Honeymoon Part 3

On our final day of our honeymoon we spent the morning shopping and walking around downtown Asheville. Then we had to hit the road to make our way home but we decided to take our sweet time.

The first stop on our road trip home was Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Lake Junaluska is where Andy and I started dating 9 years ago while on a youth group retreat. We didn't plan to stop here but on our way to Asheville we realized that we were going to drive right past it. So it was a must to hit it up on the way home.

In an attempt to procrastinate and not go home we drove slightly out of our way to Knoxville, TN. We stopped there since neither of us had ever been and it was around dinner time. We figured downtown Knoxville would have something better than a highway exit McDonald's or Wendy's. In addition we got to go up inside a huge gold looking disco ball that was built for the World Fair. It wasn't the highlight of our trip but we had fun with the highway diversion.

All in all it was a fabulous honeymoon. We got to spend some wonderful quality time together and see some beautiful and interesting places.

The Biltmore: Asheville Honeymoon Part 2

One of the major attractions for going to Asheville for our honeymoon was the Biltmore. We had heard it was beautiful and have a few friends who enjoy going back regularly. We spent 2 days at the Biltomore touring the house, walking through the gardens, and enjoying the winery. We highly suggest taking the rooftop tour, doing the audio house tour, and skipping the free wine tasting in lieu of paying for a wine flight at the wine bar. The Biltmore was gorgeous and we are looking forward to going again sometime in the future.

Asheville Honeymoon Part 1

So this post is WAY over due but here are the honeymoon pictures finally! Our Asheville trip was fabulous, we ate and drank our way through the trip. It was wonderful!

Andy ready to go and driving away from our home

We stayed at the Applewood Manor in the historic district near downtown. We loved it because we were really taken care of: breakfast in our robes, wine and cheese in the afternoon and any request met. We were a short walk to downtown but also had our privacy on a quiet street with other bed and breakfasts.

Our first night there we found our favorite spot, Battery Park, a used book store/champagne and wine bar. We sat amidst the leather couches and old books, sipping champagne and eating caviar. It was fancy schmancy honeymoon heaven all the way.

Asheville was the perfect mix and location for us. We went on excursions during the day or walked around the artsy town checking out shops. At night we were able to enjoy the privacy of our bed and breakfast, the nightlife downtown eating out and having drinks at bars.

Yummy lobster dinner at where else than the Lobster Trap.

On our way out to enjoy the nightlife.

Coming next Part 2: The Biltmore.

Honeymoon, Check

I am excited to say we finally booked our honeymoon! As many of you know our honeymoon ideas have been constantly changing. Our last idea was New York City, my all time favorite place in the world! My heart was set on New York City. But life has changed and we had to change our plans accordingly.

Ultimately we decided with all the ongoings and planning of the wedding we wouldn't get to fully plan and enjoy a big trip. Additionally with the expenses of the wedding, buying a home, me still looking for a job, and the unstable economy paying for a huge honeymoon wasn't the smartest decision. We are hoping to enjoy the New York City trip as an anniversary get away a few years down the

So where are we going? Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville is only 6 hours away from Cincinnati making the travel there economical on one tank of gas. Asheville is supposed to be a cute town with an artsy vibe and good night life. During the day there are lots of outdoor activities such as hiking. The big attraction is the Biltmore Estate. The house looks gorgeous with beautiful gardens and the part we are most looking forward to is the winery.

We have booked a four day, three night trip at a local Bed and Breakfast. The B&B is within walking distance of downtown so that we can take advantage of the night life. During the day it is a short drive to the Biltmore or other outside activities. We are looking forward to sleeping in, waking up to a three course gourmet breakfast, the wine and cheese social hour everyday, and just spending time together relaxing. For us it's the perfect mix of relaxing day activities and a vibrant town with nightlife.

This is the Biltmore Estate. See the tour van/bus on the left hand side and how tiny it looks next to the house.

Nightlife in Asheville

To check out more about Asheville or the Biltmore go to these two places: http://www.biltmore.com/ and http://www.exploreasheville.com/

NYC

If anyone has any good NYC accommodation recommendations that are affordable we would love to hear them. We had intentions of taking a trip to the big apple for our honeymoon but when I went to go book the hotel the great deal I found was no longer a great deal. I don't want to book plane tickets only to be stuck having to book a super expensive hotel in this volatile economy when we aren't sure what our employment status will be in six months. So anyone with a creative idea is fully welcomed!

Andy's Honeymoon Perspective

Tuesday after our engagement pictures we went out for dinner and made it a date night in the middle of the week. We were driving home and normally I start most wedding conversations but Andy just opens up with,"I have been thinking about the honeymoon. All I care about is that we go somewhere that we can be entertained, we aren't on a schedule, and we are able to have nice meals." I have to laugh a bit because of course from a guy's perspective the food is on the top of the list. Although he doesn't mean down-home, good ole country cooking but upscale five star dining. But I also totally get it. He wants to wine and dine and spend some quality time together. The big glitzy honeymoon is nice and part of me still wants it but at the same time going somewhere where we can just enjoy being married is the most important of all. If only we could find this magical place within all of our picky constraints.

NYC?

We are considering to scrap the whole beach honeymoon idea and instead do something within driving distance. My favorite place in the entire world is New York City. I love love love the city. Every time I go I don't want to leave and I never have enough time to do everything I want. Originally I shot down the idea of an NYC honeymoon because I want to do something relaxing and felt in New York we would be on the go too much. But then when we were realizing that flying to a tropical location might be out I thought maybe we could just spend a week exploring the city at our leisure, dine out, and just enjoy being there without rushing around. I am not at all sure if driving there is a reality or not since it is somewhere around 10-11 hours. I was thinking there might be some sort of detour we could take on the way there and back that might cut up the drive into two parts, but who knows.

Key West?

Key West might be a great honeymoon destination for us. This is still a location here in the United States but with more of a tropical feel. I have spent a few hours there before as a stop on a cruise on I was on. I remember thinking the island was cute and would definitely want to go back someday. Maybe going back for a honeymoon is the right solution. We are definitely going to be looking into airfare and accomodation options.

Travel Decisions

One of the current decisions we need to be making is where to go on our Honeymoon. At first Andy was dead set on Hawaii. Then we realized that might be a bit much so then it was St. Lucia, Mexico or somewhere in the carribean. Now we are thinking about downscaling it to something stateside. Either way I just want to do something fun and relaxing together!