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An unforgettable trip through Georgia and South Carolina evoking long-ago days of gracious Southern living... a rarefied world of plantations, 19th-century mansions, magnolias and live oaks hung with Spanish moss.
Please call Bon Voyage to check availability for your dates of travel. All tours and inclusions are subject to change. Pre/post-travel options are available.
Start a day of exploration with a morning sightseeing trip of Savannah with a local guide, admiring the city's elegant architecture and geometric city design, featuring 24 park squares highlighted by live oaks draped with Spanish moss. One of the first planned cities in America, Savannah's National Historic Landmark District is the largest in the nation, and features more than 1,000 architecturally significant buildings.
Next, engage in a hands-on culinary demonstration focusing on dishes representing the unique cuisine of the coastal Low Country region, followed by lunch and some free time in Savannah to explore. Late afternoon, head to an exclusive celebration of the city's Madeira wine traditions in the private gardens of the Davenport House Museum. Following dinner at the renowned 45 bistro in The Marshall House, a restored 1850s inn, spend the rest of the evening as you like.
Today you'll embark on a guided excursion through the Low Country region along the Georgia coast. Begin with an opportunity to experience firsthand the unique Gullah / Geechee culture that developed in the wetlands approaching the outlying Sea Islands of Georgia at the Pin Point Heritage Museum. Occupying a former oyster and crab processing factory in the community of Pin Point on the banks of the Moon River south of Savannah that offers amazing views of the wetlands, the museum's exhibits and multimedia presentations interpret the oyster fishing traditions and folkways of the residents of Pin Point – which for nearly a century survived as an isolated, self-sustaining Gullah / Geechee enclave founded by first-generation free people of color, whose lives were deeply connected to the water. Next, visit a key site of the Civil War, Fort Pulaski National Monument, an impressive brick fortress captured by Union forces in 1862. It was here that military history was forever changed during a Civil War battle that saw the introduction of "rifled cannons." Return to Savannah for a free afternoon and evening to spend as you wish.
Take time for an early morning walk on Hilton Head's pristine beaches if you wish before setting off for historic Beaufort, where you’re joined by a local Gullah resident and guide for an in-depth look at the unique culture and heritage of the Gullah people on a tour of the nearby islands. In Beaufort, "Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands," you'll view the timeless architecture of its National Historic Landmark District. Then head to Charleston, the lovely and historic first capital of South Carolina where you'll enjoy a sightseeing tour this afternoon before settling into your home for the next three nights an elegant 150-year-old hotel, The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel, at the center of Charleston's historic district – and within walking distance of many of its architectural treasures. Dinner tonight is at your choice of several fine Charleston restaurants.
This morning, a private boat cruise of Charleston Harbor imparts a wealth of information about the city's centuries of maritime history. Following your cruise, the afternoon is yours to explore Charleston as you wish. Consider visiting the Gibbes Museum of Art, or Fort Sumter National Monument, where the first shot of the Civil War was fired in 1861, and of course there are many restaurants and cafés at which to enjoy the easy living this city is so well known for. Tonight, join us for a farewell cocktail reception and dinner at your historic hotel.
Visit some of the finest historic plantations and gardens in America today. A morning trip takes you first to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens for a tour of the magnificent Romantic-style garden – selected as one of "America's Most Beautiful Gardens" by Travel + Leisure;some sections of the gardens are more than 325 years old, making them the oldest unrestored gardens in America. Then it's on to one of the grandest of the notable Ashley River Plantations, Middleton Place, a National Historic Landmark that is home to America's oldest landscaped gardens. Tour its mansion built in 1755 and the stableyards and enjoy lunch here.The rest of the day is free to do as you please.
Enjoy breakfast and one last leisurely stroll before heading to the airport and your return flight home.
Your tour may end here, however you can always extend your stay. Possibly a few days exploring the Carolinas independently or catch a flight and enjoy a some time in New Orleans?
Call the USA travel experts at Bon Voyage to discuss your ideal Charleston & Savannah holiday.