Atlanta Leisure Travel Examiner

'Cautious optimism' this Thanksgiving?

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:56:04 -0700

Without a doubt, the tourism has been hit by the current “economic slowdown.” But a new Deloitte survey indicates travelers have “cautious optimism” this winter travel season. The survey of 2,000 consumers in the United...

Historic trestle a landmark in its own right

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:29:37 -0700

Photo by Todd DeFeoCLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Gateway to the New South may no longer be the bustling railroad hub it once was, but the city is home to an impressive railroad structure.The swing bridge over the Cumberland River dates to 1859....

San Jose's airport the least busy this Thanksgiving

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:18:49 -0700

Anyone looking for a quiet airport experience should try San Jose, Calif. A new survey from Orbitz reveals that San Jose International Airport will be the “least busy” airport this Thanksgiving. The complete list: San Jose,...

Orbitz: Chicago's airport the busiest this Thanksgiving

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:20:45 -0700

A new survey from Orbitz reveals that Chicago’s Chicago O’Hare International Airport will be the busiest airport this Thanksgiving. The complete list: Chicago – Chicago O’Hare International (ORD) Los Angel...

A town so remote, no one knew the war was over

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:09:56 -0700

Photo by Todd DeFeo FRANKLIN, N.C. – The town of Franklin is a charming community tucked in the middle of the Smoky Mountains. Its remote location makes it a nice escape from the daily grind.But, during the Civil War, the town’s location...

Take it slow on this country road

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:04:58 -0700

Photo by Todd DeFeo SKY VALLEY, Ga. – It’s amazing how peaceful a scenic overlook can be – nothing but the sound of the breeze rustling the leaves.Sure, cars pass by every so often, breaking the tranquility. But in between those di...

Sign: de Soto visited here, too

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:04:30 -0700

Photo by Todd DeFeoHIGHLANDS, N.C. – Some time ago, after visiting the Etowah Indian Mounds in Cartersville, Ga., I was intrigued to learn that Hernando de Soto passed through the area.Imagine my delight when driving along U.S. Highway 64 ...

Say what? The travel week in quotes: Nov. 1-7

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:56:21 -0700

SMYRNA, Ga. – Here is a rundown of the week’s events in quote format: “In recent years, travel fees – for baggage, gas, parking and the like – have had a tendency to rise in unexpected and unpleasant ways. Expedia...

Association: Travel industry will add 90,000 jobs in 2010

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:48:58 -0700

The travel industry is expected to add roughly 90,000 American jobs during 2010, the U.S. Travel Association (TIA) announced. TIA noted that leisure travel is expected to rise 2 percent, while business travel is projected to increase 2.5 perce...

Railroad depots: The 'center' of town

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:45 -0700

Photo by Todd DeFeoPENDERGRASS, Ga. – A few years ago, when the city of Pendergrass’ train depot needed to be refurbished, the city wasted no time getting to work.“That’s the center of our town,” the city’s ma...

Index: Fla., Ga. see lodging price reduction

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:02:46 -0700

Florida and Georgia both saw the biggest decreases in lodging prices among southern states, both experiencing a 14 percent decrease over a year, according to a recent hotels.com Hotel Price Index. The Index revealed that a pair of Florida citi...

'America's Most Amazing Mile'

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:32:53 -0700

Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – When the Incline Railway was built in 1895, the idea was to complete a cheap means for traveling to the top of Lookout Mountain. It worked , but it outlasted its inte...

Biltmore: A 'little mountain escape'

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:59:12 -0700

Credit: Biltmore Estate ASHEVILLE, N.C. – George Washington Vanderbilt began visiting the Asheville area in the 1880s. The scenery and the climate were ideal for his tastes, so he decided to build a summer estate here. After all, his siblings ...

Take the 'Last Train to Clarksville': Clarksville or not?

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:43:43 -0700

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Clarksville’s name will forever be linked with railroads, thanks to The Monkees, who recorded “Last Train to Clarksville” in 1966.“Take the last train to Clarksville, and I'll meet you at the station...

Take the 'Last Train to Clarksville'

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:25:58 -0700

Photo by Todd DeFeo CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Standing on 10th Street in downtown Clarksville, it's hard to imagine this area was once a bustling transportation hub around the turn of the 20th century. Passenger trains no longer pass through the ci...

Impressive furnace a link to former town

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:38:30 -0700

Photo by Todd DeFeoCARTERSVILLE, Ga. – In the years leading up to the Civil War, the town of Etowah was an important industrial center. But, following the War Between the States, the town quietly faded into the annals of history and eventu...

Decapod pays homage to Winder's railroad roots

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:59:33 -0700

Photo by Todd DeFeoWINDER, Ga. – The small town of about 10,000 owes a lot to the railroad. Its name, for starters.In 1893, the town of Jug Tavern, as Winder was once known, changed its name to Winder to honor John H. Winder, a general man...

Air Force Museum shows evolution of aircraft

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:20:34 -0700

Northrop B-2 Spirit (U.S. Air Force photo)DAYTON, Ohio – “Necessity is the mother of all invention.”It’s a common theme throughout history, and nowhere is that more apparent than with the Air Force; as warfare evolved over th...

Small locomotive highlights area's railroad roots

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:50:09 -0700

MARIETTA, Ga. – The little locomotive sitting in a fenced in area under a canopy is dwarfed by the locomotives that pass by no more than 50 feet away.Locomotive No. 81421 was built in 1916 by Marietta’s own Glover Machine works. The 2-6-0...

Kennesaw Mountain cannon demo

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:40:40 -0700

Kennesaw Mountain offers an historic demonstration on cannon firing during the Civil War.