READERS RECOMMEND

france

Country retreat

We rented a private house in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France, close to Toulouse and the Tour de France. The lovingly restored home has four bedrooms and sleeps six to eight comfortably.

Restored house, Verfeil; (562) 760-1611, www.splash111.karoo.net. From $200 per night.

Rob Thompson

Manhattan Beach

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italy

Hooked

This little gem of a hotel is right near the water on Lake Como. The views were spectacular, the freshly caught seafood dinners were wonderful.

Silvio Albergo Ristorante, 12 Via Carcano, Bellagio, Lago di Como; 011-39-031-950-322, www.bellagiosilvio.com.

Double rooms from about $108.

Susan and John Fisher

Pacific Palisades