The Hummingbird Inn

Located near Goshen Pass in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, The Hummingbird Inn offers a romantic setting and warm country hospitality. The inn has over an acre of landscaped gardens and lawn filled with perennials, trees and shrubs.

Enjoy a full hot breakfast daily or opt for a continental breakfast. Simple suppers are also available with advance notice.

There are many things to do in the area such as hiking, biking, bird-watching, fishing, golfing and antique shopping.

Five guest rooms are available all with private baths and feather beds. Visit the website for more information: www.hummingbirdinn.com.

Contact information:

The Hummingbird Inn
30 Wood Lane
P.O. Box 147
Goshen, Virginia 24439
1-800-397-3214 or 540-997-9065

stay@hummingbirdinn.com

Romantic Valentine's Day Get-Away

Here's a GREAT idea if you can't think of a gift for Valentine's Day. Plan a romantic get-away to a cozy Bed and Breakfast. The good news is Valentine's Day is on a Thursday this year; that means there will be less traffic as you drive and you may even get a bargain on the rates because it's not a weekend.


Many Bed & Breakfasts will offer special Valentine's Day packages which may include flowers and candy in the room or dinner for two at a local restaurant. Check with the Innkeeper and ask about specials; if they don't offer flowers and candy they will probably be happy to arrange it for you. Most Innkeepers I have met were all very helpful and happy to go the extra mile for their guests.


VERY IMPORTANT
In order to have the full effect...you need to plan this on your own and keep it a complete surprise until you arrive at your destination! Also remember, most Bed & Breakfasts require a two-night stay for the best rates, so plan on taking a day or two off from work.


Remember, this is a ROMANTIC holiday...so leave your laptop at home and turn off your pager and cell phone. It's all about romance.


Try to arrange to do something completely new on this trip. Perhaps horseback riding, or a relaxing day at the spa together. Again, the Innkeeper should be able to suggest some things like this in the area.


Here is a Worldwide Directory of Bed & Breakfasts.


Enjoy your Valentine's Day; and if use this idea, be sure to come back and comment about it here.

Fall Foliage

My favorite time of t he year is here -- it's time for the Fall Foliage! This is the only time that I miss living in New England. The brisk smell of the Autumn air, the bright blue sky and the beautiful colors on the trees as the leaves change from green to different shades of red, orange, yellow. What a magnificient time of the year!

This is a great time to plan a trip to the mountains and stay at a cozy bed & breakfast. The innkeepers can guide you to the best places to view the foliage in their area and help you to enjoy your foliage even more.

There are many Bed & Breakfasts in New England. Here is one located on the Northern Shore of Lake Champlain. The Thomas Mott B&B in Alburg, Vermont offers picturesque lake views from all four of its guest rooms. This is a great place to start your Fall Foliage tour.

Visit their website at: http://www.thomas-mott-bb.com

Weddings and Honeymoons

Many Bed & Breakfasts offer special packages for wedding or honeymoons. If you are looking for a beautiful setting for your wedding ceremony or a romantic place to honeymoon, be sure to check out the Bed & Breakfast alternative. The innkeepers are always willing to go that extra step for you to make sure that your stay is special and one to be remembered always! Many Bed & Breakfasts offer breathtaking views and ambiance you just don't find in your hotel/motel chains! You can visit: bnbfinder for a list of wedding & honeymoon special offers.

Here is a Victorian B&B located at the Outer Banks in North Carolina. The perfect place for a garden or beach wedding and reception.The Saltaire is in Duck, NC just a short drive to Nagshead and Kitty Hawk. Visit their website and see what they have to offer.

If you know of a great B&B for a wedding or honeymoon, please leave a comment.

Butler House on Grand

Butler House on Grand, voted one of the ten most romantic inns in 2006, offers a choice of seven unique guest rooms. All rooms are air-conditioned and have private bathrooms. This B&B offers midwestern hospitality in an elegant setting.

The room rates are very reasonable and the inn is located close to many local attractions and is right across the street from the Des Moines Art Center.

Contact info:

Clark Smith and Lauren Kernan Smith
Butler House on Grand
4507 Grand AvenueDes Moines, IA 50312
515-255-4096
866-455-4096 (toll free)
info@butlerhouseongrand.com
www.butlerhouseongrand.com

A Great Christmas Trip

OK...so this isn't exactly a Bed & Breakfast, but it is so beautiful I just had to write about it. If you have never been to The Biltmore Estate before, you need to make plans to visit. One of the best times of the year to go there is at Christmas. There are candlelight tours from Nov. 4 - Dec. 31 which will take your breath away!

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Biltmore Estate is an amazing work of art. Built by George Vanderbilt over 100 years ago, it has acres of gardens, and managed forests.

There is much to do as you visit the vineyards, winery, farm village; or spend some time rafting, horse back riding, shopping or just enjoying the amazing architectural wonders. You can hike or bike as you enjoy the 8,000-acres that is The Biltmore Estate. Did I mention shopping? And don't worry, if you work up an appetite there are plenty of dining
choices also; from a simple fresh-baked pastry or gormet ice cream to a full meal. There is even an Inn on the grounds.

If you can't make it in time for the Christmas tour...that's ok. No matter what time of year you visit The Biltmore Estate you are in for a special
treat. There are rose gardens, and azaleas, shrub gardens and much more. Visit The Biltmore Estate Website for a calendar of events.

Breathtaking beauty is the best way to describe the 250 rooms and 65 fireplaces that make up the Biltmore Estate. An indoor pool and bowling alley are all part of the wonderful estate. There are pricless works of arts and antiques everywhere you look. America's largest home should be a must see as you plan your next vacation.

Visit the Biltmore Estate website.

Charming Bed & Breakfasts make for a unique and enjoyable vacation experience. So forget about that same old hotel/motel, make your next vacation a Bed & Breakfast Experience.

If you are planning a trip to The Biltmore Estate or the Asheville, NC area; be sure to check out the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association. They have a list of more than 100 B&Bs in the Asheville area. All the inns are fully inspected, licensed and insured, and
feature resident innkeepers.

Call 877-262-6867 or visit their website.

Amenities vs. Ambiance?

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When you travel to a bed and breakfast, do you want all of today's modern amenities or do you go away to get away from them?

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