Question: We want to see the Christmas decorations at some lovely inns. Where should we go?

Answer: So many choices, so little space! A great way to get into the holiday spirit is to treat yourself-or your loved ones-to a weekend at a country inn, beautifully decorated for the holidays. If your schedule permits, an especially appealing time to visit is during late November and early December, when inns in many communities sponsor Christmas open house tours. Although no two are alike (that's half the fun), here's how it often works: You buy a ticket for a tour of the participating B&Bs, each beautifully decked out for the holidays. At many, seasonal refreshments like hot cider and home-baked cookies await you; some even give you a holiday ornament or recipe. Tours are typically self-guided, running from 1-5 pm or occasionally 5-8 pm for candlelight tours. Often, all or part of the ticket sales goes to helping a local charity or other worthwhile cause. If you stay overnight at one of the participating B&Bs, your tour tickets are usually included; click here for some examples.

California

Mendocino Coast: December 5-8, 13th Annual Candlelight Inn Tour. Benefits Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Mendocino County and the Mendocino Children's Fund. Tour numerous inns in Albion/ Little River (12/5), Mendocino (12/6), and Fort Bragg (12/7). Info: Agate Cove Inn, Fensalden Inn, or 800-726-2780.

Placerville, Gold Country: December 1-2, 6th Annual Christmas Homes Tour. Visit 13 El Dorado County Bed & Breakfast Inns trimmed in the Christmas spirit and serving complimentary refreshments. Info: Blair House Carousel Inn or 800-831-4008.

Santa Cruz County: December 9, Open House Tour of seven area B&Bs, including festive décor and light snacks. Info: 831-688-8025.

Connecticut

Northeast CT: December 8-9, tour of 12 Quiet Corner B&Bs, plus The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp (not normally open to the public) Proceeds to benefit The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp. Info: Chickadee Cottage, Celebrations Inn or 888- 628-1228.

Florida

Amelia Island: December 1-2. Each of ten B&Bs of historic Fernandina Beach will be decorated with a different theme and open for the annual Christmas Tour.

Green Cove Springs: December 1. Holiday tour of historic sites to benefit the Historic Society Museum and Railroad Collection. Free tickets for weekend guests at the River Park Inn.

St. Augustine: December 9. 8th Annual Holiday Tour of Historic Inns. Proceeds to benefit the St. John's County P.A.L.

Kansas

Topeka: November 9-11. Christmas In The Country. The 1878 Stone Sage Inn invites guests to tour their inn and several area antiques and gift shops; refreshments provided.

Kentucky

Louisville: December 1-2. Victorian Yuletide Holiday House Tour of seven Old Louisville mansions. Transportation provided; several Old Louisville restaurants will be open during the tour so that you can experience a "Taste of Old Louisville." Overnight package: Central Park B&B.

Maryland

Annapolis: December 8. Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour of festively decorated B&Bs in the historic district. Sponsored by Annapolis Bed and Breakfast Association. Info: 410-268-7070

Massachusetts

Lee, Berkshires: December 2. Holiday Trim a Tree Inn Tour, sponsored by the Lee Lodgings Association. Participating inns are decorated for the holidays (some with Hanukah as well as Christmas decorations). Ticket holders will be given an ornament to take home. Overnight package: Parsonage On The Green.

Missouri

Hannibal: December 9. Holiday Open House, Garth Woodside Mansion B&B . Open House with carols by the Hannibal LaGrange College Choir. Proceeds benefit Missouri Girls Town.

Minnesota

Duluth: December 2 & 9. Historic Homes Tour and Progressive Tea. Six inns are decorated for the season and feature live music, period costumes, and a different course of a Holiday High Tea. Bring a gift for Toys for Tots and you'll receive a poinsetta plant. Overnight package: A Charles Weiss Inn..

New Hampshire

Mt. Washington Valley: December 8-9. Fifth Annual Mt. Washington Valley Inn to Inn Christmas Cookie Tour. Two yummy days of cookie-filled touring at 19 area inns. Lots of great overnight packages, including the Cabernet Inn.

New Jersey

Cape May: December 1, 8 & 15. 28th Annual Christmas Candlelight House Tours.. Continuous shuttle service on heated trolleys brings you to at least 15 specially decorated inns, homes, hotels, and churches, plus caroling and more. Info: 800-275-4278.

New York

Westfield: November 17-19. Annual Westfield Holly House Tour. Tour stately homes decorated for Christmas, attend a Victorian Tea, and a craft show. Info: Lakeside B&B.

North Carolina

Black Mountain: December 16. Holiday Mountain Tour. Seven country inns offer a holiday open house, plus a drawing for a free night's stay. Proceeds benefit Swannanoa Christian Ministries. Info: Inn on Mill Creek or call 877-735-2964.

Pennsylvania

Gettysburg: December 8. Holiday House Tour, sponsored by the Gettysburg B&B Association. Overnight packages at the Brickhouse Inn and the Baltimore St. Inn.

Washington

Leavenworth: November 24. Holiday tour of seven B&B inns, with decorations, refreshments, and entertainment. Info: Abendblume Pension.

Port Townsend: December 7. B&B Open Parlor. Thirteen inns will be "dressed to the nines" for the holidays, most of them within walking distance from each other in the town's Historic District. Admission to each inn is a cash or food donation to the local food bank. Special rate at the Chanticleer Inn.