The below photo is of the Agatha Christie Carriage House Grand Suite at Rivertown Inn in Stillwater, Minnesota. The innkeepers say that entering this room is "like stepping into the pages of the mystery writer's classic 'Murder on the Orient Express.'"

They add, "This suite conjures images of the magnificent train that was the ultimate form of European travel between Paris and Constantinople in the 1800s. The opulent private suite features a berth-style king size bed, an elegant seating area with fireplace, Tiffany-style lamps, and a private outdoor garden terrace. The exotic suite also offers special spa amenities including a tiled steam room with a Kohler water tower massaging shower and separate whirlpool room with a deep oversized tub."

The restored Victorian mansion offers European-style elegance and has gardens, walking paths, and fountains on the grounds. Literary lovers will be in heaven here; all of the rooms are named after famous writers.

It's getting cold out there! Warm up with this sweet recipe from Deutsche Strasse (German Street) Bed and Breakfast in New Ulm, MN. The 1884 home overlooks the Minnesota River Valley and is four blocks from the shops of downtown. Here is what the innkeepers say about the recipe: "We serve two of the warmed pear halves per person with some of the cooked syrup in stemmed dessert dishes as a fruit starter for our breakfasts during the cold winter months in Minnesota."

The A.G. Thomson House is a seven-bedroom B&B in Duluth, Minnesota. It's in the city's Historic Congdon Mansion District, which overlooks Lake Superior. Guest rooms at this elegant 1909 Dutch Colonial home feature whirlpools, fireplaces, A/C, LCD/HDTV/DVD, iPod docking stations, free Wi-Fi, and more.

The inn currently has a perfect overall rating on BedandBreakfast.com. This glowing review is from a stay in January 2011.

"Just Perfection!!!!"
What a wonderful B&B you have created! My husband and I have never stayed at one before, but we know you have the others beat! The room was perfect! We loved the lights, the bed, the whirlpool, the fireplace, the sink…everything down to the doorknobs! I could go on and on. Suffice it to say it is all just perfect! The mansion itself is beautiful. The decorating of the living room, the dining room and the sun room is also just perfect. Don’t change a thing about this place! We especially appreciated all the little things Tim and Angie do for their guests. There are always baked goodies to eat downstairs. The complimentary drinks (both soft drinks and wine) are a very nice touch. Breakfast is delicious (and the room delivery is also a very nice touch). We will remember our stay always. Just when we think we’ve mentioned it all, we think of more things: first aid kits, games, and hundreds of movies. All these extras make this kind of accommodation very special. Tim and Angie are so very nice and should be very proud of what they have created. They were both born to do this. I have never seen a mansion so perfectly maintained. And Tim and Angie go out of their way for their guests. It can all be summed up in one word: PERFECT!

This recipe comes courtesy of The Afton House Inn in Afton, Minnesota. The inn's Wheel Room (pictured below) offers fine dining and serves a full menu of pasta, seafood, steaks, poultry, desserts, and more. Their specialty is tableside cooking; one option is to have their signature Steak Diane flamed with brandy at your table. They also have a more casual dining facility. Most of the inn's 25 rooms feature gas fireplaces and Jacuzzis, and some overlook the Marina and St. Croix River.

Prep time:  25 minutes
Serves:  2