Sense and Sensi-B&Bility – If Jane Austen had the opportunity to visit a bed and breakfast today, she might have changed the title of one of her novels to Sense and Sensi-B&Bility.  Her bed and breakfast of choice would probably have been The Governor’s House in Hyde Park, Vermont. The classically restored mansion pays homage to the English author with “Jane Austen Weekends.” Austen fans can listen to Mozart, take a walk around the property, enjoy a cup of tea and even attend a book discussion where guests can compare film adaptations of her novels. The special includes a two night stay, evening talks with dessert and coffee, full breakfast, afternoon tea, Saturday dinner along with an informal book discussion, Sunday brunch and a short Jane Austen quiz. Guests are welcomed to dress in the period’s fashion or just come as they are.

If you want to really live out the social era of a bygone time, check your bags at Annie Wiggins Guest House in Galena, Illinois. The 1846 mansion offers historic dances every fourth Tuesday of the month. Innkeeper, Wendy Heiken often leads the class at a nearby studio in downtown (walking distance from the inn). The one hour dance class range from waltzes, cotillions, quadrilles, contra, etc. Afterwards, guests can return to the inn and reward themselves with homemade cookies from the “never ending cookie jar.” Save room for a full breakfast in the morning such as stuffed French toast, seasonal fruit, fresh baked scone and tea.

Transport yourself to another time by searching for more options at a Vermont bed and breakfast or at an Illinois bed and breakfast. You can also use the keyword search box to find an inn closer to you.

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Taste Test - Wouldn’t it be nice if you can taste test your way from inn to inn? If your taste buds are saying yes, hold on to your appetite and head on over to Eureka Springs, Arkansas for the August Taste of the Inns Tour. Innkeepers from 12 participating inns will serve their favorite appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages on August 29 from 3 to 7 pm. Visitors as well as guests at the inns can take a self-guided tour and visit all 12 inns, mingle with the innkeepers, collect recipes and taste a variety of tempting appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks. All ticket holders can also enter to win giveaway contests with prizes ranging from gift certificates to local wines and gourmet shops.

At Mount Victoria Bed & Breakfast Inn in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, guests who check into the inn and sign up for A Twelve Inn Tour package will receive a bottle of champagne or sparking cider and chocolate ganache dipped strawberries upon arrival. The two night stay includes two tickets to the tour, two 1 hour massages with warm stone therapy, a romantic carriage ride and gourmet breakfast featuring the inn’s signature breakfast pastry with smoked turkey. When it’s time for the tour to start, don’t miss out on the inn’s own pina colada drink special accompanied by chicken skewers with fresh pineapple salsa and bite-sized roasted red pepper corn muffins. Stick around and listen to live bluesy music on the veranda from a locally renowned musician.

Summer flavors come alive at The Heartstone Inn in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The inn will feature cool summer gazpacho made with ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and parsley straight from Farmers Market. Enjoy the chilled drink with crab cakes made from fresh crabs and served with a slice of lemon. Guests who stay at the inn and sign up for the taste tour package can stay two nights and receive two tickets to the tour, two trolley tickets and two gourmet breakfasts featuring the inn’s famous crème brulee French toasts.

Find more tasty offerings at an Arkansas bed and breakfast by looking under Culinary Getaways under specials or use the keyword search box to find a B&B that’s cooking near you.

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Go ahead, Mess with Texas - Chances are you’ve heard of the Alamo, the Johnson Space Center and even Texas barbeque. But you may not know that Texas is also home to many historically rich bed and breakfasts. The Prince Solms Inn Bed & Breakfast in New Braunfels, Texas dates back to 1898! Built by German craftsmen, the inn which was originally named the Comal Hotel is the oldest operational hotel in the state. It is also registered as a Texas heritage landmark. If you want a mix of old and new, make the most of your stay either at the inn or at the Joseph Klein House, a guest cottage built in 1852 with the “Discover New Braunfels Package.” A two night stay includes a full country breakfast, a complimentary bottle of wine or sparkling juice, gift certificate for dinner in town for both nights, self-guided walking tour of downtown with maps, historical facts and directions, picnic lunch at the local vineyard with a personal wine tasting session and tour.

If you want to fill up on history, literally – take a bite or two at the Wrigley House Bed and Breakfast in Brenham, Texas with “A Taste of History” package. The after dinner dessert special gives guests a chance to sample a bit of the inn’s history as well as the town. Start with a creamy peach pie made with fresh summer peaches and cinnamon that Marilynn, the innkeeper serves using a 1934 recipe from a previous owner who lived at the Wrigley House before it was a B&B. Keeping with the inn’s history, guests are also treated to independence roasted coffee from the Independence Coffee Company. The international coffee company was started by the Bond family, the last family to take up residence before it was converted into a bed and breakfast. Guests are also treated to the town’s most famous product, Bluebell ice cream. Vanilla ice cream is topped with homemade peach sauce and toasted pecans from the inn’s own pecan trees.

Brush up on more local history by staying at a Texas bed and breakfast or use the keyword search box to learn more about a bed and breakfast near you.

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Bottoms Up! - Finding the perfect beer usually involves a bit of trial and error. If you’re ready to learn the difference from malt to hops or lager to ale, stop by Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast in Brattleboro, Vermont and sign up for the beer tasting special. Innkeeper, Tim Brady leads a weekly beer tasting class inside the inn’s own pub. The special includes an educational introduction to the brewing process, a tasting of eight different styles of Vermont beer paired with cheese, crackers and light appetizers. Hang out afterwards in the pub and test your knowledge by ordering a glass of beer from a diverse menu that includes over 30 varieties of beer from around the world.

Interested in brewing your own beer? You can do just that at the Kingsley House Bed and Breakfast Inn in Saugatuck, Michigan. The Saugatuck Brew Your Own Special Package lets you taste-test as many brews as you want at Saugatuck Brewing Company. Select the beer of your choice from over 70 recipes and a skilled brewer will guide you through the four hour brewing process. In two weeks time, six cases of your brew will be ready for pick up along with a personal label of your choice. You can also take home two souvenir Saugatuck brewery glasses.

Find more B&Bs that’s brewing at a Vermont bed and breakfast or at a Michigan bed and breakfast. Or use the keyword search box to find a beer friendly B&B near you.

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