Choose A Bed And Breakfast Over A Hotel Chain And Enjoy Your Vacation

Traveling for business or vacationing always has one thing in common; you need a place to stay. Unfortunately, many individuals choose large hotel chains which have no personality and do nothing more than provide a place to sleep for their guests. However, when business and vacation travelers choose to stay at a Bed and Breakfast they are able to enjoy their trip even more simply because Bed and Breakfast inns focus on each individual guest. In fact, there are several benefits a Bed and Breakfast has over regular hotels.

Benefit #1 Feel at Home

Most Bed and Breakfast Inns are typically small and have a limited number of rooms to rent out. However, each room has a lot of personality and is generally decorated around a theme and focuses on the comfort of guests. Each room is decorated in an elegant at-home way that is easily enjoyed by guests who want comfortable and beautiful surroundings to enjoy while on their trip. You certainly won't encounter the generic rooms of common hotels. All in all, when you stay at a Bed and Breakfast you will feel at home.

Benefit #2 Great Food

As the name suggests the daily rate of a Bed and Breakfast stay will certainly include the first meal of the day. While a Continental breakfast is frequently included in chain hotel rates the breakfast at a Bed and Breakfast is always of a significantly higher quality. This is because innkeepers take pride in serving well balanced and tasty meals allowing guests to enjoy every aspect of their stay. Although every Bed and Breakfast is different you can generally expect a full breakfast of meat and eggs with fresh baked muffins, fresh squeezed juice and fruit. Usually breakfast is served on fine china with silver cutlery, much higher class than disposable plates and cutlery at low priced hotel chains.

Benefit #3 More Economical

You are probably thinking, "yeah, right!" But the truth is Bed and Breakfast Inns really are more economical when you consider the entire price of the stay. For example, a Bed and Breakfast may charge what seems like expensive nightly fees, but everything is basically included from local phone calls to movies, and concierge services to parking. Just these extras at a hotel can add $100 or more to your daily bill. So, in the overall scheme of things a Bed and Breakfast will probably save you money and you will be more comfortable and relaxed at the same time.

Think Small With Your Next Vacation

If you're looking to get away from the rat race there is nowhere better than a small town. Small towns offer a slower pace, friendly people and a chance to just kick back and relax.

There are small towns all over North America. You don't need to look very far. Within a couple of hours of your home you can probably find a small town. This means no expensive or long and tiring trips. Hop in the car and drive to the nearest small town. Chances are you've been there before. Now you can stop and really explore.

Small towns offer a wide range of accommodations. This includes bed and breakfasts, hotels, and campgrounds. There's something for everyone. No matter your tastes you can find that perfect place to stay. A bed and breakfast is probably your best choice. Staying at a bed and breakfast gives you a chance to visit your hosts and to learn more about the area and the attractions it has to offer.

Once you settle in the next step is to find something to do. Everyone likes to do something different. If it's getting out and exploring or simply kicking back and reading a good book the choice is yours. If you take a little care in selecting your small town you will have endless hours of fun.

One of the most interesting small towns is Wells BC. It is close to Barkerville, and the Bowron Lakes. When you get tired of swimming and hiking go explore the history of an old gold rush town! If you're driving to Alaska it's on the way and spending a day or two there will be well worth it.

Small towns are easier on the pocket book. You don't need to spend a fortune to have a good time. Take in a movie, play or musical event. If you time things right there may even be a free event in a local park. All you have to do is show up! Spend a couple of hours relaxing on the grass listening to some great local music. Better yet, bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it. You'll be glad you did.

Small towns offer an affordable vacation without traveling hours or spending huge amounts of money. Often over looked, small towns are an an idea vacation spot full of fun, new experiences and adventure.

Happy Days Out For The Whole Family

A day out with the family always seems like a great idea – until you discover that everyone has different ideas about where they’d like to go and what they want to do. Particularly true in families that have children across a wide age range, it makes it difficult to find something that pleases everyone.

Traditionally, theme parks have been the preserve of older children and thrill-seeking adults, but these parks, especially those in Europe, have followed the USA’s model of providing a range of rides and activities that suit all ages.

1. Adults

Just because you’re an adult it doesn’t necessarily follow that you love thrill rides. Those who do can happily spend all day queuing for roller coasters and water rides, always on the lookout for the scariest experience or the most extreme ride. Others may prefer more sedate boat rides, scenic walks or sophisticated shopping. A park that can cater for the less adventurous parents and grandparents will often manage to lure the whole family through the gates.

2. Teenagers

The majority of teenagers love rides; and the faster, scarier and more daredevil the better. Teens can usually be allowed to roam the park without adult supervision, just meeting up for lunch or for a family ride. The enclosed environment of the park, together with modern safety measures and the convenience of mobile phones mean that teenagers can have their independence and parents can relax.

3. Younger children

Extreme rides have height, and health warnings allow parents to decide what sorts of rides are suitable for younger children. Whilst some kids want to experience the bigger rides, others are happier with theatre shows, low-thrill rides and other experiences.

A theme park that can cater for the whole family offers value for money as well as a great day out. It allows parents to share experiences with their kids, it gives teenagers the independence they need, and it gives everyone something to talk about on the journey home. A good theme park indulges all the senses and usually leaves you wanting more – so why not go back again tomorrow?

Hotels in Barrow

Situated on the coast line of North West England is a large town called Barrow in Furness, the town looks over the bay towards England's famous holiday area Blackpool on one side and has the historical isle of Walney on the other. The town is only a short drive away from one of the most beautiful areas of the UK, the Lake District national park and because of this the town can often provide a useful base for tourists and travelers.

There are plenty of hotels in Barrow to choose from, the town also has a lot of guest houses and bed and breakfast accommodations each with their own individual characteristics, from the friendly relaxed atmosphere of Roosecote farm houses who serve massive breakfasts in the morning to the ultra modern Travelodge hotel facilities in the middle of the town. Some of the guesthouses are converted Victorian buildings, however they have still kept the classic style of the age and look extraordinary.

If you are looking for a guest house or hotel in Barrow then you will find that many of them are located on Abbey Road, this is the towns main road which can make it much easier to get out and explore the Furness area. One such famous area to explore in Barrow is the 700 year old ruins of a Cistercian monk's abbey known as Furness Abbey, at one time the Abbey was the UK's second grandest Abbey and it is a very popular attraction. Keeping on the same theme near this famous abbey you can find the Abbey hotel with its large gardens. Sitting in 14 acres of its own private woodland the hotel has many facilities and can be booked for virtually any occasion such as weddings or parties. On the other side of the town is Walney island a great place for kite surfing, the island also has some great bed and breakfast places to stay at. No matter where you decide to stay in the area you can be sure that the service will be good and the stay will be pleasant, most of the family run guesthouses have been in business for a long time so they know how to make people feel welcome.

Thankfully now many of the hotels in Barrow in Furness now have their own websites so you can have a good look around and pick on you like the most. This also makes booking your place to stay much easier and whole break away from home run much more smoothly.

Save Time And Money On Theme Park Days

Many people, especially families, can be put off visiting big theme parks because of the costs. Once you’ve added up the entry fee, the on-site catering, the travel, the souvenirs and any other expenses, it can turn out to be an expensive day out. Here are some ways you can enjoy the thrills without counting the cost:

1. Buy tickets online

Most major theme parks let you buy tickets online and these are often cheaper than the prices at the gate. Alton Towers, the UK’s biggest theme park, charges around 20% less for online tickets than it does at the front gates, and that’s a saving that can make a big difference to your day out.

2. Take your lunch with you

Theme park catering can be expensive, and it’s not always the sort of food you want to eat. Save money by packing a picnic – there’s nearly always somewhere nice to sit and eat - and your time is better spent queuing for rides than for food. Be aware that most theme parks will want to check your bags as you go through the gates, but it’s worth 5 extra minutes there for the cost saving.

3. Think before you buy

Souvenir shops are very tempting, but stop to think before you buy something themed after every ride. Limiting your budget means that you are far more likely to buy something you really want, rather than bits and pieces that you’ll never look at or use.

4. Stay close to the park

A lot of theme parks have hotels on site, which is handy, but expensive. Instead, try a guest house or a bed and breakfast that’s close by. That way, you can stay for much less, but with the park still only a short drive away. And if you can get cheap park entry on your second day, you can make a weekend of your theme park visit for a lot less than you might think. You can also extend your stay and visit other attractions with the money you save!

Business Trip Or Vacation- Bed And Breakfasts Are A Hidden Treasure

Within the same city, across the country, or on the next continent to the East, you wont ever find two bed and breakfasts alike. They aren't chain enterprises where cookie-cutter-like consistency is a company rule. Rather, they often share the culture of their surrounding area, and reflect the taste and personality of the owner.

For the vacationer, they provide a refreshing, home-like setting to unwind from a day of site seeing and pounding the pavement shopping. For the business traveler, with many offering wireless internet and computer services, they provide a much more relaxing and productive environment than a tiny hotel room.

No matter the reason for your travels, you'll sleep better knowing you can go down to the kitchen in the middle of the night and have a glass of milk and cookies or take off your shoes, grab the newspaper and put your feet up on the couch!

The Host Advantage

Since your hosts usually own the home they are friendly and helpful people. You're invited in, not just a number to a minimum wage, behind the counter employee. Because you're not waiting in a stalled check-in line in a crowded lobby, your arrival is a welcome experience. Your hosts will take the extra time to guide you to where you want to go and introduce you to a new city.

That personal touch is much more helpful than having a map left in a hotel room for you to figure out on your own. B & B hosts know their cities well; they'll give you first hand tips on great restaurants, shopping, and local information about the city tourists and new visitors wouldn't otherwise know. Rely on them for safety tips while you're out in the strange and unfamiliar, and to help you understand the customs of the locals, like tipping or hailing a cab for example.

Find Your Perfect B & B Online

Most B & Bs are advertised on the Internet. You can find many choices by going to any search engine, like Google or MSN, and type in "Bed and Breakfast Toronto” for example. Their websites will have pictures of the home, the bedrooms, prices and information on amenities. Don't assume that every accommodation will have wireless Internet and parking available. Be sure to do your research.

Bed and Breakfasts, like hotels, will range from opulent 5 star mansions to quaint, little simple places for the budget conscious. Fine tune your search to a specific search like “Bed and Breakfast Downtown Toronto”. Some good websites that list and compare many B & Bs are:

www.lanierbb.com
www.tripadvisor.com
www.bedandbreakfasts.ca
www.bbcanada.com
www.globalbedandbreakfastlinks.com

Different Places, Different Policies

Hosts have different policies for their establishments, and it's always best to ask questions about things important to you before you book. Do you need parking? Does it cost extra? Is there a curfew? Some other things that vary are cancellation policies, if they have internet use for you, laundry facilities, air conditioning – neither you or the host wants a surprise if there is something that you need that they don't have it to offer.

Remember, these are people's homes and a good host wants to provide all the services you would expect at a hotel, except for the hotel atmosphere. They're relying on their charm and the warmth of their home to make your stay an exciting, fun, welcoming and comfortable experience for you.

Breakfast Has Many Definitions

The breakfasts themselves differ as much as the decors, locations and house types. The owners normally prepare them so you'll have a home-made, personal touch to your first meal of the day. I've stayed in B & B's that have a self-serve style, continental breakfast. These can be a tasty variety of homemade breads and jellies and treats, or they could be fruit, cereals, yogurts etc, a common standard for the continental breakfast. Don't be afraid to ask for details on the phone. I've expected a delightful morning meal and sadly had to force down commercially bought, frozen, fattening and salty unfulfilling snack.

Others make a wonderful morning event, providing a menu of hot breakfast standards including pancakes, French toast, home fries and eggs. These are my personal favorites because you can bet the owner has their unique flair or a family recipe that you're not going to find anywhere else. In fact, I visited one B & B where they grew their omelet vegetables right outside in the garden, and the jams and jellies were homemade right on site.

What to Expect

I have found that if a B & B has five or more rooms, they usually have staff to help out the owners. Just like a hotel, you'll get your beds made and plenty of fresh towels. Personally I like the larger establishments because the house is usually more mansion-like and bursting with character, and normally they can then afford to provide a few more amenities. If you like interacting with people from all over the globe, this would be definitely for you.

I've met people from North and South America, Europe, Asia – basically the world. Bed and Breakfast travelers tend to be friendlier, happier and easy-going types that seem more extroverted and genuinely glad to meet each other and enjoy good company and conversation – it's always a pleasure to compare stories and learn new things about people's homelands.

After my first stay in a Bed & Breakfast, I was hooked. If you've never stayed in one, give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised… I loved being a guest so much I decided to become an owner!