You'll have to choose sides in North Carolina -- the mountains or the coast. Do you want to hike wooded trails or stroll on the beach? Drive the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway or sail across the sound on a ferry? Gaze over misty valleys from a mountain peak or admire the arc of the shoreline from a sand dune? It's difficult to make a wrong choice with these options, but you're still likely to do some hand-wringing. Because North Carolina's two best features lie on the far east and west boundaries of the state, separated by more than 250 mi/400 km of middle ground, it's difficult to see them both in a one-week vacation. The best solution will be to allow Travel North Carolina staff to custom fit one for you, or to make two visits. It will be time well spent.