Visit Up North Blog » Girls’ Weekends

Old Mission Peninsula Beautiful home in private setting near wineries

visitupnorth — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:39:18 +0000

When you enter this home you will be welcomed by the sound of water trickling down a waterfall stream. Around the corner are soaring ceilings with gentle light filtering through the expansive great room/living room. Sit and relax in the comfort of this peaceful home and relax in luxury. The Aloha house is for that discerning guest that wants the best and values their privacy. Located in a wooded setting, the loft offers pocket views of the Bay and sits above one of this areas premier wineries. The gourmet kitchen is fully stocked for preparing meals or mixing cocktails. If part of your vacation involves work, a convenient work station is located in the great room area with internet access.

This 5 bedroom 3.5 bath home sleeps up to 11 guests with a spectacular master bedroom with King bed and a spa bath/shower that is not to be missed. Sink into the jetted tub for two and relax after a hard day of play and enjoy the 2 sided fireplace. Large walk in shower also provided. 2 additional main floor bedrooms with King & Full. Half bath features a Peruvian butterfly collection set into the window. 2 bedrooms with King and Queen and bath are located on the lower level walkout.

For evening dining, an enclosed lanai makes for a fun area to eat and drink. Turn up the gas tiki lights and sit around the firepit and make some memories with your family and friends. Upper lanai boasts views of the bay and the winery. Lower level has separate entrance with an additional lanai in the woods. Cable/DVD/Internet. Central Air Cond., High efficiency Washer/Dryer, Dishwasher, gas fireplace, central vacuum. Linens are included. Small pet considered. No Smoking. Sun-Sun. PRIME SUMMER WEEKLY ONLY(more photos to come soon!)

Old Mission Peninsula is host to many of the best wineries in the state. Situated on east and west bay enjoy spectacular views as you tour this beautiful location. 15 miles to downtown Traverse City. Enjoy summer fesitvals, tallships on the Bay, great shopping, dining and so much more. Quaint farmer markets and road side stands offer local bounty of tasty treats. This is a not to be missed location!
Old Mission Peninsula included in “Top 10 for ‘10″ Travel Destinations Posted: 1/8/2010 A Grand Traverse County gem is being recognized as one of the top travel destinations in the world. The Chicago Sun-Times recently named Old Mission Peninsula as one of the “Top 10 for ‘10″ to visit. The article calls it the “Nearby Napa”. The reporter notes the area is spectacular to take a bike ride from vineyard to vineyard. “(Old Mission Peninsula is) up there with Bavaria in Germany and Hong Kong and South Korea, so it’s really a recognition off a world class destination, which, of course, we are,” Marie-Chantal Dalese, marketing director for Chateau Chantal, said. The Chicago Sun-Times also ran an article this summer, calling the area “Michigan’s Grape Escape” for cyclists to visit the vineyards and wineries.

PHOTO CONTEST Enter and win a mini vacation getaway

visitupnorth — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:28:42 +0000

Photo Contest 2010
Visit Up North Vacation Rentals Summer Photo Contest!
Submit photos by emailing them to: april@visitupnorth.com

GUIDELINES:

• Photos must be taken at a Visit Up North Vacation Rental only, or in the immediate surrounding area of the rental
• You can submit as many photos as you’d like, but please note that not all may be posted. Please keep photos under 2MB each.
• Some ideas for photos are:
o Family Vacations & Family Reunions
o Retirees enjoying retired life at our rentals
o Holidays and celebrations spent at our rentals
o Romantic Getaways
o Girls Getaways
o Fishing trips
o Recreational Retreats
We will accept submissions until August 31, 2010. The staff at Visit Up North Vacation Rentals will choose and announce a winner September 4, 2010, Please read all terms and conditions below.

The Grand prize winner will receive a FREE 3 night stay at one of our cottages or condos at the discretion of Visit Up North Vacation Rentals anytime between September 7, 2010 – June 15, 2011. No other specials apply. Winner will be announced on our website as well as via email.

Photos that are submitted become the property of Visit Up North Vacation Rentals. LLC. Photos will be used exclusively for the use of Visit Up North website, advertising and blog. There is no monetary value to this contest.

Traverse City Wine & Art Festival August 21 2010 Food Fun Wine you do not want to miss this

visitupnorth — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:44:42 +0000

The Traverse City Wine & Art Festival is a celebration of the wine and culture of the Traverse City region. The event features the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula and Traverse City paired with the spectacular array of arts this area is home to.
Wineries from the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas and Traverse City will be pouring red & white wines and hard cider. We will offer full glass pours this year we will expand our offerings of one ticket wines. We will also have tasting tickets for sale to encourage attendees to taste a bit more of what our region has to offer.

Art Center Traverse City, Crystal Lake Art Center and The Leelanau Community Cultural Center in Leland have joined forces with the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival to feature the work of over 60 renowned regional artists for show and sale.

Lots of tasty food featured by 10 local restaurants that will feature their cuisine for additional purchase at the festival.

Music music music we love it!

Larry McCray –Legendary Michigan blues musician.

May Erlewine and Seth Bernard – renowned Michigan-based folk artists.

Greg Nagy – Michigan blues phenom.

Song of the Lakes Trio – Great Lakes world music.

Where to get tickets

Tickets are available for purchase through http://traversecitywinefestival.com/tickets/
and at participating wineries.(see below) Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. You may also wish to view Lodging Packages offered by area hotels, motels, resorts and rental companies. Each tickets includes:

Entry to the festival, music and entertainment for the duration, your commemorative wine glass and 2 full glass wine tickets. Once again we will offer 2 and 3 ticket premium wines, and we will expand our offering of single glass wines in 2010.

Tickets ordered for the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival will NOT be shipped. All tickets ordered online are to be picked up at will call on the day of the event. While tickets for all of our events are non-refundable we can transfer them into another name. Just notify us with the original purchasers name and the name that they will be picked up under.

Particapating Wineries
Bel Lago Vineyard & Winery, Black Star Farms (Leelanau, Old Mission & Tastes locations), Chateau Chantal, Chateau Fontaine, Cherry Republic Winery, Ciccone Vineyard & Winery, Circa Estate Winery, Gill’s Pier Vineyard & Winery, L. Mawby, Leelanau Wine Cellars, Shady Lane Cellars and Willow Vineyard.

We look forward to seeing you at the festival. Need a place to stay? Visit Up North VR offers specials for this event. Give us a call at 800-901-8922 for details.

Old Mission Peninsula Come and visit the Quilt Barns of Old Mission Peninsula

visitupnorth — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:41:58 +0000

What a great way to spend an afternoon. Visit these local treasure that dot Old Mission Peninsula located off of the base of Traverse City. Need a place to stay while visiting? Give Visit Up North Vacation Rentals a call. We can assist you in locating a perfect weekend or weekly getaway. 800-901-8922.

Quilt Barn Trail

1) The Gray/Springer quilt barn At 1378 Gray Rd. was built in 1904. The pattern design was created by Emily Gray Kohler and depicts agriculture with the sun, water, and rolling fields, showing contour plowing the Gray family pioneered.

2) The Feiger Quilt Barn is on 2513 Nelson Rd. Turn West at Walt’s Antique Sign. The 1910 original barn is now an antique shop. With a love of antiques in the Civil War the Feigers chose the Tulip pattern with soft colors.

3) The Lehto’s 1912 barn is on 15793 Smokey Hollow Rd. The barn was built In 1912. Suzanne designed the quilt to express who they are. The symbol at the top shows their Christian faith. The American flag, their pride of citizenship, the Finnish flag, their heritage, and the I&H for International Harvester, as in Tractor. Carl feels he is a farmer at heart.

4) The Krupka little red barn on Smokey Hollow is likely 100 years old. The crazy Quilt pattern show the Eucharist in the middle, the five stars represent their
children. The three fruits are what they grow, and the palm tree is the Logo for Fran’s clothing business. View it up close to see the lovely painted decorative stitching.

5) Brenden Keenan and wife, Teri Gray, 3997 Swaney Rd, have a small square mounted on their pole building. The pattern is from an actual 1940’s quilt,
Teri’s Great-grandmother made. It took 30 colors and 40 hours of work to make this square. Now the antique quilt is preserved in paint.

6) The Chown barn, 2877 Old Mission Rd.,was built in 1870 by the Marshall family. It is a landmark farm. The quilt square, a modified Bear Paw pattern, was taken from a quilt made by Becky’s greatgrandmother and her sister-in-law. The barn quilt serves as a poignant reminder of the treasured aspect of the families’ collective heritage.

7) The 1920 barn and farmland at 3068 Kroupa Rd was owned by the Kniss family until it was purchased in 2004 by O’Keefe’s Grand Traverse Chateau. Where once it was a a cherry orchard, it now grows grapes. Sean O’Keefe says it reminds him of the starlings that fly about the vineyard very fall.

Dean and Laura Johnson’s 1909 barn faces Center Rd, but their address is 3464 Kroupa Rd. You will see horses grazing out front of the barn, but the quilt square is on the south side. DON’T miss it! Traveling South on Center Rd. look back to see Laura’s stunning North Star.

9) Driving south on Center Rd., shortly before you come to Mapleton, round the curve and there, snug to the road, is a red saltbox barn. Built in 1880. Walter and Mary Johnson were cherry farmers, and the quilt square designed By Terilee Johnson depicts this with a
windmill design around the cherries as this is indeed
a windy hill, once called Crescent Hill.

10) The Miller barn, 12026 Peninsula Dr. overlooks
West Bay. The barn is over 100 years old and the foundation was built from rocks taken off the farmland, and the barn built from timber cut on the land. Shirley chose the pattern Arrowhead for its bright, cheerful colors.
http://www.barnsofoldmission.com/

5 reasons to Take a Girls trip & Visit Up North-Traverse City

visitupnorth — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:36:57 +0000

For a fun filled weekend head to Traverse City-the city by the Bay! This welcoming waterfront community has it all. 5 reasons to go now:

You want to reconnect with nature

For those looking to escape the bustle of busy city life, this area boasts wide open spaces of lush areas of natural beauty, big blue water, twinkling starry nights and cool fresh air. Climb the Sleeping Bear Dune, hike the Boardman River natural area, rent a bike and tour on the Tart Trail. These are just a few of the opportunities to reconnect with nature. At the end of the day you will feel relaxed, stress free ready for the next exciting adventure.

Explore your artistic side

The Traverse City and surrounding area is home to more than 35 art galleries. Featuring local and national artists you will be more than inspired by the creative force that lives in this community. Art festivals are featured at different times of the year in each small waterfront village thru the fall months. Need to be even more inspired? Take one of the many one and two day art workshops. Visit www.artcentertraversecity.com for more information.

You want to drink wine

Traverse City & the surrounding area are home to 24 wineries and counting. The wines of this area are rivaling some of the countries most tasteful wines. You will not be disappointed and surely will bring home a bottle or two of one of the many delicious wines. Start your wine journey on Old Mission Peninsula. Currently hosting 7 wineries make sure to visit them all. 2 Lads Winery, Chateau Chantal, Bowers Harbor and Peninsula Cellars to name a few. Enjoy free tours and tastings!

After your tour of Old Mission travel over to Leelanau Peninsula. Here you will enjoy 17 wineries. Also offering free tours and tastings you will not be disappointed when sampling the tasty nectar of the vines. Your tour takes you along the M-22 corridor along Grand Traverse Bay. Your first stop heading north will be Shady Lanes Winery featuring excellent reislings and chardonnays. Right down the road visit Willow Vineyards, Ciccone Wineries (yes Madonnas Dad owns this) L.Mawby, Chateau Leelanau and Black Star Farms. Continue north to visit the 12 other wineries waiting for your visit.

Unleash you wild side

After enjoying all the day time fun it is time to put on your party shoes and enjoy a little night life. Park you car downtown and walk to the many venues that offer something different behind every door. North Peak Brewery offers casual dining and micro brews. Favored by many locals the weekend finds standing room only but is worth the wait. Union Street Station & Shimmers offer music and dancing. Lil Bo’s and Mackinaw Brewery also offer a little local flare to hang out and meet a new friend. Check local listings to see where live music and specials are in this great town.

Indulge yourself

All this fun starts to sound like work! Treat yourself to some local treats of heavenly chocolate confections at Phils on Front (great drink specials too) or Jacque Torres Chocolates (goes great with all that wine you purchased) also downtown Traverse City on Front St. Enjoy local spa services or have them come straight to you at your location. See local guides for details. Visit Up North Vacation Rentals Cottages and Condos has a perfect place for you to stay. Relax in front of a fireplace looking over one of the beautiful lakes this area enjoys. No matter which way you look at it this is a perfect location to get away for a few days with friends.

So many reasons to visit Glen Arbor Traverse City Suttons Bay Lake Michigan this winter

visitupnorth — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:26:14 +0000

Here in Leelanau County “lake effect” is often heard. This is produced by temperature differences above the open water and the shoreline. Locals don’t go into hiding when winter strikes though. Instead, they bundle up and play hard and welcome visitors to do the same. Make your own memories. Check out a few reasons to Visit Up North. This is also a great time to save on lodging. Off peak rates apply so the savings are terrific. Call today and let us help you plan a winter retreat. 800-901-8922.

Gallery Hop

This area boasts many top notch galleries featuring local and national artists. More than 50 galleries dot this area.

Snowshoe
This area is a wonderland for winter activities. Snowshoe the Sleeping Bear Dunes Empire, Houdek Dunes in Leland or the Leelanau Trail that takes you from Suttons Bay to Traverse City on marked trails.

Drink Wine

This mini Napa area has some of the tastiest white wines and fascinating reds in the country. With more than 25 wineries to choose from you will need more than a day to visit them all.

Catch a movie

The now restored State Theatre in downtown Traverse City is a treat all on it’s own. Featuring classic to Indie films, a family friendly setting and the most dazzling ceiling of fiber optics that mimic our Northern sky, it is not to be missed.

Eat a fireside breakfast in bed

Guests at Visit Up North Vacation Rentals, can turn on a gas fireplace, curl up in a heavy duvet and enjoy some local treats. Strong, hot coffee from Higher Grounds goes down easily with a scone from Potters Bakery. Outside, the sky fades from pink to blue above the ice-shrouded Lake Michigan. Ahhh Michigan.