According to an article on Mediapost.com, 80 percent of luxury travel is purchased by Baby Boomers, 45-65 years old.  Not surprisingly, this group makes up not only the largest segment of the population but also the largest proportion of travelers today too.  Do you fit into this category?

While baby boomers flock toward luxury inns, we know value is high on the minds of all travelers.  Whether it’s a stay at a campground or hostel or an escape to a distinctive New England inn, value reigns and getting the most for your money on any travel experience is high on the list of all travelers.

Enjoy a complimentary afternoon tea at the Captain's House Inn. Captain's House Inn photo.

When visiting the Captains House Inn in Chatham, Cape Cod recently, I was struck by all the added amenities and value.  It inspired me to calculate the added value of all the extras. I was astounded when I compared the cost of a stay at this luxury inn with as much sophistication, distinct décor, ambiance and haute hospitality as a nearby Chatham resort.  You’ll be amazed too.  Let’s take a look.

Stay at Captain’s House Inn and these amenities are included:

Stay at a nearby Chatham resort and you’ll pay for added amenities:

At a minimum, guests are treated to $200 in added value at the Captain’s House Inn. Compare the amenities of any DINE property with nearby resorts, and you’ll find similar scenarios in every market.  While you can’t put a price tag on the welcoming hospitality of New England’s distinctive inns, you can rest assured the innkeepers will welcome you with smiles and welcome you back with hugs. It’s as much the personal touches as it is the added value that make inns and B&Bs the ideal choice for those seeking memorable experiences and the most for their money.

This is one of two choices for breakfast entrees, following a display of bagels, cream cheese, salmon, breads, meats, cheeses, cereal, granola, juices and fruit, plus more at the Captain's House Inn. Photo by Marti Mayne.

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent $1.7 billion on flowers for Valentine’s Day.   Now that the Valentine’s Day glow has passed, you still have a beautiful bouquet of flowers to remind you of how much you mean to him.

What’s the best way to preserve those flowers so they stay fresh for longer?  Here are a few tips from WCSH in Portland, ME.

1)  Keep flowers out of direct sunlight

2) Keep the flowers away from direct sources of heat

3)  Change the water daily, and cut stems at an angle to give them a fresh finish occasionally.

Now, you can choose one of the following, but don’t try them all.

• Put a penny or two in the vase with the flowers.  The copper serves as a fungicide.
• Just as it heals what ails you, aspirin makes flowers feel good too. No more than one every other day with fresh water.
• Add some 7-Up or Sprite to the water.  The carbon dioxide makes the water slightly acid and provides sugar which flowers love.
• Add a teaspoon of bleach and a tablespoon of sugar to a gallon of water. Then, use that water for your flower vase. You’d think the bleach would kill the flowers, but the biggest detriment to vase life of fresh flowers is bacteria. The bleach kills the bacteria in the water allowing the flowers to last longer.

If you simply choose to follow only one of these tips, pick the fresh water daily idea.  Nothing will preserve flowers better than a fresh change of water each day.

Next step to making the Valentine’s Day glow last: Book your romantic escape at one of the nine Distinctive Inns of New England!

Missed out on flowers this Valentine's Day? Book your trip to any of the Distinctive Inns of New England and order fresh flowers awaiting in the room! Shown here: Captain's House Inn.

Recently, the Gateways Inn in Lenox, MA hosted one of their fabulous Italian Cooking classes, offering a total immersion into the unique and  regional Italian foods, flavors, wines and traditions. Guests gathered and had the opportunity to learn from a master – Chef Rosemary Chiariello - co-owner of the Gateways Inn and award-winning baker.  During the cooking school weekend, Gateways Inn was lucky enough to host two talented photographers.  All photos below were shot by Tobias Gelston and Christina Bernales.  Take a photo tour of one of Gateway Inn’s Italian Cooking Classes, and you’ll want to reserve your spot soon.

Chopping and prep work begins…

Look how beautiful the ingredients look…

Next step: Creating the Bruschetta…

Next, it’s on to hand rolled pasta…

And students have their chance to create homemade pasta too..

Instructor and Chef Rosemary Chiariello demonstrates techniques to students

Students take their hand at preparing dessert…

don’t they look like they’re having fun?

Ahhh…now the pay off!  Students enjoy the fruits of their labor.

For more information on great packages offered through DINE member inns, visit the Packages & Specials page at www.DistinctiveInns.com .

All photos generously offered by Tobias Gelston Photography and Christina Bernales Photography.

You can leave the home fires burning or better yet, cuddle up at a DINE member inn in front of the fire to stay warm. Shown here: Rabbit Hill Inn. Photo by Jumping Rocks Photography.

With temps hovering around zero and windchills in the “brrrrrr” range, visions of crackling fires,  hot chocolate and steaming soups sound ideal right about now.  DINE members have come up with the top five ways to stay warm this winter beyond the obvious and best one - cuddling in front of the fire at a beautiful country inn. Be sure to share these ideas with your friends who love to complain about the cold.

1)      Get out there and shovel:  It’ll keep you warm while building muscles too.

2)      C’mon baby light my fire:  Turn on the gas fireplace or light a fire in the fireplace.  Nothing beats the warm glow of the fire for staying warm on a cold winter night.

3)      Find the hat: Conventional wisdom says that 20 percent of your body heat is lost through your head in cold weather.  Be sure to pull on your warmest hat when you go outside.

4)      Be a kid again: Pull on the boots, snow pants, mittens and hats and head outdoors with the kids tomake snow angles,  build snow forts and snow men.  Moving around will help keep you warm.

5)      Enjoy a warm beverage: Whether it’s hot chocolate, tea or something a little more potent, rather than enjoying your favorite beverage on the rocks, warm it on the stove and feel the warmth all the way down to your stomach.

Speaking of warm drinks, nothing beats a warm cup of soup on a cold winter day.  The Rabbit Hill Inn has the perfect recipe for the perfect way to warm the heart on a cold winter night with their Vermont Cheddar Soup with Sundried Tomatoes.  Add a crusty baguette and this hearty soup will warm the soul and fill the belly on these cold winter nights. Try this recipe out tonight, then post a comment and let us know how you enjoyed it!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup diced onion
• ¾ cup diced celery
• ½ cup diced carrots
• 2 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 lb. grated cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 6 Tbls. unsalted butter
• 4 Tbls. Flour
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp. dry mustard
• 1 cup chopped sundried tomatoes
• salt & pepper to taste

Method:

Melt butter in a soup pot. When hot, add onions, celery, carrots, and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes over medium heat. Sprinkle flour on top and stir constantly for another 5 minutes.

Add chicken stock, one cup at a time. Whip to incorporate each time. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.

Strain soup through a mesh strainer into another soup pot, pushing through as much liquid and vegetable as possible. Place soup on a very low heat and add cheese, mustard, cream, sundried tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Do not return the soup to a boil.

Bacon, pancetta, or smoked chicken may be substituted for the sundried tomatoes if you prefer.

Ask ten men what they want for Valentine’s Day and statistics will show that at least two will answer with a three letter word.  The younger the audience the higher the percentage of three letter word answers.  Yet, contrary to popular belief, sex is not the only thing on men’s minds at Valentine’s Day.  Fast cars, beer and of course food are also a direct means to a man’s heart.  As them though, and you’d be surprised, however, how many men will answer that “her happiness” is what they hope cupid will bestow on Valentine’s Day. 

I asked my husband what he’d like most on Valentine’s Day and he answered “a nice dinner at a favorite restaurant with just the two of us” would top his list. Not bad!  He passed the test as I realized his answer fit into the category of men who care about their women’s happiness knowing that’s what I’d love to do too. 

Here’s a little advice for women. In a story in Hitched Magazine, Dr. Scott Haltzman, author and renowned expert on marriage and committed relationships, told readers, “Here’s the one thing your man wants above all others for Valentine’s Day: he wants you to be happy. Whether he chooses to bring home seashells he picked up from the beach, or give you pearls, he wants to feel that he’s rocked your world”.  In keeping with our previous post about What Women Want on Valentine’s Day, Haltzman concurs, “The average guy starts to get pretty nervous around Valentine’s Day because he knows his woman is expecting something special. That’s a lot of pressure. So ladies, if he tries to do something special, remember to bubble over in rapturous appreciation. Your enthusiasm will mean more to him than any present you can buy (and may result in even better presents next time, as you build his confidence).”

Surprisingly, Haltzman goes on to explain “Some men want material objects for Valentine’s Day, but the majority of them would rather have time with you then something you bought. Going out to dinner, for example, is nice for both of you.” Cha-ching!  My husband, who refers to himself as “Joe Average”, is right up there with Haltzman’s majority.

Just as we mentioned in part I of this series about what women want for Valentine’s Day, an MSN Lifestyle story explained that among the top ten things men want for Valentine’s Day are a “Get Out of Jail Card” for free, silence, fast driving experiences, less make up, an outfit worn for him (not to impress her friends) and gift ideas for her.  The author goes on to advise women “If catching on to subtle hints isn’t his specialty, have a friend brief him on what you might like this year. He’ll feel like a genius, you’ll get exactly what you want, and you’ll both eliminate awkward trips to the store to buy, and then secretly return, crappy presents.”

There it is ladies; the best way to a man’s heart is through a lovely dinner spent with you where you show your appreciation and gratitude for his wise ways.  A little less make up and his favorite outfit will put the icing on the cake, according to experts.  Enjoy your dinner combined with a getaway to a beautiful country inn, and you’ll both have your Valentine’s fantasy fulfilled.

Dr. Haltzman is the author of “The Secrets of Happily Married Women: How to Get More Out of Your Relationship by Doing Less.”  He is currently the Medical Director of NRI Community Services in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Read more about him and see excerpts from his appearances with Rachel Ray, Today Show and Good Morning America at www.secretsofmarriedmen.com/.  You can find Dr. Haltzman at www.DrScott.com