Column: Hendersonville is one of my favorite getaways

The definition of a bed and breakfast according to the dictionary is, “an accommodation offered by an inn, hotel or especially a private home for the night and breakfast the next morning for one included price.”

I always thought I’d have to wait in line if I was staying in a stranger’s house using all their facilities. We made reservations at the 1898 Waverly Inn in Hendersonville, N.C. It was a beautiful three-story Victorian with a full farm-to-table breakfast and was within walking distance to downtown restaurants and shops.

After eating a breakfast of apple pancakes with apple cider syrup, scrambled eggs with cheese, spinach and mushrooms, home fries, homemade bread and jellies, then going on the front porch rocking the weight away, I realized I am hooked on B&Bs.

How refreshing it was.

Dinner time was another adventure. We found Renzo’s Restorante. The owner Renzo Maietto, explained to us that his food was a homage to his grandmother and also his cultural roots in the village of Viterbo, Italy. Maietto designed the sophisticated décor, which is beautiful.

The main course was delicious. But I am most interested in sweets and I hit the jackpot by ordering the cannoli. The outside crust was made of almond paste rolled as thin as a potato chip, filled with almond and cheese, dripped honey over the top. This was one of the best cannolis I have ever had in my life.

Downtown Hendersonville is a wonderful place for exploring and experiencing diversity. Browse or simply eat and people-watch. It is really such a great place and only 122 miles away.

This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 3:39 PM with the headline "Column: Hendersonville is one of my favorite getaways."