Personal finance gurus say you should use the tax rebate check arriving this week — or later this summer — to pay down credit card debt or add to retirement savings.

But if you decide to use the windfall to hit the road, consider these trips:

Handout (ENLARGE)

Among ammenities at the spa at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C., is the outdoor spa pool.

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$300

A single filer gets a minimum of $300 from Uncle Sugar. Spend that dough at AthFest, the June 18-22 nonprofit music and arts festival showcasing local music. Most of it's free, but some events require wristbands or cover charges. Save your money for beer! www.athfest.com

STAY: Go in style with the AthFest package offered by the Georgia Gameday Center, 250 W. Broad St. in Athens. A one-bedroom condo and two wristbands will run you $179 for the first night and $109 each additional night during AthFest.

GAS: Round-trip to Athens, 150 miles: $28 (and rising)

EAT: Try the Grit, the venerable veggie spot at 199 Prince Ave., where a generous meal for two runs about $25. Going a little more upscale? There's Five and Ten at 1653 Lumpkin St., where a meal for two could land around $40-$60.

$600

Married couples will get a check for at least $600, which should cover a mid-week stay at the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, a grand hotel in Asheville, N.C. Flip a coin to see who gets the 50-minute, $140 massage. www.groveparkinn.com.

STAY: $199, breakfast included. If you're looking to leave the confines, check out these popular and hip breakfast spots — Tupelo Honey at 12 College St. or Early Girl Eatery at 8 Wall St.

GAS: The 3 1/2-hour drive to Ashevegas? 400 miles round-trip for $75.

EAT: Enjoy dinner in the Blue Ridge Dining Room where pork and beans sets you back $26. $150 should cover your meal. Or head downtown and grab one of Jack of the Wood's (95 Patton Ave.) Green Man ales while you people watch on Patton.

$1,800

A family of four will see a tax rebate windfall of $1,800. This is just enough for four days at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, less than two hours southwest of Atlanta.

STAY: The package includes a Tuesday night check-in at a two-bedroom cottage with kitchen and screened porch. A day camp for children gives the parents from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day to play golf, hit a few tennis balls, explore the gardens or just sit on the beach at Robin Lake. Summer Family Adventure Package: $1,799. www.callawaygardens.com.

GAS: OK, you'll bust your budget after the $30 for the round-trip to Pine Mountain.

EAT: Save money buying groceries and cooking most days. Maybe treat the family to a dinner for four at the Gardens Restaurant where the kids can toss crackers to the geese gathering below the deck, which overlooks the golf course.

– Compiled by Clint Williams and Jamie Gumbrecht