By: Genia Reid , a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
Are you a foodie? A foodie is anyone who loves food, watching food being prepared, and goes to any destination to experience the food. Recently, I have discovered some of my favorite spots to visit so that I can indulge myself in one of my favorite hobbies!
I first visited this quaint mountain town for my 30th wedding anniversary, and it was LOVE at first sight. With well-appointed, newly-updated rooms, and room service, The Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock lives up to its title of “Best Stay in the Blue Ridge Mountains”. Tucked away in a serene garden patio, The Village Cafe, is the most popular lunch spot, be sure to make a reservation. Sunny Rock Eggs and Things boasts the best breakfast foods around town. Please stop by The Backstreet Bakery and have an almond macaroon that will absolutely melt in your mouth. Blowing Rock is a shopping destination so check out The Last Straw, Brass Exchange, and Carriage Trading Living. My favorite adventure was a fly-fishing lesson from The Chetola Reserve (a bucket-list item for my husband and me). Take a few hours to visit Bass Lake only to be transported to a time gone-by with its natural beauty and historical appeal.
Want to try your hand at glamping- or a luxury tent stay? I must say my visit to The Ridge Resort far exceeded my expectations. The tent sleeps 6 people very comfortably with 2 bedrooms and one full shower bath.The small kitchenette comes with all the necessities to prepare a meal-just make sure to bring a cooler for your perishables. If you are looking for more luxurious accommodations, The DreamMore Resort, a family oasis with plenty of activities to thrill your family, is waiting for you. Song and Hearth provides breakfast and lunch with regional flavors. Spend a day at Dollywood and be blown away by the Roller Coasters- our favorite was The Wild Eagle. The cinnamon bread is a must for everyone.
Want an exhilarating experience you will never forget? Adventures abound at the Bluff Mountain Adventures in Pigeon Forge. This ATV ride covers mountains, rugged terrain, and majestic scenery. Take a ride up to Anakkeesta, an outdoor family adventure park with restaurants. Tom and Earls Back Alley Grill is a great option for lunch, and top it off with tasty homemade doughnuts at The Donut Friar.
If you love a good college town visit and the iconic Fixer Upper family, you will love these Texas destinations. There are so many hotel options in the small quaint town of Waco. The Marriott Alof Hotel, near Baylor, is a boutique style hotel with an urban-style design. If you enjoy Mexican cuisine, have dinner at Ninfa’s on Third Street and try the charro beans. Magnolia Market and the nearby Magnolia Table will provide hours of shopping, fun, and food! The Fairmont Hotel in Austin was the best part of my trip! This resort feels like you are walking into an art museum, complete with a glass-paned lobby area. If I could sum up the experience of The Fairmont Hotel in one word that would be LUXURY! The room accommodations were indicative of the entire experience, with floor to ceiling windows that capture the beautiful downtown view of Austin. The resort cafe, Good Things, served a great cup of coffee and delicious snacks. While I was there, I had dinner at Barlett’s, then headed over to Tiny Pies for dessert. Enjoy shopping at nearby Rainey Street or take a walk at Ladybird Lake. VooDoo Doughnut is just a few blocks away and has a raspberry-filled doughnut with chocolate frosting that you must try!
Are you an outdoorsy person? Acadia National Park, crown jewel of the Atlantic Coast, is one of the top 10 visited parks in the US. The Bar Harbour Inn overlooks The Frenchmans’ Bay, and it's absolutely breathtaking! The Harborside Hotel looks to be a great option for accommodations as well. Cadillac Mountain is the highest point of the East Coast and the first to see the sunrise in the United States. You can also enjoy 360 views on Cadillac Mountain. Make sure to also walk around Jordon Pond, hike Precipice Trail and ride the Park Loop Road. The iconic Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse dates back to 1858 and is a must-see. The Side Street Cafe, The Reading Room and Travelin Lobster will be your go-to restaurants while there.
I have a big crush on the City of Orlando for two reasons: Disney World and Universal ! Let me begin with Universal. My two favorite properties are Loews Sapphire and Loews Royal Pacific. Both properties have lush tropical gardens with water transportation to both theme parks. The best theme park ride goes to Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Ride. The best restaurant onsite is the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and the Savory Feast Kitchen.
Now for the real magic! Disney World is absolutely the happiest place on earth for so many reasons. The resorts are a destination within themselves. My favorites happen to be Yacht Club, Gran Destino at Coronado Springs, and The Art of Animation. The Yachtsman Steakhouse and The California Grill are the best restaurants. It may surprise you to hear that my favorite theme park currently, as this in an ever changing decision, goes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Over the past few years, this park has transformed into a world-class theme park with the best rides at Disney World. The last word goes to the purveyor of the number one ranked cookie in the United States. It took two trips to Disney Springs before I was able to land a virtual queue spot for Gideon’s Bakeshop. The chocolate cookie is just delectable and like none other you have ever experienced, and the cakes live up to all the hype too.
Pro tip: the location in Disney Springs has long lines all the time. If you want a non hassle visit, go to their flagship store in downtown Orlando. Be warned: their cookies weigh half pound each and there is a 6 cookie limit for each visit!
Please reach out to Genia, an agent with Marvelous Mouse Travels to plan your next vacation or you may contact Marvelous Mouse Travels.
