If the fabulous leopard-trim Topsiders you splurged on this summer have not yet made it off dry land, consider treating yourself and your significant other to a “floating” bed and breakfast getaway in true Owl and the Pussycat style. A boat and breakfast getaway lets you be captain of your fate and also a pampered guest on board a lovely schooner piloted by your amiable captain, who doubles as your innkeeper.

A floating B&B affords guests the unique experience of spending a night on the water without having to buy a boat – or even steer one.  After a relaxing evening cruise, your captain drops anchor and there’s a good chance the gentle currents will lull you to the Land of Nod. Some innkeepers offer Bring Your Own Sleeping Bag options, inviting you to hunker down on the deck and sleep under the stars.  Mornings are beauteous and bountiful on the water: steaming coffee and homemade breakfasts are servedon deck as you feast your eyes on the gorgeous sunrise and breathe in the fresh sea air. Hopefully your Topsiders will get just wet enough to convince your friends you spent enough time at sea this summer to justify buying the Topsiders!

Castaway for an adventure on the Schooner Manitou, a circa 1800s windjammer that docks in Traverse City, Michigan, and you have the unique opportunity of either spending the night tucked into a comfy bunk in a cozy cabin for two, or sleep on deck, under the stars. Make this mini-cruise the highlight of your summer. Whether you choose to keep things romantic and intimate, or open up the experience to include up to 23 of your friends, the bed and breakfast takes on new meaning when it is on the water. The evening commences with a two-hour sail on Lake Michigan, after which the  skipper docks for the night. Use  the rest of the night to read, smooch, or stare at the stars. In the morning, a spectacular sunrise over Old Mission Peninsula greets you while your skipper prepares a hungry sailor breakfast on the schooner’s wood burning stove. Dine topside for a postcard view of Michigan’s scenic shoreline and savor your mug of freshly-brewed coffee. Packages start at $209 per couple and include a two-hour evening sail, your bunk for the night, and a homemade breakfast. Please note that the ship does not sail all night, it returns dockside. Reservations for the Bed and Breakfast Package are required as availability is limited.

Follow the cobblestone streets down to the harbor in quaint Fells Point, Maryland and a night on the water beckons to you. The Pintita Boat and Breakfast is a 45 foot sailing ketch that operates out of lively Baltimore Harbor. With room to accommodate up to four people in its two handsome, wood-paneled staterooms, the Pintita B&B offers a nautical adventure with all the comforts of a traditional inn stay, but in an unconventional and memorable environment. Included in the package is a two-hour sail on Chesapeake Bay with the sparkling Baltimore skyline glittering in the distance, non-alcoholic beverages, and a delicious seafaring breakfast, such as the skipper’s yummy blueberry pancakes. This package costs $300 per night for up to two guests, and $400 per night for a maximum of four guests. Check in is at 6 PM, and reservations are required. The Boat and Breakfast operates until mid-November. Guests are welcome to bring their own alcoholic beverages on board with them.

Grab your Topsiders, your honey, and some five pound notes, and embark on a floating B&B adventure – or stay on terra firma – by choosing from among the many Great Outdoors Packages on BnBFinder.com

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While the French are given credit for inventing the word “picnic”- thought to have stemmed from the verb piquer, meaning to pick at food – the English loved dining en plein air also.  Food historians assert that picnics in England began with the medieval hunting feasts of the 14th century, which were hosted by wealthy landowners and required the work of many servants. It was in the Victorian Era, however, that picnicking really hit its stride becoming so fashionable that renowned authors Charles Dickens and Jane Austen often incorporated movable feasts into their plots so that characters could meet and mingle, exchange pleasantries or barbs, and get the plot moving (or sparks flying!). Painters, too, have always been enamored with dining in gardens, mountains, parks, and by the sea. Monet, Renoir, and Cezanne were so inspired by the concept of picnics, that they put paint to canvas creating gorgeous paintings with scenes of people from all walks of life whose picnics go on in perpetuity from the walls of the Louvre, the Tate Gallery and other world-class museums.

Let the same magnificent Big Sur coastline that inspired photographers Ansel Adams and Edward Weston inspire you as you relax and enjoy the gorgeous vistas of the Pacific Ocean from pristine Carmel Beach. The Country Garden Inns in Carmel Valley, California invite you to treat yourself to their Picnic on the Pacific special, which provides all the delicious fare you need to stay put while watching the waves and the gulls. A choice of artisanal sandwiches, prepared by a local favorite market, and beverage, fruit, and dessert are included in the package. A night at the lovely French-style inn means also having WiFi access, use of the outdoor pool, cable TV and a complimentary wine and cheese hour at no extra charge. The inn also offers their evergreen two-night Dinner’s on Us! Wine Escape, which includes multiple wine tastings, and dinner vouchers for two on both nights.  Call ahead for availability and mention BnBFinder.com when making your reservations.

Imagine spending the night in a tasteful and elegant circa 1918 grand home, then waking up to a delicious breakfast, catching up on a book in the solarium, and heading off to an artful and art-filled picnic. You can do all this at the Maple Leaf Inn in Waterloo, Indiana when you select the Picnic with the Sculptures Package, which includes a hearty lunch and a map to help you locate the 20 life-size bronze sculptures of J. Seward Johnson exhibited in nearby Auburn. Don’t forget your camera – you’ll want to take pictures of this extraordinary outdoor art. The one-night package includes dinner, breakfast, and picnic lunch. Add one extra night to your stay for $70. This package is offered until September 15, 2010.

Paint your own picture perfect afternoon this summer by treating yourself to an outdoor getaway at a bed and breakfast that offers delicious picnic packages by browsing the Great Outdoors Packages on BnBFinder.com

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The only thing better than a taking a quick getaway is taking one that lasts a night or two longer, but doesn’t cost you anymore.  Some innkeepers are tempting their guests to do just that by offering discounts or adding on a complimentary night. What will you do with that extra night? How about rewarding yourself for being so smart and thrifty? A massage or pedicure – or both – at the inn’s spa is always a hedonistic treat. So is a four-course dinner prepared by the talented chef at the inn’s restaurant.  Other ideas to consider are exploring the historic downtown that many B&Bs are located in, or steeping yourself in the local history and fascinating legends that have endured in these unique places.  Stalk the resident ghost, relax in the gardens, mingle with other guests, or go off on your own and explore the quaint shops.  Challenge yourself to a game of pool in the inn’s game room or swing in the hammock – you choose how to spend your free time.

If you mosey down to historic Jackson, Mississippi and immerse yourself in the southern-style hospitality of the Fairview Inn for two nights, a third night will be  added on – compliments of the inn!  Celebrate your good timing by ordering something cool to drink at Sophia’s, the inn’s elegant restaurant, and savor a multi-course prix fixe dinner prepared by the talented chef. Treat yourself to a Swedish massage or pedicure at the spa on the premises, and then lounge on the patio or the garden gazebo. Located in the historic Belhaven District, the inn is surrounded by grand homes and leafy streets that make for good strolling, and most notable is the home/museum of the late writer, Eudora Welty. The use of the 24-hour guest kitchen and complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks are all included in this extended stay package. Nights are as magical as the days: the inn has an honor bar where guests can help themselves to a nightcap, and a game room outfitted with a pool table and board games to keep you occupied. What’s even grander is that this complimentary night offer is available any day of the week so you can make a three-day weekend out of it.  Be sure to mention the Stay Two, Get Three special when making your reservations either online or by phone.

Bow wow down before the dog days of summer by treating yourself to the extended stay special offered by the Addison on Amelia Island, in northeastern Florida. Inspired by the innkeeper’s pooches, Maggie Doone and One-Eyed Louie, the Dog Days of Summer Fourth Night special lets you stay for four nights at this luxurious and welcoming retreat, and the last night is on the house!  Located in the historic district of Fernandina Beach, and just a short stroll to great restaurants, eclectic art galleries and shops, the inn is just a quick bike ride to the beach. Originally built in 1874 for a wealthy merchant, this architecturally-stunning property has been renovated to airy and elegant tropical perfection while still retaining the details and style that make it a distinguished home away from home. Included in the package are scrumptious breakfasts each morning (including the eponymous Addison’s Breakfast in a Boat), complimentary happy hours in the tree-shaded courtyard, snacks, in-room wireless internet, and all the props needed for a lazy day at the beach: towels, chairs, umbrellas, and the bikes to get you there. This offer is available until September 30, 2010 and cannot be combined with other offers.  Ask for the Dog Days of Summer package when making your reservation.

Find an Extended Stay Special by browsing the Specials page, or use our Advanced Search Tool at BnBFinder.com

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Family reunions are no longer limited to Thanksgiving or Christmas, or to being a one-day potato salad and hot dog affair. They can be customized to embrace every family’s lifestyle and hobbies, and for that reason, bed and breakfasts and innkeepers can be a reunion-planner’s best friend. Many B&Bs offer their entire premises as the venue for staging your event, and also offer a variety of packages  and activities to fit your family’s budget and preferences. Some innkeepers even create fun themes around which activities may be planned, and also arrange itineraries that include trips to theme parks, museums, beaches, or other local attractions. Common areas, such as gardens, and porches provide comfortable gathering spots for family members to reconnect and reminisce.  Add to that bountiful breakfasts served to you and your kin every morning, and the joy of having no dishes to wash, and you’ve got the ideal setting for an easy and enjoyable family reunion.

Keep in mind that like families, no two inns are alike, so finding the perfect match between the B&B and the location is key to the success of the event. Whatever your preference, bed and breakfasts are the ideal place for connecting the great grandparents to the newborns in the family. No need to wait until Christmas to see your loved ones. Instead, why not get together at a family-friendly inn this summer?

My Kin-Dom for a Horse (or Waterslide) – Kids and adults will break out into a full canter when they discover how much there is to do on the legendary Dancer Farm Bed and Breakfast Inn in New Egypt, New Jersey. The 250-acre working farm accommodates up to 25 people, boasts vineyards, gardens, nature trails, and wildflower meadows, all perfect to cavort upon and have picnics. The restored 19th century farmhouse sports spacious guestrooms appointed with luxurious private baths, French massage tubs, fireplaces, private balconies with magnificent views of the farm. The days seem to fly by too fast as you mount a stead for a riding a lesson, take a guided trail ride, or hop on a bike and explore the paths that loop through the farm and adjoining properties. For rides of another kind, take a short family trek to Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari, just 30 minutes away. Then head over to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, only eight miles from the farm, and cool off family-style on the 18 water slides or million-gallon wave pool.  Adults can go to the fabled Freehold Raceway and place their bets on exciting harness races, or play golf at three nearby courses.  All the relatives will be enthralled by the beautiful and strange fish on exhibit at two aquariums just a half hour away, and the U-Picks that dot the area.  The kids faces  will light up as they experience a bit of farm life by harvesting their own seasonal fruits to take back to the inn with them. Delicious farm-style breakfasts greet you each morning in the graciously decorated inn dining room, and complimentary Internet service will keep you as connected with relatives who couldn’t make it to this year’s reunion!

Spiritual Reunion – Rope in the extended family and head to Taos,  New Mexico for a reunion set amidst echoes of the past, the beauty and spirituality of the southwest, and the wealth of arts and culture this region is famous for. Stay at the San Geronimo Lodge for an even more enchanting experience, one that melds historic charm with the comfort and convenience of modern day lodging.  American culture and music looms large here:  parts of Easy Rider were filmed here, the Mamas and the Papas used to jam on the piano in the living room, and so did Bo Diddley.  All guestrooms have handmade southwestern-style furniture and feature original art and fine oil paintings.  Amenities include a swimming pool, hot tub, spacious guest rooms, and high-speed Internet access.  Breakfasts offer a taste of southwestern-style cooking with specialties such as green chili strata, blue-corn blueberry pancakes, pepper bacon, breakfast burritos with homemade salsa, and morning glory muffins.   A cornucopia of activities will keep your family entertained in Taos – llama trekking, ballooning, and white-water rafting are among the highlights, and of course, skiing in winter. Taos has an amazing concentration of culture, with over 40 fine art galleries and many excellent museums, and one $40 pass will get you into all of them. Not to be missed is the Kit Carson Home and Museum, and the Taos Art Museum, which in itself is a masterpiece created by a local Russian wood carver/artist whose works are displayed inside.  One of the most popular attractions, though, is the Taos Pueblo, an ancient village continuously inhabited by Native Americans for a thousand years.  It’s only three miles from the lodge, and daily tours are available for a small entry fee.

Gather your clan together, reunite and reminisce at one of the hundreds of bed and breakfast and inns that put out their welcome mats for family reunions by searching the Family Vacation Specials or by using the Bed & Breakfast Advanced search at BnBFinder.com.

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The Fourth of July is a holiday that rewards us with a three-day weekend, lively parades, firework displays, and the freedom of choice. How will you choose to spend your precious 72 hours? To some, there is nothing more enjoyable than staying home, firing up the Weber, and working on the house or the garden. Others are drawn to the mall for the infamous July Fourth sales. Many of us, though, when granted a three-day weekend, will get in the car – or hop on a plane – and head out of town to a bed and breakfast. For those who are still undecided, there’s still time to make your escape! Here are two B&B getaway suggestions that promise guests an unparalleled weekend of fireworks, music, delicious breakfasts and snacks, and time to relax.

Stay in School – In the picturesque mountain town of Park City, Utah, Independence Day is a three-day long celebration chock full of free public events. Residents and guests alike enjoy the Summer Bash at Town Lift Plaza on Friday, July 2nd, and the performance by the Utah Symphony on Saturday, July 3rd. A full day of festivities unfurls on July 4th including a 5K Fun Run, rugby games, live music, and a BBQ at City Park. The legendary parade with 70 floats begins at 11 AM, and the fireworks light up the sky beginning at dusk.  Travelers who cannot decide which of the many activities scheduled by the city they should put on their to-do list, should consult the innkeeper at the Washington School Inn. Conveniently located near all of the weekend holiday activities, the Inn strives to give its guests an education in the art of having fun during their stay at this historic former schoolhouse. Once a little three-room limestone building, it graduated in 1984 to become a 15-room inn featuring such amenities as feather beds, fine linens, and elegant turn-of-the-century furnishings. A concierge has replaced the schoolmaster, and the hot tub and sauna are more fun than physical education ever was. In home economics, the chef here earns an A+ for the Belgian waffle and fresh fruit breakfasts, fresh spinach quiches, and banana-pecan bread made on the premises. When the fireworks end, return to the inn and enjoy the soaring 20-foot ceilings of the living room with a glass of wine, or stop by the spa and take a dip in the hot tub.

Tell it on the Mountain – How do three days of music, nature, fireworks and world-class food sound for this long holiday weekend? At the Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, food is taken very seriously. The patriotic mother-daughter chef team here is cooking up an all-American four-course dinner on July 4th that features a red, white and blue salad and a big, juicy blue cheese burger. To make the weekend even more memorable, guests will be directed towards Synergy on the Mountain – a music marathon and firework display in Banner Elk that will run Friday through Sunday. Five bands will be performing, and the outdoor seating will give you a nice dose of fresh mountain air. Mast Farm is a historic 1880s farmhouse that offers a rustically elegant experience and also holds renowned cooking classes several times throughout year. Guests reap the benefits of staying on a farm every morning at breakfast, which is always creative, tasty, and prepared from the organic produce grown on the Mast Farm or by local producers.

Find the Sizzling Summer Special or a Last Minute Spontaneous Special that will transform your 72 hour weekend into a memorable and action-packed one by browsing the great specials on BnBFinder.com

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