Tourism is up 19 percent in 2010, the report states, bringing billions of more dollars to the state, the report states. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that the trend had dropped 11 percent in 2009, seeing tourists spend $9.8 billion in 2009.

“In a challenging economic climate, tourism has been a source of strength as more and more people discover what Georgia has to offer,” Gov. Nathan Deal said in a statement. “In a challenging economic climate, tourism has been a source of strength as more and more people discover what Georgia has to offer.”

Georgia’s increase in inbound international travel was the fourth-highest volume change in the United States. Nevada and Washington tied for first with a 32 percent increase, while California was third with an increase of 21 percent.

The solution? Eagle Island.

Arriving at Eagle Island

Located off the coast of Darien, Georgia, this 10-acre privacy preserve is a barrier island littered with sago palms, Spanish moss, and a sense of serenity and stillness.  The 10-minute boat ride from downtown Darien lets you off at the dock at Eagle Island, and once there, you and your guests are the only inhabitants on the island for the duration of your stay—save the eagles, black boars, alligators and other wild and wily creatures. It’s your very own private hideaway, from arrival to departure. Round-trip boat transportation is provided at no extra cost, or you can captain your own boat if you’d like.

Captain Andy Hill

Developed and designed by owner/operator Captain Andy Hill, the island is a serene respite of deep hammocks, moss-draped live oaks, cozy fireplaces and sweeping sunset vistas across vast salt marshes. It’s a kick-back, no-plans vacation spot for those who like the idea of camping and want a touch of the outdoors, but prefer the luxury of modern amenities, such as fresh linens, plush robes (yes, robes), leather furnishings, an outdoor hot tub for wine-soaked evenings in front of a stone fireplace, a gourmet kitchen (both indoor and out), and a fridge to stock all your drinks and eats. (You can bring your own food and drink, or opt for Captain Andy to stock the fridge for you, for an additional fee. If you want to be truly spoiled, a chef can come out and cook for you; don’t miss the signature Lowcountry boil.)

A hammock in paradise

The lodge sleeps 12 people comfortably, has two full baths and plenty of space for lounging—relax in the great room in front of the stately fireplace on comfy leather furniture, or chill outside in the screened-in, bug-free, wrap-around porch, lazing in a hammock with a good book or your laptop (yes, there’s wireless Internet access, if you feel the need to be connected, as well as satellite TV.)   Or take a walk down to the dock, sit in the swing with your morning brew, and watch the sun rise over the grassy marsh. With luck, you might even spot a dolphin or two.

View from Eagle Island dock

]]> http://www.hipstertravelguide.com/archives/11304/feed 1 http://www.hipstertravelguide.com/archives/11288 http://www.hipstertravelguide.com/archives/11288#comments Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:49:04 +0000 Vikki Stenstream http://www.hipstertravelguide.com/?p=11288

Georiga State Flag, adopted in 2003

I75 South out of Michigan, headed to Florida is a long, long drive. We like to stop along the way – jumps out of the car to stretch our legs and have a smoke – you know break up the monotony of sitting in the car.

After a late start on Wednesday, a couple of stops along the way and a dinner (at a real restaurant, complete with waiter) we hit Georgia around 10:30 p.m. I saw a sign for the Georgia Welcome Center and assumed like any other state, the welcome center is a rest area that is welcoming and flush with toilets (or as they say in Georgia, terlets). So we pulled off the highway and made our way to the welcome center.

How welcoming it was to see the locked doors. The center is so nice that they have to lock it up close it at night, assuming that travelers who want a welcome only travel during daylight hours.

We got in the car and continued south another 100 miles. After blowing through Atlanta, which, if you’re doing this, night time is the right time to get through the traffic in Atlanta without stopping, we stopped at a cheap hotel to rest up for the remainder of our drive.

So far on this trip, we learned Georgia, with all of their peaches, pecan logs and boiled peanuts, is not so welcoming. But that’s okay, I’m sure the center was nice and when someone finally opens it in the morning, they’ll be wishing everyone safe travels along the way.

We at HTG were first introduced to the mysterious life and ways of a true alligator whisperer, deep in the heart of the South on a press trip to the lodge at Eagle Island. This 10-acre secluded refuge, located just off thecoast of Darien, Georgia,  is home to all walks of wildlife, including gators, wild boars, snakes, armadillos and eagles, to name a few―although I only saw a few large, black wild boars roaming the grounds and no actual alligators.

Captain Wendell Harper, the alligator expert, informed us that gators are generally more afraid of humans than we are of them (not convinced), they are faster and more agile than most people think (true―I once saw an alligator zip across a busy highway unscathed), the length of a gator’s body can be determined by measuring its head (i.e., if the head is 12 inches in length, the body will measure 12 feet), and that gators basically sound like The Three Stooges when emitting their cries. Nyuck nyuck.

Stay tuned this week for more HTG adventures on Eagle Island.

Check out this historial and beautiful island before it's destroyed later this year.

Big deals and little ones are being offered for the next few days on BookingBuddy.com, a site we’ve used to grab cheap tickets to LA. Now’s the time to start looking for things you may want to do this summer, so hurry up and start clicking.

Saint Simons Island: HTG just went there and now the deals are rolling in: Check out this one through BookingBuddy.com for $120 a night.

Marco Island: Sure Florida will frizz out anyone’s hair this time of year,  but we are only a few weeks away from hurricanes wiping out most of the Sunshine State or the BP oil spill starts washing pelicans up on the beach, so head on down and check it out before Mother Nature or Mankind destroy it.

Watch out, they'll get caught in your hair -- and probably give you rabies.

Carlsbad Cavern: Here’s a National Park that can make your skin crawl. Located in Southern New Mexico near El Paso, Texas, Carlsbad Cavern National Park includes a system of more than 100 caves, many of which are filled with bats. Between Memorial Day and October, you can head down there and watch the bats take flight (known as the Bat Flight Program). Most of the bats won’t bite you or suck your blood — most.

Photos are from U.S. National Parks and BookingBuddy.com.

Ahoy, matey! As summer quickly approaches, it’s time to sport your flip-flops, book a long weekend at the perfect beach-side resort and take an adventurous boat ride.

If you’re in the Saint Simons Island area in Georgia , a “can’t miss” day trip is a shrimp catch aboard the Lady Jane (www.shrimpcruise.com), a newly refurbished shrimping boat based in nearby Brunswick near Spanky’s Marshside. It’s the perfect way to discover the open waters of Coastal Georgia and catch a glimpse of life away from terra firma.

This unique, two-hour trawling excursion aboard the 60-foot steel-hull boat is led by the sea-worthy Captain Larry Credle and is the only shrimping vessel on the entire east coast that has been certified by the USCG to carry 49 passengers.

Watch as the captain and his crew empty their catch right in front of you as they identify each sea creature (make sure to bring your camera, sunglasses and a hat).

A group of travel writers, along for the ride for a special media outing with The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, were lucky enough to witness several cool catches, including tons of jumbo-sized shrimp, several sting rays, a few anchovies (hold the pizza), blue crab, a baby octopus, some jellies and the best of all, a baby loggerhead sea turtle. According to on-board marine biologist Paul Christina from the University of Georgia, he and the crew only catch about eight sea turtles each year, so we were very lucky.) All creatures except the shrimp (which were boiled and served on a plate with a side of crackers and delicious cocktail sauce) were catch-and-release. True to Captain Credle’s word, shrimp really doesn’t get any fresher than this.

Charters are available for special events, including weddings, sunset cruises, diving and bottom fishing. It’s perfect for families, group outings, corporate functions or anyone with a sense of adventure. And don’t worry —there’s a clean bathroom on board, an air-conditioned cabin, plenty of bottled water and a shaded covered deck.  It’s quite possibly the best-kept secret of the Georgia sea.

We typically don’t sport plaid pants with white belts, wear collared shirts or have assistants named Jeeves. Foosball or pool is more our speed. In fact, the closest I’ve ever been to playing golf is hitting a small neon ball into a clown’s gaping maw or getting it stuck in a spinning windmill.

So when I was asked to partake in a golf outing on a recent travel writers’ press trip to The King and Prince Golf Course, home of the Hampton Club on Saint Simons Island, I couldn’t say no, although I had a sinking feeling that this might quickly turn into something straight out of the comedic classic, Caddyshack, minus the plastic explosives. Just call me Karl Spackler.

We had time to practice our swing at the 6,500 square foot putting green, where I astonished myself by actually making contact with the ball (although, admittedly, my form was a bit off), while others practiced their chip shots at the 3,000 square foot chipping green.

I worried about looking like a complete novice while practicing, but soon lifted my head and glanced at my fellow writers, hacking away at the air and chipping clumps of turf wayward and felt a bit more at ease.  Twain was right about one thing: Golf is a good way to ruin a nice walk.

Although I am not going pro just yet, I admit I was impressed with their impeccably restored course, originally designed by Joe Lee and refurbished by former Augusta National course superintendent Billy Fuller. The Par 72 course offers up 18 championship holes, four of which are signature, marsh-edged island holes, and wends its way over  800 feet of elevated bridges over vast salt marshes, expansive lakes and lagoons and under towering mossy oaks and pines. Afterward the game, relax at the clubhouse for a round of drinks and a well-deserved meal. Don’t miss at their fully-stocked pro shop for the latest gear and accessories.

The King and Prince Golf Course is open to the public and offers discounted play rates for resort guests. PGA-certified instruction is also available.

Make sure to check out the course before you play via an in-depth, 3-D virtual fly-over tour at www.kingandprince.com/golf.php.

Stay tuned for more adventures from the Traveling Hipster at the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort.

See yesterday’s story on Saint Simons Island

Photo courtesy of Loretta Lynn, no, not that one, the other Loretta Lynn

On any given day, I do not wake to see the sunrise if I don’t have to.

It is beyond an understatement to say that I am not a morning person. In my lifetime, I think I have seen the sun rise once or twice in my entire life: once, after walking home in semi-shame from an all-night bender in college; the other, at a friend’s sleepover in grade school .)

Suffice it to say, I prefer watching the moon sail up through the darkened sky.

But it’s kind of hard not to force yourself to rise a bit earlier when you have been invited on a press trip to stay in an oceanfront room with a private balcony at the stunning King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on Saint Simons Island in Georgia, just to catch a glimpse of the sun rising above the horizon, even if it’s just for the bragging rights.

Stay tuned tomorrow for more travel stories from The Sunrise Hipster at the King and Prince Resort.

8:35 a.m.-Land at Savannah/HHI airport; hop in armored car. Ask to drive (denied). Head for first stop on tour.

9 a.m.- Visit Savannah Technical College; give prepared speech, advising students to switch majors frequently to stay in school as long as possible (due to lack of jobs, but don’t hone on this). Look upbeat. Repeat the words “progress” and “growth” several times. Sign autographs. Do kegger headstand with students. NO PHOTOS.

9:45 a.m.- Stop somewhere downtown for free coffee, preferably not Starbucks. Ask about vitality of business; get free refills and muffins for the road. Hide extras in pocket. Smile.

10:01 a.m.- Address government workers at City Hall (expecting most of them to look like Colonel Sanders) with politically-neutral speech, highlighting key words such as “hope”, “change” and “the”. (Avoid hot-topic issues like health care and recent whale accident.) Brief Q & A,immediately followed by impromptu laser-light “Poetry Slam” contest. Award winner with free Prius; hope brakes work. Moon-walk off stage while waving to crowd as they chant repeated chorus of “Yes we can! Yes we can!” Use restroom.

10:54 a.m.- Bump into Joe Wilson upon exiting City Hall. Kick him square in the nuts. Laugh. (Hope photographer catches shot for CNN, TMZ, and Fox News).

11:00 a.m.- Take scenic carriage ride through Savannah’s historic squares. Ignore pungent smells of jasmine-scented urine. Stop at birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low for free boxes of Girl Scout cookies (avoid Lemon Crème). Chat with tour guide. Wave to crowds.

12:15 p.m. -Visit Paula Deen at her restaurant, The Lady and Sons. Enjoy all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. Unbutton pants. Dinner special, “Barack of lamb” with mint sauce, posthumously to be named in my honor. Get autographed cookbook for Michelle.

2:25 p.m.- Meet with local NRA members at Waffle House; receive official sawed-off Red Ryder B.B. gun with action holster, adorned with glow-in-the-dark presidential seal. Thank them. Leave quickly.

2:45 p.m. –Get souvenirs for girls—matching “I heart Savannah” Snuggies—and organic Slap-Chop for wife’s vegetable garden. Ship bulk box of pralines to White House.

3:15 p.m. -Make surprise visit to Gulfstream headquarters. Meet CEO; ask about business, listen intently. Ask for private tour of the new G650. Request (nicely) for quick delivery of personalized, pimped-out G650. Invite CEO and family to future White House dinner(s).

4:06 p.m.- Text smiley face to Rahm Emanuel. Lol.

4:07 p.m.- Sext salacious message to wife.

4:08 p.m. -Text smiley face to wife.

4:09 p.m.- Call wife to gauge reaction. Apologize if necessary.

5:45 p.m.-Dinner at Five Guys (bonus!) on Bay Street; order two burgers, loaded, also hot dog and fries, large drink (free refills). Take obligatory picture with store manager. Shake hands, smile.

7:15 p.m. -Board Air Force One for flight home. Enjoy cocktails while playing usual game of Risk against AFO staffers. Win (again); obtain complete global domination. Collect money. Yawn.

7:32 p.m. -Make quick fly-by over Tiger Woods’ rehab; air-drop care package stocked with Gatorade, incense sticks and copy of “Monogamy for Dummies” (includes crayons, safety scissors and edible body paint). Watch back episodes of “Celebrity Rehab” and “Jersey Shore”. Take quick nap.

8:20 p.m. -Land in D.C.

It’s definitely a “Bucket List” event, especially the fiesta along cobblestone River Street, replete with enough beer, baubles and brogue to make you think Lucky Charms is actually fine dining. It’s the one day when River Street turns into Bourbon Street, so wear comfortable shoes, bring lots of cash, bring ID to purchase booze,  and leave the kids at home—or along the parade route.

The pre-parade festivities begin on Friday, March 12^th at noon when theinfamous fountain at Forsyth Park is turned green in honor of all the beer that will be spilled on Saint Patrick’s Day.  The event is free and open to the public.

Before you commit all the sins you have planned for Saint Patrick’s Day, make sure to assuage your guilt at 8  a.m. morning mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Then, let the sinning begin: line up along the route on Abercorn Street near Forsyth Park to catch the start of the family-friendly parade at 10:15 a.m. featuring floats, bands and Irish-looking officials wielding batons and colorful sashes. Don’t forget to kiss any uniformed soldier that marches by in the parade, a long-standing and proud Savannahian tradition.

The parade winds its way down Abercorn Street past Lafayette Square, turns on Broughton Street, continues down East Broad Street  onto Bay Street, then makes its final (and arguably most scenic) route down Bull Street past Chippewa Square. Due to all the festivities, getting in or out of Savannah by car on Saint Patrick’s Day is road rage waiting to happen; ifdriving, your best bet is to park across the river near Hutchinson Island at the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort and take the ferry over to River Street. And for the luck of the Irish, if drinking, don’t drive (or swim). For a listing of accommodations in the downtown area, visit www.savannahspecialoffers.com.