Home > Still Traveling > Archives > 2006 > May
May 2006
Been to Helen? Like it or not?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Writer Rick Badie was pleasantly suprised when he visited the Georgia mountain town of Helen. It wasn’t as cheesy as he expected, he says.
The Alpine-style village was created in 1968 by three businessmen who wanted to attract tourist dollars. It has a Bavarian theme and features shops, restaurants and carriage rides.
Have you been there? Did you like it? What would you recommend doing there?
Commenting is now closed for this topic.
Permalink | Comments (102) | Categories: Quick getaways
Where’s the best beach?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
International beach expert Stephen Leatherman has named Fleming Beach Park in Hawaii the nation’s best beach in his latest annual ranking.
What do you think of his list?
What’s the best beach you’ve ever visited? Which beaches are in your top 5?
Elvis’ other home
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I grew up near Memphis in the 1950-60s, when Elvis was The King, and of course I knew about Graceland. But I had no idea you could visit — and sleep — in another place where he lived, a Memphis housing project.
Were you aware of that, and have you stayed there? Today’s story makes it sound pretty cool, like a trip to the 1950s. It also mentions Heartbreak Hotel, where I’ve never visited. Have you stayed there, and what’s it like? My impression is, perhaps a little cheesy, or is it nice? Have you done the Elvis tour of Memphis, with Sun Records, Poplar Tunes and all? I used to shop at Poplar Tunes years ago and thought it was just the best (of course, I was a small-town teenager, enthralled with the big city!).
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Quick getaways
About Panama City …
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Paula Crouch Thrasher recalls childhood trips to Panama City Beach. She returned again this year with a group of teenagers and blogged about it. Blog 1: Am I nuts? and Blog 2: Surviving Spring Break
Are you familiar with the Panama City Beach scene? Got any words or advice? Would you go?
Where would you recommend going in Panama City for food and fun?
Permalink | Comments (61) | Categories: Beaches
Make mine Myrtle: Is this S.C. beach a good place to go?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Myrtle Beach Pavilion
The Myrtle Beach Pavilion brings back memories for many repeat visitors. It will close after the 2006 season.
Writer Deborah Geering has memories of blender-toting college students crowding into little beach houses for a wild week of fun at Myrtle Beach.
She recently returned with a group of girlfriends to see how the beach has changed in 20 years or so.
Have you been to Myrtle Beach? Like it? Or not?
What are your recommendations for places to stay, eat or take a look at?
Permalink | Comments (29) | Categories: Beaches
Weekend away: A trip to the world’s biggest pecan?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• Also see reader photo: Swimming with manatees
• See all Weekend Away photos • Send your photos Comment below …
My friend and I had been in Houston, Texas for business. The next day we were driving from Houston to Austin, and I was looking at my travel book about Texas.
I saw something that said, “World’s Largest Pecan,” and I told my friend, “We are going to see it!”
We got right off the highway and went to the small town of Seguin, Texas. The pecan is right in front of the courthouse downtown. We posed for a few pictures and got a few strange looks from people driving by.
How many people can say they have seen the World’s Largest Pecan? I can!!
When I got home and looked it up on the internet, I found another town that claims to have World’s Largest Pecan. It is Brunswick, Missouri. I only know what I saw, but you can read more about this pecan rivalry on www.roadsideamerica.com. If only I could get to Brunswick one day…….
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Weekend away
Weekend away: Swimming with manatees
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• Also see reader photo: World’s largest pecan
• See all Weekend Away photos • Send your photos
Several friends and I went to Crystal River, Fla., recently and I had the opportunity to snorkel with the manatees. Manatees are still an endangered species — susceptible to being injured or killed by careless boaters. The Crystal Lodge Dive Center and Captain Andy ensured that everyone on the boat followed the rules and enjoyed the time to share with these fantastic mammals. In fact, one even turned upside down so the folks in the group could scratch his stomach!
The water is a consistent 72 degrees year round, but wet suits really help. Most of the local dive shops rent wet suits and snorkel gear. Snorkel gear vs. scuba is preferred — bubbles scare them.
Manatees are slow-moving and gentle animals and if we follow a few guidelines, we can all continue to enjoy their presence. You can get stiff penalties for harassing the manatees — such as doing anything that can disrupt their feeding, sleeping or mating, or separating a mom from her calf. That includes trying to hold on to them or chase them as they leave.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crystal River National Wildlife refuge, at 352-563-2088 can provide more information and the best time to see manatees.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: Weekend away
Have children, will travel?l
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
" alt="" />
Scott Norvell
Swim goggles provide protection from wind-driven sand on a camel ride in the Sahara taken by former AJC reporter Shelley Emling and family.
Have you taken your kids overseas? How about to a third world country or to areas that might not be as safe, such as Israel or Egypt?
Today’s ajc.com/travel has a story on a family trip to Tunisia, and the adventures and concerns about having kids in a less developed part of the world. Would you take your kids, would you let them ride camels in the desert amid blowing sand?
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Traveling with family
A big, really big, cruise ship
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m fascinated with the new Freedom of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, that just docked in New Jersey and will begin sailing with passengers in the Caribbean in June.
What’s your take on it? Would you want to sail on a ship that big, in fact, have you booked tickets already? The ship appears to have lots of on-board entertainment — climbing walls, simulated surfing pool, an ice skating rink, a huge spa, a huge fitness center. 15 passenger decks!! But the photos I’ve seen make it look very appealing.
Are you cruising this year? And will you try the big boat?
Permalink | Comments (17) | Categories: Cruising
Have you read ‘Da Vinci Code’? Want to see the sites?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tour companies are jumping to take “Da Vinci Code” fans to the sites described in the book. See related story. (And the movie, which opens May 19, will raise the fever pitch.)
A Web site gives information about locales in Paris, London and Edinburgh. Fodor’s has published a guidebook devoted exclusively to “The Da Vinci Code.” And travel agencies like Gutsy Women Travel and GeoPassages have created entire European package tours.
Have you read “The Da Vinci Code”? Would you go see any of the sites? Are you going to the movie?
Celebrities out to pasture
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The horse farm in Lexington, Ky., that takes in old thoroughbreds who are forgotten after their racing days are over made me smile. It’s good to know someone is looking out after these old athletes and celebrities, and I hope to visit there someday and give them a donation.
Have you been to Hurstland Farm? What did you think? Worth going?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Quick getaways
In Charleston, what’s your cup of tea?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Charleston Tea Plantation
William Hall stands waist-high in tea.
The Charleston Tea Plantation is re-opening just in time for summer. Visitors are welcome to tour the fields, see inside the processing plant and sip a cup in the Tea Shoppe. The plantation is billed as the only place in North America where you can see how tea is grown and processed.
Would you visit the plantation if you were in the area?
If you’re familiar with Charleston, what do you like about it? Any good sights to see, places to eat?
Graceland or bust?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Seems like every year there’s another Elvis anniversary, in addition to the annual gathering on Aug. 16, the date of his death in 1977. This time, it’s celebrating his “breakout” year, when he released “Heartbreak Hotel.”
Ever gone to Graceland? What’s your take on it? Any suggestions about things to see, places to stay? Are you a big fan?
Permalink | Comments (12) | Categories: Travel in 2006
Heading to Europe this summer?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve been checking prices on summer flights to Europe — dreaming I could afford it — and they’re sky high, $1,000 and above. If you’re heading there this summer, what are you doing to find a deal? Or is it too late for a deal? Did you book early and get a good fare? Are you trying to cut costs elsewhere?
Permalink | | Categories: Traveling to Europe
Been to Gatlinburg, Tenn.? Is it tacky?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Reporter Pama Mitchell tells how to avoid what she calls the ticky-tacky side of Gatlinburg. Do you think this Tennessee mountain town is tacky?
If so, is it possible to avoid the offending areas? Or do you think tacky can be fun …. ?
And, by the way, have you been there? If so, got a recommendation or two for where to eat, what to do?
A ‘kiddie’ camp for women: Would you go?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Camp Bombshell is the brainchild of a group of Miami women, who gather to do silly, relaxing activities. “We are six, real overextended women, programmed to please everyone but ourselves,” reads their Web site. The group wrote the 2005 book “Dish & Tell” about the fatigue of juggling family life and careers.
At Bombshell, they played tug of war, wrote camp songs, and competed in a pie-eating contest.
I’m not sure this kind of vacation is my cup of tea — although getaways with a group of women friends can be great. What about you?
Permalink | |
