Local Art Galleries and Shows in Asheville, NC

It is a great time of year to come and visit Asheville, NC!! One great reason is that you can take advantage of many winter specials when staying with Carolina Mornings in a beautiful mountain retreat. Another is to check out indoor ventures around town (in addition to getting out and playing in the snow!). There are some great shows happening at art galleries around town, and I wanted to mention a few.
At American Folk Art and Framing, they are having their 6th Annual Miniatures Show. Artists of non-academia present small works in acrylic, wood block, clay and more. This show runs through Feb. 28.
Amongst other current showings, Blue Spiral 1 gallery has Cups From Hand to Hand, a showing of sixteen artists working with my favorite medium, clay. This exhibit presents a great way to share in your love of art and travel- you can take home a small piece of artwork from Asheville and use it everyday!! Showing through March 21.
Through April 4, Grovewood Gallery hosts Women in Wood, an exhibit honoring the women craftfolk that work with wood. I love this idea because much of the time when we see artist's expressing themselves with wood, they are men. This exhibit honors the many women that love to carve or turn wood, which I find very inspiring!!
Not that these are the only galleries or shows to see in Asheville- I just wanted to give you a taste. Come see for yourself why Asheville is an arts and crafts dream, and let Carolina Mornings host your stay! It will surely be a piece of art!!

Romantic Candlelight Dinner Package in Asheville, NC

Once again I find myself writing about something that could pertain to Valentine's Day... you see, February is Romance month at Carolina Mornings. To honor and celebrate this, Carolina Mornings not only offers a plethora of options for a cozy and romantic mountain retreat (check out our great winter specials), we are also offering a package deal that is pretty unbeatable! The Romantic Candlelight Dinner Package is offered throughout the month of February and can be enjoyed at any of our getaways. The night begins with a retreat makeover: flowers, rose petals, candles, aromatherapy... added touches to your romantic retreat. The meal is an organic meal catered for two, cooked specifically for you and your needs right there in your own retreat (check out the menu suggestions), with no need to leave the house. The meal is accompanied by a bottle of organic wine, where you choose between a red, white or zinfandel to enjoy in your keepsake wine glasses.
After your delicious dessert, fall into deeper relaxation during an aromatherapy massage for two. Finish the event off with chocolate- dipped strawberries...mmm... and if you are still awake after those who have pampered you leave, finish the evening off with a dip in the hot tub, relishing in the warmth and your bliss amidst the crisp mountain air...
If this sounds too good to be true, quickly pinch yourself and call us- the package is only available for February!!

Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate in Asheville, NC

Okay, so I thought I was finished with the Valentine's series, and technically I am. There is a delicious subject I have been wanting to write about for awhile now, and what better time to do it than love-your-honey weekend?? Asheville is chock full of chocolate, delicious in every form available. Imagine yourself relaxing into a heavenly couple's massage, then soaking in a hot tub surrounded by snow-capped mountains, sipping on a wonderful wine, eating a heavenly truffle of milk chocolate and raspberries...mmm...
Here are a few options to check out while you are skipping around town or relaxing in your Carolina Mornings vacation rental (in a pretty little take- home box or container, of course!)

-The Chocolate Fetish: In business since 1986, the Foley family has built a name for itself over the years that can still be heard in the streets of Asheville as tourists hunt it down. Plenty of gift offerings to take to a cozy spot and enjoy.
-The French Broad Chocolate Lounge: So everyone has their own opinion, but the chocolate I have eaten from the Chocolate Lounge is consistently the best thing I have ever eaten (and I am a foodie)!! In 2008, the Rattigans opened this chocolate lover's paradise and they have been going strong ever since. I believe that they produce the best chocolate in the world... not to mention the best brownies I've ever had!! Then there's the fact that they offer local beer, great wine, and a super- cozy space to hang out in. And on top of it all, they use as many local, fair trade, farm direct and organic ingredients as possible, which fits right into my belief system and Asheville style.
-Ultimate Ice Cream's Dark Chocolate Ice Cream: Okay, not quite a box of chocolates, but this local company has done chocolate ice cream up the right way! Not sure how they do it, but it's dark, it's chocolate, it's ice cream... it's delicious!! (They have a storefront on Tunnel Rd. and sell around town, including at The Chocolate Lounge).
-Greenlife Grocery: A great place to pick up tons and tons of chocolate. They sell prepackaged bars from everywhere (all organic and fair trade of course), as well as packages of local truffles and such, locally- made brownies, chocolate ice cream...

This is not the complete list of chocolate availability in Asheville, but it's a start and it's what to get if you are a visitor and want a local's experience! There are also chocolate shops in Black Mountain, Waynesville, Weaverville- it seems the Asheville area is a chocolate lovers paradise! When you stay with us in your mountain getaway, be sure to have some chocolate on hand to share with your honey (and remember that chocolate is a great gift for any time of year or occasion!!)

Happy Valentine's Day!! Part III

We are now on Part III of our options for the love-your-honey weekend getaway you are planning (see Part I and Part II). The first decision was where to stay out of the plethora of getaway options that Carolina Mornings has to offer, and which packages/ property specials to take advantage of. The next decision to make was whether you wanted to stay put and just R E L A X with your honey (covered in Part II). If you decide that you want to make a date of it out on the town before returning to your beautiful retreat, here are some options for you. The best idea that I have seen yet is the Caring 4 Children Moulin Rouge Gala Benefit, hosted Saturday night, Feb 13 (perfect for going out one night, and staying in on Valentine's... the best of both worlds, which your honey deserves!!). The night is Parisian- inspired, complete with a French dinner, burlesque show, and music performed by the Goodies, as well as silent auctions, live auctions and more. What's best is that your money goes to a great cause- helping children out here in Buncombe County. This is the best of all worlds- having an unforgettable night within an unforgettable weekend while also supporting a really great cause.
At The Grey Eagle: 69 Love Songs, based on the great album by the Magnetic Fields, will be rocking the night away in celebration of love. This will be a low- key show, meaning that if you are looking for something upscale this is not the thing to do. But, the album is great, The Grey Eagle is great, and the night should be lots of fun!
Another option is quite an alternative to the standard Valentine's Day celebration... at the Asheville Arts Center you can be wowed with the Bombs Away Cabaret, doing a performance of 'Eat Your Heart Out'. This show will leave you anything but bored!
You could start out with dinner at the cabin, or you could opt for dinner in town: Asheville has some pretty incredible local restaurants, and Saturday night you can find whatever your heart's do desire.
Sunday seems pretty low-key downtown, but check our Part IV for ideas on where to wine and dine your honey if you aren't up to fixing a meal at the cabin...

GIRL'S Super Bowl Party in Asheville, NC!!

While your honeys are preparing and collecting together for the Super Bowl, why not have a girl's getaway?? This is a perfect time to utilize their focus on the Super Bowl and get into your own fun!! The great thing about this time of year is that Carolina Mornings has SO many properties offering WINTER SPECIALS! To top it off, we also offer an All-Girl Getaway Package: 2 tickets to Biltmore for 2 consecutive days; 2 massages; $80 gift certificate for dining at the Corner Kitchen (featured in Southern Living); $80 gift certificate for shopping at Bellagio; and 10% off your tea order at Chelsea's Tea Room- the package is offered to you at a $100 savings of the normal retail prices!! And don't forget that this is in addition to our FREEBIES of skiing and golf! What more could you ask for??
Each vacation home has it's own unique attributes, but we definitely have one to fit your fancy. From mountain views to fireplaces to hot tubs, the idea is to RELAX and have a great time! Join us here in Asheville, NC: known for it's beauty, restaurants, shopping experience and much, much more!!

A Holiday Taste of the Town!

Looking for a holiday trip that will help this time of year slow down and allow you to enjoy the holidays?

You're looking in the right place. As you know, Asheville is home to some of the most majestic landmarks of the holiday season (see here and here and here). And by all means, when you come to Asheville for a day trip or hopefully for longer (i.e. weekends in beautiful Asheville cabins!), check out the Biltmore, the Grove Park Inn's Gingerbread houses and the beautiful lights around town!

BUT don't forget about all those local hideaways and secrets! Check out the Asheville City Market in Pack Square from 10am-2pm THIS WEEKEND for a great taste of the holidays in the mountains of NC.

Image via Wikipedia

For example: THIS Saturday, check out live music from Galen Kipar AND a cooking demo by Chef Tres from the Lobster Trap to help you get ready for holiday cooking!

Still need Christmas gifts-- look no further than the local and handmade crafts like wreaths and arrangements, baked goods, handmade jewelry and so much more.

Lacking a tree for your Asheville cabin rental? Don't fear... THREE farmers tailgate markets in the Asheville, NC area will be offering local Christmas trees THIS weekend!

The best way to experience the holidays like a local? Grab your family, your coats and leave technology and hassle behind, and come stay at any of the beautiful Carolina Mornings Asheville cabin rentals! Experience the beauty of the mountains with the twinkle of the stars, the quiet of the country and the bustle of the city! Everything you could ask for in an Asheville holiday vacation!