Last week, bloggers from all over the country (and Canada!) traded cold, winter weather for warm, coastal temperatures during a trip to St. Simons Island for a view of HGTV Dream Home that almost no one gets to see. Rarely do we open up our giveaway homes for public tours or visitors. But this year, we switched things up.

If you haven't already browsed the hundreds of stunning photos of this year's HGTV Dream Home, stop what you're doing and check them out. But if you've always wanted to see what HGTV Dream Home looks like when it's being enjoyed by real people and not staged for formal photos, keep scrolling.

Once we met this talented group of writers, photographers and travelers, we enjoyed a welcome dinner at The Lodge at Sea Island. There, we were greeted by our tour guides for the event: Brian Patrick Flynn, designer of HGTV Dream Home, and Bri Emery, founder of Design Love Fest and Instagram extraodinaire.

The next two days were packed with activities that immersed everyone in the charm and hospitality that St. Simons Island is known for — a trolley tour, low-country boil and simply soaking up the natural beauty of the island.

The best part, in my biased opinion, came when we unleashed everyone inside HGTV Dream Home. There's something magical that happens when a staged house is suddenly filled with lively party people.

Food Network Executive Chef Rob Bleifer was the master of the menu, featuring local seafood, seasonal produce and fruit picked right off the tree on the property. Rosemary Greyhound, anyone?

If you followed #HGTVDreamHome on Instagram, you saw all the unique perspectives that were captured throughout the two days. Read on to see some of our favorite photos.

Are you green with envy? Ready to host your own party at HGTV Dream Home 2017? There's only one way to make it yours — enter now for your chance to win!

Read more from the influencers who joined us for this event:

Janice, 5 Minutes for Mom

Sandy, Reluctant Entertainer

Chelsea, Someday I'll Learn

Anita, Dessert First

Miryam, Eat Good 4 Life

Kristin, Dine and Dish

Brenda, A Farmgirl's Dabbles

Dorothy, Crazy for Crust

Jessica, Womanista

Jeana, Surf and Sunshine

Travel and accommodations were paid for by Scripps Networks Interactive.

No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the U.S., age 21 or older. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends at 5 p.m. ET on 2/17/17. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. For full official rules, visit www.HGTV.com or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: "HGTV Dream Home Giveaway 2017" P.O. Box 52915, Knoxville, TN 37950. Main Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC d/b/a Home & Garden Television.