Be kind to yourself and book a visit to the Piney Hill Bed and Breakfast. My husband and I just returned from a two-night stay in the Emma Ruffner Rogers room and loved every minute. The room is bright and cheery and looks out onto the Blue Ridge Mountains on one side and emerald green farm fields dotted with cows on the other. I came down early the first morning and joined the dozing kitties on the front porch facing the mountains. Soon after, Hank (who’d heard me tiptoe down the stairs) brought me a steaming cup of coffee to sip on while I enjoyed my book, the view, and the symphony of birdsong that accompanied it. True bliss! Then came breakfast—Wiley works some sheer magic in the kitchen. Spinach puffs, yogurt and granola parfaits, peach French toast, fresh fruit, and sticky buns I thought I was too full for until I bit into one. Then, out came Hank’s box of trail maps—with his help we planned great itineraries both days that included hikes in the Shenandoah (the Rose River trail and the Bearfence scramble), cavern tours (Luray and Skyline) places to stop for lunch (Gathering Grounds & West Main Market) and visits to art galleries (Art Warehouse) and wineries, and finally dinner recommendations (If you’re there on Sunday try to catch the live jazz band at Speakeasy). We came home in the evenings tired but happy, having had two of the best days we’d had in a long time. The spectacular natural beauty of the location and utter graciousness of Hank and Wiley make Piney Hill the true essence of luxury.