From the canals of Venice to the architecture of Florence to the ancient historic sites of Rome, Italy is land of plenty for travelers. The food is rich, the people warm and the scenery varies from towering mountains to beautiful seascapes. Italy truly offers something wonderful for every traveler.

Falling in love with Italy is easy; narrowing down your travel choices is the challenge. Designing a creative itinerary (keeping in mind the amount of time you have and what you wish to see) is an excellent approach. If you want to hit as many hot spots as possible, plan a highlight tour by car or rail and head from Milan down south through Florence and Rome and on to Naples and Capri. Another option is to spend your vacation days exploring romantic Tuscany, or perhaps you long for a visit to Sicily. A visit to Umbria and the Sabine Hills is unique trip option, off the beaten path.

Travel expert Karen Brown describes a variety of unique itineraries on her much-visited website. These itineraries will help you get the most out of your Italian vacation. As for lodging, her readers have voted the following as Italy’s best hotels:

If you wish to bask beneath the romance of a Tuscan sun, look no further than Locanda dell’Amorosa, which was chosen by Karen Brown readers as Italy’s “Most Romantic” hotel. The hotel is located in what once was a small village, which has been converted into a hotel, restaurant, extensive wine cellar and wine-making facilities. You can wander the grounds, take a dip in the pool or sip a glass of wine from one of the well-appointed common areas and share your daily adventures with other guests. The guest rooms are simple, yet elegant with a few antiques and lovely views. The hotel’s restaurant boasts an amazing setting, perfect for a romantic Italian dinner for two, featuring traditional Tuscan recipes and an extensive wine list.

Hospitality and Italy are practically synonymous, and a stay Il Falconiere Relais is further proof of that fact. This Tuscan hotel was chosen as the recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for the “Warmest Welcome” in Italy. Just outside of Cortona and nestled in the Italian countryside, the hotel provides an excellent home base for day trips to Florence, Assisi and Siena. After a day exploring, return to the inn for a scrumptious dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. Hotel guests can opt for special themed visits, one of which includes a mini cooking school and another includes guided tours of five different wine regions, such as Chianti and Montefalco.

At Albergo Villa Belvedere guests are welcomed like members of the family. The Cappelletti Family has been welcoming travelers from around the world for several decades and has mastered the art of innkeeping. The three-story villa, which once served as a vacation home, includes about 20 guest rooms, and while not luxurious, the rooms are comfortable, clean and welcoming. The reasonable rates include both breakfast and dinner, and the location is picturesque - just a few feet from the edge of Lake Como in Lombardy. The hotel was voted as the winner of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for “Greatest Value” in Italy.

With the Amalfi coastline as its backdrop, there are few more scenic spots than Il San Pietro di Positano. This family-run hotel is among the world’s most beautiful, so it’s easy to understand why Karen Brown readers have named it the greatest “Splendid Splurge” in Italy. Amenities include a private beach cove, swimming pool and tennis courts. There is a fitness center and full-service spa, a gourmet restaurant with an extensive wine selection.