by Rick Bavera

Created on: March 27, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Two of the best hidden travel gems of the Southeastern US are Lake Junaluska (North Carolina) and Rome (Georgia).

Destination 1: Lake Junaluska Conference and Resort Center, located in the mountains of North Carolina, in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina..

Lake Junaluska began in 1908 as an assembly connected to the Methodist Church. In 1913 cottages were first built in the area around the man-made lake that gives the community its name. Today there are about 760 property owners in Lake Junaluska, Half of them live here year-round. Activities abound at the Center itself.

It offers lodging for individuals and groups; meeting areas for group retreats; golf; events and packages geared toward youth and young adults, retirees (Elderhostel), religious themes, outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting, skiing and fall foliage tours; boating on Lake Junaluska; and local museums related to the local Methodist heritage. Asheville, Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the Cherokee Reservation are within close driving distance, offering other cultural, outdoor and historical activities.

Lodging ranges from camping facilities all the way through cabins, apartments and hotel and inn rooms.

Contact information: Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, PO Box 67, Lake Junaluska NC 28745. General info: 828-452-2881. Reservations: 800.222.4930. Website: http://www.lakejunaluska.com

Destination 2: Rome, Georgia.

Rome is located in the mountains of northwest Georgia, a short drive from Atlanta (GA), Birmingham (AL) and Chattanooga (TN). It prides itself on its historical and cultural heritage, and consciously makes connections to Italy's Rome because of the rivers and hills of the area.

Rome has outdoor and recreational attractions. The area is proud of is the fact that the Braves have a farm team here. River Days, which is an annual event in April, has a huge variety of events focusing on outdoor activities such as a bowhunter challenge, fishing and canoeing/kayaking, as well as arts and music events.

There are two colleges in this city of 35,000: Shorter College and Berry College. Berry College began in the early days of the 20th century as a school to educate the children of the poorer citizens of the area, who might otherwise not get the opportunity to get an education. Both Shorter College and Berry College have been on the US News and World Report lists of best colleges in the USA, a remarkable accomplishment for two small private colleges in a small town in the southern Appalachians.

Among historical sites in the area are the remains of Fort Attaway. It is the site of the only battle that took place within Rome's city limits.

Contact information for Rome area attractions and lodging:
Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau, 402 Civic Center Drive, Rome, Georgia 30161
Phone: 706.295.5576  Toll free phone: 800.444.1834   Website: http://www.romegeorgia.org 

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