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As spring is just around the corner, if there are two things that go together, like pizza and pancakes, it’s Florida and beach crowds…and some of America’s best mugshots.

Of course, pizza and pancakes don’t really go together, but that cheap journalism trick got your attention, didn’t it?

Stick with me.

Like peaches and cream, Georgia and idyllic islands really do go together.

They’re a far cry from the obnoxious tourists who are sure to flood Panama City, Daytona, and many other stunning Florida shores.

Good news is you can still vacation in the South as Southern Living recently featured the ‘most beautiful places’ in Georgia and 3 of them are tranquil islands perfect for escaping beach crowds this spring.

St. Simons Island

Southern Living touts St. Simons Island as an awesome weekend getaway to unwind.

Georgia’s longest barrier island boasts long stretches of peaceful scenic beaches and quaint storybook streets.

If your type of vacation involves name-brand luxury among bass-thumping fist-pumpers, then St. Simons isn’t for you.

Offering a laid-back atmosphere with timeless charm and numerous cozy boutique stays, this island is an ideal getaway to recharge after a long winter, albeit the upscale Sea Island Resort is hard to pass up.

Kickstart spring off right by enjoying the outdoors in splendid 70-degree days through April, where there are over 20 miles of paved paths to enjoy a nice stroll or bike ride.

Visitors love climbing all 129 steps to the top of the unmissable St. Simons Lighthouse as well as indulging in an array of southern comfort foods ranging from local “catch of the day’s” to quintessential barbecue fixin’s like Southern Soul Barbeque.

Jekyll Island

Ironically, Jekyll Island is the perfect Hyde-away. Apologies for another cheap journalism trick, but you’ve stuck with me this long…

Jekyll Island is another of Georgia’s large barrier islands; this one set near the Florida border near Jacksonville and just south of St. Simons Island.

With Jacksonville breaking tourism records, one could only suspect spring is one of the busiest seasons, so why not cross the Georgia line for a sense of serenity?

Like St. Simons, Jekyll Island is an awesome place to explore the outdoors, especially for wildlife lovers as there are popular nature tours and well-paved trails to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature without obnoxious beach parties in the distance.

In fact, Jekyll Island is a designated State Park and only $10 to enter.

As easily navigable as this scenic island is, you’ll never be far from a beach, whether it’s popular Driftwood Beach for sunset horseback rides or Glory Beach; so pretty it’s been a film location for blockbuster movies.

Unlike St. Simons, there are name-brand hotels to cash out or earn points, such as Courtyard, Home2Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn and Westin.

Cumberland Island

Of this cluster of islands, Cumberland is the most historic. Offer visitors 17 miles of protected land to explore, including sightly ruins and approximately 150 wild horses roaming freely, this spacious paradise is one of Georgia’s most unique destinations.

Operated by the National Park Service, visitors are encouraged to book a free park ranger-guided tour covering a broad range of topics from the aforementioned ruins (Dungeness Estate) to a 14-mile trek to the Plum Orchard mansion for the more adventurous.

Speaking of adventure, Cumberland Island is only accessible by boat and the most common method is by ferry for tourists.

As such, there are no restaurants on the island, so packing food is highly encouraged unless you’re staying at the lone inn.

Best of all, a stay at the Greyfield Inn is all-inclusive, but not exactly exuding Punta Cana vibes with swim-up bars and foam parties.

Meals are included with many ingredients sourced on-site from the hotel’s garden, including a picnic lunch.

The Greyfield Inn does close for the month of August because the heat is quite honestly unbearable. All the more reason to enjoy a springtime vacation here.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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