 | A Romantic Getawayposted by TeaHouseTimes Admin, ADVERTISER TEA RELATED PRODUCTSThursday, December 10th 2009 @ 7:32 PM |
A Romantic Getaway, by Patty Suchy
I’m a romantic at heart and I venture to say that a majority of tea enthusiasts are as well. I also love to read, as again do many tea enthusiasts. So when a favorite author – Nora Roberts – and her husband Bruce Wilder opened a charming B&B in Boonsboro, Maryland, I knew it would be just right for any tea lover – a small luxury boutique hotel with romantic and book connections. Located in the western part of Maryland, staying at Inn BoonsBoro http://www.innboonsboro.com is a perfect way to take it easy and/or go exploring the neighboring countryside’s history and tea rooms.
With the hotel’s themed rooms you’ll easily fall into the relaxing atmosphere of literary characters. The Inn pays respects to Eve and Roarke (from the In Death novels by J.D. Robb – a pseudonym for Nora Roberts and her futuristic romantic suspense stories about police detective Eve Dallas); Jane and Rochester (from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte); Elizabeth and Darcy (from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen); Nick and Nora (from The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett); Westley and Buttercup (from The Princess Bride by William Goldman); Titania and Oberon (from A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare) and Marquerite and Percy (from The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy). And then there is the Penthouse suite, where you can indulge in a night of wonderful luxury.
Suzanne McErlain, the Innkeeper wants all her guests to feel welcome and comfortable exploring the Inn from use of the upscale kitchen, to the lounge and the wonderful porches. The bath amenities created by Cedar Ridge Soaps of Keedysville, MD have scents personalized for each room. And you’ll be pleased to know that the Spirit of the Lotus Tea Company from Hagerstown, MD has also created unique tins of specially blended bagged tea for each of the rooms – green tea and ginger for Nick and Nora; Irish breakfast for Eve & Roarke; pomegranate for Marquerite and Percy; chamomile for Jane and Rochester; basic decaf for Elizabeth and Darcy; lemon herb for Titania and Oberon; honey almond for Westley and Buttercup; and mint for the Penthouse. Complimentary wine or soft drinks are served every evening along with fruit, cheese and crackers. Throughout the day you can also have complimentary coffee, tea, bottled water and soft drinks. And of course there is the wonderful breakfast Suzanne prepares for you each morning.
The Inn offers get-away packages, including a Romantic Weekend package. You’ll also want to check out the Playing Hooky, Historic Adventure, and Girl Trip packages. And yes, the Inn offers a Honeymoon package.
Staying in Boonsboro for relaxation provides you an opportunity for some fine meals and interesting shopping. In addition you can plan on some pampering at the South Mountain Day Spa, where they provide a variety of treatments from massages to facials.
For meals you’ll want to check out Palettie, a gourmet bistro; Vesta, a pizza and family restaurant (owned by Stacie and Dan Aufdem-Brinke – Dan is Nora’s son); and The Old South Mountain Inn, with a history going back to the 1700s.
It’s always good to take home some reminders of your Boonsboro stay and Turn the Page Bookstore is a perfect place to start. Owned by Bruce Wilder, Nora’s husband, you can find Nora’s latest books as well as a good selection of most fiction genres. The store also carries gift items. There are special signings throughout the year, so it is always helpful to check the bookstore’s website to see what will be happening next http://www.ttpbooks.com
Gifts Inn BoonsBoro will be celebrating its first year’s anniversary this coming November. Natoma Vargason, the manager, is passionate about bringing regional artists’ wares into the shop. And you can also pick up full size products of the amenities you’ve used while staying at the Inn. She assures me there are selections of teapots available for purchase.
Now you may be happy to just stay in the Inn and relax, but if you want to do some exploring there will be plenty to keep you entertained. Boonsboro, Maryland is wonderfully located near historic points of interest. The town itself has a history going back to 1792 when it was founded by George and William Boone, cousins of Daniel Boone. Antietam Battlefield (right near Boonsboro); Harpers Ferry, WV; and Gettysburg, PA are all within driving distance. Crystal Grottoes is right outside Boonsboro and is open to the public most of the year.
Of course, if you want to search out a tea room or two, there are a number for you to enjoy. Shaharazade’s Exotic Tea Room, in Shepherdstown, WV, offers teas from around the world and they have just started a Russian Samovar Tea Service. The Cross and Bluebird Tea and Gift Shops is located at the historic Tate Farm, Hunterstown, PA - about 4 miles NE of Gettysburg. In Thurmont, Maryland (near Presidential Retreat Camp David) the Cozy Country Inn and Restaurant has been in existence since 1929 and currently offers a variety of tea services including a First Ladies Tea. The Serenity Tearoom is a perfect place to stop while exploring Frederick, Maryland. Blanch Henry, the proprietor, offers both a traditional afternoon and high tea.
Are you now ready for a little romance in your travels? I hope so. Consider going to Boonsboro, Maryland. And if you can’t make it all the way to this part of the mid-Atlantic region, I’m sure there is a romantic inn setting in your neck of the woods. After all, travels are best when there are warm connections with the people you are traveling with.
~written by Patty Suchy - founder of Novel Explorations, Where Fiction and Travel Merge. Dedicated to providing unique travel learning experiences. For further details about creating a tea tour for your tearoom or a group of friends. Visit www.novelexplorations.com
From the NovDeco9 issue of The Tea House Times.
