A Historical Night's Sleep: The Bed and Breakfast Experience
A bed & breakfast inn is not a new concept. Since the dawn of man, homes have been opened to the hungry, the needy, and the weary. From medieval knights seeking sanctuary in monasteries to early pioneers looking for a safe refuge in a boarding house, all contribute to the bed & breakfast homes and inns serving weary travelers and vacationers in modern times.
The term bed & breakfast is rather unique to England, Scotland, Ireland and the United States. In other countries, you may find yourself staying in pensions, paradors, miniskukus, pousados, and shukokos. However, a rose by any other name is still a rose and these establishments are bed and breakfasts in other parts of the world.
In the United States, early historical inns and homes are often still a bed and breakfast establishment. They are dotted across the American landscape like beacons of a bygone era. Some look out over a placid river, some stand as sentinels on an isolated beach and some may nestle amongst the whispering, long grasses of the prairie countryside.
Styles will vary with the establishment, the ambiance and the natural landscape. You may find the decor is Victorian, Italianate, Colonial or a mix of several different styles.
Interests may be a deciding factor in choosing a bed and breakfast. Mull over sitting in a rocking chair admiring the river view of the Amish country in Lanesboro, Minnesota or standing and watching the waves break against the pier on a small island off the coast of Massachusetts.
The rooms of a bed and breakfast are designed for comfort, coziness and are an attractive alternative to chain motels and hotels. In fact, today some of them are actually more pleasant to stay in then higher-end hotels.
Many of the rooms are charmingly named. "Millie's Room", "The Maid's Quarters" and "The Daffodil Room" are names apropos to the inn itself. The rooms are decorated with antiques, original artwork and knick-knacks that have a special meaning to the establishment or the location. The beds range from a wrought-iron bedstead to a romantic canopy queen-size bed with a breathtaking view from the room's window. Often times, the rooms are done in pastel shades with floral motifs, plump goose down comforters, and some of the finer establishments may have whirlpool tubs or steam saunas in the rooms.
One of the most charming aspects of a bed and breakfast establishment is the breakfast. Most B&Bs offer a full breakfast and offer an alternative menu for those with special dietary needs. Still others may offer a continental breakfast of fresh pastries, hot coffee, tea and freshly squeezed juices. The traditional B&B only offered breakfast but today you will find more meals offered and be able to enjoy a hearty lunch, an elegant tea or a fine dining dinner experience.
Whatever your location, whatever your budget, there is a local bed and breakfast establishment willing, eager and happy to make you feel at home. The comfort, beauty and history of a home, full of history, are a lovely addition to any vacation or trip you may plan.
About the Author:
Visit a historic B&B in Lansboro MN, and explore all the offerings of a beautiful town with the best Minnesota Bed & Breakfast.
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