Staying in a bed and breakfast when you go on holiday is a great way to get to grips with the local cuisine. Whether you are wandering down the streets of Scotland, hitch-hiking across the Netherlands or enjoying a spot of sunbathing in South Africa, breakfast at a B&B is a fantastic way to experience the culture of your chosen holiday destination. Tuck into a barbequed Boerewors (a traditional South African spiral sausage) in Johannesburg, or slurp down a cup of freshly brewed black coffee in the heart of Italy. Wherever your wanderlust takes you this month, make sure it includes a B&B breakfast!

Take a look at these typical B&B breakfasts from around the world:

Continental breakfast courtesy of Ewan M.

South Africa

B&B breakfasts in South Africa are generally a lavish affair. Expect a delicious array of continental delights including cheese and cold meat platters, fresh fruit salad and creamy yogurts to make your taste buds tingle! Savoury snacks are the order of the day, so fill up the tank with some bread or a nice slice of Boerewors if the host happens to have a braai barbeque on hand. Toasty hot treats also include things like chicken liver with a spicy peri peri sauce and a good old fashioned omelette.

Europe

Generally speaking, European B&Bs love their sweet stuff. Whether it’s a chocolate-studded muffin or a deliciously decadent Danish pastry you’re after, there’s a sweet treat to suit everyone in Europe. Don’t be surprised if a host in Florence offers you an overwhelming selection of filter coffees to choose from; a steaming hot cup of the brown beans is the only way to start the day in Italy! Toast fanatics will be spoiled for choice when it comes to toppings; European B&Bs often provide an impressive array of spreads, including jam, peanut butter and chocolate.

Cooked breakfast courtesy of Peter Castleton

UK

The great British B&B breakfast is truly a thing of beauty. Sausages lie side by side with rashers (slices) of crispy bacon, and fried eggs sit happily next to a sloppy scoopful of beans. If you’re lucky you might get a couple of hash browns, a few fried tomatoes and a scrumptious set of grilled mushrooms, too. Travelers who don’t mind the thought of tasting blood can also try a traditional black pudding, which is a blend of onions, pork fat, oatmeal and pig’s blood. Country B&Bs often have a small patch for growing fruit and vegetables, so guests can enjoy seasonal berries and fresh produce in the summer months.

No matter where you’re headed, breakfast at a B&B is a great way to start your day. Whether you fancy a hearty English fry-up or a tasty sweet pastry from Europe, you’re sure to find something to suit you. Book that dream holiday, tuck into a B&B breakfast and start sightseeing; you won’t regret it!

Becky writes for Enjoybedandbreakfast.com, a travel website that helps independent travelers find unique places to stay. Becky, a passionate traveler, is always on the search for hidden gems and accommodations that don’t break the bank. In her spare time she also writes for BnB Edition, a blog for B&B owners.

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You know you are an oenophile, a wine aficionado, if you enjoy nothing better than hearing the sound of a bottle being uncorked and smelling the scent of fermented grapes before pouring a glass of Pinot Noir, Chianti or Chardonnay into a tall-stemmed glass and enjoying the smooth texture and hints of berries, nuts and even wood of the wine against your palette. What’s even better is packing up your favorite varietal, a couple of glasses, some cheese, crackers and a blanket and heading out for a romantic picnic in the park on a beautiful spring day or sitting at a café table watching the sunset over the vineyards while feeling the crisp evening air. Whatever you decide to do, a bottle of your favorite wine will make a great companion for any occasion.

Outside dining at Arbor Guest House B&B, Napa, CA

So where can you go for a full-bodied wine excursion? California is a good start. The Golden State is known for many things – the beach, sun, Hollywood – but it’s also known for its world-class wine. If you’ve never experienced a wine harvest you’re in luck: California Wine Month happens in September with Napa Valley’s annual “Crush” in full swing. It’s a wine harvest mixed with a bit of fall foliage because the leaves on the vines begin turning from their lush green into brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. You can take one of many winery tours which offer a number of activities including barrel tastings and cheese pairings, up close and personal looks at an actual wine harvest, grape stomping competitions and even outdoor movies. Neighboring Sonoma Valley is hosting a number of wine events this month for the oenophile in you where you can join taste testings and watch the harvest while enjoying the temperate climate and picturesque landscape.

Red or white, dry or sweet. Whatever your preference you can most certainly find a bottle to tease your taste buds. They come in so many different varieties from vineyards all around the world including California’s Wine Country. Take advantage of this once-a-year harvest by packing your bags, heading out west and joining in on the celebrations. With a glass of wine, of course.

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Does the cool, crisp air of fall make you want to cozy up with a delicious bowl of warm, homemade soup? Leaning over a stove and taking in the smell of fresh herbs wafting from the pot before savoring the smooth flavors as you taste each spoonful can make for a satisfying meal.  Butternut, spaghetti, buttercup and pumpkin squash all reach full ripeness in the autumn and can be made into a hearty dish for any time of the day. You can serve it up before a meal as a teaser, on the side of a mixed green salad or sandwich for a full meal or simply enjoy the flavor and texture all on its own.

The Castle in the Country inn located in Allegan, MI, has a recipe for Roasted Squash Soup with sage-infused croutons that even the kitchen-shy cook will love.

Ingredients:

Soup

• One large winter squash, such as butternut
• 2 leeks
• 3 teaspoons of chopped ginger
• 6 cups of chicken stock
• 3 tablespoons of butter

Croutons

• ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh sage leaves
• Day-old bread cut into large cubes (2 inches)

Directions:

Servings – About 6 cups of soup

Soup
1. Roast squash at 350 for one hour; let cool
2. Thinly slice leeks and sweat with butter for 10 minutes
3. Add the roasted squash, 4 cups of stock, and chopped ginger; simmer for 20 minutes
4. Puree until smooth, and thin with 2 cups of stock; salt and pepper to taste

Croutons
1. Heat olive oil until shimmering and fry sage leaves for a minute or two; remove sage leaves to a paper towel
2. Lightly coat bread cubes with oil and bake at 400 until brown and crusty (about 10 minutes)

If you’re looking for a soup of a different style, browse through some of the innkeepers’ favorite recipes for a little inspiration.

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Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day. A plate of eggs, any style, with a side of bacon or sausage and toast, a bagel with cream cheese or a stack of pancakes all with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or warm tea are all good ways to jump start your engine and get you going for the long day ahead. So why is it so many of us skip this delicious meal? If you’re thinking ‘busy schedules’ then you’re probably right. Who has time to sit down and savor this meal? For most of us, we’re lucky if we can grab a quick nibble of toast, a sip of OJ and a “Good-bye!” before hurrying out the door. But something as simple as a bowl of cereal with bananas or a cup of yogurt topped with fruit or nuts can really keep you going, at least until lunch.

The Main House, The Inn at Bowman’s Hill, New Hope, PA

September is Breakfast Month, a time to celebrate and, perhaps, do away with the bad habit of skipping this essential meal. Get your day started with a delicious bowl of oatmeal topped with blueberries and shaved almonds, a Belgian waffle with fruit and syrup or a couple of sunny-sides up with bacon. You may find by doing some of your morning preparations the night before you’ll end up with more time for breakfast, and it’ll be worth it.

One place that doesn’t take the day’s first meal for granted is at a bed and breakfast. In fact, the meal is so special they put it in the name and include it in your stay! At B&Bs, breakfast has become something of an art form – we’re not talking your run-of-the-mill meat, eggs and potatoes kind of dish. Three-course, gourmet, and other inventive breakfasts are common in the B&B world. The Inn at Bowman’s Hill in New Hope, PA, rises to the challenge with a soufflé omelette recipe borrowed from grandma. Fill it up with diced cheddar cheese, sliced grape tomatoes or sliced mushrooms for a decadent treat.

Instead of the usual eggs with ham and tomatoes on the side how about bringing them together for a one-slice-fits-all dish? The Maple Leaf Inn Bed and Breakfast in Barnard, VT, does just that with their Breakfast Pizza. They offer a homemade crust topped with ham, tomato, parmesan cheese and, of course, an egg baked to perfection. What would be breakfast without a few flap jacks on the side? The Niagara Historical Cottage Rental located in Ontario, Canada, offers pancakes with a tasty twist: It’s served as a puff pie filled with apples, pecans and raisins or currants.

Breakfast is breaking your fast from the night before, and all experts agree, the best way to start you day. So, take a cue from the inns and make it a priority not only this month but every day of the year. To get you started take a look at some of the favorite breakfast recipes the innkeepers have shared.

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Feeling tense and anxious? If so, kick off your shoes, roll out a mat and get your stretch on! September is National Yoga Month and a perfect time to experience this ancient practice that dates back more than 5,000 years. With studios across the country offering a free week of yoga to everyone from aspiring yogis to those who can twist into a human pretzel, a much needed stretch might be in order. Reduction in stress, greater flexibility and increased strength are just a few of the amazing benefits from practicing yoga, not to mention it’s a great way to grab some R&R for the mind and body.

Little Chatham Lodge, Peace With-Inn Bed and Breakfast, Fryeburg, ME

Being able to take advantage of a free week of yoga classes happens just once a year during Yoga Month, and those who incorporate this practice into their every day lives extol its virtues; so taking it a step further and combining this relaxing experience into a vacation is a natural. Most will choose spas, but a lucky few have found that bed and breakfasts know something about rest and relaxation beyond a wonderful getaway. A stay at a warm and cozy inn next to a placid lake or on a serene mountain top could be the right ingredient for finding a bit of inner peace, but with little effort you can stretch further and find inns offering their guests yoga packages to go along with healthy meals, hikes and massages. There’s nothing better than practicing Tree or Eagle pose outdoors surrounded and inspired by the sights and sounds of nature. The Peace With-Inn Bed and Breakfast’s Mountain Top Hiking-Yoga-Wellness experience will do just that. After enjoying a New England-style breakfast followed by a hike into the wilderness of Fryeburg, ME, you’ll experience a unique outdoor yoga class taught by a master instructor.

The Blue Door on Baltimore Bed and Breakfast in Baltimore, MD, provides the personal touch when it comes to finding your center. Innkeeper Cecilia will not only provide healthy breakfasts and help plan out your day trips, she’ll also gently bring you through the Sun Salutations as your yoga instructor and help you find deep relaxation during your getaway. “Yoga reduces stress,” says Cecilia. “Also, if they’ve been traveling they’ve probably been sitting for a long time so it’s good to stretch.”

If you think yoga is not for you, think again. Your mind and body will thank you!

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While the long days of summer have come and gone, autumn brings with it harvests, crisp evening air and the fall foliage. The deep greens of summer are replaced with vibrant reds, yellows, golds and oranges in what can only be described as a canopy of color. Travelers flock from all corners of the globe to view and photograph this once-a-year phenomenon. Some visitors even bring along their photo albums to collect the leaves and create keepsakes from their trip. And who can blame them? It is definitely a trip worth remembering.

The Irish Inn, Ozark, IL, during fall, courtesy of Brian Marshall McCreery

If you’re thinking of following the foliage this year there are many inns offering exciting fall packages. The innkeepers are very knowledgeable about the area and local attractions and can help you plan out your daily activities so you make the most of your time. For instance, when guests arrive at the Mountain Laurel Inn Bed and Breakfast located in Mentone, AL, they will receive a handbook of picturesque views and invigorating hikes through Lookout Mountain. The innkeepers also provide Mountain Laurel-branded water bottles and mugs and a picnic lunch for two as part of their ‘leaf peeper’s package’. The Irish Inn in Ozark, IL, will customize a day tour for you. “It really depends on what the guests want to do,” said Innkeeper Lynn Moore McCreary. “We have 32 wineries, a 45 mile bike trail, 20 parks and the Shawnee National Forest in the area. There are stables if the guests want to see the foliage on horseback or more extreme activities like boulder climbing and repelling.”

The Samuel Fitch House in Westford, MA, is offering a ‘Fall Foliage Weekend’ that includes a foliage hike led by Malcolm, the resident chocolate Labrador, followed by an outdoor activity such as a winery tour, guided bike ride or an apple-picking excursion. The next day, guests will take part in a morning hike through Audubon trails – with an optional dip in the hidden pond – and continue with an afternoon activity of their choice such as a canoe ride down the Sudbury River or a tour of the Historic Mills in Lowell, MA. All of these activities can be planned and organized when you arrive so make sure to check in with innkeeper right away.

Although B&Bs have been receiving reservations for months from travelers eager to experience the foliage, there’s still time to reserve your spot. But don’t wait or you’ll miss one of the most stunning spectacles of the year.

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