
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 5, 1995                   TAG: 9503250001
SECTION: WEDDING GUIDE                    PAGE: 6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: SARAH COX
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

FOR A HEAVENLY HONEYMOON, STAY CLOSE TO HOME

Most of us think the ideal honeymoon is lounging around somewhere in the South Seas, or floating down the Seine River or swooshing down the Alps. But then, we come back to reality and jobs and children and bills. At that point, the thought may occur to engaged couples that honeymooning in their own backyard offers distinct possibilities, especially if you live in Southwest Virginia where the scenery is postcard-perfect.

In addition to scenery, New River Valley residents are fortunate to have a number of excellent honeymooning resorts and inns available within several hours' drive at the most.

Rosemarie Sawdon of Travel Agents International in Christiansburg said that time constraint is the biggest factor in choosing a local honeymoon spot, because going to the islands is going to take two days of round-trip travel time. Particularly with students, or second marriages where children need to be considered, couples often go for a long weekend and postpone the big trip until later.

Kimberly Sifford of The Travel Company of Blacksburg added that some people are just in love with the mountains. For all those reasons, The Homestead in Hot Springs, Wintergreen (near Charlottesville), Cataloochee Ranch in the Smokey Mountains of Maggie Valley, N.C., Claytor Lake State Park and Mountain Lake in the New River area, Pipestem in West Virginia and the Greenbrier in Lewisburg, W.Va., may be just the ticket.

According to Sawdon, Wintergreen is a self-contained resort with golf, tennis, hiking, swimming, and a range of accommodations such as a lodge, condos, and a bed and breakfast. Ski slopes are open December through March, and the resort encompasses hundreds of acres.

The Greenbrier and The Homestead are ritzy and cater to most every whim. The former even has sleigh rides in the winter and carriage rides in the spring, and both have ice skating, a full spa, tennis, swimming, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, skiing and golf. Both have packages that include breakfast and dinner.

According to Sifford, The Greenbrier ranges in price, per couple, from $324-$496, depending upon the season and the type of accommodation you choose. The Homestead ranges in price from $208 to $364.

In contrast, Claytor Lake, Pipestem, Cataloochee Ranch and Mountain Lake are a bit more rustic and geared toward the outdoorsy type. Cataloochee Ranch is near three major peaks, the highest being about 5,600 feet in elevation, according to Sawdon. The resort borders Smokey Mountain National Park, is open year-round, and offers individual cabins and family-style dining.

Claytor Lake, while open year round, has seasonal facilities. Its two-bedroom, fully furnished cabins are open March 1 to Dec. 1, and are priced $434/ week or $79/night with a two-night minimum, according to Manager Richard Johnson.

Pipestem and Mountain Lake have canoes, Sifford said, and they, too, are a bit more reasonably priced compared to The Greenbrier and The Homestead.

Pipestem, said Sifford, has both cottages and suites, and ranges in price from $56 - $200, depending upon the season and accommodation. Mountain Lake is open April 1 through Nov. 1. She added that couples can get married at both Mountain Lake and The Homestead.

Sifford said that while these getaways aren't on the other side of the world, they are just far enough away to deter unnecessary phone calls from the office or home. And all have the advantages of nice resort activities, plus require less travel time from home.

She said resorts and inns, such as the newly renovated Martha Washington Inn in Abingdon, are more popular for newlyweds than bed and breakfast facilities.

"I see more bridal couples going to cabins. When you first get married, you want to be more alone. When you're already married, b&bs give you the company of the host, and privacy at the same time,'' said Sifford.

by CNB