NFC SOUTH

Joe’s favorite training camp: Honestly, none of the camps in the NFC South are among my favorites because they're too hot. But Panthers camp is the most intimate and fan-friendly.

ATLANTA FALCONS

Road tripping: The Falcons take flight to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, St. Louis and Seattle, in addition to divisional trips to Carolina, Tampa and New Orleans.

Recommended road trips: There are few better times to visit the Steel City than in mid-September where Heinz Field and the City of Three Rivers shines brightly, so make that Sept. 12 trek to Pittsburgh for the season-opener. If that doesn’t work, consider an Oct. 17 visit to Philadelphia for a 1 p.m. tilt. That night, if you’re up for even more adventure, rent a car and head 130 miles south to Washington as the Redskins host the Colts in prime time at 8:20 p.m.

Visiting training Camp (open to the public): The Falcons train in Flowery Branch, 45 miles northeast of Atlanta. It’s a relaxed, pretty location off Lake Lanier and it is a bit cooler here than Hot-lanta (but it’s still warm). The sight lines of the action are also very good and you should have real estate to maneuver as this camp doesn’t get crowded.

The Falcons will welcome the Jaguars for combined practices, Aug. 9 and 10 while the Patriots will practice at Flowery Branch on Aug. 17. There isn’t a plethora of attractions here, but there is a new equestrian center which offers horse riding lessons and more amongst the beautiful outdoors of this area. The nearby Elachee Nature Science Center in nearby Gainesville, 12 miles north, enables you to get in some hiking and enjoy wildlife, too. The Atlanta Braves Triple-A baseball affiliate is 20 miles away in Lawrenceville. The Falcons will also hold a free open practice Aug. 6 at North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, GA, about 30 miles northeast of Atlanta, starting at 7:30 p.m. as part of its annual “Friday Night Lights” scrimmage.

Head coach Mike Smith, the quarterbacks and a few other players will wear microphones, giving fans an insight into what’s happening on the field. An autograph session will follow the scrimmage. For more information on Falcons training camp, including fan practice access, visit www.atlantafalcons.com or call the hotline at 770-965-2752.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

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Road tripping: The Panthers visit the Giants, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, St. Louis and Seattle, in addition to stops in Atlanta, Tampa and New Orleans.

Recommend road trips: Book that ticket for the Panthers season opener in New York as they hope to spoil the Sept. 12 regular season debut of the New Meadowlands Stadium. Try and get into the area at least a day earlier. Spend Sept. 11 — the anniversary of 9/11 — at Army as the Black Knights open the season 46 miles north in West Point. The pageantry alone on will make you melt (and the football’s pretty good, too).

For an alternative, consider an Oc. 3 trek to the Big Easy as the Panthers visit New Orleans. Get into the Pelican State a day early and head to Baton Rouge, Oct. 2, to experience the uniqueness that is LSU football as they host Tennessee. Tiger Stadium offers one of the most awesome tailgating scenes in football. To get a head start on the season, consider a trip to Pittsburgh’s scenic Heinz Field, Sept. 2.

Visiting training camp (open to the public): The Panthers train 75 miles southeast of Charlotte at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. Wofford plays Division I-AA football and the facilities are pretty good. This is one of the most intimate, fan-friendly training camps in the NFL. Sight lines are solid, plus access to getting autographs here is also smooth. Whether alongside the practice fields on in Gibbs Stadium, it’s just a great setting. There’s not a ton to do in Spartanburg, but it does have the only BMW plant in the U.S which offers tours. Spartanburg is 30 miles from Greenville, which is home to the Shoeless Joe Jackson Baseball Museum and a great downtown minor league park. For more information on Panthers training camp, visit www.panthers.com.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Road tripping: The defending World Champions have a fun road schedule, with visits to San Francisco, Arizona, Dallas, Cincinnati and Baltimore, in addition to stops in Atlanta, Carolina and Tampa.

Recommended road trips: Want to beat the Big Easy heat? The coldest winter Mark Twain ever spent was a summer in San Francisco. The city by the bay should be splendid on Sept. 20 as the 49ers welcome the Saints on Monday Night Football. Get into town a day earlier and catch the Raiders across the bay in Oakland host the Rams in the former “Battle of Los Angeles.” The San Francisco Giants will also be at home at one of the prettiest ballparks, AT&T Park, Sept. 17-19.

Alternatively, consider an Oct. 17 trek to Tampa. The next night, make the drive north to Jacksonville, as the Jaguars host the Titans on Monday Night Football, Oct. 18. Finally, grab your biggest, baddest ‘ole Saints hat and head to Dallas Thanksgiving Day. If you must see the first game of the 2010 season, New England’s your calling as the Saints visit the Patriots, Aug. 12. The Saints will also hold an open practice with the Pats on Aug. 10 next to Gillette Stadium.

Visiting training camp (open to the public): The Saints hold camp at their suburban New Orleans practice facility in Metairie. Expect crowds to be larger than usual, with the Saints still riding their Super Bowl win. It’s a good atmosphere and there’s (usually) plenty of seating along the practice fields. If there’s a downside, it’s the heat, which can be brutal in the summer here. For more information on Saints training camp, visit www.neworleanssaints.com.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Road tripping: The Bucs head to Baltimore, Washington, Cincinnati, Arizona and San Francisco, in addition to divisional tilts at Atlanta, Carolina and New Orleans.

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Recommended road trips: Consider an Oct. 10 visit to the Queen City, Cincinnati, as the Bucs visit the Bengals. Get into town a day earlier to soak in the college football experience at upstart University of Cincinnati, or up I-71 in Columbus as Ohio State plays Indiana. Separated by just 35 miles, the Bearcats host Miami-Ohio in the “Battle for the Victory Bell,” the oldest non-conference rivalry in college football dating back to 1888 (which was also the first college football game played in Ohio).

For another option, consider spending New Year’s in Big Easy as the Bucs’ visit New Orleans, Jan. 2. Tampa fans looking for an extended vacation should take note the Bucs play at Baltimore Nov. 28 and then in Washington two weeks later, Dec. 12. The two cities, separated by 32 miles, will be bustling with holiday cheer.

Visiting training camp (open to the public): Tampa holds camp in its home city, just northeast of Raymond James Stadium. Like all camps, admission is free but it’s on a first-come, first-serve basis to control capacity so not everyone may get in without a ticket. It’s also wicked hot in the summer in Tampa, so prepare for the elements. Fans can get reserved tickets by signing up on Buccaneers.com, which is free. For more information, visit www.buccaneers.com.

Joe Connor is a contributor to NBCSports.com and author of the annually-updated online training camp and stadium guide, “A Fan’s Guide To The Ultimate NFL Travel Experience” which is available for purchase exclusively at his Web site: www.mrsportstravel.com.