CarolinaTravelPlanner

Wentworth Mansion in Charleston Honored by Travel & Leisure Magazine

2013-05-15T15:08:00.000-04:00

Venerable Wentworth Mansion in Charleston, South Carolina is in the news again. They have been bestowed with the top spot in the U.S. for best service and #2 in the world (and only one-tenth of a point behind Hong Kong's The Peninsula) in Travel & Leisure Magazine World's Best Awards. Rankings were based on reader votes collected in the Travel & Leisure World's Best Awards survey.

Built in 1886, the Wentworth Mansion is the former home of a wealthy cotton merchant. Lovingly restored in 1998 by current owners Richard Widman and Linn Lesesne, it retains many of the original and distinctive architectural features including gas-lit fireplaces with original marble mantels and inlaid design floors. Modern touches include king-size sleigh beds with European linens, whirlpool tubs and double glass-walled, walk-in showers, and complimentary evening wine tastings and hors d'oeuvres in the parlor.

And, needless to say, some of the best service in the world!

First Flush Festival at South Carolina Tea Farm

2013-05-14T07:45:00.001-04:00

Each May, the only tea farm in the continental U.S. celebrates its first harvest of the year with the First Flush FesTEAval, which gives tea lovers the opportunity to observe how the world's second-most consumed beverage (after water) is made.

Located in South Carolina’s Lowcountry on Wadmalaw Island, about 18 miles from Charleston, the Charleston Tea Plantation covers 127 acres, with one-third planted in tea bushes that descend from bushes brought over from China in the 1800s. The plantation was founded in 1987 to produce a line of teas called American Classic. In 2003, the Bigelow family of the R.C. Bigelow tea company purchased the plantation. The Bigelows worked with third-generation tea-taster Bill Hall to create a place where tea lovers can see how the beverage is made from leaf to cup. They fully restored the grounds and built a tea-processing factory, and the plantation opened to the public in 2006.

In the factory, visitors can watch through a 125-foot window as equipment processes tea from raw leaf to finished black tea. During the harvest season (May-October), plants are picked about every 15 days; the leaves go from harvest to finished tea in less than 24 hours. If tea isn’t being processed during a visit, videos shown on three TV screens illustrate each step. A large gift shop stocks teas, including American Classic and limited-edition First Flush, and much more. Tea bushes and old oaks dot the grounds surrounding the factory, where visitors can picnic (with iced tea the beverage of choice).

Charleston Tea Plantation's 7th Annual First Flush FesTEAval, scheduled for May 18, has grown to include trolley tours of the plantation, factory tours, regional fare such as boiled peanuts, games and rides for kids and kids at heart, and live music featuring Old Crow Medicine Show with The Luke Cunningham Band, Gas Light Street, Quincy Mumford, and more. And of course, there's lots of complimentary thirst-quenching iced tea.

You've Seen the Film....Now Tour the Sites in North Carolina

2013-05-10T07:46:00.000-04:00

Iron Man has (finally!) opened and, boy, has it has generated all the fanfare it was expected to. We're talking $175 million dollar in its' first weekend. And that's only domestically! Internationally, the film racked up over $500 million overseas in its' first two weeks. So obviously Tony Stark is, indeed, the Iron Man at the box office.

Most of the film was filmed in our neck of the woods. Wilmington, to be exact. And once we see the film, we're going to check out all of the locations (some in the film, some just hang-outs for the stars) for a real insiders' view.

A lot of the filming took place at the State Port. Since that's closed to the public, we'll just have to check out the cranes and ships from afar. But you can definitely check out the Cape Fear Club on Chestnut Street, Steven's Hardware on Dawson Street (where Tony goes in to buy some supplies), New Hanover Regional Medical Center and, of course EUE/Screen Gems Studios, where Iron Man 3 was based and where all of the stage filming was done (surely they'll be offering tours soon!).

But even more fun might be to check out some of the places that the stars frequented while they spent several months here filming. Those options include the USS North Carolina, where Ben Kingsley took a private tour, Edge of Urge, a boutique where Downey shopped, Roko Italian Cuisine, a dining favorite of Kingsley and Gwyneth Paltrow, Catch, where Downey, Paltrow, and fellow star, Jon Favreau (Paltrow was so impressed that she returned for a private cooking lesson from local chef and Top Chef contestant Keith Rhodes and blog about the experience), and Boca Bay Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar, Brassierie du Soleil and Causeway Cafe at Wrightsville Beach which were all frequented by executive producer, Charles Newirth.

Other filming locations in North Carolina include Oak Island (30 miles south of Wilmington) where residents and beach goers watched stunt actors fall from the sky to the sea through Skydive Coastal Carolinas. The film makers turned two vacant shops in Rose Hill into the First Tennessee bank and The RockyTop Restaurant. Crew regularly paid visits to the World's Largest Frying Pan and the Duplin Winery Bistro and The Mad Boar for lunch.

The location of Iron Man 3's Miss Chattanooga Christmas Pageant is Kenan Memorial Auditorium in Kenansville.

In the Triangle, most of the film was shot at Epic Games and SAS Institute, both of which are closed to the public. But you can visit The Umstead Hotel and Spa, which served as overnight accommodations for Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce. And don't miss out on one of Paltrow's favorite meals while in the Capital City at Poole's Diner. Apparently, she tweeted a request for a restaurant recommendation in the Raleigh area and after tasting James Beard finalist Ashley Christensen's food, tweeted her review: "Amazing!"

Southeastern Fly Fishing Festival Comes to North Carolina

2013-05-08T09:36:00.000-04:00

The Southeastern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers has selected Jackson County, North Carolina to host its 2013 Southeastern Fly Fishing Festival. The two-day event, May 17-18, takes place in the Ramsey Center arena at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina, a popular destination for fly fishing enthusiasts and home to the Western NorthCarolina Fly Fishing Trail.

With guest speakers including expert guides Ian and Charity Rutter, Bryson City native Jim Casada and two-handed fly rod guru Al Buhr, fly-tying experts, and industry exhibitors, the Southeastern Fly Fishing Festival is perfect for experienced and beginning anglers alike.

The weekend kicks off with a Friday barbecue dinner, sponsored by Trout Unlimited and a screening of this year's Fly Fishing Film Tour, a contest for short films about fly fishing. Opportunities to fish the WNC Fly Fishing Trail will also be available all weekend long.

Festival hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Daily admission price is $5 for individuals and $10 for families. Admission price includes free presentations and programs, along with the opportunity to sign up for paid instruction in casting and fly-tying.

Need a room? Check out MountainLovers.com for all kinds of options from campgrounds to B&Bs and hotel rooms to cabins and cottages.

All-New Sonesta Resort Open on Hilton Head, South Carolina

2013-05-07T08:48:00.001-04:00

The all new Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island has reopened after a $30M renovation of its rooms and public spaces and the addition of a spa. Perfectly situated along the beachfront on 11 acres of the stunning landscape of Shipyard Plantation, the 340 rooms highlight the look and feel of the South Carolina Lowcountry while providing all the amenities of a AAA four diamond resort.

Updates on their public spaces include a shaded lap pool and Jacuzzi, a zero entry-heated lagoon swimming pool, more than 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and the new full-service Arum Spa featuring a Lowcounty spa experience using local products and scents including jasmine and sea salts.

Guests at Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island also have access to seven championship golf courses at four of the island's golf courses and 20 tennis courts within the Shipyard complex (including complimentary shuttle service). There's also plenty of dining options within the property as well as on-site bicycle rentals.

And that doesn't even begin to talk about all of the shopping, dining, and outdoor recreation that Hilton Head Island proper has to offer. So if you are looking for a Spring getway or your summer vacation plans include Hilton Head Island, be sure to check out the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island.

Fire in the Triad Heats up May 14th

2013-05-02T08:31:00.000-04:00

Fire in the Triad, part of the Got To Be NC Competition Dining Series, is headed back to Greensboro and the gauntlet has been thrown. Competing chefs have been chosen for the May/June series and the winner will travel to Raleigh to compete in Final Fire in November for the title of Best Chef in North Carolina.

Featured restaurants in Fire in the Triad include: Undercurrents, Southern Roots, Tavern Old Salem, Greensboro Country Club, Spring House, Noble's Grille, Crafted, J. Pepper's, Meridian, Diamondback, Bistro B, B. Christopher's, Marisol, River Birch Lodge, Liberty Oak and WS Prime. All battles will be held at The Empire Room in downtown Greensboro.

Support your favorite restaurant as they go head-to-head in a knockdown, drag-out, six-course, blind dinner judged by a panel of culinary experts and YOU, the diners. Tickets are available online but availability is limited to only 100 guests per night.

So get your tickets now and you be the judge!

Long Awaited Outer Banks Resort to Reopen

2013-04-30T08:33:00.000-04:00

One of the most beloved resorts of the Outer Banks, North Carolina (and one of our favorite getaways) is scheduled to re-open May 1 after a multimillion-dollar redesign and tons of new bells and whistles. Sanderling Resort, a AAA four-diamond resort just North of the seaside community of Duck in the Outer Banks, has undergone a renovation over the winter and we can't wait to check out her new public spaces, renovated guestrooms, and dining options.

Some of the new elements of this causally elegant resort that we are most excited about are:

*Two new on-site pools. Okay.....you are steps away from the brilliant ocean. But sometimes it's nice to take a dip in a crystal clear pool. And now there will be an adult-oriented pool with cantilevered umbrellas, group seating areas, and chaise lounges. There's also a new family-friendly lagoon-style pool that, we hear, lends itself to the cool topography of the land the Sanderling sits on.

* A newly designed lobby with expansive oceanfront views and the new Beach House Bar.

*Seven new poolside guestrooms with ideal views of the Atlantic.

*Updated design enhancements and upgraded in-room amenities in all guestrooms, as well as enhanced pathways, lighting and event venues for a more enchanting outdoor experience.

*A reimagined Lifesaving Station restaurant with a new outdoor dining deck and a new nautical design scheme.

*The completely re-built Sand Bar with large outdoor seating, fire pits, and music for fun outdoor entertainment.

*No. 5, formerly known as the Swan Bar, has a new decor makeover and re-designs that highlight the spectacular view.

*Kimball's Kitchen, in the site of the previous Left Bank, has been renamed after the founder of the United States Life-Saving Service, Sumner Kimball, and pays homage to the region's rich history at this AAA four-diamond restaurant.

It's hard to improve on the perfection that a vacation at Sanderling Resort offers, but we're open to the possibility!

Dive and Boat Friendly Hotel in Beaufort, North Carolina

2013-04-25T09:07:00.000-04:00

Now that the weather has (finally!) turned, it's time to think about getting back into water activities like scuba diving and boating. And the Crystal Coast of North Carolina offers plenty of both....great wreck diving in the Graveyard of the Atlantic and 85 miles of coastline for ocean and inland waterways boating.

And now there is a great little hotel that caters to enthusiasts of both. Located in the heart of Beaufort and just a few blocks from the waterfront, Beaufort Harbour Suites is a sixteen-suite hotel that offers fully-equipped kitchens, queen-sized beds along with a queen-sized sleeper sofa, and complimentary high-speed internet. They are also pet-friendly and happy to accommodate your four-legged members of the family.

Rates vary seasonally but start at $90 per night. They also offer dive packages with their partners at Discovery Diving and boat slip packages.

Spring is here. Let the diving and boating commence!

TRAVEL NORTH CAROLINA App Powered by Our State Magazine

2013-04-23T09:06:00.000-04:00

Deciding where to go and what to do in North Carolina is always a challenge. There are just so many awesome places to choose from and so many different travel guides and websites to help get you there. But it just got a little easier with TRAVEL NORTH CAROLINA, a new, free app for use on your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Android phone. And it's powered by Our State, the premier statewide magazine devoted to North Carolina travel, history, people, and places since 1933.

The app is organized by region--Western, Greater Charlotte, Triad, Triangle, Eastern and Statewide--and within each region there's easy-to-navigate listings of lodging, attractions, dining and shopping. There are also 36-hour Guides to various towns, a "Near Me" function that shows what's nearby, and "Editor's Picks' including point of interest from the experts at the magazine. So whether your interest is in historical sites, lighthouses, national and state parks, outdoor adventures, museums, shopping, dining or wineries, TRAVEL NORTH CAROLINA may just become your go-to on-the-go guide for exploring the Tar Heel state.

And it's not just travel suggestions. It also includes GPS triggered maps with driving (or walking) distances, contact information (including the critical stuff like phone numbers, websites, and social media), detailed descriptions of the location along with photos and/or videos (if available), and streaming tours for your laptop or downloadable tours for your mobile device. They even have an easy interface for sharing your finds on Facebook and Twitter.

So if you don't have time before your trip to research what to do or where to go, never fear. TRAVEL NORTH CAROLINA is as close as your smartphone.

Nicholas Sparks Shines Spotlight on Southeastern North Carolina

2013-04-19T13:43:00.002-04:00

The riverfront towns of Southport and Wilmington recently provided yet another North Carolina setting for a Nicholas Sparks novel and resulting film (the eighth Sparks book to hit the silver screen). Safe Haven--the romantic thriller starring Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough--which debuted this past Valentine's Day, after being filmed exclusively in Southport and Wilmington.

In a popular pre-Safe Haven film called A Night With Nicholas Sparks. Safe Haven: Filmmakers, Author And Stars Bring The Book To Life, Sparks praised the southeastern North Carolina settings in fiction and film: "The sunsets, the coast--it's a good place. The closer you get to the coast, the smaller things get. The slow pace of life has an influence on me. I write stories where people have time to connect."

It's easy to connect with both towns as seen in the film. The possibilities in and around Southport include: the ferry between Fort Fisher, across the Cape Fear River, and Southport; the old-timey city blocks where the dramatic Fourth of July scenes were filmed; Ports of Call restaurant, where a romantic dinner was shot and actor Josh Duhamel learned to shuck an oyster; and Old American Fish Co. restaurant, where the character Katie (Julianne Hough) worked as a waitress.

Across the Cape Fear at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, the fictional couple enjoyed a romantic kiss on the wide and deserted beach. Over in Wilmington--often referred to as "Wilmywood" and "Hollywood of the East" because of all the film work done there--the characters strolled by the Wilmington Convention Center and the Carolina Apartments on Market Street during a visit.

Along with their fictional roles, the cast and crew also took advantage of other area offerings during filming, including Julianne Hough's 23rd birthday celebration at Ports of Call; popular Fishy Fishy Cafe, near where much of the film work was done and a favorite with Sparks and the cast and crew; a guided paddling trip with Adventure Kayak Company; and tee times, dining, and libations at Oak Island Golf Club.

Duhamel, often accompanied by girlfriend Fergie of The Blacked Eyed Peas fame (see photo above), stayed on Oak Island and continues to publicly rave about his time on the island and in Southport--yet another southeastern North Carolina town now in the Nicholas Sparks spotlight. With the addition of Southport, Sparks has now featured southeastern North Carolina's Beaufort, Edenton, New Bern, Swansboro, and Wilmington (which was already highlighted in Dear John, Message in a Bottle, and The Last Song prior to Safe Haven).

Plenty of Carolina Travel Options with VacationCondos.com

2013-04-17T08:59:00.000-04:00

We love recommending hotels and resorts in the Carolinas. And, even better, we love recommending hotel groups that have multiple properties in the Carolinas and that provide excellent accommodations and good values across their offerings. It makes us feel confident recommending the group and knowing that visitors will receive a consistent experience at any property. We recently recommended Historic Hotels of America and their impressive line-up in North and South Carolina. But now there is another option for travelers looking for a different kind of vacation experience.

VacationCondos.com launched earlier this month and offers up resort rental options throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean. Owned by Patton Hospitality Management, one of the country's largest independent resort and timeshare management companies, VacationCondos.com represents 23 condominium properties with 10 of them being located in the Carolinas. Their condominium properties offer more space than traditional hotel rooms and many more conveniences of home....we're talking fully-equipped kitchens (isn't it nice to have the ability to prepare a home-cooked meal as a dining alternative) and laundry facilities (there's nothing better than freshly laundered beach towels).

From the mountains to the coast, here's a look at the Carolina options:

*Festiva Biltmore Village, Asheville, NC
*Peppertree Atlantic Beach, Atlantic Beach, NC
*Blue Ridge Village, Banner Elk, NC
*Ellington at Wachesaw Plantation East, Myrtle Beach, SC
*Peppertree Ocean Club, Myrtle Beach, SC
*The Sands Resort, Myrtle Beach, SC
*Sea Mystique, Myrtle Beach, SC
*Wild Wing Resort, Myrtle Beach, SC
*Church Street Inn, Charleston, SC
*Main Street Inn & Spa, Hilton Head, SC (pictured above)

So if you are planning your family summer vacation or looking for an ideal place for a girls (or guys) getaway, check out VacationCondos.com.

North Carolina Beer Month Continues in Asheville

2013-04-15T07:33:00.000-04:00

We've been telling you for a while now that April is North Carolina Beer Month. And we've been bringing you some interesting things that are going on around the state to celebrate like Blowing Rock's North Carolina Brews Walkabout. Well now Asheville, aka "Beer City USA" is getting into the scene.

In addition to brewery openings, new tours, and beer-flavored, chocolate-covered caramels (you heard me!), they also have produced a Beer City Music Video which has gone viral! Called Feral Chihuahuas Loose in Asheville, the video received more than 25,000 views in it's first week (warning: the song will get stuck in your head).

Asheville is also hosting a Name the Beer, Win a Brew-cation contest. Hop heads can come up with as many entries as they like. The beer, crafted by the folks at Asheville Brewing Company, is an American IPA with a surprising golden color and citrus flavor. According to them, the earthy, floral aroma evokes an afternoon drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the finish is perfect for pairing with a warm spring night among downtown Asheville's world-class restaurants, sidewalk buskers and rolling mountain horizon.

The 10 most creative names will be selected as finalists and then voted on by Asheville's fans. The winner will receive a grand prize getaway to Asheville (we're talking 2 hotel nights, passes for 2 for an Asheville Brews Cruise, dining and beer gift certificates, and more) and a six-pack with the winning name and the winner's face on the label. How cool is that?!

All you've got to do to enter is to submit your best names at the bottom of the post here.

Cheers!

New Podcast Explores All Things Southern

2013-04-11T09:09:00.001-04:00

If you are reading this, then you are probably Southern. And we've got a great new weekly, on-demand radio show that you are going to love. Authentic South is a new podcast launched by former Southern Living travel editor, Tanner Latham, and explores Southern culture through food, music, art, the land itself, travel, and lots of quirky characters. Although it will cover the entire south (we're hearing everything from the University of fried okra to a Hungarian-born Blues singer in suburban Atlanta and from the docks of Tangier Island, Virginia to Frenchman Street in New Orleans), we're betting that there will be plenty of material from the Carolinas.

Check it out on this 2-minute promo. And be sure to tune in for new episodes every Friday.

Coastal Living Selects Daniel Island, South Carolina for 2013 Showcase

2013-04-09T08:38:00.000-04:00

One of our favorite things about life along the Carolina coast is the unique and ubiquitous coastal architecture. Whether its' a house on stilts along the beach, wrap-around porches, or tons of windows that look out to the waters edge, coastal architecture conjures up thoughts of toes in the sand, fishing, exploring in the marshes, and good times spent with friends and family. And coastal houses in the Lowcountry of South Carolina take that cozy, blast-of-summers-past concept to the next level.

And obviously Coastal Living, the national magazine that celebrates life along the coast, agrees and has recently announced that Daniel Island, South Carolina is the site of its 2013 Showhouse. The annual home design project showcases the best of coastal home innovation, decor and construction and they have created a beauty for this years' entry (see rendereing above).

Located in historic Charleston, South Carolina, Daniel Island is a 4,000-acre Lowcountry island community that features charming neighborhoods, nationally ranked golf courses, a vibrant town center, over 20 miles of rivers and creeks to explore and enjoy, and the home of the annual Family Circle Cup tennis tournament. And only 20 minutes from the beaches, architecture, attractions, history and legendary cuisine of Charleston, Daniel Island is a coveted coastal destination.

Featuring the architectural design of Our Town Plans, building by Max G. Crosby Construction Company, and interior design by Ginger Brewton Interiors, the 2013 Coastal Living Showhouse should be completed by early June. Weekly tours of the house will run Wednesdays through Sundays from June 28 to August 18 and then Fridays through Sundays from August 23 to October 20. The showhouse expects to draw as many as 10,000 visitors from across the nation. Tickets are $15 with a portion of proceeds benefiting a local charity. Tickets are available at the site or online.

Carteret County's If You Can't Beat 'em, Eat 'em Spearfishing Tourmanment

2013-04-04T07:36:00.001-04:00

We don't know much about the lionfish but word has it that they are invading the waters of the Carolinas. After being inadvertently introduced to the Atlantic Ocean in Florida some fifteen years ago, they have been steadily moving up the coast ever since. And it seems that the lionfish population has exploded within recent years because the fish have no known predators in the Atlantic Ocean, they eat half their body weight each day leading to rapid growth and maturation (females are mature after six months and can lay up to 30,000 eggs every four days!) and traditional methods have not worked to harvest these fish. All of this has had a destructive effect on the native species of North Carolina grouper, snapper and crustaceans and put a significant burden on our fisherman and ultimately the consumer.

So the folks in Carteret County have come up with a way to educate, dominate and masticate with their 1st annual "If You Can't Beat 'em, Eat 'em Spearfishing Tournament May 31st-June 9th. Sponsored by Bistro-By-the-Sea, Hampton Inn-Morehead City, Discovery Diving, Carteret Catch and the Eastern Carolina Artificial Reef Association (ECARA), the event will help to raise public awareness of the lionfish invasive species problem in the Atlantic, develop a possible management strategy by creating a sustainable commercial fishery, and encourage the sale of the locally caught seafood.

The 10-day event will feature educational forums to learn more about the origins of the lionfish epidemic and learn how to properly and safely spearfish and collect the lionfish. Then special charters through Discovery Diving will take participants out to locations known to be overrun with lionfish and cash awards will be given for the most fish caught, longest fish, and highest total weight. The tournament will culminate with demonstrations of how to properly cook lionfish, along with tastings of the final product, by Tim Coyne, chef/owner of Bistro-by-the-Sea.

So whether you are looking for a unique summer vacation, are looking for an education, or just like to fish (or eat fish!), consider participating in the "If You Can't Beat 'em, Eat 'em Spearfishing Tournament" in Carteret County.

Get (4000 Feet) High in Blowing Rock, North Carolina

2013-04-02T08:12:00.000-04:00

As you know from our previous post, the state of North Carolina has deemed April as North Carolina Beer Month. And everyone is getting in on the action with festival and special events from the Outer Banks to the High Country. And Blowing Rock is no exception.

Throughout April, North Carolina brews will be featured at hot spots all over Blowing Rock including Six Pence Pub, Mellow Mushroom, Bistro Roca, and Foggy Rock Eatery, where 10 taps will be dedicated to in-state brews. Several places will have special pricing on NC beers including Blowing Rock Produce & Provisions and Blowing Rock Market and Twigs, Canyons and Foggy Rock Eatery will have weekend specials.

But wait....it gets better! The month will culminate with Blowing Rock's North Carolina Brews Walkabout on Saturday, April 27. Featuring free samples of North Carolina craft beers, music, entertainment, and giveaways, the beer crawl will stop at several locations throughout town and introduce participants to the beers of Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Aviator Brewing, Bliind Squirrel Brewing, Boone Brewing Co., Highland Brewing, Howard Brewing, Olde Hickory Brewing, and Oskar Blues Brewery.

Lodging packages will be available (so you don't have to drink and drive) and many will include merchandise from the featured breweries, local coupons, and a special tankard made by Traditions Pottery (pictured).

Details are still being fleshed out but for more info, check out Beer Month in Blowing Rock. And for more information on other events going on throughout the state, check out North Carolina Beer Month.

Blowing Rock on Dwellable

SUP and Surfing at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

2013-03-29T07:49:00.000-04:00

Wrightsville Beach is quickly becoming known as a premier watersports destination thanks to the tons of national exposure, internationally recognized watersport events and, of course, the amazing weather and temperate waters surrounding the area. And with the start of spring last week, it looks like this year is going to be exceptional for travelers looking for an active getaway.

Known for its' burgeoning standup paddleboarding activities, Wrightsville Beach offers up the unique combination of open ocean and protected waters of the intracoastal Waterway. This combination (and the easy access to Wrightsville Beach) draws SUP enthusiasts from all over and the season kicks off April 25-28 with the Carolina Cup, the largest SUP race on the East Coast. Featuring paddling competitions on three courses, activities for the whole family, and events and clinics, this years' Carolina Cup looks to be a huge event for the the paddleboarding community. Later in the year, elite paddlers will meet for the North Carolina Surf to Sound Challenge to paddle a challenging expert course, while intermediate paddles will compete in a flatwater course.In addition to SUP, Wrightsville Beach has also created waves in the surfing community and was recently named one of the world's best surf towns by National Geographic.

Wrightsville Beach is very welcoming to beginners or anyone who is new to watersports. With plenty of places to take lessons, rent equipment, or simply watch, Wrightsville Beach makes for a great active getaway for locals, tourists, and travelers alike.

Wrightsville Beach on Dwellable

South Carolina Vacation Guide Available Online

2013-03-27T09:55:00.001-04:00

Used to be that when you wanted to plan your vacation, you had to do a ton of research and contact the state to request your vacation planner. Then you had to wait for it to arrive in the mail before you could start mapping out your summer vacation or spring break retreat. Well....no more!

Get your South Carolina Vacation Guide instantly and start reading the stories, exploring the sites, discovering the hidden nooks and crannies, and booking your accommodations and restaurant reservations immediately. You can browse online, download it, or even print it. The guide not only offers a glimpse of the Palmetto State's history and heritage, but it also provides provides practical information on where to go, what to do, where to stay, and what (and where!) to eat. And, most importantly, it defines the graciousness and Southern hospitality that makes South Carolina an ideal vacation spot.

Summer's right around the corner.....what are you waiting for?

Accessible Travel in North Carolina

2013-03-26T08:56:00.000-04:00

For Carolinians with disabilities, travel planning and vacationing can be a challenge in its own right. How far away is parking? Are there ramps and elevators? Do area beaches offer beach wheelchairs? Do physical exhibits offer braille or do audio exhibits offer closed captioning? These are often elements of travel and tourism that many take for granted. But for those with vision, hearing, physical or intellectual disabilities, these kind of issues are paramount.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Humans Services, however, offers a great resource for anyone that suffers from a disability, or knows someone that does. ACCESS North Carolina: A Vacation and Travel Guide for People with Disabilities is a publication that provides details on the the accessibility of hundreds of tourist sites across North Carolina. The guide is available online and at visitors centers in some of the state's most visited cities. Printed copies are also available upon request by calling 1-800-VISITNC.

Featuring details on what matters most to people with disabilities, the guide investigates proximity to appropriate parking, doorway widths, door pull types, sink heights and faucet types, whether building entryways are level, if videos providing historic perspectives include closed captioning, and more. It helps to let people know that Grandfather Mountain's Mile High Swinging Bridge is now accessible to visitors with mobility challenges, that the Fintastic! tactile exhibit at Pine Knoll Shores' North Carolina Aquarium is a welcome experience for those with visual disabilities, and that those who are deaf or hard of hearing can see the original lunch counter where a sixties sit-in helped launch the civil rights movement and watch a closed captioned re-creation of the historic event at Greensboro's International Civil Rights Center and Museum. And there are hundreds more sites that are included in this incredibly valuable (and greatly appreciated) resource.

Download a digital version or a text version. Or contact the DHHS for a printed copy. And give thanks to the DHHS for providing such a wonderful tourism and travel tool for those who face difficult challenges.

April is Beer Month in North Carolina

2013-03-21T08:37:00.000-04:00

How cool is this. The state of North Carolina has declared April as beer month. An entire month dedicated to the lagers, ales, pilsners and stouts of the Tar Heel state, one of America's best states for craft brewing. And they are celebrating this inaugural event all month long with festivals, beer tastings, beer pairings and dinners, tap takeovers and other special events. And they've even created a website to help you plan your trip. Check NCBeerMonth.com to find our about events, venues, favorite beer cities and regions, and beer trip ideas to help North Carolina celebrate the golden elixir.

Cheers!

Greens and Reds in the Yadkin Valley, North Carolina

2013-03-19T10:01:00.000-04:00

We know that the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina is known for its' reds. But now its' becoming well known for its' greens. Golf greens, that is. It seems that people who play golf are also known to enjoy wine (and vice versa) so the tourism folks have created a Yadkin Valley Golf & Wine Getaways guide that pairs traditional golf packages with wine tastings at local vineyards.

The comprehensive 24-page guide provides an overview of Yadkin Valley's unique packages combining golf, winery visits and lodging. The free planner also covers lots of other things to see and do in North Carolina's wine country. There are three championship golf courses that anchor the packages: Cedarbrook Country Club in Elkin, Cross Creek Country Club in Mount Airy, and Olde Beau Golf and Country Club in Roaring Gap. Complete details regarding lodging options are also included.

On the wine side, Shelton Vineyards in Dobson headlines a quartet of participating wineries including Grassy Creek Vineyards in Elkin, Old North State Winery in Mount Airy, and Round Peak Vineyards, also in Mount Airy. Other features in the guide include: restaurant listings; drive times; average temperatures; and an overview of the Mayberry attractions in Andy Griffith's hometown of Mount Airy.

Get all the latest golf, wine and travel planner information with the Yadkin Valley Golf & Wine Getaways guide.

Slow Foods at Indie Grits in Columbia, South Carolina

2013-03-14T08:20:00.000-04:00

The Slow Food movement has crept into the mainstream dining vernacular (and consciousness) and Slow Food Columbia is joining the crowd at the "Slow Food at Indie Grits" Sustainable Chefs Showcase April 14th from 4-7pm at 711 Whaley in Columbia, South Carolina.

Slow Food Columbia is hosting the event to bring Columbia's sustainable food community together to celebrate the Slow Food motto of promoting Good, Clean and Fair Foodways. And what better place to spread their message than at Indie Grits, one of the world's coolest film festivals in the country, hosted by the non-profit art cinemea, Nickelodeon Theatre.

The green community will flock to this 3rd annual helping to enjoy the tastes of chefs from Columbia's top farm-to-table restaurants including Terra, Motor Supply Company Bistro, Rossa Tattoria, Rosewood Market and Deli, Baan Sawan, Saluda's, Spotted Salamander Catering, Blue Marlin, The Oak Table, Drip, Scott Hall Catering, and Tombo Grille. Each chef will prepare a dish that features at least one locally- and, sustainably-produced major ingredient and you can be sure that they will all try to outdo each other with innovation and quality.

Tickets are $20 but you can score a ticket for $10 by bringing your own potluck dish that includes at least one local, sustainable ingredient and can serve 20 taste portions. Make plans now to attend the "Slow Food at Indie Grits" Sustainable Chefs Showcase. (photo by Lindsay Lybrand)

Darius Rucker to Perform in Cherokee, North Carolina

2013-03-12T08:51:00.000-04:00

Carolina favorite Darius Rucker is headed to the North Carolina mountains as he gears up for his summer release of his third solo country album, True Believers. Performing at Harrah's Cherokee Event Center on Friday, March 22 at 9pm, Darius will perform songs off his new album (which features collaborations with Sheryl Crow and Lady Antebellum), including his latest single, Wagon Wheel, as well as hits from his previous two country albums, Charleston, SC 1966 and Learn to Live.

The original frontman for Hootie and the Blowfish, Darius Rucker took the country music world by storm with his first album in 2008. And it looks like his new genre is a good fit. According to Rolling Stone Magazine, "Rucker's rich baritone, sentimental ballads and bright hooks have made him the most successful African-American country singer since Charley Pride".

Harrahs' Cherokee Event Center is a state-of-the-art 3,000-plus seat event, entertainment and concert venue at the Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. In addition to the Event Center, Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort features 150,000 square feet of gaming space, 1,100 hotel rooms, 10 restaurants, a luxurious Mandara Spa and access to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation-owned Sequoyah National Golf Club, named one of Golf Magazine's best new golf clubs.

So there's plenty to make a weekend of it March 22 featuring Darius Rucker in concert.

ArtFields Blooming in Lake City, South Carolina

2013-03-07T08:45:00.000-05:00

The Southern arts community is getting ready to descend on Lake City, South Carolina for Artfields, a first-of-its-kind Epic Southern Artfest Competition and Celebration coming April 19-28. The primary draw (yep...that's an art pun) of the 10-day event will be an art competition that offers the largest cash prize of any art contest in the Southeast. We're talking cash prizes totaling $100,000 that will be awarded to winning artists, determined by votes from ArtFields attendees and a juried panel.

The more than 400 pieces of original artwork will be exhibited at various venues and businesses throughout the town (like the Lake City Theatre Park pictured above by Justin Nathanson). But that's not the only reason to attend ArtFields. There will also be a farmers' and artisans' market, live music, dancing, artist talks & lectures, plein air painting, drawing, and screen-printing workshops, arts after hours, delicious Southern foods, and the opportunity to explore the historic farming community of Lake City. Settled in 1734 by Scotch-Irish settlers, Lake City has become an agricultural crossroad for South Carolina and created ArtFest to celebrate their agricultural roots. After generations of harvesting some of the South's biggest bumper crops of strawberries, beans and other produce, Lake City will now plant the seeds for the largest art competition in the Southeast.

Unfortunately, the competition entry period for this year has closed. But if you are an artist and would like to participate next year, the contest is open to two- and three-dimensional artwork from artists residing in the 12 Southeastern states. And if you are an art lover, don't miss attending ArtFields and experience an incredible collection of original artwork from artists across the Southeast.

Taste of the Beach in the Outer Banks, North Carolina

2013-03-05T14:32:00.000-05:00

We can't help ourselves. We just love wine & food festivals. And we especially love them in the Carolinas. We just committed to attend another one.....one that we've never been to but one that is destined to become one of our favorites. We're headed to the Outer Banks Taste of the Beach.

Sponsored by the Outer Banks Restaurant Association, Taste of the Beach is scheduled for March 14-17 (yep, that's St. Patty's day weekend) and looks to be a celebration of not only the Irish but of fresh seafood, restaurants of the OBX, highly trained chefs, fine wines, cool brews and lovers of the Outer Banks. And, boy, is the agenda packed with awesome looking wine tastings, cooking classes, special menu presentations, brewery tours, tapas crawls, oyster roasts, cook-offs, showdowns and throwdowns, dine-arounds, and the Grand Finale event on Sunday, the Taste of the Beach Grand Tasting, making it a four-day foodie heaven!

And not only will it be a gastronomic orgy, but it gives us a great excuse to visit one of our favorite areas of North Carolina. The 200-mile stretch of barrier island that makes up the Outer Banks starts at the Virginia state line and travels down the coast. This unique location has unparalleled natural beauty with the ocean and sounds on either side, beachfront sand and sun, the history of flight and our nation, tons of outdoor recreation options, lighthouses, and more. And what a great time to visit.....before the heat and crowds of the summer.

So check your calendar, start your diet, take a look at the website to pick your favorite events of the weekend, and make plans to join us at the Outer Banks Taste of the Beach.