Category: Blog Post

How many of us have secretly dreamed of owning and running our own bed and breakfast inn in some tiny, bucolic town with infinite things to do? I know I have. Loretta Breedveld had the same dream years ago and the courage to see it through. She has never regretted her decision. “Don’t be fooled. It’s a lot of work,” Loretta says. “But the rewards are boundless. Meeting new guests, seeing the delight in their faces, building your own business and seeing it through to fruition. There’s no feeling like it. It’s a satisfaction beyond description.” Loretta has owned the Warwick Valley B&B for 27 years. She immediately set out to restore the circa 1910 house to its former glory and add a few touches of her own. The result of her hard labor is a delicious nine-bedroom, nine bath gem in the tiny town of Warwick, NY, about an hour and a half north, northwest of busy Manhattan. “Sadly, I will have to give up the inn in the not distant future,” Loretta says, clearly distraught at the prospect of leaving the dream B&B business she built from scratch. “But it’s time to go. I need to spend more time with my children, who live in North Carolina and Colorado. They need me and I need them. “Running this inn were the best years of my life. But there is a time for everything and now it’s time for me to move on.” One person’s loss is another person’s gain. The next owner of The Warwick Valley B&B is bound to be enchanted and enthralled by the unique property. The inn combines the charm, grace and architectural splendor of an era past with modern, updated bathrooms and kitchens. There are six completely furnished guest rooms, a furnished efficiency apartment,

Above image credit: AllSheCooks.com After several months stuck at home due to COVID-19, it's understandable that you might want to get away for a bit. If you do decide to hit the road, you should take caution. Here's how to help safeguard yourself from coronavirus while traveling. Consider where you're going and who you're traveling with “When planning a trip, it’s important to research the current COVID-19 status in the area,” says CityMD physician, Dr. Frank Illuzzi. “If the virus is increasing where you’re traveling then you should choose a different location.” To prevent infecting others, also consider the likelihood that you may be carrying the virus. Some questions to ask yourself: What is the current status of the virus in the region? How many cases are there where I live? Are my companions in high-risk groups? Do I have to quarantine on arrival? Some states require this. You don't want your trip to be extended due to restrictions. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut require travelers from states with high coronavirus rates to quarantine themselves for 14 days. Be sure to check if your travel destination is one of those states. Figure out the best form of travel "It hasn't yet been determined what the safest form of travel is," says Dr. Illuzzi. "But, based upon how the disease spreads, being less than six feet from others indicates risk." If you're not driving in your own car, look into what precautions the transportation companies are taking and how easy it will be to social distance while you are on a train or plane. Get yourself tested before you leave CityMD currently has two tests available: a viral test to tell you if you have a current infection, and an antibody test that tells you if you had a previous

Above photo: Sullivan Catskills Many summer vacations have been disrupted and July 4th celebrations have been canceled for this year, but that doesn't mean you can't get out of your apartment and enjoy a day trip or long weekend away from home! Check out some ideas below for escapes you can make while social distancing this upcoming holiday weekend. Please note that businesses may be offering abnormal hours of operation and/or specific rules due to Covid-19. Visit websites, check social media updates and call ahead to confirm hours and availability.  Berry Picking in Central New Jersey. You might be surprised to see the thousands of acres of preserved and productive central New Jersey farmland, many offering on-farm markets, u-pick opportunities, hayrides, and other family-friendly activities. Pick blueberries and explore the grounds of Snyder's Farm in Somerset, NJ. Fishing in the Catskills. If you know fishing, you already know about the Willowemoc, the Beaverkill, and the Delaware. Spend the weekend fly fishing and enjoying the fresh air and solitude in the Sullivan Catskills. Wine Tasting in the Finger Lakes. Taste the wine that has earned over 6,000 national and international medals over the years while taking in the breathtaking views of Cayuga Lake, Taughannock Falls, and the rolling vineyards. Check out the wineries of Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, America's First Wine Trail. Cider Sipping in Albany. Spend the weekend upstate and sample from a large collection of brews from Nine Pin Cider. Their ciders highlight the incredible variety and quality of New York agriculture while also supporting local farms and orchards. The selection of specialty ciders changes regularly due to their commitment to using fresh, local ingredients. Explore Hudson. Lace up your walking shoes and take in the historic charm of Hudson, NY. Though some of this trendy town's retail spaces

Greig Farm in the Hudson Valley has been open to the public for pick-your-own fruits and vegetables for more than 70 years. Particularly as we are looking for more activities to enjoy while social distancing, spending time outdoors on a farm is an ideal option this spring, summer and fall. Pick farm fresh fruits and vegetables, shop the farmers market, feed the goats, wander the grounds, and enjoy the bucolic Hudson Valley! The pick-your-own season begins in May with crisp asparagus, followed shortly after by extra-sweet strawberries. There’s no better taste than a fresh strawberry still warm from the sun! In July, comes Greig's prized blueberry crop, followed in August by the finger-staining blackberries. Apple picking begins in late August and they offer over ten varieties of apples through the end of October. As Halloween nears, you will also find acres of field pumpkins (for carving) and sugar pumpkins (for baking). Learn more about safety protocols, picking and visiting the farm here.