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Everyone’s feeling the economic pinch these days. At Mountain Laurel Chalets, your family is our company, and we want to help you find creative ways to vacation and create lasting memories in plentiful times and leaner times alike. Hard seasons come and go, and this too shall pass; in the meantime, we’re here to help you make the most of your vacation dollars and cents.
FIVE WAYS TO CONTINUE VACATIONING WHEN MONEY’S TIGHT
1. PAY ATTENTION TO DISCOUNTS AND WAYS TO SAVE. Did you know that at Mountain Laurel Chalets, we offer a 10% military discount that’s valid 365 days a year? We also routinely offer various specials. Our current special offers BIG savings if you’re willing to make a trip during the winter months. We are offering a “stay two nights, get the third at 50% -OR- stay 3 nights, get the fourth free” discount for all new January and February 2023 bookings. The awesome thing about Gatlinburg is that there’s always something fun to do, especially in the colder months. We recently highlighted several winter activity options that might entice you to schedule an early 2023 visit.
2. SPLIT THE COST. Vacationing alone is great, but vacationing with friends is even better! Not only does it result in intentional quality time with those you hold dear, it also allows you to share the financial load with others. When travel costs can be split between families, it greatly reduces the hit to your wallet, freeing up funds so you can enjoy a vacation with less financial stress. At Mountain Laurel Chalets, we offer a large variety of homes that are spacious enough for multiple families to stay comfortably together. And let’s be honest—slumber parties are the best!
3. EAT IN. Eating out for every meal while traveling gets quite pricey; eating a portion of meals at home can result in a less expensive vacation. All of our homes offer fully equipped kitchens, and cooking with friends and family in vacation mode is way more fun than frantically trying to throw meals together like we often do in the hustle-and-bustle pace of normal life. If you vacation with friends, try splitting up the meals between families and assigning fun theme dinners for each night. You’ll cook less, save money, exercise creativity, and eat like a king or queen in the process!
4. GET OUTSIDE. Mountain Laurel Chalets homes are positioned directly next door to one of the world’s greatest playgrounds: the Great Smoky Mountains! Ditch the expensive outings and opt for a hike, picnic, or scenic drive.
- Hiking: Take the Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte and experience one of the best hikes the southeastern U.S. has to offer. This trail delivers on all the best things about hiking: beautiful creeks, gorgeous foliage, cliffside climbing, and unparalleled panoramic views. It’s a tough hike, but when you summit Mount LeConte (at 6593 feet) you’ll be rewarded with views that make it all worthwhile. For a slightly less difficult endeavor, consider the five mile (roundtrip) hike to Abrams Falls, or the almost five-mile trek to Rainbow Falls, aptly named for the rainbow that can be seen there through the mist on sunny afternoons.
- Picnics: If you’re feeling more R&R than cardio, pack a picnic and make your way to Cades Cove for lunch and some exploration. Cades Cove is the most popular destination within the national park, well known for its serene pastures, wildflowers in spring and summer, waterfalls, rivers, historic buildings, and wildlife (you very well might luck out and experience a black bear sighting here). There are also several great hikes that depart from this area.
- Scenic Drives: Maybe you’re a lover of scenic drives; who doesn’t love a windows-down and radio-up type road trip? No agenda or tight timeline to keep, just a meandering adventure with the express goal of taking in the beauty of creation. Be sure to check out the overlooks at Newfound Gap and Clingmans Dome (the highest point in TN); both require a short hike for the best views, but it is totally worth it. You can see seven (yes, SEVEN) states from Clingmans Dome (Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama). There are beautiful driving routes all over the area, but if you want to keep it simple, go straight through the National Park, stopping at the various scenic viewpoints to take in the glory of the Smokies.
5. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF XPLORIE SAVINGS. Did you know that when you stay at a Mountain Laurel Chalets property, you receive free tickets to local attractions around Gatlinburg and Pigeon for every single day of your stay? This is made possible through our partnership with an incredible guest concierge service called Xplorie. Once you book a home with us, you can connect with a guest concierge who will help you arrange your free tickets and book any additional tickets you might need for other members of your party (at no additional cost to you). Attractions include Dollywood, Dollywood Splash Country, Anakeesta, Gatlinburg SkyLift, and many more. There are over 20 attractions available in all, and you receive a free ticket to each for every day of your stay. This service offers an over $700 value per day and will most definitely help you have some fun while also saving money. We think you’ll love this program as much as we do! To find out more, visit www.xplorie.com/fun/laurel.
We hope these money-saving tips remind you that vacationing is still possible when purse strings are pulled a little tighter. We can and should continue to create opportunities to let loose, have a little fun, experience a change in scenery, and build lasting memories. Vacations provide us with a brief respite from reality, recharging our mental and emotional batteries so we can once again conquer everyday life. Come vacation with us in Gatlinburg and experience the Mountain Laurel Chalets difference. Allow us to help you and your loved ones refuel; after all, we exist to serve you! Your family is our company, and we can’t wait to see you in 2023!
