My Favorite Places of 2014
Road trips, blog milestones and an Emmy nomination made 2014 a VERY good year. Here are my favorite places I discovered along the way.
14
Jan
12
Jan
DC Road Trip: Holidays in the Brandywine Valley
Nestled amongst the rolling hills between Wilmington, Delaware and Philadelphia lies the picturesque Brandywine Valley. With gorgeous du Pont family estates and more than 3,000 acres of landscaped gardens, it’s a region best known for being a flower-lover’s paradise. But once the mid-Atlantic’s leaves have finally fallen and the flowers
01
Dec
Ask Chris: ISO Romantic Weekend in Alexandria, Virginia
A Packed Suitcase reader needs a little advice from their favorite mid-atlantic travel blogger. You know what that means... It's time for another edition of "Ask Chris." Here we go! Chris, I just stumbled across your web-site. It’s great. I love the mid-atlantic focus as it seems to be an often overlooked
11
Nov
Secrets of a Travel Blogger: What’s in My Bag
I first began blogging 6 years ago, when I worked for the Travel Channel in 2008. After I left the network in 2010, this blog continued on as a hobby-- a way for me to share my travels with family and friends. [caption id="attachment_1136" align="aligncenter" width="320"] My very first photo, on my very first
17
Oct
DC Day Trip to Occoquan, Virginia
Trip Overview: The quaint, riverside town of Occoquan, Virginia in Prince William County is a quintessential day trip that has it all-- rich colonial history dating back to the 1700s, some serious small town charm, boutique shops, great dining and a relaxed, waterfront vibe. And the best part? It's all a mere 35
14
Oct
Rhythm and Roots Along Virginia’s Crooked Road
After several trips down to Southwestern Virginia in the past year, I've realized a few things about myself. One: There's a big part of me that wishes I had a southern accent Two: Pimento cheese slathered on ritz crackers is amazing... especially when washed down with a cold glass of sweet tea And three: I really, really like bluegrass
29
Sep
5 Things I Love About Marion, Virginia
Over the past 18 months, the small town of Marion, Virginia has experienced an incredible revitalization. Prompted by a community-wide determination to stimulate the local economy, new entrepreneurs and small businesses are flooding the historic downtown district to show that in terms of tourism, Marion means business. Located about a mile off route
15
Aug
Lambstock 2014: A Chef-Focused Weekend at Border Springs Farm
Let it be known that I am not a camper. So, what could possibly possess me – a unabashed city girl – to pack up my car and drive five hours south to camp out in a field filled with ticks, spiders and sheep poo (oh my!) in the middle
23
Jul
Itinerary: 2 days in Charlottesville, Virginia
Located in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville, Virginia is a city that really celebrates its historic roots. The area in and around Charlottesville was once home to 3 of our nation’s earliest presidents--- Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe--- and today over 200 years later,
15
Jul
Where I’m Eating: Pasture Charlottesville
I've been dreaming about the crispy ham-cured pork ribs from Pasture, the Southern small-plates restaurant by co-owner and Executive Chef Jason Alley, ever since visiting the Richmond location this past spring. On my recent trip to Charlottesville, my wish was granted, and I was able to have pork ribs part deux at his newest restaurant,
08
Jul
Keswick Hall: A Luxurious Escape in Charlottesville, VA
Located 15 minutes outside of downtown Charlottesville, Virginia, Keswick Hall is known as one of the most esteemed resorts in the U.S. Recently named one of Travel + Leisure's 500 "World's Best Hotels," the historic property is a peaceful oasis set on a picturesque, 600-acre private estate at the foot of the Blue
02
Jul
Where I’m Eating: The Alley Light in Charlottesville, VA
The Alley Light is a blink-or-you'll-miss-it culinary gem in the heart of downtown historic Charlottesville. Opening in February 2014, it's already gotten a lot of buzz, so I was eager to check it out. A nondescript handwritten sign points the way to an alley with a single light above a