Getaway Ideas in and near Asheville!

A time comes in the summertime when you want to take the time to appreciate the amazing, warm weather with the one you love and escape the trials and tribulations of the day-to-day. Unfortunately, if you are like so many people that live in Asheville and work in the service industry or retail, it's a little hard to get weekends off in the summertime and even harder to skip town altogether. So maybe you don't have to! There's no reason you can't spend the extra money you would have spent on leaving town on a little something extra - like a package complete with a massage, or chocolates and champagne waiting on your pillow. Every year we are bombarded by tourists coming from all over to enjoy our lovely mountain world. When was the last time you enjoyed those things? This year I would encourage you to take by your right to be a tourist in your own town. After all, Asheville is changing faster than we can keep up with and I can guarantee there is a lot to be discovered. We have hair, nail and waxing services to get you ready for your 'staycation' (Holly has a groupon for brazilian waxes right now that should not be missed out on). Helping our local community prosper by supporting local businesses helps the kind of people and businesses we want around. So this summer, be an Ashevillian! Get weird!

Also check out these cool blogs about Asheville to get you pumped: http://theashevillians.tumblr.com/,

http://whatshouldavlcallme.tumblr.com/, http://blog.askasheville.com/

Here's a quick patchwork list I grabbed from places like exploreasheville.com and then just googling things that sounded neat to me! It takes no time at all to find great deals! Also, Explore Asheville has a lot of coupons that can be used just by mentioning that you saw the deal on their website!

Romantic Retreat PackageADD TO ITINERARY A Bed of Roses Bed & Breakfast Valid Year Round Highlights 2 tickets to the Biltmore Estate, Winery and Gardens Dinner at a fine local restaurant Fresh bouquet of seasonal flowers Chocolate truffles Sparkling beverage Rate Available: Year RoundPrice: $210, plus room rate*Duration: Two nights… more SHOJI RETREATS SPA MENU - SPA PACKAGES (rates effective March 2013) SUMMER SOLSTICE A new seasonal package designed for pure relaxation!                                       Available starting June 3rd.                             Relax with 2.5 hours of bliss! 1 Hour Private Spa Pass Peppermint Aromatherapy Massage COOL STONE FACIAL MASSAGE A rejuvenating facial massage incorporating chilled river stones that increase circulation & ease away your stress!  FOOT REFLEXOLOGY Massaging of specific trigger points in the feet can enhance the overall health of the body.  Relax with this foot reflexology treatment incorporating a refreshing peppermint foot scrub.  Single/$169 :: Double/$338 10% OFF YOUR STAY AT FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES ASHEVILLE BILTMORE Fairfield Inn & Suites Redeemable: June 28 - December 31, 2013 Website: www.marriott.com/avlbs SUMMER IN-ROOM SPA PACKAGE DISCOUNTS 1847 Blake House Inn Bed & Breakfast Redeemable: June 1 - August 31, 2013 Website: blakehouse.com/specials/romance-packages-spa-services/ Signature Treatment ($150) – SUMMER SPECIAL – FOR STAYS BETWEEN JUNE-AUGUST, BOOK THIS PACKAGE AND RECEIVE $30 OFF! Each Signature Treatment includes an anti-aging facelift massage and is customized for your personal needs with nourishing botanicals and aromatherapy. This package includes a lymphatic drainage face treatment which stimulates blood and oxygen and eliminates toxins and undesirable fluid retention while decreasing fine lines and wrinkles. Coupled with an upper body massage and a foot reflexology makes this treatment the ultimate experience, leaving you relaxed and pampered from head to toe. The Signature Treatment may be added to any room reservation. Please allow at least 48 hours notice when booking the Signature Treatment. Signature Treatment + Massage Spa Package ($245) – SUMMER SPECIAL – FOR STAYS BETWEEN JUNE-AUGUST, BOOK THIS PACKAGE AND RECEIVE $45 OFF! Indulge yourself in our complete spa renewal treatment or make it a His & Hers package (Signature Treatment for Her, Massage for Him). This package includes a lymphatic drainage face treatment which stimulates blood and oxygen and eliminates toxins and undesirable fluid retention while decreasing fine lines and wrinkles plus a one hour therapeutic massage. This package may be added to any room reservation. Please allow at least 48 hours notice when booking this package. These specials MAY be combined with another discount or room special. Be sure to mention it when making your reservation and please specify which discount spa package you wish to book. 10% off your stay with mention of Explore Asheville website. Romance Packages Romance Package: Champagne, Roses and Chocolate Truffles - $80 For stays of 3 nights or more in one of our Anniversary or Honeymoon Suites—the Cottage, the Hideaway, Biltmore Suite, or Flatiron Suite—enjoy a dozen red roses in your room, as well as a complimentary in-room breakfast on your first morning. Please mention this special when making your reservation. Spa Heaven: Take 20% off any spa treatment, including couples massages, at our downtown Asheville dayspa partner.  http://www.hillhousebb.com/promotions/romance-packages.htm Summer Special, offered by Asheville Cabin Rental in Saluda Come enjoy a romantic getaway, family vacation for up to 10 people, reunion, or mountain retreat in a cabin for two midweek nights and receive one night FREE until June 28 when you mention this special! Privately spaced on 40 acres. On-site amenities available for you: Hot tubs, fireplaces, 3-acre stocked lake, sandy beach, paddleboats, fishing, hiking trails, geocaching, and waterfall at these Blue Ridge Mountain log cabins. Rates: From $296 plus tax for 3 midweek nights Click here to visit their Web site. Wellness Getaway, offered by Sharon Spring Cabin This rejuvenation package includes two nights in a cabin with spectacular mountain views, outside hot tub, two massages, one private yoga/meditation class, or a traditional wood burning sauna. Individual packages for women's retreats, weddings, and celebrations. Pick summer veggies & fruit, swim in pond, hike and get an outdoor chair massage. Rate: $155/night plus. Click here to visit their Web site. Mountain Hike & Wine Package, offered by Beech Mountain  Includes two nights in an inn, condo or chalet with wine tasting for two at Banner Elk Winery, mini golf for two, day pass for two to Buckeye Recreation Center, Emerald Outback biking trail map and Beech Mountain 20-mile hiking map. Offered June-October, excluding week of July 4th.  $159 for two nights, two persons Click here to visit their Web site

Rave Reviews on The Wedding Channel Website

roberts0331
Wedding: 6/25/2013
Member Since: 7/20/2012

beautiful    posted 7/12/2013

nice work! :)

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katevan9
Wedding: 10/12/2012
Member Since: 1/13/2012

Love!    posted 11/1/2012 (updated 11/1/2012)

The staff was awesome... really laid back and very cool without having that "i'm a stylist" snotty attitude. Elly was who i conferred with most, and she was so great and on top of things. we had three stylists and a manicurist, all of who made me, my bridesmaids, and my mother look fab. total reccommendation from me, they were all a dream to work with.

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lacyryan
Wedding: 6/16/2012
Member Since: 11/28/2010

Amanda and Hayley were Perfection!    posted 10/18/2012(updated 10/18/2012)

We had them come to the venue for hair/makeup and it was sooo worth it!! They were both so much fun and made it absolutely stress-free. They knew exactly what each of us wanted and Amanda even stayed a little longer to stage "getting ready" photos for the photographer. Thank you Adorn for making our wedding that much more beautiful!!

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ert580
Wedding: 12/21/2011
Member Since: 5/7/2011

Amanda McKenzie rocked my hair!    posted 1/7/2012

Awesome hair by Amanda McKenzie! She was amazing! Affordable! And super sweet! Thank you Amanda! :)

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sgburks
Wedding: 10/22/2011
Member Since: 2/12/2011

Fab, Hip, Classy Hair; Beautiful, Natural Makeup   posted 11/17/2011 (updated 11/17/2011)

Andrew did my hair at Adorn and is an amazing hairstylist. He has an artistic eye for special occasion updos, but was also excellent not to impose his own ideas, but to rather listen to me and what I had in mind for my bridal hair. He's incredibly chill, so reduced any anxiety I had in the minutes leading up to the wedding, and is great to talk to! Don't be fooled by his long hair and hipster skinny jeans: this guy's got serious talent and I adored working with him!

Haley did my makeup, which looked natural and very complimentary. She also waxed my eyebrows and caused much less trauma using their soy wax product than I've had at other salons with other waxes.

Heather was wonderful working on my nails and again listened to what I wanted.

I love Adorn's commitment to natural, organic products and a natural, organic approach to beauty. I feel very lucky to have worked with everyone there--Elly did a great job booking everything for me and my friends!

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StephanieGNYC
Wedding: 10/15/2011
Member Since: 9/21/2010

Couldn't be happier!    posted 11/1/2011

Haley at Adorn did my hair and makeup for the big day, and it was perfect! She really listened to what I wanted. I loved everything when I left the salon, and I love it even more looking at the pictures as they come in. Plus she was fun to chat with during the process!

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babygentry06
Wedding: 9/25/2010
Member Since: 8/31/2009

Best In Asheville,NC    posted 10/12/2010

Rebecca (owner) did my hair/Makeup trial and wedding day applications and she was awesome !! They have a great website that was very useful and helped me to decide on her salon.A pleasure to work with and i recommend them to everyone i know

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cfungp
Wedding: 7/1/2010
Member Since: 10/31/2009

modern and sophisticated    posted 8/10/2010

My hairdresser was Amanda. She was so much fun to work with and extremely talented. I showed her pictures of different things I liked and she came up with something that I didnt know I wanted. My hair was so beautiful and went so well with my dress and headpiece. It was glamorous, sophisticated, vintage yet modern all at the same time! The bridesmaids hair also came out fabulous. The salon was nice and they offer you drinks (coffee, tea, water). The salon also was very prompt at answering emails and phone calls, and very good about reminders for appointments.

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Mother's Day Winner! Nan Wise!

In May, we had a competition for our clients to write in and tell us about a time when you really appreciated your mom. Maria Wise wrote in with this touching story:

So I am the youngest child by far. My sister 11 yrs older and my brother, 10 ten yrs older. My brother was my hero, role model, etc. He was the brilliant, sensitive, loving, cool brother all little sisters hope for and the absolute apple of my mother's eye. My mom was shaken and worried when my perfect brother Came Out in the early 90's. But she handled it with grace and love, teaching the rest of us how to think about it. But when, a couple of years later, my Brother announced he had AIDS, it was too much for mom to handle, or so we thought. His passing was quick and he was courageous through it all. Mom flew to Burlington to be with him the last month and help his partner. She died along with him at first. She still has trouble, 19 yrs later talking about him, but she never misses an opportunity to Dine Out for Life each spring and proudly wear her red ribbon. She donates to WNCCAP and visits the AIDS quilt at Pack Square each winter. My mom, in a small little Applachian town, never hesitates to speak of her Wonderful son who died too early of AIDS. Here's to you Nan Wise!

We were honored to treat Maria and her mother to pedicures on us! Maria couldn't have said it better, "Here's to you Nan Wise!"

Client Feature: Strong mother of one daughter and quintuplets is expecting one more! How does she manage it all?

It was mid-morning when Joy Gonvalez came to see us at Adorn, she is a lovely woman with beautiful eyes and a great smile. Gonvalez talked to us a bit about her six, soon to be seven, children. As a salon that is geared towards strong women who are skilled at balancing several things at once, we were excited to hear about how Gonvalez managed her tribe!

Tell me a little bit about your journey in motherhood:

Well we have an almost eight year old daughter, then we have five six-year-olds which are quintuplets and then we have one on the way, due in November. It’s been a great journey, I was telling Holiday that when we got married I told my husband that I wanted adventure, but I didn’t know what I was asking for. I wouldn’t change it now for the world because to me, you give them love and they give you love back and it’s just like what a family should be.

What are some things that help you stay on top of everything?

It’s definitely fun. We have lots of fun everyday. I would say that the two things that have helped me a lot, other than having a great husband, is having a time in the morning to when I can just pray and have quiet time before they get up, and trying to stay as organized as possible because it helps everybody else fall in same footsteps. Not that I’m an extremely organized person, but it just helps whatever you can do, you know? They kind of do the same thing.

What’s a good example of things that help you stay organized?

For example, with their clothes, now they’re starting to pick out their own clothes and things like that, but I try to fold together clothes that match and think about who is going to wear what. I let them pick out which outfits, but the outfits are already all matched up so I don’t have to worry about them wearing clothes that don’t match because I match all the outfits up at the beginning of the season. This way, I don’t have to worry about it for the rest of the season. I’ve also been trying to teach them to unload the dishes and put their dishes away, and to be more responsible. If I just stay one step ahead of the game, then they can do their responsibilities. Teaching flexibility is important too. Flexibility and responsibility is such a balance. Like, letting them make a mess and say, ‘As long as you clean it up, it’s fine.’ Then if they don’t clean it up remind them that they won’t be able to do other things unless they learn to clean up after themselves. But then it’s fun to let them paint or do new things that help them to step out of their normal routine. They just played their first soccer season and we had to help them a lot at first to get their soccer shoes and shin guards and everything on. However, they learned how to do it on their own by the end of the season. At first it I was thinking, ‘what did I get myself into,’ but then they learned so much from it. So letting them experiment and watching that process and them helping each other. One of our children is special needs, he’s had fifty brain surgeries up at Duke Hospital and I think that has taught them  a  lot about how to care for people who aren’t exactly the same as us, but who need love too and not judging them but making them feel part of the family and society.

This has been great! Thank you so much! Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you! I’m really glad I came here. I found you online and I liked your website a lot and Holiday here is doing a great job cutting hair!