The Biltmore Estate, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, is one of America’s great estates. The mansion, which is the largest private residence in America, has 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, 34 bedrooms, a bowling alley and an indoor pool.  I loved the tropical feel of the indoor Winter Garden and touring the individual rooms. Each room is furnished with art and pieces collected from around the world.  As you explore the mansion, you’ll begin to experience a little of the Vanderbilts’ incredibly lavish lifestyle.  For a richer experience, get the audio guide or better yet, take the guided tour. (more…)

The Inn on Biltmore Estate is offering a “Land Rover Girls’ Getaway” package through May 31.  From their web site:

“Rev up with a Land Rover Girls’ Getaway
Get in the driver’s seat with the inn’s Land Rover Girls’ Getaway. Laugh and cheer one another on as you maneuver a Land Rover over hills and valleys. Then cap the day off with a relaxing massage, chocolates and wine, dinner on the estate, and an all-night movie marathon in your room.”

What’s included:

• Two nights accommodations
• Chef’s breakfast buffet daily
• Welcome gift of chocolates and Biltmore Estate wine
• One dinner at The Dining Room or Bistro
• Admission to the Biltmore Estate for the length of your stay
• Two-hour Land Rover driving lesson for you and a friend
• Two-hour massage for you and a friend
• Unlimited in-room movies

Packages start at $520 per person. 

[Via Inn on Biltmore Estate]

I ran across a cute little travel companion the other day.  It’s called a “Pocket-Pilot” and easily fits in the back pocket of your jeans.  Laminated to protect against rain (and latte spills), it unfolds to map size and is jam packed with useful information.  On one side there’s a detailed full color map of the city with points of interest along with mass transit routes.  The other side contains photos and descriptions of the top sights within the city, day trips to nearby places outside the city and more maps to show you where.  Since every city is made up of quarters with distinctive personalities, the Pocket-Pilot also includes a listing of each quarter and a description about each.  Want to know when the city was founded, the current population and other fun facts?  The Facts section covers the major facts about the city.  It’s a great travel resource, and best of all, weighs nothing. 

Currently there are Pocket-Pilots for Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. as well as Vancouver, Paris, London and other international cities.  Pick one up at any Barnes and Noble or buy online at Amazon.com.

If you want to experience the South the way it used to be, visit the Magnolia Plantation. The only thing missing will be a mint julep.  Created in 1676, Magnolia Plantation is known as the oldest major public garden in the country. The 500 acre plantation has been owned by the Drayton family for over 300 years. With 50 acres of landscaped gardens that include a topiary garden, an enclosed Barbados tropical garden, a biblical garden and a wildflower garden, it’s a garden lover’s delight.  

The azaleas and camellias are gorgeous during March and April. Besides viewing the gardens you can tour the house and if you don’t mind running into an alligator, the Audubon Swamp Garden. The plantation includes a large waterfowl refuge where over 250 different bird species have been identified.  Bird walks are held each Sunday morning. 

One of the signature dishes of Charleston, South Carolina is She Crab Soup.  A wonderful mixture of blue crab, crab roe(eggs), cream and sherry, this soup is a must have when you’re in town.  In Charleston, restaurant 82 Queen is the place to go for She Crab Soup.

According to food historian Linda Stradley of What’s Cooking America, She Crab Soup was invented around 1910 when President Taft was a guest at the home of Charleston’s mayor.  In honor of their special guest, the mayor’s butler “dressed up” their everyday crab soup by adding orange eggs from a female crab. It was a hit and has been a favorite ever since.  What place do you think serves the best She Crab Soup?  Add a comment and let us know!

Recipe and 82 Queen coupon.

With its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and hundreds of well-preserved historic homes, Charleston is a wonderful setting for a get together.  In the February 2006 issue of Southern Living magazine, Charleston was selected as the Reader’s Choice Award for Favorite City. 

One of the best ways to experience Charleston is with a walking tour.  (more…)

One of our favorite places in all of New England is Woodstock, Vt. Only 90 minutes or so from two regional airports (Burlington, VT and Manchester NH) it’s an easy place to reach for a relaxing retreat.  The Currier and Ives-esque village buzzes year round, but it’s especially busy during the fall foliage and winter ski seasons.  We prefer to visit Woodstock during the summer, but you’ll find the best hotel deals in early spring from March to May.  The beautiful Woodstock Inn & Resort has a package called the “Serenity Season Plan” that includes two nights accommodation, breakfast and dinner daily and special coupon offers from local merchants.  (more…)