Summer Isn’t Over Yet! Road Trips Still Abound!

Okay, so summer does officially end this month, but that doesn’t mean that your adventures and road trips have to end along with it. Actually, the fall season is one of the best times to take a vacation. There’s a nice, crisp feel to the air; it’s not stifling hot, and it’s not to cool to walk around outside without a jacket. Soon, the leaves will start turning, and the foliage makes for a perfect backdrop for vacation photo shoots. But what if you’ve done the beach thing all summer and you’re looking for something different to do that’s not really that far from home. Well, Helen, GA, about a 2 hour drive from Amber Chase Apartments, is definitely a change of pace.

Helen, Georgia is a fun and funky German town about 1.5 hours north of Atlanta. Here you can get pretty authentic German food (and chocolate!), go tubing on the Chattahoochee in the summer months, and see AMAZING foliage in the Chattahoochee  National Forest in the fall. Normally the leaves will start to turn mid-September, early October, but now is as good a time as any to go. Even an early winter excursion would be nice; you may even see some snow near the mountains in North Georgia, because  you know we won’t see much living in this part of GA.

For a more homestyle stay in the center of everything, the Best Western Alpine is a great choice. It’s clean and comfortable, and won’t put a supreme dent in your wallet. (You’ll need that extra gas money for the two hour drive. ) Another great place to stay would be The Helendorf River Inn and Conference Center. This hotel offers a heated pool and the Chattahoochee is directly behind the hotel. There are also quaint little cabins and bed and breakfasts to stay in.

So if you’re looking for a quaint, yet picturesque and mildly inexpensive getaway, Helen, GA is a place to consider.

What are you doing with your last days of summer?

photo credit: Wikipedia

In-State Vacations: Cumberland Island

If  you want a vacation spot that isn’t overrun by tourists, is in state, near a beach, and in your home state, then Cumberland Island is the perfect spot for you.

Keep in mind now, that Cumberland Island is quite a good distance away from the Amber Chase complex. This being said, it’s definitely not a one day trip unless you leave early in the a.m.; this is more of a relaxing, weekend trip, that you, your friends, and your family can treat yourselves to for the summer. Added bonus: this beach hasn’t been affected by the oil spill.

This beach is definitely peaceful. It hasn’t been soiled by housing development, which makes it possible to enjoy the wild horses, armadillos, and sea turtles that call the island home. Very picturesque.

There’s so much to do while on the island! With all of the hustle and bustle of my everyday life, I’d just like to sit on the beach and relax. But if you’re ready to do all that there is to do, then you’d enjoy the great shopping, dinning, and activities that the island offers. There are ghost tours, mansion tours, golfing, boating, parks, skydiving, and so much more!

These days, the National Park Service limits the number of day visitors and campers to just 300 per day, but if you stay at the luxurious Greyfield Inn – built in 1900 by the Carnegies, and the island’s only hotel – you’ll get unlimited access to a 1,000-foot-wide band of sand that stretches for miles.

So if you’re in the mood for a weekend getaway, this may be your place! Like I said before, this is a good distance away from you; like 5 hours away, so you can either fly to Savannah’s airport and drive the hour to the ferry, or fly to Jacksonville Int’l, and drive the 30 min back. Or you could just take the 5 hour drive. Your choice.

Memorial Day Getaway

Looking for something different to do for Memorial Day weekend? You don’t even have to leave the state. Visit Lake Lanier for a water filled weekend.

I went once with a friend of mine and had a blast. We cooked out with her dad, took pictures on the beach, went fishing, and water skiing. It was so relaxing and fun! I think that it’s a great Memorial Day destination.

You don’t necessarily have to stay overnight, just a day trip would be amazing. It takes about an hour and a half to get there from Amber Chase Apartments, but it’s well worth the drive. As long as weather permits.

What are you doing for Memorial Day weekend?

In these pools, swimming is almost besides the point

Hey AC! Summer is just around the corner, which means vacations! Well, it does for those lucky few out there who can find the time to vacay. I know that for me, whenever I think of vacation, one thing comes to mind: water. Whether it’s poolside or beachfront, water is a necessity of vacationers everywhere. In some hotels and resorts around the world, the pools are absolutely amazing. One such pool is at the Viceroy in Miami. The fact that it’s recently opened adds to it’s fresh factor. The two-acre pool deck (covered with Japanese blueberry trees and chaise lounges and beds) features three types of pools: an 80 person hot tub, a wading pool, and a football sized swimming pool. Can you say swanky?! I’m already thinking of vacationing there, though I’m afraid of the prices…hmmm.

Where are you vacationing this summer?

Warm weather destinations, a bucket list and some dolphins

Although the groundhog saw his shadow, never fear warm weather is certain to arrive. So it’s time to start thinking about where to go and what to see this year? Have you thought about making a bucket list? They are not just about terminally ill people wanting to accomplish things before they die, but also for folks who want to fulfill personal goals and discoveries in their lifetime.

Take swimming with dolphins for example. Can you imagine how much fun it would be to vacation to such places as Miami, Mexico, or Hawaii to swim with the dolphins?

Picture it, clear blue waters and skies.

Tags: dolphins, travel bucket list, warm weather, Miami, mexico, hawaii

It’s hard to believe that airlines started charging for checked bags several years ago.  It started with Delta Airlines charging $15 for the first bag and about $25 for the second.  Now they have announced that they will be raising the fees to $23 for the first bag and $32 for the second.

If you are planning on traveling anytime soon, you should really check out the airline’s web site to check all updated fees.  If you are flying Southwest Airlines, you don’t have to worry about baggage fees.  Don’t you just love those commercials?  Click here for baggage information.