I’m excited to tell you about my 2024 mother-daughter road trip home after my snowbird stay in Florida this winter. On the last day of March, my daughter A and I headed out on the open highways from the Sunshine State to the Garden State. This year we stopped in Savannah, Georgia; Asheville, North Carolina; and Charlottesville, Virginia. It took us a little less than a week to get back to New Jersey, driving five to six hours per day.
My daughter A and I went on our annual mother-daughter roadtrip earlier this month
In this post, I’ll give you a brief overview of our travels. In future posts, I’ll provide more details about our foodie experiences in Asheville’s “Foodtopia,” and our visit to The Biltmore Estates which was well worth the $100 price of admission.
Mother-Daughter Road Trip from Florida to New Jersey
An overnight in Savannah
We left early on Easter Sunday for our drive to Savannah, where we spent an overnight. With sunny skies and no traffic we made it to our lodging in time for a 3:00 pm check-in. We stayed at the Andaz Hotel located on Ellis Square—close to City Market, River Street and lots of shopping and dining.
Forsyth Park fountain is one of Savannah’s most photographed landmarks
After a brief walkabout through a few of Savannah’s Square Parks (of which there are 22) we were hungry for dinner.
When I’m with A we eat well. She had booked an outdoor table at Collin’s Quarter, a popular restaurant known for its excellent Southern-style brunches. Our evening meal was Southern delish with a Whipped Ricotta with Honey appetizer followed by Crispy Chicken with White Beans and Collard Greens with Herb Pesto for me and Roasted Salmon with Mushrooms, Kale, Cipollini Onions, Porcini Cream and Thyme for A. Everything was so good, so good, so good.
Crispy Chicken from Collin’s Quarter in Savannah
Driving through the mountains to Asheville
On Monday, we left for Asheville. A and I had always wanted to visit this mountain-vibe city in North Carolina. We had heard about its award-winning culinary community. Being foodies we both decided it was time to detour west and try it out. We were so glad we did despite all the traffic and winding and hilly roads to get there.
Downtown Asheville is host to the Appalachian Music Festival each summer
Retail therapy in Downtown Asheville
During our first full-day in Asheville, we spent the morning exploring the boutiques and eclectic shops. Our step counters were in full-gear and so were our shins and thighs from walking up and down all the steep hills. We definitely got our exercise. The town had a hippie-feel with spiritual shops on what seemed to be every street. A and I did find some trendy clothing stores for window shopping and retail therapy.
Shopping Daze sculpture represents the bustling cosmopolitan scene in the 1920s that led to the opening of many department stores and exclusive shops along three blocks in downtown Asheville
Visiting the Biltmore Estate
In the afternoon we took the car out for a short drive to The Biltmore Estate. It was a beautiful warm and sunny day. The Vanderbilt’s estate overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains is absolutely magnificent. It was a glorious time touring the mansion and walking through the gardens and grounds. I felt like I was transported into The Gilded Age.
We toured the Vanderbilt Mansion on the Biltmore Estate
Ooh, ooh, ooh, there is so much to show and tell about this visit that it’s worth a dedicated blog post. For now I’ll peak your interest with a picture of the tulip gardens.
The Biltmore Gardens were in full bloom in early April
Getting schooled on Asheville history
On Wednesday morning, we booked an Asheville Insider Walking Tour with Viator. It was $35 pp for the two hour tour. Our guide Sharon was well-versed about the history of the city and shared stories about how Asheville’s downtown developed.
Our tour guide Sharon pointed out the house of the late Thomas Wolfe, a famous writer from Asheville
We learned that the city was established in 1797 and was difficult to get to because it is 2200 feet above sea level. When the railroad came in the late 1800s people followed for economic reasons. Others came for the healthy mountain air. The city deteriorated in the 1970s and came back to life in the 1990s thanks to a major philanthropist.
Art deco buildings in Downtown Asheville
Sharon told us some interesting facts about Downtown Asheville: “Asheville has the largest number of art deco buildings next to Miami Beach. And it’s Basilica has the largest self-supported dome in North America,” she said. She also pointed out the museum building showcasing Black Mountain College, a progressive school for intellectuals and artists in the 1930s. “Einstein came to study at BMC,” said Sharon.
A relaxing afternoon at Grove Arcade
Grove Arcade is an historic building filled with restaurants and shops featuring local crafts people
The Wake Spa
“Let’s treat ourselves to a foot soak and massage at the Wake Spa. My extra present for your bday,” I told A since it was coming up the next day. Lucky for us there were two available appointments at 2:45 pm following our champagne. A friend had told me about Wake and suggested we go. It was DIVINE and SO RELAXING.
We donned terry slippers and entered the spa. Soothing music, comfy chair, a big basin of warm water for achy feet — what could be better? A chose the Good Vibes Soak to “evoke calm and relaxation with scents of vetiver, patchouli, and coconut oil and topped her soak with a back and neck massage. I picked a sudsy, fragrant Lavender Chamomile Soak covered with dried lavender and added a foot massage. All Soaks are $40 for 45 minutes. Massage add-ons are $45 for 20 minutes.
We felt so good, so good, so good and our feet appreciated the treatments.
Wake Spa offers luxurious Soaks for a tourist’s tired feet
Onward to Charlottesville
By Thursday, we were on the last leg of our road trip headed to Charlottesville. It was a smooth ride along the mountainside and we made it to the Omni in time for a pre-dinner drink at the bar to celebrate A’s bday. Dinner that night was nearby at Tavola, an authentic Italian restaurant with homemade pastas.
The Thomas Jefferson statue stands proudly in front of the Rotunda at the University of Virginia
A visit to UVA
On Friday, we explored the outdoor mall in downtown Charlottesville and then set our iWatches for a 1.5 mile walk to the University of Virginia. A chill was in the air so we bundled up to make our way around the quads, stopping to take pictures near the Jefferson statue. We both agreed that UVA has a beautiful and very large campus.
“The students look so young,” I said to A. “Does this make you want to go back to school?” I asked A. “Nope, I don’t miss all the studying,” she replied.
Merrie Mill Farm and Winery offers tastings and tours in a pretty countryside setting
Sipping and savoring at Merrie Mill Farm and Vineyard
When we made our plans to go to Charlottesville, A told me that the area was known for its wineries. She suggested we visit one for TGIF and made advance reservations at Merrie Mill Farm and Vineyard for our finale outing in the countryside. It was a lovely way to end our road trip. We sipped some beverages and savored a charcuterie platter topped with local cheeses, and other delicacies.
The charcuterie platter at Merrie Mill Farm and Winery
Back home again
On Saturday, we left the hills of Virginia for New Jersey. Another memorable mother-daughter road trip in the books. I was sad to leave the highway behind but glad to be back home again.
Yep-a-do, click on the link and sing it with me “Gee it’s good to be back home again.”
Judi
P.S. Stay tuned for my foodie post about Asheville’s “Foodtopia” and more to share about our day at the Biltmore Estate.
