Travel South: Atlanta, beaches and mountains

Almost completely destroyed by general William Sherman during the Civil War – an iconic moment as depicted in “Gone with the Wind” –, today's Atlanta is a beautiful, young, lively city, one of the most important in America. It is home to the headquarters of CNN, Coca-Cola and Delta Airlines, as well as the house where Martin Luther King was born, and his tomb. Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympics in 1996.

We suggest a stop at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and a visit at the Mountain Farm Museum – a collection of historic log buildings gathered from throughout the area, once serving several different purposes. Then you drive over the Newfound Gap, a scenic mountain pass interspersed with quaint views.

Standing on a plateau between the Blue Ridge and the Great Smoky Mountains, Asheville grew into a popular destination. Its several craft breweries, fashionable restaurants and vintage shops draw plenty of tourists, and yet the town didn’t give up on its rustic mountain character, nor on its proud hippie commune, still hale and hearty.

Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina, despite not being the capital, which is Raleigh, with half the population. Currently, it holds an interesting record: it is the second city in the United States in terms of the number of banks, to the point that the local economy is essentially based on financial activities. Not to be missed for car enthusiasts is the NASCAR Hall of Fame, for sports fans a game of the famous local football, basketball, or baseball teams, and for those who prefer culture, the international Craft + Design collection at the Mint Museum Uptown.

Myrtle Beach is part of the Grand Strand – a 100- km-long expanse of shores bordering the Atlantic, a popular vacation place for American families. It’s the perfect spot to go kayaking, fishing, wreck diving, and golfing. You might want to try offshore fishing or a dolphin watch cruise. The boldest may venture out to sea on a jet-ski, a windsurf or see it all from above while parasailing. If you’d rather go for a relaxing shopping tour, you will find your favourite brands on sale at Tanger Outlets. Another option is Market Common, offering several shops and restaurants.

Leave Myrtle Beach and travel 30 minutes south along the coast, towards the southern end of the Grand Strand. You will arrive at the cozy and peaceful Pawley's Island. Famous for its cypress wood cottages and rich in expansive marshlands, rivers, and oceanfront parks, it is a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Continue south along the pristine coastline and cross the Francis Marion National Forest until you reach Charleston. Charleston is one of the most elegant cities in the USA, with nineteenth-century mansions dating back to before the Civil War, warm hospitality, century-old trees, and azalea gardens. In three centuries of history, the city has survived hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and the Civil War, which broke out here on April 12, 1861. Not to be missed is a visit to the typical villas, decorated with wrought iron and painted in different colors, the Battery, the historic waterfront, the City Market, where you can buy baskets made of hemp from the ancient rice fields, a plantation at Middleton Place, and the Fort Sumter National Monument, where the American Civil War began.

About two hours drive from Charleston, Hilton Head Island is a classy destination that offers beautiful beaches, over 20 fantastic golf courses, and more than 300 tennis courts.

In Savannah, you will encounter the famous Southern Living, a different America, with old-fashioned homes, colorful eccentricities, ancestral traditions, charming lacework, and gothic shadows. Savannah stretches lazily along the river, with green squares, cafes, romantic houses, magnolias, oaks, and Spanish moss swaying in the wind. You start from the River Street waterfront and explore the squares, which are actually subtropical parks with oak trees, dogwood trees, and blooming magnolias. The most famous is undoubtedly Chippewa Square, with Forrest Gump's bench. The old rice and cotton warehouses, perched on the river, are accessible via iron walkways and are now overflowing with shops and restaurants.