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.

You don’t have to trot the globe to be an eco-friendly traveler. While green travel usually is associated with visits to tropical retreats in places like Costa Rica or Belize, it’s possible to be a responsible guest much closer to home.   Country Inns & Suites new property in Tuscon, AZ is a great example of how you can live green a bit closer to home.  Read on for more details about this exciting new property, and information about what you can do as a hotel guest to positively impact the environment!
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Welcome to the Country Inn & Suites, one of the newest hotels in Princeton, WV. A visit to our hotel places you amidst the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, where you can enjoy the ski slopes, scenic views, hiking, horseback riding and golf activities nearby. Guests can enjoy our Princeton hotel’s convenient services and amenities, including a complimentary breakfast every morning, high-speed Internet access, indoor pool and hot tub, Fitness Center and Business Center. Visit the Country Inn & Suites and see what sets us apart from other hotels in Princeton, WV.

Visit http://www.countryinns.com/princetonwv or call 1-800-596-2375 to book your stay today!
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If any area could be said to have been created for mountain biking, that place would be Pocahontas County, West Virginia.  By Larry Rice
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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…)

Many travelers to Southern California choose the opulent “Gold Coast” of Orange County as a favorite destination for its water sports, shopping, entertainment and sunshine. Blessed with a near-perfect Mediterranean climate, the Gold Coast also boasts a botanical diversity seldom encountered. For a sampling of this green bounty, three enchanting California gardens welcome visitors year-round.  By Sharon Lovejoy
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The Sonoran Desert in Scottsdale, Arizona, offers the perfect backdrop for a romantic getaway. This Arizona travel destination is filled with adventurous activities and cultural hotspots to make your romantic vacation memorable. By Judy Wade.
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I’m thrilled to announce our new $80 Weekend Nights program for Country Inns & Suites By Carlson! 

Book a Friday and/or Saturday night stay in February at select Country Inns & Suites By Carlson℠ hotels and enjoy nightly rates* under $80.  But hurry, these deals are going fast!

Click here to view all Country Inns & Suites with weekend rates under $80 in North America!

 Click here to view all Country Inns & Suites with weekend rates under $80!

Its not too late to plan a getaway.  I love this Country!
~Emily

Central Florida’s state parks provide a unique opportunity to see Florida manatees both in rehabilitation and in their natural habitats. At Homosassa Springs and Blue Springs State Parks, visitors can learn more about these gentle giants. By Renée Zenaida
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Warmly tucked inside our heated high-speed gondola, my son and I take in the spectacular scenery as we soar up Mont Tremblant (www.monttremblant.ca), the highest peak in Quebec, Canada. The resort’s European-style village appears underneath. Looking as if they have been airlifted straight from the French Alps, the buildings are painted brilliant shades of pastel, cream or orange, and capped by red and silver roofs.

At the 2,871-foot-high summit, towering trees pierce the bright blue sky like a skier’s stairway to heaven. A crisp cold wall of fresh air, scented with pine, greets us as the doors swing open. Clicking into our skis, we make our first run down P’tit Bonheur, a carved green (beginner) run through fresh snow. Schussing on a perfectly groomed white carpet, we are flanked by snow-laden trees on either side.

At the first lift, a regular lets us in on the local secret to avoiding long lines: Ski the more remote North Side and Edge area in the morning, and in the afternoon, when the uninitiated discover that the easier runs are on the North, head to the sunny South Side and Versant Soleil. With 49 miles of trails cutting through 654 acres of varied terrain, there are plenty of options here for skiers of all levels. I surprise my son—and myself—with a daredevil routine on the six-meter-high half-pipe in Tremblant’s snow park, rated one of the best snow parks in North America by Ski Magazine (www.skinet.com). 

We venture to Versant Soleil in the afternoon. The rugged landscape is heart stopping. Contoured trails hug the natural terrain with undulating troughs and sharp rising mounds. I careen down the roller-coaster-like slope. Total freedom! Later, drawn by the smell of burning wood and maple syrup, we stumble on a voyager’s log cabin, where a roaring fire and hot refreshments beckon us inside. Weathered wooden snowshoes hanging on a wall remind me it’s time for the “walk on the wild side” part of our winter adventure.

We head up the mountain again, this time on the back of a snowmobile and outfitted with rented high-tech snowshoes—only our tracks mark the pristine snow. Early dusk is the ideal time to observe area wildlife. Barely 25 yards along the trail, a mother doe keeps three young fawns in tow. Feeding on a thicket of trees and shrubs, they pay no attention to us. After a perfect winter day, I have a translation for the resort’s slogan, “joie de vivre”: Anyone coming to Tremblant had better be prepared to have a good time.

 John W. Yan is the founding publisher of the Canadian Tourism Commission’s TOURISM magazine. He lives in Ottawa, Ontario.