Friday, July 19, 2013

Asheville Bound!

Greetings and Happy Friday!!  This is an especially Happy Friday for me as I am heading to Asheville this weekend after work.  This week has not been my favorite, so I am looking forward to a little getaway.  I have heard nothing but great things about this area so I am excited to check it out.  Since it is only 2 hours away, I think it's a place I will go back to multiple times as there is so much to see and do!

As I said in my Tuesday foot update post, I will not be able to visit the Biltmore, which is the #1 tourist attraction in the Asheville area, but I am planning to go there in August when my friend Heidi visits.  It looks like a French castle and I have heard nothing but good things about it!  Even though I can't visit it on this trip, I will find plenty of things to do and see!  Here are some of the things I'm looking forward to!

- When I get there tonight, I am going to have dinner and will try to catch some of the drumming that happens in a park on Friday nights.  I've heard it's a pretty cool thing to experience.  After that, I am heading over to Battery Park Book Exchange Champagne Bar.  You guys - it is a combination book store and wine bar!!!  Be still my heart.  Some nights they will have live music so it sounds like an awesome place to chill out for the evening.  Wine and books are two of my favorite things so I will be in heaven.  I only wish I could teleport some of my book-obsessed friends there for the evening.

- On Saturday I am going to do a kayak excursion on the French Broad river through a local outdoor company.  It will go by the back of the Biltmore, so it sounds like I'll get to see a bit of the grounds.  I went kayaking for the first time last summer and LOVED it so I am really looking forward to it.  I am so glad I found an activity to do that will get me outdoors but keep me off my feet.  There is a chance this might get cancelled as the water levels have been too high lately due to all the rain we've had, but hopefully it goes as planned.

- On Saturday night I am going to Posana for dinner, which is a 100% gluten free restaurant!!  The menu looks amazing and I had the hardest time deciding between visiting this place for brunch or dinner, but decided to treat myself to a nice dinner there.  I usually don't get dessert but I might just have to treat myself to the pot de creme, which has dark chocolate, mint, and sea salt chocolate bark!  Yum!

- I don't have any specific plans on Sunday, so I will go to mass and then pick from the many brunch options I have and wander around the shops of downtown Asheville for a bit before heading back to Charlotte.

I am so excited for my little getaway!  One benefit of living in Charlotte is that there is a lot to do/see that is driving distance away.  I'll be staying in a cute apartment that I rented through VRBO; it's walking distance from a lot of the shops and restaurants I want to check out, so I am really excited about that!

Have you ever used VRBO?  I rent my Paris apartments through an individual's website, so this is my first vrbo.com experience.  The owner has been so helpful so far with directions and has offered to make suggestions on things to do and see.  For me, renting an apartment is way better than getting a hotel as I like having access to a kitchen so I don't have to eat out for every meal.

16 comments:

missris said...

Battery Park Book Exchange is SO awesome. You're gonna love it! I hope you have an amazing time in Asheville!

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

Ummm I need to go to that bookstore/wine bar!!!! That sounds like a great weekend. I hope it all turns out fabulous. I have not used vrbo but I have been looking at it for places in North Carolina and South Carolina to rent!

Leigh said...

Sounds like you are going to have an amazing weekend! Can't wait to hear all about it :)

Nora said...

Sounds like a lovely (and much needed/well deserved) weekend getaway! I haven't used vrbo but we do use Vacation Rentals for most of our trips such as Door County and when I went to New Orleans way back when.

Hope you enjoy your time there! The last time I was in Asheville I was seven. =) Would definitely love to go back.

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

Sorry this week wasn't the greatest, but hopefully your weekend makes up for it! Have an awesome little road trip!!!!

Linda said...

I'm going to have to remember VRBO, because I had an atrocious experience with customer service at AirBnB in paris.
- linda
curious notions

Amber said...

Your plans for this weekend sound fabulous!! That wine/book bar sounds absolutely AMAZING. I would love to check that out if I can make it work to come down and visit you in the early part of next year.

Have a great weekend!!!

Jeanie said...

This sounds like an incredible getaway, Lisa! I can tell you'll have tons of fun -- the book bar? Wow! My kinda place!

Enjoy every second -- and do remember to take care of the foot!

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

Your weekend sounds divine! Seriously - I hope you have a wonderful time!

We used VRBO when we headed to Galena for a family getaway about 18 months ago. It made traveling there so easy and I'm in total agreement about being able to eat at home for some meals, rather than out all the time!

Stevie said...

Sounds fabulous!

Our family uses VRBO for most of our vacations and we haven't had a bad experience yet! It's such a great resource/service.

Amanda said...

I've never even heard of VRBO! For semi long term trips I like apartments but I do love me a hotel ha :)

Charis Faith said...

Yay!!!! I know you are going to have the best time!!! Hopefully the kayak trip stays on that is just awesome!!! a wine bar and book store sounds fabulous!!! Can't wait for the trip recap!!! Yes you will definitely have to go visit the Biltmore when Heidi comes to town!!!

Shoshanah said...

Book store & wine bar?!?! Sign me up to be teleported please!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

Your WINE LOVING book-obsessed friends! I wish Scotty could beam me up, or something like that. Have fun and have a nice glass of Malbec for me!

Stephany said...

I hope you are having a great time in Asheville! I would love to visit there someday. :) That wine-book bar sounds pretty amazing!

Abby said...

That sounds like the most absolutely perfect weekend getaway. That Wine bar/book store sounds too good to be true! Why can't the rest of the country catch on with cool things like that?!

I don't like just going to a bar -- I need to be entertained. So books are a fabulous idea. That's why I liked the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Good food + good drink + movie.

Canoeing sounds amazing! That's awesome that you can find something active to do that isn't foot-involved!

We rented a house in San Diego with VRBO, and it was the best thing we've ever done. The house is insanely nice -- on the bay, with a ridiculous outdoor dining area, and it had a WALL AQUARIUM in the kitchen! And cost the same as a hotel, and we got to cook fresh seafood.

enjoy your weekend, it is SO deserved!