If you are looking for a romantic getaway, or just a peaceful weekend for relaxation, nothing beats a stay in a bed and breakfast inn. One could say the contemporary bed and breakfast is a centuries-old tradition, as wayfarers looking for a place to sleep often depended upon the kindness of locals to open their homes and hearths. A few coins might have given a person a warm bed for the night, plus something to tide him over until he reached his destination.
Today, the bed and breakfast inn symbolizes comfort and serenity, romance and intimacy. Such inns are found lined together in historic neighborhoods along shady avenues, or tucked in remote area overlooking breathtaking mountain ranges. Other inns may be found in more urban areas, housed in renovated buildings during a city renaissance. Wherever you decide to travel this year, why not consider spending your downtime at a bed and breakfast instead of a regular hotel? You will find the amenities are quite pleasing.
That said, there are a number of factors travelers should consider before reserving a room at a BB. The Internet offers not only a wealth of information on individual inns, but there exist a good number of directories with regional and local information. Do your research first to ensure a fun vacation.
General Information: How long has the BB been in business? Are they registered with any official hospitality associations? Do they have a website with detailed information and a photo gallery of the rooms? Are there testimonials provided by former guests? Is the establishment completely non-smoking? Are pets and children allowed?
If you are looking for a quiet weekend away from the bustle of the city, you will want to stay where no distractions are certain to follow. Be sure to find out.
Location: Where is the bed and breakfast located? Is it convenient to shops and areas of interest? If in the country, is it within a reasonable distance from hiking and biking trails? Are the directions easy to follow? Depending on what you have planned for your trip, you want to be sure you don't have to spend all day in a car to do what you want.
Amenities: What is offered with a BB stay besides the bed and the breakfast? Do all rooms come with private bath? Is there a garden, porch, or balcony available for reading? Is wireless Internet available? Some BB inns also offer evening libations and snacks, which is a nice bonus after a day of sightseeing. If you cannot find corresponding information on an inn's website, call and ask.
Cost: Are the rooms reasonably priced for the season and area? Don't forget to shop and compare. Does the inn offer discounts for AARP or AAA membership? Are there special packages for honeymoons, or to coincide with local festivals? Some BB inns may work in conjunction with area restaurants and attractions, offering coupons and package deals. Look around and see what is available to you.
If you know what to look for in a bed and breakfast, you are certain to enjoy a wonderful, comfortable stay. Do your research now and plan to make many fond memories.
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Don't Eat a Lot to Live a Little
You've heard it before, right?
"C'mon, it's the holidays - live a little!"
Maybe you've heard it; maybe you've even said it.
I know I've said it to myself before. But it's such a flawed way of looking at life. You don't have to binge in order to enjoy Thanksgiving or any other time of the year.
But that's the kind of thinking that the statement enables - you're only living if you're doing something bad for you. The holidays really bring this mindset to the forefront. You should be enjoying the holidays, but how did enjoying the company of family and friends get mixed up with binge eating and drinking?
Do your best to make the holidays about the people you love, not food. You can enjoy their company without doing the things that cause most Americans to gain five to ten pounds over the holidays. Of course you can enjoy some turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce on Thursday - I know I will. But the point is that you don't eat until you're so stuffed you can barely move. It's not healthy. The dirty little secret that we've all conspired to deny is that we're a society of emotional eaters.
We've become, to a very unhealthy degree, attached to the annual overindulgence that is the holidays. Emotional eaters typically share one thing in common - they're usually overweight. Whether it's candy, cookies or all those drinks you're downing at a holiday get-together, they're contributing to the average of 619 extra calories Americans eat every day between Thanksgiving and the New Year. And they're all so unnecessary to your happiness.
Be willing and able to say no to alcoholic beverages in favor or water or tea. Eat something healthy before going to get-togethers to prevent cravings for fatty, sugary snacks.
Holiday weight gain isn't just an inconvenience - it's dangerous. Don't think that you're just going to take the weight off with a New Year's resolution. It's far easier to gain ten pounds than it is to lose it, and most people give up before ever losing their holiday weight, leaving them heavier, unhealthier and unhappier all year-round. Worse yet, it puts them in an increasingly challenging position every holiday season. At an average of five to ten pounds of holiday weight gain per year, it's not hard to see how quickly a person can become obese.
Eating well during the holidays takes some will power. You should treat yourself to some of the foods you want this holiday season, but exercise some determination and be reasonable in the coming weeks.
"C'mon, it's the holidays - live a little!"
Maybe you've heard it; maybe you've even said it.
I know I've said it to myself before. But it's such a flawed way of looking at life. You don't have to binge in order to enjoy Thanksgiving or any other time of the year.
But that's the kind of thinking that the statement enables - you're only living if you're doing something bad for you. The holidays really bring this mindset to the forefront. You should be enjoying the holidays, but how did enjoying the company of family and friends get mixed up with binge eating and drinking?
Do your best to make the holidays about the people you love, not food. You can enjoy their company without doing the things that cause most Americans to gain five to ten pounds over the holidays. Of course you can enjoy some turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce on Thursday - I know I will. But the point is that you don't eat until you're so stuffed you can barely move. It's not healthy. The dirty little secret that we've all conspired to deny is that we're a society of emotional eaters.
We've become, to a very unhealthy degree, attached to the annual overindulgence that is the holidays. Emotional eaters typically share one thing in common - they're usually overweight. Whether it's candy, cookies or all those drinks you're downing at a holiday get-together, they're contributing to the average of 619 extra calories Americans eat every day between Thanksgiving and the New Year. And they're all so unnecessary to your happiness.
Be willing and able to say no to alcoholic beverages in favor or water or tea. Eat something healthy before going to get-togethers to prevent cravings for fatty, sugary snacks.
Holiday weight gain isn't just an inconvenience - it's dangerous. Don't think that you're just going to take the weight off with a New Year's resolution. It's far easier to gain ten pounds than it is to lose it, and most people give up before ever losing their holiday weight, leaving them heavier, unhealthier and unhappier all year-round. Worse yet, it puts them in an increasingly challenging position every holiday season. At an average of five to ten pounds of holiday weight gain per year, it's not hard to see how quickly a person can become obese.
Eating well during the holidays takes some will power. You should treat yourself to some of the foods you want this holiday season, but exercise some determination and be reasonable in the coming weeks.
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