BY: JANET STEINBERG
The village of Highlands, in the southern Appalachian
Mountains is the perfect destination for city dwellers in need of a retreat.
Mountains is the perfect destination for city dwellers in need of a retreat.
Highlands was founded in 1875 after its two founders,
Samuel Truman Kelsey and Clinton Carter Hutchinson, drew lines from Chicago to
Savannah and from New Orleans to New York. They felt that the place where these
lines met would eventually become a great trading center and commercial
crossroads. In the 1930s the town became
a golfing mecca when Bobby Jones of Atlanta, and some of his well-heeled golfing
buddies, founded the Highlands Country Club.
Samuel Truman Kelsey and Clinton Carter Hutchinson, drew lines from Chicago to
Savannah and from New Orleans to New York. They felt that the place where these
lines met would eventually become a great trading center and commercial
crossroads. In the 1930s the town became
a golfing mecca when Bobby Jones of Atlanta, and some of his well-heeled golfing
buddies, founded the Highlands Country Club.
The Highlands area offers stunning Blue Ridge Mountain
panoramas. With more than its share of
natural beauty, there are cascading waterfalls of every variety. Bridal Veil Falls (that you can drive
under)…Dry Falls (where you can stay dry)…and Bust your Butt Falls (where you
can…use your imagination!)
panoramas. With more than its share of
natural beauty, there are cascading waterfalls of every variety. Bridal Veil Falls (that you can drive
under)…Dry Falls (where you can stay dry)…and Bust your Butt Falls (where you
can…use your imagination!)
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| DRIVE UNDER BRIDAL VEIL FALLS |
With a permanent population of less than 1000 people, the
count swells to 10,000-15,000 during the spring to fall season. However, over the past few years, the winter
season has continued to burgeon as well—particularly on
weekends.
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| OLD COVERED BRIDGE LEADS TO THE BASCOM CENTER |
Eclectic shops, restaurants, and The Bascom Center for the
Visual Arts, highlight this scenic mountain town.
Visual Arts, highlight this scenic mountain town.
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| PATRICK DOUGHERTY’S SAPLING SCULPTURE “DO TELL” AT THE BASCOM CENTER |
Add to that a stay at the utterly fantastic hidden gem Old
Edwards Inn, a Customized Massage in the Inn’s Spa, a fabulous dinner at
Madisons, and a second night’s dinner at Nicholas Figel’s outstanding Cyprus
Restaurant, and you will find it hard to believe you are in a tiny Appalachian
Mountain town.
Edwards Inn, a Customized Massage in the Inn’s Spa, a fabulous dinner at
Madisons, and a second night’s dinner at Nicholas Figel’s outstanding Cyprus
Restaurant, and you will find it hard to believe you are in a tiny Appalachian
Mountain town.
Garnering a prime seat by the open kitchen in Cyprus
Restaurant, and watching the dimpled ebullient Nicholas Figel work his culinary
magic, would have been enough for me to have a perfect evening. (Cyprus must save on electricity because
Nick’s smile lights up the room.)
Restaurant, and watching the dimpled ebullient Nicholas Figel work his culinary
magic, would have been enough for me to have a perfect evening. (Cyprus must save on electricity because
Nick’s smile lights up the room.)
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| CHEF NICHOLAS FIGEL IN CYPRUS RESTAURANT’S OPEN KITCHEN |
However, add to that the Cognac Toasted Veal Marrow-bone
and the Parmegiano Reggiano Eggplant he whipped up for appetizers, plus the
dinner chosen from his ever-changing specialty menu, and there is little wonder
why Cyprus, along with Madisons, are Highland’s top
restaurants.
and the Parmegiano Reggiano Eggplant he whipped up for appetizers, plus the
dinner chosen from his ever-changing specialty menu, and there is little wonder
why Cyprus, along with Madisons, are Highland’s top
restaurants.
If you want to be seated in front of the open kitchen, it
is suggested you call a week in advance.
When asked Nicholas his philosophy for the success of his exciting 5-star
dining destination, he stated: “I like to think of my trade as a form of
communication and to always approach it with great sincerity.”
is suggested you call a week in advance.
When asked Nicholas his philosophy for the success of his exciting 5-star
dining destination, he stated: “I like to think of my trade as a form of
communication and to always approach it with great sincerity.”
Whether seeking serenity or adventure, this 3-stoplight
town will provide you with leisurely fun-filled days and peaceful romantic
nights at the Old Edwards Inn.
town will provide you with leisurely fun-filled days and peaceful romantic
nights at the Old Edwards Inn.
Like the 1922 lyrics of the Gus Kahn song says: “Nothing
could be finer than to be in Carolina…”
could be finer than to be in Carolina…”
JANET STEINBERG is an
award-winning Travel Writer, International Travel Consultant, and winner of 38
national Travel Writing Awards.
award-winning Travel Writer, International Travel Consultant, and winner of 38
national Travel Writing Awards.