Thinking About A Trip To Buy A Perfect Gift?

Victoria Kolyvas, the innkeeper at the on the Boston Post Road in Madison, is convinced that people looking for that perfect gift will find it right here in her hometown.

She's so certain of that, that she is offering a special rate to anyone who wants to stay at the inn while doing their shopping. And, she'll wrap any gifts purchased, for free, as long as the gifts are purchased in Madison.

The Tidewater Inn is located at 949 Boston Post Road, right down the post road from a wide range of shops including , , the , , jewelry store, Jewelry, , Walker Loden, , and a wide range of clothing stores including , , , , the , and more.

There are plenty of places to take a break from shopping, including , , the , , and , where they will make you a gourmet cheese sandwich.

Room rates at the inn can run as high as $185, but Kolyvas said she is offering a special rate of $125 for any room for those who shop in Madison. That comes with breakfast the next day. And it's not just any breakfast.

"The kitchen is my playground," says Kolyvas. She offers a three-course meal at breakfast including juice and fruit. And we're not talking about a bowl of tired-looking sliced melon. Breakfast this morning included maple baked pears stuffed with craisins and walnuts. There is a bread course, that might include something like a dried cherry almond muffin. Then there is a hot entree. Kolyvas alternates between what she calls "maple syrup days" and egg days. Breakfast this morning was a blueberry oatmeal breakfast cake with a side of sausage.

The inn is all decorated for Christmas, including a Christmas village. But the village only includes buildings that one might see in downtown Madison. There is a church, a firehouse, a gift shop, and a coffee shop. And, of course, there is an inn.

Kolyvas said she plans to run the special for at least a week and invites people to call 203-245-8457 to make sure it is still running, and to make reservations.