10 great last-minute summer getaways
Haven't made your vacation plans yet? Lucky you. This year the best deals come to those who waited.
6. Smoky Mountains
The real estate meltdown has put more rentals on the market in this scenic region on the Tennessee/North Carolina border. Discounts will deepen as the summer goes on, says Christine Karpinski, author of How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner. (So you don't undo your savings in airfare, price out flying to Atlanta or Nashville - and driving the three-odd hours - vs. flying to closer but smaller McGhee Tyson or Asheville airports.)
WHAT TO DO
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has 800 miles of trails, which you can explore on foot, bike, or horseback. Discover waterfalls; enjoy the wildflowers; catch a glimpse of deer, elk, and bear. Don't miss the white-water rafting in Bryson City, N.C.
WHERE TO STAY
House rental: Find listings at bearlyrustic.com. For $834 a week you can get a two-bedroom house that sleeps six, with a hot tub and a waterfall.
NEXT: Rockland, Maine
