We just returned from a 9 day trip on a motorcycle through the south. We loved being in the open air and we never got hot except when we were in cities stopped at stop lights. I wore a sweat shirt most of the time while we were driving. We drove down through northern Alabama and Georgia to Savannah and stayed at the Ocean Beach Plaza Resort on Tybee Island. It was a nice stay and romantic strolling on the beach at sunset. We really liked Savannah and enjoyed a trolley tour of the city. We travelled up the coast to Charleston and did a carriage ride tour of the city. Tour guides in both cities were entertaining and we think the tours were better than trying to see things on our own. Both cities had ghost tours if you like that kind of thing. We also took the ferry out to Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor and enjoyed learning more about the history of the area. We came back home through the Smoky Mountains, and the drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway is gorgeous. One of the best parts about the trip wa the food! Try to eat at places that are native to the area and avoid the chains that you can find anywhere. We enjoyed fried chicken, shrimp, barbecued ribs, and of course, sweet tea!

Don't spend too much time in atlanta, it is pretty much a big office park with not a lot going on as far as tourist attractions, shopping (outside of malls), or charm. I really feel sorry for tourists that go there. Charleston, SC, Savannah, GA, New Orleans, LA are better and closer to beaches. Do some deep sea fishing off of the Florida Panhandle or Alabama. N. Ga, Tenn., and West NC are good for rafting, mountain biking, kayaking. The nantahala outdoor center (www.noc.com) is about two to three hours north of atlanta and can organize that kind of stuff.