The arrival of the new year inspires many of us to review our lives. It is a concrete marker of the passage of time, and as such, it sparks reflection. We think about the past year, about what we wanted to do and what we did. Our thoughts then shift to the coming year.

Travel should always be included in plans for the new year. We may not all be able to leave the country for lengthy vacations in exotic locations, but we can all escape for a weekend or two at some point. When you do, make it special.

Chincoteague Island: a relaxing retreat close DC, Annapolis, Baltimore, and Norfolk.

Our Chincoteague Island Bed and Breakfast is well situated for a weekend getaway. We are about 2 hours from Norfolk, Virginia, 3 hours from Annapolis, Maryland, and 3.5 hours from both Baltimore and Washington D.C. Once you escape city traffic, the drive is relaxing and beautiful.

Miss Molly’s Inn, our Chincoteague Island Bed and Breakfast, is located in the heart of the historic village; the setting is quite unlike the large metropolitan areas few hours away. Once settled, you need not use your car again. Use the inn’s bicycles to explore our island and neighboring Assateague Island, where the famous wild ponies live. Ride to walking trails and beaches, or ride simply for the joy of feeling the breeze on your cheeks.

Many of our guests decide to indulge in the real English Afternoon Tea offered at Miss Molly’s. Think homemade scones dripping with jam and cream, strawberries and cream. There is nothing quite like an English Tea; the simple act of sitting down in the middle of the afternoon to delight in food and drink and good company is extraordinary in itself.

Folks who still have room for dinner will find a number of excellent restaurants within pedaling distance: Etta’s Channel Side Restaurant, AJ’s on the Creek, Steamers – All You Can Eat, The Village Restaurant, and more.

Chincoteague Island is close enough to Norfolk, D.C, Annapolis, and Baltimore to visit often. Yet it is hard to imagine a place that feels more different than these big cities. The pace of life on Chincoteague is slow and relaxing. It invites leisurely walks on the beach, and long hours with a good book by the fire.

The time for New Year’s resolutions has come. Resolve to travel to our Chincoteague Island Bed and Breakfast in 2012. Make your plans now, and take advantage of our Spring Special: stay three nights for the price of two, or four nights for the price of three (and so on). When you look back on the year on December 31, 2012, you’ll be so pleased you did.

Happy New Year!