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SOUTHERN

CLASSICSPERHAPS IT’S OUR LEGENDARY HOSPITALITY, OR IT COULD BE OUR

PICTURESQUE NATURAL SETTING. AFTER ALL, THERE AREN’T MANY SPOTS

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ROLLING HORSE COUNTRY HILLS, WHITE SANDY

BEACHES, AND SLEEK CITY CENTERS ALL IN THE SAME REGION. WHATEVER

THE CASE, WHEN IT COMES TO GETAWAYS, THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE THE

SOUTHEAST. FROM WASHINGTON, DC TO SOUTH FLORIDA, WE’VE FOUND FIVE

ESCAPES PERFECT FOR UNWINDING AND INDULGING IN SOUTHERN STYLE.

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CLASSICS

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff

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RELAXThe Inn at Palmetto Bluff

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On your �rst evening at South Carolina’s Inn at Palmetto Blu� (www.palmettoblu�.com), take a stroll from your private cottage beneath oaks dripping with Spanish moss and up the wide, gas lamp lit brick paths to the grand main house. Here, the tidal water of the May River laps gently on the nearby bank and jazz tunes from the screened-in front porch wa� through the salty Lowcountry air. You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time 100 years—and as if in doing so you’ve le� the stress of modern life behind.

�is picturesque village community is set on twenty thousand acres of some of the South’s most beautiful land and is just a short drive from Hilton Head and Savannah—not that you’ll ever want or need to leave. Spots like the elegant River House Restaurant o�er seasonal Southern-inspired dishes, while the village’s more casual Bu�alos features café style options—and legendary house made pizzas. Be sure to pop into RT’s Market, a charming general store perfect for grabbing a morning co�ee or a gourmet snack to enjoy on your cottage’s secluded back porch. You’ll be able to easily access any of these spots on the bikes or golf carts provided to all guests. Or, if you’re in the mood to explore, use your cycle to pedal down the resort’s miles of sandy trails that wind beneath majestic oaks and next to tranquil ponds.

While you could spend days on its trails alone, there are plenty of other activities at Palmetto Blu�. Here you can kayak on the May River, cool o� with a dip in one of the pristine pools, play a round on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, saddle up for a ride through the rural landscape, or even enjoy a game of croquet or bocce on the manicured green lawn.

But don’t try to pack in too much activity. �is is a sybaritic spot designed for unwinding with leisurely walks, classic cocktails on the veranda, and, of course, time in its gorgeous spa. Treatments like the Pine Sea Salt Exfolia-tion or the Plu� Mud Wrap draw inspiration and ingredients from the local marshlands, and are perfect for soaking in the spa’s southern setting. And speaking of soaking, be sure to incorporate one of the baths into your treat-ment. Sink into a pedastal tub set on a private lagoon-side porch and �lled with warm, soothing water scented with oils like jasmine or lemon. You’re certain to leave the spa—and Palmetto Blu�—feeling both relaxed and refreshed. –Sarah Crosland

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EATW Atlanta Downtown

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�e restaurant scene in Atlanta has never been better—and that’s saying a lot considering some of the chefs who launched their careers there. Today the city is home to some of the hottest restaurants in the South—and the country—and lucky for us, Atlanta is an easy drive from Charlotte, making it ideal for a food-focused getaway.

One of Atlanta’s most restaurant-centric neighbor-hoods is Decatur. �e quirky community is just east of downtown. It has a walkable downtown where you’ll �nd fantastic restaurants like Cakes & Ale, No. 246, Paper Plane, Iberian Pig and locals’ favorite the Brick Store Pub. But it’s the newest must-dine spot Kimball House where you de�nitely need to spend an evening—the raw bar and oyster selection are exceptional, as is the cocktail program. �e über-cool restaurant, which is located in the old Decatur train depot, also includes �ve di�erent classic caviar services and a killer selection of absinthe.

Just outside Decatur near Emory University is where you’ll want to go for the best New York deli-catessen this side of the Mason Dixon. �e General Muir has received rave reviews since opening last year—including being one of GQ’s 25 Best Restau-rants in America for 2014. Chef Todd Ginsberg whips up favorites like house-cured pastrami, kettle-boiled bagels, lox and homemade brisket. You can dine here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but we suggest the weekend brunch for its dishes like pastrami poutine and pecan-crusted French toast. �e bakery is open daily, too, so stop in for a rugelach or sticky bun.

While you’re in Atlanta for the food, you better get to know the name chef Ford Fry. He’s the res-taurateur behind some of the cities best restaurants, including JCT. Kitchen, �e Optimist, King & Duke, and the new St. Cecelia in Buckhead. �e stunning space on Peachtree Street opened in January with a Mediterranean-in�uenced menu of homemade pas-tas, fresh �sh, and crudo. You could make a meal out of the yellow�n tuna alone—it’s that good. But then you’d miss out on other delish dishes like braised beef agnolotti, charred octopus, and Brussels sprouts with guanciale vinaigrette. Music plays a prominent role at the restaurant (St. Cecelia was the patroness of musi-cians) and it’s re�ected in the names of the cocktails. Try the lovely Wooden Ships (Solerno, Aperol, ruby red grapefruit, Prosecco, soda and blood orange).

You have your choice of high-caliber hotels in Atlanta, but for a fun, foodie-�lled visit, check out the W Atlanta Downtown. You’ll be in the heart of downtown and have easy access to DRINKSHOP (the W’s own in-house bar created by master mixologist Sasha Petraske), the Living Room bar, and BLT Steak. Plus the hotel is celebrating its �ve-year anniversary all year long, so you can probably expect some sweet little perks during your stay.–Sarah Gleim

A killer food market will open in Atlanta just in time for summer 2014. Krog Street Market in Inman Park will be home to at least 13 restaurants and food markets, including James Beard-nominated chef Asha Gomez’s Spice Road Chicken; The Spotted Trotter (a cheese, charcuterie and butcher shop; Fred’s Meat & Bread (from the team behind The General Muir); a Tex-Mex spot from Ford Fry; and more.

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RIDESalamander Resort and Spa

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�e historic, one-stoplight-village of Middleburg, Virginia, with its preserved 18th-century buildings is tucked into the state’s rolling horse country hills. Among the region’s 400 equestrian events, the most famous is the annual Middleburg Hunt that was established in 1906.

Its this elegant hunting and equine history that inspired owner Sheila Johnson’s designs behind the new Salamander Resort and Spa. A winding drive and horse-shoe shaped entry indicates her vision to invite guests to feel as if they’re entering a grand Virginia manor home. �e interior entry’s décor introduces her private art and antiques collection including bronze statues of her children—champion eques-trian Paige and brother Brett—and points to why Johnson settled in Middleburg. Corridor carpets in sohpisticated creams, blues and tangerines color palette lead to the living room’s twin �replaces where French doors open to a terrace overlooking the lush lawn. Equestrian paintings, bronze horse sculptures, ironwork �xtures, and leather accents reiterate the theme throughout the bright space.

�e destination delights outdoorsy folks—especially horse lovers. �e 14,000-square-foot Equestrian Center with its 22 stalls, nine paddocks, and state-of-the-art arena o�ers classes and miles of trail rides on 500 wooded acres. �e trails are currently being blazed for walkers, hikers, and riders as well. Non-riders can also enjoy Equestrian Director Sheryl Jordan’s Equi-Spective Experience and the chance to communicate with horses using body language. And if you’d rather enjoy the natural setting sans horse, other outdoor options also feature swimming, ten-nis, croquet, and bocce. Soon, there’ll be a canopy tour through treetops and next winter the resort has plans for a skating rink.

Need to relax post ride? Middleburg o�ers a variety of gorgeous local wineries getting national attention for their blends. Salamander provides picnics and trans-portation to wineries within a �ve-mile radius, which includes Boxwood Estate, Cana Vineyards, Quattro Goomba’s Winery, and Greenhill Winery and Vineyards.

Guests should also plans on spending some time in the vast spa which features body-shaped and heated, glass mosaic tiled lounge beds. Several of the 14 treatment rooms have outdoor terraces and the couples’ suite includes a cozy see-through �replace and a terrace with an oversized whirlpool tub. �e rooms themselves here though may be the best place for relaxing a�er a day outside. Accommodations feature charming �replaces and balconies o�ering scenic views. Decorated with—of course—equestrian touches like stirrup-studded edging on bed coverings they’re the perfect spot to unwind a�er your day in the saddle. –Irvina Lew

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SHOPFour Seasons Washington

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Since the opening of its �rst cra� brewery in 1994, Asheville has continued to churn out beer, and lots of it, from its charming downtown area to its eclectic River Arts District. But recently, there’s more being tapped in Asheville, with a thriving libation surge in cra� cocktails, sake, wine and as always, more beer.

Top of the Monk: Above its beer centric counterpart, �irsty Monk, this speakeasy style cocktail bar makes the old new again. �e menu, printed on newsprint paper, changes every two weeks with a fresh batch of old-timey libations like the chocolate malted �zz and the elder fashioned. Each drink comes with a story, relayed by the well-informed barkeep. A key, which opens a vin-tage style mailbox �lled with companion bites like candied bacon and glazed nuts, also accompanies each cocktail.

Blue Kudzu: As the fourth micro-sake brewery to open in the country, this River Arts watering hole o�ers a unique look into an ancient art form. In addition to two pages worth of vastly di�erent sake varieties, o�erings include infused cocktails and �ights. Its three certi�ed sake professionals o�er regular brewery tours and sake-making classes.

Nightbell: Inspired by late night spots in Los Angeles and New York City, Nightbell is unlike anything else in Asheville’s low-key downtown. Opened by the James Beard acquainted hospitality group that brought Cúrate to Asheville, visitors will notice some sophisticated resemblances to its wildly popular sister restaurant. Its elaborate cocktail program includes �ve varieties of ice, includ-ing a Japanese shaved ice, as well as herbal foams, house made syrups and sodas and whimsical garnishes.

Edison: With ample table, lounge and patio seating inside the infamous Grove Park Inn, this new kitchen and cra� ale spot is the place for a drink with a view. Its all-local dra� list includes coveted rarities like Sexual Chocolate from Foothills Brewing, which it attains seasonally in small batches.

A weekend of navigating Asheville’s drink scene calls for an inviting place to lay your head. �e Inn on Biltmore o�ers accom-modations with an added incentive: an on-site winery and estate transportation. �e newest Biltmore winery o�ering is Vine to Wine, a three-hour tour through the vineyards and barreling rooms of the estate. �e excursion o�ers a behind-the-scenes look at the history of Biltmore viniferous and its wine production. Its last stop is a private tasting in the riddling room, paired cheeses and tru�es included, of its most exclusive wines.

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PLAYThe Seagate Hotel and Spa

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As soon as your family has �nished checking in to �e Seagate Hotel and Spa (www.theseagatehotel.com), take the short walk to the nearby Del Ray beach. Just a few blocks down the vibrant Atlantic Avenue you’ll �nd a shady sand path leading through the dunes and onto a bright white beach where turquoise waves are o�en �lled with paddle boarders and kayakers.

�is relaxed seaside ambience is re�ected throughout the hotel itself where captivating aquariums teeming with tropical �sh, exotic eels, and even jelly�sh are around every corner. Contemporary rooms feature clean lines with designer furnishing and balconies with tranquil views of swaying palm trees. A luxurious soak in the oversized tub o�ers glimpses onto the terrace—and the perfect way to unwind a�er a fun-�lled day.

And a day �lled with fun is easy to have at Seagate, where an old-fashioned trolley will taxi guests to the nearby beach club. In addition to the club’s kid-friendly pool, you can play in the sun during activities like beach yoga, sailing, and snorkeling. Take a midday break on the wide porch of the laid back restaurant for lunch fare like fresh tuna tacos topped with avocado or a classic shrimp cocktail in citrusy pinapple salsa. Later, a�er relaxing under one of the posh cabanas, hop on a colorful catamaran and sail out to catch views of Miami on a clear day. More in the mood for land sports? Seagate also owns a nearby country club where hotel guests receive all the bene�ts of members. Tee o� on its lush championship golf course or play a game of tennis with one of the pros on one of eight pristine courts.

Florida’s spectacular weather and Del Ray’s small town charm may entice you to spend the whole day in the sun, but set aside at least a little time for the boutique hotel’s serene 8,000-square-foot spa. Here you’ll want to indulge in the signature Hot Shell Massage, the resort’s decadent marine twist on the hot stone version.

While the beach club’s dining room o�ers an elegant evening menu and local restaurants include everything from fresh sushi to authentic Italian, plan on spending at least one evening at Seagate’s Atlantic Grille, which o�ers innovative seafood dishes with fresh �avors. Enjoying dinner as you watch sharks play in the restaurant’s 2,500-gallon aquarium is the perfect way to complete an action-packed day at this sea-centric resort. –SC CO

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