CALLAWAY RESORT & GARDENS: AN IDEAL STAY-AND-PLAY GETAWAY

If you or your family truly embrace the beauty of the 'Great Outdoors' and treasure all that Mother Nature has to offer, then head to Callaway Resort & Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Dubbed Georgia's Authentic Outdoor Escape, this resort is about an hour's drive west/southwest of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Situated on more than 2,500 acres, Callaway offers an entertaining range of activities, attractions, and accommodation for all visitors.

When you head to Callaway Resort & Gardens, bring your bathing suit, hiking shoes, golf clubs, binoculars, walking/running shoes, bike helmet, appetite, and a spirit of adventure. Here, there are several hiking trails that allow visitors to explore the area's natural beauty. Enjoy a cruise along the 10-mile-long Discovery Bike Trail that takes you around the perimeter of this resort, through the woods, alongside the azalea gardens, and near many lakes and ponds. You can bring your own bicycles or rent them on-site.

At Callaway Resort & Gardens, the gardens are stunning. The gardens feature a variety of plants and flowers, including azaleas, roses, and hydrangeas. There are also several themed gardens, such as the Vegetable Garden and the Butterfly Garden, which add to the viewing pleasure of this resort.

Two must-see exhibits at the Callaway Resort & Gardens are the Butterfly Center and the Birds of Prey.

The Butterfly Center has many butterflies flying around this indoor, vegetation-filled planetarium, where you can learn about the lifespan of butterflies and their role in Mother Nature's Circle of Life.

The Birds of Prey exhibit is a daily outdoor program which takes place at the Discovery Center Amphitheater. After witnessing this program, you'll have a greater understanding of the unique powers of sight, hearing, and flight by raptors such as great horned owls, hawks, and eagles.

The resort's centerpiece is Robin Lake where guests can enjoy time at the beach making sand castles, taking beach walks, swimming in Robin Lake, frolicking on Aqua Island, playing putt-putt golf, enjoying a pedal boat, fishing, boating, and making 'camp' in one of the many cabanas along the beach.

You can also tour the resort on a golf cart, aka a Callaway Cruiser. You can rent either a four-seater or six-seater.

Callaway Resort & Gardens also has a zip line course that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. There is also a treetop adventure course, which is perfect for those who enjoy an 'aerial' challenge.

If you want total rest and relaxation, visit the spa inside the Pine Mountain Hotel where you can enjoy a variety of treatments and massages.

For avid golfers, there are two 18-hole championship golf courses on-site, Lake View and Mountain View, both of which are part of The Georgia Golf Trail. Mountain View is the former site of the PGA Tour's Buick Challenge.

There are many accommodation options at Callaway. They include the Pine Mountain Hotel, the Cottages, and the Villas. Spacious and first-class are the best ways to describe the Pine Mountain Hotel, which has 150 guest rooms with convenient access to the outdoor heated pool, hot tub, and Robin Lake Beach. The Cottages have two-bedrooms, are family friendly, and have fully equipped kitchens. And, the Villas are upscale, spacious, and well-appointed.

When it comes to dining, Callaway Resort & Gardens has several restaurants to choose from such as The Piedmont Dining Room, Country Kitchen, Cason's Tap Room, Discovery Café, and the Champions Grille, which is located at the golf course. You must make it a priority to enjoy breakfast at the Country Kitchen, where everything is delicious, especially the ham and eggs. And, the coffee is good till the last drop. The quality of the breakfast is matched by the beauty of the views from the dining room. Room service is also available if you stay at the Pine Mountain Hotel. At The Piedmont Dining Room, order the grilled pimento cheese sandwich for lunch.

So, when you're ready to relax, see the azaleas, and watch a great horned owl take flight, visit Callaway Resort & Gardens. To book your stay-and-play getaway at Callaway, call 1-800-852-3810 or access www.callawaygardens.com. For specifics on golf at Callaway, access www.georgiagolfandtravel.com.