Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

By: Alan LeStourgeon

It seems like half the people you talk to lately are either moving to North Carolina or know someone who is. Maybe that’s because this state has one of the most comfortable climates of any in the whole nation.

Situated just about half way between New York state and Florida, North Carolina offers everything from beautiful beaches to lush forests to picturesque rolling hills to mountains that will take your breath away. The many different settings in North Carolina make it the perfect destination for just about everyone.

Vacationers and permanent residents are flocking to the state in search of quiet mountain getaways and white sandy beaches of the costal regions and outer banks. With the average summer temperature below 90 degrees, many consider North Carolina weather nearly perfect. One of the most popular destinations in North Carolina is the city of Asheville. With its rolling landscape and southern charm, it’s no wonder George Vanderbilt decided on Asheville to build America’s largest private home.

The Biltmore Estate is a huge dwelling with a floor space of more than 175,000 sq ft. and is still owned by the family and operated as a museum today. The Estate is still functioning as a working estate with a dairy farm and winery. The 4th floor of this grand mansion was recently opened to offer its visitors a view of the maid’s quarters and an incredible view of the entire estate from the observatory.

Another popular destination is Cherokee and Maggie Valley, the two towns that service The Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the eastern side. These towns are the heart of Indian American culture in the Southeast. While shopping in Cherokee you can experience the days of many years past and what it was like for our native peoples and early settlers of the South.

When it comes to choosing this state for your home, something about North Carolina attracts the person that desires to live in a log cabin. The log cabin building industry is booming in North Carolina as cabins are springing up everywhere in cities such as Maggie Valley, Asheville, Murphy and all along the border with Georgia and South Carolina.

Maggie Valley is one of the more popular places to rent a cabin and just sit back and enjoy God’s beautiful creation. It is the place to sit on the porch of your cabin with a cup of coffee, look off into the distant hills and forget about life for a season.

North Carolina also has a rich history, playing an important part in the Civil War as well as being famous for the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk by the Wright brothers. Spend some time exploring the many Civil War battle fields and get a glimpse of struggle our nation and our people endured during a difficult time in our history.

Many other incredible treasures are waiting to be experienced in the beautiful state of North Carolina. Why not spend an extended vacation or a lifetime in this unique region of the United States?

By: Jennifer Weiss

Topsail Island, located just off the North Carolina coast near the mainland towns of Sneads Ferry and Holly Ridge, is the perfect place for a peaceful getaway. The island is all about the conservation of its natural beauty and the preservation of its natural resources. You will not find high rise buildings obstructing the breathtaking views of the ocean, but you will find an abundance of ideally situated vacation rentals that have all amenities you need for a memorable and relaxing trip.

A vacation rental in North Topsail Beach is the ideal place to stay if you want to be near miles of pristine, white sandy beaches and some of the best golf on the island. With the North Shore Country Club, a four-star golf course, less then five minutes from your accommodations, you can enjoy the perfect beach and golf vacation without venturing to an overloaded, run-of-the-mill vacation city. When the golfers in your family want to hit the links, they can make the short trip to the course while the rest of the family loads up on beach towels, which come with the house, and makes the short walk down to the sand. Nobody in your family could simply ask for a better vacation experience with everything so conveniently located.

South of North Topsail Beach you will find Surf City, which is the commercial hub of the island. Stay close to all the attractions and unusual shops on the island with a Surf City vacation rental that has a fully-equipped kitchen and a deck that overlooks the pool and the ocean. Soak in the breathtaking views of the water, and when the call of the ocean becomes too load to ignore, make your way down to the beaches that are perfect for boating, surfing, jet skiing, swimming, and simply relaxing. If you want an exciting adventure out on the water, you can find boat cruises, boat rentals, charter fishing, and jet ski rentals nearby to satisfy your appetite.

Topsail Beach is only accessible through Surf City and is generally considered the quieter section of the island. While there is a small downtown shopping area, this is the area where you can enjoy oceanfront property in a largely undeveloped area. The stretches of beach are quiet and secluded, providing the perfect atmosphere for anyone who wants to get away from the crowds and back to the peacefulness of unspoiled natural beauty. Relax in the large gazebo that sits amidst the sand dunes as you watch the sunrise or your children playing on the beach. Take the short walk to the sound pier, from which you can dangle your feet into the water and cast a fishing line. The slow pace will comfort and soothe your body as the stress of your everyday life slowly melts away.

The different parts of the island each offer something new to visitors, whether it be particular beaches, a variety of activities, or much needed seclusion. While the location of your vacation rental is important, there are other amenities that can make particular accommodations even more desirable. If you are traveling with children, a condo or home rental that has TVs and DVD players is perfect for those times when you want some personal time without interruption. Pop in their favorite movie and then retreat to the shaded porch swing for a couple hours of serenity as you listen to the sound of the waves or the rustle of the leaves around you.

Spending the day at the beach is an always entertaining option for every member of your family, but when the wind kicks up and the water becomes too rough for swimming, you will need another way to spend the day. To keep the kids appeased on your vacation, try a cottage rental that has a pool with direct views of the ocean. Rest on the deck around the pool, listening to the waves crashing in, as the kids jump in and out, happy to have another water-filled afternoon. And when you want to send pictures to a family member or tell them about all the fun you are having, log on to the wireless internet that comes with your vacation rental so everyone can stay up to speed on your Topsail Island vacation.

Topsail Island vacation rentals allow you easy access to all this exciting island has to offer without giving up the convenience and amenities of home. Before planning your next trip, look into a condo or home rental so you can enjoy the vacation you always imagined.