I’ve been booking a lot of Disney trips for folks lately, and it definitely has me in a Disney state of mind! If you’re looking to go to Disney World on a shoestring, a good place to start is staying at one of the Value Resorts. The Pop Century is one of the newer Value resorts, and everything you might have ever wanted to know about it is right here:
For questions or booking information, call the College of Disney Knowledge graduate at Azalea Travel!
(A picture of my favorite ornament…I got it on a trip to The King & Prince Golf and Beach Resort)
A Christmas Quiz: How many days of vacation do you deserve when this holiday is over?
Let’s face it, not everyone considers this the most wonderful time of year. Yes, there’s a lot of wonder, excitement, and festive activity going on. And we get to celebrate the birth of Christ, which is the best part of it. The carols are great, the decorations are fun to see, but the season does create a very large holiday to-do list on top of your regular to-dos. So I have created this quiz to help you determine how many days of vacation you deserve after this season is over. Get out your pen and paper, and let’s begin! Choose one answer for each question, and give yourself the corresponding number of points.
Now, tally up your points and see how you score:
5-7 points = Even if you love this time of year and make the best of it with store-bought baked goods and an easy schedule, you still deserve to decompress a little after it’s all over. Get 2016 off to a great start with a quick 3-5 night getaway! Take a cruise, spend a long weekend in NYC, or catch a flight to Cancun.
8-11 points = Perhaps you’ve suffered some aggravation at the hands of family, inlaws, outlaws, or otherlaws. Or maybe you just went out of your way here and there to make it a special Christmas. Either way, wouldn’t it be nice to escape and unwind? Take about 7 nights to recreate yourself and do something that you’ve always wanted to do. Is it Hawaii? Maybe it’s Cuba? You decide!
12-15 points = There’s no doubt about it. You’ve really put yourself out for others this season. You’ve had to endure a holiday that maybe you don’t even enjoy that much for one reason or another. Nobody is more entitled to a break from the daily grind than you are. 10-14 nights, or more, are what this doctor of travel prescribes for you to recharge your batteries. This is a great length of time to do that European tour or river cruise you’ve always dreamed of. This is definitely a good time to do something more exotic or distant, like China, Galapagos Islands, the Amazon, or Australia.
Whatever your score, I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Pardon me, boys. Is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo? Well, if it’s not, it’s one that looks just like it. And you can stay overnight in it, if you like. The Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel is located in an old train depot, Terminal Station, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Pullman cars in the courtyard aren’t just for show, either. Yes, I meant it when I said you can stay in one. They have guest rooms so you can pretend you’re a luxury-style traveler on a long journey in the late 1800s. There are restaurants and events in the hotel making it easy to enjoy yourself without going too very far. But, you’ll want to venture out, even if you do stay there, because there’s plenty to see in this town.
If trains aren’t your thing, another unusual place to stay is the Delta Queen Hotel, which is actually an old steamboat. Moored at the shore, the boat never cruises anywhere, but just allows you the unique experience of staying on a steamboat instead of a regular hotel. Sure, the cabins are a little small compared to a regular room, but it gives you a taste of how travelers in 1925 made their way down the river. Accommodations range from upper and lower bunks to luxurious suites.
Now, what to do?
Don’t hesitate to call me at Azalea Travel for more information, or to plan your next trip to Chattanooga.
The reason for my last trip to Greenwood was to celebrate the grand opening of the Carolina Executive Car at the Railroad Historical Center.
This car was of particular interest to me, because it was the car my great-grandfather, Frank Harrison Cothran, used as his mobile office during the years that he was President of the Piedmont & Northern Railroad. My parents made the trip with me.
That’s my father down the narrow hallway, right outside the bedroom that was his grandfather’s.
But even without the family connection, this train was well worth the trip to see inside. It makes for a fascinating trip back in time. The wood paneling, the service quarters, and kitchen all give rise to imagination to see the car in its heyday, when it was more than just a mode of transportation.
You can almost feel the motion of the car sliding forward and see gentlemen in their suits sitting at the table in the conference room, mulling over contracts and making things happen with inkpens, handshakes, and friendly jokes.
It is part of The Museum & Railroad Historical Center in Greenwood, which has two locations with two different functions. From April through October, the train cars are open Thursday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm. There are other cars being renovated, and a depot will be built, as well.
In the meantime, the museum portion of The Museum and Railroad Historical Center, which is just down the road a few blocks, is open year-round. And it is a treat.
It’s the best museum I have seen in a town of Greenwood’s size. The only better ones I have seen are in larger cities. Their collection is quite impressive on the first floor.
Upper floors reveal additional exciting historical items, plus educational exhibits for children of all ages.
Are The Museum and Railroad Historical Center worth a trip to Greenwood? If you have a train enthusiast big or small, then I say yes, without a doubt. Absolutely. Even if no one in your family is a train buff, it’s still interesting and is something folks of all ages will enjoy. Note: Those with mobility issues may not be able to board the train cars.
You can make it to Greenwood from Summerville in less than 3 hours. You could potentially make a day trip of it. If you want to be leisurely and enjoy other things Greenwood has to offer, like shopping and dining in its revitalized Uptown Greenwood area or a production at the theater next door, then Azalea Travel can book you a room at the Inn on the Square, which was the subject of my last post. Make a night of it, and have a fun family getaway!
I’ve been following Uptown Greenwood on Facebook for some time now, and I’m impressed with what I see. There are so many little towns in South Carolina that had their heyday decades ago – or even 100 years ago – and need revitalizing now. And revitalization is exactly what’s happening in Greenwood. The recent reopening of the Inn on the Square was just at the beginning of October. But the most recent breath of life is the grand opening of the Carolina Executive Car at the Railroad Historical Center on Friday night. That train car was once my great grandfather’s office on wheels. However, I will cover that in Part 2 of this post. I’m focusing on the Inn on the Square today.
I think this hotel is doing incredibly well to have just opened its doors again on October 1. I told them so. I can’t be sure, but it’s possible that I may have been the first person to stay in my room since the renovation. My only hint at this is that a man from the cable company had to come into my room and program my television.
While there was no mini-fridge and no microwave, I’m betting those will be added soon. In the meantime, everything is freshly painted and ready for guests to relax and enjoy. I did suggest that they add another towel bar and a hook in the bathroom for convenience. But I was just fine as it was. One thing I think is interesting is the shower. There’s no shower curtain to collect mildew or to gross out the germophobes. There’s simply a fixed glass pane. The shower is a fresh, modern touch in a vintage hotel.
The bed was comfortable, the desk was sufficient, and the big armchair in the corner was plush and lovely. My parents’ room on the front of the building had a view of the street. My room on the back had a view of the roof over the reception room. But the views are not the reason you would come to this hotel. If you want a nice view, you would go to the beach or mountains. This is a bustling downtown area.
The Dining Room
The service in the Carriage House dining room was fantastic. The wait staff makes it a very personal experience and works hard to please. But Tom, the maitre d’, absolutely makes the experience. Attentive to every request, he treats guests as if each one is a VIP, while maintaining an entertaining and appropriate sense of humor. I hope they hold on to Tom, because he really makes the experience. As far as the food is concerned, everything we had was absolutely delicious. My shrimp and grits was not too saucy, as some are. My mother raved about the monkfish, and my father (a lifelong fisherman, chef of his own catch, and connoisseur of seafood) proclaimed that the tuna was prepared as it is supposed to be, and was delicious. In fact, he was too full to finish and told the waitress, “I hope you have a favorite cat who will get these scraps, because this is too good to throw away.” If you are a guest at the inn, breakfast is complimentary. And this breakfast is no Hampton Inn buffet, let me tell you. You will be seated and served your choice from the menu. The presentation of the food is beautiful, the portions are more than ample, and it’s all fabulous. I believe the restaurant was my favorite part of this delightful little boutique hotel.
Now, there is also a lounge called the Fox & Hound, which was originally a tavern before. This is where the majority of the ghost stories about the hotel originate. I didn’t have a reason to go into the lounge, so I can’t verify whether the ghost (dubbed Bill) actually taps people on the shoulder.
I think it’s important to mention that not only had the hotel just opened a couple of weeks before we were there, but there was also a wedding party staying there. The rehearsal dinner was in this rustically elegant room downstairs on Friday night:
The reception was on Saturday was also held at the hotel. Not once did I feel slighted or like I was not receiving the attention I needed from hotel staff. They were eager to please and enthusiastically accepted my suggestions about additional towel bars for the bathrooms. They still have a little polishing to do (a dried drop of paint on the floor in my bathroom, etc), but that is to be expected for a newly-renovated place. The public areas are perfect.
I will definitely stay at the Inn on the Square again, and will confidently send clients there.
If you live in the Carolinas, the ancient port city of Wilmington makes a great weekend destination. If you have been hitting up the same Savannah-Hilton Head-Myrtle Beach-etc. weekend spots over and over, why not try something different? There’s a little too much to see to just take a day trip. Historic and charming, Wilmington is often overlooked in favor of its southern sisters Charleston and Savannah, I think, but is definitely worth every minute you spend there, and probably many more.
Things to Do
My favorite spot was the antebellum Bellamy Mansion last time I visited Wilmington. If you are a preservation buff or if you just like grand old homes, this is a must-see. The admission is not steep at all, and the architecture alone evokes a true portrait of life in the past. Back with the Tide is a fascinating little book written by Ellen Bellamy, the last Bellamy family member to live in the house. It makes a nice keepsake from your visit at just around $10 and offers a personal memoir of her days in the mansion. The picture below is of a little stage on one of the upper floors of the house. Children who lived in the house would use it as a stage to perform plays.
A couple of other attractions include the Battleship North Carolina and the Wilmington Railroad Museum. If it’s a tour you’re looking for, you might want to try the Cape Fear Riverboat Tours or a Segway Tour. If you’re into ghosts, the Haunted Cotton Exchange Tour can hook you up with chills and a little humor. But call ahead to make reservations. The tour guide will only come out if she has pre-sold tickets.
Shopping
Walking around in downtown Wilmington is just a delight in itself. The buildings and streets remind me of Charleston and Savannah with the charm of the old world and a glimpse into trade in centuries past. (Explore a map of shops here.) No matter who you are, you’re almost certain to find a shop that suits your fancy. And you know, wherever I go, if there is a good book store, I must find it. I found it here: Two Sisters Bookery.
Dining
As you can see in the picture, my friend and I enjoyed lunch on a wrought iron balcony at Roy’s Riverboat Landing. The picture is a little dark due to an overcast day and a less than stellar camera, but you can take my word for it that we were very pleased with every aspect of lunch. The little balcony is just the right size for a table for two, and it’s delightful when the weather is right. The picture below is the front of the restaurant. One of the side balconies on the second floor is where we sat.
Hotels
If you don’t stay overnight, you are cheating yourself. And the ghost tours happen at night, if that’s one of your objectives. If you prefer a hotel chain, Courtyard by Marriott has a location in the downtown area and offers a reliable product with spacious rooms and suites. Hilton Wilmington Riverside also has a nice location. But if a more intimate, charming setting is what you seek, then the Port City Guest House is a lovely B&B near the Bellamy Mansion.
For One Tree Hill fans
These stairs were used in at least one episode.
Okay, I’ll admit to watching a few episodes. I was in law school at the time and didn’t have cable. I would come home from a long afternoon in the library and look for something to watch while I ate dinner. And a little bit of unrealistic, cheesy teen drama that left me asking Where is the parental supervision?! was sometimes just what I needed to unwind. Please don’t judge me. So anyway, if you want to check out some of the spots where the show was filmed and do a little self-guided tour, here are a couple of resources:
A local perspective – http://wilmingtonishome.weebly.com/one-tree-hill.html
And a fan page – http://onetreehillweb.net/show-filming.html
So, what do you think? Are you ready to go this weekend? Contact Azalea Travel to help you make your plans!
Thanks to the flood, it’s been over a week since I last posted here. While we have been extremely fortunate, much more so than many of our friends who live only a couple of miles away, the whole state of South Carolina has been thrown a curve ball, to say the least. Even with my son back in school before most of the others in the area, I have had to play catch-up with other aspects of work.
But I have to take a moment and express gratitude, as a lifelong South Carolina Gamecocks fan, for the love, sportsmanship, and hospitality shown to my state by Louisiana. The Gamecocks were scheduled to have a home game in Columbia this weekend, against LSU. Columbia is one of the parts of the state that have been hit hardest by the flood, and many are now homeless. The state and the city are still struggling to pump out water and keep more dams from breaking, with water still rising on some rivers. We can’t even get to the clean-up yet, because the event is still ongoing in many places. 17 lives have been lost, and folks are still evacuating their homes.
So this weekend’s game was moved to Louisiana State University’s stadium in Baton Rouge. That decision makes sense. But LSU, no stranger to natural disasters, is taking extraordinary measures to make the Gamecocks feel that it’s still a home game.
LSU has sent their jet to pick up the Gamecocks. LSU’s band has held extra practices this week to learn USC’s alma mater and the fight song, which they will play for them during today’s game. They are collecting donations such as bottled water to send back to Columbia. They will play “Sandstorm” before kickoff, as is the custom at home games in Columbia. A visit to LSU’s website today looks like this:
But that’s not all.
All ticket sale profits for tomorrow’s game in Baton Rouge will be donated to flood relief in South Carolina. LSU is hosting a tailgate for Tiger and Gamecock fans with free food. LSU Student Government will present USC student representatives with keys to the LSU Tiger stadium. And then there are billboards all over Baton Rouge like this one I saw on Facebook: 
I wish I could add photo credits to this, but I don’t have them…if someone knows whose picture this is, please tell me so I can give proper credit. It makes me cry every time I see it. If you would like to see more like this, you can check out the Gamecock Born & Bred Facebook page.
And here’s what people flying into the Baton Rouge airport are seeing today:
Photo credit: Judi Gatson
The last time I traveled to Louisiana, I was in my twenties. I flew into Baton Rouge, rented a car, and drove to Lake Charles to visit a friend. Other than doing some catching up and giggling, my standout memories of the trip are of trying my first muffaletta and of the long, pretty drive over some marshy areas. But I intend to go back to Louisiana soon. While I’m there, I won’t give everyone I meet a hug, because that would be weird. But I will hug someone. If you live in Louisiana, watch out, because I’m coming, and I might hug you. That’s what Louisiana is doing for South Carolina right now – giving us an enormous state-to-state hug.
In the years to come, I won’t remember who wins the game today. But what I will never forget is the friendship extended to the Gamecocks by the LSU Tigers. I’ll always be a Gamecocks fan, but I’ve got a new team to root for now, too. Geaux Gamecocks, and Geaux Tigers.
-Perrin Conrad, Azalea Travel
LOCALS, PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU STILL WANT TO GO TO A FOOTBALL GAME TODAY, CSU IS EXCHANGING USC-LSU TIX FOR SEATS AT THEIR HOME GAME TODAY: http://csusports.com/sports/fball/2015-16/releases/20151009estoso
SO, I have a few exciting pieces of news for all you Disney-loving folks out there! And I know there are plenty of you. I’ll start with what’s happening at Walt Disney World in Florida, since most of my readers are on the east coast.
Click here to start planning your next trip!!!
When my son was just a baby lying on a Boppy pillow on the floor, he would make revving engine noises and extend his chubby, little leg like he was pressing the accelerator . . . but only while NASCAR races were on television. He has always had a passion for racing, and I’m afraid it’s not going away anytime soon. If your child has the same interest, and like me, you’re just not ready to take him or her to a big race, then I’ve got a great idea for you!
Myrtle Beach is the perfect place to catch a little racing activity without breaking the bank, and without exposing your child to whatever unsavory activities might take place at one of the big races, like Darlington. Instead of watching a race, what if your kiddo could actually take a ride around the track? And then practice his or her own skills at a safer speed?
Earlier this year, we decided to cater to my son’s racing obsession and see how he liked it. We didn’t tell him where we were going, but drove up to Myrtle Beach. We went straight to the Myrtle Beach Speedway, still pretending not to have a plan, saying we were just going to “get out and look around.” I think we could have stopped with that and gone back home with a happy kid. But as it turned out, there was another family on the track, getting rides from a professional driver. The official NASCAR Pace Car made its way past us in the stands, blowing our hair back. After those folks finished, we made a brief inquiry, and the next thing we knew, my son was getting ready to take a ride. The young men working at the track that day were beyond wonderful. So friendly and helpful, they made what is probably my son’s most memorable day yet. And for only $20!
Rain was approaching, so they rushed us onto the track before they had to close. My son got his ride in a real pace car with a real driver on a real NASCAR track where Dale Earnhardt himself once raced and won. After he got out, the driver let him go in the garage, where he was able to touch and investigate one of Dale Jr.’s old red #8 cars. I’ve never seen such a joyful, contented smile on my son. After that, the driver let him climb into an actual stock car used for racing and sit in the seat. He got what we felt was the real V.I.P. treatment, because we happened to be the only ones there at the time. My son had close to 1,000 questions, and the driver, Brian Voss, answered them all patiently.
I should point out that adults can also drive an actual stock car around the track, or be driven. That costs more, of course, but it can be a fantastic gift for a grown-up with a need for speed, as well.
Now, it’s hard to beat that. We blew the big surprise right up front. But we did go to Broadway Grand Prix the next day and let him drive go-karts all day. The wristband ends up being the best deal, where you can drive and ride all you want for $35, for the whole day. So he drove until he was worn out, then we went back to the hotel. We freshened up, took a walk on the beach, ate dinner, and actually went back for more go-karting that night, using the wrist bands for re-entry. If you’re not into racing, they also have other rides, mini-golf, games, and an arcade. It’s a fun place. It’s also across the highway from Broadway at the Beach (visible in background of picture below), so if anyone wants to skip the karting and shop instead, they can split off for a bit and do something different.
All in all, it made for a fantastic, indulgent trip that didn’t have to cost that much.
Let me begin by saying that I will probably have to blog about The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort more than once, because one blog post will simply not be enough to do it justice. This has become my favorite hotel, and I hope to return frequently. That being said, I’ll just focus for now on their exclusive and fabulous Cabana Room. Now, back to where it all began . . .
Once in my twenties, I visited a friend at her family’s beach house on St. Simon’s Island, Georgia. As we struck out to do some shopping one day, my friend drove me past The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort. Elegance and luxury just seemed to spill out of its gates. I thought, “I want to go there.” There was something so glamorous about it, in an early 20th century way. At first glance, I could almost see the decades of elegant parties and merry vacations that had taken place there.
(The Cabana Rooms are lined up on the first floor, with other ocean front rooms above.)
I finally made it there for my 42nd birthday, and my only regret is that I didn’t go sooner. Since it was a special occasion and I had waited nearly 20 years to make my first visit, we sprang for the Cabana Room. I thought the notion of being able to step out on to my own patio, then walk straight to the ocean sounded quite wonderful. And it turns out I was right. It couldn’t be more magical and serene.
(A wonderful room in every way.)
The first thing you should know about the Cabana Room is that it is a room for two. All Cabana Rooms have a king bed, due to the size. Size is not where the grandeur of the room lies. The space is, however, impeccably appointed and optimally arranged. From the bedroom area, you step down, with the assistance of a short yet stylish wrought iron railing, into the sitting area. Here, you will find a comfortable sofa for viewing the second flat screen television (the first being in the bedroom area) and a large coffee table. The tile floor in the sitting area is quite practical for sandy shoes, as there is also a set of French doors with a screened door which leads to your own patio. And the ocean is just feet away. From your patio, you are free to step right down the brick stairs and walk out to the beach or to another part of the resort. You room key will give you access from either this door or the interior hallway. So when you’re returning from the beach, from the pool, from dinner, or anywhere else, you have the option of entering through your patio door.
(Our patio.)
(The walkway to the beach access in front of the historic building.)
I fell in love with this room at once. Sitting with the French doors open where I could hear the pounding surf and see ships go by, it occurred to me that I could live right here and be quite happy.
(View of the swing and the ocean from our patio.)
Of course, everything at The King and Prince is top notch, and you can’t go wrong with any room category. And just like you would expect from any modern hotel room of this ilk, you will find the hairdryer, the in-room safe, and all that jazz. No comfort is missing. The service at the hotel is unmatched, and the room service staff and front desk staff were particularly fantastic when we were there.
I came home from that first trip raving about the Cabana Room so much that my parents visited a couple of months later. It wasn’t long before we all went back at the same time. Since my husband and I had our son with us this time, we took a partial ocean view room in the historic building. That room was much larger and had two queen beds, but it was more than sufficiently fabulous, as well. Our second floor balcony had a view of the ocean across a parking lot, but tall palmetto trees shielded us from the cars quite well.
Now, as I said before, there’s too much about this dreamy spot to tell in just one blog post. But history buffs will love this hotel in particular, as it played a role in protecting our coast during World War II. It’s just a fascinating place. When you’re ready to book your stay in a Cabana Room or any other type of room, give me a call. I love to talk about The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort!
Click above or use one of the Azalea Travel links.
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