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A journey of 


​a thousand miles



begins with a single step

Follow the Wine Trail

12/27/2020

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When you think of wine, you must think of Napa like the rest of us.  But did you know there are so many other little wine regions scattered all over the state of California and beyond that, in the country?  Nothing with the notoriety of Napa/Sonoma with their miles of vineyards sprawled out next to each other, but still very accessible - and some in your own back yard.  

We discovered those of Northern Georgia and Western Virginia this fall (with some North Carolina sprinkled in).  But before we get there, let's preface all this with how this trip came to be.
We love a good anniversary trip! And we highly recommend it to any couple looking for the perfect gift - there is nothing more important and coveted then one-on-one time, and nothing more suitable than taking time off together to reconnect and make memories. For us, it was one of the reasons we chose the wedding date we did - we figured we could always back up a couple's getaway into the long Thanksgiving weekend and a way to unwind before the holiday rush.

So this year, we had big plans to go to Napa.  Those plans also made on a whim, as we closely watched the wildfires in the region and knew that a decision wouldn't be made until that storm settled. Once it did, and in the separate of keeping our travel stateside, we didn't think there was a better way to support a region that was hurting than visiting it.

But then our plans go scrapped, so we had to once again make another plan on a few days' notice. We had wanted to ride the whole Blue Ridge Parkway up together as a family this fall but we just weren't able to squeeze it in. So when Napa got put on hold and in a last ditch effort, we made this agenda come to life, but this time as a much needed anniversary getaway!
So with a solid plan B, we loaded up the car and spent some great one-on-one time together on our own self created “wine trail” (venturing across 3 states)!
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Itinerary 

Our itinerary brought us from Central Florida up north, but can easily be written around from the opposite direction, or any other.

​We try not to drive more than 8 hours, as we know that it can be too much on us and takes the enjoyment out of a drive.  So we highly recommend that if its going to take you any longer than this, to make a stop somewhere in between to make your trip worthwhile!
Day 1 - Orlando, Florida to Dahlonega, Georgia (8 hours) 
Day 2 - Dahlonega/Helen area to Asheville, North Carolina (8 hours)
Day 3 - Asheville up the Blue Ridge Parkway to the north entrance in Afton, VA (13 hours) 
Day 4 - Charlottesville, Virginia (30 minutes from Afton) 
Day 5 - Charlottesville to Savannah, GA (7 hours)
Day 6 - Savannah to Orlando  

Dahlonega, Georgia 

Our first top took us to Dahlonega, Georgia where they have the most perfect wine region with mountains mixed in to feel like we escaped.  The drive from Central Florida (our starting point) is roughly 8 hours, but be warned - you'll hit Atlanta traffic if you like it or not, so plan accordingly! We made an early morning start of it and arrived right in early afternoon - enough time to get a few wineries in.  ​
Wineries to Visit
The Dahlonega Wine Trail offers over a hour of wineries to visit, but with our limited time, we got to visit a handful.  Here are the ones we recommend - 
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Kaya Vineyard & Winery
Three Sisters Vineyards
Frogtown Cellars

Finally, if making your way to Helen, stop at

Habersham Winery - in the heart of the town!
Stay
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If you want to experience the true charm of Dahlonega, consider a Bed & Breakfast in the city, or what we fell in love with Dahlonega Resort and Vineyard.  This resort offers private rooms or cabins on a sprawling hillside, tucked right in the middle of their wine country. This will give you a true opportunity to unplug and relax, and enjoy the coveted alone time you two came out for. 

If you want a little more to do, consider a stop in 
Helen, Georgia for the night instead.  This Alpine Village themed town makes you feel like you've traveled to another part of the world. Come during the holidays and you can take in the sights and sounds of Christmas as they ring in the season. 
Eat
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Montaluce is a winery with restaurant on site. Given that our time was limited, we opted to come here to enjoy dinner and the views, after spending an afternoon wine hopping.  Highly recommend trying starting with the Charcuterie and ending with the Osso Bucco! 
​

Hofer's is a charming German Bakery right in the middle of Helen!  If you plan to eat here, come early as you will have to wait.  Otherwise you can stop in for a treat to go as you take in the sights  of Helen!

Feeling like a German feast? It doesn't get closer than at Bodensee ​in Helen!
Other Things to Do
Babyland General Hospital (for the Cabbage Patch fans)
Georgia Mountain Coaster
Tubing down the Chattahoochee
Anna Ruby Falls 

Asheville, North Carolina

Where do we start with Asheville?  There's so much to say that we have recapped all you can do on Asheville in a post all its on. 

But for us, we had two goals in mind by coming here this time -
1. We wanted to jump on the Blue Ridge Parkway to attempt our full drive from here
2. Mainly, we wanted to spend Christmas at the Biltmore!

Wineries to Visit
With you daytime admission to the Biltmore, you'll also be able to access the Biltmore Winery for a free tasting.  

But if you're looking for more to do here, head over to Hendersonville and taste at Burntshirt Vineyards for some great wines!

​... or if beer is your thing, make a point to visit the staple breweries this city is known for as something to sample! We got a taste of Ginger's Revenge Fall Harvest and can't wait to come back to get some more!

Stay
Grand Bohemian Asheville is right in Biltmore Village - a short drive to the entrance to then take the long drive to through the estate! 

If you plan to exclusively visit the Biltmore during your stay, consider staying on site at either the Village Hotel or the Inn right in the hear of Antler Hill. 
Eat
Biscuit Head
Tupelo Honey
Dine at the Biltmore


Other Things to Do
Where do we even start?! Check out our full review on spending a week in Asheville!

The Biltmore

I felt like this deserves a side note all its on, just to truly appreciate the visit, whether coming for Christmas like we did or any time of the year.

We hadn’t quite made it to see the Biltmore last year, so we were in for a surprise either way.  We’re so glad we chose to see it at Christmas and opted to see it at night by candlelight, which was an experience all its own!

With the nighttime visit, you still have full day access to the grounds - to enjoy all the same inclusions a day ticket will grant you!  But you also get to see America's largest home in a different light, all decked out for the holidays - and we all know decor looks better at night.  

So if opting to do this, I highly recommend a full day visit - to catch glimpses of the exterior of the mansion during the day, enjoy hikes around the property, visit Antler Hill Village - to shop and eat, and then partake in the wine tasting before heading to your own unique tour of the home. 

Blue Ridge Parkway 

We drove up a good portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway taking in the last bit of leaves before they fall for the season. The whole parkway start to finish would take about 13 hours, without stops, but with shorter days we knew we didn’t have enough daylight. So we took it as far north before getting off at Blowing Rock as we could before reaching our next destination!

If you are opting to do the drive though, there are recommended stops along the course, with places to stay to break up the drive.  It would be best to start early, with the sunrise (though be careful with the fog) and take it slow so you can stop for some hikes or take in the peaceful scenic views.  

Also, beware of the time of year that you opt to go - though best enjoy from spring to early fall, you can still drive parts of the road during winter.  But chances are greater that you'll have closers along the way thanks to snowfall!  

Charlottesville, Virginia

If you complete the Parkway drive, you'll end up in Afton, Virginia - which is gateway to Shenandoah National Park as well.  So if National Park visits are your goal, you can get two here! 
​
The nearest "big" city to these stops is Charlottesville, Virginia, home to the University of Virginia - so we chose to make this our home base for two nights.
Wineries to Visit 
Use the Monticello Wine Trail to plan you visit, but grouping wines in regions to visit in a day or a few days!  We got in the following with our 24 hours here -
Jefferson Vineyards
Thatch Winery
Pippin Hill

​You can even charter your own private or shared tour to take you to wineries, though we opted a slower pace to do this on our own!
Stay
Omni Charlottesville is right on the downtown mall, where you'll find plenty of places to eat and drink down a quaint street dated back in time!

Eat
Public Fish & Oyster
The Fitzroy

The Nook ​
Things to Do
​We stayed in the heart of the city and got to soak in some of its history.
  • Visit Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
  • Apple picking at Carter Mountain Orchard
  • Mount Vernon is a little over 2 hour drive
  • Washington DC is 2.5 hours away
  • Williamsburg is just under 2 hours away 

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Spend some time visiting Monticello - one of the most prized accomplishments of Thomas Jefferson

Savannah

We ended our trip with a pit stop in Savannah, which helped to break the 12 hour car ride down to 7! We have been here a handful of times before, but each time we get a taste of something new. And we love that it’s only a short 5 hour trip from us to get to go back to again!
Stay 
Hyatt Savannah is right on the river and accessible from Bay Street as well, so in prime real estate! It's surrounded by equally wonderful hotels, but being that we have stayed here a few times, we enjoy the ambiance of the hotel and appreciate the brand overall!
Eat
The Old Pink House
​Moon River Brewing Company
Huey's
Vic's on the River
Rocks on the Roof
Jen's and Friends 
​Lulu's Chocolate Bar 
Better than Sex 
Things to Do
Savannah is a must walk city, as you'll truly get to experience all the hidden corners that give this city a charm. But if you'd like to view in other ways consider a tour of the city!
  • View the city by Segway Tour or even on a Trolley Tour to take at your leisure!  
  • Want to taste your way through Savannah?  Try a Culinary Tour!
  • Into the supernatural?  See Savannah at night with a Ghost Tour
  • Or even see it from the river, unlike anything else on the ​Savannah Riverboat​
It was a whirlwind trip - and yes, we got a lot accomplished in a short amount of time.

​So who's ready to go next? 
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Down in New Orleans

11/29/2020

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We took too much time to recap our trip to New Orleans, but no time like the present right?  Espeically since fond memories of our adult getaway were rehashed when we brought the kids back in this summer.  

They were two completely different experiences, even more watered down because of the circumstances that surrounded our latest trip.  But nonetheless, we were reminded why we fell in love with this city of old meets new!  And how it uniquely adapted its story to make it a vibrant city worth visiting - for any and all! 
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Beignet, Done That!

You can't come to New Orleans without trying some of their world famous beignets! There are so many places you can find a variation of this sugar laden pastry on their menu  but you can't visit without trying one of the top stops. ​

​Cafe du Monde is synonymous with New Orleans so it goes without being said you have to pay a visit to see what its all about.  The French Market location right by Jackson Square usually has a line down the block, to order and be seated, so come prepared! But if you don't mind a to-go option, swing around with cash to their outdoor window and you can significantly reduce your wait time.  ​
If location doesn't matter, there's a Cafe du Monde on the RiverWalk that is a hidden gem!  We checked out this spot on our first visit, with no wait and an indoor seating, which made a rainy morning a perfect stop! You can also conveniently enjoy views of the Mississippi - and stroll down riverside for some incredible views of NOLA!

Cafe Beignet may be the lesser known of the two options, but definitely worth a try if you're still craving this sweet!  They're known as "New Orleans Best Beignets" and we couldn't agree.  Though there's not much you can do differently in making this treat, this one just stood out a little more to us in flavor and presentation! With several locations throughout the city, and an even more extensive menu, this place is worth visiting just for the charm in their design!  

Regardless of choice, it should go without being said, they're both excellent!

    Where's Your Favorite Place for a Beignet?

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Still undecided? We recommend stopping at both and trying them out for yourself - and don't forget to order the Café Au Lait alongside!

Come Ready to Eat Even More!

This city is truly a foodies dream!  From traditional Cajun vibes to top rated restaurants with vibrant menus, there's so many great staples to try here, it's difficult to say where to start.  Here were a few of our top favorite eats, all which came recommended to us, and now we pass on the recommendation.   
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•Cochon - We ordered from the Boucherie so we could sample a little of everything. Did you also know the cocoon is the French word for pig? Used to describer the food of choice, not the nature of dining.  But it so good here, that you may feel like you can't stop!
•Willa Jean - The Milk Money Latte & a cookie were the perfect afternoon snack!  There is an extensive breakfast, brunch and lunch menu - but we popped into the restaurant and took this coffee and treat to go on a recommendation as an after lunch snack.  And it was so worth the stop!
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•Broussard's - We had some celebrating to do and this place added to the charm of our experience!  A beautiful restaurant with outdoor courtyard to help recreate what resembled our wedding venue - ask to sit outside because its PERFCT!

We ended the night with an order of Bananas Foster Flambee, made table side to your delight!
•Commander's Palace - Come for the Martini Lunch and stay to enjoy the slow afternoon vibes!  

​This is a place that you dress to impress, so make sure to follow the dress code.  When opting for the Martini Lunch, you get a choice of either 2 or 3 course meal, and when ordering from that prix fixe menu, you get a trifecta of $.25 martinis! You can choose between the Classic, the Cosmo, the Commander's and the Ray Melon.  I recommend the Classic unless dry is not your thing!

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•Acme Oyster - You're here for exactly what the name says - oysters!

Their popular location in the French Quarter offers to-go with a line to match its popularity. But you can find them elsewhere - like we did, at Harrah's Casino.  The perfect complement to an early evening of trying our chance with Lady Luck!
•Mother's Restaurant - This was the place to get true Cajun cooking and have a little sample of it all!  

​If you order the Combination Platter for $20, it's more than enough for 2 and comes with your choice of shrimp creole or crawfish étouffée, with jambalaya, red beans and rice, potato salad, and one side (turnips, cabbage, green beans or grits)
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•The Original French Market - The shrimp boil quite literally dragged us in! ​

After an evening of trying NOLA's best drinks, we were beckoned by the smell coming from the boil on the French Market.  The pot is set alongside a window where you can smell all the spices floating through the air.  The taste is as good as the smell.  
•Arnaud's - The Jazz Brunch!​  This was our one must do before we left - have a long brunch with lively music and truly feel that New Orleans' vibe.  We opted to try Arnaud's, though there are plenty of options in the city that all rank with the same kind of enthusiasm.  Offered on Sunday, the brunch is also dress code strict with a business casual recommendation - collared shirts for gentlemen, no t-shirts, shorts or athletic wear. 

The menu is a prix-fixed 3 course meal with plenty of options to choose from. The price of the brunch varies based off your entree option, but you can pair it with your liking of appetizer and dessert. We went for the Crepes Suzette to get the table side flambé experience again! 

Drink Up!

If you've made room for more, we recommend a drinking tour of NOLA.  Whether self-guided or on a formal tour with wealth of information, make sure that you get to try the following.  We had a great time experiencing the best of what NOLA's bars had to offer - 
 •The Sazarec, the world's first cocktail, at The Sazerac Restaurant in The Roosevelt New Orleans
•The Vieux Carre, NOLA's take on a Manhattan, at The Carousel Bar in Hotel Monteleone - this place alone is worth a visit, wait for a seat at the bar!
•The Hurricane, a staple of NOLA,  at Pat O'Brien's
•Pimm's Cup is an excellent summertime aperitif - found at Napoleon House!
•The Grasshopper, the drink bright green in color, at historic Tujague's
•Absinthe, the Green Fairy, at Pirate's Alley Cafe
•Voodoo Daiquiri, aka the purple drink, at Lafitte's Blacksmith  Shop - the bar alone is worth the visit!
•Café Brulot Diabolique at Arnaud's is a table side delight to watch being made! We enjoyed this experience during our brunch!
•French 75 just about anywhere - this drink is made for those that prefer something with a little less kick and more sweet!

    What's Your Favorite NOLA Staple? 

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Time to Play!

•Visit the neighborhoods of NoLA - Garden District, Magazine Street, Jackson Square, French Quarter
•Lafeyette Cemetery No. 1 - one of the oldest in the city 
•Legendary ghost and voodoo tour of city haunts
•Sail down the Mississippi on the Natchez
•Ride a Street Car
•Harrah's Casino - Feeling lucky?
•Swamp Boat Tour
•Mardi Gras Tour
 ... and so much more! 

Stay Here!

Though you can't go wrong with your choice of where to stay in NOLA, we enjoyed Intercontinental Hotel, we even came back again. 

The hotel is a little removed from the action, but close enough to get in.  We enjoyed its proximity to all of what WE wanted to do in NOLA.  A few blocks from Canal Street, a few block from the River, an easy walk over to the Garden District, and even easier walk to the heart of NOLA. 

We booked a King Room and the size of the room was generous.  The ambiance was also all we needed for a quiet weekend away.  It was far enough removed that we had the quiet we relished in between the action, but close enough at we could stop at a few of our favorite discoveries on the way back 
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