Savannah Blue (Georgia)

Member Name: doyoureally

Product:	Georgia
Date:	23/06/03 (146 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Southern hospitality, Variety to see, Different

Disadvantages: Can be too humid inland, Atlanta some say

I doubt you'll be blue in Georgia. She offers a wide variety of sights and backwaters to be explored by those seeking something more authentic than Mickey Mouse. There's nothing up with MM, don't get me wrong. But, sometimes you just crave a little more reality.

I visited Georgia a couple of years back. Some things will have changed in the modern cities - equally time seems to move more slowly through this state. If you pause in the summer heat under a live oak dripping with Spanish Moss, you could see the world as it was many decades ago.

So let's give this opinion some structure - I'll start with a few facts, share the things I enjoyed, list a few that other suggest are good that I didn't get to do and then give you some more facts.


Basic Facts
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Georgia is a big state if you intend to see it all - sat against the Atlantic coastline with 5 states for neighbours (North & South Carolinas, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida. The climate varies markedly from the coastal areas to inland - winter is milder with freezing temperatures a rarity - summer can hit very oppressive 90s with regular aplomb.

If you are leaving the UK - then your choice of airport destination is limited to Atlanta or Savannah in state - but driving down from Carolinas or up from Jacksonville is pleasantly achievable.

There are large parts of the state where the scenery does not change so much as you drive - but then you just have to imagine you're in a road movie and it all acquires a more transient level.


When to go?
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This depends a little on your attitude to heat - spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures; rainfall concentrates from December to April - but you can expect rain at some point. I went in may/June and it was a comfortable 70 or so except for 2 blistering days.

Most months see some kind of local events somewhere - although nothing on the lists
I saw screamed unmissable over anything else unless you happen to like golf of course. The Atlanta Master Golf Tournament at Augusta draws huge crowds in April (book ahead) - time and nearby locality best avoided if you aren't bothered by golf as prices rocket


What to See
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Beaches - The Golden Isles that hug the Georgia coast offer peaceful, unspoilt beauty - this is NOT St Tropez - but relax, take a picnic and chill out by the sea. There are many wonderful beaches - driving north from or south towards Savannah - just pick a spot that takes your fancy.

Golf - the state is covered in golf course - with 7 of championship standard. Check out the deals going to save on green fees.

Outdoor life - biking near the coats, fishing and boating on lakes, white water rafting are just some of the outdoor pursuits to be enjoyed across the state.


Atlanta - we didn't get here but as the huge metropolis it is, Atlanta offers more nightlife and cosmopolitan opportunities than elsewhere. The restaurants, art galleries and other cultural activities belie it southern geography and history. Gateway to the South - the city suffers from the requisite traffic, population density and crime yet still attracts many for its quality of life. Top sight is the Olympic Village.

Savannah - if you need to choose between Atlanta and Savannah - come here. There is a certain magic to this place. It represents and determinedly displays the free spirit of the south alongside wealth and comfortable lifestyles of most residents. Even General Sherman was talked out of burning Savannah to the ground.

The port area is bustling with a mixture of old charm and tourist glitz (which is fun for its rarity). Take the harbour tour - see huge ships pass by your tiny paddle steamer and when you get off browse endless curiosity shops. Note the huge cobbles - which were ballast for the ships than arrived empty of cargo to tr
ansport the produce of the south to the UK and the world.

Old Savannah is a huge project of preservation and restoration - the residences (can't just call them houses) are stunning in style, opulence and tranquillity. But get out of the car to walk nosily by these statements of wallet-size.

Near the port - the Market is full of places to eats and more shops filled with stuff you won't find back home. Evenings see much live music -jazz


Gump? Ah now how many of you are saying but what about that bench? Did you know that Forrest Gump sat on his bench in Savannah? But the bench wasn't a real one - just a movie prop. But the location is real and if you feel the need - it's at Chippewa Square. There nearly was a statue of Tom Hanks (Gump), but the local sense of history and pride refused to see a fictional hero alongside their own General Oglethorpe. The visitor centre does now have 2 benches (go and find out) - just don't forget your box of chocolates.

Chattahoochee National Forest - in the very north follow Route 76 for great scenery - forest and Appalachian Mountains.


In Conclusion
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There are many hundred of things to see and do - there is not Disneyland and on this occasion that was just fine by me. This is not the modern America of New York - but the southern hospitality rings true enough alongside an accent that you can practice and a culture and pace of life befitting a holiday.

After visits to this state and Savannah in particular - I doubt you will be feeling blue.


The Facts
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Georgia Dept of Tourism will send a pack full of stuff - PO Box 1776, Atlanta, Georgia 30301-1776

On the web - try www.gomm.com

Hiring a car outside of the cities is the best bet. Driving is easy enough with good roads. Drives can be long as you will not reach motorway speed off the main freeways (not unless you like prison beans for
every meal that is).

It's 911 for emergency services.

It's minimum 21 for drinking liquor i.e.alcohol.

Sales tax is 6% - this is usually left off shop prices - so you have to remember to add it on.

I hope the above proves useful. Maybe this will give you an idea for a different destination than the hordes - and you might just be glad of that on holiday.

Try the usual online travel agents for the best fares / packages - CIAO list all these.

Please rate this opinion = add a comment if I can tell you anything else I know. These ops are always a balance between detail and sending you all to sleep.

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