Romance in the Volunteer State: Love from Memphis to the Mountains

"Romantic Tennessee: More Than 300 Things To Do For Southern Lovers" by Dan and Carol Thalimer will be published in April 2002 by John F. Blair, Publisher. This book is part of the Romantic South series that includes Kentucky, North Carolina and Georgia.

An excursion to a cemetery may not conjure up a romantic image for you, but after you read the way Dan and Carol Thalimer describe such an outing in their book, Romantic Tennessee, you may change your mind.

In 1804, Père LaChaise cemetery opened in Paris, France. It quickly became the spearhead of the Rural Cemetery Movement. This movement encouraged cemetery design that used rural settings, large stands of trees, and beautiful grounds. With its vast spaces, a young America quickly embraced this revolutionary approach to cemetery design. In Victorian times, families would pack a picnic, go to the cemetery to tend the graves of loved ones, and then enjoy the rest of the day with food, long walks, reading, or games.

The Thalimers suggest that the beauty of the sculptures, the fascinating inscriptions, and the serenity of the landscaped surroundings provide a perfect place for a couple to spend a romantic afternoon. They recommend taking a picnic to either the Historic Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis or Old Gray Cemetery in Knoxville. If you want to add a little history to your afternoon in the cemetery, they suggest Fort Donelson National Cemetery, Rose Hill Cemetery in Columbia, Chattanooga National Cemetery, and Bethel Civil War Cemetery in Knoxville.

If youre still not convinced that an interlude in a cemetery constitutes a romantic outing, Romantic Tennessee offers over 300 recommendations for jump-starting or enhancing a relationship. According to the Thalimers, Just about anything enjoyed by both members of a couple could be considered romantic, whether its the ballet or bowling."

But the offerings in Romantic Tennessee go far beyond ballet and bowling. Along with descriptions of recognizable tourist attractions such as Dollywood, the Grand Ole Opry, and Beale Street, you can find outdoor adventures, riverboat cruises, excursion railroads, a variety of visual- and performing-arts venues, elegant restaurants, restful country inns, and offbeat attractions. There is something here for every lifestyle, interest, age, and income. So leaf through the book, select something youre passionate about, and see where love leads.

Carol and Dan Thalimer, freelance writers and longtime visitors to Tennessee, have been writing about travel for 15 years. In addition to more than 500 articles for 50 magazines and newspapers, theyve written 13 travel guidebooks-many of which include Tennessee. This is their second guidebook that focuses on romance.

Other volumes in The Romantic South Series:
Romantic Kentucky by Laura E. Sutton and Leila W. Salisbury
Romantic North Carolina by Lisa Dellwo and Jessica Philyaw
Romantic Georgia by Patrick Allen

Title: Romantic Tennessee
Authors: Carol and Dan Thalimer
Publication date: April 2002
ISBN: 0-89587-253-6
Price: $12.95 paperback
Specifications: 7 x 5, 256 pages
Subject: Travel