Today on Smart Traveler...
At B&Bs, Culinary Travel is "Inn"
April 23, 2013 4:08 pm by Anne Banas
When it comes to staying in a bed and breakfast, sleeping is only half the equation. A morning meal can make the difference between an OK stay and a life-changing one. Needless to say, choosing the right inn is essential. That's why, coming off the heels of its Best B&B (full disclosure: I had the pleasure of serving as a guest judge), BedandBreakfast.com is revealing its Top 10 Culinary Inns in the world. And if breakfast isn't enough, there are plenty of other ways to bring out your inner gourmand, including gourmet dinners, cooking classes, wine tastings, and even welcome desserts right when you arrive.
Here's a quick synopsis of the inns that made the list and what culinary offerings make them stand out:
Elm Creek Manor in Gainesville, TX
Take a food-filled adventure at this BedandBreakfast.com Diamond Collection inn. Sated by the innkeepers, it's “much more than a culinary experience; it is about love and respect for whole foods.” Dining here is a complete farm-to-table adventure. They grow their own organic herbs, fruits, and veggies, in addition fresh eggs. They raise organic beef, and they have dairy goats whose milk they use to make cheeses and milk for cooking. Their bees provide fresh honey and wax for their cheeses. Take a six-hour cheese-making course to help prepare aged cheeses while snacking on fruit, wine and cheese. You’ll be sent home with a jar of fresh chevre. Regular cooking classes are available, which teach you basic techniques as you prepare a meal (and taste wine in the process). For a more in-depth experience, you’re able to collect vegetables in the gardens, gather eggs from the barns, milk a goat, and even dress out a chicken or rabbit. Add on a five-course gourmet dinner to your stay here, or order a delicious fondue dinner. If you have a sweet tooth, order the in-room chocolate fondue dessert tray served with complimentary wine.
