Most Bed and Breakfast’s are a wonderful alternative to a hotel or motel stay, offering a more home-like experience, with more personal service and amenities. Some B&B’s are now offering special theme weekends, extending their hospitality with spas or cooking getaways.

  Two B&B’s in Muskoka have teamed up to offer a B&B experience with a twist. Lynch’s B&B in Gravenhurst and Witsend B&B, located just outside of Gravenhurst, are offering Murder Mystery weekends.  From now until the end of March, these weekends are full of fun and mystery, of course. There is even a special Murder Mystery planned for the Valentine’s weekend.

  The weekends run something like this; “On Friday night (or second night if midweek), gather at Wit's End for appetizers and dessert with your hosts and fellow guests. On Saturday, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your B&B. During the day take part in a number of optional activities ranging from XC-skiing, snowshoeing, sleighride, dogsledding, (at additional cost), to shopping in the area or other activities as desired.

  In the evening, gather at Lynch's for the murder mystery and a four-course theme dinner. Each mystery has a theme menu and suggestions for costumes. There is a choice of two themes – the Fatal Reunion, and the Eternal Cruise. The Fatal Reunion takes place when Norma Ashby hears that Lakeside High School is being closed and torn down, and is devastated. One of the few alumni left in town, she has a mission: save the school. A reunion would convince her old classmates to help her purchase Lakeside High. The eight of you and Norma decide to meet at the Lakeside Greasy Spoon before going to the 60's 70's Rock 'n Roll costume party. Norma doesn't make it. She said she would save Lakeside High or die trying, and that is just what happened. Norma Ashby was found shot to death in her home.”

  The menu includes a variety of appetizers, French Onion Soup or Spinach Salad, with an entree of Roast Beef, roast potatoes, gravy and all the trimmings. Dessert is a make your own sundaes (after all, this is a greasy spoon!), with coffee and tea.

  The Eternal Cruise mystery “has Captain Scott Emery missing at sea! He disappeared late one evening while inspecting his ship on a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska. His cap is discovered on the upper deck amid scattered chairs and signs of a scuffle. Has he been murdered??? You were his passengers on the cruise ship Moonlight Princess when it happened. You are all suspects! You all get together to solve this mystery before the police become involved.”

  The menu includes a variety of appetizers, French Onion Soup or Spinach Salad, with an entrée of Cornish Hen with Rice Pilaf, Candied Carrots, Green Beans Parmesan. Dessert is Raspberry Sour Cream Pie, with coffee and tea.

  Menu suggestions may be adjusted to suit the group.

  On Sunday, enjoy another relaxing breakfast and a day of Muskoka activity.

Get your group together or join in with another group and reserve your Murder Mystery weekend now by calling Wit's End B&B at 705-687-6992, www.bbmuskoka.com/witsend/index.html or Lynch's B&B at 705-687-2048, at www.bbmuskoka.com/lynchs/index.html