If you're ready for a getaway from New York City but aren't sure where to go, pick up a Charming Getaways Smartbox. With a Charming Getaways Smartbox ($129; available online and select stores), you can choose from more than 170 one-night stays across the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Great Lakes, Texas and California.
New York Getaways Examiner received a Smartbox getaway a couple years ago. And it's a good thing they never expire, because we just got an opportunity to use it during the Christmas holiday. After visiting with family in Baltimore, we packed our overnight bag and headed to Philadelphia Bella Vista Bed & Breakfast (752 S. 10th Street; 800-680-1270). It's no secret that we love Philly, and each time we visit the city of brotherly (and sisterly) love, we discover something new.
Housed in a stately town house, Bella Vista is located near the historic 9th Street Italian Market, the largest and oldest working outdoor market in the United States. In the market, you can pick up fresh meats, cheese, produce and Italian baked goods. There are also plenty of places to nosh on authentic cuisine and pick up a classic Italian hoagie. The bed and breakfast is also a short stroll away from South Street, a popular strip of shops, thrift stores, restaurants and Philly cheesesteak dives.
Antique furnishings, eclectic design, decorative art and beaming colors give Bella Vista a homey feel. Each guest has a private bathroom, dining area and a kitchenette with a microwave and refrigerator. The room is stocked with continental breakfast (cereal, milk, yogurt, danishes, coffee and tea) and snacks (Biscotti and popcorn). Other amenities include free wireless Internet and cable TV. The Whole Foods a few blocks away also comes in handy.
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