This Georgia City Was Voted One of America’s Favorites
It’s so nice to know that people love traveling to Georgia and experiencing all the great activities and landmarks that the state has to offer. Now, one Georgia city was voted one of America’s favorites by travel experts. You could call this America’s darling when it comes to places to visit. What’s cool is that this city was voted one of the best by real travelers.
Georgia City is One of America’s Favorites
The experts at Travel and Leisure have put together a tally of the best cities in America to visit. So, what made these cities stand out? According to the publication, “one characteristic that seemed to capture readers’ hearts, no matter the destination” was “a strong identity, and a sense that the city was unlike others elsewhere in the country.” If you’re wondering about methodology, it was extensive, so you know that this tally is accurate. For the survey, Travel and Leisure asked readers to explain their travel experiences and share their thoughts on the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. More than 186,000 readers completed the 2024 survey. For the islands, the criteria included natural attractions and beaches; activities and sights; restaurants and food; people and friendliness; and value. Also, for each of those categories, residents were asked to give a rating of either excellent, above average, average, below average or poor.
So, which Georgia city is one of America’s favorite, as voted on by travel experts and actual travelers? It’s the Georgia city of Savannah, which Travel and Leisure says readers “adore” because of the city’s “leafy parks, great shopping, carriage rides, and cemetery tours.” If you’re looking for a specific area to visit, they recommend The Starland District, which they say is “thriving these days, with the debut of Hotel Bardo and must-visit restaurants like Brochu’s Family Tradition.” So, who beat out Georgia? America’s No. 2 favorite city is Santa Fe, New Mexico. They call this “artsy Southwestern destination” a popular one, which has been high on their list for nearly 20 years. One visitor calls the downtown area with Pueblo-style buildings and independent galleries, “a photographer’s dream and a shopper’s delight,” according to Travel and Leisure. Finally, No. 1 on the tally is Charleston, South Carolina. It’s actually been No. 1 for 12 straight years, thanks to “its combination of historic architecture, walkability, and Southern hospitality — and, as many readers noted, its unbeatable culinary scene.” Read below for tips on how to maximize your vacation and save money, too.
Tips to Maximize Your Vacation
1. Save Money
One great way to maximize your vacation is simply to save money. You’ll feel so much better on vacation knowing that you’re saving cash by doing things the right way. One major way to save money is to travel during an off season. Every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, look at the cheapest time to visit your destination, and go then. Find more tips on saving money on vacation, too.
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2. Don't Plan Every Minute of Your Vacation
Sure, you want to do some planning so that you don’t miss the big tourist stops in your destination. But, don’t book every blasted minute. Maximize your vacay by saving some time to be spontaneous. Take a day to just figure out what to do when you’re there. Maybe some locals will recommend a secret spot for you to visit during your “day off.”
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3. Do Plan Ahead, Though
While you don’t want to overbook your trip so that you’re always running from spot to spot, you do want to plan a bit. It’s not a good idea to do zero planning and just feel things out when you get there. Plan some big activities ahead of time so that you aren’t scrambling last-minute.
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4. Plan Regular Mini-Vacations
If you only have one big vacation every year, you might feel under a lot of pressure to make it the most amazing experience ever. So, take away that stress. Plan mini-vacations throughout the year, so you aren’t under as much pressure to make your big trip the best thing that’s ever happened to you and your family. For example, in the fall, if you live in an area with beautiful colors, make an annual fall color tour trip and just drive around the state.
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5. Stay an Extra Day
If time and money allows, adding just one day to your vacation can open up a world of possibilities. Many people plan too short a trip, not realizing just how much they’ll want to do in their destination. So, add an extra day. You’ll be glad you did at the end of your stay.
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6. Take Time to Sleep
Sure, you’re on vacation. You want to soak up every minute of your trip. But, if you’re up late every night partying in the clubs and then up early to enjoy the sunrise, pretty soon, you’ll be too tired to enjoy your vacation. So, take time to get some sleep and feel rested.
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7. Let the Small Stuff Go
They say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” That’s certainly true on vacation. Nothing is going to go totally as planned. So, expect the unexpected, and roll with it.
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8. Plan Some Recoup Time
When you get back from your vacation, don’t plan to start work the very next day. Take an extra day or two off after your vacation to recuperate, so that you hit the ground running when you’re back at work. The extra time at home will also give you a chance to savor your vacation.
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9. Pick an Experience
People often find experiencing more rewarding that physical things. So, make sure to plan an experience with your trip. Maybe there’s a huge concert you want to see on vacation. Perhaps it’s a sporting event. Whatever it is, plan an awesome experience.
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10. Learn for Next Time
Finally, when you’re home from your trip, decompress and look back on your vacation. What went wrong? What went right? Take notes and learn from your vacation, so you’ll know what to do better next time.
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