
There’s the summer vacation and then there’s the weekend jaunt. For the latter, the next few months make for the ideal time to throw a duffel bag in the car for a short get away to relax and explore towns, food and culture just beyond our own backyard. Here are a few suggestions within a four-hour drive of Nashville:

When most people visit Charleston, King Street usually gets all the attention. It is a must-walk thoroughfare dotted with fine establishments and restaurants, but it isn’t the only avenue worth your time and money.

Photo by Hugh Morton
Long before the American Revolution, countless Scots migrated to North Carolina bringing with them Celtic influences on regional Southern accents, Appalachian folk music, whiskey, religion and sports. Continuing to honor and celebrate this heritage is the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games held July 7-11 at MacRae Meadows near Linville, North Carolina.

Photo by Ryan Russell
We asked Atlanta resident and keyboardist/percussionist for Manchester Orchestra, Chris Freeman to give us his take on his city and living in the South. The local-artists-turned-big-time-rock-band, recently released their third full-length album Simple Math. The powerful concept project is their best work to date and reveals why they’ve made it to the international stage.

Now that summer is upon us, we wanted to share a travel preference that fits well with the Bearings philosophy; vacationing by villa.
While this may bring dollar signs to mind for some, the reality is quite the opposite. Not only can villas be affordable, but they’re available in most parts of the world and allow you to maximize your trip experience.