BY SOFIA LUJAN AND LAUREN DOYLE | PHOTOS BY JESSICA BRATTON All clothing items available at Villa 19 Boutique. Shop in-store or online at villanineteen.com. In keeping with this issue’s…
BY MARILYN JONES
The sky was lightening as I stepped into a outrigger canoe with two guides and three other hotel guests. We were setting out into the Pacific Ocean to…
From an art and memorabilia collection to a winery, a mini spa and a petting zoo—to, yes, a distillery—Cape Fear Distillery offers visitors an eclectic, multifaceted experience.
BY DAVE DROSCHAK
An affinity…
PICTURED ABOVE: Guests can enjoy craft cocktails, wine and beer, and charcuterie and other treats in the parlor at Raleigh’s Heights House Hotel. It’s the details that set apart…
BY JENNIFER PRIMROSE | PHOTOS BY DATHAN KAZSUK
The North Carolina Zoo, located in the heart of North Carolina, is a family destination covering 2,600 acres of lush greenery. It is…
BY NAN K. CHASE
Jewels! Jewels! Jewels! And they’re all free.
Blue ones, pink ones, yellow, red, purple—even gaudy white ones. The ephemeral wildflowers of early spring decorate the forest…
How to stay active in North Carolina during winter
BY MELISSA WISTEHUFF
According to Forbes.com, the most common New Year’s resolution is to get in shape. Finding the motivation to stay…
BY MELISSA WISTEHUFF
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Trade in the normal hustle and bustle of the season for the breathtaking grandeur and fascinating history that only the…
WNC Wonderlands Celebrate the season in McAdenville, Greensboro and Bryson City BY KURT DUSTERBERG Looking for a festive day trip destination this holiday season? Head west to experience Christmas Town…
BY MELISSA WISTEHUFF
Autumn in North Carolina’s high country delivers spectacular beauty, breathtaking colors and endless opportunities for adventure. With its cool temperatures and vivid views, it’s no wonder fall…
North Carolina sets the scene for Hollywood family fun
BY MELISSA WISTEHUFF
The Tar Heel State has lured many Hollywood location scouts in search of the perfect setting for bringing their director’s…
Try something new with your family this summer
BY MANDY HOWARD
At the beginning of last summer, my family was going through a tough season. A middle schooler and two high schoolers…
DOCK TO DISH
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MELISSA WISTEHUFF
North Carolina’s rich history of agriculture harvests more than just vegetables and tobacco. From the mountains to the Piedmont—and up and down…
BACKYARD TREASURES
BY ANITA STONE
If rocks and colorful stones fascinate you, you’re in luck. North Carolina is blessed with a highly mineralized soil composition containing an abundance of colorful minerals,…
BY MARILYN JONES
Hundreds of museums and historical sites are scattered across this nation, ready to educate you about America’s incredible history. Let’s tour 10 of these destinations—which also offer engaging attractions,…
BY MARILYN JONES The WNC Cheese Trail offers travelers a beautiful—and delicious—way to explore western North Carolina, where rolling hills and glorious countryside reign. Since its inception in 2012, the trail…
Cary couple Max and Sarah Schrock are embracing the game while it lasts
BY KURT DUSTERBERG
Max and Sarah Schrock are like many young parents. Much of their time is spent managing…
BY TOM POLAND | PHOTOS BY ROBERT CLARK PHOTOGRAPHY (unless otherwise noted)
It was quite the adventure. For seven years photographer Robert Clark and I explored Carolina bays in Georgia…
BY MELISSA WISTEHUFF
The Tar Heel State has lured many Hollywood location scouts in search of the perfect setting for bringing their director’s vision to life. These North Carolina towns offer…
BY KURT DUSTERBERG
If your family enjoys taking in live sporting events, you live in the right state. North Carolina offers plenty of variety. Name the sport, and you can buy…
BY SOFIA LUJAN AND LAUREN DOYLE | PHOTOS BY JESSICA BRATTON All clothing items available at Villa 19 Boutique. Shop in-store or online at villanineteen.com.
In keeping with this issue’s travel theme, stylist Sofia Lujan teamed up with travel agent Lauren Doyle of The Travel Mechanic in Apex to create some outfits perfect for travel to popular locations from RDU Airport.
Lauren’s Packing Tips
Pack light! Plan your outfits ahead of time based on the destination. Limit yourself to three pairs of shoes and wear bulky apparel like sneakers on the airplane.
Make sure you have a multi-compartment toiletry bag. Purchase travel-size items that take up less space.
Packing cubes are a must! They can help you organize——socks in one, shirts in another and so forth.
Keep a printable packing list inside your suitcase so that when you are ready to go, you can check items off the list.
Invest in good luggage. You don’t have to spend a ton, but make sure it’s in good condition and consider selecting a bright color so it’s easy to spot at the airport.
Choose clothes in the same color palette so you can interchange shoes and bags with many outfits.
Bonus Tip: A clutch is a MUST! Utilize your clutch as jewelry storage and put fun accessories inside. (We don’t recommend bringing fine jewelry when you travel.)
Lauren Doyle, award winning travel agent owns The Travel Mechanic based in Apex, NC. The boutique travel agency has a team of 15 travel agents customize travel itineraries all over the world. Each agent has a specialty which ranges from river and ocean cruises, independent and escorted European travel, honeymoons, destination weddings disney and even excotic locations like Tahiti and Thailand! Lauren and her team take care of the travel planning so you can have peace of mind of a thoughtful and wonderfully planned trip in no time! The team offers FREE consultations, so feel free to set up a call! www.thetravelmechanic.com/call
This outfit is ideal for travel in Italy —a destination that never goes out of fashion. Photographed atScratch Kitchen & Taproom in downtown Apex.
Santorini dress, $84 | Hali sandals, $58 | Victoria vegan tote, $110
Bring a fresh look to Paris, fashion’s capital city. Connected with a direct flight from RDU, you can leave in the evening and enjoy croissants in a Parisian cafe the next morning! Photographed at French Bleue in downtown Apex
Cannes T-shirt, $42 | Sasha denim jacket, $62 | Ava mini skort, $72 | Cara vegan bag, $89
This outfit is perfect for a girls’ weekend trip to Miami. Photographed at Scratch Kitchen & Taproom in downtown Apex.
This outfit is designed for travel to Japan. Japan is not as easy to get to from North Carolina as some countries, but right now, it has all the buzz. It was closed for a long time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now people are ready for cultural immersion! Photographed at Villa 19 in downtown Apex.
Sunny Tulum, Mexico, just opened a new airport. With great flight schedules out of RDU, it’s easier to access than ever before. Dress for relaxing on Caribbean beaches or enjoying tumbling tropical waterfalls. Photographed atVilla 19 in downtown Apex.