Travel recommendations from L.A. Times readers

MEXICO Villa Bonita les Terrasses is a small six-room hotel with an excellent location in Cuernavaca.

I just returned with our local art group from Tulsa, where we had a terrific walking tour to view the city’s Art Deco past.

La Casona, a beautiful ranch outside the city of Trinidad, is a prime location to spend three or four nights.

While visiting Sydney, Australia, I took the Blue Mountains tour conducted by Australian Luxury Escapes.

Last fall, my son and I took a trip to Rome.

GEORGIA For great barbecue, Carey Hilliard’s is my favorite in Savannah.

MEXICO For those seeking an authentic and affordable experience in San Miguel de Allende, I recommend any of the smaller, centrally located hotels.

In December I visited singer Wayne Newton’s home, Casa de Shenandoah, in Las Vegas, where there’s a five-star tour of the 52 acres, exotic animals, Arabian horses, house and gardens.

I heartily recommend my Un-Cruise Adventures excursion along the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington.

On a trip to Death Valley National Park in January, I was able to purchase a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents to our national park system for $10.

CALIFORNIA My wife, Sue, our Portuguese water dog, Maddie, and I just returned from four days on California’s Central Coast.

As a San Diego resident, I am always looking for good wineries in the area.

I was in England over Christmas and stayed at a wonderful bed and breakfast just outside Sheffield in the beautiful semi-rural Loxley Valley of South Yorkshire.

COLORADO I just returned from Aspen, where I had a wonderful day cross-country skiing at Ashcroft.

It was midday Friday. We were packed and ready to leave Sunday for a 15-day cruise.

BRAZIL Six of us recently returned from Rio de Janeiro, where we thoroughly enjoyed the private tours of Manoel Bezerra.

CALIFORNIA We recently discovered Filoli while on an outing to see the Pulgas Water Temple not far from San Mateo.

CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara is a great place to visit but hotels typically cost more than $200 a night.

THAILAND I’ve visited Bangkok a number of times in recent years, and it remains one of the most reasonably priced, tourist-friendly cities in the world.

CALIFORNIA The Beach House Winery in Oceanside actually has vineyards and produces its own wine on the property.

For an alternative to the Golden Door spa in San Marcos, Calif., that is closer and a little less expensive ($6,800 a week instead of $8,850 a week), you might try the Ranch at Live Oak in Malibu.

I recently took a one-day private guided tour in Turkey with Mustafa Eroglu of ToursByLocals.

NEVADA My family’s find on our recent trip to Las Vegas: Jerry’s is a coffee shop and casino in the throwback style.

NEW YORK When in Cooperstown, visitors should visit the Farmers’ Museum.

SCOTLAND A friend and I recently traveled by train and bus to Glencoe.

PERU When I go to Lima, I call Joel Saez, who has a new Hyundai station wagon.

IRELAND We just returned from a holiday in County Cork, during which we spent three fabulous nights at Coolefield House, a dairy farm owned by Michael and Pamela Thornton.

I recently returned from visiting Havana and must share one of its best-kept secrets.

For those planning a visit to Yellowstone, I recommend a trip with the Yellowstone Assn.

CANADA On a recent trip from Calgary, Alberta, to Nanaimo, British Columbia, by way of tour bus, train and ferry, we had two unexpectedly great culinary experiences.

I recommend the Goddesses Go to Greece Christmas (winter) trip, a custom tour of Greece and the Greek islands for women traveling alone.

I recently returned from a 12-day safari to Tanzania. Our guide, Victor Nyakiriga, was superb.

We highly recommend Essential Travel & Tours.

ITALY One of the stops on our honeymoon was in Parma, where we stayed at the wonderful Palazzo Dalla Rosa Prati.

For those who love great food and wine, the Vineland Estates Winery Restaurant in Canada’s pretty Niagara wine country (near Niagara Falls) has one of the best tasting menus I have ever had.

CALIFORNIA If your stomach says “beef,� you can do no better than the Captain’s Anchorage in Big Bear Lake.

We recently returned from Savannah Sunset House on the island of Eleuthera, where we enjoyed the perfect family vacation.

We recently returned from an amazing three weeks in “undiscovered� (by Americans) Bulgaria and Romania.

WALES We cannot say enough good things about the Bron Menai Guest House in Caernarfon.

The Pier, a tidy and comfortable B&B in Portsmouth, was easy to find on a main but quiet street near restaurants and on a bus route.

Our family of five recently returned from a car trip to Yellowstone National Park.

SPAIN I recently returned from Bilbao, where the main attraction is, of course, the Guggenheim.

My wife and I traveled to Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon and stayed in Flagstaff, Ariz., where we came upon this great university city full of small restaurants.

ITALY Don Saro was our guide in Palermo, Sicily, and in the towns our grandparents came from, and we were very pleased.

Just a few miles down the road from Red Rock Canyon, and about 22 miles from the Las Vegas Strip, is charming Bonnie Springs Ranch.

I recently treated myself to a three-day getaway at the newly remodeled Laguna Beach House, formerly the Laguna Cliffs Inn.

For those traveling to England and Scotland and who have stately homes on their itinerary, a great bargain is the Royal Oak Foundation.

Sai Kung East Country Park may be far from the action, but it is the most scenic park in Hong Kong.

I can’t help but recommend Marco Madeira.

In San Blas, Mexico, the Hacienda Flamingos is two-story traditional hotel complex around a courtyard.

We had a wonderful time staying at Dar Sitti Aziza (House of My Grandmother Aziza) in Bethlehem for two nights.

Instead of eating at a fast-food place on the way to Las Vegas, Paulina’s Mexican Grill in Victorville is a nice place to stop and get a meal.

We just returned from Istanbul and had Arzu Tuna as our guide.

Instead of guessing how much you can cram in the trunk of your British rental car, you can calculate to the inch (or centimeter, if you prefer), thanks to a website designed for older or disabled travelers.

I 100% recommend Johan Chaves to show you the wildlife and nature in Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica.

I highly recommend a guide in Israel: Avi Goldman.

I was traveling in Germany and just had the best meal of the trip in Munich.

Last May, I spent several nights at the enchanting L’Esplanade Hôtel in the medieval town of Domme.

Forget the vortex tour. The best activity in Sedona is the Pink Jeep off-road tour at sunset.

Our family has stayed at Hotel Dauphine St. Germain in Paris repeatedly during the last 12 years.

We recommend El Presidio Bed & Breakfast Inn in Tucson, as close to an ideal B&B as we have found.

The nonprofit Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society in Lake Tahoe hosts fabulous Winemakers’ Dinners each summer to raise funds for the historic Thunderbird Lodge and yacht.

La Gondola restaurant on Cheoc Van Beach in Coloane, the southernmost and least-spoiled of Macau’s islands, is fantastic for an alfresco lunch or dinner.

I stopped in Lyon earlier this month while on a ski trip to France.

When I visit Boonville, my preference for restaurants is the Buckhorn, across the street from the Boonville Hotel.

My brother-in-law treated our family (12 of us) to a guided tour in Israel.

My husband and I just returned from a fabulous KJazz/Palos Verdes Art Center trip to the Havana Jazz Festival with Long Beach-based Cuba Tours & Travel.

My wife and daughter recently traveled to Paris and back on La Compagnie, a new all-business-class airline.

We have been visiting Maui for more than 20 years. Each time we discover something new.

I recently returned from Sydney, Australia, and the highlight had to be the electric bike tour by BlueBananas.

For budget-friendly accommodations in Banff, Canada, try the Banff Boutique Inn/Pension Tannenhof (it goes by both names).

I had a very satisfying experience with Fox Rent a Car at the Denver airport.

During our recent trip to Vermont, we discovered the Village Inn of Woodstock, a luxury bed and breakfast in the heart of the village of Woodstock.

We visit our daughter in San Ramon, Calif., about every two months and have discovered an excellent “new� (open about a year) restaurant in downtown Danville.

A good friend and I had a delightful week in Rome at the end of September.

My husband and I took a bike tour in December in Bogotá, Colombia, and it was the highlight of our stay.

Here’s a wonderful stop for visitors to the charming Laotian city of Luang Prabang: Big Brother Mouse.

My friend and I had the opportunity to travel to Morocco.

Leopold’s Ice Cream is a local institution in Savannah.

We just returned from France, where we had the great fortune to end our stay at Ferme de la Vallée, a beautiful B&B about 20 minutes outside of Lyon.

Certified guide Itzik Harani recently took me and a friend on a tour of a lifetime that covered modern and historical sites in Israel such as Tel Aviv, new and old Jerusalem, Masada, Golan Heights, Tiberius, the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea, Akko, etc.

During our recent three days in Edinburgh, Scotland, we discovered a huge Italian influence, including restaurants.

Our small group (led by an amazing Scottish tour guide named Ricki Henderson, aboutscotland.net) visited the Isle of Skye and ate lunch at the most wonderful out-of-the-way place called the Oyster Shed.

I just returned from a wonderful tour of Scotland. Liz Lister was my guide.

This July my husband and I spent four wonderful nights at the delightful Au Reflets du Cher in France’s Loire Valley.

Having just left the Motor City, I can say that Detroit is far from down and out.

Our extended family of 12 adults and children just returned from a week in Tuscany, Italy, where we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary at a private villa in the small town of Strada in Chianti.

Right by the encircling walls of Germany’s fabled medieval village, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, we came upon one of the finest Italian restaurants we have found anywhere in Europe: Restaurant Michelangelo.

I cannot say enough good things about the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Ark., founded and funded by Alice Walton, daughter of the Wal-Mart founder.

We recently spent three days in Edinburgh, Scotland. Our lunch at the Dome was a favorite meal.

We recently spent four nights at the boutique Hotel du Vin in Edinburgh, Scotland.

I find the wallet-sized currency conversion table from CoinMill.com very useful.

If you plan to visit Easter Island, a great first step is hiring Marcus Edensky as your guide.

We recently returned from Florence, Italy, where we spent five nights at the lovely Hotel Monna Lisa, near the city’s wonderful attractions.

My husband and I recently spent three days in Prague, Czech Republic.

We found a great restaurant in Ubud on the island of Bali. Casa Luna is charming and comfortable.

I just spent a week at the Swan Keramas Bali Villas.

The fantastic Hotel d’Angleterre, in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area of Paris, once housed the British Embassy.

Our stay at the Sundance Bed & Breakfast in Paso Robles, Calif., was as close to perfect as I have ever experienced.

I have photographed in Namibia, Sri Lanka, Patagonia, Easter Island, Oman and Dubai, north India and Cuba with these two Orange County-based travel tours, In Focus with Michele Burgess and Ralph Velasco’s Cultural Tours.

I spent 17 blissful days touring the unspoiled countryside of France with Dave and Sue Sweet, based in New Zealand.

Roadhouse feast Our fishing trip along the eastern face of the Sierras included a stop at Iggy & Squiggy’s Junction Bar, 18 miles south of Gardnerville at Holbrook Junction.

I highly recommend AKA Beverly Hills and love staying there when I need to go to L.A. for an extended period.

Readers Recommend: The new Xbalanque boutique hotel is a spectacular beachside discovery in Roatán, Honduras.

One of my favorite places to recommend is Canfora Sandals, on Capri.

Readers Recommend: Good drinks and an even better time are on tap at Music City Tippler in Nashville’s midtown.

Readers Recommend: La Taverna di Moranda is worth a return visit to Monticchiello, Italy.

Planning a trip to Turkey?

We found a fun place in Omaha called eCreamery Ice Cream & Gelato.

Morgan’s Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge in the Nicaraguan jungle of San Juan del Sur is a quiet, family friendly retreat.

Need your luggage to be picked up at the airport? Bags VIP gets the job done.

Attention, Angelenos: Metrolink offers a $10 one-day pass on weekends. Use it to visit Orange, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Riverside and beyond.

Readers recommend: Harvinder Tours & Travels offers friendly and expertise guidance in Delhi, India.

In October we ended our cruise in Athens and had one day to see the highlights.

Cafe Gitane in New York City is located near the High Line.

Nopi in London serves Middle Eastern food with surprising spices.

La Fusion, on Pine Street in San Francisco, has empanadas, roasted chicken, sangria and ceviche that win raves from visitors.

Dining at the chef’s table at Root 246 in Solvang, Calif., is a first-rate experience, with excellent food and wine and a welcoming staff.

On the recommendation of friends, we hired Nesli Kilinc for a 21/2-day tour of Istanbul.

Readers Recommend: Win An Tours mixes hiking, biking kayaking and sightseeing in a tour of the region, with knowledgeable and entertaining guides.

A reader who traveled to Israel praises the individualized tour prepared by Shalom Israel Tours. Knowledgeable guides and top-notch lodgings are noted.

Around Morocco Tours provided an attentive, top-notch 16-day guided tour of UNESCO sites in Morocco.

Restaurant Lastage, about a 10-minute walk from the Central Station in Amsterdam, is a real gem with a Michelin star, elegant service and reasonable prices.

A Travel reader recommends checking in to the UC Berkeley-adjacent Bancroft Hotel, a historic site with modern appeal.

Majestic resort

Readers Recommend: A Tower Room at Historical Hacienda on Ft. Hunter Liggett recalls the days of Hearst and old Hollywood.

Home Hotel Buenos Aires in that city’s Palermo Hollywood Neighborhood is a five-star boutique experience.

A lovely double room with private bath and all conveniences, together with a delightful breakfast in a beautiful home in Antwerp, Belgium, for about $94 a night (about $108, double occupancy), would be remarkable enough, but add the charming hostess, the friendly and helpful Greta Stevens, and you have a travel experience not to be forgotten.

The Hotel Sultanhan in Istanbul’s Old City is close to most of the important sites.

The cheery B&B is a lovely stop on the journey around the Ring of Kerry.

Readers recommend: The Rockwell is a friendly, restful spot in South Kensington that’s close to some choice London shopping and museums.

Readers Recommend: Owner Younes Farhat and driver-guide Hafid turn a Morocco fantasy into a fantastic reality.

Readers Recommend: Tours of Tuscany offers a relaxing stay at an Italian villa with meals included and escorted day trips.

On a trip to Istanbul last fall, we followed a Perrin’s People recommendation and used Karen Fedorko Sefer at Sea Song Tours.

Moore was a pro at mixing outdoor sports and historical spots on a personal tour with a family with teens.

Readers Recommend: Align Therapy ‘posture shirt’ by AlignMed helps ease the pain for a 6-foot-5 world traveler.

One of the highlights of our four weeks in Italy was the Alberghetto la Marianna, a B&B on the shores of Lake Como just 10 minutes by ferry from Bellagio.

A reader writes that the Lazy J Ranch Motel in Three Rivers, Calif., is ‘a wonderful place to stay with your dog.’

The Spirit of Olive Wood, on the Greek island of Corfu, offers a great selection of handmade wood products and will ship to the U.S.

The gift shop features custom jewelry and handbags, plus a selection of Murano glass. Best of all: the moderate prices.

Hotel 17’s inexpensive accommodations and its central New York City locale, near Union Square, make it a find for bargain hunters.

Kudos to Peter Sterling for his beautiful red rock tour of Sedona, and to Crystal Bliss for her heavenly massages.

Angkor Wat was the highlight of our Cambodia tour, and the beautiful lobby, gardens and pool with a swim-up bar at the Somadevi Angkor Hotel added to our experience.

Seeing the sights in Yosemite is made much easier with Discover Yosemite, whose driver-guide will recount the history and geology of the region.