The Christmas Tree at the Pub at 1785 Inn and Restaurant

Are you looking for a relaxing weekend getaway before the craziness of late December kicks in?  The Inn to Inn Cookie Tour, an event I attended last year, is the perfect way to relax, enjoy some beautiful holiday decorations, and get into the Christmas spirit.

The Inn to Inn Cookie Tour, which takes place in the White Mountains of New Hampshire on December 10th and 11th, 2011, will include 12 participating inns and bed and breakfasts.  In the self-guided tour, you can sample cookies at each inn, as well as view their specially decorated Christmas tree.  No inn is more than 15 minutes from another (and most are much closer), and you can take your time visiting each one on your own schedule.

Last year, when I attended, I loved the chance to see how each inn was decorated for the holidays – they all have their own distinct personality, and each was very different.

Special VIP packages are available for those who want to combine the cookie tour with a one- or two-night stay, and include breakfast, a keepsake ornament, discounted dining coupons, a cookbook, and other fun keepsakes.  To book a package, or learn more about the tour, visit the website.

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

Disclosure: Last year, we were given free tickets to the Cookie Tour, two night’s stay at the Covered Bridge House, and dinner at the 1785 Inn.

Both are “coastal” cities (one on a river, one on the ocean), both are enjoying sweater weather at this time of year, and both are relaxed and lively with culture but without pretense. The two cities are on opposite sides of the country, a whopping 3,215 miles apart. If you have the chance, check out Portland Maine and Portland Oregon and compare your experiences!

The view from our table at McCormick and Schmicks, Portland Oregon.

Portland Oregon

Best place to eat: McCormick & Schmicks Harborside at the Marina. The shot above was taken directly to my right as we sat at our table on a lovely summer day. I had the steamed clams and the rare Ahi nicoise salad, and both were excellent.

Best place to sleep: The Hotel Lucia in downtown Portland is such a neat, atypical place to stay. It’s downright cozy, yet has a young and upbeat atmosphere. It’s certainly one of the more stylish hotels I’ve ever seen. Since you’re within walking distance of so much you probably won’t want to eat in, but their on-site restaurant/bar is great for a quick cocktail or full-menu room service.

Best thing to see: Washington Park sits high atop a hill above the city and offers spectacular views. Visit the International Rose Test Garden, the Japanese Garden, and the Hoyt Arboretum all in one lovely day.

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The Notchland Inn in New Hampshire

Because I have little kids, I haven’t traveled to many bed and breakfasts lately.  However, this past weekend, my husband and I attended the Inn to Inn Cookie Tour sponsored by the Country Inns in the White Mountains, and we had the chance to stay in one inn and tour fourteen others.  My opinion of inns and bed and breakfasts definitely changed for the (much) better, and I can’t wait to go back.

The Inn to Inn Cookie Tour takes place every year in December (this was the 14th year).  Guests have two days (from 11am – 4pm) to tour the inns, taste cookies, view the gingerbread house creations, and vote for their favorites.

The Covered Bridge House in Glen, NH

We started our weekend at the Covered Bridge House, where we were hosted for two nights.  We were made to feel so welcome there, and absolutely loved our stay.  For the cookie tour, we headed down to Fryburg, Maine, and then drove up north, all the way through North Conway, Intervale, Glen, and Bartlett, finally ending up at the Notchland Inn (pictured here).  What I loved about the inns is that they were all different in their own way, but all equally wonderful.

On Saturday night, the 1785 Inn hosted us for a delicious dinner.  I’d heard about how wonderful it was, but I hadn’t eaten there.  The food was outstanding – definitely a must-do for any couples traveling to the North Conway area.

The Country Inns in the White Mountains also host an Inn to Inn Spring Herb tour in June.  We are really hoping to attend that, because we had such a wonderful time this weekend.

Photo credits: Jodi Grundig

Disclosure: We were given free tickets to the Cookie Tour, two night’s stay at the Covered Bridge House, and dinner at the 1785 Inn.

UpTake on "My Crossroads"

Continuing on my May blog theme (my pocket of heaven on the Northern California Coast) here is an ’UpTake’  from the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel.  I may be over 7,500 miles from Cairo and over 6,200 miles from  Rome, but when I am visiting this hostel there is no place I would rather be then right there listening to the waves crash on the rocks and the salty air filling my nostrils.

AND it’s inexpensive to sleep there!!!

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