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My New Kentucky Home
by Paris Permenter & John Bigley
Many Northeast travelers know busy I-75 as the north-south corridor
that winds its way to sunny Florida. What many of those vacationers may
not know is that this famous highway travels through the town of
Williamsburg. No, not Williamsburg, Virginia, but a far quieter getaway
with a true country atmosphere: Williamsburg, Kentucky.
Nicknamed the
“Gateway to the Cumberlands,” this small town is an easy stop for
travelers on I-75. Just seconds from the highways stands a property well
known among romantic travelers: the Cumberland Inn (800-315-0286,
www.cumberlandinn.com).
Operated by Cumberland College and largely staffed by students, the
brick inn stands in regal colonial style. Five suites are a favorite
with lovers, who often pick the inn’s expansive foyer as a wedding site.
Beneath a painted dome, brides can make their entrance down the grand
staircase, which has also served as the backdrop for many wedding
photos. About 18 couples a year make the foyer a setting for their
wedding, witnessed by as many as 250 family and friends in the
 white-tiled
setting.
Steps away from the foyer, the inn’s Athenaeum Restaurant is a favorite
for receptions. Filled with leather bound books, the quiet atmosphere of
the restaurant is also an excellent choice for a romantic dinner.
Located in a dry county, the inn does not serve alcohol and no alcohol
is permitted at the inn. Many wedding receptions opt for local favorite
dishes such as the Kentucky Hot Brown, an entree which originated in
Louisville, centered around the Kentucky Derby.
Along with foyer weddings, the inn also offers a conference center for
up to 200 wedding guests. Weddings at the Cumberland Inn often involve
“open invitations,” a Kentucky custom that, with an announcement in the
local newspaper, invites anyone in the community to attend the wedding
and the reception. With that welcoming spirit, many of the couples opt
to keep the lobby open during their ceremony while others choose to have
the space closed to the public.
The inn has grown in popularity as a romantic destination with
travelers. “We’re finding people are looking for a rural experience--a
flight to safety,” notes General Manager Steve Morris. “This is a very
down to earth community.”
From Williamsburg, couples can explore the region including the
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, home to the falls called “the
Niagara Falls of the South,” the historic coal mining towns near
Stearns, or the houseboating options and state resort parks which make
the perfect summer getaway.
For more on Williamsburg, Kentucky, contact the Southern and Eastern
Kentucky Tourism Development Association,
www.tourseky.com, 877-TOUR-SEKY.
Paris Permenter & John Bigley are founders of
www.LoveTripper.com - a
romantic travel site featuring getaways of special interest to lovers in
search of a honeymoon, a destination wedding, or a weekend away.
MORE ROMANTIC
GETAWAYS
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