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Only in Asheville: Book Shows Off Quirky Town

By Marla Milling Nov 3, 2015 10:16 AM

book cover — Image used with permission by copyright holder

A statue cat dressed in a knit shawl? It’s a pretty ordinary sight for a town that’s built a reputation on being weird, quirky and eccentric. Asheville, N.C. is getting a lot of fame these days as a place immersed in natural beauty and unique enough to be on just about every top 10 list in the country.

Another frequent sight: a man dressed in drag as a nun may be one of Asheville, North Carolina’s most memorable characters. Jim Lauzon, owner of the LaZoom Bus Tours often entertains passengers with his role as “Sister Bad Habit.” He’s one of the interesting people recently chronicled in the new book, Only in Asheville: An Eclectic History. Read the first chapter free .

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Asheville, North Carolina, located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains has a somewhat magical lure—some say the area is in a vortex, perhaps energized by all the quartz in the mountains. It’s garnered attention from the ultra wealthy, like George Vanderbilt who constructed a magnificent palace here in the late 1800s. Biltmore House remains America’s largest private residence. It’s also a draw for artists, craftspeople, musicians, buskers, craft breweries and top chefs.

Frommer’s named Asheville a Best Place to Go in 2015; Travel & Leisure named it the “Quirkiest Town in America” in 2014 and countless others have touted Asheville on just about every Top 10 list in the country.

Asheville is surprisingly tolerant with its vast diversity, and draws appreciation with its overflowing community of craft breweries, inspiring vintage architecture and Southern charm. It’s a place where the unexpected is expected, where sights that would make other towns gasp only creates chuckles and an exclamation of “Only in Asheville!”

The History Press debuted Only in Asheville: An Eclectic History this month and it reveals the history that led Asheville to becoming one of the strangest, weirdest, most delightful places on the planet. You can buy it online by clicking the Paypal button at the bottom of this link.

Photo of the Man in White living statue by Marla Milling.

Marla Hardee Milling is a full-time freelance writer living in a place often called the Paris of the South, Sante Fe of the… Read Full Bio

These 2026 island getaways are surging in popularity right now

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Expedia just released its latest set of data: The 2026 Island Hot List, a trending list that compiles the emerging islands travelers are searching for before they become the next big thing. According to the newExpedia data, interest in these rising island destinations is up 55% on average year-over-year, while social media mentions have climbed 20% as travelers look for new experiences, better value, and fewer crowds. If you ask me, this is pretty surprising to hear it’s up 55%, especially when I thought islands were already one of the most popular year-round travel destinations.

Ranked #1 on Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List is St. Lucia, an island I first fell in love with back in 2023 when I went on my honeymoon there. Once you visit here, it’s pretty easy to see why it’s ranked the best for romantic escapes. This destination has been a popular spot for anniversary and honeymoon trips for a long time now — and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down. As travelers move beyond crowded Caribbean hotspots, many are willing to take the extra trek to destinations like St. Lucia for it’s dramatic scenery, romantic resort options like Sugar Beach, and soft adventure focus.

Six Senses Rome is a peaceful retreat in a beautifully chaotic city

the lobby at Six Senses Rome

Rome is one of the most visited cities in Europe, and by all accounts, it gets crowded. But considering that it’s one of the world’s most important epicenters for history, culture, food and architecture, we can forgive the crowds. After all, complaining about tourism when you’re a tourist is not the way. But booking yourself a peaceful respite to start and end each day most certainly is.

I chose Six Senses Rome as my home base during a recent four-day trip to the city. The property opened in 2023 in the restored 15th-century Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini. The historic building sets the tone before you even check in, with restored 600-year-old columns in the main entrance, pale travertine floors, a light-dappled lobby overflowing with greenery, and a massive marble staircase that’s almost comically regal. And its neighbor is the gorgeous San Marcello al Corso Church—so you can start your sightseeing by literally going next door.

5 Tips If You’re Traveling With Cigars: I Learned No. 2 the Hard Way

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Traveling with cigars can be challenging if you’re not prepared. The lack of preparation can lead to your favorite cigars getting smashed from inadequate storage, or they can peel because they weren’t kept at the proper temperature, among other issues. Sometimes you do all the right things, and still come away shaking your head.

I’ve been smoking cigars for two decades now, and it’s not beneath me to admit that I’ve made plenty of cigar travel mistakes in that span, and as recently as two weeks ago. You live, you learn, and hope you don’t waste a stogie on the next trip. My most recent cigar travel mistake is what inspired me to share these tips. Sure, there are plenty of articles out there offering similar advice. But this list comes from a cigar smoker and writer who has visited six countries and about a dozen states in the last year alone. And in that time, mistakes were made, and lessons were learned.