Meet Our New Innkeeper from Ireland

Meet Michael and Nuala our newest innkeepers. Their B&B is located in Curraghlea, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. Ireland. Before opening their B&B in Ireland they ran a B&B in America 14 years. It was called The Shamrock House. After returning to Ireland they named their B&B the Pennsylvania House B&B.

Hi Nuala and welcome to IBBP.com. So after all of your experience in innkeeping can you tell me why you chose to run a bed and breakfast?

I enjoy meeting interesting people and what better way than with a B&B.

What is the one thing you enjoy most about living in your bed & breakfast in Curraghlea?

It's my own design and decor and I enjoy the spacious rooms. I also love the majestic panoramic views of the countryside, the privacy, and peacefullness.

I know a lot of people dream about owning a b&b. What would you say is your favorite thing about being an innkeeper?

I think my favorite would be being my own boss and sharing my home comforts with the people who enjoy the added extras that my home has to offer and making our guests feel at home.

Have you had an interesting experience with guests sharing your home?

We had two couples from Canada who had never met each other before. While they were having breakfast together and during the course of discussion one of the guests was doing family research discovered that they and the other guest were related. What a small world we live in!

What is the most memorable experience to date?

We were asked to make our B&B totally available to an English family who's daughter was marrying an Irish man. It was always the bride's dream to get married in Ireland so I agreed. What excitement I had in preparing for a bride. It was an early spring wedding, so I gathered wild flowers to make the front door entrance and all around the house nice for the bridal pictures and decorated a garden bench for the bridal groupe to take advantage of the panoramic views. This was my best experience to date.

Do you have any advise for someone looking to start a B&B?

My advice to anyone who was thinking of running a B&B is to make sure you enjoy meeting new people and are willing to share your home and time with total strangers many of which become good friends and return time and time again its very rewarding.

Do you have a spot that you think anyone visiting Donegal should see while staying with you?

If they like castles and gardens, one of Donegal's most mentioned and visited places is Glenveagh National Park which is only 10 miles away from our B&B. I also recommend a drive around Inishowen route 100 for breathtaking scenery.

If you would like to learn more about the Pennsylvania House or check on a reservation, you can contact them at:

Pennsylvania House
Curraghlea, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. Ireland.
WEBSITE: www.accommodationdonegal. com
PHONE / RESERVATIONS:
074 9126808, Int Code: +00353 74
FAX: 074 9128905

Meet Our New Innkeeper from Wayland Orchard

Today's blog introduces David Wayland, innkeeper of Wayland Orchard Bed and Breakfast in Crozet Virginia. We welcome this new
bed and breakfast to our guide.

So David, what made you decide to open a bed and breakfast?

There were several reasons we began the B&B. We always wanted to do something like that, we had the mother-in-law suite which was perfect for a B&B, and we enjoy people and getting to make friends out of strangers. Also, we have a wonderful site with mountains and lakes around us and we are close to Monticello and University of Virginia.

What is the best part about living in Crozet?

We live in my childhood home with wonderful memories and are close to the amazing small city of Charlottesville, ranked the best in the nation!

If you had to name one reason, why would you say you like being an innkeeper?

Our favorite thing about B&Bing is meeting wonderful guests and it is a great way to add to our income!

Do you have a memorable moment while running your bed & breakfast?

I'd say having guest drive up for the night and us not realizing there was a reservation for that date; we sent them to a winery while we made up the bed, cleaning the room, and got food. They had a great time tasting wine and we were forgiven.

Do you have any advice for others thinking of becoming an innkeeper?

Stay in at least six B&B's and take notes. Operate it to reflect your own tastes, not someone else's. Read a good book on the subject, such as How to Open and Operate a Bed and Breakfast. Get as much advertising as you can afford.

Thanks David and welcome International Bed and Breakfast Pages.

You can contact David at:

Wayland Orchard Bed and Breakfast
6474 Apple Green Lane
Crozet Virginia United States 22932-2510
www.waylandorchard.com

Visiting the Original Starbucks in Seattle

I was recently in Seattle for a few days. I wondered down by the waterfront and visited the original Starbucks. It was interesting in that they still have their original logo and you can get a feel for their humble origins. It is located on Pikes Place across from the famous Pike Street Market. The market is also worth a look. If Starbucks isn't enough caffeine, try the Turkish coffee at the Turkish Cafe.

And of course if you need a place to stay, check out our Seattle and Seattle area inns.

Have fun!

Yvonne

Meet and Innkeeper from Paris, France

Lisa Quin is the innkeeper for Dormouse House Garden Bed and Breakfast located just outside of Paris, France. She shares how she became an innkeeper.

As most people know about Paris or what they want to see here, I will share a few funny stories...

I moved to France nearly 10 years ago just to have a change(!!!) in my life. I was unmarried, no longer teaching high school (English, French, and Spanish) due to some health problems and had just lost my mom. I just decided to 'up stakes' and move here, taking all my stuff (enormous!). This included three animals and even a car. Eventually I found an apartment not too far from Paris. I did not want to live in Paris as it can be noisy, expensive, crowded, and difficult for an elderly dog to negotiate. Plus, it would be impossible to park and no private gardens! Ao i was happy to be NEAR paris instead.

Eventually I met my Scottish husband, got married in 2000, and we built Dormouse house two years later. In 2003 we started offering B&B accommodations so we could share our lovely house and garden and meet interesting people from all over! We love being hosts!

I have had many women guests exchange emails with me and say, you could be my twin!! - as we have so much in common. Ironically, I HAVE a twin (fraternal) and we are totally different!

Here are a few funny stories. We had one nice couple from Texas recently, and as most of you know,Texans can be big people. Don was telling us how he had broken several office chairs in India on his recent trip to his company's office there... He then sat down to dinner at our table...and broke through the seat!!

We had another big American male guest dine here - he ate very well and was very full but did NOT break the chair, but then went to sit on the folding chair outside and broke through THAT, ending up on the ground. no one was hurt and we all laughed! of course, we have replaced all these seats!

Recently we got an email from a woman in California who had seen our site on ibbp.com and she booked for June...later she read her Lowell High School alumni magazine (San Francisco) and saw...ME! With an update telling everyone where I was and what I was doing! This woman, linda, is a teacher (as am i) and decided to bring another woman friend to stay at dormouse house, who ALSO is an alumni! small world!

The first thing I ask myself when a potential guest writes is, what do we have in common? this is always a good opener and way to become friendly, and it is one of the things we love about having 'new friends' in our home!

Lisa Quinn
lisa.dormousehouse@gmail.com

New Orleans Hard To Find Places, Food, and More

Mary Ramsey IBBP.com's innkeeper from 1870 Banana Courtyard Bed and Breakfast located in The French Quarter of New Orleans is back today for more tips on traveling New Orleans. Todays Tips: Hard to find locations, food, restaurants and more in New Orleans.

WHERE DO I FIND this lists both THE BEST, most ECONOMICAL, and sometimes THE ONLY place you can find items . . . . . .?

WHERE CAN I FIND THE BEST REGIONAL DISHES?

• Alligator: Finding alligator MEAT, is a challenge, but Margaritaville usually has alligator. Dry Dock Café has alligator SAUSAGE, as does Praline Connection, or try Gumbo Shop, Redfish Grill, or Cajun Cabin (more expensive). Usually available year round.
• BBQ (barbeque): N’Awlins isn’t ‘big’ on BBQ, but you can find good pulled pork sandwich at 13 Monaghan, and better yet, a pulled pork sandwich & ribs to die for at Zydeque Barbeque on St. Charles Ave.. (BBQ shirmp, see shrimp)
• Baked Alaska: Signature dish at Antoine’s, but the restaurant is very pricey.
• Bananas Foster (Flaming dessert): You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy this wonderful, flamed dessert (The expensive Brennan's and Antoine’s restaurants are not the only venues serving this delightful New Orleans specialty dessert). Redfish Grill is a lively restaurant that serves it. Go at lunch.
• Beignets and Chicory Coffee: (Café du Monde)
• Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce: Dessert, but locals eat it for breakfast, as well. Praline Connection, Dizzy’s Café (4 blocks from main B&B on Esplanade Ave. Toward the lake), Gumbo Shop, Deanies Café (warehouse district)
• Calas: Creole fried rice fritter. Emerils, Brennans, and most lod line N’Awlins restaurants. Or for the cheapest, try Elizabeth’s (it’s worth the long walk or taxicab to go. See RESTAURANT LIST for details).
• Cooking Schools: There are a number of options for cooking classes or demonstrations that many of our guests have enjoyed. The most popular is The New Orleans School of Cooking +.
• Crab: Season is March through November. Most paces with boiled crab are in the ‘burbs, but you will see some with vats in the restaurant window
• Crawfish: Crawfish Etouffée, steamed/boiled Crawfish, or Crawfish Pie (Fiorelli’s on Decatur St.)
• Crawfish, Boiled: Season usually runs from November through July. Best bet, go to King Rogers , a block down N. Rampart from B&B (@St. Claude) boils crawfish daily, in season, take out. In the French Quarter, take out from Matassa’s (Fridays, but call 1st) and Royal St. Grocery. Eat in = Acme Oyster House, The Alpine, French Market Restaurant, but they ain’t cheap! Ship: www.lacrawfish.com, www.nuawlins.com/crawfish.htm
• Crawfish Monica: You may be out of luck finding this one! JazzFest enthusiasts have made this dish famous. The bad news is that about the only time you can get it, is at JazzFest. The spicy-creamy Rotini pasta dish, is a product of the locally based Kajun Kettle Foods company who only does catering for large events.
• Crawfish Pie: Post Katrina, I only know of one place in French Quarter to find them: Fiorella’s (Hugh makes them for family Christmas dinner).
• Creole Food: Arnauds, Galatoire’s, Oliviers
• Crepes: Petunias (they are rather pricey, maybe not worth it in our city) . 817 St. Louis St. 504-522-6440.
• Deep Fried Turkey: your guess is as good as mine. You have to fry it for a large group , to be served immediately, so I doubt that you’ll find it in a traditional restaurant. If you do, please tell me so I can add to this list (much of our info is gleaned from guest feedback)
• Dirty Rice: Popeyes Fried Chicken on St. Charles Avenue.
• Fried Green Tomatoes: Liuzza’s+in Mid-City or Café Atchafalaya+ in Uptown.
• Grillades and Grits: Galatoires: Or for the cheapest, try Elizabeth’s (it’s worth the long walk or taxicab to go. 

WHERE ARE THE BEST RESTAURANTS?

• Gumbo: Gumbo Shop on St. Peter or Praline Connection on Frenchman
• Jambalaya: Gumbo Shop
• Lobster: That’s NOT a New Orleans specialty, so you’ll probably pay dearly for it. If you ‘gotta have it’, try Andrew Jaeger’s. At least it’s less expensive there, but it’s in the ‘burbs, so you’ll need a car.
• Oysters: 3-ways Rockefeller, Casino and Bienville, in a po boy, or raw oysters, shucked at the bar.
• Po-boy Sandwich: (Yep. Anywhere else this would be called submarine sandwich, but ours are on French Bread): shrimp, oyster, or Softshell Crab are most popular, but roast beef with gravy is a favorite in any language). It’s worth the drive or streetcar ride to go to Liuzza’s in Mid City or Parkway Tavern in Faubourg St. John near City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art. Lots of tourists go to Johnny’s Poboys and Mothers.
• Pralines: Loretta’s.
• Praline Cured Bacon: Elizabeth’s, (it’s worth the long walk or taxicab to go.
• Red Beans and Rice (with or without smoked sausage). sausage: Andouille or Boudin.
• Shrimp: Shrimp Creole, Shrimp Remoulade, Shrimp Etouffée, fried or boiled/steamed shrimp
• Southern Fried Chicken: Fiorelli’s
• Tasso (local, highly seasoned, intensely flavored smoked pork): Adds a wonderful flavor to a variety of dishes, from soups to jambalaya to pastas and seafood. You’ll also find it in grits. Try Coop’s Place
• Malt Milkshakes: Clover Grill 
• Muffuletta: In 900 block of Decatur Street, Central Grocery (Napoleon House, if raining)
• Oysters, raw, on the half shell: BEST are in Uptown @Pascal Manale’s + Acme Oyster > (good prices, but LOTS of tourists) 522-5973 @724 Iberville, or best surroundings @ Redfish Grill’s oyster bar (gorgeous bar), Bourbon @Iberville. Best season is mostly ‘R’ months, but they are usually available year round. http://www.oysterlover.com/5lb2.html.
• Pralines: Loretta’s in the French Market or on N. Rampart St..
• Seafood/fish/shellfish/crustaceans: You’ll find seafood at almost any good restaurant in New Orleans, here are a few of our favorites:
Creole style seafood, oh la la, oysters in Brochette: Feelings + wide variety: Deanie’s > Worth the drive to Crabby Jacks in Jefferson (yum, yum). Owner also owns Jaques Imo in Uptown. And a seafood distribution serve, so you know it’s fresh!
Liuzza’s in Mid City
Seafood, packed to ship: Big Fisherman (Garden District) or P&J Oysters (French Quarter).
Wide variety and HUGE portions. Ain’t cheap, though. French Quarter
• Shrimp, BBQ: go to Pascal’s Manale (by car, taxi, or streetcar)
• Shrimp Po-boy Sandwich: Fiorella’s on Decatur, Verti Marte on Royal ,or King Rogers on N. Rampart Street. Season February through October.
• Soul Food: Praline Connection+ or Dizzy’s Cafe

Must Do Sights to See in New Orleans

Let me introduce Mary Ramsey, Innkeeper of 1870 Banana Courtyard Bed and Breakfast located in The French Quarter of New Orleans. Mary and her husband Hugh have been running a B&B since the 90s and enjoy hosting guests from all over the world. Here is her "must do" list for a weekend of fun in New Orleans. To learn more about Mary and her B&B, visit: bananacourtyard.com To see a list of all ibbp.com's New Orleans B&Bs, see: New Orleans Bed and Breakfasts


• Eat beignets and drink chicory coffee @ Café du Monde located on Decatur St. across from Jackson Square & St. Louis Cathedral
• If you drink alcoholic beverages: At Pat O’Briens try a world-famous Hurricane cocktail or Mint Julep: 718 St. Peter St, 525-4823. At Port of Call, try the Monsoon (it’s lethal). Dauphine @ Esplanade.
• Listen to Jazz at Preservation Hall
• See the historic, above ground cemeteries (St. Louis #1 near the French quarter or Lafayette Cemetery in the Garden District)
• Go on a swamp tour
• See the Louisiana swamp section at the Audubon Zoo
• Eat some bread pudding with whiskey sauce
• Eat a Muffuletta sandwich made on special sesame seed round bread, with olive salad (green olives, celery, carrots, onions, garlic, and olive oil), salami, cheese. Central Grocery on Decatur St. (if raining, Napoleon House).
• Go to the WWI ( D-Day) Museum
• Shop for collectibles, antiques, art or crafts on lower end of Decatur St., Royal St. Or Magazine St.
• Take the free pedestrian ferry shuttle to the 2nd oldest neighborhood in New Orleans: Algiers Pointe
• Ride the historic St. Charles or Canal Streetcars
• Eat some boiled crawfish, red beans and rice, or dirty rice The best (and cheapest) red beans and rice and dirty rice are at Popeye’s Fried Chicken. You can buy crawfish from a local market rather than at a restaurant.
• Try a seafood or roast beef “po-boy” sandwich. For true local color, and a good shrimp po-boy, there is a seafood market close to the main B&B. It’s frequented mostly by African Americans (and me): King Rogers Seafood: A po-boy or platter is about $6. While you are waiting for it to be prepared, go into the market to see the live cowan (turtles) in the tank, lots of fish, shrimp, raccoons, rabbits and o’possum (Yep, some locals do eat them), in addition to great boiled crawfish and shrimp. The crawfish are VERY SPICY, boiled with new potatoes, garlic and corn on the cob, which you can purchase separately or with your crawfish. Bring back some crawfish and we’ll set you up, in the courtyard and show you how to eat them New Orleans style with newspapers as place mats and paper towels as napkins.
• Learn about Mardi Gras @ Mardi Gras World or the one of LA State museums, the Presbytere.
• Go to a gospel mass Sundays.
• Visit the historic French Market and the flea market at the end (N. Peters St. @ Esplanade Ave.)
• Have a Lucky Dog from a street cart vendor (personally, we don’t think they are much to write home about, but they ARE a New Orleans tradition)
• Have a “2nd line” umbrella custom made to display at home.
• Like generations of New Orleaneans, eat some hand pulled taffy by the Roman Candy Man in his mule drawn cart in Audubon Zoo.
• Since 1902, locals have enjoyed eating Italian ices or ice cream at Angelo Brocato’s Ice Cream Parlour on N. Carrollton Ave, near Canal St.

Mary Ramsey
1870 Banana Courtyard
French Quarter/New Orleans B&B
Tel. 504-947-4475
Website: www.bananacourtyard.com

Fortune Cookie Factory in San Francisco

Just a quick note today. If you are taking a weekend in San Francisco, here is a hidden site. The Fortune Cookie Factory is in Ross Alley near Stockton and Jackson. See how fortune cookies are made on original equipment. You can buy a bag of fortune cookies to take with you.



If you are looking for a place to stay while visiting the city, check out San Francisco Bed and Breakfasts.