It’s time to kick winter to the curb, get out and enjoy your favorite destinations.  The Travel Bags team is ready to hit the road.  Here’s where we’re going.

Olivia’s suggestions:

Sea Island – Home to four Five-Star award winning locations: The Cloister (hotel) at Sea Island, The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club, The Spa at Sea Island, and the Georgian Room restaurant. Sea Island features five miles of private beach, squash and tennis centers, and offers seasonal hunting, fishing, and organic culinary opportunities. Sounds like the perfect place for a luxurious vacation.

Jekyll Island – In addition to the beach and golf clubs, Jekyll Island is also home to a 250-acre Historic Landmark District, a Sea Turtle Center, and the Summer Waves Water park. There are hotels available as well as cottage and campgrounds. Development on Jekyll Island is limited to just 35% of its land, so it is a great place for families to explore and enjoy nature.

Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga is another great destination for families interested in exploring nature.
One of the biggest attractions is the Tennessee Aquarium. Not only do visitors see penguins and otters, they also get to go “behind the class” in a free exhibit that allows you to touch and pet some of the animals. My favorite part when I visited was the rooftop garden, which is home to hundreds of butterflies.
The Chattanooga Ducks Tours allow visitors to board actual WWII landing crafts and splash into the Tennessee River for an ecological tour of the river and its ecosystem.
Finally, Ruby Falls, located 1,200 feet beneath the surface, is the nation’s largest and deepest waterfall open to the public. Tour the cave and witness the beautiful waterfall. You can also take an authentic lantern tour, where only lanterns guide the pathway.

Pensacola, FL
I spent my spring break in Pensacola a few weeks ago. I’ve been there many times, but on this trip, we tried new things and went to places I’ve never been before.
The Naval Air Station is where my grandfather worked for several decades. He is buried there too. You can visit the Station for free and explore old forts that the Union created during the Civil War. They have tunnels that go on forever and the bullet marks are still visible on the exterior walls. You can also visit the Naval Air Museum. This museum was really special to visit because you are allowed to touch the old war planes and even sit inside a few of them. There aren’t any roped off exhibits. It’s very open to public and easy to explore. My brothers also enjoyed the rides that simulated what it would be like to fly a fighter jet. Finally, the Pensacola lighthouse offers a beautiful view of the coast and the city of Pensacola. It also features an interesting museum on lighthouse keepers.
Another new thing we did was explore the sand dunes. The water was too cold for swimming, so instead we climbed the sand dunes and got a unique and unobstructed view of ocean. Pensacola Beach is on such a narrow strip of land that you can enjoy the beach on one side of the road, and then cross it to fish in the quiet water of the bay.
In April, the attractions will open up and visitors can go kayaking, jet skiing, and even deep sea fishing (my family tried this one time, not for the faint of heart or for those who do not have their sea legs!)

Doc Bill’s suggestion:

Sapelo Island
It  never disappoints!  Get away and disconnect where you can enjoy nature, fish, crab, shrimp and comb the beach for shells.  Take a historic tour and visits areas that remain the same through the years on this beautiful pristine island. Visit the Reynolds Mansions which dates back to the 17oo’s and take in all the amazing history of the home. Not to miss is the lighthouse – and it’s still a working lighthouse. Although it is not used on a regular basis, it can still bring in ships if needed on a foggy day.

Places to stay are not hard to find. Contact the Sapelo Island Birdhouses at www.sapeloislandbirdhouses.com. With five cottages to choose from you’ll find your perfect spot to relax with all the amenities of an urban home – but in a natural setting among old live oak trees.

Annita’s suggestions:

Panama City Beach, FL
It’s close by – either fly or drive it’s easy.  There are plant of options for accommodations – hotels, condos or vacation rentals.  All accommodations are family friendly so bring along everyone. It also the spot for College Spring Break.  With free shuttles to take you around, you don’t have to worry about driving or finding all the best spots.

Panama City has a long list of things to do.  Golf – with several courses with water views.  As it warms up water sports are your way to have mega fun – fishing, jet skiing, paddle boarding, kiteboarding.  The Pier Park is a must.  With shopping and entertainment all in one center you can spend the whole day there.  Dining and attractions are right there too!

Helen, Georgia
You can step right out your door and land in Germany.  No need to jump on an airplane; fill up the car and head to the mountains.  The Bavarian village has plant to see and do.  Take a carriage ride, play miniature golf and when it warms up – hipline and river tubing.  Have a sweet tooth? Don’t miss Hansel & Gretel candy kitchen.

Get out and have some fun – the ice is gone, the sunshine and warm temperatures are heading our way.  Let’s go!!

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