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Forget all the
world's troubles in Georgia's safe haven... THE State of Georgia was founded for debaters and protesters - or so a young pupil wrote in her history exam paper, perhaps distracted by the golden sunshine and beautiful views from her school window. Her headteacher tutted and said the Peach State was actually established in the 1700s by debtors and Protestants from England. But the pupil may have had her eye on the future rather than the past. Georgia is set to become the backdrop of the G8 Summit, with Tony Blair, George W Bush and other world leaders gathering for an informal and relaxed "chow-wow". The Golden Isles on the Atlantic coast in the south of the United States have long enjoyed the status of a playground for the rich and famous and was even a holiday resort of sorts for Native Americans for hundreds of years. But the spectacular landscapes, remote hideaways and freshly netted seafood have long been a closely guarded secret for the great and the good of America and wealthy residents of Atlanta in the north of the state. As the world turns its attention to the handshaking and grand standing of the G8 world leaders, the splendour and beauty of their retreat will also attract attention. The four islands on the Georgian coast are a short drive from Savannah and provide the highest level of holiday luxury, including the exclusivity of the Lodge at Sea Island and the natural wonder of the Lodge at Little St Simon's Island. The world leaders will be pampered and protected at Sea Island, which is privately owned by the enigmatic entrepreneur Bill Jones III. The privacy of the resort has made it a favourite for world stars including Leonardo DeCaprio, John Travolta and Anna Kournikova. It is the perfect honeymoon destination - as George W Bush can testify. Homes on the island cost between $1.2 million and $18 million each so this is where the world's wealthy elite enjoy glorious sunshine, silver sand and perfect solitude. The island is just five miles long, is surrounded by marsh and can only be reached by a single causeway from the neighbouring St Simon's Island or by boat and aeroplane. St Simon's Island has a private airport and should be impossible for protesters and terrorists to reach. The dignitaries are likely to stay at the Lodge, a golfing clubhouse almost unrivalled in its luxury, which hosted the Walker Cup three years ago. The Hamptonstyle hotel serves five championship courses and has one of just four Mobil Five Star restaurants in the state. The entrance lobby has the grandeur and elegance of an English stately home while the display cabinets show off trophies, golfing memorabilia and the finest whiskeys known to man. Each room has been renovated at a cost of $1 million each and every two share a private butler. The money has been well spent on rich furniture, Oriental rugs and large marble baths. Should the world leaders chose to relax during their stay, they will be able to enjoy horse rides along the beach, wild turkey hunting or an afternoon of Sea Island yoga. For a more family atmosphere, they can stay at the neighbouring hotel. Holidaymakers can make use of ten tennis courts, a seafront spa, fitness centres, stables, marina beach club and three swimming pools. The men's locker room boasts a fullsize billiards table and flatscreen televisions. To step on to the veranda of the Lodge surrounded by perfect golf greens is to be afforded a taste of the American Dream - a rare glimpse into the lifestyles of millionaires as they relax and unwind. This is the perfect setting for a romantic holiday where you can pretend to be rich and famous and enjoy the pampering a Hollywood star would expect. The view of luxury homes, perfectly mowed lawns and topoftherange American cars could not be in greater contrast to the serenity and unspoiled landscape of Little St Simon's Island, just a short drive away. Both islands are remote and only reached from St Simon's Island, each has been privately owned by one family for generations. But here the similarities end. On Little St Simon, the Lodge is a secluded wooden house with comfortable sofas, mounted stag heads on the walls, a wellstocked bar and a cosy dining room where home cooked food is served. The Lodge is the focal point for five private cottages, each with up to four double rooms and comfortable sitting rooms heated by log fires. A speed boat delivers you to the island with its 10,000 acres of wilderness shared by, at most, 30 guests who are pampered by 15 friendly staff. You are totally cut off and the G8, the chatter of world leaders and the world itself seems like a remote memory as you relax into a perfect slumber. There are no televisions or phones in the rooms and the only currency you will desire during the allinclusive visit are the sanddollar shells - a relation of the starfish - strewn across the seven miles of empty beaches. Ample shade is provided during the day from live oaks draped in Spanish moss while at night there is no light or passing cars to spoil seclusion under the canopy of stars. During the evening we watched in silence as a bloodred moon rose above the line of shrimp fishing boats stretched across the horizon. There is horse riding, canoeing, fly fishing and chess to keep you entertained when you are not out spotting alligators, armadillos, deer, rabbits or one of the hundreds of species of birds. Neighbouring Jekyll Island provides a glimpse into the holiday lifestyles of yesteryear and there is still the finery and elegance expected of a hideaway for the rich. The historic quarter is home to museum houses which were once the retreat of the wealthy, including the philanthropic William Rockefeller, cousin to the billionaire, as well as Joseph Pulitzer and JP Morgan. From the balcony of your room at the splendid Jekyll Island Club Hotel, you can look down upon the wealthy as they relax while playing croquet on the lawn or drink fine wine in the sundrenched veranda. But the accommodation has become a little tired and in the evening the bar is crammed with computer salesmen still high from the excitement of a conference at the hotel. The Golden Isles will be the destination for the world leaders for three days in June but for the rest of the year they offers a golden opportunity for holidaymakers. Other highlights include the King and Prince Hotel, which offers more modest rooms but boasts the only sea view restaurant on the island. There is also the Okefenokee Swamp at Waycross a short drive away, which covers 650 square miles of bog and is home to more than 9,000 alligators. A tour on the railway is an excellent way to entertain the children and the passengers are guaranteed to see alligators. Just up the coast from the Golden Isles, near Savannah, is Tybee Island. This is home to the Crab Shack, a restaurant more akin to a beer garden than the Garden of Eden. Here, the only fat cats are the two restaurant pets which prowl the tables for scraps of freshly boiled lobster and crayfish. Baby alligators also keep the children amused. This resort is much more down to earth and provides a more relaxed setting. Whichever destination you chose, the weather is usually spectacular and the welcome equally warm. HOLIDAY PACKAGE Sevennight trip, including return flights from Gatwick to Savannah on US Airways, economy car hire, including insurance, four nights in Savannah and three nights on Jekyll Island fourstar hotels, roomonly basis costs from £809 per person, based on two people sharing. |
