Georgia: A Bit of History with a Dash of Southern Charm

Georgia is home to big lively cities, charming towns, rolling mountains, hidden islands, and of course, the best peaches in the entire country. Not only can you instantly feel the southern hospitality the minute you arrive, but the lush landscape and adventure makes it an ideal state to visit at any time of the year. Since Georgia is located on the east coast, you can drive in any direction and discover all kinds of beauty along the way. Georgia’s climate is described as subtropical with most of the state having mild to moderate winters with hot and humid summers.

The capital of Georgia is a great city to visit if you’re into venturing out of your comfort zone and love to explore unknown horizons. Atlanta is known for it’s diversity, artistic heritage, nightlife, and of course, sports. Enjoy a relaxing day through the Atlanta Botanical Gardens to see some breathtaking flora and fauna. Located in Piedmont Park, there are several exhibits including an Alice in Wonderland theme that will leave you and your guests speechless. If you’re traveling with children, make a quick stop at the Georgia Aquarium to see the thousands of species of marine animals including manta rays, dolphins, sharks, penguins, and beluga whales. Visitors even have an opportunity to take a swim with the manta rays and whale sharks in the world’s largest aquarium habitat. Take a ride back in time when you visit the Atlanta History Center. In 1926, a group of founding members created the Atlanta Historical Society in an effort to preserve the city’s rich history. After decades of researching and collecting, the historical society became the Atlanta History Center. If you’re more into sports than history, you will want to catch a glimpse of the massive Mercedes Benz Stadium, home to several of Atlanta’s sports teams and events. There are several options available to tour the massive stadium or even catch a football or soccer game! Before wrapping up your tour around the big city, make your way 15 minutes south of Atlanta to Stone Mountain State Park. The park is most known for having the largest exposed granite dome in the world. During your visit you are able to enjoy a variety of activities including camping, hiking, rock climbing, and different water sports along the lake.

Just three hours southeast of Atlanta is the charming town of Savannah. Every year, tourists and fellow Georgians travel to the coast to enjoy the summer breeze and soak up the fresh salty air. Take a walk through downtown Savannah at the waterfront and admire the history behind the architecture and cobblestone pavement you are walking on. Stop at one of the many restaurants along the river to enjoy a traditional Southern lunch complete with Shrimp & Grits and fried green tomatoes. You can never go wrong with a little soul food!

Now you’re ready to rest and digest so what better way than to go on a sightseeing cruise on board the gorgeous riverboat named Georgia Queen. There are several cruise options available including signtseeing, brunch, gospel, and moonlight cruises but the most popular is the riverboat dinner cruise. Catch the best view of the sunset while enjoying a nice glass of wine and delicious meal. Savannah is also known for its abundance of fish and seafood so it is not a surprise that there are several fishing charter companies that offer day trips out on the water. Your experience will vary based on the charter, but generally the captain will teach you some fishing basics and help you along the way as you patiently wait for that perfect bite. Be aware that not all fishing charters are child-friendly so do your research before booking to save yourself any stress or hassle. Lastly, make sure the boat company you hire is licensed and up to date on boat inspections before you sign any waivers and board the vessel.

At this point, you’ll begin to realize that downtown Savannah has so much to offer that no matter what street you walk down, you’ll see so much history and architecture. Around every corner there is another historic statue of a war hero, another park surrounded by willow trees with a beautiful fountain in the middle or another breathtaking church or cathedral to walk through and admire. If your time is limited in Savannah it is recommended to take a tour of the historic district by a hop-on hop-off trolley. The trolley takes you through town with the option of hopping off the bus to explore further on your own. You won’t be waiting more than 15 minutes for the next bus, as the busses run continuously throughout the day. If you’re a movie buff then drive a short distance from downtown to Wormsloe Historic Site. This former plantation is the site of several movies that were shot on the property. It is famous for having endless trails branching through every neck of the woods. There are several photo opportunities throughout the park including a long, straight road perfectly saturated with live oak trees as far as the eye can see.

There are also several ruins and a marsh to discover around the property that are worth exploring. Other places that are worth stopping at while in Savannah are Forsyth Park, the City Market, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Old Fort Jackson Historic Site, and countless more.

Located about 20 minutes outside of Savannah lies a popular vacation spot called Tybee Island. The beaches are clean, warm, and boast gentle waves making it the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. Celebrities including Sandra Bullock even own multi-million dollar homes near Tybee Beach. Seafood is even more abundant on Tybee Island than in Savannah so there are plenty of delicious restaurants to choose from. The Crab Shack and Bubba Gumbo’s are both known for their best selling steamed seafood pots filled with shrimp, crab legs, corn on the cob, potatoes, and andouille sausage. Other daytime activities that you’re able to enjoy on Tybee Island are kayaking, fishing, bird watching, renting a golf cart, and of course enjoying the summer sun and calm beaches.

Other places that are worth stopping at while in Savannah are Forsyth Park, the City Market, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Old Fort Jackson Historic Site, and countless more. No matter what time of year you decide to visit Georgia, there are endless roads of exploration you are sure to be blown away by its rich history, beautiful landscape and southern charm.

Hungary: Get Lost in the Beauty

Hungary is a charming little country located in central Europe bordering several countries including Austria, Romania, and Croatia to name a few. It’s capital of Budapest is a popular destination for Hungarian natives as well as tourists from around the world. Although you can visit Hungary during any season of the year, Budapest receives most of its tourism in the summer months between June and August. In general, Hungary receives mild to moderate snow during the winter and mildly warm weather during summer. When traveling during the high season, keep in mind that many restaurants and vendors hike up their prices because of an influx of visitors so traveling during the low season is ideal for travelers on a budget and those who prefer to skip the crowds.

Before travelling to any foreign country, it is always important to do a little background research about what to expect on your visit. You will want to know what are the must-see attractions, how to get around, the best time of year to visit, and of course, what are the must-see attractions. That is why we have compiled a list of suggestions for your first trip to Hungary.

Where to stay?Many tourists decide to stay in or near District V in Budapest. It is known as a very tourist

friendly area with many cafes, restaurants, and budget friendly hotels. The historic Castle District is also popular on the “Buda” side of the city and has lots of shops and restaurants nearby. Throughout Budapest there are hotels and hostels for travelers with any budget.

When is the best time to visit?

According to several sources, the best times to visit Hungary, namely Budapest, are from March to May and September through November when the weather is mild and the cities are less crowded. However, if you are into the tourist crowds then summer is the best time to go. The average temperature during this season range from the high 80’s to lows around 60 degrees. Summer is when tourists flock to Budapest and nearby Lake Balaton where the weeklong Budapest Summer Festival takes place every year. Hungary’s most celebrated holiday is celebrated on August 20th of each year celebrating the foundation of the Hungarian state over 1000 years ago. This day is known as St. Stephens Day. The entire country basically shuts down to celebrate with endless good food, dancing, singing, and lots of beer and wine. Festivities usually start a few days ahead of time and continue until the breathtaking firework finale commemorates the evening celebrations.

How to get aroundBudapest is known for its great public transportation systems. The tram and metro will take you

all around the city but be aware there are multiple routes for each metro, some even go outside the city so make sure you board the correct one for your destination. Make sure to buy a metro ticket and validate it when riding. There are also metro cards available to purchase a bundle of tickets all at once. Taxi services are available but use caution when hiring them. Many taxi drivers are known to use rigged meters or take a longer route to the destination to overcharge you. If you want to experience the local live, then the best option is to walk. The benefit is youre able to experience the beauty of Budapest at your own pace while getting exercise! Turn any corner to get lost, find hidden statues, unique architecture and experience the city in a different way.

What to do in and around the big cityWhile visiting this magical city, you will find that there are countless tours, museums, sculptures,

and historical sites to explore. If you’re only in the city for a short period and want to get the most of your day exploring the city then take a day tour on the Hop-on Hop-off tour busses around the

city. During this tour, you are able to hop off the bus at any stop to explore further on your own. The busses run continuously throughout the day so you won’t be waiting longer than 15 minutes for the next one to arrive. Next, if you’re ready for some rest and relaxation after walking miles throughout the city then make a stop at the Szechenyi Thermal Baths. This thermal facility is the largest natural spa bath in Europe as it boasts 15 indoor baths and 3 massive outdoor pools. The thermal waters are said to promote health and longevity as well as cure many skin conditions and illnesses.

It is not a surprise that the city is filled with castles, churches, and other historical architecture. Head to the famous Fisherman’s Bastion and get a breathtaking view of the Danube River. At night, lights illuminate the Bastion to make for a perfect photo opportunity. St. Stephen’s Basilica is another classic masterpiece from the 18th-century that you will not want to miss. Take a cruise down the Danube River to get a perfect view of the Hungarian Parliament Building and several of the famous chain bridges that connect the “Buda” side with the “pest” side of the city. There are many companies that offer river cruises throughout the day, but the most popular options are usually the dinner sunset cruise where guests enjoy a traditional Hungarian dinner while enjoying the sunset and city lights.

No matter what you do in this beautiful city, you will surely build lasting memories during your stay in Budapest. Soak in the local culture, explore up and down the Danube River, taste the astonishing cuisine and make your trip to Hungary one you will never forget.

Some Things to Remember:- Currency is in Forint: The Hungarian currency is the Forint (HUF) and not Euros. Some

restaurants and shops may have prices posted in Euros but always opt to pay in Forints.- Most people speak English: With any country, it is always customary to learn a few basic

words in that language. Luckily, many people around the country speak English so betting around shouldn’t be a problem.

- Make sure to tip: Hungary is one of the few European countries that have an active tipping culture. In general, tipping 10% of the total bill is customary. Keep in mind that leaving a tip on the table is considered rude and handing it to your server is suggested.

- Visit one of many ruin bars: Much like the classic pubs seen around Europe, Budapest has hundreds of bars with speakeasy type vibes to them. Most of these bars offer cheap drinks, appetizers, dancing, and unique art installations.