Unlike the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Natchez Trace is flat, uncrowded and snow-snarl free.

The number of Americans traveling away from home for Thanksgiving will be up only slightly this year from 2008, according to a report from the AAA auto club.

What: Festival of Lights (Fete des Lumieres).

Q. My fiance and I are going to Turks and Caicos for our honeymoon next year. Is there a good travel guide for those of us who want to do more than sip cocktails at the pool?

Send us a photo with someone holding the Observer's Travel section, and we'll try to include it in our weekly slideshow.

The Homestead has unveiled a new attraction this year: a Holiday Lights and Ice Show.

~ How I shot my summer vacation

Another fee is coming in the new year for airline and hotel customers - this time from your credit card company.

Just outside Blowing Rock, two families of multigenerational potters will unveil their hand-thrown face jugs, pitchers, bowls and other pieces at an old-fashioned kiln opening on Saturday.

Some of the biggest names in adventure writing are represented here, including Tim Cahill, Philip Caputo and David Quammen.

Drive time in the Carolinas
Fun and affordable destinations within easy drive.