Gas lines. Closed pumps. Not to sound like one of my kids, but I’m so over this gas shortage thing. While the crisis itself isn’t over, the situation at least appears to be looking up - a little. After driving as little as possible over the past 20 days, I have the opportunity to take a kid-free break this weekend - and I’m going. It’s rare that the planets align like this, and I’ll not let a petrol pinch keep me from taking advantage.

In fact, between stressing about the financial uncertainty nationwide and the gas crisis in our own backyard, I think we could all use a bit of a break. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s mess, along with associated stock market fluctuations, will still be there on Monday — and if we’re going to have to wait in line for gas, we might as well do it somewhere fun.

Here are a few ideas for low-stress getaways that won’t break the bank or empty your tank…

First… remember that while we Atlantans may be living at the epicenter of the gas crisis, petrol can be found in other areas of our state. It may not be up to 100 percent, but you probably won’t have to play “follow that tanker” or sit for hours in a gas line either. You can always call ahead to your destination to ask about availability if you’re worried.
Check out places like Lake Oconee in Greene and Putnam counties, with its Cuscowilla and Reynolds Plantation resorts. About 80 miles east of Atlanta, the lake, golf and amenities will relax you while the trip won’t use up all of your gas. (Even if it does, gas was available there mid-week.)
A short drive up to Blue Ridge, Ga. will allow you to walk around the antiques shops or take in fall foliage via the Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad. Don’t forget to stop by the local apple orchard, Mercier’s, to pick up fresh fruit, fried pies and a boxed lunch for the train trip. Blue Ridge is about 90 minutes north of Atlanta, and at mid-week, getting gas was not a problem.
Catch MARTA to the airport and leave this gas-forsaken city behind. Right now, Charleston, SC (where I hear gas is a-flowing), is hosting its 32nd annual Fall Tours of Homes and Gardens. The walking tours through the city’s famous gardens and architectural gems won’t waste a drop of gas anyway. For more information, call 843.722.4630.
Rediscover your hometown. Again, use MARTA and act like a tourist in your own city.

Has the gas crunch and financial crisis fueled your need to get away from it all? Are you taking a mini-break this weekend? Where do you plan to go, and is the petrol pinch affecting your destination? Share other low-cost, low-gas getaways with your fellow Atlanta travelers.

I’m still undecided on my weekend destination, but I’ll report back on it next week. Feel free to check with us next Wednesday and share your weekend travel stories too.

Share and read about other money saving tips at Your Money.

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Latest comments

I purchase a buddy pass from an employee for $150.00 now he tell me I have to pay the base on the reservation page where he booked my flight is that right. Please help.

... read the full comment by Shirley | Comment on Been burned by the "buddy pass"? Read Been burned by the "buddy pass"?

Art lovers, check out the Charleston Fine Art Annual weekend on November 7-8. Gas is relatively cheap in Charleston, SC and there is plenty of it. Also the art weekend is free. Kicks off with an art walk on Friday and on Saturday morning, many national

... read the full comment by Vladimira Jurcova | Comment on Don't let gas shortage ruin your travel plans Read Don't let gas shortage ruin your travel plans

Don’t forget the GA State Parks. Cloudland Canyon is a great place to kick around.

... read the full comment by Wayne | Comment on Don't let gas shortage ruin your travel plans Read Don't let gas shortage ruin your travel plans

I love Allatoona Pass — it’s a great hike for the little kids. But I haven’t seen the Living History demo — sounds interesting!

... read the full comment by Keith | Comment on Don't let gas shortage ruin your travel plans Read Don't let gas shortage ruin your travel plans

Where do you go to find the best travel deals?

By Keith Still | Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 07:07 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Higher airline fees, exorbitant gas costs and closed fuel pumps can make it feel like the deck is stacked against Atlanta travelers who want to get out of town right now. For many, stretching travel dollars has become increasingly more important. So where do you go to get the best travel deals?

Most people, it seems, hit the Internet in one way or another. Long gone are the days we called our travel agents to book a trip. If today’s traveler has a question about a destination, we’re more likely to check out frommers.com or lonelyplanet.com to get the answer instantly. Need a hotel reservation? It’s a click away at hotels.com. Just want advice from fellow travelers? Type in www.tripadvisor.com. And the list of travel-related sites goes on and on and on.

So, it seems natural that the Internet’s the place to start when you want to “get your travel on” for less. Booking sites like orbitz.com and expedia.com allow you to compare flights, hotels, rental cars, etc. Priceline.com goes a step further to let you bid for your own price. Hotwire’s experts post deals on flights, condos, cruises, hotels and cars as they find them on their Travel Ticker (www.travel-ticker.com). Smartertravel.com and budgettravel.com offer similar deals. (Please don’t forget ajc.com’s Travel Deals!)

Even airlines - mostly European, like Lufthansa and KLM — are beginning to go beyond booking tickets on the Internet to full-on Facebook-type social networking sites for their customers. While this makes me think of the ill-fated Dunder-Mifflin social networking site on The Office, these airlines are offering reduced fares and special packages for their online users - so it might just work.

When all else fails, there’s always frequent flier miles. I know… redeeming awards tickets can often be about as fun as entering the lower circles of Dante’s inferno. (It takes more miles to get a free ticket that you can’t use to go where you want, when you want.) Now, Delta allows its American Express Skymiles customers to trade in some of the miles for reduced ticket fares.

How do you support your travel habit? What are some of the best deals you have seen lately? Which of these sites do you use most often? Where do you find the biggest and best savings? Would you use an airline-sponsored social network if you could get cheaper tickets? Would you use Skymiles to pay part of your ticket price?

• Cut spending with the AJC’s Your Money page

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Worried about porn on the plane?

By AJC | Thursday, September 18, 2008, 11:18 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

What to do if your fellow passenger is watching “Debbie Does Dallas” and it’s not a new video from the local chamber of commerce?

American Airlines is fielding concerns from The Association of Professional Flight Attendants and passengers that the airlines’ program offering paid, in-flight Wi-Fi internet access on some of its flights could open a Pandora’s box of porn.

Even with those concerns, however, it’s unlikely airlines will pull the plug on this paid service. It’s considered an additional perk for its passengers, particularly business travelers.

Does the burden fall on flights crews to monitor? Afterall, passengers can bring magazines and DVDs onboard. It seems like a lot of work for flight crews to take care of passengers’ needs and police offending internet users.

What do you think? Should controls be put in place to make sure your seat mate isn’t watching porn? Would you simply move to another seat, if possible?

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Falling for the mountains of Asheville

Are you planning a trip to southwest NC?

By Keith Still | Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 07:01 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It has been awhile since I took a trip to Asheville, but lately the mountain city has been calling me. A massive ASHEVILLE NC billboard near my grocery store might have something to do with it. Still, I prefer to think my wanderlust stems from a desire to experience the beauty of the Blue Ridge at its most picturesque time of year, instead of a confirmation that outdoor advertising does indeed work.

The city itself mixes an artist colony vibe with plenty of shopping, historical touring, great dining and sidewalk coffee-sipping. But what I like best about Asheville is that it serves as a great jumping off point for so many outdoor activities nearby.

As autumn rolls round, Asheville and its environs really kick into gear. Over the next few weeks, you can participate in numerous heritage festivals in the southwestern corner of North Carolina, including the 96th annual Cherokee Indian Festival. Or head to the Chimney Rock Park southeast of Asheville to climb the 315-foot tall Chimney and watch hundreds of broad-winged hawks fly over as they migrate south for the winter.

A fan of colorful autumn leaves? You can get up close on many guided hikes in the area. Or see the beauty of the leaves from the comfort of your train car on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s leaf-viewing train trips.

Back in Asheville…if you’ve ever wondered what wine you should pair with your Gran’s best pot likker or fancied a taste of homespun bacon cotton candy, head to the Biltmore Estate for its annual Field to Table Festival (Sept. 19-28).

Another good thing about Asheville is that it’s only about 200 miles away, making it an easy weekend trip for Atlantans. (Click here for a full listing of things to see and do around Asheville.) As soon as I can find an open weekend, I’m packing the car and taking the family on a trip up there. With any luck, we’ll make it before the last leaves fall.

Let us know what you think about Asheville as a travel destination. How often do you go there, and what would you recommend fellow travelers see or do on their trip? Do you go for the atmosphere? Outdoor activities? The shopping? The Biltmore Estate? Where do you stay? Do you stick to town or take day trips out from Asheville? When is your favorite time to go? When is the best time to beat the crowds?

• MORE: Deals in Asheville, Asheville travel guide

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Travel + Leisure readers say Atlantans are not so attractive

By AJC staff | Monday, September 15, 2008, 11:01 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta may be the best city for singles, but those singles apparently aren’t all that good-looking, according to Travel + Leisure Magazine, which released its “America’s favorite cities 2008” reader survey results recently. In the survey, 25 major cities were ranked in 45 categories, and Atlanta came in 23rd out of 25 in the “attractiveness” category.

Well.

From where we sit and ogle, there are lots of beautiful people, men and women, to look at in Atlanta. OK, maybe not as beautiful as Travel + Leisure’s No. 1 city, Miami, but come on — we’re less attractive than Phoenix? Than Nashville? Than Orlando?

Right: Travel + Leisure readers say Miami has the most hotties (pictured: Mango’s Tropical Cafe across from South Beach), but Atlanta has fewer than almost every major U.S. city. Photo: Cheryl Blackerby/Palm Beach Post.

We ranked 3.79 out of a high score of 5, as compared to Miami, which scored a well-deserved 4.45. (See Atlanta’s full survey results here.)

Even so, our best rating was in the affordability category, where we came in 11th. Here’s a thought: Maybe we can take advantage of the affordable goods and services in the city and use them to gussy ourselves up?

Are Atlantans really that unattractive? Or do Travel + Leisure readers need to look again?