As we are all painfully aware of, most of us are having to cut back on spending. When it comes to vacations, I am not sure we will spend the 2-3 weeks away at one time this year. We are still thinking about that or, as an alternative, taking a couple of shorter and closer to home trips. Staying within 4-6 hours of driving from home would eliminate 2 big expenses -- airfare and car rental.

We are in the Atlanta area and have been to Asheville lots of times. I am looking for suggestions of other places to go and stay for 3-5 days that we can drive to from here. Additionally, I would like to keep the trip within $750 for food, lodging and activities.

Charlestons, SC, & Savannah, GA, are both great destinations within 4-6 hours. Lots of history, shopping, dining, etc. in both.

I like Helen, GA as a base for exploring the north GA monutains.

Gatlinburg, TN makes a good base for Pigeon Forge (shopping, shows, Dollywood), Great Smokey Mountains Park, Cherokee, Cade's Cove.

We also like the Pine Mountain/FDR State Park area - lots of neat towns, inexpensive lodging @ the State Park. Westville, GA is an 1850's town recreated - great fun on the weekend. Also, Providence Canyon State Park (Ga's little grand canyon) is not to be missed.

There's always Jekyll Island/St. Simon's - good sea aquarium & some history.

Hope this helps - we're fellow Georgians - Jefferson, GA.

We love going to Jekyll Island and it's a long way for us to go to do it! We enjoy the historical homes, bike trails, and uncrowded beach. There's a wide range of accomodations available, so you should be able to find something in your budget.

Many great places in the Mts outside of Asheville, Chimney Rock for Eg. Also Natchez, MS. comes to mind (although perhaps a bit far). Chattanooga & the Coast from Wilmington, NC to Amelia Island Fl.

There's a place I really enjoyed, but maybe it's too close. It's the old Lake Rabun Hotel (or Lodge) and it is better since it was renovated a few years ago. Right across the road from a good restaurant and Lake Rabun proper, where I have rented a boat and enjoyed motoring aroung the lake. Just over from Lake Rabun is Lake Burton, also a lovely place with usually some cottages to rent. There was an older motel there at one time but I don't know if it's still there. Also there was a wonderful family-dining kind of place that was located by the motel.