After General Sherman burned Atlanta to the ground in 1864, the city rose from the ashes so fast that it quickly earned the nickname “The Phoenix City.”

For many years the capital of Georgia has been considered one of the world’s best places to do business, the “next great international city” according to those in the know. Thus it is headquarters for corporations from Coca-Cola to UPS. It is a center for the arts and sciences with dozens of museums, theaters and shopping centers. Still, this thriving metropolis retains a small town flavor with dogwood filled neighborhoods and country cafes.

For more information go to: www.atlanta.net.

Savannah, on the other hand, seems a city locked in time. An almost eccentric devotion to tradition reigns throughout the shops, restaurants and parks in the 24 public squares comprising old Savannah, shaded by live oak trees and surrounded by stately homes.

Author John Berendt put the city on the map with his tome “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Characters and locales made famous in the book play center stage in various city tours. Compact and visually enchanting, the lovely realm of Savannah should be seen on foot on or bicycle.

For more information go to: www.savannahvisit.com.