Bed and breakfasts across the country are opening their doors and creating special packages in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Some innkeepers are sharing their own experiences in the fight against cancer.

While the cure is still in the making, studies show that some rest, relaxation, and humor can go a long way.

Here are some of BnBFinder.com’s breast cancer awareness packages offering some tender loving care:

Survivors are Special. The Fleur-de-Lys Mansion, Luxury Inn at the Park in St. Louis, Missouri is offering a 20% discount off a multi-night stay for guests who mention this BnbFinder.com discount when booking their reservation. The stately inn has an impressive foyer, grand staircase, fireplace and baby grand piano. The Mansion’s idyllic garden features rose-draped arbors and a lush, manicured, sitting area by a tranquil pond, a perfect place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine.

First-Hand Care. At the Scottish Bed and Breakfast, in Bremen, Indiana, your innkeeper says she knows just what you need: “ a lot of rest and relaxation!” As a cancer-survivor herself, she and her husband Homer, know a thing or two about needing to getaway; so now they provide their just what the doctor ordered package to guests seeking to do the same. Bring your care-givers, relax by the indoor pool, or go for a walk and see the foliage. The package includes a one-hour in-room massage, a certificate toward a healthy meal at a local restaurant, and a souvenir mug to take home with you. $100 + price of room.

Humor is contagious. Sometimes it takes a really good laugh to spread the cheer. The Afton House Inn in Afton, Minnesota is encouraging guests to smile – a lot. In fact, guests who book a comedy dinner cruise departing from nearby Hudson, Wisconsin to see the Holly Henson – Tickled Pink Comedy for Breast Cancer Awareness show receive a 15% discount on their room! The show takes place on October 8th, check with the innkeeper for more details.

For more information on special packages visit BnBFinder.com’s specials page.

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Strap on your riding boots and saddle up, fall is a perfect time to explore the foliage. Horseback riding-enthusiasts will be glad to know BnBFinder.com has some hot-to-trot alternatives to the usual fall foliage hikes. Now you may cover more ground without setting foot on it!

Here are some of BnBFinder.com’s equestrian weekends that cater to riders from beginners through advanced:

Bridle and Breakfast. Stay two-nights at the Whistling Swan Inn in Stanhope, New Jersey, and enjoy full buffet style breakfasts and two passes for a trail ride through the beautiful countryside at the Spring Valley Equestrian Center in Andover. The package also includes a gift certificate for $25 at one of three casual restaurants. The inn will also pack a small snack basket to-go. Nestled in the Skylands, this graceful Victorian inn boasts a welcoming veranda, crackling fires, feather beds, Jacuzzis, and hammock.

Wild West Sunset. Wilson Ranches Retreat Bed and Breakfast in Fossil, Oregon, offers a glorious full-color experience. Horseback sunsets set to fall splendor are in full swing here. Peruse the Cascade Mountain Range and the views over Mt. Hood with complimentary snacks. This 9,000-acre working cattle ranch takes you off the beaten track. Nearby, the John Day River offers world class bass fishing and river rafting trips. Golfers will marvel at The Kinzua Hills Golf Course and Condon Golf Course; though cowboys will be all about the local rodeos.

Three-Night Rider. Looking to ride again and again? Then the 3-night horseback riding vacation at The Mountain Top Inn & Resort in Chittenden, Vermont is calling your name. Enjoy three nights lodging, hearty Vermont breakfasts, and six-hours of guided trail rides per person. While at the inn, wander over to the private lake-front beach, see even more foliage on the hiking trails, kayaks and canoes, or enjoy a game of tennis.

Wine Trot. The Chestnut Hill Bed and Breakfast Inn in Orange, Virginia is offering an add-on package that includes a guided horseback tour through some of the most scenic trails in all of Virginia. The package also includes a picnic lunch, and tickets to Barboursville & Horton Wineries for a full tour of the winery and complimentary wine tasting. An early evening appetizer includes a glass of wine and authentic Asian shrimp garden roll and spring roll accompanied by a spicy peanut sauce. As always, the inn will be serving its signature fusion breakfasts and complimentary all-day beverages throughout your stay.

Visit BnBFinder’s bed & breakfast specials page to find a foliage getaway or horseback riding weekend near you.

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Looking for a little R&R at a B&B? Why not try a yoga retreat in honor of Yoga Month this September? You don’t have to be a yoga-pro. In fact, yoga weekends cater to a range of yogis from beginner to pretzel-twisting advanced. Check out these bed and breakfasts offering excellent yoga weekends and scrumptious meals. Go ahead, give it your best Downward Dog.

Stretch Out, Then Veg-Out. Yoga and a movie, anybody? At the Inn at the Park Bed and Breakfast in South Haven, Michigan is offering women’s getaways where gals are greeted with a chocolate martini the minute they walk in the door. There’s also yoga each day, afternoon High Teas on your second day, and “chick flicks” on an oversized television set… plus you get sole-power, uncontested, of the remote-control. If you’re in the mood for a scenic stroll, just head outside. The inn is one block from Lake Michigan, the harbor, and quaint downtown South Haven.

Ocean-Side Bliss. If you’re going to do outdoor yoga, it doesn’t get more at-one with nature than at the Amore By the Sea B&B Beach House Retreat and Spa in Victoria, BC Canada. Wash your worries away and nourish your soul through careful breathing (pranayama) and postures (asanas). The Namaste! Yoga Package includes a 1-hour yoga session for two, a 1-hour side-by-side Swedish massage, use of two yoga mats, and a souvenir relaxation CD.  Located on a pristine stretch of sand and pebble beach, guests will often see orca whales, seals and otters; the B&B is also 20-minutes from the heart of downtown Victoria.

Yogi in the House. At the Blue Door on Baltimore Bed and Breakfast in Baltimore, Maryland, the innkeeper’s wife doubles as the registered in-house yoga instructor. The inn regularly schedules yoga events and will reserve a special yoga weekend for your group. Situated by the harbor in a neighborhood row house on historic Butcher Hill, this luxurious inn is steps away from Patterson Park and minutes from Baltimore’s business and entertainment venues.

For more bed and breakfast girlfriend getaways and yoga weekends visit the BnBFinder.com specials page. As an alternative, visit YogaMonth.org and print a coupon for one week of free yoga (good at more than 1,200 participating yoga studios nationwide) then find an inn nearby where you can stay and also get free breakfast.

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Wine and dine your way through luxury with Sedona’s new inn-to-winery gourmet retreat. The Perfect Pairings Gourmet Getaway is designed for wine lovers with exquisite taste and discriminating palates.

Distinctive groups of six couples will enjoy leisurely afternoons exploring wineries, a gourmet picnic overlooking Oak Creek, or browsing the shops of Tlaquepaque and lazy evenings under the stars at the participating inn of choice. Each getaway grouping is hosted by a different restaurant whose style will be mirrored throughout the journey, encouraging guests to come back for seconds. The Perfect Pairings package is a 4-day affair. Bed and breakfast reservations are separate and not included in the package.

The Perfect Pairings package costs $375 per person and includes:
- A treat in your room at your bed and breakfast of choice
- Four gift certificates for the wineries on your tour
- Vineyard and cellar tour
- Gourmet picnic
- Drinks for two for cooking school (½ bottle per person)
- Cooking school (a sumptuous 4 course dinner)
- Luxury transportation
- Drinks for two for Chefs Table (1/2 bottle per person)
-Three-course dinner at Chefs Table
- Gratuities and Tips

BnBFinder.com’s top inn picks:
Red Rock Dream. Casa Sedona Bed & Breakfast was conceived by a protégé of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The inn was designed to magnify the surrounding views from every possible perspective. Sedona’s highest and most spectacular red rock peak dominates Casa Sedona’s skyline.

On a Mission. Tucked away in two-acres of tranquil gardens, mature pines, and soothing waterfalls is the Lodge at Sedona, a luxurious mission/arts-and-crafts style bed and breakfast. The inn also features original art and authentic rock formations. Guests who can’t skip the gym are in luck. Fitness center privileges include a workout room, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, whirlpool, and a magical meditative labyrinth adjacent to the property.

Sedona Soul. Start your day with a sumptuous pool-side breakfast at the Alma de Sedona Inn. Later tip-toe back to your luxury room, complete with separate entrance, and large private patio or balcony. All rooms are equipped with fireplaces and decorated with exquisite Sedona-flair. Eleven of the twelve rooms feature luxurious two-person Jacuzzi tubs.

Scenic Loop. Quiet and beautiful, the Moestly Wood Sedona Bed & Breakfast attracts Red Rock-enthusiasts seeking a tranquil oasis on the panoramic “Loop” road in Sedona, Arizona, just 2-hours south of the Grand Canyon. Surrounded by hiking trails and desert wildlife and within view of the infamously photographed, Cathedral Rock, this two room inn offers elegant ambience, awe-inspiring vistas, and a welcoming sundeck.

About the Wineries
What’s an Oscar when you’ve got a vineyard? Pillsbury Wine Company is a dream-come-true project by New Zealand by film director and winemaker Sam Pillsbury. Sam flew into Arizona to shoot a pilot for Universal Pictures and fell in love with an Arizona girl and the Arizona landscape. Growing up in New Zealand and familiar with growing classical wine grapes in unusual places, Sam decided to plant 20-acres of Rhone varieties in the Arizona desert; winning him several titles over the years, among them “Rising Stars of the Southwest” by Wine Spectator magazine.

Science meets grapes. An Arizona resident for 30 years, owner and winemaker extraordinaire, Rod Snapp is an entrepreneur and well known among the locals—chances are, he’s worked with every one. A former chef, fireman, landscaper, publisher, developer and a founding participant in the first ever Sedona Jazz on the Rocks event, Rod found his true calling when during an apprenticeship in enology and viticulture. Hard at work (again), Rod opened Javelina Leap Vineyard and Winery, a premium boutique winery in northern Arizona where he grows his own grapes and handcrafts fine wines.

Wine for the people. At Page Spring Cellars growing grapes, making wine, and raising a glass is a cultural ritual. Here, owner Eric Glomski, encourages first time sippers and seasoned enthusiasts to drink side-by-side and ooze knowledge. The winery has a wine club and routine tastings of its various Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Mourvedre, among others. Popular events include its Vineyard to Bottle tour.

Reap and sow. Alcantara is a dream venture created by Barbara Predmore, and husband, Bob, to create a vineyard community and winery, comparable to the best of California and Europe. Buried in research, Barbara spent years learning to cultivate vines and embrace the land. Today Alcantara Vineyards is the first winery on the Verde River and the largest in Central and Northern Arizona with more than 16,000 vines and a dozen varietals as well as olive trees for oil. The vineyard has been called the most beautiful vineyard in Arizona by Frommers.

Tested and true. After hearing that good wine grows of gentle slopes with a river nearby, Deb Wahl ventured to put the saying to the test. Ten acres and 4,000 plants later, Oak Creek Vineyard & Winery is flourishing and extending its reach every year. The winery produces full bodied flavorful reds and crisp, and lean whites in small batches, giving individual quality time to each barrel.

About the Chefs
The Perfect Pairings gourmet getaway includes a three-course dinner at a local and respected restaurant hand-picked for its exquisite cooking. Each group will dine at the Chef’s Table – and it’s always a different chef as cuisine varies per month. Meet your contenders:

Chef Alan McClean – Originally from England, Alan is a classically-trained chef and has been in the kitchen for 15 years. He is known for his unusual layering of flavors and his eclectic menu that takes American comfort food to a whole new level. He is the owner of Fork in the Road – American Bistro in Sedona and will serve American favorites for Perfect Pairings for the month of September.

Chef Michael Mullins – Chef Michael Mullins is the mastermind busy behind-the-scenes at Shugrue’s Hillside Grill. Distinctive and friendly with stunning views, Shugrue’s and Michael will be serving up an aromatic Cajun feast for Perfect Pairings during October and some of November.

Chef Dan Martin – Chef Martin has been sautéing since he was eight years old. His culinary knowledge is expansive and includes high volume upscale restaurants, as well as his own eatery and consulting firm. He currently owns and operates Perfection, Special Events and Catering and will be serving up an authentic Southwestern meal for Perfect Pairings during November and some of December.

Chef Walter Paulson – Chef Walter is known for luring guests to René again and again. The restaurant, a Sedona landmark, is tucked in a quiet corner of Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village and is a popular spot for tourists and celebrities. Chef Walter will be serving his signature dishes with a special French flair for Perfect Pairings in January.

Chef Charles Cline – A Northeast transplant, Chef Charles became a chef in his early 20s. He and his wife, Phyllis, always envisioned owning a restaurant and when she became enamored with what is now Heartline Café, Charles agreed to make an offer, sight unseen. Pouring their lives into the eatery, the restaurant’s wine room was once a second bedroom for the couple’s toddler. Today Heartline Café serves an eclectic and warm cuisine. Chef Charles will be preparing Continental cuisine for Perfect Pairings in January and some of February.

Chef Andrea di Luca and Chef Lisa- Charming fireplaces, al fresco dining, and fabulous cuisine keep a steady stream of guests returning to both Dahl and Di Luca and Cucina Rustica. Chef Andrea, originally from Rome, Italy, and Chef Lisa a San Francisco native met in California before setting up their Sedona restaurants. Naturally, they will be creating Italian masterpieces for Perfect Pairings, Chef Andrea will represent Dahl and Di Luca in February and Chef Lisa will represent Cucina Rustica in the month of March—though they’ll continue long after, of course.

Click here for more Arizona bed and breakfasts on BnBFinder.com.

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