Made our Honeymoon Perfect - Rated 
Alastair Sawday is simply the best. We first purchased this Italy Guide book with the aim of getting an idea of where we would like to stay on our Honeymoon in Italy. Before booking anyting we decided to buy the UK Bed and Breakfast guide and try out a few places. We stayed in Yorkshire, Devon and Dorset and were sold. During our Honeymoon we stayed at 3 places listed in the Italy book and all were absolutely perfect. These are the only guide books we have found where the description perfectly matches reality - we had an amazing couple of weeks! Since this trip we have travelled in France, again using these guides, this time staying in 4 places, and we were not dissappointed once. Thanks Alistair.
Alistair Sawday - Special Places to stay in Italy - Rated
We have never been disappointed with any of the places we have stayed in italy, thanks to this wonderful book. If I was to travel to a new country i would always try and stay in one of his recommended places - the reviews are spot on as is his taste. I look forward to reading, and hopefuly staying in the Special places to stay in the UK. A must have series for any traveller who wants something different to the Ibis or Hilton chain.
Essential Italian Companion - Rated
We have found delightful places to stay in a number of European countries using Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay series of guides. We have never been disappointed with any of the B & Bs, inns, auberges or small hotels which we have been introduced to by Alastair Sawday. He and his team seem to have an uncanny knack of finding out of the way, interesting and comfortable places to stay, always with welcoming hosts, who are often interesting people in their own right.
Therefore we were looking forward to trying out Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay - Italy. We had great fun using the book earlier in the year and were not disappointed in any of our "finds". We were introduced to several new places to stay. I will just mention two which particularly stood out.
The first is in the Italian lakes on the banks of Lake Como in a village called Cadenabbia, just up the road from the ferry terminal where we arrived over from the beautiful town of Bellagio. It is entry number 16 in the book and is called Alberghetto La
Marianna. The description in the book had sounded too good to be true, but I can confirm that it is accurate in every respect, from the description of the B & B to the delightful Paola who runs the B & B side of the business and her larger than life husband, who is a passionate and superb Italian cook. He told us that in the winter when they close the albergho they go to the US where he teaches Italian cookery. We are returning to their delightful little hotel later in the year.
The second is on the way to the Adriatic coast from Bologna and is as described in the book, in the country surrounded by vineyards. It is called Azienda Vitivinicola e Agrituristica Trere entry number 85. The bedrooms were delightful and we ate a lovely dinner in what we were told was the refurbished cow byre (or shed); a lovely meal accompanied by their own rich and delicious red wine.
We enjoyed ourselves so much that we have another Italian trip planned later in the summer using Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay Italy guide to search out yet more hidden hotels to stay. Unlike some other Italy guides which we have used for rural retreats in Italy Alastair Sawday's descriptions are always detailed, accurate and in English! He also gives detailed directions, which is essential to find small Italian B & Bs in the country! Therefore the research must be detailed and painstaking as some must be very difficult to find, but I am sure the work is rewarding and fun!
Perfect for a holiday that's a little bit different... - Rated
I've been using Alastair Sawday's books for the past 7-8 years, and have discovered many lovely hotels and B&Bs thanks to them.
This latest Italy book is no exception. Even if you have no intention of going there, it's beautiful just to look at ! But I reckon it's impossible to own this book without wanting to try out most of the places recommended - my husband and I have just used it to book our summer holiday.
The great thing is, because the guides are so consistent, we know we're in for a special holiday.
The places to stay range from simple to stylish, through eclectic, traditional, surprising and inspirational. What they all tend to have in common is friendly owners and stunning locations.
Italy (Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay ) - Rated
This book is a must for anyone planning a trip to Italy. I have used the previous edition for trips to Italy and the accommodations have impressed me each time. When this new edition was released I bought it and am now looking forward to my next trip to Italy, and in seeing some new accommodations on the way. It will make the difference between a good holiday and a great one!
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