South’s resident traveler headed north to discover both sides of South Carolina’s dynamic Myrtle Beach.

In an attempt to put my beachside daydreams at bay, I drove down to Myrtle Beach, ready for any and everything the South Carolina city had to offer. What I found was a sunny spot that far exceeded my expectations. A bit touristy at times yes, but it was many other things too. I found there’s a secret side to the town where locals run away from the crowds and chain restaurants, opting for the underground shopping spots and miles and miles of pristine coastline. Following whatever whim arose, I fluctuated between both worlds: the underground and the mainstream, leaving me satisfied and largely impressed.

When the economic turmoil has got you down, don’t get angry, get ahead! Join our resident traveler as she takes a break, doubles down and goes for the win.

It’s officially summer, and if you’re searching for a solution to your cabin fever … look no further! After a long winter holed up in my tiny apartment on the park, watching and waiting, and secretly willing the weather to warm up, I finally poked my head out of my hibernation hideaway and decided to take a chance on yet another of Savannah’s neighboring cities—Jacksonville. As expected it lived up to my need for adventure, and I even came back home a little richer for the experience—in more ways than one!

Located in Savannah’s backyard, the Skidaway Island State Park Trails have a tropical atmosphere great for nature watching.

LENGTH: 4.6 MILES

SKILL LEVEL: EASY

DURATION: 205 HOURS

more info: 912.598.2300

Crooked River State Park Trail provides novice hikers with a scenic trek on the Semper Virens Trail that loops into the marsh and maritime forests.

LENGTH: 2.9 MILES

SKILL LEVEL: EASY

DURATION: 1 HOUR

more info: 912..882.525

Living on the coast means enjoying easy access to all of the area’s beautiful barrier islands. South’s resident traveler uncovers the secrets behind another one of Georgia’s gems.

Sometimes I pull a Rhett Butler and wander off into the world in search of what is left of charm and grace in life, and although oftentimes I find an adventure, it’s rare that I run across these particular attributes. Recently, however, I headed out in search of a little seaside delight and discovered this Holy Grail of elegance, in a city not so far south of Savannah.

Weddings aren’t the only reason to hold a destination celebration. When you’ve run out of ways to host a happy birthday in your own town, find a fabulous new spot to celebrate yourself and your fabulous new age.

The Younger Years. Not much matters when you’re young. Cake and presents are often enough to keep the wee ones super satisfied, but if you’re looking to switch things up this year, an amusement park is often an amusing option. Roller coasters are a riotous thrill they’re not soon likely to forget, and if you make the right phone calls, you’ll usually receive a special discount to congratulate your sweet child on another year young.

We all know that Savannah is famed to be America’s Most Haunted City, and while this might be a popular reason for folks to flock to our fine city, it may also be the reason you want out! If you’re searching for a few horrifying Halloween hotspots, check out these three gruesome getaways that are sure to scare you silly.

Hollywood’s Horrors: Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando, Florida offers eight haunted houses, six scare zones and two live shows. Admission is $69.99 per person and with themes based on silver screen scares such as SAW, Chucky, The Wolfman and Fangoria this evil evening is guaranteed to have you checking the closet for monsters for months to come.
** Beware: This is for Halloween-lovers 13 and older only. For a slightly less terrifying evening try Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Big City Scare-Fest: Las Vegas is a lecherous choice for those of the more sinful persuasion. On top of all their normally wicked ways, most hotels offer special spooky shows and host elaborate costume bashes during which they give away more than a quarter-million-dollars in cash for costume contest winners.

While googling “Cheap travel quotes,” searching for deals and wistfully dreaming of my next great getaway, I stumbled across an actual quote from a woman by the name of Susan Heller.

“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money.  Then take half the clothes and twice the money,” she informed.

Well, let me say, that while I realize that this quote was most likely posted in total jest to poke fun at the stereotypes of travel, I still found this it to be more than a little troublesome. It occurred to me that this very idea was a highly probable reason why most people shy away from travel. And that thought made me quite angry.

And so I present to you, (who I can only hope are quickly becoming my most loyal blog followers), a list of resources to help you plan an affordable trips to please even the most shallow pockets:

A local tennis pro bridges the distance between Savannah and the vast savannas of Africa.

He is an unexpected gust of wind, and chances are that you’ll hear Alan Davies before you see him. The booming, resonant English accent of the skilled tennis player turned instructor is first to greet you as you make your way down the sidewalk toward the green clay courts of the Wilmington Island Club. Yet you cannot help but see him as he stands to the side of the court, a man with a commanding presence, dressed in navy tennis clothing, waiting in his usual stance—one that is akin to the virile, debonair Cary Grant of the Golden Era—to begin the lesson.

When the travel bug bites, and you just gotta get goin’, let The South be your guide to a mini-getaway that will cure any cabin fever.

Barkin’ Bulldogs
Athens, Georgia
Travel Time: 4 hours

Spend a football-filled weekend in Athens and watch the Dawgs kick off the 2009 season at their first home game on September 12. As the Classic City transforms into a sea of red and black, enjoy the view from the comfort of Georgia Gameday Center, just a short walk to the stadium and packed with Georgia style. Insider’s tip: Southerners keep it classy; so don’t forget the pearls and suspenders.

For rates and availability at Georgia Gameday Center, check out www.gagamedaycenter.com

Antiquity meets authenticity on this captivating barrier island.

I can’t remember my first time on Amelia Island. The 18-mile long stretch of sand on Florida’s northeast coast has been part of my family for generations. My parents grew up vacationing there, renting ramshackle beachfront cabins on the island’s north side for $40 a week. In 1980, my young parents bought a house—for $35,000—across the street from those cabins, and I have a very vivid memory of standing on the front porch of that house one summer night, watching some of the little white clapboard shacks burn to the ground.

Like those cabins, Amelia Island has evolved in its 4,000-year history, but remained constant: You can no longer buy an ocean view house for $35,000, but you can still find that small-town beachy charm without looking too hard. Amelia, and its city center Fernandina Beach, have the distinction of being the only communities in the United States to be ruled by eight different political groups. The island’s nickname, “Isle of Eight Flags,” boasts of its rather chaotic past, and its 50-block waterfront historic district celebrates it.