Destinations Spring 2015

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Table of

CONTENTS Are you ready for spring?

Tips for air travel......................

the It’s been a trying winter in much of ssee. We’ve bat tled ice, ne Ten le dd Mi in e her ing lud inc , country emaggedon.” We’ve endured “Ic g rin du es pip ng ezi fre d an ow sn se — unless you count that days of not being able to leave the hou … if you’re ready to emerge neighborhood sledding outing. Well ing is on the way. And spr — t no r fea , oon coc al son sea s from thi ay, this issue of Destinations aw get ing spr ur yo n pla u yo p hel to for your next excursion. is packed with useful information Happy travels!

Glamping: Glamour camping..............................

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10

Beach vacations, minus the crowds...............

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PUBLISHER AND PRESIDENT Laura Hollingsworth VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES John Ward ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Emily Daniel ADVERTISING WRITER/EDITOR Diane Hughes

! h c a e B t o G e W

866.907.5755 • www.gulfshoresrentals.com TN-0001040891

complimentary amenities such as golf, fishing, amusement parks and more

2 | Sunday, March 1, 2015 | DESTINATIONS

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Crystal Elliott

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DESTINATIONS | Sunday, March 1, 2015 | 3

Come fly with me…

By DIANE HUGHES

Tennessean Custom Publications

GETTY IMAGES

Let’s face it. Air travel is not what it used to be. Smaller seats.

Tired, cranky travelers. Bag fees. TSA checkpoint lines.

But don’t let the trials and tribulations of air travel get you down. With a little planning and preparation, your next flight can be a bit less bumpy. From the latest on TSA regulations to helpful apps to use when traveling, here are some tools and tips to help you avoid travel turbulence.

TSA tips & more The Transportation Security Administration is tasked with keeping us all safe at airports and in the air over the U.S. It can be a thankless job, and sometimes even TSA agents get cranky and lose their sense of humor. So it pays to be patient and bring your own sense of humor when you travel (but NO terrorism jokes, folks).

In addition, it’s helpful to know the routine ahead of time. If you don’t fly frequently, navigating the ins and outs of air travel can be trying at best. Do I take off my shoes for the TSA screening?

Can I pack my shampoo in my carry-on?

What about knitting needles? Here are answers to some of those questions and info on where to learn more about the requirements of TSA screenings.

SHOES Yes. If you’re between the ages of 13 and 74, you need to take off your shoes before screening. You don’t, however, need to place them in a bin. Just put your shoes directly on the belt to pass through the X-ray machine.

TIP: Wear slip-on shoes. It will reduce the time it takes you to get through the

have to be in a plastic bag for screening, but you should offer them for inspection at the checkpoint.

line and on to your gate.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN

POCKET KNIVES

Take your infant or young child out of a stroller or baby carrier and carry the child through the metal detector. Strollers and carriers go on the belt with your other items to be X-rayed. For more tips on traveling with kids, visit http://www. tsa.gov/tsa-kids/parents-page.

TIP: At Nashville International Airport, you’ll find a children’s play area at the end of all three concourses.

In general, sharp objects are not allowed in the airplane cabin. If you have a handy-dandy pocket knife — even a small Swiss Army knife on your key ring — pack it in your suitcase.

Otherwise, you’ll risk giving it up at the checkpoint.

TIP: Scissors with blades smaller than 4 inches are allowed in your carry-on.

Small needles for medical purposes are also permitted, as are knitting needles.

LIQUIDS Remember the 3-1-1 rule. Use 3-ounce bottles in a 1-quart clear zip-top plastic bag. One bag per traveler (removed from your carry-on and placed in a bin for screening). Items in the bag include liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes.

You may pack larger amounts of liquids, but they’ll have to go in your suitcase.

(And we highly recommend double or triple zip-close bags so that said liquid doesn’t end up all over your stuff.

TIP: You’re allowed more than 3 ounces of baby formula, breast milk or liquid medications; these items do not

4 | Sunday, March 1, 2015 | DESTINATIONS

75 OR OLDER If you’re at least age 75, there’s no need to remove your shoes when going through the metal detector. You’re also allowed to wear a light jacket.

COMPUTERS If you’re traveling with a laptop, DVD player or CPAP machine, you’ll need to remove it from your carry-on and send it separately through the X-ray machine.

Same goes for full-size game consoles.

Tablets, smartphones and portable games can stay packed in your bag.

TSA PRECHECK TSA PreCheck is a program that allows qualified travelers to skip the

more stringent screening. Some of us call it the “special line.” Travelers who screen through the PreCheck line don’t have to remove shoes, belts and jackets, and their 3-1-1 liquids and computers can remain stowed in their carry-on.

It’s an effort to make the screening process more effective and efficient. By identifying travelers who are believed to pose no safety threat, lines move more quickly — and travelers are less stressed.

There are two ways to earn a coveted spot in this line: apply and pay a fee or be randomly selected while in line or when receiving your boarding pass.

Qualified individuals can submit an application and pay $85 for a five-year enrollment in the program. After being approved, applicants receive a KTN, or Known Traveler Number. You’ll then use that number when you book a flight.

Other travelers may be chosen randomly at the gate (by TSA agents who select by observing behavior) or via a computer risk assessment when obtaining a boarding pass.

While PreCheck is available at Nashville International, it is not available at all airports. To find a list of participating airlines and airports, see eligibility requirements or submit an application, visit tsa.gov/tsa-precheck.

AIRPORT? ’S LE IL V SH A N T A EW N S T’ A H W Surfing, sipping & more

of the terminal.

Free Wi-Fi

s the ranks of Nashville International (BNA) join Fi to patrons. awesome airports offering free Wilicly frequented You’ll be able to log on in most pub court, ticketing, areas including gates, the food rtation. baggage claim and ground transpo fic and make it Rushing to get packed, endure traf soned travsea t to the airport can leave the mos through ten got r eler a little fraz zled. If you’ve eve I could y, “Bo t, the securit y checkpoint and though adult that y enjo use a drink,” now you can actually leave mor No . beverage while waiting at your gate s bag the ing hold ing your SO or friend at the gate to k bac race and while you quickly gulp a double s of wine, grab glas a y enjo can you Now . join them secure side the in a beer or sip a cocktail any where

TRAVEL APPS TO TRY

BNA is also an official enrollment center for the program, which allows you to enroll without traveling to another city. Located in the ticketing lobby of the airport, the center is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

REMEMBER: Guidelines listed here are established by the TSA, but TSA agents have the final say on whether to allow an item — or a person — on the plane.

Just go to TSA.gov and look for the “When I fly, can I bring my” search box and type in an item. From liquids to knitting needles to firearms, the quick and easy search results will give you details on whether you can pack an item in your carry-on, in your suitcase or if the item is totally prohibited.

Great travel apps designed to amuse you, keep you organized and help you stay on schedule FLYING APP - FREE Track flights, get up-to-date flight info and earn stamps for travel achievements (like crossing the Atlantic). You can also amuse yourself by measuring how far you are from the moon, following the flights of friends or seeing who has flown the most miles. iOS

AM I GOING DOWN - 99¢

GETTY IMAGES

When I fly, can I bring my …?

U.S. airport to Nashville International was the first ices Uber and officially recognize ridesharing serv wed suit, and Lyft. Denver International soon follo it. Other airLouisville and LAX are considering re services, sha por ts are cracking down on the ride t airports. mos at which are not covered by permits rating at ope m] “We were never opposed to [the Manions icat BNA,” says BNA Corporate Commun cial mer com all ager Shannon Sumrall. “But just like to ded nee they ground transportation operators, with ked wor We be permitted and pay user fees. being the addiboth companies, the outcome Companies as a tion of Transportation Net work mercial Ground new class of operators in our Com Transportation Policy.”

ISTOCK

Drinks to go

Blazing a trail with Uber, Lyft

It might sound morbid, but this app can actually calm the nerves of skittish flyers by pointing out just how ridiculously unlikely it is that your plane will go down. Am I Going Down calculates the likelihood (really, the unlikelihood) of your plane crashing. iOS

GATE GURU - FREE Get flight departure/arrival times, receive alerts on gate changes, and find the nearest/best place on the concourse to grab a bite to eat. Also gives tips on where to purchase a gift in the airport and allows fellow users to direct you to the best layover lounges. Even offers insider info to help you

find the fastest-moving line at the security checkpoint. iOS, Android, Windows

ONTHEFLY - FREE Searches Google’s ITA Matrix software to help you find the best price on a flight.

Searches large carriers and allows you to compare date, time, duration and price. To search budget airlines, try Skyscanner or Momondo (both free). iOS, Android.

HOPPER - FREE Billed as a way to “save money with the bunny,” this app gives you the best times to fly and purchase a ticket and shows you the lowest fares available. It also “predicts” coming price changes and can even monitor fares to locations you choose and notify you when it’s time to buy. iOS, Android

FLIGHT TONIGHT - FREE Want to make a quick getaway? Need to rush out of town to see a sick friend? This > > TRAVEL APPS, 6

DESTINATIONS | Sunday, March 1, 2015 | 5

>> TRAVEL APPS, FROM PAGE 5

app will give you the lowest fare on last-minute travel. Just plug in your city of origin and get a list of the cheapest flights leaving your city on that day. iOS

PACKING PRO - $2.99

Create, share and print a packing list designed for your needs and destination. Using factors like length of trip and the weather at your destination, the app will generate a list to ensure that you pack everything you need. Other variables include pets, babies and religious affiliation. iOS

HIPMUNK- FREE

Not only will Hipmunk help you find the cheapest airfare, it will also make it easier to find a flight that’s low on inconveniences (plane changes or layovers) and high on amenities you want (like Wi-Fi). The app even delivers last-minute hotel deals that you can book directly through the app. iOS, Android

When the first airplane landed at BNA in 1936, pilot Elmer Van Sickle (left), stewardess M. Harman and co-pilot Gene Kruse were greeted by Nashville Mayor H.E. Howse, Col. Harry Berry and Cmdr. Luther Luton.

WHAT IS BNA, ANYWAY? You may have heard Nashville International Airport referred to as BNA. Or perhaps you’ve seen BNA on the bag tags placed on your luggage for a return flight. Maybe you’ve even driven on BNA Drive.

FILE / THE TENNESSEAN

WHAT DOES BNA MEAN? BNA is Nashville’s IATA code, a three-letter designation that helps identify major airports around the world. IATA stands for International Air Transport Association; BNA stands for Berry Field Nashville, Berry Field being the name given to the landing strip when Nashville’s first airport opened in 1937. Built as a Works Progress Administration project, the field was named for Col. Harry Smith Berry, a decorated World War I veteran who then served as Tennessee administrator for the WPA program.

Berry lived and died in Hendersonville, Tenn.; he is buried in Nashville’s Mount Olivet Cemetery.

BNA’s namesake, Col. Harry Berry (center), is shown in this 1962 photo taken at Berry Field.

Berry is flanked by American Airlines representatives Jeff Lewis (left) and James Bass. The men are standing in front a plane known as the “Tin Goose.” The vintage aircraft made a stop at BNA on its way to the Smithsonian Institution.

FILE / THE TENNESSEAN

Dickson County Fairgrounds Friday, March 13 – 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 14 – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, March 15 – Noon to 4 p.m.

Admission $3 • Children 12 & Under Free • Free Parking $1,000 in Door Prizes • Petting Zoo & Bounce Houses

Free Education Seminars by:

“The UT Gardens and 2015 Gardening Trends” Friday, March 13th at 5:00 p.m.

TN-0001040904

For more information: www.dicksonoutdoorshow.com (615) 446-2349 Come kick off spring 2015 with fun for the whole family!

6 | Sunday, March 1, 2015 | DESTINATIONS

TN-0001040916

DESTINATIONS | Sunday, March 1, 2015 | 7

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DESTINATIONS | Sunday, March 1, 2015 | 9

A view of Nightingale Nest inside and out. It’s just one of the luxury tents offered at The Martyn House in Ellijay, Ga.

Let’s go glamping!

COURTESY OF THE MARTYN HOUSE

By DIANE HUGHES Tennessean Custom Publications

Never been camping? Have you always wanted to try roughing it but thought it was just too much work?

Too inconvenient? Too lacking in creature comforts?

Maybe you tried camping once and have bad memories of the cold hard ground and a battle with insects.

Well, we have a novel travel suggestion for you.

It’s called glamping. Think of it as glamour camping.

Camping with bling.

If your idea of roughing it is to call room service, this may not be the vacation for you. But if you’re a little adventurous — and somewhat needy in terms of comfort — glamping could be a great experience.

Even in the world of glamping, amenities and levels of comfort vary. From locations with no electricity and a shared bathhouse (that you’ll have to walk to) to pampered amenities like massage, Wi-Fi and an en suite (no late night walks to the bathroom!), there are plenty of options for getting closer to the great outdoors while still choosing the conveniences you’re willing (or eager!) to live without.

“Many people are put off by traditional camping because of all the preparation it takes to get ready and then the challenges of a good night’s sleep,” says JoAnn Adams Antonelli, who, along with Rick Lucas, owns and runs The Martyn House in Ellijay, Ga. Antonelli and Lucas have worked hard to remove 10 | Sunday, March 1, 2015 | DESTINATIONS

any obstacles to your enjoyment of a “camping” experience. At The Martyn House, you won’t have to search for the perfect camping spot, erect a tent, forage for firewood or sleep on the ground.

“We took all those little hiccups and created a way to enjoy nature and be comfortable, too,” says Antonelli.

LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS

At The Martyn House, Antonelli and Lucas have put their own unique twist on the bed and breakfast industry. They’ve created The Farm, an 18-acre property that features luxury sleeping tents from India.

The tents (with names like Nightingale Nest and Bohemian Bungalow) accommodate two twins or one king-size bed and are equipped with electricity and a bathroom (composting toilet) with on-demand hot showers. At 12x12, the tents are spacious and include a sitting area. The private bath measures 6x12, and there’s even a 6x12 porch with a table and chairs.

Each tent is tucked away in the woods to allow for privacy. Equipped with fans for cooling in summer time and heaters to warm you in the cooler months, these accommodations are designed for comfort.

“Our bedding is luxurious, and the tents are whimsical with all the comforts of home,” says Antonelli.

In fact, Antonelli insists the only difference you’ll notice between one of these tents and your own bed will be the peaceful sounds of nature you’ll hear outside as you drift off to sleep. It’s the perfect setting to

Plan a luxury outdoor getaway allow guests to connect with nature and disconnect from their hectic day-to-day life.

“We try to give our guests the experience we would want if we got away for a few days from the hustle and bustle of life in the fast lane,” Antonelli says.

She adds that guests frequently express how they appreciate the slower pace they experience during a stay at The Martyn House. It’s a time, guests tell her, when they’re able to disconnect from electronics and find some quiet time.

“Yes, there is electricity and Wi-Fi — although we highly discourage it,” Antonelli says.

While a glamping getaway can be a time to disconnect from technology, at The Martyn House, it’s also a time for reconnecting with humans. To that end, Antonelli says, every night on The Farm at The Martyn House there’s a community bonfire where she and Lucas gather with their guests.

“It’s great to see how connected people become when sitting around a bonfire chatting,” says Antonelli.

“We have found these evenings to be some of the most rewarding moments here at The Martyn House.”

MEALS & MORE

When it comes to meals on The Farm, you have a few options. First off, breakfast is served on Saturday mornings at The Farm and on Sunday mornings > > GLAMPING, 12

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DESTINATIONS | Sunday, March 1, 2015 | 11

>> GLAMPING, FROM PAGE 10

at In Towne (the bistro/coffee bar/music venue that Antonelli and Lucas run just a couple of miles away from The Martyn House).

“This year we are opening our gourmet glamping communal kitchen for those guests who want to cook for themselves or hire one of our chefs for the night,” says Antonelli.

If you decide to cook, “Piazza Lucas,” the outdoor kitchen, has a brick pizza oven and grill. Antonelli notes that each tent is equipped with an electric tea kettle, a French press and a selection of coffee and tea.

But, she says, most of her guests just want to relax.

“We have found most of our guests want to be more pampered, and cooking is not on their list of glamping experiences,” she says. “If they bring a cooler, it’s usually filled with adult beverages and snacks.”

RELAX & UNWIND

Speaking of adult beverages, there are plenty of places to enjoy them on the property. In addition to the outdoor kitchen, Antonelli and Lucas have

created several outdoor living spaces for guests to enjoy. There’s “Posh at the Pond,” an outdoor living room and bar with a fire pit. “The Lawn” has a big deck covered with one of the luxury tents to create another outdoor living room/bar combination that is complemented by a fire pit, a bocce/croquet court and a space for tossing horseshoes.

For the ultimate glamping indulgence, book an hour with the staff massage therapist. At $95 for 60 minutes ($140 for 90 minutes), you can enjoy a Swedish, aromatherapy or deep tissue massage. For $80 per couple (plus tax and gratuity), splurge on a candlelight dinner that includes a complimentary glass of wine.

ADULTS ONLY

The Martyn House Farm offers just about everything you could want in a pampered back-to-nature getaway. But there is one thing you won’t find here: children. There’s a strict adults-only policy.

“We wanted to create a place where adults can get away, where couples could have romantic getaways and gals could have carefree girlfriend getaways,” says Antonelli. “As we all know, children are very busy,

DALE RE LAKEay Harbor, WSaORT

Queen-size rustic log bed with highthread-count sheets and a trundle bed. Some yurts (a type of tent) offer a sleeper sofa or air mattress for more guests. Tents have a mini fridge, microwave and coffeemaker plus dishes, utensils, pots/pans. Patio area has grills and a fire pit for cooking.

Each yurt has its own private bath and shower in the adjacent bathhouse.

There’s also a shared hot tub. Electric lights and ceiling fan. Air conditioner in summer; heaters in cooler months.

Located in the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state, Lakedale Resort has canvas tent cabins furnished with a queen-size bed, table, chairs and a futon. You’ll also find a battery-powered lantern in your room and fire ring and chairs right outside your tent. There’s no electricity, internet access or running water in the tents (Wi-Fi is available at the nearby General Store on the property). Shower facilities and toilets are a short stroll away; self-serve continental breakfast every morning in the centrally located mess tent.

Rates: $85 per night, based on fourperson occupancy. $5 per person, per night for more than four occupants. Max six guests per yurt.

On-site or nearby activities: Horseback-riding, wagon rides or the chance to be “Dude For a Day.” Other activities in the area: whitewater rafting, zip line, Long Creek Falls and Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.

On the Web: blanchemanor.com

s h.

Rates: Starting at $179 per night, double occupancy. May 1-Sept. 30.

On-site or nearby activities: Kayaking, wildlife boat cruise, whale watching, Whale Museum, hiking, biking, fishing, zip line, lavender farm.

The resort sponsors on-site activities for a modest fee: jewelry making, birdhouse painting and tie-dye crafts.

On the Web: lakedale.com

12 | Sunday, March 1, 2015 | DESTINATIONS

The Martyn House 912 Flat Branch Road, Ellijay, Ga. (about 3 hours, 40 minutes from Nashville and 40 minutes from the Ocoee River)

Available April 1 to Dec. 1 Starts at $220 per night, two-night minimum themartynhouse.com 706-635-4759 Nearby activities: Biking, hiking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, whitewater rafting, antiquing

Other glamping sites

MAN O R Y UR NCHE TS BLA Copperhill, Tenn.

Frid

loud and curious. For our guests, we wanted a much more laid-back, intimate and quiet experience. We created a space that was really not as child friendly as it is adult friendly — and we have found that our guests love that it is that way.”

So, if you want to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature — but still want to sleep in a comfortable bed and take a hot shower — The Martyn House might be the perfect outdoor getaway.

N

L A Y UR T TAHrAyson City, N.VCILLAG N .

B E A

ATE RIVER R AN STG CH E iver Ranch, Fla. R W

Enjoy the sounds of nature from the comfort of your heavy-duty canvas yurt nestled in the woods on a 22-acre compound. Accommodations include queen-size bed or futon sofa bed, CD/AM/FM player, mini fridge, coffee maker, picnic table and charcoal grill. Private bathrooms and showers are located in an adjacent building. Sleeps up to four.

Canvas tents set on platforms in the woods offer portable heat and air, gas grill, mini fridge, microwave, electrical outlets, private bath/ shower facility, king and twin beds, and morning coffee service. Shop at the general store and cook for yourself or dine at the on-site deli or one of two restaurants on the grounds.

Wi-Fi available for a fee; weak cell phone reception.

Rates: $89 per night

Rates: $143-$224 per night, double occupancy, depending on day of week, time of year, etc.

On-site or nearby activities: Rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, gem mining, waterfall deck On the Web: wildwaterrafting.com or bit.ly/YurtVillage

On-site or nearby activities: Rodeo, horseback riding, airboat rides, archery, bungee jumping, dinner hayride, fishing, mini golf, petting farm, pony rides, tennis, zip line.

On the Web: bit.ly/WestgateRanch

ER SEVI

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Family fun is alive and well in the Smokies!

Every season here is filled with unique attractions, entertainment, shopping and events, all guaranteed to make lasting memories. Come to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville where providing fun for your family is always at the top of our to-do list.

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DESTINATIONS | Sunday, March 1, 2015 | 13

Away to the beach … away from the crowds Break away from the typical beach routine

By DIANE HUGHES

Most of us spent the ice storm of 2015 dreaming of a beach vacation, but with canceled flights and snarled traffic, there was just no getting there — or anywhere for that matter! But spring is almost here, so plan your beach escape now.

If your idea of the perfect beach

getaway DOES NOT include rubbing elbows at crowded bars and beaches or dealing with throngs of rowdy revelers, well, we understand. And we’ve done a little research and discovered some off-the-beaten path destinations where you’re more likely to enjoy the sun and

surf in relative peace and quiet. So, grab your steamy romance novel, pack your swimsuit and load up on sunscreen, ’cause it’s time for a little beach therapy.

If the sea calls to you, but the masses don’t, one of these destinations could be the beach retreat for you.

Murrells Inlet, South carolina EXPLORE THE GRAND STRAND Just 10 miles and a world away from the morepopulated Myrtle Beach, Murrell’s Inlet is an old fishing town known as the Seafood Capital of South Carolina. Located along South Carolina’s socalled Grand Strand, you’ll find a lot — or nothing — to do here. You can dine on the waterfront.

Charter a boat. Breathe in the salt air. Take a stroll on the Marshwalk and dine (options from laidback to upscale), shop or enjoy some live music.

The Waccamaw Neck Bikeway will appeal to cyclists. The paved route follows U.S. Highway 17 (also known as the Coastal Highway) and connects to Huntington Beach State Park. The park is an ideal place to hike, fish, swim, boat, picnic or engage in a little bird watching. While you’re there, take a tour of the house and grounds at Atalaya Castle, the former winter home of businessman Archer Huntington and his wife, sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington.

Just across the street from the park, you’ll find Brookgreen Gardens, another property formerly owned by the Huntingtons. Enjoy the sculp14 | Sunday, March 1, 2015 | DESTINATIONS

Stunning Brookgreen Gardens is a popular destination in Murrells Inlet. ISTOCK ture garden, designed by Anna Huntington, along with beautiful fountains and moss-draped trees.

There’s also a butterfly house and aviary, and you can tour a historic cemetery.

If you’d like, explore more of the Grand Strand and opt for a night of bright lights in the big city of Myrtle Beach, about a 30-minute drive away. (You can always return to your quiet beach enclave after a night on the town.) The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade offers a bevy of bars and

ISTOCK

Tennessean Custom Publications

restaurants situated on a fishing pier. You’ll also find an arcade and Ferris wheel (the “Sky Wheel”) plus a number of shops and attractions. About 15 minutes in the other direction, you’ll find Pawley’s Island. Settled by rice planters who established plantations along the rivers in the area, Pawley’s Island is a quiet seaside town where locals regale visitors with ghost stories and beachcombers enjoy the silky-smooth sand dunes. Venture a few miles inland and you can explore the black water of the Waccamaw River from the seat of a kayak.

You’ll have moss-draped cypress trees as a backdrop and plenty of wildlife to view. The occasional gator sighting will help keep things exciting.

The entire Grand Strand offers opportunities to fish, golf, explore the area wildlife or just relax and enjoy the view from miles of secluded beachfront.

Whether you prefer a fancy resort or a cozy beach cottage rental, in Murrells Inlet and the surrounding area, you’re sure to find accommodations and activities to execute the perfect beach getaway.

ON THE WEB

murrellsinletsc.com, visitmyrtlebeach.com, brookgreen.org, southcarolinaparks.com/ huntingtonbeach

St. George Island, florida NO BARRIERS TO RELAXATION

boards, surfboards and more. Book an airboat ride, take a sailboat sunset cruise or attend a watercolor workshop at the local art gallery. Take the kids for a dolphin encounter.

The island is also known as a nesting ground for the threatened loggerhead sea turtle. Look for them, just don’t disturb them, and please observe all the rules designed to protect the turtles, including not leaving items on the beach and following lighting guidelines after dusk.

If you get restless on the island, make the 10-mile drive to Apalachicola and visit the Maritime Museum or Apalachicola Museum of Art. The town is also home to a pair of historic homes: Raney House Museum and Orman House. Adjacent to Orman House is Chapman Botanical Garden, which serves as a living tribute to Dr. Alvin Wentworth Chapman, a Florida botanist and prolific cataloger of southern plants.

In nearby Carrabelle, about a halfhour from the island, you can kayak or canoe on the Apalachicola River Paddling Trail System, hike on the Coastal High Bluff Trail or visit Tate’s Hell State Forest where you’re likely to spot hawks, eagles, deer and raccoons. Maybe even a bear or bobcat.

This getaway is a peaceful destination that incorporates sun, surf, nature, wildlife, adventure and some of the rich history of the Sunshine State. St. George Island is a great place to kick back, relax and enjoy the beauty of the Florida seashore.

Sitting on the north Florida Gulf Coast is one of the Sunshine State’s unspoiled barrier islands. No crowds here. No big buildings or big box stores. Just the peace and quiet that comes when you journey the short drive from Florida’s mainland to the peaceful environs of St. George Island.

Accessible by road via a single bridge, this 22-mile-long island is described by visitors as peaceful and non-pretentious. It’s a paradise where beachgoers can sun, swim and enjoy fresh seafood. It’s a quiet place where you can watch dolphins playfully swim while you search for shells on the beach.

But there’s much more to do here.

Highlights on the island include Cape St. George Lighthouse, a replica of the original lighthouse that once stood on adjacent Little St. George Island. The new lighthouse stands as the centerpiece at Lighthouse Park and Keeper’s Museum. If you visit the island during the full moon, you can enjoy a moonlight tour of the lighthouse and experience stunning views of the coast.

And when the moon’s not full, this barrier island is the perfect place to stare at the stars. Zoning and building codes have helped manage growth here and maintain the island’s serene sensibility, so you won’t find a lot of bright lights and garish neon signs. With the nearest big city being 70 miles away, St. George affords the dark skies coveted by serious stargazers.

With several beaches to visit, you can easily change your beach perspective during your stay. Bring your own or rent a bike and enjoy Cape St. George Lighthouse in St. George the island’s 6.3-mile bike trail. Island. ISTOCK Explore the marshes, boardwalks and hiking trails, and be on the ON THE WEB lookout for more than 300 species seestgeorgeisland.com/stgeorgelight.org of birds documented in this area. floridastateparks.org/park/St-GeorgeThere are plenty of places to rent Island, ApalachicolaHistoricalSociety.org beach chairs, umbrellas, paddle

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16 | Sunday, March 1, 2015 | DESTINATIONS