On a beautiful cold late December day I traveled from Asheville, North Carolina to Christopher Place Resort in Newport, Tennessee. In the distance the Smoky Mountains were capped with snow.

Immediately when you exit from a busy highway onto a quiet, winding road leading to the inn, you know that you have entered another world. While I thoroughly enjoyed the amenities and fine restaurants of Asheville, the quietude and tranquil setting of Christopher Place Resort was welcome.

Perched high atop Lookout Mountain (pop: 5000 year round) sits the Chanticleer Inn Bed & Breakfast, which combines the ambiance of yesteryear with the comfort and amenities of today. It is the ultimate in mountain southern hospitality, just 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga. Located at 1800 feet above sea level, The Chanticleer Inn Bed & Breakfast, which has been a proud member of the Select Registry since 2003, sits with distinction high atop Lookout Mountain on a beautiful plateau that borders Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.
Built in 1927 and operated as a B&B since 1930, the inn underwent extensive renovations in 2002 and in subsequent years. Its hospitable new owners, Michael and Teresa Turner, purchased the inn in January of this year. The Turners moved to Lookout Mountain from Atlanta. “We looked at 10 or 12 properties of various styles,” said Michael. “In the end we decided on Chanticleer because it is two hours from Atlanta, a good location, great surroundings and activities. We thought it was a perfect fit for us!”

On a recent beautiful sunny day a friend and I drove from Jackson to the lovely city of Lexington, Kentucky (pop: 321,000). I had not visited Lexington in several years. What a vibrant city! (Our drive of 340 miles took about 5 1/2 hours or so via I-40 E and I-65 N.)

Horse lovers agree: this is the place. Whether you are an experienced equestrian, a racing fan or just appreciate the beauty of horses, prepare to be thrilled at the stunning landscape they inhabit in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. If your schedule permits, be sure to take a country drive and explore the Horse Country back roads. Head out in any direction from the center of town, and soon you’ll be surrounded by the rolling bluegrass pastureland that you’ve heard so much about. Neatly mowed fields trimmed with black or white fences stretch to the horizon. Pick up a “Bluegrass Country Driving Tour” at the Visitors Center downtown.

For years I have traveled U.S. Hwy. 45, usually in route to Aberdeen or Columbus, Mississippi. Rarely have I stopped to explore Tupelo. When the now closed Barnes & Noble bookstore was open in the mall at the Barnes Crossing Shopping District in Tupelo, I took an exit off Hwy. 45. I saw signage for an Automobile Museum, but I never visited this attraction.

Located along a 26-mile stretch on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, South Walton encompasses a strand of sixteen acclaimed beach neighborhoods, each with its own unique style.

Renowned for its turquoise water and sugar-white sand, South Walton is continually recognized as a premier destination that offers an upscale yet casual place to build lasting memories. It attracts high-end luxury travelers and families.

Founded in 1827 by William Clark of Lewis and Clark fame, Paducah’s origins and prosperity may be attributed to its strategic location at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. Today, visitors may take a journey on America’s inland waterways from the era of Paducah’s earliest inhabitants to the city’s modern day life on the river through captivating stories, interactive exhibits and music at the River Discovery Center. Paducah’s history is reflected and preserved in its architecture and historic attractions including the 1905 Market House, Market House Museum and “Wall to Wall” Murals.