The drive, incredible. Winding roads blinking with prolonged rays of sunlight flashing through the windows. There’s something magical about sunlight and the drops of rain from a summer storm hitting your windshield in unison. The streets glowed in the evening’s sunset, slicked wet from the storm, reflecting the trees and the golden sky colors around them like a mirror. The trees bent over each side, creating a lush green archway over it all. In the distance, the cool blue ridge mountaintops of the Appalachians.

The journey itself made the ride worthwhile.

The destination, Laurel Point cottage courtesy of Glamping with Pets. What is glamping? Precisely how it sounds, a vacation stay somewhere between the remote charm of camping and a glamorous vacation. You learn more on this glamping review blog post.

The road narrowed to a private driveway, the trees parted, and alas, we were home (for the weekend). Laurel Point is split between two properties, the cottage where we stayed, and the villa… next door but secluded enough that we felt we owned the mountaintops ourselves. Our furry friend jumped out in overwhelmed excitement – it felt good that we would all be able to enjoy this vacation together.

We followed the owners advise and went straight to the porch before unpacking our bags, and we couldn’t have been more elated. The long wrap-around deck opened up to a full-length overlook of the entire mountain range.

All I can say… it was breathtaking.

We spent more than a moment in awe of the open space, surrounded by the best of nature’s beauty. Everything had a fresh smell, probably from the recent rain which had now cleared. Sunset was dimming to dusk. We spent the first evening over a bottle of wine and a perfectly still moment in time.

What to expect if you stay:

• Stunning views of the mountains
• No traffic or outside noise
• A bluetooth speaker for tunes on the porch
• 2 bedrooms with ample space for 4 or more
• Pets allowed
• Full kitchen, dining area and coffee maker
• Incredible, personal tips from the owner
• Gas heating stove for warmth and atmosphere
• A charming, music themed experience
• A desire to return… asap

The next morning, we were up early, excited to enjoy our first day at the cabin. After a hardy breakfast we explored the rest of the cabin and met the neighbors next door, sneaking a peak of the beautifully open villa. The interior was to die for – tall ceilings, a beautiful kitchen and an expansive deck to match.

From the villa, we wandered into the famed town of Floyd. Known for its earthly music festivals and a personality just as big as the mountain ranges it’s surrounded by. What to do?

Here were our favorite adventures of the trip:

• The cabin itself at Laurel Point (we could have stayed there forever)
• Floyd farmers market
• Floyd festivals (if you’re visiting during event times)
• Chateau Morrisette Winery and restaurant
• Hiking on the trails off the Blue Ridge Parkway

Chateau Morrisette (known as “the dog”) is also dog friendly… if you couldn’t guess by the name. So Naizak traveled along with us there, where we were able to enjoy a wine tasting and dinner in the outdoor area of the restaurant without her leaving our side. The setting was beautiful – reminiscent of a European villa mansion covered in vines and speckled with flowers of all kinds. The food was divine, and we came home loaded with ample bottles of their signature, The Black Dog red wine blend. We nibbled bites of savory cheeses over a bottle of wine and a bowl of pasta while overlooking the mountains cape behind.

Back at the cabin in the late afternoon, we enjoyed having the spacious kitchen to ourselves to enjoy a meal at our home away from home. By morning, we could not have felt more refreshed, relieved, and re-in-touch with nature’s best.

Thank you to all who were involved for the wonderful stay, and we cannot wait to return to that paradise nestled in the mountaintops of Virginia.

In accordance with the FTC regulations for Influencers, this is a sponsored post in collaboration with Glamping. All thoughts, comments and musings are made of my own opinion and honest, personal experience with the products reviewed or mentioned. I hope you’ve found this post informational and inspiring!