In this one unique location, mountains meet music…art meets adventure...culture meets cuisine…and no one meets a stranger. The walkability of downtown allows people to explore and discover vibrant murals, local music, historic sites, art museums, parks, greenways and more. With its sophisticated mix of culture and cuisine, experience a destination served up with genuine hospitality.

Recently I drove a short distance from Jackson to the peaceful town of Clifton, Tennessee (pop: 1,000) where I was a guest at The Commodore Inn at Clifton. After a particularly demanding workweek, I was more than ready for a weekend escape.

Nestled among the meandering streets, mature landscape and abundant coastal wildlife, the popular community of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort offers a new hospitality experience in 2021—Hotel Effie Sandestin. For the past 45+ years, the welcoming resort community of Sandestin has remained the ultimate destination for generations of coastal adventurers, multi-generational family travelers, couples, reunions, seasonal guests, quick getaways and successful meetings and events. This special community offers something for everyone, including bayside activities, emerald green water, sugar-white sandy beaches, golf courses, plentiful sunshine and nights to remember during special events. This resort community offers every amenity imaginable and boasts an abundance of family activities, inspired culinary including local-catch seafood and nightlife venues for those who shine bright in the night. It goes without saying that guests and residents don’t have to leave the 24,000 acres to have an incredible, adventurous and activity-packed day.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of re-visiting Huntsville, Alabama after a five-year absence. To quote “Southern Living” Magazine, it is “A City on the Rise!”

Huntsville is the second largest city in Alabama, second only to Birmingham. In 2010, its population was 180,105. Ten years later, the population is 25,000. The growth since 2010 is 14.98 percent.

On a recent chilly but sunny Saturday I drove to The Lodge at Pickwick Landing in Counce, Tennessee. It was an easy and pleasant drive from Jackson, and I looked forward to some much-needed “me” time.

Upon arriving at the Lodge at Pickwick Landing I was warmly greeted by the hotel staff. Before checking into my room, I did a mini self-guided tour of the newly renovated inn. What a transformation since I was last at this inn several years ago!

The City of Mobile was Born to Celebrate! “Mobile (pop: 200,000) has a certain magic that keeps you on your toes,” says Tara Zieman, Director of Marketing & Communications, Visit Mobile. “It is where a melting pot of people, flavors, cultures, and traditions become one voice to lead all of life’s celebrations. Join the jubilee and welcome every day with an enduring passion and a little soulful hospitality because life is the ultimate gift. This is the spirit of living. This is what we’re born to do.”

With more than 15 million lights along the 25-mile Parkway to Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Smoky Mountain Winterfest is a magical time to visit the Smokies. Sevierville and her sister cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are all decked out in lights during the annual Smoky Mountain Winterfest Celebration, which kicked off November 13, 2020 and runs through February 22, 2021.

On a recent pleasant autumn day a friend and I took Tennessee State Route 69 out of Savannah vs. the interstate to Chattanooga. It is more scenic and peaceful and an excellent highway, and the trip only took about 40 minutes longer than if we had traveled on the always busy I-40.

On August 21-22 a friend and I traveled to one of my favorite Southern cities—Oxford, Mississippi (pop: 23,000), where I once lived. I have many fond memories of Oxford that include celebrating my birthday there with a very special gentleman on a snowy winter day, meeting and talking to John Grisham at the height of his popularity at Square Books with a line that snaked around the block, and having dinner with author Willie Morris, whom I first met as Public Relations Director of The Peabody in Memphis, where I accused him of getting many of his story ideas while sipping bourbon and branch water in our lobby.

One year ago in August, Cotton House, Cleveland’s first boutique hotel, opened its doors. It has all the charm and hospitality you would expect in “the most Southern place on earth”—on the Highway 61 corridor, where cultures are rooted in celebrating with friends and family, food and drink, a good story, and music for the soul.

Seaside, Florida…How I wish I were there now, and I suspect many of our readers share my desire to be sitting on the beach watching the waves roll in. The name Seaside conjures up images of pleasant breezes, sunshine, water, and pastel houses with picket fences.

It was love at first sight when I visited the River Inn of Harbor Town in downtown Memphis in May 2008!

The inn is located in the picturesque community of Harbor Town on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Designed by the award-winning architectural firm of Looney Ricks Kiss, a firm known for “creating and preserving that small-town feel,” the River Inn is a 28-room boutique hotel that opened its doors on October 29, 2008. The $9 million 32,000-square-foot hotel is located between two buildings at Harbor Town Square and Harbor Town Circle.

The highly anticipated The Last Hotel is now open in the historic former International Shoe Building at 1501 Washington Ave. in downtown St. Louis. Designed to fascinate and captivate the curious traveler, The Last Hotel promises delightful discoveries at every turn that celebrate the very best St. Louis has to offer.

Tucked high in the northwest corner of Tennessee, lies one of the country’s, if not the world’s, most beautiful landscapes. It is unique in its beauty, wildlife and topography. But, perhaps the most unique of all, it’s story.

Perry County is an easy 1 hour 15-minute drive from Jackson, Tennessee. A few days ago I arose early, stopped for a good cup of Southern Pecan coffee at a market in Lexington, popped “The Shell Seekers” (a favorite book and movie) audiotape into my car’s tape player, and took a deep breath. For a day I was a world away from deadlines and other daily duties even though this was a working trip.

SoundWaves, the nation’s first truly upscale indoor/outdoor resort water attraction, set the stage for summer travel during its outdoor grand opening celebration on May 16 just in time for Memorial Day weekend.

The Peabody Memphis, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2019 with a series of special offers and events.

The Peabody opened its doors to great fanfare in downtown Memphis in 1869, and it has since become world famous for its charm, elegance, gracious Southern hospitality, and five resident mallard ducks that march daily through the lobby at 11am and 5pm.

For many years a friend and I have traveled to Aberdeen, Mississippi (pop: 5,600), an easy two-hour drive from Jackson, Tennessee. Over the years we have grown to love the town of Aberdeen and appreciate its rich history and fine homes. And the Pilgrimage organizers and homeowners who open their homes to the public are friendly and gracious.

On a beautiful cold late December day I traveled from Asheville, North Carolina to Christopher Place Resort in Newport, Tennessee. In the distance the Smoky Mountains were capped with snow.

Immediately when you exit from a busy highway onto a quiet, winding road leading to the inn, you know that you have entered another world. While I thoroughly enjoyed the amenities and fine restaurants of Asheville, the quietude and tranquil setting of Christopher Place Resort was welcome.

Perched high atop Lookout Mountain (pop: 5000 year round) sits the Chanticleer Inn Bed & Breakfast, which combines the ambiance of yesteryear with the comfort and amenities of today. It is the ultimate in mountain southern hospitality, just 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga. Located at 1800 feet above sea level, The Chanticleer Inn Bed & Breakfast, which has been a proud member of the Select Registry since 2003, sits with distinction high atop Lookout Mountain on a beautiful plateau that borders Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.
Built in 1927 and operated as a B&B since 1930, the inn underwent extensive renovations in 2002 and in subsequent years. Its hospitable new owners, Michael and Teresa Turner, purchased the inn in January of this year. The Turners moved to Lookout Mountain from Atlanta. “We looked at 10 or 12 properties of various styles,” said Michael. “In the end we decided on Chanticleer because it is two hours from Atlanta, a good location, great surroundings and activities. We thought it was a perfect fit for us!”