Blackberry Farm
When you catch a glimpse of the undulating white fence, you'll know you're almost there. And once you arrive, you may never want to leave.

Resting in the shadows of the Smoky Mountains in Walland, Tennessee, Blackberry Farm caters to the utter spoiling of its guests--in a good way.

"Wow," said my usually very verbal sweetie as our bags were whisked from our car, placed in a golf cart, and deposited with us inside our storybook cottage. A wood-burning fireplace awaited, as well as rocking chairs, which we had to try immediately. Not to mention the roses, champagne (or sparkling cider), and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

It only got better. Dinner in the Main House delivered more pampering in the guise of an indescribably tender Angus steak and an almond sorbet. A crackling fire in the cottage (plus enough pillows and lush linens to lull an insomniac into sublime oblivion) made dreams sweet, mine tempered only by the hiking and fly-fishing to come the next day. I needn't have worried.