Chateau Clos des Capucins is a private chateau that can be rented by the week. It stands above a vineyard with a fabulous view over the lovely little town of Chinnon in the Loire valley. It has five bedroom all with bath, a wonderful country kitchen, a beautiful dining room and lovely sitting rooms. A ten minute walk takes you to a boulangerie where you can buy oven warm bread for breakfast. Go to www.closdescapucins.fr. For information send an e-mail to: fiona.beeston@gmail.com

 

Left: Our favorite hotel in Paris is the Hotel La Perle. It is set on a tiny street in St. Germain. It’s chic, very Parisian, the staff is warm and welcoming, and the rooms are lovely. Go to: www.hotellaperle.com. For information and reservations sen an e-mail to: booking@hotellaperle.com


Right: One of the loveliest lakes in Europe is Lake Bled in Slovenia. For a place to hang your hat there is no better than Villa Bled, the former summer residence of Marshall Tito under whose regime the former Yugolavia was formed. When he built the villa he selected the most spectacular spot along the lake. The villa is now a 5-star hotel, but its interior design has stayed pretty much that of the time Tito was there. A unique hotel with a historic past. The web site is: www.brdo.si – e-mail: brdo@gov.si

Many tourists visiting Switzerland take the Bernina Express from St. Moritz or Chur, over the Bernina Pass, to Tirano in Italy. Few ever see much of it though. They arrive at noon, have lunch near the  the train station and go back. But Tirano has a lovely old town where you can visit the stunning 16th century Palazzo Sertoli Salis. It is not a hotel but you could stay there if you plan to spend the summer in this region. A stylish apartment in the palace (not pictured) can be rented for longer periods of time. If you are just there for a day or two, do make it a point to visit the palazzo with ten  fabulous rooms, one is pictured above, and frescos that will astound you. Web: www.palazzosalis.com. To make a reservation for a visit or to inquire about the apartment send an e–mail to: info@sertolisalis.com

The best restaurant in Gimmelwald, in Switzerland, is the Pension Gimmelwald, actually it is the only restaurant. The view from the beer garden will take your breath away, but you can recuperate with a cold beer and good food. Web: www.pensiongimmelwald.com e-mail: pensiongimmelwald@gmail.com

 

Left: The Hotel Eden in Zermatt is is a beautiful hotel in the center of Zermatt, a hop and skip from the Bahnhofstrasse, but with a private location away from the tourist crowds. The rooms are all you expect and more. The views from the flower bedecked balconies are spectacular. Go to: www.hotel-eden.ch for reservations send an e-mail to info@hotel-eden.ch.
Right: The Whymper Stube in the Hotel Monte Rosa at the end of the Bahnhofstrasse by the Church, is the best place for Fondue in Zermatt. Order the Fondue Plausch, it’s several different fondus with an array of condiments.The hotel is one of the oldest hotel in Zermatt going back to the mid-18th century. Edward Whymper, the first to climb the Matterhorn, ate his meals in the very restautant that’s the Whymper Stube today. For more info go to: www.whymper-stube.ch  For a reservation call  while in Zermatt call 27.967.2296 or send the Lauber Family an e-mail to: info@whymper-stube.ch

Our favorite place to stay in Bayeux, in Normandy, is the Hotel Tardiff, a romantic noble mansion in the best location. It a bock away from the Cathedral, a block from the Tapestry Museum, and a short block from the center of town. The website is: www.chateauxhotelbayeux.com – e-mail: anthony.voidie@wanado.fr