Get out with the fam
There’s something for everyone on the Monticello Artisan Trail, so how’s about making a family resolution to spend this year exploring the entire route, a connected network of dozens of artist studios, galleries, farms, vineyards, cideries and historic landmarks that takes you through the mountains and valleys of Albemarle and Nelson counties. In addition to popular sites that are always worth visiting (or revisiting)—Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland and Carter Mountain Orchard—the Artisan Trail leads you to lesser-known treasures such as Currituck Farm, a place to get to know and buy your eats, Virginia Clay Studio (to get there, you’ll travel the same route TJ took to his buddy James Madison’s place) and Greenewood Studios, where Dan Hunt builds furniture the old-fashioned way with traditional tools and techniques.
You’ll find a map and a list of Trail participants at artisanscenterofvirginia.org.
Find a love that lasts
If you’ve been out of the dating game for a while, you’re likely one of two things (and maybe both): clueless or anxious. Sophie Blystone, from Central Virginia matchmaking firm It Takes 2, can help.
On your first date, do the following: Show up on time, dress like you care, put your phone away and ask open-ended questions (avoiding religion, politics, exes and “do you want kids?”). And make sure both you and your date are contributing to the conversation.
Most importantly, Blystone says, focus on having fun: “Don’t put pressure on yourself to determine whether or not he/she is ‘the one’ right away,” she said. “Enjoy learning more about the person you’re out with.”
Once the first date is over and you’re still interested, don’t rush it. “Sometimes we meet someone we really like and have the sudden desire to spend every waking moment with that person,” Blystone said. Resist the urge! “Ease into the relationship.”
Spice up your love
Everybody knows Virginia is for lovers. But what happens when life’s day-to-day demands suck that loving feeling right out of your relationship? You resolve to get it back. By hitting the road. And you won’t have to travel far because, as you can see from the list below, Charlottesville and its environs have no shortage of sweet spots for rebooting romance.
The Clifton Inn’s Date Night package includes a four-course dinner, half a bottle of Virginia wine, a personalized menu and special room rate. clifton-inn.com, 971-1800
An overnight stay at the Boar’s Head, followed by breakfast for two in the Old Mill Room and an hour-long hot air balloon ride over the Virginia countryside may be just what the Love Doctor ordered. boarsheadinn.com, 296-2181
Keswick Hall’s bed and breakfast packages include everything from dinner at Fossett’s and spa treatments to wandering the 600-acre property’s extensive trails and taking an historic tour of the estate. keswick.com, 979-3440
What long-time marrieds don’t want to Retreat to Romance? Look to the Omni for a fancy dinner, sparkling wine, and late check-out. omnihotels.com/hotels/charlottesville; 971-5500
Get ready to sell
Sure, you can resolve to sell your home in one month for $1 million. But get ready to be disappointed, because no matter how robust the local real estate market, you’ve got to get your house in order before you can sell it. According to Courtney Heyward, a realtor with Montague, Miller & Co., the first, best step toward selling your place quickly for top dollar is to declutter it.
“When buyers are touring [a cluttered and disorganized] home, they often look at the owner’s personal belongings and have a hard time imagining their own items in the home,” Heyward said. “Buyers love neat, functional spaces,” that are “clean and fresh with minimal clutter.” And once you’ve tossed (or donated) all that junk you never use, you’ll have a lot less to schlep up the stairs when you buy a new house.
Splurge a little
Maybe the best things in life aren’t free, and if you’re looking to indulge, there’s no better money spent than on an experience, rather than a shiny new toy. That’s why we went to Julie Arbelaez, owner of Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters, for ideas on the best trips to treat yourself to.
“We’ve seen a trend of more clients starting to travel beyond Peru (for Machu Picchu) and Ecuador (for the Galapagos Islands),” said Arbelaez. She added that Montevideo, Uruguay is a hip spot, and it’s easy to combine with Buenos Aires. Patagonia, another South America destination, is difficult to get to, but Arbelaez says it’s well worth it—“incredible scenery, wildlife and interesting places to stay.”
And if you don’t want to go alone? Arbelaez says Italy is still the gold standard. Multi-generational families have begun renting larger villas to accommodate bigger numbers, then they’ll explore the country from there. Like they say, it’s about the journey, not the destination.