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couple in car Great Getaways

BY JENNIFER PESCI-KELLY

Growing up, our family's summer vacation consisted of the same trip every year: the Outer Banks, with the same stops along the way, and then the countdown before we could do it again the next year. But my husband and I have deep-seated wanderlust - an appetite for exploration. Now our vacations are led by our senses - exhibits, food, music or the opportunity for a new experience all beckon us to our next expedition. As newlyweds, we went to trendy urban spots where we could dine in the hottest restaurants. Now, with a young daughter, our vacations are more oriented to the outdoors - satisfying her boundless energy and curiosity.

Maybe you're the procrastinating type and haven't planned anything yet, or you're in desperate need of a second escape. Relax. We've found seven unconventional trips within a six-hour drive to suit nearly every taste or personality. If you're heading out with the kids, or as a couple or with a few friends, here are some trips that will take you on the hot sand or into the hottest clubs.

Vacations don't have to be the same six-day, seven-night trip you've taken every other year. These packages come in all shapes and sizes - two days of farming, three days of romancing, four days of wine-tasting or five days of sun and shore.

Whether it's the final fling of the summer, a spur-of-the-moment fall getaway or a snowy winter escape, we've mapped out where to go and what to do when you get there. All you have to do is pack the car.

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WEB BONUS!
Available only on the Web, PITTSBURGH magazine brings you bonus material to complement the August, 2006 article "Great Getaways!" To read about other escapes within a half-day drive of Pittsburgh, CLICK HERE to order the issue online.

race cars
THE THRILL SEEKER
The destination:
Mid-Ohio School at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

Ideal for:
Five-day trip Distance

From downtown Pittsburgh:
3 hours

Few of us have the guts to drive as if we're on the Autobahn with our foot to the floor and the speedometer reading in the triple digits. But during the three days at Mid-Ohio School's high-performance driving course, you'll slip behind the wheel of a car built for speed and watch the scenery fly by to the tune of more than 100 mph. This is not a trip for the faint of heart.

Why visit here:
Real-life race-car drivers teach at the Mid-Ohio School, so instructors have hands-on experience taking turns at 120 mph and offer strategies for getting the most speed from corners. "Their job is to get participants to drive the car to its limits and move beyond their initial comfort zone," says Steve Bidlack, director of the Mid-Ohio School. The nine-hour day is spent partly in the classroom as well as doing drills and being on the track, so you'll have a chance to put your skills to the test, manipulating an Acura TSX equipped for a race-car driver with five-point race belts and a roll bar.

The high-performance class is one of 15 different driving courses offered at Mid-Ohio. You can participate in the class for just one day - or graduate to higher levels with a second and third day, spending more time on Mid-Ohio's 2.4 mile road course.

When you arrive:
Whet your appetite for getting behind the wheel by kicking off your trip with one of Mid-Ohio's spectacle events on the weekend before the course; courses begin on a Monday or Tuesday.

Where you'll lay your head:
In addition to local B&Bs Oakland Hill Schoolhouse and Somewhere in Time, the nearby Comfort Inn & Suites is the official hotel for the course and caters to families with an on-site indoor water park, as well as bicycle rentals if you need a break from motor vehicles. In neighboring Mansfield, there are additional options for overnight accommodations.

The best time to go:
Courses run through October. Mid Ohio's National Auto Sports Association Championships runs Fri., Sept. 15, through Sun., Sept. 17; a high-performance session (one, two or three days) begins Mon., Sept. 18. For a tamer lead-in to class, Mid-Ohio's Vintage Grand Prix runs from Fri., Aug. 18, through Sun., Aug. 20, with a session (one, two or three days) starting Tues., Aug. 22. A two- or three-day session is also available Sun., Oct. 15, through Tues., Oct. 17.

Planning your trip:
Book your classes and accommodations as soon as possible - both fill up quickly. Closed-toe shoes are required for classes. Getting there: Take the Pennsylvania Turnpike into Ohio to 71 South. Follow for another 30 miles to Route 30, which you'll follow west until Route 42. Take your wallet for… Classes range from $750 for a one-day class to $2,420 for a three-day class; use of the Acura TSX is included. There is a discount if you bring your own street legal car to drive. Events vary in price from $10 to $30 for general admission.

For more information:
Mid-Ohio School 800/643-6446
Mansfield Tourism 800/642-8282

Coming in September