Lake Oconee, Georgia’s second largest lake, is located just a couple of hours east of Chattanooga and within a little more than an hour’s drive from downtown Atlanta.
Here is a resort community with a highly regarded identity offering many different vacation experiences.
Firstly, the entire area is focused on the majestic Lake Oconee and its numerous recreation options that enhance the community’s aesthetic appeal.
And while Reynolds Plantation, a resort with numerous places to stay, including cottages, condominiums and inn rooms, is the centerpiece of this lake community there are also many other inns and hotels now located along the lake in Greensboro, Ga.
Reynolds Plantation has facilities well suited to host anything from a family vacation getaway to an annual golf retreat to a romantic getaway for two.
At the Plantation you can rent a cottage consisting of 2,3, 4 or even 6 bedrooms as well as hotel style club rooms.
Dining in casual atmospheres is available at Great Waters Overlook Room, the Plantation Clubhouse and The Landing Clubhouse.
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation opened in 2002.
This 252-room Lodge offers great dining, a 26,000-square-foot spa and its own recreational amenities. Making this destination among the “75 Best Golf Resorts North America’’ by Golf Digest.
Reynolds Plantation is now home to many year-around-residents and second-home owners.
Visitors to the Plantation are not limited to the grounds of the resort for amenities, less than a mile outside the gates are a Publix grocery store, large cinema complex, a variety of other shops, clinics, banks, pharmacies and other services.
Nearby are the charming and historic small towns like Greensboro, Madison and Washington, Georgia which provide more opportunities for sightseeing and dining.
Property ownership is a requirement for membership at Reynolds Plantation, but you need not to be a homeowner to stay and enjoy the more than 80 miles of beautiful Lake Oconee shoreline. Lake Oconee is one of the best locations in the state for largemouth bass fishing.
The Plantation marinas offer fishing guides to help navigate the hot spots on the lake, as well as the necessary equipment for fishermen of any skill level.
Four marinas of the Plantation offer guests convenient access to boat and Jet Ski rentals and lake kayaks.
The Plantation partners with Lake Oconee Outfitters (www.lakeoconeeoutfitters.com) for a number of recreational activities including tubing, or wake-boarding with ASWA certified instructors on competition ski boats.
Along the shoreline of Lake Oconee areas exist for camping, picnicking and water skiing.
At the Lake Club Wellness and Tennis Center, there is tennis on soft or hard courts, aerobics classes or work out facilities.
The mission of Reynolds is to provide a special place of dramatic natural beauty and recreational possibilities for people to create lasting memories and cherish family connections.
The Spring/Summer season at Reynolds Plantation on Lake Oconee starts on March 14 and runs through November 13. Cottage/Condominium rates for a two-bedroom unit start at $472, with a five-bedroom unit starting at $784 per night. Rates do not include state and local taxes or service fees.
But, each rental includes a daily buffet breakfast at the Plantation Grille; access to Linger Longer Park and Great Waters Pool and Hot Tub; dining opportunities at the Landing and Plantation Grille Restaurants; a complete kitchen package and daily housekeeping services.
For more information or reservations, 1(800) 901-1204. Or check out the website at www.reynoldsplantation.com
Cruise Planners -A Home-Based Travel Agency Wants to Help You
Cruise Planners is the largest home-based travel agent network in the cruise industry with more than 800 franchise owners across the country that independently book cruises and associated travel.
It is a novel niche business of American Express Travel Services which was named number one Cruise Tour/Travel Agency by Entrepreneur magazine for the last nine years.
It works by positioning franchise owners for success by providing them with innovating marketing, booking and generating tools as well as professional development and hands-on training with the industry’s top executives.
The company which is headquartered in Coral Springs, Fla., has achieved top producer status with every major cruise line and accolades include lots of awards and recognitions.
Franchise owners are said to range from construction workers to Wall Street executives with a high interest from baby boomers and stay-at-home-moms, former travel agents and cruise-lovers.
For more information and to see how-it-works check it out at www.cruiseplanners.com
Romantic Getaway That Is Offered Throughout February
While Valentine’s Day is just around the corner the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa is offering a romantic rendezvous that can take place any time this month.
Couples can spice up romance and reconnect with each other in some of the most spacious and beautiful suites on Clearwater Beach in sunny Florida.
All of the 250 one- and two-bedroom suites feature plush Hyatt Grand Beds, fully-equipped kitchens and private Gulf view balconies or rooftop terraces with wonderful views of the beach’s world-famous sunsets.
Couples can also snuggle up together in one of 20 private, climate-controlled cabanas. These are available for full- or half-day rental. Each one of these state-of-the-art enclosures features a wet bar area, a flat-screen television, bathroom, wireless Internet and a service call button.
Additionally there are eight unique food and beverage packages as well as in-cabana massage services from the hotel’s therapists at Sandava Spa.
I stayed at this property when it opened and was truly impressed with its amenities, location and service.
The resort’s SHOR American Seafood Grill and its spa are open to non-hotel guests.
For Valentine’s season the resort is offering a romantic candlelit dinner including champagne and free parking.
For more information or to make a reservation: www.clearwaterbeach.hyatt.com or (800) 233-1234.
Hurtigruten’s MS Lofoten Celebrates 50 Years at Sea
The MS Lofoten is a 153-passenger ship which this year will celebrate completing nearly three million nautical miles; transporting 1.25 million passengers and docking more that 75,000 times.
What makes this milestone even more amazing is that most of the sailing has taken place on the 121-year-old award-winning Classic Voyage route, between the UNESCO-listed harbor city of Bergen and the Norway/Russia border town of Kirkenes. Recognized as “The world’s most beautiful voyage,’’ the itinerary offers visitors a unique glimpse into Norwegian culture as the ship stops at 34 ports.
This vessel, the smallest and oldest of the Hurtigruten shipping line, has been classified under a preservation order since 2011 and continues to enjoy a large community of fans.
The anniversary year kicks off a series of celebratory sailings. The Hurtigruten line is a world leader in exploration travel, sailing to the most remote destinations as well as year-round along Norway’s coast.
The Hurtigruten’s fleet of modern and intimate ships, which each carries from100 to 646 guests, permits their travelers to enjoy the scenery and culture of the destination in a relaxed atmosphere.
Last week I talked with a senior citizen (while we both doing physical therapy) who was leaving the next day to fly to Norway to take a three-week cruise on one of the company’s ships.
“What about the weather and the cold at this time of year,”” I asked. “Sure, it’s cold,’’ she answered, “but it isn’t a problem.”
She was traveling on a group tour and had made several similar trips before. Previous journeys included a voyage to see the “Northern lights.” Obviously, she enjoyed every cruise she had made with the line.
More information, itineraries, brochures and reservations can be found at www.hurtigruten.us. Or call (800) 323-7436.
By Diane Siskin
dianesiskin@mediacombb.net