Experience Holiday Mountain Magic at The Camp, North Carolina's Premiere Vacation Rental for Large Gatherings

Is your house overrun by your huge family every holiday season? Do you want to avoid the normal quandaries (like who will have to sleep on the air bed in the baby room)? If the hassle of decorating, cleaning and entertaining in your home is more than you care to deal with, check out The Camp, a vacation rental paradise for your family during the holidays. And why not invite the in-laws and your friend's family too? And don't forget the dog! The Camp is big enough to house everyone.

The Cozy Family Room at Cloud 9

Unique in every way, The Camp is Carolina Mornings' ultimate North Carolina mountain vacation rental, located only forty minutes from Asheville. The Camp, comprised of three rental properties on 150 acres, is perfect for large gatherings like multi-family getaways, boasting so many activities that guests will be hard-pressed to try it all during their stay. There's Cloud 9, an entertainer's delight, which can also include the luxurious Owner's Suite; Eagle's Nest, the largest property, with two separate levels including two spacious dens and kitchens; and The Pond House, the newest home which features fabulous views and an open floor plan for quality family time.

Enjoy a Holiday Meal at Eagle's Nest

Even on freezing days, the kids will still have room to play ball and run laps at The Camp. There's a full-sized gymnasium with a hardwood wooden floor, basketball nets, and a trampoline. There's also a Recreation Hall with an arcade that includes ping-pong, pool and air hockey tables. And if that doesn't wear them out, they can play competitive board games or have a pizza party in the 5,000-square-foot social hall. In the evening, the whole family can gather together and tell stories around a bonfire.

The Camp's Full-Sized Gymnasium

There's plenty of things for the adults to stay busy with too. Each home features wide-screen plasma TVs with satellite service and comfortable gathering spaces. There's a fitness room and property-wide wireless internet. Loosen up by relaxing in the hot tub and enjoying the full bar at Cloud 9. Then, enjoy a retreat to your private bedroom for a little quiet time. (You can't get that at a hotel!)

Want to know more about The Camp? There's so much more to learn! Call Carolina Mornings at (877) 902.9441 and talk to one of our Vacation Planners about spending time with your family this holiday season in the only vacation rental of its kind, The Camp in the North Carolina mountains.

A Dog's Delight: Pet Boutiques and Bakeries in Furry-Friend-Friendly Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville is undoubtedly a dog-friendly city, and it's no wonder with so many outdoor dining spots and fun activities available. Even though it may be getting a bit too chilly to spend a day hiking in the mountains with your dog, you can still spoil your best friend(s) rotten by taking them shopping for new goodies and toys.

Blaze-N-Skyy Pet Boutique & Wellness Center, just next to the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville, is heaven for designer dogs who require the season's latest in fashion, footwear and carriers. Less than a block away, Three Dog Bakery is a specialty shop that serves up delicious oven-baked treats and food for Fido. Your dog will literally be begging for more!

If you're exploring South Asheville, the Woof Gang Bakery, a popular national franchise, has recently opened a store in Biltmore Park Town Square. Even Black Mountain is in on the action: the Bone-a-Fide Bakery has been serving up cookies, cakes and accessories for our favorite pets for nearly a decade.

Lady Victoria

The staff at Carolina Mornings are dedicated dog lovers too! We offer dozens of dog-friendly properties that keep your furry friends right where they belong: by your side. Many different kinds of Asheville vacation rentals are available, from in-town luxury accommodations like Lady Victoria, to premiere vacation homes like Mountain Air Country Club (which includes perks like a private golf course and tennis courts), to mountain cabin retreats like Rivertime Cabin, where your frisky buddy will love a chilly dip in the Ivy River. Or perhaps you're planning a retreat for a large group with multiple pets? Check out The Camp, a one-of-a-kind mountain getaway that has limitless activities on a 150-acre property with gorgeous views, perfect for weddings, family reunions, company retreats and church gatherings.

Rivertime Cabin

HUGE BONUS: Carolina Mornings offers concierge service that will help you enjoy your North Carolina mountain vacation by supplying the best in dog-walking, grooming, and daycare. Get in touch with Carolina Mornings today to find out why Asheville is North Carolina's best mountain vacation spot for dog-friendly travel.

Food Destination Asheville: Local Favorites to Try During Your Mountain Vacation

There's a saying among locals that there's a restaurant for every citizen in Asheville. It certainly is a small city to have so many amazing places to eat, especially ones supporting the local food initiative. Which also means that if you enjoy the satisfaction of a perfect meal, Asheville is a gold mine for dining out. But it doesn't have to cost your weight in gold!

With so many options, it pays to have a few affordable favorites to enjoy on the regular. Sunny Point Cafe, on Haywood Road in West Asheville, serves up breakfast all day. Their Huevos Rancheros are so good, you'll be hard-pressed to try something else on your next (guaranteed) visit. Sunny Point is also a great place to eat on sunny days because you can bring your dog and dine on the patio. Just down the road, Burgermeister's will make your burger any way you want it. The list of yummies you can choose from for toppings nearly takes up a whole page of the menu. If you're downtown, Mamacita's wins hands-down for a quick lunch. They make delicious tacos, scrumptious specials, and their guacamole is fresh and filling. For more suggestions, check out the recently released Mountain Xpress Best of WNC list.

In related food news, the Hendersonville Small Plate Crawl is coming up on November 8th and 9th. Participating restaurants will be offering affordable mini-plates of chef's favorites so that the epicurious can move about town (and Flat Rock too) and sample a variety of menus.

After you fill up, Carolina Mornings suggests you enjoy a stay at The Red Barn, a mountain vacation rental that's conveniently located between Hendersonville and Asheville. This picturesque vacation cabin has an expansive front porch overlooking a bubbling stream where you can relax in a rocking chair and watch the last of the leaves drift from the trees. The Red Barn is still available for your Thanksgiving holiday in the North Carolina mountains. Simplify: eat to your heart's delight in the Asheville area!

Ten Reasons You Deserve a Vacation Rental

If you're curious why staying in a vacation rental hands-down beats staying at a hotel, here's ten convincing reasons:

1. Value: Vacation rentals cost less than hotels, especially if you're staying for more than one night, or if the size of your family or group would require multiple hotel rooms. Plus, that mountain view is priceless. Call Carolina Mornings Vacation Planners and let us prove it to you! (Shown: The view from Flying Fish Hill)

2. Space: Isn't vacation all about stretching out and relaxing? A hotel room the size of a shoebox makes it hard to even find room for you and yours to sit down comfortably. And if you're traveling with friends or family, no matter how much fun the car ride was, it's nice to have your own room at the end of the day.

3. Exploration: Tourist areas are good for tourist activities, and that may be what you're looking for mid-day. But if you want to find some local charm and character, and get out of the suburban box, a vacation rental will take you to new and exciting places. Carolina Mornings offers Packages and Discounts for all your entertainment needs. Where should you go for dinner? Ask your neighbor!

4. Kitchens: Vacation rentals include fully-equipped kitchens, making it an option to cook a meal that isn't microwaved. Maybe that means you'll show off your gourmet skills, or maybe it means enjoying your favorite chicken pot pie hot out of the oven. Either way, at least it's an option to save some dough and skip a few restaurant meals. And unlike a tiny one, a full-sized refrigerator actually has room for a gallon of milk, a six pack of soda, and a few take-out containers. (Shown: The kitchen at Casa Bella)

5. Extras: Imagine being able to park in the garage, throw in a load of laundry, take a bike out for a leisurely cruise, play board games with your kids, and watch a movie, all without any surplus cost. The unexpected extras you'll find at vacation rentals might surprise you, and just might elevate your vacation to pure delight!

6. Your Pet: Why leave Fido at the kennel when he could come on vacation with you? Would you leave your best friend in a pen while you go away? Most of Carolina Mornings' vacation rentals, are pet-friendly; and, let's face it, your pet is spoiled and deserves a vacation too.

7. Uniqueness: If you're looking for a memorable stay in a well appointed space, rather than the exact same "artwork" and bedspread you've seen a million times before, choose a vacation rental. Each home is unique and has the care of a homeowner's personal touch. Carolina Mornings has so many vacation cabins available, you can stay in a different one every time you visit the North Carolina mountains. (Shown: The living area at Great Escape)

8. Privacy: Although a hotel pool full of strangers and screaming kids is appealing, the privacy of a hot tub at a vacation rental is even better. Avoid the crowd. Get some much-needed quiet time. Vacation rentals allow you to actually escape stressful situations, and that's the point of vacation, right?

9. Cleanliness: Vacation rentals don't experience nightly turnovers like hotels. Plus, homeowners and a happy housekeeping team, not a corporation staring down a budget bottom line, are responsible for your comfort. Flexible check-in and check-out times means there'll never be someone rudely banging on your door at 10:30 a.m. Feel free to walk around barefoot in your vacation rental.

10. Community Support: Since you planned your vacation around a destination, it's safe to assume you love the community. Support both a local business and a homeowner by staying in a vacation rental. When you call the Vacation Planners at Carolina Mornings, they'll make suggestions that will make your vacation special. After all, Asheville is their home.

Drawbacks?

1. No room service... but you've got a kitchen, and you really do make better eggs, exactly the way you want them.

2. No maid service... but you've got a laundry room, and it's included in your rental fee. And you're on vacation; there's no rule saying you have to make the bed everyday.

3. No concierge... SCRATCH THAT ONE. Carolina Mornings offers Concierge Service with all of our vacation rentals. Bonus!

Spend Thanksgiving Enjoying the Best of the North Carolina Mountains

Asheville, NC, is an appetizing place to spend Thanksgiving. Get your turkey and cranberries at Earthfare, a local Asheville favorite that was recently voted #1 grocery in Mountain Xpress' annual Best of WNC poll. Get your Oatmeal Porter straight from the tasting room at Highland Brewing Company. Pick up some fresh-baked bread at City Bakery Cafe downtown. But first, find your ultimate Thanksgiving vacation home from Carolina Mornings.

Carolina Mornings has a wonderful selection of mountain vacation cabins that are still available for Thanksgiving weekend, many with gourmet kitchens to assist you in showing off your culinary skills. If you're hosting a large family gathering, one of these is Laurelwood Glen, a custom-built log home with plenty of room for everyone. Imagine the smell of pumpkin pie filling up that kitchen! Also check out Villa Arista, which features an expansive Mediterranean-inspired kitchen and dining area, plus a wide-open lawn for tossing the football around after your turkey feast.

Or maybe you're escaping during the holiday weekend for a romantic getaway. Baby Bear Cabin is a mountain fantasy with a million-dollar view for a couple who wants to cozy up together by the raging fire. Or there's the wooded privacy of Wolf Laurel Cabin, which has a bubbling hot tub that could really heat things up for the holidays. To further enjoy the Asheville area, Carolina Mornings also offers an exclusive tour for couples, the Unescorted Romantic Wine Package.

Want to dine out instead? Be just around the corner from a culinary experience at Studio Lex, a modern luxury loft in the heart of downtown Asheville that's still available for the Thanksgiving weekend. Whatever your pleasure, contact Carolina Mornings soon to make your reservations; these amazing North Carolina mountain cabins are waiting for your family to fill them up with holiday cheer!

The Camp: North Carolina's Ultimate Mountain Vacation Rental

Have you been searching for the perfect magical place for your big event? If you're planning a gathering and need a unique location that can accommodate over fifty guests with enough space to entertain a crowd and a commercial sized kitchen for preparing large meals, Carolina Mornings has exactly what you've been looking for in a property: The Camp. The Camp is the ultimate North Carolina mountain vacation rental for family reunions, corporate retreats, church groups, weddings, and multi-family getaways.

Located in Bat Cave, North Carolina, just thirty minutes from Asheville, The Camp includes four homes with a combined capability of sleeping up to 55 people: Cloud 9, Eagle's Nest, The Cottage, and The Pond House. The Camp also includes a 5,000 square-foot social hall, a gymnasium with a full-sized wooden basketball court that is large enough serve as a dance floor for parties, an outdoor basketball court, an arcade, tennis courts, an athletic field, a heated pool, an amusement-park worthy water slide, a fishing pond, and even an archery range. The Camp is a pet-friendly, full-fledged dream-come-true vacation rental for groups who need endless entertainment for all ages coupled with the comforts you'd expect from a five-star resort. The Camp is also an ideal escape from notoriety, offering luxury and exclusivity past its privacy-ensuring main gate.

Adventure awaits everywhere you go at The Camp, providing plenty of chances for bonding and character building. Whether its a group hike to "the bear cave," a baseball game on the playing field, dodge ball in the gymnasium, a jog along the paved path to take in the view of Little Mount Pisgah, or an invigorating round of volleyball, the people in your group will find themselves entertained and relaxed at The Camp, a world away from any stress. There's even an old fire truck to add to the jovial atmosphere. In the evening, the bonfire offers the glow of a warm moment in which to share memories and tell exciting tales. The Camp provides plenty of firewood so that your hot dog cooked on a stick and followed by gooey Smores will make you giggle like you haven't in years. Carolina Mornings is pleased to offer this one-of-a-kind North Carolina mountain vacation rental. Ideal for large gatherings, multi-family getaways, or an exclusive escape, The Camp is private, well appointed, and brimming with loads of fun for all ages!

Flying through the Foliage

The panorama of fall colors is nearing its peak in Asheville, and people are flocking to the mountain vistas to get a glimpse of the natural beauty. The Parkway overlooks are a treat indeed, but there's a few more fantastic ways to get your foliage fix. Navitat Canopy Adventures offers a unique view of the changing colors: flying on a zipline. Just twenty minutes north of Asheville, Navitat exhilarates guests with both speed and sweet views. Asheville Hot Air Balloons takes you even higher. What better way to take in the view than from the privacy of your own hot air balloon. A fall foliage fantasy indeed!

In planning your Asheville getaway, explore the wide array of Carolina Morning's superb vacation rentals. Dog and kid-friendly cabins complete your perfect trip to the North Carolina mountains during this exciting time of year. A cabin rental like Mountain Sky, located just down the road from Navitat, is the ideal way to top off your fall flying adventure.

Buncombe County Commissioners Approve Ordinance for Vacation Rentals

A recent Buncombe County commissioners meeting resulted in good news for vacation rentals: they are now allowed in all county zoning districts. This vote overturns a December 2009 restriction which kept vacation rentals out of certain residential areas. The board's new approval will allow homeowners to have more freedoms in deciding how to handle their properties, and will grant new options for tourists. The change will boost the Buncombe County economy and create areas of progress in the housing market. The ordinance was unanimously approved. Read more about this issue in the Asheville Citizen Times.

Carolina Morning's own Larry Miller appeared on WLOS Channel 13 News, reporting that the ordinance approval is a positive turn for many homeowners. The ordinance allows for tourism, a longtime staple of the area economy, to aid homeowners who have had trouble selling their property. Many people prefer to stay in a neighborhood home during their vacations, as it is more suitable for families, especially when traveling with children and pets, and it offers an insider's glimpse for visitors who may want to relocate to Buncombe county.

Red, Yellow, and Orange Mountain Fun Has Just Begun

A vacation in an Asheville cabin at this time of year offers excitement that will make you feel like a kid again. There's something about the changing season that invigorates the soul. Maybe your delight will be found in the swirl of colorful leaves blowing across a river, maybe in a relaxing moment sipping hot apple cider while drinking in a mountain vista, or maybe just in the comfort of cozying up in your favorite soft sweater. Elevations above 4,500 feet offer peak fall colors this weekend. Asheville sits at 2,200 feet, so you'll want to take a drive to find the rainbow of autumn color. The best places to get up high for a good view are are all accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway: Mount Pisgah, Mount Mitchell, Graveyard Fields and Grandfather Mountain. Dozens of opportunities for family fun are listed on the Blue Ridge Parkway Calendar of Events.

Carolina Mornings offers vacation rentals in locations all around Asheville, from neighborhood homes in town, like Elkhorn Cabin, to mountain retreats located only a few miles away, like Mockingbird Hill. Explore Carolina Morning's expansive list of rentals to find the perfect place for your vacation. And remember, nights in Asheville are starting to get cold, a perk for the changing colors, so pack a warm sweater!

Bite into Apple Season in Hendersonville

An apple a day? A day spent outdoors picking apples in the fresh mountain air surely can't hurt either. Hendersonville apple farmers produce 65% of North Carolina's crop and many of the orchards are open to the public, offering tours and baskets to fill with your own bounty. JH Stepp Farm's Hillcrest Orchard, Grandad's Apples, and Lyda Farms are all within a few miles of each other. In addition to tasty apples, the orchards often offer other local treats like baked goods and crafts. This guide of Hendersonville apple farms (PDF download) will help your family navigate the way to a day of fall fun.

Finish off your yummy day with a stay at Pumpkin Patch, one of Carolina Mornings several vacation homes in the Hendersonville area. Pumpkin Patch is a peaceful cabin with a wide front porch and a hot tub, perfect spots to spend time soaking up the beautiful fall colors of the changing season. So bite into your autumn vacation with apple picking and a reservation for relaxation!

"Oompah" Fun at Asheville's Oktoberfest

For the third year running, by popular vote Asheville is Beer City USA, and what a better way to celebrate than by filling your stein with frothy delight at Oktoberfest, also in its third year. On October 8th, cobblestoned Wall Street will transform into "Little Germany," featuring traditional Polka music by The Stratton Mountain Boys and beer tastings from your favorite local breweries, including Highland Brewing, Asheville Brewing Company, Pisgah Brewing. A limited number of tickets are available in advance for $25 ($35 at the event). So break out your lederhosen for the costume contest and ready your appetite for bratwurst, Oktoberfest is sure to rock your October!

Just around the corner from Wall Street, the site of Oktoberfest, Studio Lex offers all of the modern comforts you desire plus unparalleled convenience. This vacation rental from Carolina Mornings allows you to enjoy the splendor of fall's changing colors from the heart of downtown Asheville. Experience Beer City's eclectic mountain vibe from stunning Studio Lex, just a hop, skip and stumble away from Oktoberfest.