I consider Asheville, N.C., the most peaceful city in the Southeast. As soon as I get there, I feel a calmness fall over me, and I immediately embrace it. As someone who travels often for work, it’s a welcome change to visit a city and do absolutely nothing.

Still, even the laziest tourist needs breakfast. For grits and hot coffee, you can’t miss Early Girl Eatery on Wall Street. The waitresses are always friendly and the food is so satisfying. With minimal presentation and fresh ingredients, the local flavors really pop. Near the Farmer’s Market, the Moose Caf‚ reminds me of the home-cooking family restaurants my grandparents took me to, when I was a kid. If you’ve never had apple butter, generously slather it on the biscuits here and you’ll dream about it later. If I feel particularly indulgent, I’ll order the hearty chicken fried steak.

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Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede is surely the most unusual dinner experience I’ve ever had. Civil War? Yes. Silverware? Nope. With huge animals and constant audience participation, it’s an awful lot to wrap your head around. Still even someone like me, who is rarely willing to suspend his disbelief, was completely won over eventually. 

When I called the Dixie Stampede offices for dinner reservations, the woman found a good pair of tickets… but they were on the north side. Was that all right? ”I suppose that’s fine,” I said. “I’ve never been there.” She immediately perked up and told me about the plot – deciding who wins the Civil War, with unlimited Pepsi. In that case, OK!

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Most country singers move to Nashville to chase their dream. However, Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott is the exception, because she was born and raised there.

“So many people move here from somewhere else, so that brings a whole other energy to the town,” she says. “I’m rare. I tell people where I’m from and they are like, ‘No way! Nobody is from here!’ Everybody moves here from somewhere else and I think that adds to the uniqueness of Nashville.”

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After years of touring with her bandmates in Little Big Town, Kimberly Schlapman has life on the road down to a science. But last summer she made a big adjustment in her travel style.

Make that a small adjustment. The birth of Daisy Pearl in July 2007 has changed Schlapman’s tour experience forever. “It’s even more fun than before,” she says. “We’ve always had a great time on the road, but life is even sweeter now. Daisy makes my day over and over.

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If you want a vacation that’s more than just lying around on a beach, take a turn off the beaten path to Bend, Oregon. The region lies in a high desert climate, perfect for tumbleweeds and junipers, with only about 12 inches of rain a year. All that sunshine means plenty of days to play outside — and you’ll want to play outside. All around are beautiful views of snow-capped mountains and dense evergreen forests. You’ll see runners, bikers, hikers and horseback riders along every road, taking in the views. Like other cities in the state, Bend (population 75,000) is a progressive town that prizes and protects its natural resources and emphasizes healthy and green living.

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One of my fondest memories of visiting New York City for the first time is my last meal in Manhattan. The loud noises, the people, the honking, the buildings — it can all be somewhat overwhelming, especially to someone like me who comes from fields and fields of corn. As I sat scarfing down a huge Chipotle chicken burrito (walking in New York makes you really hungry), I started to feel a bit anxious. Yet, amid the hustle and bustle, I heard a soothing voice that sounded all too familiar. As I sat in that small booth, in a city so foreign to me, June Carter Cash sweetly piped through the speakers. Instantly, I felt better. “Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,” I quietly sang to myself. I have to admit, I’ve never felt more at home than in that tiny booth in Times Square.

However, my most exciting adventure took place at the Empire State Building. Fortunately, I was not struck by any taxis amidst my continuous gawking and “ahh”-ing at the enormous buildings and advertisements. Looking out from the observation deck, it was beautiful and like nothing I had ever experienced. I then looked over at my boyfriend and he was down on one knee with a beautiful ring. What?! (I was having a Faith Hill moment.) This was totally unexpected and I was speechless. Luckily, I managed a feeble “Yes.” At this point, my heart was pounding, my palms sweating, I was in New York and … now engaged! And though I don’t plan to move (or really even visit) there anytime soon, I will never forget my first trip to New York City.

Every year, millions visit the Great Smoky Mountains and Dollywood. But no trip to East Tennessee is complete until you’ve seen the neighboring “big city” of Knoxville. In the spring, the lush foliage turns bright green and virtually every tree is in bloom. In fact, Knoxville is well-known for its Dogwood Arts Festival, held this year on April 4-23. The climate is said to be perfect for flowering dogwood trees, and they’re in peak bloom during the festival. Drive the numerous “dogwood trails” throughout the town and see nature show off: Spectacular blooming dogwood, redbud, crabapple and cherry trees line the roads, and gardens burst with tulips, daffodils, pansies and other colorful flowers. The festival also includes art demonstrations and exhibits, bluegrass music with local and regional performers, arts and crafts markets, and plenty of other activities for adults and kids.

All that marveling at nature can make you hungry, so don’t forget a stop at Litton’s Market and Restaurant. Established in 1946, Litton’s is known for its big burgers served on homemade buns, but also offers steaks, seafood and a variety of meat-and-three “blue plate” specials featuring meat loaf or fried chicken. Whatever you do, don’t skip dessert: Litton’s boasts a variety of homemade cheesecakes, layer cakes, pies, cookies and brownies that are simply not to be missed. Personal favorites include the Italian cream cake, red velvet cake and caramel brownies.

While you’re in town, check out World’s Fair Park, the site of the 1982 World’s Fair. It’s now home to the Knoxville Museum of Art, The Candy Factory, a playground called Fort Kid, and the fair’s iconic Sunsphere. History buffs might enjoy James White Fort, Confederate Memorial Hall, Armstrong-Lockett house or Blount Mansion. It may not be a hip metropolis, but you might be surprised at what you’ll find in good ol’ Rocky Top.

If you’ve never heard the term “meat and three,” you probably don’t spend a lot of time in the South. For the uninitiated, the label refers to a down-home restaurant that serves what some call “soul food” — a Southern-style meat dish with a choice of three vegetables. Typical choices include fried chicken, country fried steak, turnip greens, mashed potatoes and cornbread. Of course, you need to save room for homemade dessert.

One of the most delightful meat-and-threes is Miller’s Grocery, located about 30 minutes south of Nashville, in the tiny whistle-stop town of Christiana. For 75 years, Miller’s was an actual grocery store. In 1995, the building was restored and converted to a café, but it retained the look of a country store — and its original name, a tribute to longtime owner Stanley Miller. Antiques and collectibles line the walls. The worn wooden floors creak and the mismatched flea-market chairs squeak. Ah, now that’s ambience.

Smiling servers attend tables covered with checkered tablecloths, delivering heaping plates of catfish with hush puppies, fried pork chops, chicken and dressing, meatloaf, fried okra, pinto beans, coleslaw, and yes, even frog legs (a Miller’s specialty). Yet, the desserts may be the stars of the Miller’s menu. The cakes are moist and mouth-watering. Red velvet and caramel are my personal favorites, but Snickers cake is a real crowd-pleaser. And where else besides your family reunion can you get Mississippi Mud Cake? Other Southern classics like pecan pie, apple cobbler and banana pudding are just as irresistible.

For the full Miller’s experience, come in on Friday or Saturday night, when your meal is accompanied by live bluegrass, folk, country and Americana music. But make reservations — the room fills up fast. Same goes for the popular Sunday buffet, when you can sample several of Miller’s most popular dishes.

The first time I visited Miami, about a dozen years ago, I tracked down a famous Cuban restaurant called Versailles. I wasn’t a coffee drinker at the time, but somehow I was persuaded to try a cortadito, which is a small cup of espresso with milk and sugar. Pow!

I felt the same rush a few weeks ago in South Beach in Miami after a few cortaditos at David’s Cafe. These cute little cups will bring you back to life after a wild weekend. My hungry friends and I sampled the menu, but the runaway winner for lunch was the Cuban pork. The cafeteria next door is open 24/7, and so is the coffee window. All kinds of famous people have stopped into this family-owned eatery, judging by the wall of glossy 8×10’s.

We waddled down to the beach to ogle the super-fit joggers and rollerbladers, before we turned to admire the stylish Art Deco hotels. On the way to the outdoor market on Lincoln Street, we paused at Nexxt Café for oversized banana bread pudding, digging in as the pretty people sauntered by. I couldn’t believe how many adults were toting dogs, the way New Yorkers carry around their lattes. I wanted to window shop but I was too busy sidestepping terriers. A glamorous young woman was literally dragging her dog, and she scoffed at me when I pointed it out to her. At many of the outdoor restaurants, the pups had their own seats!

I don’t consider myself trendy, but chilling out in Miami Beach isn’t a bad way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon. On the way back to the airport for a late flight, I returned to Versailles for a box of flaky pastries – some with cheese, others with guava. Still recovering from the hearty lunch, I was able to resist eating the whole box. But if you had given me another cortadito, it would have been gone in one gulp.

I am not what you would call a breakfast enthusiast. Eggs, bacon, grits, even French toast piled high with heaps of syrup and butter do not appeal to my rather picky palate. In fact, nothing about breakfast makes my mouth water or my tummy rumble … until recently.

Pancake Pantry is a must when family and friends are visiting me in Nashville. However, I had never ventured out of my comfort zone to try the breakfast until now. Despite rave reviews and the droves of people wrapped around the building waiting in line, I’ve always been too nervous to order the breakfast. This time, I chose the sweet potato pancakes. Topped with cinnamon sugar and butter, I savored each and every bite. The flavors were skillfully blended to create a certain fluffy and rich, yet sweet taste. Don’t be discouraged if sweet potatoes are not your cup of tea. There are more than 20 different kinds of pancakes, from wild blueberry to orange walnut to Caribbean pancakes topped with bits of shredded coconut.

But you don’t have to take my word for it. Garth Brooks likes to frequent the Pantry and so does Lyle Lovett. When LeAnn Rimes has nothin’ better to do, she comes in for a hot bite to eat. Pancake Pantry owner David Baldwin says even Keith Urban often occupies a seat at one of his tables, but to his woe, only one seat. (He’s anxious to meet Nicole Kidman.)

For 47 years, Pancake Pantry has remained a staple of Nashville and for good reason. The delectable food is freshly prepared and the service is always friendly. Their hospitable atmosphere makes the customer feel as though they’re at a family gathering. Like their menu reads, “You are always welcome at our table.” I can proudly say the Pancake Pantry has converted this breakfast brooder to a flapjack fanatic.

See photos.