CarolinaTravelPlanner

SHE....The Ultimate Girls' Weekend in South Carolina

2013-06-18T07:55:00.000-04:00

The guys have their fantasy football, their gun shows and their buddy golf trips. Now women have something that's just for them. Introducing SHE...The Ultimate Girls' Weekend, a three-day affair with vendors, celebs and local leaders in fashion, beauty, cooking, entertainment, crafts, and healthy living.

Coming to Greenville, August 23-25, Charleston, September 27-29 and Columbia, March 28-30 (2014), SHE is part party, party culinary experience, part learning, and part shopping spree all rolled into one (sounds like heaven, doesn't it?). Featuring fashion shows, demonstrations, giveaways, celebrity appearances and hundreds of mini boutiques under one roof, SHE highlights six important aspects of women's lives:

*Style: fashion, beauty, and design
*Crave: food and beverage tastings and demos by top local chefs
*Entertain: decor, menus, invitations, flowers and more
*Create: arts and crafts to enhance your surroundings
*Live: health, fitness and spiritual peace
*Care: community and charity

Tickets go on sale in August ($8 per day or $12 for a two-day pass) and more information can be found at SHEgville, SHEchas and SHEcola.

A Great Way to Start the Day in Charleston

2013-06-13T08:09:00.000-04:00

The brilliant people behind Charming Inns (Wentworth Mansion, The John Rutledge House, King's Courtyard Inn, Fulton Lane Inn and Circa 1886 Restaurant) in Charleston, South Carolina have done it again with the opening last week of Kitchen 208. Featuring great fare and fresh air, Kitchen 208 sits in a quaint storefront along the 200 hundred block of King St. with a shaded patio charmingly sandwiched (yep, that's a foodie pun) in the adjacent alley. With an open kitchen, a whimsical menu inspired and created by Circa 1886 uber-chef Marc Collins, fresh house made ingredients and dishes prepared by Chef (and former Circa sous chef) Matt Pleasants, and a great vibe featuring heart of pine floors, 100-year old brick walls and a breezy patio, Kitchen 208 has set sail on a fun breakfast and lunch revival on lower King Street.

And, and let's not forget the food. We're talking creative Southern breakfasts like the Low Country with eggs, grits, applewood bacon and stewed tomataoes 'n okra (pictured above) and the Cobblestone which is an egg sandwich on a benne seed bun with tomato, arugula, gruyere cheese, candied bacon and lemon mayo. Or perhaps lunch is more your thing. Like the Belle Gem (pictured right) which is buttermilk fried chicken served on a bacon waffle (yep....you heard me.....a bacon waffle!) with lettuce, tomato, whole grain mustard aioli and swiss cheese or the Bat Outta Hell meatloaf sandwich on a benne seed bun with tomato marmalade, gruyere and collard greens.

Holy moly, is it lunchtime yet?!

Coca-Cola Summer Nights Back at Broadway At The Beach

2013-06-11T09:27:00.000-04:00

For all you peeps headed to Myrtle Beach for vacation this summer, be sure to check out Coca-Cola Summer Nights at Broadway at the Beach. One of Myrtle Beach's top destinations and one of South Carolina's largest festival entertainment complexes, Broadway at the Beach welcomes the summer entertainment series featuring Mr. Nigels' Music and Fire Circus for the third season.

Mr. Nigel's Music is an interactive musical entertainment show and will run every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7-9pm. New this year is Fire Circus, a unique style of entertainment creating wild excitement with the illusion of danger through hypnotic visual and stylistic elements borrowed from ancient traditions (sounds bizarre....can't wait to find out what it's all about!). Fire Circus will perform every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 8-10pm. Check out all the event information here.

In addition, a variety of strolling entertainment will be going on every night of the week and there will be a weekly fireworks extravaganza over Lake Broadway every Tuesday and Friday at 10pm. And that's on top of the three theaters, 23 restaurants, 100 specialty shops, attractions, and nightclubs that Broadway at the Beach has to offer.

With so much going on at Broadway at the Beach, you may not have time to actually get to the beach!

Summer Dinner Series in Durham, North Carolina

2013-06-06T11:02:00.000-04:00

Piedmont Restaurant in Durham, North Carolina, a brainchild of the folks at Coon Rock Farms and Eno Hospitality Group, has put together a summer of special dinners that highlights ingredients from across the state. The dinners will be community style at shared tables and will give customers the opportunity to get to know the farmers, fisherman, and artisans that are used regularly at the restaurant.

The Summer Dinner Series runs all season long and kicks off with Locals Seafood on June 12th and finishes up in August with a beer dinner with Bull City Burger and Brewery. Piedmont Chef Ben Adams will display his creativity by highlighting local ingredients and diners will have the opportunity to ask questions and get to know the purveyors in attendance. Sounds like a tasty combination to us!

The Dinner Series includes:
June 12: Seafood Dinner with Locals Seafood
June 16: Father's Day Special-Dad's Favorites
June 20: Topo Liquor Dinner
July 7: Chapel Hill Creamery Cheese Dinner
July 11: Heirloom Tomato Dinner with Coon Rock Farm
July 14: Bastille Day Freedom Dinner-French Food, Made Local
July 24: Heirloom Tomato Dinner with Coon Rock Farm
Aug 3: Bull City Beer Dinner

Food & Wine Magazine Giving Away Charleston

2013-06-05T09:48:00.000-04:00

Now I know we don't need to tell you how much we love Charleston. Just one look at our blog and you'll find dozens of posts on places to stay, things to do and, above all, places to eat! If you've never been to Charleston, now's your chance. Food & Wine Magazine is giving away a trip for 2 to Charleston including round-trip airfare (OK...that might not be that valuable if you live in the Carolinas.....but still!), two nights accommodation at a four-star Charleston hotel, and meals at Charleston's hottest local restaurants. No purchase necessary to enter or win (you do have to agree to receive emails from some cool companies). But you have to enter by June 23. So hurry!

North Carolina's Authentic Coastal Cuisine

2013-06-04T09:15:00.001-04:00

Of course, the main draw to North Carolina in the summer are it's miles and miles of beaches. But the coastal cuisine ain't too shabby either. We're talking just-steamed blue crabs, fresh fish, oodles of silky pink shrimp and, of course, steaming hot hush puppies. Our friends at VisitNC.com asked us to round up some of our favorite places to grab authentic coastal grub so now the secret is out.

Check out some of our faves and make reservations at one (or three!) this summer on your family vacation. And be sure to tell 'em that Carolina Travel Planner sent you!

North Carolina Featured on Best BBQ Joints

2013-05-31T07:57:00.000-04:00

North Carolina knows something about BBQ (or 'cue as we call it). And now the rest of the world knows it too. The Skylight Inn in Ayden, North Carolina has been included is among the "10 Best BBQ Joints in America" according to National Geographic.

Opened in 1947 by Pete Jones, and run by his son, Sam, today, the Skylight Inn has been a darling of the BBQ world for years, earning accolades from 'cue experts including Jane & Michael Stern (of Roadfood.com fame), Southern Living, Southern Foodways Alliance and even James Beard. There's only two things on the menu: a pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw or a pulled pork dish with cornbread and coleslaw. And for that, they call themselves the Capital of Barbecue. And they even have a capital dome on their building so you don't forget it.

But after one taste of their slow-roasted over oak fire pork that is finely chopped with just the right amount of crispy bits of skin, we think you'll agree.

Culture is Everywhere on 2nd Saturdays in North Carolina

2013-05-29T11:21:00.000-04:00

The 2nd Saturdays of the summer months just got a little more interesting with the start of 2nd Saturdays, a program sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources that provides free family fun at cultural locations throughout the state.

Promoting the fact that culture is everywhere in North Carolina, 2nd Saturdays includes (mostly) free admission and unique authentic North Carolina experiences at more than 27 state historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, and even a history center, throughout state and the summer. Many of the venues will have special events, hands-on activities, crafts, entertainment, and local food vendors and artisans to celebrate.

Some examples of the varied festivities include: Regency-era dance lessons at Tryon Palace (registration and fee required); 1930s Big Apple dancing at Roanoke Island Festival Park; archaeological explorations at Historic Halifax and Town Creek Indian Mound; pirate tales at varied Maritime Museums; panning for gold contests at Reed Gold Mine; fly fishing at Mountain Gateway Museum; author visits at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial; and so much more.

More than 100 programs will take place this summer during 2nd Saturdays on June 8, July 13 and August 10. Pack up the kids, fill up the tank, and experience some (free) culture this summer.

PepsiCo Meetings to be Held in New Bern, North Carolina

2013-05-23T08:22:00.001-04:00

It's not new news that Pepsi was created in the Tar Heel State. But it is new news that PepsiCo has decided to hold all it's future shareholder meetings at the birthplace of Pepsi.

Pepsi-Cola began in a drugstore in New Bern, North Carolina in 1896 at the hands of pharmacist, Caleb Bradham. His aim was to create a fountain drink that was both delicious and healthful in aiding digestion and boosting energy.

Bradham’s drugstore housed a soda fountain where the small-town clientele would meet to socialize. It was at such gatherings that he would offer his latest concoction that became known as “Brad’s Drink.” By 1902, the demand from surrounding drugstores increased so dramatically it dawned on Bradham that Pepsi-Cola was something special. On December 24, 1902 he filed incorporation papers with the state of North Carolina indicating plans for corporate branches in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York.

Today, the Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola is recreated in a pharmacy in historic downtown that is very reminiscent of Caleb Bradham's storefront where he invented the famed soft drink. The pharmacy (and virtual Pepsi museum) allows you to step back in time enjoying a fountain Pepsi or browse through their gifts and souvenirs.

And while todays' consumers spend billions on various Pepsi-Cola beverages, including Tropicana Juices, SoBe Lifewaters, Gatorade, Lipton Teas, and so much more, that the Pepsi powers that be have recognized the importance of the heritage of their product and have made New Bern an integral part of their business.

Historical Agri-Tourism Market Set to Open at South Carolina Ag + Art Tour

2013-05-20T09:27:00.000-04:00

So by now you know that we love to travel for food. Whether a food & wine festival, a new restaurant opening, a cooking class or tasting, or a food market, we'll pretty much go anywhere in the Carolinas if food is involved. And there is a new farmers' market opening up later this month that really caught our eye.

Inman Farms just outside of York, South Carolina was purchased by Elias Inman in 1893 for his son and daughter-in-law. The 290 acres included the farmland, the homestead, and several barns and outbuildings that houses a blacksmith shop, a cotton gin, a mule barn, and several tenant homes. Over the years, the farm grew to about 1,200 acres and produced cotton, peaches and grapes.

Times came and went but the property remained in the Inman family. Today, Inman Farms is owned and operated by a member of the fourth generation, Rufus Monroe Inman II (Roe), and the farm is a legacy to the American farmer. Visitors can take guided or self-guided tours of this great agri-touism farm including Amelia's house (one of the original tenant houses), the 1951 peach shed, several outbuildings (pictured below, courtesy of Griffin Poulter Photography) and the lush farming countryside.

Opening this summer will be the Market at Inman Farms, an artisan and growers market featuring seasonal, local produce, homemade breads and baked goods, fresh cut flowers, goats milk and natural soaps, grass-fed beef and locally raised pork, fresh eggs, soy candles, local honey, and more.

Although opening May 18, the Market at Inman Farms will have their grand opening June 8-9 to coincide with the 2nd Annual Ag + Art Tour, a free self-guided tour of York County farms and artisans. The Ag + Art Tour features more than 20 farms throughout the region with local artisans working their craft and selling their products at each location, along with music, food and a look at the rural life that York County folks have enjoyed for generations.

Seems like a great handmade and homegrown (and tasty) kind of weekend!

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.