Burrowed in Georgia's southernmost foothills of the Appalachians lives one of the South's most enchanting gardens. Established in 1952 by textile tycoon-turned-farmer Cason Jewell Callaway, Callaway Gardens is a 13,000-acre, 1920s-inspired resort in Pine Mountain, Ga., that reflects the old times and its natural surroundings at their finest. With

13 lakes and one impressive manmade beach, there are ample opportunities to fish, canoe and water ski. Merely an hour southwest of Atlanta and 30 minutes north of Columbus, Callaway's vision for this Georgia getaway was to connect guests to the living world, and some 50-odd years later, the resort has become everything from a historic landmark to a modern-day family sanctuary.

Southern hospitality awaits families at the new Lodge and Spa, which has 150 suites and rooms accented in earth tones. Amenities include floral-decorated balconies, eclectic furnishings, cushy comforters with duvets, and flat-screen TVs and MP3 loading docks. The Lodge's 13,000-square-foot spa offers an unforgettable pampering experience, using ingredients grown in the Gardens for hydrotheraphy and massage treatments. The resort also provides an extra 323 rooms and suites at the more modestly priced Mountain Creek Inn.

                                  

Outdoor activities are plentiful. Walking trails, biking, fishing and swimming let nature lovers explore the Gardens' colorful plants and wildlife. One of the best ways to capture the resort's extraordinary beauty is to take a stroll through the gardens, including its largest, the Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl, named after Cason's father, Fuller E. Callaway Sr., and uncle, Ely Reeves Callaway Sr. Housing more than 3,400 hybrids, this 40-acre garden flourishes with red, white and pink azaleas, and includes 2,000 shrubs and trees.

Surrounded by crystal-clear lakes and well-designed fairways, seasoned or social golfers have three courses to choose from. The most popular is the 18-hole Mountain View golf course, which was constructed by world-renowned golf architect Dick Wilson. Home to the PGA Tour's Buick Challenge for the last 12 years, this course is known for its most difficult hole, the par-5 15th.

Callaway Gardens isn't the typical bring-your-own-boat resort with a marina, but boating is still readily available. Fishing enthusiasts can test their angling skills by renting a boat at the 175-acre Mountain Creek Lake, which offers fly fishing and traditional tackle. This particular lake swarms with bream, shellcrackers and bass, while the resort's smaller lakes are well-stocked with brown, brook and rainbow trout. Families can also take advantage of tours, canoeing and casting lessons. In the summer months, the annual Masters Water Ski and Wakeboard Tournament at Robin Lake Beach is always a highlight for visitors, as the world's greatest water skiers and wakeboarders go head to head. And guests who want to learn how to soar like the pros can even take water-skiing lessons with the Callaway Gardens Ski Team.

At the core of the resort is its main attraction, the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center. The Center amazes visitors with more than 1,000 tropical butterflies and birds fluttering in the nation's largest glass-bound conservatory. Showcased are butterflies imported from places all over the world, such as Malaysia, Costa Rica, Africa and the Philippines.

After working up a good appetite, restaurant selections like the Country Kitchen guarantee guests a hearty, home-cooked meal. Located at the base of the resort, this rustic diner is known for its irresistible country food and its "specialty" - Speckled Heart grits, cured ham, muscadine sauce and homemade biscuits. Or, fine dine at the Gardens Restaurant, which overlooks both the Lake View Golf Course and Mountain Creek Lake. This cozy, upscale restaurant serves Georgia-inspired creations, a favorite being the cedar plank salmon.

Whether the experience includes savoring down-home cuisine or promenading through the gardens, visitors will appreciate this resort's charming atmosphere. A Georgia keepsake, Callaway Gardens is a dream vacation spot for families and nature lovers alike to explore the best that the natural world of the South has to offer.

At A Glance

Location: Callaway Gardens is located off Interstate 185 on Georgia Highway 18 in Pine Mountain, Ga. It's an hour southwest of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and 30

minutes north of Columbus, Ga. Prices: Rates range from $149 at Mountain Creek Inn to $679 for a four-bedroom villa. Boat rentals start at $35 for a one-person, half-day to $60 for a two-person, full-day. 

FOR THE FAMILY: Family favorites include the10-mile Discovery Bicycle Trail, the Birds of Prey raptor show, and the world's largest manmade beach, Robin Lake Beach.

Contact: 17800 U.S. Highway 27, Pine Mountain,

GA 31822; (800) 225-5292 

FANCY FLYING The Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center contains exotic butterflies from around the world.