Providence Canyon State Park

Two hours from Atlanta is a beautiful hiking trail. Providence Canyon in Lumpkin Georgia. There are two hiking trails. One is a short three mile easy hike near the main office. The second hiking trail takes you through the backwoods forest and along a river bottom. This trail can take 4-5 hours depending on how many times you stop. The trail leads over the top of the canyon where you can view down into the canyon. Great photography. The trail also passes through various forests. A herd of wild boar or wild pigs call this area home.
When hiking in the backwoods, be sure and take a whistle in case you get lost from your group. Because there are not alot of hikers back in that area. There are many more hikers in the 3 mile trail.

The canyons should not be climbed. They are made of a soft porous sand.

We now have maps

We have uploaded a few maps with general location of our properties. The map is provided by www.communitywalk.com
When you click on each icon title you will be directed to the actual properties listed in that location.
http://www.vacations-abroad.com/Maps.htm

It is very time consuming to add each of the maps so it will take a while for all maps to be listed.

Travel Tips for Italy

1. Do not take an electrical converter on your trip. Instead, most hotels have the appropriate type of converter for your needs. Check at the hotel desk to use their converter. I bought a converter at Office Depot. Inside was a converter for every imaginable country. One was specific for Europe and Italy. When I got to Italy, I needed to recharge my camera batteries. Using the converter I brought from the USA, I plugged it in, and then added my recharger. A few seconds later, I heard a loud pop and could smell something burning. The converter did not work. When I got to our new hotel, I asked the front desk if they had a converter. Yes, they did. They said, I had to put it on 50w? or else everything would explode. Ah, too late I thought.
2. Exchanging money. The easiest way to always have the correct change is to carry a credit card or a debit card. You cc bank will give you the best rate for exchanging money. You can always get cash at the local atms in a foreign country. These rates are much better than the fees and commission you would pay if you bought American Express Travelers checks or if you go to your bank to try and purchase foreign currency.
3. When visiting the Chianti region of Italy. Do not worry about drinking Chianti Classico. Drink instead the local wines of each of the villages. They are all delicious and a much better price.
4. Although the famous places of Siena, Florence, Rome seem mandatory. Try to visit some out of the way places. The tourist crowds are so overwhelming in the major destinations that you can be overcome by the crowds. But all of Italy is so historical that visits to out of the way places can be just or perhaps more enjoyable.

Around and About Bellagio

Bellagio is very small and if you plan on spending any time in the region you will end up visiting by boat the other villages around the lake. In addition, there are many villas that are managed by FIA or the Italian government. These villas are beautiful and many of them have exquisite gardens.

Villa Carlotta is one of the villas. It's botanical gardens are very extensive. It sits direc
tly across the lake from Villa Melzi in Lenno.


Villa Balbianello is a place that was built by Cardinal Gallio on the historical ruins of a monastary in the village of Lenno. It is perched on a peninsula that in the past was only accessed by boat. in 1974, Conte Guido Monzino purchased the villa and filled the rooms with collections from his various expeditions of around the world. The rooms are available for tours and many of the artifacts in this villa are priceless.

The gardens although quiet small are very impressive with beautiful views of lake como and exquisite details incorporated into the style of the gardens.

Vacation rentals in Lake Como

Lake Como Lombardy

Lake Como is 1 hour or so north of Milan located in the foothills of the Alps. Scattered around it's shores and hills are villages. Bellagio being the most famous.














Daytrips can be made to Lugano Switzerland. Crossing the border is an easy task. Lugano is more modern and larger than Bellagio but still has a unique charm.














Vacation rentals in lake como italy

Hotel Villa San Paolo

A day of rest sitting around the pool at our hotel, Villa San Paolo. Olive trees are planted everywhere; including the parking lot and around the swimming pool.
Villa San Paolo

Enotecas and Wineries

Enoteca means winery in Italian.
This is the time for the grape harvest. There are many small wineries that dot the hills surrounding San Gimingano and many of them are family owned. This is the Chianti region. The workers clip the grapes and work up and down the rows all day out in the soft sun. Families, children, students - all take part. If you are walking through the area, you hear their incessant chattering. One day, the vines are heavy, covered in grapes. The next day, the vines are empty. Over night they have been harvested and the fields look empty.

The countryside is dotted with Italian Cypress and working farms. And almost every photo is a variation of the same theme.