A butterfly on the first day of fall

While many visitors to New Zealand are likely to hit one or more of the country’s big cities — Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch — there’s another city they need to keep on their radar: Dunedin.

From Atlanta’s crowded thoroughfares, it might seem hard to believe there is a place just a short drive away that is steeped in history, offers endless scenic views and is home to a wine scene that is starting to turn heads. But the North Georgia Mountains offer the perfect break from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta.

To me, the real delight of any trip is finding that off-beat place, perhaps somewhere that doesn’t quite make the guidebooks.