Love Is In The Air

Bed and breakfasts make good destinations for nearly any special occassion, but they seem particularly suited to helping couples celebrate Valentine's Day. Here are a few tips to help make your getaway to a B&B extra romantic. (You've already made your reservations, right?)

• Think about choosing an inn that offers special classes, like cooking or art workshops. This makes a getaway extra-memorable and teaches you a skill that can help keep the romance alive all year long.
• Find out if the B&B offers any special packages. Nearly all do, and for an extra fee you can usually arrange to have champagne, flowers, chocolates or local delicacies waiting for you in your room.
• If you have particular dietary needs, be sure to tell your innkeeper in advance (and check out these great gluten-free brownie muffins!). Nothing can ruin a romantic breakfast like sending food back, or eating something that will make you uncomfortable all day.
• Speaking of breakfast, you might want to give your innkeeper something special on arrival to send out to your someone special with their breakfast dish. This is often done with a ring as part of a proposal, but any small gift can have a big impact.
• Use your innkeeper's contacts to help you set up a romantic dinner at a local restaurant. She'll not only know which restaurants offer an amor-inducing atmosphere, but she's likely to be able to help you score a particularly private table or a seat with a view.
• Find out if your room has a DVD player or iPod dock and bring along a couple of romantic movies and a sultry soundtrack.
• Ask your innkeeper for romantic activities she recommends in the area. You might be able to take a horseback ride, embark on a hot air balloon journey, get a couple's massage or go for a peaceful walk in the woods. Nobody knows the area like your innkeeper, so use her knowledge!