12 Dazzling Daytrips and Weekend Destinations

khabar
May 2015
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12
12
Dazzling Day Trips &
Weekend Destinations
Dazzling Day
Tripsby&award-winning
Weekend
Destinations
Recommended
food and
travel writer SUCHETA RAWAL
12
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Dazzling Day Trips &
Weekend Destinations
60 • MAY • 2015
Khabar Magazine
Whether you are new to the area or a seasoned pro of the region,
these 12 day enticing getaways from Atlanta are sure to uncover
some hidden gems. This lineup from award-winning travel blogger
SUCHETA RAWAL offers something for everyone—lush green
valleys, blue shaded mountains, white sandy beaches, crystal clear
lakes, ornate small towns with history and character, sumptuous
regional cuisine, and even the occasional Indian restaurant on route.
Forget Venice or Paris. Forget the Pyramids and
the Taj Mahal. Forget Patagonia or Machu Pichu.
Undoubtedly, the globe is packed with destinations
that are each more compelling than the other in
their own way. Yet, I promise, when you are done
reading this list of regional gems, you will have an
urge to fill up your tank rather than exercise your
frequent flyer miles.
When I arrived in Atlanta back in 1997, I was a college student with very little resources but a dream of
seeing new places. There was a vast country before
me waiting to be discovered, but with my limited
budget and time, drivable weekend getaways were
the best option to explore my surroundings.
Here’s a list of my 12 recommendations, one for
each month of the year. While most are great yearround destinations, I have associated them with
a particular month to highlight at least one thing
that makes the destination particularly appealing
that time of the year. Many of the places still remain
largely undiscovered by mass tourism and retain
their Southern charm.
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January:
Ski and Skate in the Snow
Capped Mountains
Top: Ice skating is one of the many fun activities offered at Ober
Gatlinburg, one of the most popular destinations in the area. (Photo:
Ober Gatlinburg)
Below: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail: Hard to believe this pristine forest, untouched by any signs of human conquest, exists just
minutes from the bustling parkway of Gatlinburg with its razzle,
dazzle, and noise. (Photo: visitmysmokies.com)
Having grown up in India, I had never seen snow
in real life until I came to the US. I still recall my sense
of wonder when I took my first road trip to Gatlinburg,
Tennessee after a New Year break. Along with a group of
friends from Atlanta, I packed my car with food, drinks,
and games, and rented a cozy chalet for the weekend.
As we drove through winding roads leading into the
Great Smoky Mountains, there was fluffy white powder
as far as my eyes could see, covering every inch of the
ground. A creek flowed parallel to the road as pine trees
sparkled with the glistening snow, creating the perfect
scenic backdrop for pictures.
Nestled at the entrance of the park was the charming hill town, Gatlinburg. Walking along Downtown
Parkway, there was much to please the eye and delight
the senses. Antique stories, art galleries, photo parlors,
museums, restaurants, candy shops—it was time to
discover a true American mountain resort.
We dressed up in costumes from the old
West, posed as cowboys, saloon girls, bank robbers, hillbillies, and got our black and white photo souvenirs. The younger ones in the group got
busy exploring the Guinness World Records Museum, Amazing Mirror Maze, Ripley’s Super Fun
Zone, and Penguin Playhouse.
At Ober Gatlinburg, I tried to ice skate and
take a ski lesson (classes started at only $19, significantly cheaper than other ski destinations). As
this was my first time, I fell a few times. Imagine
my chagrin when a 6-year-old girl offered me a
helping hand, and then sped away on her skates!
After a few tries, I retired to savor a hot chocolate
and watch the kids snow tube and snowboard.
Another fun attraction in the area is the
Westgate Wild Bear Falls, a 60,000 square foot
indoor waterpark, open year round. This is a
perfect place to take off the wintery layers and
go down slides and tubes through the lazy river,
soak in hot tubs, and swim in a heated pool.
In the evening, we headed back to our wooden
chalet where we cooked dinner together, played
rummy by the fireplace, and chatted late into
the night.
What makes Gatlinburg a great year-round
destination is that it is impossible to exhaust
the wealth of offerings in the area in one trip, or
even in a dozen. Summers are great for whitewater rafting and hiking. For the latter, you can
choose from dozens of excellent trails, from
an easy one that even seniors and children can
handle, to more rigorous hikes. Into shows, rodeos,
and rides? Hop over to neighboring Pigeon Forge, just a
ten-minute drive, where the entire main street is lined
up, end-to-end, with all kinds of amusement parks
and shows. Pigeon Forge is also the home of the
famous Dollywood theme park.
The surrounding Smoky Mountains—in which
Gatlinburg is nestled—give a prime example of what
justifies the great American love affair with the road.
Two exceptional motoring trails are the Roaring Fork
Motor Nature Trail, right behind Gatlinburg (where
there is a high probability of spotting bears), and the
Cades Cove Loop Road, at a distance of 27 miles.
No wonder this thoroughly delightful destination
is a perennial weekend attraction from Atlanta (oh, and
did I mention, Gatlinburg is also considered one of the
nation’s top honeymoon destinations?).
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February:
Camp at a Naturally
Pristine Private Island
Cumberland Island is a unique getaway—a strategic piece of land that was occupied by the French,
Spanish, and British before it became a part of the US.
There are only two ways to get to the protected, remote
barrier island—take a ferry from St Mary’s, Georgia or
from Fernandina Beach, Florida.
St. Mary’s, a historic town by the St. Mary’s River in
southeast Georgia, with its charming Victorian homes,
picket fences, friendly neighbors, historic societies, and
fried shrimp, is the Georgia gateway to Cumberland
Island. It is also best known as the second-oldest town
in the United States.
In 1777, the Royal British Government named
Camden County, which includes Cumberland Island,
after Charles Pratt, Earl of Camden. Although there are
not many attractions here, a Land and Legacies Tour of
Cumberland Island is a must. The daylong tour takes a
limited number of guests 16 miles each way, stopping
at places like the First African Baptist Church, where
John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were married.
Plum Orchard, a mansion with 106 rooms built in 1898
by the famous Carnegie family, is also covered.
Reservations are required as the numbers of visitors to the island are limited to 300 per day.
The 18-mile long Barrier Island is largely natural
with feral horses running on the beaches—they don’t
interfere with the other wildlife. In 1972, Congress
designated Cumberland Island a National Seashore to
protect the area from development. Since there is
nothing commercial on Cumberland Island, the only
choices for overnight stay are the magnificent colonial
style home of the Carnegie family, now turned into
a hotel called Greyfield Inn, or one of the well-kept
campgrounds. Bring all your camping gear and food
supplies, as there are no stores on the island. Families come to bond, be one with nature, and enjoy the
quietness of a private island.
I decided to stay at a cozy bed and breakfast at
St Mary’s, the Spencer House Inn, run by an elderly
couple. Once home to captains, sailors, and plantation owners, the 1872 Victorian home is decorated with
elegant furniture, a piano room, and library. Every
morning, Mary and Mike personally prepare and serve
a delicious breakfast of homemade breads and egg
casseroles in their dining room, while telling stories
of the home’s historic past.
Other ways to learn about the area include
kayaking on the river with Up The Creek Xpeditions,
taking a historic trolley tour downtown, or visiting
the Orange Hall House Museum and St. Mary’s Submarine Museum.
March:
Wine Country in Our Own
Backyard
Left: Cumberland Island is a
great “getting away from it all”
destination. (Photo: Sucheta
Rawal)
Above: The Dungeness Ruins
– what’s left of the four-story
tabby home built in 1884 by
Thomas and Lucy Carnegie.
(Photo: Sucheta Rawal)
64 • MAY • 2015
Who knew rolling hills, open grasslands, and
beautiful vineyards exist right here in the South, in
Georgia! A two-hour drive from metro Atlanta landed
me in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains, home to
some of Georgia’s finest winegrowers. Sure, the Georgia wines may not be as famous as the West coast
ones, but that doesn’t make the experience less attractive. For an instant, thanks to the rolling hills
and vistas, it felt like Napa Valley, but I had only
driven a few miles on highway 400 North on a crisp
clear spring morning to get here.
Over the weekends, a number of family-run
wineries open up their doors and patios to visitors
who can spread out a picnic blanket overlooking the
vineyards, while sipping on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Tannat grapes. Each year in
March, the Winegrowers Association of Georgia holds
an Annual Spring Wine Highway Weekend that rivals any wine tasting event in the world. For only
$40 admission, you can get a souvenir glass and access
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was an Easter egg hunt and a parade of farm animals.
In the morning, we set out for a guided hike along
the woodlands backing up to the Smoky Mountains,
ending in an outdoor yoga and meditation class. It
was a refreshing change to fill my lungs with fresh
mountain air while listening to the sounds of a light
breeze tossing through pale green leaves and pink blossoms, as opposed to the daily drudge of downtown
rush-hour traffic. After class, I entered the Wellness
Center for rejuvenating fresh juice and spa treatments.
The restaurant at Blackberry Farm gets rave reviews. You will understand why once you taste the organic farm ingredients prepared by Chef Joseph Lenn,
2013 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef Southeast. Although Chef Lenn specializes in Foothills Cuisine, i.e. refined Southern fare, he can address any diet
restrictions and create healthy vegetarian or vegan
dishes. The bakery, butchery, dairy, creamery, salumeria, honey house, and preservation kitchen make even
something as simple as breakfast taste heavenly.
Top Inset: Napa Valley ambiance without the cross-country flight!
$40 buys you access to 18 wineries over two weekends, during the
Spring Wine Highway Weekend. (Photo: Sucheta Rawal)
Main: The picturesque town of Helen. (Photo: Sucheta Rawal)
to 18 wineries over two weekends. Spring is the perfect season to visit, when the air is crisp and the landscape is vibrant with color.
Georgia’s wine country makes for both a nice
daytrip as well as a quick weekend escape. Many
bed and breakfasts and country inns in the area offer Southern hospitality at its best. Combine a visit to
nearby towns—Helen and Dahlonega offer old world
charm, historic squares, antique shopping, and plenty
of dining options. My favorite stopover is Hofer’s of
Helen, a German bakery, for European-style homemade cakes and pastries. Make sure to bring back
Black Forest cakes and apple strudels for your neighbors in Atlanta.
April:
A Luxurious Private Estate
in the Smokies
Share the bounties of spring at a luxurious family
home in East Tennessee called Blackberry Farm. This
4,200-acre private estate in the foothills of the Great
Smoky Mountains is surrounded by lush green scenery, with unparalleled luxury, Southern hospitality,
and gourmet cuisine.
When I first drove into the farm, resident llamas,
sheep, horses, and truffle-sniffing dogs welcomed
me to a pristine farmland with individual cottages.
I was encouraged to explore the walking trails, spa,
restaurants, lounge, chapel, and farmhouse. There
66 • MAY • 2015
Take in the bounty of
nature, and connect with
your inner self with some
yoga and meditation.
(Photo: Sucheta Rawal)
Popular
with
the rich and famous and special
occasion travelers,
the luxury resort has won accolades from Bon Appetit
(#1 Resort for Food Lovers), Travel+Leisure (#1 Resort
in the Continental U.S. and Canada), and Andrew
Harper’s Hideaway Report (#1 Food & Wine Resort in
the World), among many others. A weekend getaway
here may set you back a couple of thousand dollars
but it’s well worth the pampering.
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May:
Wake Up and Smell the
Roses
When I want to escape the city’s smog alerts, I
pack a few stuffed aloo parathas and head to the North
Georgia mountains to see the blossoming foliage. Two
destinations beckon in particular:
Gibbs Gardens
Thirty-five minutes
from Alpharetta is Gibbs
Gardens, 220 acres featuring thousands of varieties
of flowers, ferns, and trees
in a neatly landscaped
setting of 16 gardens, 24
ponds, and 19 waterfalls.
Jim Gibbs, owner and
designer of the gardens,
is retired President and
Gibbs Gardens: Picture-perfect
founder of the famous
beauty when horticulture comGibbs Landscape Compabines with nature.
ny. He lives on the prem(Photo: Gibbs Gardens)
ises, making it one of the
nation’s largest estate gardens. While the gardens are
great to visit any time of the year, it is especially magical in May when the rhododendrons, roses, hydrangeas, and water lilies are in full bloom. Young and old
enjoy walking around, taking photos, and picnicking
under the shade of a tree. I open my basket to bite into
perfectly ripe mangoes purchased earlier at the farmers market; their aroma and rich sweetness take me
back to warm summer days in India….
Barnsley Resort
Over 150 varieties of heirloom roses burst into
blossom in May at the Barnsley Resort in Adairsville.
Located only an hour north of Atlanta, Barnsley is
your go-to destination for a romantic getaway, corporate retreat, fairytale
wedding, or family fun.
Clent Coker, the
historian,
museum
director, and author
of Barnsley Gardens at
Woodlands gives personal tours of the
property. Coker’s greatgrandmother was born
here and his family
was friends with the
Barnsleys, so he has
Barnsley Resort: your go-to destinapersonal accounts of
tion for a romantic getaway, corpoevery family member.
rate retreat, fairytale wedding, or
He tells me that by the
family fun. (Photo: Sucheta Rawal)
68 • MAY • 2015
mid-1850’s the Woodlands gardens were completed
from the manuals of the renowned landscape designer
Andrew Jackson Downing (aka the father of American
landscape architecture). Downing is famous for his cottage-style residences surrounded by symmetrical gardens. As we walked out of the ruins into the Woodlands
gardens, I got a beautiful view of rows of shrubs, trees,
and flowers strategically placed to create the impression of an English village.
Self-guided tours are only $10 per person and day
visitors can enjoy the gardens and museum, and activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking, clay shooting, golfing, horseback riding, and wine tasting. Pack a picnic
from home or taste garden-grown produce at one of the
three restaurants. Overnight guests can book one of the
beautiful English country cottages on fairytale streets.
Mothers are honored in May with elaborate brunch
and lunch buffets, spa and weekend specials. Meanwhile, an Explorers Club program engages kids from
ages 5-12 in history, outdoor adventures, games, crafts,
and lessons on sustainable gardening, horseshoe making, fishing, target shooting, and more.
After surviving a tornado, the Civil War, a murder,
and a few owners, the 2,000-acre resort stands as one of
the most beautiful places to visit in the South.
June:
Georgia’s Highest Point
and the Charms of the
Chattahoochee National
Forest
Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest point. (Photo: Union County
Chamber of Commerce)
Driving to Blairsville in North Georgia, my husband
and I are nostalgic for the winding roads that lead to
the hill stations of Himachal. The quaint little town,
nestled in the Chattahoochee National Forest has all
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the unpretentious charm of a small mountain village.
With lots of outdoor activities, country stores, antique
shops, and local restaurants, you can be as active or
relaxed as you like.
Friday evening is the perfect time to kayak on
Lake Nottely, when the crowd has thinned out, the air
is cool, and the sun is ready to set into the horizon. It
is quiet and peaceful. We paddle leisurely, covering a
distance of about three miles in less than two hours.
Frank, a local resident, guides us across the lake and
shares his stories of moving from Massachusetts to
Georgia many years ago.
We stop at Logan Turnpike Mill to purchase freshly stone-ground grits made by a couple using an antique mill. Their whole grain version is healthier than
the whitened variety found at most grocery stores.
Later I cook them like upma with mustard seeds, curry leaves, onions, green chillies, and ginger. At night,
we retreat to our cozy log cabin, where we sit on
the balc ny enjoying the cool breeze, a glass of wine,
and home cooked food.
In the morning, after a drive up the mountain, we
start a steep uphill hike towards Georgia’s highest point,
the top of Brasstown Bald. At 4,784 feet, you could see
downtown Atlanta (on a clear day) as well as the Carolinas from the observation deck. We spend the afternoon
hiking through Vogel State Park, the oldest and most
popular state park in Georgia and drive down the Richard Russell Scenic Byway on our way back, stopping to
take photos of lakes, waterfalls, and mountain vistas.
July:
resorts that offer everything from extended stay condos and townhouses to beachfront villas. Besides taking your beach gear and bikes for a summer holiday,
pack your spice racks. The island is large enough to keep
you busy, but too small to offer desi dining options.
Hilton Head is family-friendly, with biking, hiking,
and tennis. Once finished with land activities, people
gather at the beach, swim in the Atlantic Ocean, go
kayaking, paddle boarding, or parasailing. Dinner
includes low country cuisine—Gullah rice, gumbo,
fried okra, and peach cobbler.
If you love to explore, head to the Sea Pines Forest Preserve for a 4,000-year-old Indian village where
nomadic Indians hunted, gathered shells, performed
traditional ceremonies, and grew crops. There are insightful tours to understand the Sea Turtle Protection
Project. Hatchlings can be seen crawling on the beach
towards the ocean during summer nights. Dolphin
cruises are also popular.
The Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum is an
iconic backdrop with its red and white candy cane
stripes. A colorful fireworks display takes place every July 4th on various spots around the island. The
festivities are marked by free concerts, a 4th of July
parade, and kids activities.
A visit to Hilton Head Island can be a lot of
fun without hurting the budget. If you have leftover
change, consider shopping at the two Tanger outlet
malls nearby.
Picture-perfect golf: Robert Trent Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes.
Hilton Head is more than
just one of the world’s top
golf resorts
A mere 12 miles long and 5 miles wide, Hilton Head
Island has come to be known as one of the world’s top
golf resorts (according to Golf Digest). Enthusiasts may
choose to stay at one of the many brand name golf
The Harbour Town Lighthouse, seen from Harbour Town Golf
Links. (Photo: Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau)
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August:
Budget Friendly Music City
Nashville’s Country Music Hall of
Fame. (Photo: Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.)
Nashville, Tennessee
is the closest thing to Las
Vegas in the South. Nicknamed “Music City,” Nashville is among the top 10
best budget destinations
in the world (according to
Budget Travel magazine).
Not only is there free music everywhere, there are
parks, galleries, museums,
vineyards, distilleries, and
more. Famous landmarks
include The
Nashville
Symphony, Country Music
Hall of Fame, Grand Ole
Opry, and Nashville Public
The famous Opryland
Library. The centerpiece
Hotel. (Photo: Nashville Conof Centennial Park is the
vention & Visitors Corp.)
Parthenon—a
full-scale
replica of the original in
Athens, Greece.
The Nashville Shakespeare Festival, from midAugust to mid-September, offers free performances
in Centennial Park with food vendors and preshow
entertainment. Chef Chris Rains offers complimentary bites and cooking lessons through his program
Chef and I’s After Work Party throughout the year.
Nashville has a population of over 20,000 South
Asian doctors, professors, and professionals, so there
are many Indian restaurants and festivals. The Sri
Ganesha Temple of Nashville was built in
1990 to resemble ancient Chola temple
architecture (900AD – 1150AD); Sunday
abhishekam is followed by bhajan, alankaram,
archana, aarati, and lunch prasadam.
A must-see local attraction as well as a
hotel is the Gaylord Opryland. The resort experience falls between a Disney theme park
and a cruise ship. Giant glass sculptures and
dazzling ceilings embrace a 15-story glass
atrium, 2,880 guestrooms, nine acres of botanical gardens, and cascading waterfalls.
The interior is home to over 50,000 tropical plants maintained at 72° F year round.
A quarter-mile long indoor river offers a boat
ride and tour of the property. In the evenings,
water fountains dance to a sound and light
show, as guests stroll down cobblestone
piazzas designed like the streets of Italy.
Seventeen restaurants offer everything
from British pub (serving Indian dishes),
Italian, Mexican, sushi, and contemporary fast food
to an upscale steakhouse. The little ones enjoy learning about the plants and walking through the waterfalls, and they can sneak into Shrek’s den and hang
out with characters from the movies, Kung Fu Panda,
Madagascar, and Shrek.
With the largest concentration of aspiring country musicians playing at different venues in downtown, Nashville has a soulful vibe. The people are
friendly and the city diverse. It is refreshing destination
that offers an interesting mix of culture, architecture,
food, and nature in a relatively small area.
September:
Relax at a Historic Beach
Town
Labor Day weekend is the last opportunity to
enjoy the beach with the family before fall weather
kicks in. After driving down the entire coast of Georgia, I found Saint Simons to be the best beach town,
not overly crowded with tourists. The water is warm
and clean; the sand is pale white and grainy. For
large groups, get a 2- or 3-bedroom cottage at the
King and Prince Resort. Each cottage comes with fully equipped kitchen, access to the beach, spa, swimming pool, and all the amenities. King and Prince
is a historical property that first opened in 1935 as a
private club, and has undergone numerous renovations since then. Tidbits: Clark Howell (editor and
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The Delegal Room at the
King and Prince Resort,
where the Friday night
seafood buffet and the
Sunday Southern heritage
buffet are both lavish
feasts serving every
imaginable
Southern favorite, from
fried chicken and shrimp
n’ grits to pecan pie and
bread pudding.
October:
Saint Simons—when you are looking for a great beach destination
that is not overly crowded.
publisher of The Atlanta Constitution) was the first to
sign the guest registry in 1941; the hotel was requisitioned by the Navy during World War II.
The serene backdrop is the Atlantic Ocean, with
scenery that changes constantly. One morning, you
wake up at low tide with a long stretch of moist white
sand beach, and at other times the ocean slaps right
onto the fences. Large commercial ships and shrimp
boats often come within a few feet of the beach.
The food boasts local ingredients such as fresh
Georgia shrimp, local cheeses, Savannah Bee honeycomb, and Georgia peaches. The Friday night seafood
buffet and the Sunday Southern heritage buffet at the
Delegal Dining Room are both lavish feasts serving every imaginable Southern favorite, from fried chicken
and shrimp n’ grits to pecan pie and bread pudding.
For seafood, go shrimping aboard Lady Jane, a
United States Coast Guard certified vessel in Brunswick, Georgia. The 2-hour cruise is not only a good way
to see the marshes in the area, but an opportunity to
see how Georgia shrimp is harvested. The fresh catch is
cooked and served on board, but you can also purchase
shrimps, crabs, and fish from the fishermen in the
area and enjoy spicy shrimp curry and steamed basmati rice back at your cottage for dinner.
In 2014, St. Simons Island was voted America’s #1
Favorite Romantic Town as well as America’s #1 Favorite Beach Town by Travel + Leisure magazine
74 • MAY • 2015
Get a Glimpse of the
Old South
Savannah is considered one of the most charming cities in the world, with its cobblestone streets,
trees full of Spanish moss, and historic buildings from
the 1800s. The Historic District is perfect for wandering around, admiring mansions, churches, and
museums that tell stories of Civil War and Revolutionary eras. River Street runs parallel to the Savannah River and is lined with shops, restaurants, and
hotels, where tourists can spend a relaxed afternoon
enjoying homemade fudge, ice cream, and other sweet
treats. A few blocks away are Pakwan and Taste of
India, two of the city’s highly rated Indian restaurants.
Two must-do attractions in the area are Ghost
Tours and Riverboat Cruises. Guides tell stories of the
enchanted past as they take visitors through haunted homes, cemeteries, and battlegrounds on the Old
Town Trolley tour. The one-hour sightseeing cruise
on the river includes talks about the history of the
city, while the evening dinner cruises offer live entertainment, buffet dinner, and views of the sunset.
Savannah and Tybee Island have the closest
opening to sea from Atlanta, but the beach is not the
only reason to visit. October is the perfect time to go
when it’s pleasant during the day and brisk after the
sun goes down. The city comes to life with festivals,
events, and celebrations, highlights of which include
Oktoberfest, Savannah Speed Classic, and Halloween
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Top: Riverboat cruises,
along with ghost tours,
trolley tours, and walking tours are some of the
quintessential highlights
of Savannah, “one of the
most charming cities in
the world.”
Left: Forsyth Park,
the largest park in
the historic district of
Savannah.
What better place to celebrate Halloween than
the city that is known for haunted houses? There
are pub-crawls on River Street, midnight showing
of the famous movie Rocky Horror Picture Show,
tour of a haunted pirate ship, and a Zombie Walk
costume contest. For kids, there is trick or treating,
a haunted trail, kid’s crafts, a pumpkin decorating
contest, and hayrides.
Figel at Cyprus Restaurant is whipping up a plate of organic bhaji, hot
and sour tamarind ribs, or fish in banana leaves. Figel is a globally-inspired
chef who creates a theme menu each
week in additional to regularly offering
international
dishes
from
India,
Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Japan. During my visit, he presented a
“Hippy Hampi to Hyderabad” menu
that included cauliflower pakoras, saag
paneer, sambar and lamb korma. There
was even shojin ryori, an entirely vegetarian bento box (thali) based on the
principles of Japanese Buddhism and
mostly found at temples.
I was drawn to Highlands because of its
award winning resort and spa, The Spa at Old
Edwards Inn. Named #1 Top Hotel in the South, #4
Top Hotel in the United States, and the #45 Top
Hotel in the World by Condé Nast Traveler readers
(2015), the European style resort cascades along
several blocks filled with amenities, music, dining
venues, and individually appointed guestrooms,
suites, and cottages.
The Spa at Old Edwards reminded me of the
turmeric (haldi) ceremony that takes place before
Indian wedding ceremonies to brighten the bride’s
complexion, only here I didn’t have hundreds of
friends and relatives singing and dancing around
me. My treatment was a spice body detox using
Epicurean Chai Soy Mud Mask, a rich, aromatic,
herbal spice body scrub that contained colloidal
clay, calming antioxidants, and the warming spices
of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. After the 1-hour
treatment, my skin was soft and luminous.
November:
The Town of Highlands: an
Appalachian Gem
Meandering roads through the Appalachian
Mountains, surrounded by tall poplar trees, lead into
a hill town simply known as Highlands. Highlands,
North Carolina, is located at an altitude of 4,118 ft.
The air is fresh and waterfalls abound, making this
an ideal region for hiking. Many families moved to
Highlands in search of a climate that would cure
tuberculosis and respiratory disorders.
Main Street has eclectic shops and restaurants.
Even though the city has only 600 local residents,
there are top class restaurants serving many different
cuisines including Japanese, Italian, and German.
If you can inhale the strong aromas of Indian
spices on Main Street, chances are Chef Nicholas
76 • MAY • 2015
Don’t let its tiny size fool you—Highlands, North Carolina offers top
class restaurants serving many different cuisines including Japanese, Italian, and German. (Photo: ashvilleguidebook.com)
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The largest of the dozens of Christmas trees inside the Biltmore
Estate is the 35-foot-tall Fraser fir in the majestic Banquet Hall.
(Photo: The Biltmore Company)
Chef Nicholas Figel of Cyprus
Restaurant, and the Buddhist platter, one of
his creations. (Photo: Sucheta Rawal)
November is the best time to escape to the mountains, sit by a cozy fire,
and bite into a peppermint soufflé. A
unique experience we cannot find in the big
city is visiting a Christmas tree farm where you can
walk around hundreds of trees growing in open fields
against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
It is simply magical to walk among the live trees
whether it is a crisp sunny winter day or there’s
snow falling on the ferns. The Tom Sawyer Christmas Tree farm is about 30 minutes from the Old
Edwards Inn in downtown Highlands. For the kids,
there is the meet and greet with Santa, horse-drawn
carriage, and a post office to mail their letters to Santa.Adults and kids can rent elf costumes before they
head on back to meet with, guess who, Santa himself!
December:
Visit a Christmas Family
Home
Growing up as a Catholic in north India, there
were not many places to enjoy all the splendor of
Christmas except at one’s home or church. While my
non-Christian friends admired the small crib and
decorated tree branch in my living room, my dream
Christmas was more ambitious—a perfectly shaped
Fraser fir Christmas tree surrounded by colorful
presents with neatly tied bows, placed next to a
burning fireplace, while snowflakes fell outside the
window and Santa Claus read a storybook to a kid on
The incomparable Biltmore Estate: the largest “house” in America.
(Photo: The Biltmore Company)
his lap. At the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC,
this classic scene is recreated every year between
Thanksgiving and New Year holidays.
This largest house in America built by George W.
Vanderbilt II comes alive with a 35-foot Christmas
tree and miles of festive décor of illuminated trees,
garlands, and wreaths, while holiday tunes play on
organ music. Vanderbilt opened his Biltmore home
to family and friends on Christmas Eve of 1895. Now
visitors can enjoy a host of activities—walking tours of
the home, story times, shopping, dining, wine tasting,
and workshops on making Christmas wreaths. For
over-nighters, there is an Inn at the resort and several
more affordable options nearby.
Downtown Ashville is a hip city with mixed
architecture, lots of galleries, coffee shops, live music
venues, and eclectic restaurants. Don’t expect Southern cooking. Asheville restaurants run the gamut
from Mediterranean to vegetarian, four-star cuisine to
down-home cooking. Asheville was named “America’s
Best Vegetarian-Friendly Small City” and included in
“The 20 greenest spots in the country,” in Vegetarian
Times. Organic Style named Asheville to its list of the
“10 Greatest Escapes in America.”
All three of Green Sage Café’s locations serve
fresh-pressed juices, organic salads, and wraps using
local and organic ingredients. Everything on the menu
is all-natural. The Laughing Seed Cafe serves organic,
seasonal, farm-to-table vegetarian cuisine with an
international flair. Vegan, gluten free, wheat free,
and even raw entrees are available. Try the kimchi
utttapam at Plant, an innovative restaurant serving
organic plant-based meals.
Mela is recommended by The New York Times
and consistently voted Asheville’s best Indian
restaurant. Asheville is also home to the original
Chai Pani restaurant (now in Decatur), a must stop
for hot chai and street snacks; their sister bar and
lounge, MG Road serves contemporary cocktails in
a Bollywood-inspired setting.
Sucheta Rawal is an award-winning travel writer and founder
of the nonprofit organization Go Eat Give, which raises awareness of
different cultures through food, travel, and community service. We
would love to hear from you about these destinations and your other
favorite day trips and weekend destinations. Please write to [email protected] or to [email protected].
78 • MAY • 2015
Khabar Magazine