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Discover the quaint charm of bed and breakfasts

If the idea of snuggling up for a few days with your sweetie right after you say “I do,” appeals to you, then consider a bed and breakfast instead of the traditional tropical honeymoon. Bed and breakfasts, ranging from quaint mom-and-pop New England cottages to castles in Scotland to the many B&Bs that line the small towns along Interstate 70, are the perfect way to relax after your nuptials.

What do B&Bs offer? Serenity, charm and, usually, affordability. After the hustle and bustle of your wedding (and the months of planning that led up to it), honeymooning at a B&B will help bring you back down to earth. As their name suggests, these small “resorts” always serve breakfast, and the fare can be anything from homestyle cooking to exquisite French cuisine.

What to consider when choosing the right B&B:

• What time is breakfast served every morning, and when does it stop being served? Can we eat in our room, or do we eat with the other guests?

• What meals, if any, are offered besides breakfast? If we’re on our own for lunch and dinner, are there any restaurants nearby?

• What is the guest-to-bathroom ratio? Are there functional showers? (Many B&Bs in Europe have one shower in the facility, and they are not what many Americans are used to.)

• Does the B&B have adequate heat and air conditioning for extreme weather?

• Does the B&B offer any additional programming besides room and board, such as tour guides or reservation services?

• What is there to do in the town and surrounding area? Will we get bored too quickly, or will we have plenty to choose from?