Article by Attila Jancsina

A house is one of the most vital necessities in life. Every person should have a roof above his head in order to live comfortably and decently. Finding a good shelter that is convenient and safe is a must and should be done in the most efficient manner possible.

In finding a good place to live in, there are a few things one must have in mind. Accordingly, the following are some factors one should take into consideration when deciding to buy a house.

Look for a Place to Suit Your Lifestyle

The place where you intend to buy a house must fit your way of life. If you like quiet streets, outdoor activities, barbeque during weekends and be closer to nature, look for a house in the rural areas. Attracted to the sand and the sun? Look for a property near the beach. Do you like the nightlife? Try looking for a house in the city or in the suburbs.

In line with this, Pennsylvania is a good place to start finding a place to live in. The winter is not that cold and the climate is very humid during summer. The rural areas have relatively low crime rates and the urban cities are highly-diverse. Here, one can live and work in the city at the same time manages a getaway to the tranquility of the rural areas in a manner of minutes. It is a safe and convenient place to start a family. In view of that, http://www.toppennsylvaniafsbo.com/ provides for an extensive property listing in Pennsylvania. It provides complete information on available houses for sale in every corner of the Keystone State.

Determine How Much to Spend in Buying a House

One of the first and foremost considerations in buying a house is the amount of money you’re willing to spend. The budget for the new house should include not only the price of the house, but also the cost of renovation, including labor and construction materials. It is advisable to look for a house, which needs few repairs or remodeling to reduce your expenditures. The year it was constructed and the reason the former owners of the house decided to sell it must also be known. The former owners might have left due to hazards to safety due to the age of the house. Consider also the amount of taxes that should be paid regarding the property.

Choose the Convenient Size of the House

The house selected must have enough space for the whole family. The rooms must have a definite purpose and has a good lay out to meet the needs and the size of the family. If living alone, it must have adequate space without sacrificing the functionality of every corner of the house.

Ensure the Safety and Security of the House

Check for the latest available data regarding frequency of earthquakes, floods, cyclones and other calamities in the area. Look at the most recent crime rate data, especially incidences of violence, drug trades and burglary in the neighborhood. This is to ensure that the neighborhood is safe and secure to live in.

Also, ensure no part of the house has termites or other pest that will endanger the health and safety of the people that will live in the house. It will also be helpful to consider the availability of an insurance company that will insure, at an affordable fee, the house intended to purchase.

Ascertain Adequacy of Water and Electricity Supply

The house must have sufficient and constant supply of water and electricity. These are basic necessities and should not be a problem when you move in.

Consider Proximity to Schools, Workplace, Stores, etc.

The house selected must be a near as possible to schools, workplace, store, hospitals or at least clinics, stores, parks, and other important places in the neighborhood. There must also be available transportation. If owning a vehicle, the roads must be in good condition to lessen travel time from one place to another. This will reduce daily expenditures at the same time providing convenience for the whole family.

Determine the Overall “Feel” of the House

Last, but not the least, is to ask yourself if you feel positive about the house you intend to buy. Can you imagine yourself living in the house? If married with children or just starting a family, can you see your family living comfortably in the house? Do you feel safe in the neighborhood?

These are some of the basic things a prospective buyer of a house must have in mind in choosing the right house to purchase. Affordability, safety and convenience are the keys to make your new house a home.

Article by Bruce Tucker

Knowing how much I enjoy camping now in my adult life, I look back on my childhood and realize just how fortunate I was to have a father who loved to go camping.

It was his values that he instilled into me as a young child to enjoy what the great outdoors has to offer. The outdoors and camping in particular, helps bring you closer to nature and the serenity of life that you just can not get anywhere else, through any other vacation.

Camping is a great way for childhood sons and daughters to bond with their mothers and fathers. Camping is a vacation by which everyone must pitch in and help in order to make living outdoors as comfortable as possible.

Camping also allows parents to teach their children a variety of skills that lead up to teaching how to be more responsible or responsive with their surroundings. For example, going over the camping list before you leave, setting up the tents when your get there and teaching how to leave a campground better than you found it are all great ways to teach kids about teamwork and responsibility.

Beyond all the family values that you can teach and learn while camping, there is another great benefit to this wonderful style of vacation. No it’s not the clean air, although it could be, no it’s not the smell of bacon and eggs cooking over an open fire as the sun rises on a crisp autumn day, although that is a wonderful thought as well. No it is the fact that a camping vacation weekend is cheap and affordable.

Regardless of the state that you live in, you more than likely have a start park or private campground within reasonable driving distances from your home. Here in New Jersey, I am within fifteen minutes to a variety of state parks and private campgrounds, but it is the state parks where you will really save some money.

That does not mean private campgrounds are not as good, but state parks are cheaper on a per night basis. With state parks you more than likely will not get any of the amenities that you would with a private campground, but remember camping can be a vacation about bonding as opposed to video games and swimming pools.

On average in our area a state park will run about twenty-five dollars per night for a site. Most sites will accommodate up to three tents, or six people and no more than two vehicles parked at the site. I know in Pennsylvania the rules are different for state parks. There you are only allowed one vehicle parked on a site and maximum two tents and six people.

Call ahead to the park you plan to camp at and double check as to their rules and regulations if you are going with a bigger crowd.

As you can see a weekend trip to go camping (not including your food and supplies cost) will run about fifty-dollars. If you stay in cabins or are bringing an RV it may cost you more but not by much. Even after you figure in all of your supplies that you need, it is still cheaper than staying at a hotel somewhere, and with a hotel you are not going to the closeness with your family that you would get when you go camping.

Article by Jonathan Buschlen

It’s time to vacation and it’s not too late to plan a great family vacation in the Northeast. There are many different family friendly vacation destinations throughout the Northeast, making the area a hit among families of all sizes. A few ideas are vacationing in the Poconos mountains, a Jersey shore vacation and a trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Vacationing In The Poconos Mountains

The Poconos mountains in Pennsylvania is commonly known as a romantic vacation spot for couples, but there are many activities that cater to families too. If camping is your thing, there are many campgrounds that offer canoe and water rafting trips down the Delaware River, in addition to family hiking and nature walks.

If camping isn’t quite what your family had in mind, there are resorts full of fun things to do for the entire family. One such resort is the Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos. The resort was built with families in mind and includes family rooms that can sleep up to eight people. They offer a nightly storytime and even encourage kids to come listen in their pajamas. Great Wolf Lodge boasts one of America’s largest indoor water parks featuring 11 different waterslides.

Plan A Jersey Shore Vacation

No summer in the Northeast is complete without a Jersey shore vacation. Between the many amusement parks, beaches and water parks, vacationing families are never without fun things to do.

Wildwood resorts offer three separate amusement parks named Surfside Pier, Mariner’s Landing and Adventure Pier. The parks offer rides appropriate for small children like carousels, tea cups and trains and many different roller coasters for bigger kids and adults — some even listed on many coaster enthusiasts “must do” lists.

The Wildwood resorts two water parks offer a place to cool down if your day at the amusement park has left you needing some relaxation. The Ocean Oasis water park and beach club offers a 1000 foot long endless river and the Bonsai Beach interactive children’s area. Not sure what to do? Ask one of the family activity coordinators for an activities schedule. Give mom a break and schedule her a massage at Ocean Oasis while dad and the kids zoom down the waterslides. The Raging Waters beach theme pack has the Lil’ Dipper kids’ pool and the Shipwreck Shoals children’s play area.

There are plenty of places to stay near the Wildwood resorts, from luxury beach front properties to family-friendly hotels just a block away from the beach or boardwalk for families on a budget. No matter what your price range, there’s sure to be a hotel for your family’s Jersey shore vacation.

Vacationing In Hershey, Pennsylvania

Hershey, Pennsylvania combines everyone’s favorite candy with a family vacation. Hersheypark is an amusement park with rides for everyone and live concerts. After a day at the park, take a tour of Hershey’s Chocolate World, where kids can package their own Hershey Kisses. Plan to stay at the Hotel Hershey, a hotel with a kids’ club for children and chocolate spa treatments for the adults.

With so many different places to visit in the Northeast, the hardest part will be deciding where to vacation. Whether you visit the Poconos, plan a Jersey shore vacation or head to Hershey, Pennsylvania, a great vacation is within your reach.

Article by David Reichman

Before the Fall Colors give way to bare trees or snow-capped branches, grab your partner & use your Road Trip Planner to create a wonderful Wine & Dine Weekend Getaway. A 3-Day Weekend of wining and dining, walking through vineyards or sun-dappled trails and getting a breath of fresh Fall air will breathe romance into your life and relaxation into your veins.

The TOP WINE PRODUCING STATES in the U.S. are: California, Washington, New York, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Idaho, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina. But WINE IS PRODUCED IN EVERY STATE so you can easily build a road trip within driving distance of your home or via a short flight.

To get your road trip planning started, below are some Wine & Dine Weekend Getaways to consider, including some of the top-rated vineyards in the country as well as those wineries offering visitors a beautiful setting and a fun experience.

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA: Halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo County produces excellent Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. The Cottage Inn by the Sea at Pismo Beach overlooks the Pacific Ocean. You can venture to the region?s wineries on your own or take their Coastal Wine Tour, which includes the popular Edna Valley Vineyard. TOP RESTAURANT in the area: F. McLintocks Saloon & Dining House.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA: A verdant valley, and a lovely place for a road trip, includes Napa, Sonoma, and Healdsburg. Here you can find the Monte Rosso Vineyard, one of California’s oldest vineyards. Known for its firm Cabernet Sauvignons as well as intense, old-vine Zinfandels. TOP WINES from this area: 2002 Ravenswood Monte Rosso Zinfandel; 2003 Rochioli Estate Grown Pinot Noir from the The Rochioli vineyard in Healdsburg.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Add Santa Barbara to your road trip planner because it offers you the Pacific Ocean on one front, the Santa Ynez Mountains at your back, and in between, prime wine country. The Hotel Mar Monte, a historic hotel built in the tradition of Spanish Colonial architecture, offers a package tour to 3 wineries or you can explore on your own. Or choose staying at the Estero Beach Hotel Resort in San Ysidro, nearly at the Mexican border. Nearly two dozen wineries can be found in the Mexico Guadalupe Valley. BONUS ACTIVITY: Try a bike tour to a winery or a horseback-riding adventure to the Adobe Guadalupe Vineyard.

TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN: In the nation’s fourth-largest grape-growing state, the Chateau Grand Traverse winery overlooks the Grand Traverse Bay. You can sample their award-winning varietals, including their Rieslings. BONUS DESTINATION: Nearby, you?ll find the Old Mission Peninsula, which leads you into 7 wineries like the Chateau Chantal, Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery and Peninsula Cellars.

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: For some hands-on fun, sign up for Wine Camp at Long Island’s renowned wine-producing North Fork region. Wine Camp’s packages vary as do the participating vineyards but you?ll enjoy activities like winemaking, tasting techniques, food pairings, and wine blending. The price includes lodging, some lunches & dinners… and a case of wine!

WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON: To see a 6-generation family-owned establishment, enjoy a trip to Willamette Farms in Newberg. For a more drama-infused history, check out what used to be called Seven Springs Vineyard. The grapes from this vineyard were sought after by many top wine producers in the world. Then it was cut in half after a legal settlement in 2001, only to be reunited six years later with an exclusive, fifteen-year lease to the Evening Land partnership. FINAL VINTAGE: The St. Innocent Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006.

TEXAS: What often springs to mind when people think of Texas are those BIG 10-gallon hats. And yes, Texas is getting BIGGER… in wine production. This Lone Star State boasts more than 110 bonded wineries and wine aficionados are noticing their award winning wines. The following three vineyards rise above the rest because they go the extra mile for their guests: Bella Vista Cellars, in Wimberly; Delaney Vineyards in Grapevine; Flat Creek Estate, west of Austin. Any of the 3 would make an excellent anchor in your road trip planning, whether you create 3 individual weekend getaways or a wine-themed week’s vacation. FUN FACT: A ten-gallon hat actually only holds ¾ gallon. Its name was derived from the Spanish galón word meaning braid.

OAK GROVE, VIRGINIA: One place I’d recommend adding to your road trip planner is Ingleside Winery, one of the oldest and largest wineries in Virginia. This winery was built in 1834 and the vineyards cover about 70 acres. Their wines have consistently earned top honors in state, national, and international wine competitions. BONUS LODGING: Ingleside Vineyards has two 2-bedroom rental cottages in the vineyards and access to a stunning four-bedroom Leeds Cove retreat, which overlooks the Rappahannock River.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: You can secure a great wine package when you add the Hotel Vintage Park to your road trip planner. Enjoy wine tasting at Pike Place Market’s tasting room, and an evening wine hour in the hotel’s lobby. Or check out Seven Hills Vineyard in Walla Walla Valley. Seven Hills Vineyard is now one of Washington’s best known vineyards.

Getting away for an extended weekend, savoring special wines and entrees, enjoying the view from your hotel window…yes, these are the things that await the Road Trip Planner who heads for wine country.

Article by David Reichman

“Over the hills and through the woods, to antique stores we go” will be the heading of your road trip planner this winter as you search for treasures in warm antique stores! Once the Holidays are safely behind us, what lies ahead are approximately 18 weekends where you’ll be warmer indoors than outdoors. But that doesn’t mean you’re restricted to staring at the walls of your own home. On the contrary, this is a great time to check out other interior walls and save some money to boot. Hotels routinely offer off-season rates. Restaurants, especially those in popular summer destination-zones, offer winter specials. Stores also offer deep discounts on inventory that didn’t sell over the holidays.

To add some extra spice to your road trip planning, make it a treasure hunting weekend getaway by choosing towns and cities known for their antiques and collectibles. Visit some of the best towns to find those treasures that excite you, from antique jewelry and country collectibles to handmade quilts.

Check out the offerings from the following antique areas. Some are tucked into corners, others take up an entire mall (arranged alphabetically by state).

*San Diego, California – Known more for expansive beaches and summer fun, San Diego has its share of history, including Antique Row. Located in the heart of downtown San Diego, this spot offers a variety of vintage gems in several specialty shops like jewelry, hats, clothing, and rare records and soundtracks.

*Savannah, Georgia – Savannah’s has a charm built on the city’s respect for its past and well worth your road trip planning. Nowhere is this more evident that in the many small neighborhoods, which often seem more like pictures from a storybook. The Old South permeates throughout and you’re sure to find antiques with interesting stories behind them.

*Mount Dora, Florida – Enjoy staying at an award winning B & B and spend some time exploring the Amish Cupboard & Country Stuff, which has a wide selection of antiques and collectibles in an Amish-themed store.

*St. Louis, Missouri – For an interesting theme change, try Cherokee Street Antiques Row. This is an old neighborhood shopping district that’s become known for its antique shops. It attracts people looking for antiques of all kinds, from books to furniture to jewelry and certainly what is best termed as “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure”. This district includes 5 blocks of shops, open daily (though some close on Mondays).

*Hartwood Gardens in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania – There are actually six Allegheny County Parks, but the Hartwood includes a magnificent 16th century-style Tudor mansion filled with original English and American antiques. Check out this link for the awesome photos.

*Quechee Gorge Village in Vermont – This village features a country store, an antique mall, craft center, toy and train museum, and a diner. This makes for a particularly easy road trip to plan and one that gives you the bonus of driving in a section of Vermont known for its scenic beauty and Quechee Lakes, a private community located on the border of Vermont and New Hampshire.

*Fredericksburg, Virgina – A 40-block national historic district embraces the city’s downtown area and contains more than 350 buildings dating to the 18th and 19th centuries. Filling your road trip planner will be easy here as you’ll find plenty of shops in this historic town.

So, let Winter throw its temper tantrums; any road trip planner knows she can still have an indoor adventure sifting through the goods found in antique stores.

Article by Vacation Insider

As the former hub of the American steel industry, “vacation” may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Pittsburgh, but set all your prejudices and preconceived notions about “Steel City” aside – because not only is it one of America’s 10 cleanest cities, but it’s a great place for an affordable, fun-filled vacation. And with an array of comfortable, budget-friendly http://www.marriott.com/city/pittsburgh-hotels””>Pittsburgh hotels and plenty of attractions that are easy on your wallet, these days it’s one of the best vacation destinations around!From the obvious tourist hotspots, like the Carnegie Mellon Museums of Pittsburgh to some of the best-kept secrets in the city, there are a host of fun, entertaining bargains to be found in this cosmopolitan city. Here are just a few ideas to help get your vacation off to a great start:

• Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. Explore everything from art to archaeology, science to soup cans atCarnegie’s collection of Pittsburgh museums (the Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of NaturalHistory, Carnegie Science Center, and The Andy Warhol Museum). Dating back more than 100 years, thiscultural institution has helped millions explore their own definition of beauty, discover fascinatingtheories and take a look back in time. If you would like to see what this unique collection of museumshas in store for you, head over to 4400 Forbes Avenue and check out the Museum of Art and the NaturalHistory Museum, take a trip to the Science Center at One Allegheny Avenue or discover the art of AndyWarhol at 117 Sandusky Street. Admission prices vary. • Pittsburgh Pirates. Head to PNC Park to see America’s favorite pastime unfold before you. With prices for home games starting at just $ 8, this is one of the most affordable places to watch a game in the entire league. If, after the game, you still haven’t gotten your fill of sports fun, head over to The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum to check out one-of-a-kind artifacts and interactive exhibits celebrating the region’s rich tradition of sports. Admission to the museum is $ 10 for adults and $ 5 for children ages 4-17.• Bike the Heritage Trail. For just $ 10 a year you can join the community bike program at Friends of the Riverfront and spend as much time as you like riding the 37-mile Three Rivers Heritage Trail, which takes you along both shores of the Allegheny, Mononghahela and Ohio rivers. If you’ve brought along a backpack or messenger bag, pack a lunch and stop to enjoy a meal along the banks of one of the rivers and watch as people from all over the world hike, cycle and float by. Best of all, if you’re in town for a few days or a frequent traveler, you can use your annual membership to take a bike out anytime you’re in town.• The National Aviary. Explore America’s only indoor, non-profit aviary. Conveniently located near many Pittsburgh hotels, this one-of-a-kind location features more than 600 birds from around the world, including many species that are rarely found in other zoos or aviaries, such as White-tailed Trogons, Scarlet-headed Blackbirds and Blue-winged Mountain Tanagers. Some of the aviary’s most-popular residents include Benito the Hyacinth Macaw and his roommate Killer (a Green-winged Macaw), who are both trained, and perform at occasional educational exhibitions. For some hands-on fun, the aviary also features several interactive exhibits, like the new Penguin Point and Lories & Friends – which allows guests to hand-feed some of the aviary’s birds. Admission is $ 10 for adults, $ 9 for seniors, $ 8.50 for children ages 2 and up, and free for those younger than 2.• Kennywood. At more than 110 years old, this amusement park is a landmark location beloved by millions. And although it’s one of the country’s oldest parks, its rides and games are all about modern, thrill-a-minute fun for kids of all ages. Featuring death-defying SwingShot and heart-racing Pitt Fall, plus fun-filled water rides, classic racing rides, carousels and kiddie rides, you can spend a carefree day playing like a kid. Admission varies from $ 9.99 to $ 33.99 depending upon age and desired pass.

With so many activities and Pittsburgh hotels to choose from, no matter what your reason for staying at Marriott, we can help you find great things to do – and give you a comfortable, relaxing place to unwind after a long day. For more entertaining and budget-friendly ways to enjoy “Steel City,” just visit the Concierge at one of Marriott’s hotels.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is one of the most progressive states of the United States. It has rich natural resources and with an active economy coming from agriculture, manufacturing to tourism industries. Many tourists visit the various historical sites, natural parks, casinos and even its beautiful bridges and seaports.

For those who want to visit Pennsylvania, there are several affordable motels. Here are a few choices you could look into.

The Windsor Suites in Philadelphia
It is located in downtown Philadelphia and is approximately 15 minutes from the International Airport. A few blocks away is the state’s world-renowned art museums, green parks and very modern shops and restaurants.

The hotel has a 24-hour fitness center, swimming pool, gift shop, and 24-hour concierge and laundry facilities. Its own restaurant serves Japanese themed menus.

Guests are even served complimentary breakfast everyday.

All suites are have kitchens, desks, telephones, dataports, Internet access, and cable TV, hairdryers, ironing facilities, alarm clocks, and electronic door locks. They have very competitive rates as per Philadelphia standards.

The Red Roof Inn Pittsburg South Airport
Located in Steubenville Pike, Pittsburgh, this 120-room Red Roof Inn has just been newly-renovated and re-designed to make the stay more comfortable, especially with its added amenities. Wifi Internet access is also available now.

Amenities include data ports, pet-friendly accommodations, wheel chair access, family rooms, and free parking and fitness facilities. The inn provides free shuttle services to its clients.

Quality Inn University Center
It is located in Pittsburg university district and is very accessible from the city’s center and a little farther, the Pittsburg International Airport. Other attractions nearby are the Carnegie Museum, and the University of Pittsburg.

Amenities include a coffee shop, fitness center, free newspapers, and a parking area for large vehicles. Guest rooms are provided with internet access, telephones, hairdryers, ironing services and coffeemakers.

Microtel Allentown
It is located at the Bethlehem area of Allentown and is just a mile away from the international airport. it is also very near the Downs at Lehigh Valley. Microtel is accessible to several tourist attractions around, like the Mack Trucks Museum, Banana Factory, Mayfair, Allentown Firgrounds and Domey Park. You could also visit Wildwater Kingdom, Das Awkschtfest and Misikfest, Crayola Crayon Factory, Nazareth Speedway, and Duth Springs.

Hotel amenities include free coffee in the lobby, free parking, laundry facilities and a 24-hour vending area. All rooms are provided with cable TV, working table, dataports, and free use of cribs for small kids.

Travelodge Erie
Travelodge is located in Wattsburg Road, Erie and is accessible from the Erie International Airport. Attractions nearby are the Arrowhead Winery, Erie Zoo, Bicentennial Tower, Waldemeer Park and Tullio Arena.

Amenities in the hotel include laundry services, free parking, and fax/photocopy services, an ice machine, and wake up calls. There is also a seasonal fitness center and an outdoor pool. Guest rooms have cable TV, hairdryers, iron/ironing board, and a telephone, dataports and a coffeemaker.

Colton Motel Gettysburg
Colton is one of the cheapest here in Pennsylvania. It may be a little difficult to find your way to the place but it will be so worth it. It is located downtown. The rates are very affordable without sacrificing comfort. The rooms are all very inviting and are cleaned everyday. It is also very near to many amenities.

Nothing is fancy in Colton. There are no extravagant decorations or lush designs. Everything is just well kept, very clean and organized. The staff is wonderful, very hospitable and accommodating. It is all you will look for during your vacation in Pennsylvania.

Article by Debra Fortosis

You’re excited about your honeymoon or your wedding anniversary and you want to plan your vacation around it, but you have no idea where to go for the romantic getaway of a lifetime. Well, don’t worry about it. I’ve got you covered. I just spent all morning planning the picture perfect getaway for you and your spouse. I’m going to suggest the picturesque U.S. eastern seaboard. You can start either in Maine and go south, or in Florida and go north. If you happen to be stuck right smack in the middle, maybe you can go north or south for an abbreviated trip.

1. I’ve got to start somewhere so let me begin in Melbourne Beach, Florida at the Port d’Hiver Bed and Breakfast. This place is Old Florida luxury at its finest. There are expansive private porches from which you have a glorious view of the Atlantic. The Palm Beach Post recommends this B & B in glowing terms for its lodgings, its “breakfasts fit for royalty, and concierge service to rival anything in a five-star resort.” I started salivating when I read of their tropical fruit salad, fresh raspberry and white chocolate scones, Italian egg strata, julienned ham, and vanilla custard French toast topped with cinnamon apples and maple syrup.

2. Casually head north out of Florida through Georgia, and stop in Charleston, South Carolina at the Battery Carriage House. The Carriage House is considered among the most romantic of Charleston’s inns and the moment you pass through its ornate iron gates, you will understand why. Built in 1843, Ft. Sumter and stately Civil War cannons stand on one side and the Charleston Harbor on the other. After a private breakfast served in your room, you can explore Charleston’s charm by horse and carriage if you like. Meander the serene streets of the historic district. Then return to the Inn for homemade cookies and sweet Southern tea.

3. When you leave Charleston, you will head up the coast through North Carolina and into Virginia. Your destination is Virginia Beach, a small town not far from Norfolk. Barclay Cottage was built in 1895 as a vacation home. Its wrap-around porch with comfy rockers offers a peaceful haven—so serene it’s hard to believe you’re only about two blocks from a popular beach. If you wish, the owners will prepare a carefully selected breakfast basket for you to enjoy on the beach before most beachgoers show up. The reviews about this place are numerous and full of praise. You’re guaranteed to enjoy yourself.

4. You’re about halfway up the eastern seaboard. Start off after a sumptuous breakfast and drive through Maryland, Pennsylvania, skim the edge of New York and slide into New Haven, Connecticut. You will be staying at the By the Sea Inn and Spa. It’s a small inn, only three bedrooms, but the better to lavish you with pampering fit for the wealthy. You drove a long ways today, you’re exhausted (I really feel your pain) so you deserve an extra day at the spa. Luxuriate the next day in massages, facials, manicure, pedicure, body treatments—whatever you desire. (Even real men love a massage now and then). If you don’t quite have the budget for the spa thing, book the romantic Queen Ann room with its huge Jacuzzi tub.

5. Top off your romantic fling of a lifetime with a night in the Inns at Ullikana in Bar Harbor, Maine. Here, there are two inns together for the price of one (joke). Seriously, there is the Ullikana House and the Yellow House—take your choice. Both inns are so attractive the selection will be difficult. Like the other B & Bs on my list, this was very highly rated. It was a top pick in Explorer’s Guide to Maine and a Fodor’s Top Choice in their 8th edition. There are many rooms to choose from and you can suit your fancy. I think I already chose my breakfast. I’ll take the lemon souffl

If you’re not very familiar with Bed and Breakfast Inns most have some features in common. Whether small or massive, the inns are usually quaint and very comfortable. Many feature cozy fireplaces, beds with exquisite headboards and posts, spa tubs, large-screen TVs, and polished antique accoutrements. Many of the inns are endearingly rustic or tastefully elegant. Because of these commonalities, I do not list off such details in the following reviews.

1. Rabbit Hill Inn showed up on more than one or two top ten lists of Bed and Breakfasts; this I found to be quite unusual. Most travel writers have strong opinions that differ significantly at times, but some apparently reached a consensus on Rabbit Hill. Nestled in the Northern Vermont mountains, the inn is a perfect place to enjoy afternoon tea, walk the ten acres of wooded trails, or take a dip in the spring-fed swimming pond. At night you can read by the fireplace or gaze up at the stars, which seem more brilliant here than anywhere. You will be treated to a candlelit breakfast with fresh baked treats, apple cheddar crepes or perhaps a cheddar and roasted red pepper egg Napoleon drizzled with sundried tomato anglaise and rosemary potato galette. Whew! That’s a mouthful. And don’t even get me started on their dinners. You have to stay at least once at Rabbit Hill.

2. Napa Old World Inn is right in the middle of the Napa Valley and Sonoma wineries of central California and is comprised of four buildings— the main house built originally in 1874. Napa Inn is known primarily for two things: Friendliness and heavenly food. You are treated better than mom ever treated you. Fresh-baked chocolate cookies greet you upon check-in, there’s a 5:30 p.m. wine and cheese social hour, and then an array of devastatingly decadent chocolate desserts awaiting when you return to the Inn in the evening. Then wake up the next morning to a two-course gourmet breakfast, and then it begins all over again. Come for the featherbeds and warm fireplaces, stay for the food.

3. The Inn Above Onion Creek is located on an 88-acre spread in the hill country of Kyle, Texas. The inn was built in 1994 to resemble a late 1800s Texas homestead, meticulously planned with pampered guests in mind. It is rustic and antique—and extremely comfortable. Trouble is, it’s too easy to be distracted from the beautiful hill views out of every window. What with the Spa, the fresh flowers in your room, the hot breakfast with fresh-squeezed orange juice, the luscious three-course dinners, the romantic extras, it gets a bit difficult to concentrate. But you’ll just have to manage. A great Inn.

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4. Belle Hearth is in historic Waynesboro, Virginia, deep in the Shenandoah Valley. The haunting Blue Ridge mountains beckon as well as fine wineries, antique shops, art centers, museums, and the Wintergreen Resort. Breakfast is a fancy Southern affair served on rare china. Fresh fruit and herbs complement homemade biscuits, hot breads, and waffles. The main courses include excellent quiches, breakfast casseroles, and smoked breakfast meats.

5. The Inn at Harbour Ridge is located on the charming Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. There are lots of place to relax: on your private patio, or on the dock, or in the gazebo. There are no less than fourteen golf courses in the area so take your pick and book your tee time. Then after golf have another kind of tea time—one to remember at the Inn. In the evening, take a romantic stroll at the Ha Ha Tonka State Park, and wake up the next morning to a piping hot breakfast.

6. Scarborough Fair B & B is located in the historic Federal Hill area of Baltimore, Maryland. From here, you can have easy access to the city’s most popular attractions. The accommodations are exquisite and so is the food. For snacks, try the Sea Salted Coffee Toffee bars or the Pumpkin Gobs. I must warn you, if you become addicted, I can’t help you. For breakfast, try the Sweet Potato Biscuits, the Vanilla Apricot Scones, the Blueberry Banana bread, or the Sweet Potato Waffles. You’re guaranteed to enjoy your stay at Scarborough.

7. The Berry Patch is near Chocolate Town: Hershey, Pennsylvania. If there is such a thing, it is a majestic log home with antique Victorian charm. Everyone these days seems somehow intrigued with Amish country, and here you are, right in the middle of it. Relax by a trickling pond, stroll the tranquil 20-acre spread, explore the Amish farm country, get pampered by the B & B staff. Fresh snacks are always waiting in your room, and, when you awake, there’s a full, hot breakfast of treats like strawberry-stuffed French toast or Oatmeal Peach muffins just waiting for you.

8. Carriage House at the Harbor is in a little town called South Haven, Michigan where lake breezes blow and a walk on the beach ensures that your appetite is piqued for a bountiful breakfast. Carriage House is obviously very proud of its food. The dishes are featured prominently on their website: Cranberry/Orange and Pecan Scones, Marmalade butter, Crème Brulee French Toast, Sage Sausage, Devonshire Cream, Artichoke Tomato Quiche, Apple Cake, Spinach-bacon Strata, Parmesan Potatoes… Those are just a few items on the list. Sit down and enjoy breakfast while sailboats and yachts skim across the lake just outside the window. Think people enjoy their stay at the Carriage House? Over 85% of guests rebook over and over and over again.

9. In 1777 a wonderfully-appointed Georgian, colonial mansion was constructed and, since the early 1900s, it has operated as a country inn-the Eastman Inn. It’s truly an elegant home, with fourteen guest rooms and great views of the New Hampshire White mountains. Every room is unique, some with the antique claw foot tubs, others with more modern conveniences. You will never enjoy the same breakfast during your stay at Eastman—every morning a new menu is offered. There’s never a complaint about the breakfast either, except that sometimes it keeps one roundly satisfied until dinner. There are summer activities such as hiking and biking and winter activities like cross-country skiing, ice skating, or sleigh riding. You owe it to yourself to relax here.

10. Windham Hill is a classically beautiful 21-room country house in the Green Mountains of southern Vermont on 160 acres of some of the most peaceful and restorative woodlands you will find. Like some of the other inns, it is perfect for a romantic getaway. Stroll the manicured lawns and gardens, play on the clay tennis court, swim in the heated luxury pool, ski or ice skate in winter, socialize over wine and cheese, take a private massage in your room, then enjoy a candlelit dinner prepared by the finest chefs.

For the life of me, I can’t figure out why people often spend in the neighborhood of 0-200 for a hotel room when they could stay in many cozy, luxurious Bed & Breakfast inns for close to the same fee per night, especially in the off-season. Look into some of these inns I’ve recommended and choose one just for the heck of it. My bet is you’ll be addicted from the moment you set foot in one of these gems.

New Jersey is blessed with many scenic attractions, and with its relatively small land area, many of the scenic attractions can be experienced during a short weekend trip. With so many scenic destinations to choose from, we have chosen the best scenic weekend getaways in New Jersey.

From the rugged Kittatinny Mountains along the Delaware River in the northwest Skylands, to the rolling farmland and historic sites of Hunterdon County, and across the state to the Jersey Shore with it’s fantastic beaches, amusements piers, boardwalks, and charming Gingerbread Victorian homes, New Jersey offers a wide choice of scenic destinations for travelers of all interests from active adventure to a slower paced relaxed destination.

The Best Scenic Weekend Getaways In New Jersey

Cape May

Cape May is an ideal place to visit for that special scenic seaside weekend getaway. This beach resort town offers beautiful, powdery sand beaches, a charming village with Gingerbread Victorian homes, gas-lit street lamps, horse drawn carriages, tree lined streets, and an historic light house. To complete the weekend getaway experience, there are a variety of Victorian bed and breakfasts, quaint shops, and fine dining restaurants that appeal to all tastes. While the summer season is the most popular time to visit, Cape May has become a year round attraction offering seasonal programs, candlelit house tours, and a variety of other cooler weather activities.

Cape May is also the home of one of the largest commercial fishing ports in the United States, and as a result you will find a good variety of seafood restaurants that serve up locally caught fresh sea food.

Things to do

If relaxing on the beach is not your thing, there are plenty of other activities that can occupy your day time leisure hours. They include; bike riding, with many bike rentals available locally by the hour or day. Cycle down to Sunset Beach or the Cape May Light House built 1859 and listed on the State and National Registers of historic places, or the nearby Bird Observatory operated by the New Jersey Audubon society. There is picnicking, beach walking at sunrise or sunset, where you might see schools of dolphins swimming by, whale and dolphin watching boat trips, kayaking in the salt water marshlands, a salt marsh safari, deep sea fishing, a nautical museum, and an historic W.W. II coastal defense gun emplacement.

Places to Stay

The Albert Stevens Inn – Located within walking distance of the Cape May Point Lighthouse and the Cape May Bird Observatory.

The Bedford Inn – A Victorian home with gingerbread trim, a block from the beach, has a large old-fashioned veranda with rocking chairs, and a Victorian parlor with a fireplace.

Victoria B & B – A Victorian home with home made quilts adorning the beds. Located in the center of the historic district and a block from the beach, it has four Victorian buildings with front porches and sitting parlors.

Hunterdon County – Clinton/Frenchtown/Lambertville/Sergeantsville

Hunterdon County is a special scenic destination with rolling farmlands, historic sites, and charming towns. Featured here are the towns of Clinton, Frenchtown, Lambertville, and Sergeantsville. All are small charming towns with surrounding rural scenic beauty that can easily be seen during a weekend getaway.

Clinton nestled in the hills, is a classic American small town that has attracted photographers, movie makers, and visitors here for its scenic and historic beauty. It’s a charming historic village with shops and cherry tree lined streets, a river with a 200 foot wide waterfall winding through it, and lined with old grist mills.

Things to do

Hunterdon Museum of Art – A contemporary art museum located in an 1836 stone gristmill listed on the National and State Historic Registers. 908-735-8415

Red Mill Museum Village – The most photographed spot in New Jersey, is situated on 10 scenic acres next to Clinton’s waterfall. The museum is just steps across the antique iron bridge with over 40,000 artifacts and chronicles more than 180 years of Hunterdon County history. 908-735-4101

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Clinton Canoe & Kayak Rental – 908-735-6767

Ken Lockwood Gorge, Califon – From Califon down to High Bridge, the Raritan River cuts through a beautiful scenic gorge straddled with huge boulders.

Places to Stay

Courtyard Lebanon – A new hotel with spacious rooms, a small heated pool and a complimentary breakfast.

Holiday Inn Select – Within walking distance to the downtown shops.

Frenchtown is an undiscovered secret that is attracting visitors with its many three story multi-colored Victorian homes, art galleries, antique shops, clothing boutiques, and restaurants, all surrounded by rural scenic rolling hills, a river and historic sites.

Things to Do

If you chose to make Frenchtown your overnight base for exploring Hunterdon County, rent a bike at Freeman’s bike shop and ride south along the D & R Canal towpath, stopping in at Stockton, then continue on to Lambertville. Return to Frenchtown by way of Route 29.

Check out Alexandria Balloon Flights – 908-479-4878.

View Frenchtown’s romantic sunsets from a hot air balloon. See fantastic views of the river, the riverbanks, and the rolling hills.

If its summer, rent an inner tube at Delaware Tubing, 908-996-5386, for a leisurely float along the Delaware River. Check out the Sand Castle Winery for tasting and tours

Places to Stay

National Hotel with dark wood beams, beds draped in mosquito netting.

The Widow McCrea House, a Victorian inn with antique guest rooms and a candlelit gourmet breakfast.

Lambertville is Hunterdon County’s only city and is popular with visitors attracted to its quaint town with tree lined streets, Victorian homes, antique shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. Its five block downtown area along the Delaware River attracts window shoppers and browsers.

Things to do

If you chose to make Lambertville your overnight base for exploring Hunterdon County, and you have your own bike, head North to Frenchtown on Route 29, and return south along the D & R Canal towpath, stopping in at Stockton.

Lambertville Historical Society – The Marshall House with 1834 furnishings, a Shad history display, and quilts.

Magic Glass Studio – Create your very own one of a kind glass piece at their unique studio.

The Museum At Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead – where you can see old farming equipment, a country kitchen, a rural post office, Dr. Leaver’s doctor/dentist office, a blacksmith shop, a print shop, a carpentry shop, and a period herb garden.

The River Horse Brewery – is the area’s only microbrewery producing handcrafted lagers and ales. Take a walking tour of the kegging and bottling operation and sample products in the tasting room.

Places to Stay

Chimney Hill Farm Estate – This fieldstone country inn was built in 1820, and is surrounded by eight acres of fields and landscaped grounds.

Inn at Lambertville Station – The cities largest bed & breakfast is family friendly. Its three stories with most rooms

The In having a view of the river.

York Street House B & B – A Victorian home with a front porch and wooden rocking chairs and a candlelight breakfast.

Sergeantsville is a small village that resembles Pennsylvania’s Amish Country with its rolling hills, open farmland, and the State’s last pre-20th century covered bridge, and an old fashioned general store.

Things to Do

Drive through the last pre-20th century covered bridge in New Jersey, and stop by to visit an old fashioned general store.

Northern Skylands

Here you can experience New England scenic beauty without leaving New Jersey. The Northern Skylands Region is rich with mountainous terrain, riverfront towns, state parks, farmlands, wildlife, bed and breakfasts, and plenty of recreational opportunities. This is an area that has some of New Jersey’s best cycling, fishing, tubing, canoeing, and camping.

The Upper Highlands Region of the Skylands, from the east at Ringwood State Park, west to Vernon Valley, and south to the glacial lakes remnants of the former Morris canal, and North to the New York State border, it attracts more annual visitors than Yellowstone National Park. It is a beautiful scenic panorama of forests, sheer cliffs, and a scattering of open areas of lakes and streams. This area is popular for down hill skiing, snowboarding, camping, trout fishing, hiking, and golf.

The Ridge and Valley region of the Skylands covers the extreme Northwest corner of the State and the Kittatinny Mountains. The region is very popular with outdoor enthusiasts. It has the highest point in New Jersey at 1,803 feet and attracts active visitors seeking camping, hiking, skydiving, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and fly fishing.

Things to do

High Point State Park

The view from High Point Monument, at 1,803 feet above sea level, is a spectacular panorama covering three states of rolling farmlands, mountains, forests, rivers and streams. The park also contains an 18 mile section of the Appalachian Trail. It’s an all season park for attracting visitors for mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, fishing, cross country skiing, ice fishing, dog sledding, and snowshoeing.

Stokes State Forest is 15,996 acres of scenic mountain views and a beautiful section of the Appalachian Trail. The rugged terrain makes the forest a popular area for mountain biking, hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, horse back riding, swimming, and camping.

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area borders over 40 miles of the Delaware River and almost 70,000 acres expanse of scenic beauty, breath taking cliffs, and a 1,400 foot deep, 900 foot wide gap that separates New Jersey’s 1,528 foot Mt. Tammany and Pennsylvania’s 1,462 foot Mt. Minsky. It’s a popular place for back packing, hiking, biking, canoeing, camping, cross country skiing, picnicking, horseback riding, and fishing. For the less active, take a one-day auto tour of the park and experience waterfalls, rural scenery, and historic Millbrook Village.

Skylands Manor and New Jersey Botanical Garden at Ringwood. Spend a couple of hours wandering through the 96 acre gardens with over 400 varieties of lilac. Take a stroll though the woodland paths of magnolia walk, and crab apple vista, with a visit to the elegant Tudor-style manor house.

Franklin Mineral Museum at The Franklin mine is a zinc mine known for its unique display of mineral fluorescence, (glowing rocks) and variety of rare species. They have thousands of mineral specimens on display with a huge fluorescent presentation of brilliant and glowing colorful minerals.

Places to Stay

The Inn at Panther Valley – Is a beautiful large full service Inn, ideal for some one looking for a weekend getaway inn with plenty of amenities. Located 20 minutes from the Delaware Water Gap, in the heart of the Northwest NJ Skylands, it has a modern fitness center, shops, restaurants, and nightly entertainment. They also support corporate retreats and weddings.

Alpine Haus Bed and Breakfast Inn – Located next to Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, this 19th Century Victorian Inn has eight well-appointed, cozy rooms all with private baths. There are two Carriage House suites with fireplace and Jacuzzi

Crystal Springs Resort – The new Minerals Hotel features 175 rooms from luxury to the Presidential suite, all with attractive mountain, pool or golf course views. Many of the rooms have cozy fireplaces. It also offers the regions best fine dining restaurant.