The Underrated Bed & Breakfast Getaway
Sunday, 21 September 2008 00:00
To The Bearded One and me, a “getaway” means just the two of us spending time together and enjoying each other’s company in a relaxing setting. The good times we all expect and look forward to on our vacations are available in all sorts of places. So for us, there are at least four kinds of Bed & Breakfast Getaways.
The first…is a long weekend with the in-laws, the outlaws or just the plain old law. These getaways may or may not be connected with a good time.
The second…is the traditional Bed & Breakfast we all picture as that Victorian mansion, lovely cottage on the beach, or retreat in the mountains. In all of these settings, someone else’s in-laws treat you like beloved, long-lost family. Or at least minor nobility.
Upon your arrival, you are transported into a world of cosmopolitan extravagance, tranquil comfort or rustic luxury (yes, there is such a thing)…or not. Whichever you choose, the beds will be piled high with feather comforters and pillows, and the towels will be the fluffiest you have seen in some time.
Your breakfast will be served with style and grace, plentiful enough to tide you over until dinner time. And just before you retire for the evening, there will be freshly baked cookies and cold/warm milk (or an alternate beverage of your choice).
The third…Bed & Breakfast is for the hail and hardy types, especially this time of year. It’s camping. Though a fall or winter camping trip requires a bit more planning, it can still be relaxing, refreshing and romantic—there’s a lot to be said for two people conserving body heat.
As for the breakfast-in-bed part, the only way The Bearded One could get me to go along with this insane plan is by serving me breakfast in the pup tent, while I am still in our sleeping bag.
The fourth…and perhaps most overlooked Bed & Breakfast experience can be found in hotels/inns, especially the smaller, more-intimate boutique hotels. You can choose the ambiance that meets your fancy and fits your budget. These particular Bed & Breakfast getaways offer you as much or as little privacy as you desire, and memories to last a lifetime.
You can have all your meals delivered to your room or wander down to the in-house restaurant and enjoy a meal in a quiet corner while you plan your day. Or, there are often quaint restaurants close by for your dining pleasure should you so choose. A sightseeing tour of the neighborhood helps you work up an appetite and make that meal taste even better.
You’re probably saying this is not, by definition, an actual Bed & Breakfast. So what? Neither is camping. But if you can share with your partner the same kinds of relaxed enjoyable good times as in the other venues, who cares about the details.
As described, Bed & Breakfast opportunities are found in every hamlet, village, town or city. So try out different locations. Each establishment offers a unique experience with people who genuinely enjoy the opportunity to offer their hospitality and share with you what is special about their little corner of the world.
Give one of these a try, and enjoy!
Belva & The Bearded One
