Less than an hour flight from Charlotte, North Carolina is Roanoke, Virginia, where a welcome view of the Blue Ridge Mountains is the first sight upon landing in this 17th-century settlement spot of America’s first pioneers. From the airport, prepare for some mountain driving as you navigate through twists and turns that lead to the outskirts of Blacksburg en route to The Manor House at Beliveau Farm, and its winery.

Beliveau Farm

Owners Joyce and Ivan are the masterminds behind this destination in the mountains. They’ve been renovating and expanding since the early 2000s to create a treasure trove for peace and quiet.

Bonus: They have some really nice wines produced from rows of grapevines on-property.

Ivan’s engineering background and scientific mind worked on a strategy to utilize three blocks of specific soil-types on the 180-acre property to plant varietals such as Cabernet Franc, (silt), Syrah (gravel), and Merlot (clay). His role at Beliveau Farm is viticulturist and viniculturist, bottler, and tasting room attendant all at once, and the wines are worthy of a tasting experience while viewing the expanse of property – especially in June when rows of lavender are in full bloom and offer a restorative aroma to the experience of a stay.

Joyce takes the reins on the hospitality side of The Manor at Beliveau Farm, accommodating wedding parties and planning the outdoor annual lavender festival. She also hosts wine-tasting events at the on-site Sugar Shack, family reunions… and Virginia Tech families. Each room is unique; for instance, inside the Chocolat room is a two-person jetted hot tub with a complimentary jar of homemade lavender bubble bath. A deck is a step outside to view the land – and perhaps a black bear surveying the perimeter at dusk. A walk downstairs leads to a gift shop with homemade lavender products available for sale. Adjacent to the shop is where breakfast is served in a cozy dining room, but the option to dine outdoors on the adjacent deck – or at least to take your second cup of coffee, is worthwhile to absorb the beauty that surrounds. A day spent exploring Blacksburg or Salem is the best plan before heading back to Beliveau for a late afternoon wine and cheese tasting (with prior arrangement).

About a half hour away from Beliveau Farm, downtown Blacksburg is where the Virginia Tech campus is viewable from the window of 622 North, a restaurant with the best cheesy potato soup and meatloaf with broiled Brussels sprouts and smashed potatoes – a home-cooked meal vibe. The ambiance of several dining rooms and a pool table in a bar area speaks to both visitors and locals alike who head here. Another option for the day is to hike in the nearby woods on the Fallingwater Cascades Trail, or simply plan to stay at Beliveau Farm to explore the 180-acre property.

Salem is a destination known worldwide for its gallows where so-called witches were once hung in the 17th century. But, in the Roanoke region, this is Salem, Virginia, and its modest downtown is where shopping at Blue Moon Vintage Mercantile is a worthy stop, as is lunch at locals hangout Mac & Bob’s. Nothing spooky about this place.

Roanoke

Downtown Roanoke is another story. This city was built around the train tracks and is filled with history. You learn some of this history if you’re staying at The Liberty Trust hotel on South Jefferson Street. Formerly the First National Bank (1910), it is the most advanced fireproof structure in the city. The architectural style is French Renaissance with Beaux Arts design. To stand out even more, two of the original bank vaults remain intact; in fact, the vault in the lobby serves as a private event space and tasting room. Dinner is most interesting in The Vault, the hotel restaurant that serves Khachapuri, a Georgian (country of Georgia) cheesy bread with egg --- a popular shared dish. The cocktail menu is also worthy of an order – try the pineapple piña colada for a true treat.

During a stay at The Liberty Trust, you will most likely hear freight trains chug along any given moment day and night. Trains are a big part of Roanoke’s 1881 history, when it was a thriving rail hub. Today, lumber is still transported through Roanoke by freight train, and a visit to Roanoke isn’t complete without a bridge walk over the train tracks to Hotel Roanoke, where the Pine Room is a great stop for lunch. Built in 1882 by the Norfolk and Western Railroad, Hotel Roanoke was once a happening spot in the city, and it’s listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.

Downtown is the place to wander for shopping, a few museum stops –including the Taubman Museum of Art, which offers free admission, and the Roanoke Pinball Museum and neighboring Arcade -- a fun place to play on a rainy day. Know before you go: One admission price and no coins necessary to play as long as you’d like.

Come nightfall, the thing to do is gaze at the iconic Roanoke Star perched atop Mill Mountain. This star stands 88.5 feet tall and weighs 10,000 pounds. It’s been in this same spot since it was constructed in 1949 as a holiday decoration.

Tip: The rooftop of the Taubman Museum is a stellar spot to watch the star light up.

A day downtown begins with breakfast in the City Market Building at Scrambled, where visitors can mingle with locals within the community who regularly head to this breakfast eatery in the Market Street block. The blueberry pancake is a top contender among menu selections – and it’s a challenge to finish just one. Bread Craft on Church Street is another option that offers European pastries and an assortment of breads. Know before you go: The line to order is long, so plan to bring your patience, but the wait will be worth it in taste. Work off those calories on a brisk walk to the Taubman Museum of Art, a building designed by an architect apprentice of Frank Gehry.

Where to Shop, Dine, and Sip

She’s International has all things international gathered from its owner, a former flight attendant who collects clothing and accessories during her travels to Paris and Turkey. La De Da is a Bohemian shop worthy of a stop, and Chocolatepaper is a fun and tasty place to load up on “essentials.”

Roanoke is also home to a reality-TV celebrity, Mike Whiteside, the 11 seasons co-host of DIY Network’s “Salvage Dawgs.” He can be seen in-action at Black Dog Salvage, located in the historic Grandin Village. Adjacent to Black Dog Salvage is the Stone House filled with reimagined sustainability that adds character to this luxurious BnB. Behind Black Dog Salvage is an iconic sign that proves L-O-V-E is everywhere, even at a musician’s stage on the lawn across from the River Greenway/Vic Thomas Park, where bicyclists and joggers head for exercise among the wildflowers. Roanoke Mountain Adventures is a nearby shop where you can join a kayak excursion or rent a bike to explore the river and Greenway.

Walking around downtown all morning calls for a rest stop at one of the most unique wineries in the city. You don’t have to be on an actual vineyard to enjoy Well Hung Vineyard. Order the BBQ chicken flatbread for lunch and try one of the wine slushies served… if you’re not driving. Luckily, everything in the downtown area is walkable.

If spirits are calling, Brady’s Distillery is an interesting stop to see what’s new on the scene in Roanoke, including a tasting flight with Virginia distilled rye whiskey.

Stock Café Gallery at Fire Station One Boutique Hotel is a most interesting transformations of a former firehouse. The hotel is upstairs from the furniture showroom entrance – and at the back is where the restaurant’s open kitchen, bar, and table areas are ready to serve Nordic food plates on the menu. One must-order is a starter plate of Svamptoast with morel mushrooms and cream on grilled English toasting bread and a dollop of goat cheese and small dollops of smoked Trout roe.

Are you ready to Roanoke?

Charlene Peters is a travel writer and author of "Travel Makes Me Hungry."