Brampton Bed & Breakfast Inn

On Valentine's Day, my sweetheart surprised me with a visit to the Brampton Bed & Breakfast Inn in Chestertown, Maryland. Only 100 miles from the Washington area, the ride to Chestertown carries you over the Bay Bridge and onto the eastern shore with its lovely views of the water.

The Brampton Bed & Breakfast Inn is a 12 room stately wonder built in the 1800s on a tree lined estate. As we entered through the porch, lined with columns, a high central hall led us into the home. Rita greeted us with her smile and helpful manner. She is the go to gal for restaurant choices or suggestions on how to spend your time here at Brampton. She led us into a parlor with a fireplace and floor to ceiling bookcases filled with interesting novels, non fiction books, and binders that detail the things to do in the area and restaurant menus to peruse. Across the hall is the elegant dining room where, between four and five, a delicious afternoon tea is served beside a roaring fire. We enjoyed yummy deviled eggs and dark decadent chocolate pie accompanied by a plethora of hot teas. Further down the hall is the living room. My eyes opened wide when I spied the "endless cookie jar" and the homemade marshmallows. We sampled rich chocolate chocolate chip, delicate macaroon, pink iced heart shaped, tiny thumbprint, and buttery checkerboard cookies. There went my low carb diet! A nearby gust fridge is stocked with beer, wine, and a variety of sodas. My husband chose to sample the amber sherry offered as liquid relaxation. Guests can also help themselves to tea and popcorn at any hour and we did, at midnight.

Our room was perfect. We had a converted closed in porch on which to watch DVDs and read our books. Connected to this was a roomy bedroom with a comfortable king bed, cozy gas fireplace, and romantic two person jacuzzi bathtub located in the spacious bathroom. Stress and worries are not an option in this peaceful haven.

In the morning, guests are treated to a three course breakfast. Our meal started with a delectable cherry almond scone with blueberry jam and butter. Next, we sampled a fresh grapefruit and then we had a choice of banana blueberry pancakes, omelets with asparagus and parmesan cheese, or eggs done as we wished and served with sausages. Unlimited coffee, tea, or hot chocolate was included with our meal. Our omelets were light and tasty and the pancake we had to try melted in our mouths.

This area of the eastern shore offers many options of things to do. We ambled through the lovely art galleries and adorable stores of Chestertown. There is also a historical walking tour that you can try. Nearby is the Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge and the 18th century schooner, Sultana, which offers sunset sails in the summer. From March to December there is a farmers market on Saturdays. It includes homemade foods and arts and crafts. Free concerts are offered in the park in Betterton.

This 24 hour getaway to Brampton Bed & Breakfast Inn and the Chestertown area was just the ticket to remove those winter blues. What a great place to remember what is really important in life, to renew relationships, or to just veg out when life get to be too cluttered. Give yourself the gift of a visit to this inn any time of the year.

For rates, directions, and reservations, check out www.bedandbreakfast.com