Kary and I were excited to check out Jeju Sauna – the Korean health and wellness spa in Gwinnett County, just north of Atlanta. It wasn’t that long ago that we’d been to South Korea; Jeju Island was our favorite…
If you’re looking for something in the Atlanta area other than big city crowds and traffic, go Gwinnett! Just 30 minutes north of Atlanta, Gwinnett County offers an entirely different experience. Charming small towns dot the landscape and delectable food…
First, there’s that sweet spot – the prime location between Chattanooga and Knoxville. Add to that the million dollar lake views, hiking trails, winery, and antiquing. Finish up with sumptuous food, and you have Loudon County TN, a must see…
Albany, Georgia will surprise you. It’s a four-way intersection of southern antebellum charm, outdoor adventure, the civil rights movement, and multiple museum-style attractions. Here are the best things to do! 1. Riverwalk Riverfront Greenway Trail is a 2.4-mile path that…
Less than a two-mile drive from Atlanta, Columbus’ humid, sub-tropical climate makes it a great year-round choice for outdoor activities, especially water-based adventures during much of the year. It’s a prosperous city, also offering interesting museums and nice gastronomical experiences.…
Named the “Best Small Town in the South” by Southern Living Magazine, Aiken, South Carolina has been drawing people in since the wealthy Astors, Vanderbilts, and Fields began building their summer “cottages” along Millionaire’s Row in the late 1800’s. But…
Nestled approximately halfway between world-famous Charleston on the coast and up-and-coming Greenville in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, South Carolina’s capital city is often overlooked as a holiday destination. But Columbia, the first capital named for Christopher Columbus…
Four narrow barrier islands skimming more than 100 miles of stunning coastline separate the North Carolina mainland from the Atlantic Ocean, and make up the region of the Outer Banks. Bodie, Roanoke, Hatteras, and Ocracoke Islands are linked together by…
Albany, Georgia has a lot of really fun outdoor pursuits. When I heard our girls’ getaway weekend was going to include on a kayak excursion on the Flint River, I had mixed feelings. I like kayaking…but I don’t love it.…
Called “the jewel of South Carolina,” shimmering, man-made Lake Murray is approximately 50,000 acres in size with more than 600 miles of shoreline. The lake is named after William Murray, the chief engineer who conceived what was “the world’s largest…
Hillsborough is a charming southern town in Orange County, North Carolina, with a population of around 6,000 residents. The town has a history spanning three centuries, with an historic downtown district that is listed on the National Register of Historic…
Snuggled between North Carolina’s coast and mountains, Alamance County is a great place to spend a weekend. The climate is near-perfect year round for outdoor activities. There are also many opportunities for entertainment and dining. The Haw River The Haw…
Most known for its university and one of the best collegiate basketball teams in the U.S., Chapel Hill is the ultimate college town, filled with charm, history and southern hospitality. It’s no wonder that it consistently makes lists of best…
Bavaria? No. Trade the Alps for the Appalachians, and you’ll find the tiny, charm-packed town of Helen, Georgia nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, along the Chattahoochee River. Covering only 2.1 square miles and home to a mere 430 residents,…
Dubbed “the next Charleston” by the New York Times, Greenville, South Carolina – a somewhat undiscovered gem – sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a newer, hipper revitalization of its former incarnation as a deserted mill…
“Peas, peas, peas, peas Eating goober peas Goodness, how delicious, Eating goober peas.” ~Traditional folk song I just can’t help myself…there are certain delicacies in life that beckon me to partake, even though I have absolutely no business…
Resting on the banks of the Rappahannock River, Fredericksburg, Virginia is a quintessentially charming historic city, with an appealing and lively downtown area brimming with shops, cafes and restaurants. Sporting a mild autumn climate that can only be described as…
A barrier island stretching along the northeast coast of Florida, Amelia Island is the perfect place for a relaxing romantic weekend during the chilly shoulder season. The island, named for Princess Amelia, daughter of George II of Great Britain, has…
The most provocative portion of the interior of the Hot Shot Bakery is their “Wall of Flame.” The entire premise for the wall came about as an accident. Stoppelbein dipped some of the datils in chocolate as a garnish for a birthday…
I’m busy, you’re busy, we’re all busy. So when I decided to take a “chill weekend” to recharge, I decided to try someplace new: Jacksonville Beach – a relatively small beach community on Florida’s northeast coast. And we were…