Not all vacations leave us with the impression that we've actually had a vacation. One of the biggest mistakes we make when going on holiday is to pack too much sightseeing, exploring and other activities into our schedules, leaving little time for relaxation and personal reflection. A lot of why we do this has to do with where we choose to go on vacation. By choosing destinations that are high on points of interest and low on scenic beauty, we feel that we must visit and photograph each and every museum, ruin, architectural wonder and street scene.

The Great Smoky Mountains area of Tennessee doesn't have an Acropolis, Eiffel Tower or St. Paul's Cathedral, nor does it hum with the hustle and bustle of city life. There are no man-made skyscrapers, no concrete and steel canyons and no heavily traversed canals to be found in the Great Smoky Mountains. What the area does have to offer is some of the most breathtaking views of nature in existence, and the peaceful serenity that accompanies only a place as visually magical and wondrous as a mountain retreat.

That's not to say that activities aren't available for those who are so inclined. In fact, one can fill his or her schedule quite easily with activities such as hiking, fishing, horseback riding, river tubing, whitewater rafting and camping at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, even these activities are less about sightseeing and more about active participation, which is something today's couples and families do very little of together.

Whether urban or suburban, the pressures of work, school and our individual interests often guide us away from spending quality time with our families. This is why vacations can be so important. Vacations should give us the opportunity to reconnect and strengthen the bonds between us and our loved ones. Vacationing in the usual tourist destinations is all about taking us out of our element and providing external stimulus, which doesn't always have the effect of bringing people closer together. Vacationing in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, on the other hand, is conducive to exploring the wonders of nature together, spending time in activities that require human interaction and appreciating the world around us, including each other.