Story by Milli Thornton. photos Copyright © 2009 Milli Thornton & Brian Williams, except for the photo of Carla & Cedar which is courtesy of Carla Carlson.

BONNYBANK BED & BREAKFAST is a gem set in the vineyards of the Twenty Valley, about twenty minutes from Niagara Falls on the Canadian side.

Owner Carla Carlson has lovingly preserved the history of this venerable old house, both in the house itself and by gathering written records that she makes available to guests in the cozy sunroom/reading area.

Where to start when trying to relate the delights of Bonnybank? With Carla herself.

Friendly and helpful, she will take precious time out of her busy day to educate her guests on the history of the Niagara Escarpment, plus provide tips on local activities and good places to eat. An environmentalist by word and action, Carla cares deeply about her surroundings, both inside and out.

There’s a whimsical side to her deep feelings for Mother Earth and the heritage she’s preserving at Bonnybank. Keep your eyes open for magical discoveries throughout the house. I was continually enchanted to find fairies and all manner of critters nestled on shelves, tables and ledges.

Her collection of miniature elephants sits near the stereo that plays world music during breakfast. Frogs are one of her favorites. We brought her a tiny pewter turtle from a garden shop in Jordan Village as our thank you for her house of delights.

Situated next door to an owl sanctuary, Bonnybank is surrounded by lush gardens and a colorful variety of flowers. The Carolinian woodlands across the way echoes with the bellow of bullfrogs every summer evening.

The photo shows the peace and solitude of nearby Twenty Mile Creek, which is spanned by an historic railroad bridge.

Although situated amid woods and vineyards, Bonnybank is a mere two-minute drive through a winding valley to Jordan Village. Here you’ll find quaint-looking shops full of modern treasures, a yummy ice cream and chocolate shop and some wonderful restaurants.

Restaurants and tea houses in the Twenty Valley deserve their own article space. One of the special moments of our trip was when we returned from a gourmet meal at About Thyme Bistro to the comfort and romance of a camp fire lit for us by Carla in her front yard.

At least some “getaways” should involve getting away from the hurly-burly of town or city living. Bonnybank B&B is a comfortable, cozy and homey way to fulfill that basic human need.

For more information, visit Bonnybank online at the link below. Although you won’t find extensive details online, once you get in touch with Carla she’ll send you plenty of goodies by e-mail, including detailed directions.

But talk to her by phone first. Carla Carlson’s forte is to do things the old-fashioned way and to care for her guests personally—even before you arrive.

Bonnybank Bed & Breakfast, Twenty Valley, Ontario, Canada

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Milli Thornton (aka Milliver) is the author of Fear of Writing: for writers & closet writers. She is owner of the Fear of Writing Online Course, where her mission is to put the fun back into writing. Milli blogs at the Fear of Writing Blog and coaches writers individually at Writer’s Muse Coaching Service.

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FTC Compliance: This is an independent review that I wrote because I enjoyed my stay at Bonnybank B&B—a trip that was 100% paid for by myself and my husband. The accommodation deal that we received was offered to us as regular guests. The owner had no foreknowledge that I run a travel blog.