Ignite the romance with A Ride to Remember inspired by Nicholas Sparks
Gentlemen, here’s your opportunity to ignite the romance with a unique experience inspired by Nicholas Sparks. He’s known for featuring the quaint towns dotting North Carolina’s beautiful coast as settings for his beloved bestselling novels and Beaufort is no exception.
A Ride to Remember features places in Beaufort that were inspired by Nicholas Sparks and referenced in his books, “The Choice” and “A Walk to Remember.” The tour serves as a memorable way for people to get to know Beaufort, as visitors take in the unique setting for the story of each novel.
You’ll take a leisurely bicycle ride through the tree-lined streets historic as your guide tells you about Beaufort’s past. Then, you will relax and enjoy lunch at Beaufort Grocery Company, one of the region’s most renowned dining establishments. You’ll choose your entrée from several lunch features on their restaurant menu. Plus, you’ll enjoy one of Wendy’s fabulous desserts.
Located in Beaufort’s historic district, Beaufort Grocery Company brings subtle grace and charm reminiscent of a French country bistro to the local scene.
Charles Park, C.E.C., a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, a member of the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs™, and his wife Wendy, established the restaurant in 1991 on the site of the old Owens Grocery Store. Charles serves as Executive Chef of the establishment, while Wendy manages the front of the house and doubles as Pastry Chef.
The guided tour includes your guide, bike rental, lunch, and dessert costs $69 per person and is available Monday, plus Wednesday thru Saturday during the month of February. (Not available on Tuesdays)
Sparks’ first novel set in Beaufort was the 1999 “A Walk to Remember.” In 2002, the film starring Mandy Moore and Shane West was released. That story was inspired by Sparks’ younger sister, Danielle Sparks Lewis.
“The Choice,” Sparks’ second novel set in Beaufort, is about two neighbors who fall in love the moment they meet and the harrowing journey they must face to be together. “The Choice,” which was published in 2007. The story was the 11th Sparks novel adapted for the screen.
“You’ll step straight into a Nicholas Sparks novel when you walk through this town, and we don’t mean that figuratively. The quaint area is the setting to several of the romance authors’ novels, including A Walk to Remember and The Choice.”
— Redbook magazine.
“We’re excited to offer this special tour with lunch at Beaufort Grocery Company,” stated Betsy Cartier, co-owner of Hungry Town Tours.
“I always tell people that Nicholas Sparks nails it in his novel “The Choice” when describing Beaufort,” she said.
Ms. Cartier is quick to point out that “A Ride to Remember” is not a movie set tour. “We try to bring the novel alive by letting them get the feel for the locations described in the book,” she said.
According to Mr. Sparks, “For the most part, the film tells a story that appeared in the novel. However, because film and novels are two entirely different mediums, there are always going to be differences between the novel and the film.”
Apparently, Mr. Sparks is not the only person that thinks Beaufort is a romantic setting. Travel + Leisure magazine ranked Beaufort #2 as “America’s Most Romantic Town” in January 2014.
Beaufort, including Hungry Town Tours , as listed as one of the “The 17 Best Small Towns in the South for a Romantic Getaway” by Southern Living (2018).
Hungry Town Tours has been named one of the “8 Unique Romantic Experiences in North Carolina” by Visit North Carolina.
Hungry Town Tours has earned them the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for three years in a row. The tour company is ranked the # 1 Year-Round Activity on the Crystal Coast by reviewers on TripAdvisor.com.
Ms. Cartier explained that she is thrilled to be working in partnership with the Nicholas Sparks Foundation on this endeavor and hopes to help spread the word about the organization and its wonderful work. The Nicholas Sparks Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization that increases access to innovative global learning for young people around the country.
For information on how you can get involved with the Nicholas Sparks Foundation, visit their website at www.nsparksfoundation.org. You can contact the organization at P.O. Box 14998, New Bern, NC 28562, 252-649-1730 or email at staff@nsparksfoundation.org.
To make advance reservations with Hungry Town Tours, call 252-648-1011 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. You can learn more online at www.hungrytowntours.com or visit their waterfront location at 400 Front St., Beaufort.
WHEN YOU GO:
Dates & Hours: This special edition of A Ride to Remember with lunch takes place Monday and Wednesday thru Saturday, during the month of February. (Not available on Tuesdays)
Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Price: $69 per person, inclusive.
Address: Tours depart from Hungry Town Tours. 400 Front Street, Beaufort, NC 28516.
Telephone: 252-648-1011
Email: info@hungrytowntours.com
Website: www.hungrytowntours.com
Social Media: Facebook
Need to Know: Hungry Town Tours offer sixteen different tours throughout the year. Please visit the website for more information.
Questions? Call 252-648-1011 from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. or by email info@hungrytowntours.com