Fascinating sights and wildlife, all steeped in a rich and intricate history - the southern United States has it all.

And nowhere in the South exemplifies this complexity quite like Georgia and its Little St. Simons Island, an essential stop on any trip to the state. It's prominently featured on our Georgia: Savannah and the Golden Isles guided tour.

So what makes this natural paradise quite so intriguing to visitors?

A Lack of Crowds

Those seeking a relaxing vacation away from crowds of tourists will certainly find respite here. Little St. Simons is privately owned by former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry "Hank" Paulson Jr., according to Saporta Report, and managed by staff at The Lodge on Little St. Simons. The island is accessible only by boat, and the hotel allows a mere 32 guests at a time. Needless to say, your chances of encountering too many people are very slim.

An Abundance of Natural Beauty

Little St. Simons sits on more than 11,000 acres of land, including seven miles of beach. It's virtually untouched, save for the wooden planks that make up its trails through its marshiest areas. High marsh grasses and other foliage grow high and thick, a perfect home for the alligators, frogs, bald eagles, and dolphins that inhabit its lands and waters freely, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

An Utterly Unique Lodging Experience

Depending on your reservation, you may end up in one of the river houses on the hotel's territory or in the main hunting lodge, which dates back to 1917, according to Conde Nast Traveler. But no matter where you stay, you get a perfect fusion of gorgeous natural surroundings and modern amenities, as well as culinary adventurousness courtesy of Robert Douglas, the island's acclaimed executive chef, who uses only local ingredients.

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