It's time again for one of my favorite events of the year, the annual Inn to Inn Holiday Cookie and Candy Tour in Mt Washington Valley, NH.  Sponsored by the Country Inns in the White Mountains, this event was dubbed the best sugar high in New Hampshire, and for good reason.  Hungry tour goers will visit 15 different inns located from Hart's Location, NH to Fryeburg, Maine, sampling cookies and candies and collecting recipes at each one.  No need to leave a trail of cookie crumbs behind, there are handy maps offering directions to each location.  Best of all, it's only about three hours north of Boston, making it the perfect weekend getaway.  This year, the The tour is Dec 11-12, 2010.

Old Red Inn & Cottages in North Conway, New Hampshire - Mama's Biscotti 

One of my favorite parts of the cookie tour, now in its 14th year, is viewing all the creative holiday decorations at each inn.  I remember spying a glass vase filled to the brim with cranberries floating in water and with pine boughs plud red berries at one inn. Each year since then I've receive compliment upon compliment for my beautiful cranberry-filled vases.  Kudos to the creative Country Inns in the White Mountains innkeepers for the beautiful holiday decor ideas I've gotten from year to year on this tour.

Darby Field Inn & Restaurant in Albany, New Hampshire – Snickerdoodle bars 

Just to sweeten this event (as if it's not sweet enough!), each inn displays a handmade gingerbread creation in honor of non-profit organizations throughout the Valley, and tourgoers vote on their favorites.  The creation with the most votes wins donations for its non-profit creator, making the tour a great way to support local organizations in Mt Washington Valley.

They've even created a number of lodging packages which include overnight stays, tickets to the events and breakfast each morning.  Trust me, between the gourmet breakfasts and all those cookies, you won't want lunch, but you will want to stay overnight at the end of the tour in plush beds while visions of sugarplums dance in your heads.  Simply click on the link to view packages offered by participating inns.

Covered Bridge House in Glen, New Hampshire - Peanut Butter Cookie Cups 

More Information
Visit countryinnsinthewhitemountains.com/  for complete information on the tour, lodging packages and photos of many of the cookies to be featured on the tour.

Marti Mayne is the B&B Editor for Wandering Educators

All photos courtesy of Country Inns in the White Mountains

Feature photo: Riverbend Inn Bed & Breakfast in Chocorua, New Hampshire - Chocolate Pecan Bars