Marietta, GA
Travel tips, stories, and photos from around the world taken by East Cobbers.
Photo Courtesy Visitsouth.com
It’s that time of year, when winter blues and cold weather fail to get us down.
The Carnival season has begun with balls and revelry, then parades, floats and fun. This fabulous season culminates in Mardi Gras, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on Tuesday, February 21. Visitsouth.com has suggestions on where to get in on the Mardi Gras madness this year. Click HERE to see their suggestions.
Celebrate Black History Month with Georgia State Parks. There are multiple sites around the state that offer a deeper look into African-American heritage. Here are five of our favorites:
1. Martin Luther King Jr., National Historic Site, Open Daily
2. Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, Closed Mondays
3. Horace King and Sons: Their West Georgia Legacy, Now thru Feb. 29
4. Labor Behind the Veil at the Old Governor’s Mansion, Now thru May 31
5. 23rd Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival, Now thru Feb. 16
For details and more fun family-friendly places to visit from Georgia State Parks, click HERE.
Even in nature, “there’s an app for that.” The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced a new mobile app for both iPhones and Androids. The Georgia DNR Pocket Ranger® Mobile Tour Guide uses some of the most advanced GPS smartphone technology to provide outdoor enthusiasts with features to enhance their visits. Developed by ParksByNature Network, the free app is available by visiting Apple iTunes, Android Market or StateParkApps.com.
Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites offer gorgeous vistas, a myriad of activities and endless hours of exploration. With the release of the new Pocket Ranger® Mobile Tour Guide, discovering places like Cloudland Canyon and Skidaway Island is easier than ever.
From activity searches and park descriptions, to current weather reports and trail maps, Pocket Ranger® has a wide range of benefits. App users can find state parks near them, browse events, apply for boat registration, see campground maps, purchase fishing licenses and more.
Sanctuary by the Sea
We usually think of Florida’s panhandle as a great place for our annual family vacation, but my husband and I were able to take a weekend getaway to South Walton, a collection of 15 eclectic beach communities on the Florida coast. We were looking for some peace and quiet and the small towns and villages (Rosemary Beach, Seacrest Beach, Seaside, Santa Rosa Beach to name a few) along 30-A provided just the right romantic setting. Because the 30-A communities have been built around such distinctive architectural themes, we were able to explore and enjoy a wide variety of the 15 beach neighborhoods without driving very far.
We chose to stay at Sanctuary by the Sea, a condo development right on 30-A in Santa Rosa Beach. This gated community was built adjacent to a rare coastal dune lake and a natural preserve. This lush, private setting is complemented by different amenities suited for families and couples alike: three sparkling pools, a fitness center, lakeside canoeing, a movie theater and virtual golf.
Our condo overlooked Big Redfish Lake to the west, where we saw people fishing, canoeing, YOLO boarding and kayaking in a serene, natural setting. We enjoyed meandering about the walking trail to the lake, and spent some time relaxing on Sanctuary’s 650 feet of beachfront. With umbrella and chair service available, Sanctuary ensures a carefree, quiet day at the beach.
Dinner was the toughest task of the day because there are so many unbelievable restaurants in this nineteen-mile stretch that our decision of which one to dine in was a lot to handle after a day of nothing but beach. We had heard about Caliza Restaurant, 30A’s newest dining hot spot—offering fresh local seafood, grilled steaks, pasta, soups, and a variety of salads. This restaurant is definitely a hidden gem. The restaurant is located poolside in Alys Beach’s striking pool complex. Caliza Pool was created in the timeless tradition of the Greek agora or the Roman piazza, and is actually a complex comprising a 50- by 100-foot main pool, a
separate family pool, a 75-foot lap pool, and a spa whirlpool.
Throughout, exquisite architecture is punctuated with arched colonnades, private cabanas, fountains, lush landscaping and views of the Gulf of Mexico from an elevated terrace. We were eating a delicious meal on a Hollywood movie set. Incredible and romantic!
The next evening we enjoyed another romantic meal at Paradis, a restaurant nestled cozily in the town square area of Rosemary Beach—another planned development on 30-A. Paradis restaurant is fronted by a lounge area marked with leather, wood and a gorgeous marble bar top as long as the beach it is bare steps away from. The dining room is warm and dimly lit and obviously themed around the restaurant’s love for wine. Our meal — grouper grilled and served over a sautéed lobster orzo and fennel, roasted Patty Pan squash and finished with a classic beurreblanc and Sushi grade tuna seared rare with coconut lime rice, sautéed baby bokchoy and wasabi mustard sauce were magnificent. This level of artistry always has a price tag attached to it. Entrées range from $28 to $38 but the locals know a little secret: If you arrive and order dinner between 5 and 5:45 pm entrées (with the exception of the Filet) are half price.
We were also able to squeeze in a visit to the First Note Music Hall. Founder and host Tommy Jackson creates an entirely unique live music experience by creating one show with a variety of genres and artists coming together in an intimate listening room setting. After 4-5 songs, a new artist (country, jazz, pop, blues, R&B) performs, giving the audience a big variety in one evening. As many as 8 artists in one night. This unique venue is something to check out!
Slipping our bare feet on crystal white sand, staring at the turquoise waters of the gulf, hanging out at a hipster music bar and eating scrumptious food in idyllic settings, South Walton provided a perfect place for our romantic rendezvous.
(Written by Cynthia Rozzo. Reprinted from the February 2012 issue of EAST COBBER.)
Women tend to be the travel agents of the family (among other roles), so when the comparison-shopping game changes, you need to know.
Today, you can say goodbye to misleading ticket prices.
According to new Department of Transportation rules, all mandatory taxes and fees that go into your grand total will now show up in airlines’ fare promotions and search results—moving the “OMG” moment up a few steps.
“At first, you might face a bit of sticker shock, as pricing will seem much higher up front,” says Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel, a budget travel advice website. “But ultimately, it’ll be easier for you to compare prices across multiple airlines.”
And if you decide you’ve made a huge mistake within 24 hours of buying a ticket? The new rules say you can get your money back, no problem.
(Source: DailyWorth.com)
If you are looking for the tennis vacation of a lifetime, why not cross the pond for a chance to experience the time-honored grass courts of Wimbledon?
From June 22-30, 2012, sample London’s finest by enjoying Centre and No.1 Court tennis for the first three days of The Championships, and four days of unlimited grass court play at one of Britain’s oldest tennis clubs during a Wimbeldon Tour with Jonathan Lockeretz.
Operated by a British-born, Atlanta-based tennis pro, this personalized tour is a wonderfully intimate way to see the world’s greatest players in action. Besides watching the best tennis has to offer, tennis enthusiasts who take the trip will have the opportunity to enjoy afternoon teas, catered dinners, and play tennis on luxurious grass courts with local club members and another US tour group. Once you’ve found your feet on the grass courts, you’ll be ready to come back the next year to do battle at Wimbledon!
Winter is no time to hibernate at North Georgia State Parks. Get out and have an adventure this February. More information on events, including accommodations and facilities, can be found at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org or1-800-864-7275. For an online calendar listing, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/events. You can also become a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Hemlock Update and Winter Botany,
Saturday, February 11, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Smithgall Woods State Park – Helen
A report on the progress of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid treatment of our Eastern Hemlock trees will be followed by Botanist Jim Sullivan demonstrating how to identify plants in the winter. Winter Botany will include a short hike to identify nearby flora. Register in advance. $10 plus $5 parking. (706) 878-3087.
37th Annual Fireside Craft/Art Show,
Saturday, February 18 through Sunday, February 19, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Unicoi State Park and Lodge – Helen
Celebrate 37 years of the Fireside Craft/Art Show. More than 60 of the Southeast’s finest artists and crafts people will be here for this Unicoi tradition. This indoor, juried show has a reputation for excellence and is a nice balance between fine arts and quality crafts. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.
Orienteering Meet,
Saturday, February 25, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Smithgall Woods State Park – Helen
Find the “controls” hidden in the woods using a detailed map and compass. Beginners can learn how the sport works at the 10:00 a.m. orientation. All participants must begin by 11:00 a.m. and be off the course by 1:00 p.m. Register by February 11. $2 plus $5 parking. (706) 878-3087.
Falconry Experience at Buck Shoals,
Sunday, February 26, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Smithgall Woods State Park – Helen
Learn about the art of falconry with Falconer Buster Brown, Secretary/Treasurer and DNR Coordinator with the Georgia Falconry Association. A short presentation will be followed by a live hunt. Register in advance. $20/adult if paid by February 10, $25 afterward. Kids free. $5 parking.(706) 878-3087.
(Source: Georgia State Parks)
Credit: National Geographic
Natural Habitat Adventures (NHA) today announced the release of the Africa safari planner (www.africasafariplanner.com), a revolutionary interactive online tool that allows consumers to build their own personal safari-of-a-lifetime utilizing one all-encompassing website.
The world’s first online custom safari planning experience, the Africa safari planner (ASP), allows travelers to create their own adventure – choosing from a comprehensive collection of nearly 300 luxury camps across dozens of Africa’s best safari routes in nine different countries.
“Never before have travelers been given such freedom of choice, so many varied options of camps and itineraries, and such a fun and interactive opportunity to design their own dream safari,” says Ben Bressler, founder and director of Natural Habitat Adventures.
The easily navigated ASP is built upon decades of experience operating safaris in Africa. With thousands of images of camps and itineraries, as well as full descriptions of countries and wildlife, travelers can build a selection of dream safaris and save them to their account for future consideration. Then, Africa safari planner automatically creates a digital “personal safari journal” that includes photos and trip highlights, which can be shared with friends and family by e-mail or Facebook.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in travelers wanting to be more involved in their trip planning,” says Bressler. “The Africa safari planner puts travelers in the driver’s seat, seamlessly guiding them through the trip-planning process with an amazing array of the best options Africa has to offer, all in one location. And, anytime a user wants more details, our best-in-the-business safari specialists are available to help answer questions or finalize plans. Planning safaris has never been simpler.”
According to Bressler, “The Africa safari planner brings expedition travel planning into the modern age. As opposed to cookie-cutter, off-the-rack safari packages, now travelers can choose their own adventure with the most comprehensive and fun-to-use planning tool available in the tourism industry. This is the future of travel to Africa.”
Have you been on a safari? What are you tips for an unforgettable safari vacation? Tell us in the comments below or on our Facebook page, Facebook.com/EASTCOBBER.
Representatives of the Cobb County Convention and Visitors Bureau recently unveiled the marketing organization’s new name and logo.
The organization will now be known as Cobb Travel and Tourism and feature a new bright orange and grey logo. TV23 staff spoke with Holly Bass.
For more information about Cobb Travel and Tourism, visit travelcobb.com.
National Parks, including Kennesaw Mountain, will offer FREE admission MLK weekend
The National Park Service is waiving entrance fees at more than 100 other national parks Jan. 14-16 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend.
The list includes parks like Everglades in Florida and Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii, which attract a fair number of visitors in winter, as well as parks that see more visitors in the summer but that offer winter recreation as well, like Yellowstone in Wyoming and Sequoia National Park in California. For a list of participating parks by state, visit http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm .
The National Park Service website says the fee waiver includes entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees, but other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not covered by the fee waiver unless stated otherwise.
However, some park partners and nearby businesses are offering discounts and special offers for the weekend, such as a two-for-one Grand Canyon tour offer with coupon; details at http://www.nationalparksonline.org/special-offers/ .
Other fee-free days scheduled for national parks for 2012 are April 21-29, which is National Park Week; June 9, “Get Outdoors Day”; Sept. 29, National Public Lands Day, and Nov. 10-12, Veterans Day weekend.
Many national parks are free to enter year-round.
(Source: The Associated Press, January 5, 2012)
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