| Easterners might know it well, westerners might | | | | through your window will likely tempt you to |
| never have heard of it, but the fact of the | | | | discover your inner explorer. The dense foliage |
| matter is that Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a thriving | | | | could make you forget what the modern world |
| tourist destination and the gateway for The Great | | | | looks like, and as you take a guided tour or picnic |
| Smoky Mountains National Park. If you've been | | | | near a cool stream, you'll be glad you took the |
| longing for a little history and a lot of untamed | | | | time to travel here. Tennessee is not known for |
| wilderness, consider making this region the site of | | | | its glamour or hubbub, but take this as a good |
| your next vacation. | | | | thing. Steal a minute to enjoy the silence of the |
| Gatlinburg is by no means a bustling metropolis, | | | | trees, and rediscover the feeling of true |
| but it does have enough going on to keep millions | | | | relaxation. |
| of people busy all year. Great Smoky Mountains | | | | Exploring the Smokies could occupy a few days, |
| National Park has the highest number of visitors | | | | but don't forget that Gatlinburg has shopping, |
| of any other national park, so what would be a | | | | dining, and all sorts of amusements as well. Let |
| sleepy little village has stepped up to become a | | | | the natural landscape serve as a backdrop for |
| welcoming town with a big personality and a full | | | | buying some pottery made by an independent |
| calendar of events. | | | | artisan, or grab something that floats and |
| Known for its healthy arts community, seasonal | | | | participate in the River Raft Regatta. Bike the |
| festivals, and rare, woodsy beauty, Gatlinburg is | | | | Cades Cove Loop for a little exercise, and then |
| also home to an array of vacation homes that will | | | | take a load off at a musical production celebrating |
| keep you well-rested and comfortable during your | | | | a few local traditions. |
| stay here. A luxury mountain chalet ideally located | | | | Taking in all of these activities will make you |
| between the park and the goings on of the city | | | | happy that there are so many lodging options |
| will serve as the perfect home base for all your | | | | nearby, as returning to your private bungalow |
| activities. Having a fully-equipped kitchen will prove | | | | after a day spent hiking, golfing, or |
| indispensable when it comes to preparing quick, | | | | people-watching will leave you spent. This hasn't |
| pre-hike power breakfasts, and the cozy den and | | | | been your average vacation, so it makes sense |
| entertainment center will be the perfect place to | | | | that you're staying in a unique, almost |
| unwind at the end of the day. | | | | personalized, place. |
| Whether you like to spread out during vacations | | | | The authentic ambiance of your log hideaway is a |
| or use the opportunity for true family | | | | getaway in itself, and seems a far cry from the |
| togetherness, cabins and condos exist of all size | | | | crowds and traffic that you're used to hearing |
| and level of extravagance. Go rustic by choosing | | | | outside your window. The local art that decorates |
| a small wooden cottage, or live like a king for a | | | | the walls, the extra thick mattresses, and the |
| few days. Whatever your style of traveling, you'll | | | | wrap around balcony will all melt together into an |
| find something to please you and your traveling | | | | overwhelming sense of well-being, so break away |
| companions. | | | | from your usual vacation habits and open yourself |
| The Great Smoky Mountains that you see | | | | up to new possibilities. |
