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DEL.ICIO.USWhere to go when you really want to get out of town…over Christmas?
Are you getting away from it all next week?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ahh, the holidays — visions of sweets dancing in your head or images of your uncle annoyingly dancing for attention? Christmas is my favorite time to spend with my extended family, but the hustle of the season can leave even the most spirited person too bustled to be good company. And if “annoying” was anywhere in your answer to my question, this may be the year to get away from it all.
But where can you go at this late date to make your holiday merry and bright? Cheap airfares or an empty seat on a plane may be hard to come by - especially if you’re looking for a traditional destination filled with the promise of a white Christmas.
While snow is hardly guaranteed in Atlanta, the Southeast does offer quite a few options for a quick Christmas getaway. The mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee are about a three-hour drive from Atlanta. They offer several ski resorts and cool towns like Asheville, NC or Gatlinburg, TN where you can shop, sightsee or just settle in for a cup of hot chocolate. Check out www.visitnc.com or www.tnvacation.com to conjure up some winter fun over the holiday.
Of course, Georgia has mountains too, and you may find a handful of cabins still available for rent in towns like Blue Ridge, Hiawassee and Blairsville. Or head south about 70 miles to Pine Mountain, Ga. to check out Callaway Gardens’ “Fantasy in Lights” display, famous gardens and spa.
You could also take advantage of off-season rates at beaches throughout the Southeast. You’ll likely wear more sweaters than shorts, but a walk along an empty beach can help melt away stress or dysfunctional family memories faster than you can say Jingle Bells.
Have you taken a last-minute Christmas trip anywhere in the Southeast? Where did you go? Did you stay in a hotel, bed & breakfast or rental house? Tell us what you liked and disliked about your mini holiday vacation.
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By verdi73
December 19, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
Charleston, SC to see all the homes decked out for Christmas. We also like going to Prague, Czech Republic. It is very beautiful at Christmas and is actually cheap for Americans. They do not use Euros.
By anderson
December 19, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this
Preferably anywhere but home. My brother was hit by a drunk driver on Christmas Eve 14 years ago and the holiday has never been the same for my family. We usually take a big family vacation or cruise - and celebrate our togetherness away from home…
By jcfromindy
December 19, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this
Nope not at all, but hoping the Falcons and Arthur Blank find their way to the nearest exit.
Thanks, Jada
By jdawg
December 19, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this
Going to Clayton and Rabun Co…wonderful place, cabin or lake house…just a fireplace and good food…jdawg
By SJCinGA
December 19, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this
I love to go fishing/boating on Lake R.B. Russell. Unlike so many other area lakes, Lake Russell is kept full?!?! Wonderful golf in the park too!
SJC
By meme
December 20, 2007 7:26 AM | Link to this
I’m with you, Anderson. Growing up with an abusive father has made me dislike almost any holiday.
By Katie
December 24, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
Why go anywhere? The government wants us to spend, spend, spend and I refuse to fall into that. I like to stay home on Christmas. I don’t care about whether the retail chains or airlines make a profit. I refuse to be part of a herd being shuffled through the consumer system.
I do celebrate christmas and do spend money, but I do it when I want to, not when the stores tell me to. I’m laughing at all the people grazing at the malls right now—moooo, hope you like your herd.
By mark
December 25, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
The Czech Republic has been using Euros for some time now.
By lilly
December 25, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
I usually go somewhere like Disney world or I go to another country to see the different Christmas cultures
By Robert
December 25, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
We are going up to Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, the most beautiful place in Georgia..
By catlady
December 25, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this
I live up in the mtns. so I look forward to staying home and enjoying my place. Live simply, visit with dear friends (especially the elderly folks), and putter in my large fall organic garden. Read, take walks, romp with my pets. When it dries up I will go out and lay in the pasture and sing Christmas carols under the stars—gotta sing so the deer won’t run over me. I do these things most of the time anyway—except singing carols— but during the school vacation I can savor them more. Traveling sounds tempting, but then I couldn’t do many of the things I like to do best, and I hate the crowds, noise, and expense.
By jg
December 25, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
Katie,
Too many people start thinking like you, and their will be a lot of un-employed people.
By CBL
December 26, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this
The Czech Republic will not adopt the Euro for several years yet, though they entered the EU in 2004. The official currency is still the Czech Koruna, and the exchange rate is very favorable for Americans. Better go there while we still can afford it! Austria is also a wonderful place to spend Christmas and New Years.
If you want a more affordable getaway, I’d recommend Boone, Banner Elk, or Beech Mountain, NC. That whole area is full of things to do in the winter and there are all kinds of neat places to stay. I’d recommend the Parkview Lodge on US221 by the Blue Ridge Parkway- typical rustic roadside motel run by a very nice family and easy on the wallet.
By Tina Gamba
December 27, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
We stayed at Ridges Resort & Club in Hiawassee, GA. Good Family Packages that are affordable. Beautiful location right there on Lake Chatuge. Lots to do and really friendly people. I cant wait for next year to do it again!
By Richard
January 2, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
“Fantasy In Lights” at Callaway Gardens was a fun overnight package. But forget about the food and food service at the resort. It was the pits! Cold, un-cooked food that was overpriced served by a staff that did not care and had trouble understanding the English language. Best to eat in the neighboring towns or bring your own.
By Huge Dawg Fan
January 2, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
We have a weekend home in the Sautee Valley (just outside of Helen. Every year I take off the week between Christmas and New Years and we spend the entire week there with the fireplace and the peace and quiet. No traffic and no work decisions to make. It is dfinately Heaven on Earth.