USATourist Community

Hello, I will come to the USA in the end of october 2009. I will stay in Ralleigh North Carolina for 2 weeks because of training for my job. Then from 1 untill 14 of november I take holidays. I am alone. Could somebody advise me any destinations . I will probably not go to the west coast I am not interested in seeng big cities and museums. I would like to watch beutiful nature ,wonderful views,great landscapes .I also want to swim in the ocean. Is this real on the east coast in november? I can drive but do not want to spend a lot of time driving. Thanks

If you want to see beautiful scenery, you can find some at the western end of North Carolina.  Ashville is a beautiful little town on the edge of the Great Smokey Mountains.  These mountains are part of the great chain of the Appalachian Mountains that strech up along most of the eastern coast of the USA.  They are not high rocky mountains with snow capped peaks.  They are lower mountains covered with forests and filled with wild life and natural scenery.  You can drive there in just 3 or 4 hours.

November is not a good time to swim in the ocean.  The waters of the Atlantic Ocean at the beaches in North Carolina will be too cold for swimming at that time.  If you go south to Florida, the waters will be warmer, but already a bit chilly for swimming. 

If you are most interested in natural scenery, you should consider taking an airplane to the West.  The scenery in the Southwest is spectacular.  In the low desert country of the Southwest, the climate would be ideal during November.

Thank you very much. Could you recommend any destinations in Southwest for 1 week trip ?

It may be a bit far from Raleigh for you, but there are a few islands off the coast of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida which have beautiful beaches and lots of nature to explore by bike, kayak, boat tour, and more.  The island furthest north is Kiawah Island - a luxury resort island where you can stay at a 5 diamond hotel, or rent a condo or villa for your stay.  Kiawah is a peaceful and beautiful island about 40 minutes outside of Charleston, South Carolina.  Charleston itself is a vacation destination with lots of history, beautiful architecture, world-class restaurants, and plenty to do and see.  My online travel guide, http://www.sea-islands-vacation.com/ describes Kiawah Island (http://www.sea-islands-vacation.com/kiawah-island-sc.html) and offers personal recommendations, information, and tips on hotels, restaurants, activities, local events and more.  You can also read there about other nearby islands, such as Hilton Head Island, and nearby cities like Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia, which is a bit further south. 

 As for the Southwest, I'm afraid that's not my area of expertise, but I have vacationed in Sedona, Arizona and it was extraordinary.  The red rocks are worth seeing!

 Good luck planning and have a great trip!

Thank You !