris
Chicago, Illinois USA Sat 05/07/2005

Milestone B&B - Dingle, Ireland
My parents and I just returned from a wonderful week in Ireland. By far, our favorite accommodations were found at the Milestone B&B in Dingle. I see it's listed by other reviewers, and I want to second their comments. The home was very well kept and homey. Barbara was a fantastic hostess, and we really appreciated her taking the time to sit down with us and tell us about all Dingle had to offer. Their breakfast the next morning was to-die-for! While we stayed at a number of nice B&Bs during our stay in Ireland, nothing compared to this. At 30 Euro per person, it was an incredible value! If you stay here you will NOT be disappointed!
Dawn
West Des Moines, IA USA Fri 05/06/2005

B&B's in Germany
Two recommendations in Germany are Hans & Karin Weiss (www.haus-karin.de)in Rothenburg o.d. Tauber. This home is extremely clean, the breakfast is HUGE, location excellent and Karin is a real sweetheart. She won't let you leave her table hungry. Other recommendation is in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The Gastehaus Ferienwohnungen Reiter at Burgstrasse 55 was very nice and hospitable with their limited English.
Chris
San Jose, CA USA Fri 05/06/2005

B&B in Normandie France
We stayed at a wonderful B&B 1650's farm house called La Ferme du Pressoir, hosted by Jacques and Odile Delalande and located in the Normandie countryside: Le Haut de St. Louet, Villers Bocage, Calvados, Normandie.

www.bandbnormandie.com

The rooms were immaculatly clean, extremely comfortable, accommodated 2-6 people depending on your party's size, charmingly and commodiously decorated in different themes and 75? per night. But the true pleasure was the cordial and generous welcome by Odile (no English) who served us her grandfather's Calvados (not for sale) and their farm produced cheeses, as well as the most scrumptious breads and petits pains from the preferred boulangerie in the next town over. She also gave us a tour of her farm, introducing her hard-working sons, and a peek at the additional B&B house that was due to open for use that weekend. The room we stayed in shared a common living room, dining room and kitchen all equipped for guests' use. We shared the space with a delightful couple visiting from England. Odile will also prepare a traditional normand dinner upon request for a very small fee. If you are looking for a pleasant, cozy get-away, with a warm-hearted hostess, we highly reccommend La Ferme du Pressoir.
Debbie Beck
Baltimore, MD USA Thu 05/05/2005

Fantastic B&B in Bath, England
If anyone is planning a trip out to England, Bath is a city that you should visit. And when you do visit, you should stay with the Napier Family in Bathfordshire. Just as their website says, they are 3 miles outside of Bath. The house is a beautiful ENORMOUS manor house, with a huge sitting room and plenty of rooms. The host, John Napier, was incredibly helpful as we were trying to find accomodation during the Easter weekend. John gave us all sorts of maps of Bath and the surrounding area, and numerous recommendations for where to eat. He also gave us a key to both the front door and a door to your room. The rooms were impeccably clean...and both rooms that we stayed in had an en suite. The breakfast each morning was more than we were expecting, served by one of the daughters. From the house, the bus stop into town is literally not more than a 5 minute walk. The bus runs regularly all day, and was much better than finding a place within the city. Up on a hilltop overlooking the city of Bath, you could not find a more peaceful setting! After spending the first day in Bath, we spent the 2nd day doing a cathedral/Stonehenge/Cheddar Gorge tour, and it was all within driving distance of Eagle House. Visit the website at www.eaglehouse.co.uk
Shannon
Mildenhall, UK Wed 05/04/2005

Warm & Friendly Amsterdam Lodge B&B
My husband and I spent 4 wonderful days at this B&B hosted by Bas and Anita. Although they do not live on site, Bas attends breakfast each morning with the guests. He's a very friendly, knowledgeable fellow who gladly provides lots of helpful information about how best to enjoy the charming city of Amsterdam.The accommodations are very comfortable and clean, and the location of this B&B, in the desirable neighborhood of Jordaan, is great. We look forwad to returning to Amsterdam again, and enjoying the hospitality Bas and Anita so kindly offer. (www.amsterdamlodge.com)
Donna Schroeder
Beacon, NY USA Mon 05/02/2005

France Dordogne Delight
Chambre d'hotes Les Charmes de Carlucet, Helen and Eric Edgar together with there two charming children offer what must surely be the most perfect and delightful accommodation we have ever had the pleasure of staying at. With wonderful resturants within walking distance or a short drive, and perfectly located for all the famous and magnificent attractions the dordogne has to offer - 2 weeks is simply not long enough. The beautifully restored house and tranquil gardens, together with swimming pool and sauna, Helen and Eric's natural charm, generousity of time, and useful local knowledge ease one immediately into stress free Holiday Heaven. Don't take my word for it - go there and experience it for yourself, then thank me for letting the secret out!!
Paul Riley
Telford, Shropshire United Kingdom Sun 05/01/2005

Roma B&B--excellent!
Max and the Roma B&B were outstanding. We arrived there on the day of the Pope's funeral, and Max was great to stay up until almost midnight to welcome us into his flat. The rooms were great with your own bathroom enclosed. You couldn't beat the location. The vatican museum was around a 10 minute walk, and the train station was even closer. It was my husband's birthday, so I arranged with Max to have a bottle of wine waiting for us in the room, and there it was...unfortunately we were beat after being on the road all day, but it was still enjoyed.

If you want great hospitality, great location and a great price, visit Max at www.romabandb.it
Shannon
Mildenhall, UK Sun 05/01/2005

Outstanding B&B in Tuscany
Thank you to Judy for your comments about La-Tartaruga B&B in Montecatini Terme. The hostess, Sylvie, was the best that we've ever had. My husband and I had planned a week in Italy, which happened the week of the Pope's funeral,so we were worried that reservations that we had set up in Tuscany and Rome would be out the window. Sylvie was the first to let us know that everything was still set. We rented a car upon arriving to Pisa on a RyanAir flight, and it was truly an easy drive up to the point of the exit. Follow the Montecanti Termi directions closely as they are listed on the website, because we thought it would be obvious turns. After three tries,we finally made it (according the directions on the website word for word...wouldn't you know it). La Tartaruga was exactly what we needed! There wasn't much that Sylvie didn't do for us.

First, the room (we stayed in the Orange Room) was beautiful. Comfortable beds, a huge shower/bathroom all for us...it was amazing. She recommended two dinner places the two nights we were there, and even arranged the taxis during our "romantic dinner" night so we could both enjoy a few glasses of wine. We knew we would only have one full day in Florence, so I asked Sylvie beforehand if she could get us reservations at the Uffizzi since I had been there before and remembered the lines. We used her city map to get to the train station in Montecanti Termi (again, very easy to find) and hopped on the train. There are around 3 trains per hour going into Florence, and the train station is around a 15 minute walk to all of the sites in Florence. When you come back, make sure to ask the train station SOS which train to get on to get off at M.Termi, because we about got on the wrong one. We had an awesome day in Florence, trying to see as much in one day as you could.

The breakfasts at La Tartaruga were amazing. She had fresh cheeses and meats every morning and explained what each one was. She also let us take some of the leftovers with us into town, which cut down on lunch costs, which of course is always nice! Plus, they were still delicious and hit the spot after being a mega-tourist. We were sad that our time there was so short, but hope to one day get back and be able to see more of Tuscany and the rest of Italy. When we were getting ready to leave, Sylvie called ahead to our B&B in Rome, and also the rental car company, to let them know that we would be there, but late, since it was on the day of the Pope's funeral. She truly went above and beyond in the service that she provided. If you ever want to get to Italy and see the beautiful sites of Pisa, Florence, Tuscany, etc, Sylvie's hospitality and the La-Tartaruga cannot be beat! Check out her website at http://www.la-tartaruga.com/
Shannon
Mildenhall, UK Sun 05/01/2005

superb b&b in YORK
york is a fantastic city made even better by staying at The Bloomsbury at www.bloomsburyhotel.co.uk . great location, unequaled hosts, delicious food and very comfortable and more importantly CLEAN rooms. we met lots of visitors from US whilst there who were using the Rick Steves guide book and oculdnt understand why the Bloomsbury wasnt mentioned. try it you wont be disapointed. Best b&b ive stayed in
paul
edinburgh, uk Sat 04/30/2005

Isle of Skye B&B
I stayed at a fabulous B&B on the Isle of Skye, Scotland called Alltan. If you take the ferry from Mallaig, it is one of the first B&Bs on the main road. Beverly and Duncan McInnes are great hosts and the rooms were pretty and the breakfast yummy. The best part, however, is the view from the living room of the mountains and ocean! They also have a holiday rental cottage across the island in Ord. Great place, great people and only 19 pounds a night per person! I paid 30 pounds for a B&B in Ft. William with no view and a leaky faucet!
Linda
New York, NY USA Sat 04/30/2005

Beautiful Beynoc in the Dordogne Valley of France
Thanks for having this gem listed in your guidebook Rick. The couple who run the Chambres Residence Versailles are the sweetest people indeed. They didn't speak much English and we didn't speak much French but we had no problem communicating. The views from their rooms are amazing. When we arrived I asked Francoise if there was a store nearby to purchase a bottle of wine and before we could even unpack she brought up a pitcher of red wine with two glasses to welcome us. We had the best French toast we've ever tasted for breakfast one day. And to boot this area of France was my favorite during our drive around the country. If you're in that area be ready to be welcomed heartily by this wonderful couple.
John Howlett
Boulder, Co USA Wed 04/27/2005

Great B and B in Malahide,Ireland
Just back from 2 wonderful weeks in the Emeral Isle of Ireland. Our best b and bwas undoubtably Seabreeze , Coast Road, Malahide. So convenient and near to the city and airport with grat ground transport. The Nolans operate a very friendly and welcoming house and we will be going back again and again
Sam McEvoy
Indio, ca USA Wed 04/27/2005

B&B friendliness
While visiting the Normandy beach sites i stayed at Chateau Ligneroles outside of Bayeaux. Pia and Roel were outstanding hosts and their 1731 era chateau is magnificent Many interesting areas around the chateau.
walt pleimann
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO USA Tue 04/26/2005

Salzburg and Trude's B&B
Trude's in Salzburg is the best! This is the second time we have stayed there and we felt like it was our own home. Everything clean and fresh. Breakfast is great. Price can't be beat! Just a 3 minute walk to the bus stop and a 7 minute ride into the heart of the old city. We wouldn't think of staying anywhere else in Salzburg!
Dell Nichols
Jamestown, NC USA Tue 04/26/2005

Ronda Bed & Breakfast
Finca La Guzmana Bed & Breakfast 4 km from Ronda, Spain is a charming bed and breakfast run by Peter & Claire who are Brits enjoying living in sunny Spain. They will pick you up from the train or bus station if you call and let them know the time. (See Rick Steves' guidebook suggestions on using the phone in Spain.) You can even have the people at your previous lodging call from there if you pay the cost. This is a Spanish farmhouse remodeled with an addition that follows the same style so closely that it looks as if it has always been there. If you are driving Spain's uncrowded roads, this is also a good place to stop. They will send you a map and directions. It is a good starting place for a tour of the white villages or to go into the mountains for hiking. We arrived just in time to have tea in their courtyard. How lovely! They also have a swimming pool with floating devices for the kids. The breakfast is very extensive, suiting almost every taste. We also enjoyed visiting with other guests from Britain, Germany, and Belgium. Peter and Claire can also give you wonderful insight on living in Spain. You can find information on their bed and breakfast at info@laguzmana.com telephone numbers are:0034 610 826 279 and 0034 600 006 305.
Rosemary Shively
Briggsdale, CO USA Mon 04/25/2005

Bruges B & B
My husband and I just returned from a trip to Amsterdam and Bruges. We can;t say enough about the Kwalito in Bruges. Els and Kris are wonderful hosts who provided us with maps, suggestions about restaurants as well as including a bowl of fresh fruit in our small studio with doors leading to a private deck. Els left a basket for breakfast each morning overflowing with a variety of delicious food. I enthusiastically recommend a stay here!
Frances Ashe
Mendon, MA USA Mon 04/25/2005

CT rooms in Vernazza
Elisabetta Carro( carroelisabetta@hotmail.com) , in CT, was a prize! Calling her from Vernazza, she had no room left ( from the outside,her place had a killer view of the Med )but quickly hooked us up with a gentleman named Tito. I would suggest contacting her by e mail and sending a deposit if your dates are firm. If not, try her at the last minute and hope for the best.
Bob
Gettysburg, PA USA Mon 04/25/2005

Casa Petite, Venice
When visiting Venice for a couple of days we decided to experience a stay in a bed and breakfast rather than a hotel as we were during the rest of our trip. We stayed at Casa Petite and had a wonderful experience. We rented the garden room and enjoyed a quiet atmosphere, privacy, and a wonderful hostess as well as her younger and playful daughter and dog Gastone. The house is located within 3 minutes of the Academia Bridge allowing us easy access to the rest of the city. I would recommend this as a place to stay to anyone willing to experience the bed and breakfast atmosphere (shared bathroom, although there was a wash basin in the room).
Aaron McCloud
Seattle, WA USA Sun 04/24/2005

Rothenburg B&B
Karin Weiss in Rothenburg o d Tauber was one of the best hostesses my wife and I had recently on our trip to Germany and Austria. She gave the best advice about what to see and what to avoid. Her house is a short walk to the walled city and only about 5 minutes walk to the center of the old town. Her breakfast was delicious and if we needed or wanted anything extra or different, she was there to help. I would recommend staying at her place. Her web address is www.haus-karin.deHer email addres is karinweissrtbg@aol.com
Randy
Kaysville, UT USA Sat 04/23/2005

A place NOT to stay at is Smith's Hotel in Glasgow. Location is fine but rooms are not. It's the worst place I stayed during my two-week trip to Great Britain. By the way, I think Glasgow is a fine city. It gets a bad rap, and certainly it's not Edinburgh, but it has its own beauty and some nice museums.
Carol
Seattle, USA Sat 04/23/2005

Enjoyed my stay at Aonach Mor in Edinburgh. Room, a single, was the smallest I've ever slept in (about 6' x 12') but was clean and comfortable. Breakfasts were very nice. Hosts are a delight.
Carol
Seattle, USA Sat 04/23/2005

B&Bs
I can't say enough about David and the rest of the staff at the Lime Tree. It's a very home-like place--at breakfast, David took time to visit with everyone in the dining room and pretty soon, he and one of our group were comparing notes on the joys of grandparenting! Our experience was more like staying with good friends than a commercial establishment. They had good recomendations for restaurants--we particularly liked the curry at Spicy World, which was about 10 minutes' walk away. The B&B is convenient to Victoria Station and to the bus to Heathrow, and there are several good restaurants close by, and a grocery across the street. From the cheerfulness of the staff to the fresh daffodils at the reception counter, everything about our stay was great. I would never stay anywhere else, now that I know my way around the neighborhood and the tube and bus stops. And there is a great Red Cross Thrift Store a block away where I got two elegant velvet scarves.
Judith Goeke
Belgrade, Serbia Fri 04/22/2005

herioc kindness
My family and I spent a lovely few days at Graziella?s charming and rustic B&B ?Il Poggiolo? located in the hills just outside of Florence. Although only a few miles from town, it is totally immersed in the countryside, which was a thrill for our kids - they were entranced by the animals on the farm. We were blessed by warm spring weather and enjoyed a picnic lunch under the olive trees. We also had a home cooked meal, made by Graziella. We used the local bus to get into town, and Graziella was more than helpful with our excursions? she arranged for our museum trips and sent us to an excellent restaurant just minutes from the house. She also ferried us to and from the station when we arrived and left. It was an ideal location to enjoy ?the simple life? while having Florence just a stone?s throw away.
julie
austin, TX USA Fri 04/22/2005

Villa Sibillini Country House
This delightful family-run b & b is even described by Italians as Home from Home. Pam, David and Georgina are so welcoming and even included my friend and I in a spectacular dinner with the local mayor and a travel writer from New York.

This family directed us to fabulous places - Roman ruins, incredible churches and restaurants not normally found by tourists. It was a truly relaxing break with views of mountains from the Villa, clean air and comfortable beds. The power showers were a great surprise as well.We are waiting to go again, as we still have undiscovered treasures to find.
Ann
Little Hallingbury, UK Fri 04/22/2005

Hedley House in York, England
Upon our vacation to London in May 2004 we took a weekend sidetrip to York. While there we stayed in Hedley House B&B. Wow! We were pleasantly surprised. The staff was friendly, breakfasts were great, rooms were spacious and clean as were the bathrooms (showers even have great water pressure). It's a little off the beaten path but still easily accessable on foot since York is a small town anyway. On our last day there, we were loaded down with bags and the hotel owner's son insisted on taking all 5 of us to the train station in his Mercedes van for free! We couldn't have been happier with this B&B. Check out their official site if you want pictures. B&B is actually converted old townhouses so there's lots of English charm about it. Prices were also great, it was like 80 pounds per night and that was on a Friday and Saturday. York is a great place to visit and this B&B made our side trip even more enjoyable. We would definitely stay there again!
Natalie
Tulsa, OK USA Mon 04/18/2005

Volterra Agriturismo! Eat up!
While in Italy in the fall of 2004 I stayed in this unique agritourismo in the hill town of Volterra. What was unique about this place was that the dining room was a 12th century or so monestary, was a working olive farm, and has a 'natural' swiming pool. The owner cooked and encouraged me to take a cooking class. It was really fun as a group of people from all around the world sharred their own languages word for flour. I have visited many agritourismos and this is honestly on of the cleanest and friendliest places to say. You can email the owner Marinella at info@agriturismosanlorenzo.it or email me and I can point you in the right direction. These people got it right.
Daniel Chapman
College Station, TX USA Sun 04/17/2005

bed and breakfast
Sent one on April 15, on Les Charmes de Carluset.,but don't see it apearing, is there a problem?
Ruth Evans
Riverton, Ks USA Sun 04/17/2005

Monet's Garden
A friend of mine told me about staying in a bed nad breakfast that was actually in, or at least very near to, Monet's garden. I would like to do that to but I don't know if there actually is a B&B there. Any help?
Jasmine
st. paul, MN USA Sat 04/16/2005

Ardconnel House - Inverness
Ardconnel House ? InvernessI contacted Ardconnel House (owners, John and Elizabeth) after reading some good comments on Rick?s Graffiti Wall. It may seem strange to some that I would give a recommendation to a place I haven?t even stayed at yet, but I already know our upcoming visit to Ardconnel House in Inverness will be at the top of our "best places to stay" list following our trip later this year. From the very first e-mail to inquire about room availability to the present, John has paved the way for what I know will be a wonderful visit. He has answered my many questions with patience and humor and has gone out of his way to help in any way he can as we prepare for our first trip to Scotland. We are looking forward to meeting John and Elizabeth and I know we are going to have a wonderful stay. We can hardly wait. Check out their web site at www.ardconnel-inverness.co.ukSandy Powers - Oklahoma, USA
Sandy Powers
Sapulpa, OK USA Sat 04/16/2005

Nicolas Inn Rome
Stayed at the Nicolas Inn in Rome in February and found it to be perfect for myself and two teenagers. Agree with all reviews read on cleanliness, great location and rooms. What stands out though and makes the Nicolas Inn special are the innkeepers Melissa and Francois who do anything and everything to help you out during your stay. It is small enough to allow very personal attention. A super find and worth returning to!
S Lynch
Stratham, NH USA Fri 04/15/2005

bed and breakfast
Wish to confirm how gracious and wonderful Eric and Helen were at Les Charmes at Carlucet in the Dordogne Valley. My self, my daughter, and son all took the culinary course and learned how to make foie gras at the Auburge del sol. Dominec, the instructor, was great, and we had great fun.The market day in Sarlat was also memorable.
Ruth Evans
Riverton, Ks. USA Thu 04/14/2005

Homely B & B in Amsterdam
My husband and I had a wonderful experience in Amsterdam. Genuine Dutch hospitality and a very comfortable place to stay. Thanks to a recommendation on this Graffiti wall, we decided to stay at Gabriele's highly recommended homely B&B, walking distance from the Anne Frank house and the canals. We had a great time! What a lovely room ,large sunny balcony, nice and quiet. The Dutch sure like their flowers, they where everywhere: in the bedroom, on the balcony! We were treated so well, it was just like staying with family or friends. So all you fellow travellers, if you are looking to be pampered in a tranquil, beautiful atmosphere, close to all the sights and if you like to be begin the day with the best organic breakfast you can imagine, Gabriele's is definitely a good place to go. Her cellphone is 0031 628586694 email: yellowroses@gmx.net
Linde Price Jones
Adelaide, Australia Thu 04/14/2005

B+B Belgravia, London
We had a day and a night in London on our way to a trade show in Germany and found the B+B Belgravia. Central and accessable for the Gatwick Express. The staff were so helpful with advice! We saw so much of London due to their recommendations. Comfortable, clean, quiet, safe, nice neighborhood restaurants too! Bertie, Brooklyn
Bertie
Brooklyn, NY USA Thu 04/14/2005

Gulliver's Place Rome
I must thank Rick Steves for listing Gulliver's Place B&B on his guide, I finally found people that stand by their promises. I was a bit hesitant at first as it seemed to be too good to be true. Gulliver's Place was simply perfect for my husband and I. Half way on our trip we had just give up on having a good night sleep. All the places we stayed at, including hotels, were loud and uncomfortable.Just to make sure we called Gulliver's Place asking for a quiet room, Sara said their noise insulation system was second to none and thank God IT WAS SO!! A super comfy king size bed with double comforters!!! Sara was kind enough to provide us with hear plugs but added we would have had not use for it, and it was so. We planned to stay in Naples for one night but we ended up taking a day trip instead and get some more relax.We had a four poster bed, it felt like a second honeymoon.

Gulliver's Place is a Bed and Breakfast and we did not want to get out of that confy bed but Sara's breakfast is really something worth waking up for.

We got to Gulliver's 10 mins after arriving at the tremini station,the provided directions to their place easy to follow.

Sara is the best touring adviser, we had no troubles walking the city, in our five days in Rome we used metro only twice.

Sara's map was a great tool to find our way around.Everything we needed was no more then five minutes from our doorstep , don't forget to ask Sara to point you out to Lavaresinna restaurant.Thank you Rick
Sharon
Spokane, WA USA Wed 04/13/2005

Contrast B & B in Bruges
The person who didnt like this B&B must have ben having a bad day!It is what is says a 'contrast. Extremely modern but all the best fittings and so hi-tech.Cathy and her husband were so helpful, leaflets on Bruges and where to go, where to park etc.The breakfast was everything we could have wished and except that we are always hungry it would have sustained most people for a day. Freshly squeezed orange juice was a really nice touch as were the little chocolates.The rooms are at the end of the garden, althugh linked to the house by a walkway, which gives you a feeling of independance without disturbing your hosts when creeping in late!!Perhaps i am not too fussy but i would reccomend Contrast to anyone and they will not be dissapointed.
Jocelyn Garvey
Stockport, GB Tue 04/12/2005

Irish hospitality in Kinsale
On recommendation, we experienced the delightful hospitality of Claire O'Sullivan at Rivermount House in the country just outside of Kinsale. The accomodations were wonderful, so nice we changed our travel plans and stayed an extra day.
Jeanne Schwarz
Frankfort, IL USA Sat 04/09/2005

B&B in Edinburgh
We just got back from a trip to Edinburgh where we stayed at the Straven Guesthouse after reading about them on this website. Mac and Marian were so friendly and helpful. The rooms are clean, spacious, and in a great neighborhood. We'll definitley stay there again.
Angie & Barbara
Simi Valley, CA USA Sat 04/09/2005

Rome B&B near Colosseo
We have stayed twice at a B&B very near all the attractions in the old city of Rome. It's called Anne and Mary and their web site is www.anne-mary.com.

It is run by Anne Marie and her two daughters , Silvia and Ilaria. They have 6 great rooms in their home with beautiful furnishings and VERY comfortable beds.Each time when we arrive, we sit around their kitchen table and talk about Rome, America, life, everything. We always feel like we're coming home. We first stayed back in 2001 then again in 2003. We just came back again in April 2005 and it's like seeing old friends again.

They serve a beautiful breakfast and are 100 meters off the main street so it's quiet, but walking distance to most sites and close to the bus stop.Now the best part...we came back this time on my wife's 64th birthday, and their family and we joined together for lunch on her birthday for a celebration. Can't do that at the Hilton.Their prices are fair given their location and amenities and you can't beat the hospitality.
Randy Hurwitz
Denver, CO USA Sat 04/02/2005

Dingle Town Ireland
Our family spent 10 days in Ireland last fall staying in B&Bs each night. Irish hospitality is legandary and all true! One of our absolute highlights was our stay at the Milestone, just outside of Dingle town. Barbara, with an extensive travel background, and Michael Carroll are transplanted Dubliners with a passion to please. Over a a cup of coffee, Barbara sat right down with us and pulled out maps of not to be missed sites in town and especially Slea Head Drive on the Penninsula. For the evening, she went through all of their favorite restaurants and pubs with Irish "trad" music. They even called ahead to book the best table right by the fireplace at the James Ashe restaurant and their suggestion was just perfect. The Carrolls home and B&B was just the best; clean, spacious, and the owners are just a delightful, friendly couple. They sent us home with a treasured recipe for Guiness Irish stew and also Michael's terriffic soda bread. If your're heading to Dingle, you'll love the Milestone...we sure did.Web: www.iol.ie/~milstone/index.htmlPhone (from the US) 011- 353 66 9151831E-mail: milestonedingle@eircom.net
Rick Faner
San Antonio, TX USA Fri 04/01/2005

Guest House in PISA TUSCANY ITALY
B&B (www.guest-house.it)very well located in the centre Pisa, the bed and breakfast Michele Guest House is a perfect accommodation in Tuscany for everybody who wants the best comfort at the cheap price. The Michele Guest House Bed and Breakfast offers quality b&b accommodation and is situated in central Pisa and is 10 minutes walk to the Tower. The guest house is 5 minute walk to the Pisa Conference Centre and in close proximity to the Airport International Galileo Galilei and many restaurants.

Bed & Breakfast Pisa Tuscany Italy Accommodation Pisa
Michele
PISA IT Thu 03/31/2005

French Manoir
Le Manoir De Chemalle, located in the Loire Valley and although in a rural area it is handy for Chateau hopping. Rooms are neat clean and quiet. You may have your meals in,cooked just for you with excellent vin de region or leave and find what you may. Very reasonable and perfect for those wanting to experience the French countryside. Near Bloise-Noches (sort of) chemalle@hotels-france.com
Jeff Martin
Shell Beach, Ca USA Mon 03/28/2005

Crook Lodge in York, B&B Belgravia in London - both terrific
One big thumbs-up for the Crook Lodge in York! Brian, our host, was terrific, the location's excellent (close to the train station and the center of York, but nice and quiet), accomodations are cozy and comfortable - we couldn't have asked for more! We felt right at home from the minute we stepped inside. And the price - about 65GBP a night - is a good value. A classic B&B.

Another big thumbs-up for B&B Belgravia, which we booked due to the recommendations on the graffiti wall. We'd stayed at the Cherry Court before and found it a bit too confining (although the price/location combination truly can't be beat in London). Four nights at B&B Belgravia wasn't nearly enough. It's got a modern (post-modern?), younger feel - less "B&B-esque" than some English places we've enjoyed, but still excellent. Karin's a splendid host, chock-full of answers, ideas, and stories (ask her about her spell working at Buckingham Palace). The price - about 85GBP a night, check about multi-night discounts - is excellent value given its quality and location (close to Victoria, but with almost none of Victoria's bustle and noise). (If you're an American, think in pounds, not in dollars - working through the exchange rate is simply too painful!)

We'd stay at either place again in a heartbeat. Here are the websites: www.crooklodge.co.uk and www.bb-belgravia.com (the B&B Belgravia site won't work on older web browsers; their phone # is (from the US) 011-44-20-7259-8570).
Craig Dandurand
Sacramento, CA USA Sun 03/27/2005

York B&B Details
Just found contact details for St. Mary's B&B in York. addr: 17 Longfield Terrace, Bootham, York YO30 7DJ; Proprietor: Barry Lyons; www: stmaryshotel.co.uk; e-mail: stmaryshotel@talk21.com; tel: 01904-626972 I also want to recommend El Piano in Grape Lane for tapas-style lunch or dinner!
Linda Haggerstone
Glasgow Scotland, UK Sun 03/27/2005

Fantastic & Friendly York B&B
I live in the UK now and recently visited York for the first time. What a lovely, friendly city it is! I stayed at fantastic St. Mary's B&B at the end of Longfield Terrace: charming host & staff; delicious breakfasts; clean & cheery en-suite rooms; easy access to river walkways and boat rides, St. Mary's Abbey Gardens, and the York Museum; and not far from York Minster and the Shambles. Highly recommended!
Linda Haggerstone
Glasgow Scotland, UK Sun 03/27/2005

B&B more info
There is a lot of great information on B&Bs but if it isnt in Ricks books and no telephone number or web site is listed it is very difficult to make contact.Please give a web site or telephone number.Thank you
jack
Sheboygan, Wi. USA Sat 03/26/2005

Paris: Hotel Eber Mars
Hotel Eber Mars made our spring break stay in Paris so much more enjoyable. We booked a triple room with bath that had plenty of room and was very quiet even with a window over looking the street. Hotelier Joseph Eber (and staff) was exceptional in helping us acclimate, plan our outings, etcf. He also paid special attention to the fact that we were traveling with a preteen and made suggestions with her in mind as well. Excellent!
Cindy
Austin, tx USA Fri 03/25/2005

B&B stay
My daughter and I just returned from a 4 day walking tour of the Cotswolds and were lucky enough to spend the 1st and last night in Moreton-on-Marsh at the Warwick House B&B. Our host Charlie and his lovely wife Lisa and adorable son Tim, paired with a very comfortable and spacious room, made our stay very memorable. Charlie's advice about eliminating part of the last days hike was also right on the money.
Dorothea Vitale
Huntington, NY USA Thu 03/24/2005

Great B&B at Cinque Terre
We had a fabulous stay at L?Antico Borgo (www.anticoborgo.net) a beautiful B&B overlooking Levanto at Cinque Terre.Cicilia & Carlo are such gracious and accomodating hosts.Charming and very clean rooms, wonderfully comfortable beds ,delicious breakfast, amazing view.I would definately recommend L?Antico Borgo to anyone!Joan M.L.
Joan
USA Thu 03/24/2005

COMPLEMENT
SPOUSE WITH 104 FEVER IN BUKHARA. SASHA AND SON WERE COMPASSIONATE AND HELPFUL. HAVE NEVER BEEN SO GRATEFUL.
NANCY LYNCH
SARANAC LAKE, NY USA Wed 03/23/2005

found a gem by chance.
Toured southeast of ireland last autumn and happened upon ballygarran house in wexford. The hostess ,Anne drove me to town to shop while my husband took our car to go golfing. We had a lovely room with four poster bed and our biggest problem was deciding what to pick off the breakfast menu!!! (i liked the american pancakes the best). Anne gave us some of her homemade scones to take with us when leaving and helped us plan our last day (things to do before catching the ferry home). It felt like we had been visiting a relative and we did miss them when we left. www.ballygarranhouse.com
fiona dolman
wiltshire, uk Sun 03/20/2005

El Marsam B&B in Umbertide
Mike and Ginda Simpson of El Marsam B&B in Umbertide assisted us when our rental car broke down and needed extensive repair work. Without their help we would have been stranded for days. They helped us with the repairs and the red tape and made sure that we had interesting day trips while we waited. Their B&B is beautiful and they are friendly and fun. Dinner there is not to be missed and the view from their garden toward the mountains make the dining experience one of the best in the area. You can contact them at www.elmarsam.com. Tell them that Holly and Jim sent you!
hollie
Baltimore, MD USA Fri 03/18/2005

Les Charmes de Carlucet (near Sarlat)
I would like to add another hearty recommendation for Les Charmes de Carlucet (http://www.carlucet.com/en/index.htm) in the Dordogne / Perigord Noir area. My wife and I were extremely impressed by the friendliness and hospitality of Helen and Eric, and my wife loved their cute children. It is outside of town, and is therefore very peaceful (although not so easy to find at night). Having a ~900 year-old church across the way also adds to the charm. P.S. If you stay there, try to go to Les Plantades for dinner - a great experience, and an even better value, especially the Perigord menu.
Ray S.
Northville, MI USA Fri 03/11/2005

Heroic B and B Kindness
We stayed in Rothenburg ob der Tauber a few days before Christmas this year to experience the medieval city and the Kristkindlmarkt. We stayed at Hotel Cafe Uhl, with owner Robert at the helm. This was the most charming place I have ever stayed in my 10 visits to Europe! Right under one of the gateways to the wall, with a blanket of snow on the roof tops and the aroma of the bakery Robert runs downstairs, ahhh it was heaven. Robert is very quiet and polite and we enjoyed seeing his family come visit him in the evenings including his little 2 year old son. I would go back there in a heart beat and stay longer than two nights..the rooms were reasonable, cozy, clean with newer bathrooms in the rooms and the breakfasts were wonderful! What an excellent value and beautiful spot.
Chere Weiss
Kelso, WA USA Thu 03/10/2005

Highly Recommend Frances Lodge in Sienna, Italy
This is long overdue, but my wife and I would like to express a strong thank-you and recommendation for anyone travelling to Tuscany--go to Sienna and stay at Frances Lodge! The setting is majic (thanks Rick for the find), and the hosts are exceptionally friendly and kind. While visiting Italy, I was suffering from severe heartburn while staying in Sienna, and Franco was very kind to arrange a doctor to visit me and went out of his way to fill a prescription for me. This really saved our vacation! The medication made it possible for our family to complete our trip to Sienna and Venice in Aug/04. It was not until Feb/05 that I was diagnosed with gallbladder disease and had my galbladder removed. No I am fine. But it almost ruined our vacation. So now that I am fully recovered, I remembered our fine hosts in Sienna, and wanted to let fellow travellers know that they will be hard-pressed to find a more perfect B&B in Sienna, and particularly, more perfect hosts who go the extra mile to help their guests. We shall always remember our trip to your lodge! Hope to return in the next few years.Thanks,The McFadyen's
A, McFadyen
richmond, bc Canada Wed 03/09/2005

Paris
Visited Paris for 3 days in March 2005. Used the Paris guidebook- stayed near Rue Cler area, at the Emperor Hotel. It was a nice area, Metro handy. We needed a quad and found this a good value. Desk staff was helpful. Internet was down, however.
Marsha
Grand Forks, ND USA Wed 03/09/2005

rooms london victoria area
We stayed 2 nights in London, 1 coming and 1 going to another destination. We used the London STeve's book to locate a hotel, same area but 2 different experiences and costs. The area on Belgrave Rd was great. Close to Victoria Station. The Winchester Hotel had a great staff, good breakfast and nice room (we were in a quad). The Georgian Hotel was much more basic with a miniscule bathroom and good breakfast but no lift and when they say 3 floors up that means 6 staircases! Cost of Georgian was almost half of the Winchester. Tried the Grumbles Pub in the area and found that not to our liking.
Marsha
Grand Forks, ND USA Wed 03/09/2005

Downtown Accomodation in Rome
We stayed at Downtown Accomodation in Rome for 4 nights and enjoyed it , the location is very near the Roman Rorum ( 2 minutes walk ) , the Coliseum and Piazza Venezia ...all major sites are walking distance , short walk to metro Cavour , supermarket nearby , bar , and several restaurants . The room was not fancy , but very clean and pleasant , and bed was comfortable , and the rate was very reasonable , we had a good time here .Anyone interested in staying in a clean , fairly priced place and good location in Rome , check www.downtownaccomodation.com , their address Via : Cavour 275
Mary Brady
New York, USA Wed 03/09/2005

JS - Belgravia
We stayed at the Blades Hotel in Pimlico/Belgravia last May and loved it.

http://www.blades-hotel.co.uk/

The hotel itself is fairly basic (maybe 12 rooms, several floors, no lift - not handicapped friendly; private though tiny bathrooms), but clean, comfortable, quiet and in a great neighborhood 15 minutes walk from Parliment, and 5-10 from Victoria Station and Buckingham Palace. There's also a grocery store a bus stop away, which was great for picnic lunches.

And Kevin can't be beat for personality and helpfulness. He was always making suggestions for the best theater shows, best places to buy football jerseys, which bus or train to take to get places, etc. When we talked about going to see a choir, he invited us to see the Westminster Boys Choir with him on Sunday morning (10:30am Sundays, at Westminster Cathedral; not Westminster Abbey), and spent more than an hour showing us around the cathedral of which he is immensely proud.He even made several great suggstions of where to go in Ireland.No doubt about it, our trip was more enjoyable because of Kevin and the rest of the staff at the Blades.

Rates may have changed, but we were paying about 90 pounds for a triple, and 60 for a double, including breakfast.We'll definately stay here again.
Sean
Austin, TX USA Mon 03/07/2005

Edinburgh Scotland/Paris France
Our stay at the Priestville Guest House in Edinburgh was fabulous. Colin and Trina are wonderful hosts and Colin cooked up scrumptious breakfasts for us every morning. Our room was large, sunny and very comfortable...location was great..we'd go back in a heartbeat. Also stayed at La Turenne in Paris...another great room..very hospitable...perfectly located close to everything...Rue Cler was just as Rick had described it...we loved Too Much (darling little shop), Eliot (great jewelry shop) La Varangue with Phillipe..his food is divine..order anything..I had duck 2 nights in a row..Angelinas for hot chocolate...Macabane...great store for souvenirs...it's easy to take the metro from Gare du Nord when you arrive on Eurostar. We were in Europe for 2 weeks...never once took a cab. We must have saved well over $1000 by using Rick's guidebooks...it was a fabulous trip...Thank you Rick Steves and Company :) Susan and Dale
Susan Barnhart
Roseville, CA USA Mon 03/07/2005

Aude Languedoc B&B
We had a fabulous stay at La Maison du Chapelier http://www.esperazabedandbreakfast.com/.It is near to Carcasonne, Rennes le Chateau, skiing in the Pyrenees, a day trip to Spain or the Mediterrean plus so much more. Andy & Louise will make you feel very much at home. You won't want to leave.
Stephen
Plano, TX USA Mon 03/07/2005

Wonderful B&B in Dordogne!
I cannot recommend highly enough how much we enjoyed our stay at Les Charmes de Carlucet (http://www.carlucet.com/en/index.htm). Eric & Helen are such gracious and accomodating hosts. I would definitely recommend staying here when you visit the beautiful Dordogne region.
Stephen
Plano, TX USA Mon 03/07/2005

Roof St Peter The Best Place to see Rome
Terrazza San Pietro is a lovely studio apartment situated in one of the most charming locations in Rome, a few steps from the historic center.

This cozy attic is on the 9th floor of a beautiful antique Umberto style palace in the heart of one of the most exclusive Rome areas, the Prati district. A little jewel in a place where you can see the world turning around you, Terrazza San Pietro offers competitive rates in a convenient position.Suitable for 2 persons, the apartment Terrazza San Pietro is composed by a bedroom, a bathroom and a kitchenette.

This newly renovated attic features satellite TV, individually controlled air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchenette, towels and linens, and a cleaning service every 3 days.

Being on the last floor of the building, guests can take advantage of the beautiful rooftop terrace, from which it is possible to admire a spectacular 360 degrees view of the historic center of Rome.

Amongst the many amenities, a fully functioning fireplace will warm up winter stays.
Ben Davies
USA Sun 03/06/2005

True Heroism in Provence France !
Just wanted to write in and thank Kevin Widrow and his lovely wife Elizabeth who absolutely saved our vacation in Provence last October. Two days before we were supposed to fly home, my husband realized his passport was nowhere to be found. Feeling a bit stupid but mostly panicked, Kevin stepped in and offered not only to help with a phone call to the Consulate in Marsiele, but then he actually went with us to make sure we found it and didn't have any problems. What a life-saver. I am not sure how we ever could have managed driving there on our own - not to mention getting passport photos taken and everything else involved. We ended up losing just an afternoon of our vacation (but at least we got to visit Marsiele in the bargain). It could have been much worse. Anyway, the Widrow's B&B is superb. It is called the Mas Perreal. Very pretty in a beautiful setting and when you talk about service above and beyond the call of duty, well this is it !
Barbara Summers
New Haven, CT USA Sat 03/05/2005

B&B in London
My wife and I decided to take our four boys to London this year for Christmas. Based upon the recommendation we found in Rick's travel guide to London, we stayed at the James and Cartref House near Victoria Station. From the moment we arrived until we left Derek and Sharon James, the proprietors made us feel like family. The chats we had during breakfast were so memorable. We had one bad day when I had my wallet stolen and they went out of their way to help us through that rough patch. I would recommend their place to anyone who wants to spend some time in London.
Mark Klespis
Huntsville, TX USA Thu 03/03/2005

B & B Venice & Bruges
I took a trip to Europe last Sept & visited many countries, but my favorite B & B's were in Venice & Bruges. We stayed at Albergo Guerrato in Venice & the double room with bathroom was pretty big & very clean. The staff there was very friendly & speak excellent English. The breakfasts were large also. I'm planning to stay there again this year. In Bruges, we stayed with Koen & Annemie Dieltiens who had clean rooms with small bathrooms & were very friendly. They made sure we had the code to get in & a key to our room even though we arrived when they were not there. The breakfasts were great & the hosts were multilingual. We were very impressed & I would stay there again.
Kathy
Lincoln, NE USA Sun 02/27/2005

B&B Smart in Rome
The best B&B in Rome! I've been travelling for a while around europe and this is one of the best places I've come across.Rooms are large and clean .Two thumbs up. The wonderful place everyone should try is:B&B SmartVia Farini 52int. (flat 10), 5th floor (with lift)00185 Rome Italywww.bandbromeitalty.come-mail : isajiang@virgilio.it
Jennifer Wende
Halifax, NS Canada Mon 02/21/2005

Les Charmes de Carlucet
Les Charmes de Carlucet, located near Sarlat, France, is an impecibly restored 17th century stone farm house. The hosts, Eric and Helen, were sacrificial with their time and helped us map two whole days of sights. Their plan was perfect. We were perfectly located in order to visit some amazing sites. We weren't ready to leave. I was impressed with other renovation having a generous equiped kitchen and wheel chair access. Would definitely plan a group trip to this destination.
Linda Brunson
TX USA Sun 02/20/2005

Irsih Hospitality in Inishmore & Drumahoe
After a two week adventure in Ireland last June, I came away with a sense of what a delight it is to travel there. If you've not experienced Irish Hospitality for yourself, do yourself a favor & visit soon. Two B&B's that stand out are Man of Aran Cottages on Inishmore & Killennan House in Drumahoe. At Man of Aran Cottages, Joe & Maura are delightful, every effort was made to assure our comfort. Maura even drove out in a rain storm to bring us our briefcase, with our travel documents, at the pier. If you travel into Northern Ireland, Averill Campbell will welcome you warmly to Killennan House. Her grandmotherly air sets you at ease & makes it feel as if you are coming home. She phoned ahead to Belfast to find us a place for our next stay & then pointed us in the direction of a great pub for dinner on our first night. Should I ever find myself in that area again, I will stop at Averill's. In either of these places, you will find yourself wishing you could stay forever.
Catherine Devine
Tucson, AZ USA Fri 02/18/2005

Casa Portagioia - Picture Postcard Perfect
Thanks to the Graffiti board, Mary-Beth and I found this truly beautiful place in Tuscany . Casa Portagioia is a sort of Bed and Breakfast come hotel close to Cortona in Castiglion Fiorentino Tuscany. - www.tuscanbreaks.com

How many of us start (and finish) our vacations trundling through airports having to work our way around strange places and foreign languages armed only with a simple phrase book? When we arrive at our hotels, we are thankful for a bed and sometimes the stress factor is as bad as any other day! That?s why finding the right place is so important!

Our thanks then to the folks at Casa Portagioia. They realize that our (and their other guest?s) holiday was well earned and deserved and should be stress free zone. By adopting this attitude, the host?s sole objective seems to be to make our stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible - as they said "after all we would like you to come back again!"

But they didn't need to worry; the place is just picture postcard perfect. The cypress tree lined drive, surrounded by lush green Tuscan vegetation welcomes you before you have even entered Casa Portagioia. The result of a 2-year restoration, this beautiful farmhouse/villa has been undertaken with great care and close attention to detail maintaining the natural beauty of the building, whilst allowing for the comforts and standards appreciated by any traveler.

Our spacious rooms were elegant, well appointed and tastefully furnished. The bathrooms modern and very clean and views of the gardens and valley superb.

Tuscany (we found out) is not going to be covered in the three weeks set aside. Reading guidebooks etc is a must and it is necessary to make a list of the must sees.

Whilst staying at Casa Portagioia, we had time to relax and time to sight see. Every morning during our leisurely breakfast, our hosts were on hand to give that little extra to help us make the most of our day. They ran out driving instructions and maps, highlighted back water places for us to see, recommended restaurants etc for lunch and so on. They even arranged (at short notice) a trip to Florence - avoiding all the queues and another to two wineries.

But, ticking off a list of towns, churches and art treasures is one thing, the need for a couple of days to rest and unwind is highly recommended. The pool at Casa Portagioia just beckons to be used. It has fantastic views of the surrounding valley and was the perfect place to have lunch and try out the local wine.

The hosts went the extra mile to make us feel totally relaxed - if not pampered! Mary-Beth even had a new hair style created for her!

Dinners (only twice a week) set outside on the warm terrace, were a fun affair. A five course menu punctuated by conversation with other guests and a few jokes from the host, made it very relaxing.

If you are thinking of going to Cortona, Arezzo or anywhere close to these areas, you might find this place the perfect base for touring, relaxation and something special, really warm hospitality. Highly Recommended!
James
atlanta, GA USA Thu 02/17/2005

Paris/Haarlem/Bruges/Edinburgh
We spent 11 days in these cities and were happy for the most part with all the places we stayed. Here are some thoughts on our accomodations: Paris--Hotel Eber-Mars:Very, very friendly staff, great location, but our room was a bit small. First time to Paris, so this may be normalHaarlem--Hotel Amadeus: Very clean rooms--loved the down comforter, close to everything--and the great shopping. Good Dutch breakfast!!Bruges--Absoluut Verhulst: By far, our favorite city, favorite food and favorite b&b! Freda and Benno have a nack for knowing exactly how to run a magnificent b&b. Awesome breakfasts (the best we had in all of Europe), remarkable friendliness and the room was unbelievably comfortable and romantic. We are going back someday!Edinburgh--Priestville Guest House: Wonderfully beautiful old house, helpful owner (Colin) and relaxed/delicious breakfasts
Luke and Kara Brown
nashville, TN USA Sun 02/13/2005

lovely B&B in Amsterdam
On my last trip to Holland I stayd at Gabriele's place in Amsterdam. Gabriele is a jazzsinger who rents out rooms to travellers. It was wonderful. She made me feel very comfortable and welcome. She also knew all the right places to visit. Breakfast was great, wholesome and organic. She makes the best coffee I tasted in a long time. Good place to go. Her emailadress is: yellowroses@gmx.net
Carla Kosel
San Diego, CA USA Tue 02/08/2005

A couple of B&B suggestions for the western Dolomites: a)in Castelrotto I can heartily recommend Garni Lantschner; phone from US is 011-39-0471-706-025. Helga and Eugene run an absolutely first class 3-star establishment: spotless, airy rooms with great views, utterly wonderful breakfasts, quiet and peaceful, a 5-minute walk from the town center and everything else. I paid 28 euro per night and could barely tear myself away when it was time to leave. b) in the village of Weltschnofen/Nuovo Levante (also reached by bus---about 45 minutes---from Bolzano) contact Haus Pardeller located at Rom Str. 22, Welts. (bz) or at pardeller.l @ dnet.it. Again,lovely rooms, great views and fine breakfasts. Luis and Ursala will make your stay a delight and if you are there to hike, Welts. makes a great base. This is another 3-star establishment; we paid 21 euro per person per night Finally, a wonderful place to eat in Castelrotto: BACHLER CAFE---close to the square (well, what isn't?) with a large menu stretching far beyond pizza tho these are very good and a spacious deck for outside dining and wide views of mountains that will knock the proverbial sox off you.
k-b
Seattle, USA Tue 02/08/2005

Luberon, France
My husband & I stayed at the Mas Perreal in May, in the Luberon region in Provence. Kevin (American) and Elisabeth (French) were absolutely wonderful. There home is beautiful, the breakfasts were amazing, and they were so helpful. During our stay our car was broken into and my passport and credit cards were stolen. Kevin actually went with us to Marseilles to the Embassy and to the Gordes police station to help us navigate all that was needed to remedy the problem. You must stay with them - great location and wonderful, kind people.
Judy Kay
Santa Rosa, CA USA Mon 02/07/2005

B&B Corte Campana, Venice, Italy
While in Venice we stayed at the Bed & Breakfast Corte Campana, which was located close to St. Marks Square. We had a wonderful host Ricardo who was informative and funny. We came in on an overnight train arriving at 5:30 am. It was December 23 and below freezing. Ricardo had all the doors open for us, got up early to wait for us and treated us like family. We were exhausted and we slept before beginning our tour of Venice.His rooms were large, warm and nice. We felt like we were leaving a friend when we left to continue our trip. I would recommend his rooms highly.
Ann
Atlanta, GA USA Sun 02/06/2005

B&B in Clones, Ireland
Anne Rooney and her daughters of CLONKEEN COTTAGE provided us with a delightful first night in Ireland. We were on our way to Belfast from Shannon Airport and the pictureques town of Clones in Co. Monaghan provided a perfect stopping place. The rooms were pretty and very comfortable. We were served our first tea in their lovely gathering room. We wish we had planned to stay for a few days too soak up a very typical and not touristy Irish town. If you are anywhere near Clones do yourself a favor and stay with the Rooney's--clonkeencottage@hotmail.com.
Debra Colmers
Baltimore, MD USA Sat 02/05/2005

Lynchettes B&B
I read a post from Kevin (San Francisco) dated May 7, 2004. Named the Lynchettes B&B in Bradford-on-Avon. If anyone knows how to find this B&B on the web, please let me know. Thanks.
Elizabeth
Austin, TX USA Thu 02/03/2005

Residenza Cellini
"Inexplicable friendliness" and helpfulness perfectly describes my experience at Residenza Cellini in Rome. Based on our week there last July, I cannot imagine a staff more willing to extend itself - you will never find this degree of caring service int the US, not at the Four Seasons, not at the Ritz!! Accommodations were fairly simple, but absolutely fine; as were the prices. The aroma of fresh lilies each evening, the accompanying light opera in the background, the spotless accommodations, generous breakfasts, all made our otherwise somewhat jarring transition from Heavenly Tuscany to real-world summertime (hot!) Rome much safer, softer, and more secure - even though Residenza Cellini is in the heart of the city (though on a nice quiet side street with great restaurants and an amazing hat shop). They continued to follow up with us after our trip...and the gentlemen of the family (say these 2 women travelers) were as handsome as they were charming. Also, you can count on their restaurant recommendations, directions, etc. What more could you want from a B&B??Highly recommended!!!
Rosemary
Boston, MA USA Mon 01/31/2005

Northern Ireland B&B
Valerie McFall's Valley View Guest House in Bushmills, County Antrim Northern Ireland is a lovely place to stay to tour the north. It is very convenient to The Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle and Bushmills Distillery and also an hours drove to Belfast. Valerie is a lovely host and for pet lovers, they have a great dog that greets you as you arrive!
Julie
Ellicott City, MD USA Mon 01/31/2005

Great B&B in Malahide/Dublin
The most wonderful host in Ireland is Olive Hopkins at the Evergreen B&B in Malahide, County Dublin. She is so very helpful and knowledgeable. We have stayed with her every time we are in Dublin and always look forward to seeing her smiling face. Her rooms are very nice and clean and she makes a lovely breakfast. Malahide is a very convenient village to stay in for Dublin visits. It is only a 20 minute DART ride into city center.
Julie
Ellicott City, MD USA Mon 01/31/2005

Places to stay in Ireland, England, and Wales
I took a trip last summer to Ireland, England, and Wales, and I have a few suggestions on B&B's. If you find yourself out near Blarney, I would suggest a place called Currac Bui (hope I'm spelling it correctly!) There is a lovely woman there named Bridget, whose daughter Josephine works at Bunratty Castle. The breakfast was included in the room fee, and overall it is moderately priced and very homey. By the end of our stay my sister and I were calling her "Auntie Bridge". The house is very close to the Castle, (with the infamous Blarney Stone). If you visit the castle, I would suggest getting there before it opens so that you can have full run of the place early in the day.

I wouldn't recommend the place we stayed at in Kenmare, (the rooms were immaculate, but the hospitality was nothing to write home about),but I would recommend staying in Kenmare, as opposed to Killarney, as Killarney is a bit busier town and not quite as charming as Kenmare. Make sure you wend your way through Killarney Park. At the end of May and beginning of June, the lambs are born. Kenmare is full of sheep souvenirs. This town was among the friendliest I've ever been to.

In the Bunratty/Shannon area, (which is, by the way, a MAJOR TOURIST TRAP), I suggest the Cecilia Lodge on Low Road. The rooms are ensuite, and the location is to die for if you're there to see Durty Nelly's or Bunratty Castle/Folk Park. The women that run the place are SUPER. If you want to experience the old Irish hospitality, THIS is the place. We walked in off the street and were welcomed by two older ladies that immediately made us sit in squashy armchairs and put our feet up on poofs as they went to get us some hot tea and biscuits/cookies. This is what first timers imagine when they think "Irish Hospitality".

In London we stayed three days in a hotel that was reasonably priced, reasonably comfortable, and in a decent neighborhood: the Elizabeth Hotel, near Victoria Station in the Belgravia neighborhood. There are two Elizabeth hotels, and the other one is a piece of crap, or so I've heard. We got a family room, (which sleeps four and is usually cheaper than paying the rate per person). Breakfast was included, and the mostly French staff knew enough English that everything went swimmingly. The rooms were ensuite. Getting a decent room, a meal, and a bathroom in a nice area of London for a decent price is next to impossible. Search the net and you'll see that what I'm saying is true.

In Wales we stayed at a The Bear B&B in Hay-on-Wye, (a haven for booklovers the world over, with over 50 bookstores in the picturesque little town.) It was situated at the end of a lazy little street, next to a pub. Breakfast was included and the rooms were moderately priced and ensuite. The owners were a bit introverted, in my opinion, but if you're after a quiet holiday, that might be right up your alley. A note: If you stay in Hay-on-Wye, bring a little extra cash for the toll man at the bridge. If you can make it out that way, you MUST check out Tintern Abbey. At the little store just outside the Abbey ruins they serve the best Rum Raisin ice cream I've ever eaten.

Laura
St. Louis, MO USA Thu 01/27/2005

My B&B Stay in Edinburgh
Last September I had a wonderful time in Edinburgh Scotland. For 25 nights I was a guest of the McCool's in their lovely Victorian guesthouse in east Edinburgh. Straven Guesthouse is in a great location on the Firth of Forth and easily accessible to the city centre on the terrific Edinburgh bus system. Mac and Marian are the delightful hosts, always willing to offer their guests sight seeing advice,to arrange tour bookings and assist in whatever they can. Marian cooks up scrumptious Scottish breakfasts-my favourite item on her menu was her delicious homemade yogurt.Mac serves breakfast with a delightful sense of humour.Check out their website-www.stravenguesthouse.com.
Ingrid Eschuk
Massey, ON CA Fri 01/07/2005

Le Pigeonnier - Isle Sur la Sorgue
In September we spent 10 wonderful days in a lovely garden house just outside Isle Sur la Sorgue. Le Pigeonnier Chambre d'Hotes (email: corinne.manni@wanadoo.fr) is run by the friendly and helpful Corrine Mani. The garden house was recently constructed and has all the modern conveniences while having enough reclaimed items to provide all the charm of Provence. ?Our little cottage? had one bedroom, a kitchen, a small den, and an oversized bath with separate water closet. The cottage was located in the garden just in front of a quaint canal. Included in the 33 euro a night cost 93 occupants) for the cottage is a wonderful breakfast consisting of fresh baked goods, fresh made preserves, and coffee/tea.

Corrine was a god-send to us, taking what started out to be a nightmare vacation and turning it into a relaxing, fun, and extremely enjoyable holiday. Corrine went beyond what anyone could expect in a hostess, she helped us find our lost luggage, get a flat tire repaired, and locate the many items that we planned to purchase on our trip from antique posters to Provencial fabric and even a metal dish drainer. We went to France expecting a nice vacation and left with a new friend. In fact, we loved Le Pigonnier so much we are already planning our next trip. The little garden house is a wonderful place to come home to after a long day of touring and shopping.
May Ruth Bradberry
Atlanta, GA USA Thu 01/06/2005

Venice and Rome B&Bs
In December, my family and I stayed at two wonderful B&B's.In Venice, we stayed at Corte Campana. Riccardo welcomed us into his home very late at night (our flight and water bus were late). He made us feel so welcome and at home. The next day he recommended some places to visit, including a cafe. And our triple room was HUGE! With comfortable beds. In Rome we stayed at Hotel Giardino. Again we arrived late to a warm welcome -- including a cup of tea and a biscuit. The B&B was comfortable, delicious breakfast, helpful wonderful staff & owner. We were tempted to just stay in the hotel (but did get out to explore Rome).We'll be back at both places!
Patricia Froese-Germain
Ottawa, ON Canada Sun 01/02/2005

Fabulous Burgundy B&B
I've been to France 5 times, but by far the best trip was to Burgundy last September 15-21. The weather was beautiful--sunny, upper 70's to low 80's, and it was a week before the local grape harvest. I traveled alone and stayed in a very nice B&B in Puligny-Montrachet, a tiny village in the heart of the wine country 8 miles south of Beaune. The B&B consists of 3 separate newly built, very clean "apartments" in a wing attached to the main house. Each room has a double bed, a loft with bunkbeds, a private bathroom with shower, and a tiny refrigerator stocked with beverages. The family who owns the B&B has a small vineyard, and they bottle and sell their own pinot noir and chardonnay.

Corinne, the wife, is extremely pleasant and accommodating. She speaks pretty good English, and has maps and brochures describing guided walks in the area, points of interest, and suggestions for good restaurants in the area. As I was there just before the grape harvest, they were getting ready to bottle last year's wine. Even though she was extremely busy, Corinne was kind enough to show me the entire process, how they test the sugar content of the grapes, showed me their wine cellar, etc. Fascinating! I highly recommend this B&B! They have a website (www.guillemard-clerc.com); their address is 19 Rue Drouhin, 21190 Puligny-Montrachet, France; and their phone is 03-80-21-34-22.
Joan
Bellevue, WA USA Sat 01/01/2005