Here are some of the sensory experiences that are part of north Georgia:

Sight
Near Cartersville, you’ll find the Etowah Indian Mounds, which were constructed sometime between the 1300s and the 1600s.

Sound
If the day’s warm enough, consider a walk on one of the many trails that crisscross North Georgia. Once you’re in the woods, you’re likely to hear little more than the wind or the occasional bird call.

Taste
Stop by Colonel Poole’s Bar-B-Q , just south of Ellijay on Highway 515, for some tasty pork barbecue or Brunswick stew.

Touch
Feeling adventurous? Take a white water rafting trip on the Chattooga River with Southeastern Expeditions.

Smell
Near Helen, take in the smells, sights and sounds of Nora Mill Granary, where grits are ground from corn on stones that were first used in the mill in 1876.

 Road Rules

If you’re from outside the United States and visiting for less than a year, Georgia recognizes your valid driver’s license as long as it hasn’t expired. Motorists are required to carry liability insurance. Rental agencies can advise you concerning Georgia’s insurance requirements.

For Starters and Stay-Overs

Nearby cities such as Atlanta, Georgia; Huntsville, Alabama; and Chattanooga, Tennessee, make excellent starting points for exploring the towns and back roads of north Georgia.

New York City is more than just bright lights and noise. Manhattan’s serene city parks offer a dose of nature and culture in the heart of the Big Apple. From relaxing in Central Park to watching performances in Washington Square Park, there are activities to please any traveler.  By Callie Young (more…)

Mexican artist and patriot Frida Kahlo loved silver, as she loved all things indigenous to her country. She recognized it as the wealth of her land, and wore stone-encrusted necklaces and earrings made of the precious metal.

Mexico leads the world in silver production, and every traveler who visits the country should consider it as a souvenir. In a class of its own, Mexican silver is usually crafted by hand.

In my travels to Mexico, some of my best silver finds have occurred in the towns of Queretaro and Guanajuato, about two hours northwest of Mexico City. For between 550 pesos (US$42.50) and 1,100 pesos (US$85), you can add a chunky basket-weave bracelet to your suitcase. A pair of simple earrings—perfect as a modest gift—costs no more than 110 pesos (US$8.50).

Some of the finest silver comes from the town of Taxco, situated between Mexico City and Acapulco. There, you can see master silversmiths, such as Emilia Castillo and Sigi Pineda, at work on their latest creations in their public studios.

A pricey option in Mexico City is Tane. You’ll be hard pressed to find anything under 1,100 pesos (US$85) there, but many people regard the store as the Tiffany & Co. of Mexico. Surprising values can be found at department stores like Sanborns, Liverpool and El Palacio de Hierro. Look for pillboxes and hand mirrors with inlays of turquoise and carnelian, priced from 550 (US$42.50) to 1,100 (US$85) pesos. Boutiques such as Los Castillo and Arte en Plata of the Zona Rosa tempt collectors with antique hair combs, which cost about 550 (US$42.50) pesos, to 18th-century-style tea sets for around 55,000 pesos (US$4,254).

Years ago, a merchant at the Bázar del Sábado (the Saturday Bazaar) in Mexico City gave me a valuable lesson in Mexican silver. Here’s the short form: Buy from established shops, and check for stamps of .925 and .950 that distinguish sterling silver from the lower-quality silver plate. I take her advice along when I go shopping.

Susan Weissman’s jewelry box contains a fertility horn from Papua New Guinea, amber from the Dominican Republic and pearls from the South Seas.

Sterling Advice

Tips for Silver Care

• If you wear silver jewelry all the time, you won’t need to polish it. The skin’s chemistry prevents tarnish from forming, except in the case of individuals who are allergic to the metal.

• Wash and dry flatware and tableware thoroughly after each use. If you don’t use it daily, place it in an airtight box.

• Don’t mix silver and stainless steel in your dishwasher. The combination results in black spots on silver that are nearly impossible to remove.

New York City is a book collector’s paradise, and for rare collections, Manhattan is unparalleled. “While there aren’t as many stores as there used to be, we’re still the epicenter of book dealing in America,” says Adina Cohen, whose family has owned Argosy Book Store for three generations.
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Facing each other across Tampa Bay, the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg offer differing views on paella and palm trees, cigars and surrealism, and the cultural heritage of Florida.
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“Uh-oh, they’re escaping,” frets Amanda, as errant rice grains mar the surface of the sushi roll she’s making. “Moisten your hands, it prevents sticking,” instructs teacher Brian Saito. Demonstrating, he dips his fingers into water, then claps his hands to remove any excess. (more…)

Chicago offers architecture, culture, history, professional sports and a variety of cuisine that is sure to please any palate.  Chicago is a foodie’s paradise. By Roberta Sotonoff
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 The Phoenix area offers a warm escape, plus some of the most exquisite turquoise jewelry around.  Warm temperatures coupled with the Native American tradition of turquoise jewelry make Phoenix a destination not to be missed.  By Judy Wade
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 The Monastery of the Holy Spirit offers a vacation for the soul.   Just minutes from Atlanta, a respite for the body, mind and spirit.  By Melany Klinck
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As I approach Monmouth Battlefield State Park in New Jersey, I see rows of white tents, hundreds of people in 18th-century dress, stacks of muskets, horses, wagons and cannons. I hear a fife and drum, and smell the scents of roasting meat and campfire smoke. It’s as if I have stepped back in time to the American Revolutionary War battle of Monmouth, although I know it’s only a re-enactment.  By Ben Anderson
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