Move over Savannah! Experts are enthusiastic about the timeless Georgia Town

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Do you have Georgia in mind?

Well, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you don’t have to follow the crowds to Savannah, no matter how tempting one of America’s most beautiful cities may be.

The great state of Georgia has much more to offer than the European charm of Savannah and the chaotic airport of Atlanta with countless small towns waiting to be explored.

Speaking of Europe, such a city takes its name from one of Europe’s most iconic destinations – and that’s no coincidence.

The founders noticed that the city’s seven rolling hills mirrored those of Rome, which inspired them to name this Georgia gem – you guessed it – Rome.

This unsuspecting part of Europe is hiding in plain sight, but local experts are on hand Southern life rave about it as their favorite place to escape the city grind and immerse themselves in a timeless cityscape surrounded by beautiful nature.

Let’s dive in and see why Rome, Georgia is one of the state’s most unsung standout getaways:

When in Rome…

Quiet, quaint, and unpretentious, those looking to avoid the same weekend getaways in Savannah have another option at hand.

Little-known Rome offers an atmosphere that is just as appealing, though small compared to Savannah, Charleston and even St. Augustine, as legendary cities that exude European flair.

Rome is anchored by Berry Collegeso this is a rare trip where you’ll likely go back to school (without the lifelong student loan bills).

Berry is the city’s most postcard-worthy landmark, and happens to be one of the largest school campuses in the world, yet it feels like it fell straight out of the sky from Oxford, or perhaps Hogwarts.

Downtown Rome is also a pleasure to visit, in addition to the ample nature walks through the city’s lush, tree-lined suburbs, which was especially highlighted by Southern Living as one of the South’s most underrated getaways to enjoy the outdoors.

Enjoy the comfort of your home in this riverside retreat

This small town of about 40,000 inhabitants offers visitors typical charm and comfort that you cannot find outside the south.

You know – pots of sweet tea on the porch, rows of beautiful historic homes with manicured lawns, and locals still waving to acknowledge your existence (try finding that up north), all wrapped up in a pace of life that feels refreshingly unhurried.

Located at the confluence of three different rivers – the Etowah, Oostanaula and Coosa – Rome offers an idyllic setting, minus the winter chill.

A few blocks away is another of the city’s must-see sights, a recently renovated 19th-century building Bell tower According to locals, it is one of the most relaxing places in the city and offers incredible views as you brave the 107 steps to the top.

There are a handful of beautiful riverside parks where you can spend time enjoying the scenery and many local eateries take full advantage of the waterfront location.

Southern residential hypes Harvest Moon Café for a sensational farm-to-table meal, but we at Travel Off Path love it Brewing river medicinewith a perfect Google rating of 5.0 from satisfied customers and Cosmic dog outpost for an otherworldly selection of food and beer, plus front-row seats for unbeatable river views.

But if you want to discover a true hidden spot in Rome that lives up to Southern Living’s passion for this place, you should Kingston Downsset in the cricket-chirping countryside, with cozy cottages for a peaceful retreat to recharge.

How do you get to Rome?

The problem with winter travel is unpredictable weather, and many travelers have burned through their well-earned PTO over the summer.

So a long journey might be out of the question.

Atlanta can be tricky to visit as their huge airport looks more like the Mall of America than a major air travel hub, but this is the best choice for reaching Rome, especially for a weekend getaway as that is how most tourists experience this beautiful city.

Atlanta (ATL) is one of the most connected airports in America. Therefore, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a direct flight here.

Rome is about an hour and a half drive from ATL if you’re lucky enough to miss Atlanta’s infamous traffic jams, but you can also try nearby Chattanooga across state lines, or Huntsville, Alabama as well.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.