I always enjoy Atlanta in mid August when there is a buzz around our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast. Parents are excited and nervous for their young adults to begin their new college life. Atlanta is honored to be home to ten institutes of higher learning.

The U.S. News and World Report just released their edition of America’s Best Colleges and Georgia Institute of Technology ranking was #7. They have been in the top ten for the past decade. Georgia Tech was founded in 1885 and officially opened in 1888 with 84 students. Now they have 20,000 students with a campus of over 400 acres in the heart of Midtown.  Their focus is on preparing students to solve world problems and improve life around the world.

One of the highlights of Georgia Tech’s vibrant campus life is the Ferst Center for the Arts. This state of the art facility serves to enhance the students educational experience and as a bridge to Georgia Tech’s neighboring communities. This years season opens on September 11th with Debbie Reynolds. I am excited about the upcoming performances of the  David Sanborn Trio on October 1st, Paula Poundstone on October 22nd and  Michael Bolton on October 28th, 2010.

The Georgia Tech Conference Center is located in the heart of Technology Square, a vibrant place with an array of activities, restaurants and shops.   It provides the perfect location for continuing education courses. If you are looking for that perfect Georgia Tech souvenir be sure and stroll over to the Barnes and Noble campus bookstore.

For all you Yellow Jacket Fans, I am hoping for a Great Football Season. The Jackets have been ranked 17th by the Coaches Pre-season poll this year. Be sure and save October 9th on your calendar for Homecoming, Georgia Tech will play Virginia. It should be a good game. As you know the most important game of the season is the Georgia Tech vs Georgia game on November 27th , 2010 in Athens.  When the coin is tossed on the field, Ed and I will be cheering for his almamater and just happy we are here to see another game and visit with friends.

On September 24th and 25th, Georgia Tech will host the annual Family Weekend. This is a great time to visit and marvel to yourself what a great job you did preparing your daughter or son for campus life.  Take an afternoon for yourself and head over to the High Museum of Art to view the Salvador Dali:  “The Late Work” exhibit.   See you in September!

I cannot believe I am writing about the High Museum of Art at the Woodruff Arts Center so soon after “The Allure of the Automobile” exhibit. The High Museum of Art has once again amazed me with the opening of “Dali: The Late Work”. The High Museum will be the sole venue for this exhibit. You have plenty of time to plan your trip to Atlanta, as this exhibit is open until January 9th, 2011. “Salvador Dali: The Late Work” showcases his works from 1940 thru 1983.

There are over 100 pieces of work, including films, sculptures, photographs and 40 Salvador Dali paintings divided among six galleries. Some of my favorite pieces are “Christ of St. John of the Cross”, “Santiago El Grande” and lastly “Assumpta Corpuscularia Lapislazulina”.

As you stroll thru the first gallery you will view a selection of vintage photographs that were done in collaboration with photographer Phillippe Halsman. Salvador Dali reinvented himself in the 1940′s exploring art through science, psychology and religion. His art and personality were larger than life. As you continue thru the other galleries you will have a better understanding of Salvador Dali’s development beyond surrealism.

The final gallery traces his work in illustration, fashion and theatre with artists of the 1960′s and 1970′s such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and William de Kooning.

In conjunction with this exhibit the High Museum of Art is featuring a selection of Surrealist classic films such as Un Chien Andalou, Destino and Spellbound.

On your next visit to Atlanta be sure and treat yourself to an afternoon at the High Museum of Art to explore this once in a lifetime exhibit.

Shellmont Inn is featured in the June,2010 issue of North Georgia Living Magazine

We are thrilled that our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast was featured in North Georgia Living Magazine’s June Issue, titled “Just for Two” article.You can click on this link to view the article Just For Two As many of our previous wedding and honeymoon couples know, June is the favored month for weddings and anniversary celebrations. Garden Weddings with all of our fragrantly scented flowers and trees abound and signal the start of a new beginning and making wonderful memories.

Many of our guests are surprised to learn that Shellmont was built by Dr. Perrin Nicholson as a wedding present for his bride. It was described in the Atlanta Journal Constitution as ” the wedding of the south”, with the most eligible bachelor marrying the popular and beautiful socialite, Elizabeth Crane. One of the inns highlights is the ornately carved staircase, framed by a two story set of five panels of Tiffany Stained Glass and the foliated wedding bell at the bottom of the staircase.

So when planning your next romantic getaway visit to Atlanta remember Midtown has wonderful restaurants with-in walking distance of our inn. Unique attractions to get lost in such as the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, The High Museum of Art, Piedmont Park and the Georgia Aquarium. Or, if you are like Ed and I, just sit back on one of our verandas and listen to softly playing music with water cascading in the ponds as hummingbirds cruise the gardens and watch the world go by.

Imagine yourself here on Shellmont's Rear Veranda

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

One of our favorite date nights out away from our bed and breakfast in Atlanta is to walk up Peachtree Street from the Fox Theatre to the Woodruff Arts Center.  Along bustling Peachtree Street you will pass some of our favorite restaurants, Baraonda Caffe Italiano, the Bakeshop, Oceanaire Seafood Room and TAP.  TAP is a great place to sit outside and people watch.

At the Woodruff Arts Center you will find the Alliance Theatre, the High Museum of Art and the Atlanta Symphony.  The Atlanta Symphony  is celebrating 65 years of dazzling music making.  It is the foundation of artistic excellence in Midtown.  They have produced 6 recordings with Grammy awards.  This cultural and artistic fabric is the face of Atlanta.

For the last 9 years Robert Spano, the Music Director, has invigorated and expanded the Orchestra’s repertoire and is recognized internationally as one of the most imaginative conductors.  A few of the effects he may use are film and images synchronized with music, art installation, lighting effects and staged performances.

During his tenure Mr. Spano and the Atlanta Symphony have performed over 100 contemporary works, 13 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra commissioned world premieres and 3 additional world premiers.

Parterning with Mr. Robert Spano in leading the Atlanta Symphony is Principal Guest Conductor,  Mr. Donald Runnicles.  Conductor Donald Runnicles is well-known for his opera and symphonic repertoire.  Together they have created a bond with the musicians and the community.

A few of our favorite upcoming Atlanta Events are:

• March 27th, 2010 – Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchesta
• April 8th-10th, 2010 – All Tchaikovsky, All Powerful
• April 30th-May 1st, 2010 – On Broadway with Marvin Hamlisch
• May 13th-May 16th, 2010-Love Blooms: Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto No. 2
• May 20th-May 22nd, 201-Beethoven’s 5th Symphony

The much anticipated 40th Annual Decorators Show House opens on April 17th. til May 19th, 2010.  This Atlanta Symphony fundraiser features a house in the prestige area of Buckhead that  interior designers decorate and open to the public.  They also have a gift store and cafe.

On your next visit to Atlanta between an Atlanta Braves game and a visit to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, don’t forget to immerse yourself in music with an evening at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

The Allure of the Automobile, High Museum, Atlanta, Photo by Peter Harholdt

The High Museum of Art in the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta is presenting “The Allure of the Automobile”, March 21st. thru June 20th., 2010.  This exhibit is located just blocks from our Atlanta bed and breakfast inn.

Anyone who has dreamed of  luxury automobiles with meticulous craftsmanship, including inlaid wood and state of the art engineering, must see this exhibit which is Lead Corporate sponsored by Porsche Cars North America.
Eighteen of the world’s rarest automobiles from 1930 thru 1965 will create a rolling sculpture showcasing masterpieces by Bugatti, Duesenberg, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Ferrari.

These state of the art automobiles were custom built for the privileged and are embodied with speed, style and elegance.  They influenced the art, architecture, fashion and design of the United States and Europe from before World War II until the mid 1960′s.  The exhibit highlights the advances in automobile engineering and design and the contrasts between European and American designs.

Featured cars have won world events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, broken records on racetracks and have been owned by car enthusiasts legends Clark Gable and Steve McQueen.

Be sure not to miss the 1933 Pierce Arrow, 1953 Porsche 550 and the 1959 Chevrolet Corvette as these are a few of our favorite cars.  We look forward to seeing you at this Atlanta Event.

Plan a romantic evening during the busy holiday season

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Sounds great, but there is just too much to do in the next few weeks…” The beauty of this getaway, however, is that you can accomplish your holiday shopping while taking time for yourselves. Atlanta has hundreds of shops, from the finest international companies to small, one-of-a-kind boutiques.

Or take a break from shopping and spend a couple of hours at one of the many museums in Atlanta; enjoy the Van Gogh exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, or learn about the genius of Leonardo Da Vinci at the extraordinary High Museum of Art. You can treat yourselves and then shop for others at the museum stores.

Atlanta boutique hotels were made for romance, and perhaps this is the greatest gift you can give to one another. Take time to slow down and appreciate each other this holiday season, whether this is your first Christmas together or your fiftieth. Let us cook you a delicious breakfast while you sleep in. Sink into a whirlpool bath large enough for two and soak your sore feet after being on them all day. Restore yourselves. There is no greater gift.

Horseman Fighting a dragon by Leonardo da Vinci

Most people think of Leonardo da Vinci as a inventor, painter and artist but rarely as a sculptor. But secretly, Leonardo aspired to be a sculptor and many of his drawings were intended to be utilized as prototypes for sculptures. Fortunately, the Atlanta High Museum of Art is hosting the exhibit entitled “Leonardo da Vinci: The Hand of the Genius” from now thru February 21st. The exhibit highlights the artists contributions to the Renaissance era of sculpture thru over 20 studies and sketches, some of which have never been viewed by the public. Also included in the exhibit are works of Rubens, Donatello, Rustici and Verrocchio, Leonardo’s teacher. One of Verrocchio’s best known works “Beheading of St. John the Baptist” is also on display.  But best of all, the High is located only blocks from the Shellmont Inn, a bed and breakfast in Atlanta. What better time to visit Atlanta than early fall when leaves are changing, temps are cooling, seaonal shopping for the holidays is in full swing and art is front and center stage. And when you are looking for the b&b Atlanta experience, come stay with the best! For more info and tickets for Leonardo, call 404-733-4444 or contact the Atlanta High Museum of Art.