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Charleston & Savannah: Coastal Charms - KDRV TV
Charleston Museum
©Atlanta History Center Turning Point
Carriage Tour of Downtown Charleston
Local Cuisine
Georgia Aquarium
Cannon Firing Demonstration
Experience the sweet Southeast Coast and quintessential Southern charm on a leisurely tour of defining areas in South Carolina and Georgia with ample time to pursue personal interests. Begin in Charleston, where you can explore the historic Drayton family estate and be immersed in days gone by with a horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown. Learn about the Civil War on a cruise to Fort Sumter, then travel to Savannah for two incredible evenings. After an enriching city tour, feast on classical regional cuisine during our riverboat luncheon cruise and witness an old canon fire at Fort Jackson. The next day, hear how the famous Girl Scouts organization got its start in the city during a visit to the first headquarters, then indulge your sweet tooth at a cooking class while learning to make homemade Southern pralines. This memorable getaway concludes in the bustling city of Atlanta with visits to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Museum and Library, Georgia Aquarium, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and more.
Trip overview may vary by departure.
Highlights
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Explore centuries of history at the Drayton family home while learning about life in the 1800s. Walk through 10 rooms furnished with early American antiques, porcelain, and other family heirlooms. Marvel at the famous romantic-style garden that has made up their horticultural legacy, boasting a world-renowned camellia collection and over 35,000 plants. Some sections are over 325 years old, making them the oldest unrestored gardens in America!
Fort Sumter
Climb aboard for a cruise to this iconic brick fort, situated on an artificial island in Charleston Harbor. We’re transported back in time to a pivotal moment in history while learning about its role in defending Charleston from foreign naval threats. See the aftermath of its attack in 1861 by Confederate forces while still under construction, walk to where cannons and artillery once stood guard, and gain insight into the events that ignited the American Civil War.
Savannah Riverboat Luncheon Cruise
Experience Southern hospitality on a narrated harbor luncheon cruise along the beautiful Savannah River. Listen to the Captain’s intriguing tales of the city’s modern port while enjoying views of the historic riverfront, Talmadge Memorial Bridge, Hutchinson Island, and Old Fort Jackson. Along the way, relax during our hearty buffet-style lunch in the opulent ballroom. Savor regionally celebrated dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients, including shrimp and grits, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato souffle, Southern greens, cornbread, and more!
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Home to the renowned World War II aircraft carrier, the USS Yorktown, this expansive museum sits on the beautiful Charleston Harbor. Explore memorabilia that recounts the history of our country’s most pivotal wars including a fleet of National Historic Landmark ships, the Cold War Memorial, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, the Medal of Honor Museum, and the only Vietnam Experience Exhibit in the United States.
Chef Darin’s Kitchen Table
Indulge your sweet tooth and learn how to make homemade pralines with a hands-on cooking class. This sugary treat is a regional delicacy made of pecan clusters coated in a buttery, caramel candy. The mouthwatering smell of hot sugar wafts the air as we prepare this Southern sweet treat together. You can even bring the recipe and pralines home to share a taste of Savannah with friends and family!
- Day 1: Sweet South CarolinaTravel to Charleston, where we stay for the next three nights.
- Day 2: CharlestonBegin the day with a tour of Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. We witness the beautiful gardens and grounds before exploring the Drayton family’s historic mansion, providing a glimpse into the history of this 18th-century estate. Enjoy a Welcome Lunch with new friends, then embark on a guided horse-drawn carriage ride through historic downtown Charleston. Ride along several blocks in the center of the “Holy City,” viewing lovely gardens, quaint houses, mansions, parks, and churches. We finish our explorations today with a memorable visit to the Patriot’s Point Naval & Maritime Museum, featuring the USS Yorktown. Here, you’ll have the incredible opportunity to experience a true piece of American history up close as we explore the aircraft carrier.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 3: Fort SumterWe start today with a cruise to Fort Sumter, learning about events leading up to the Civil War. Upon arrival, a National Park Service Ranger joins us to provide details about this significant site and its important role in the war. Afterwards, we visit the Charleston Museum to view exhibits such as Becoming Americans: Charleston in the Revolution, The Armory: Revolutionary and Civil War Weaponry, and City Under Siege: Charleston in the Civil War. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 4: SavannahThis morning we arrive in Savannah and begin the day with a city tour by trolley. Take in the beautiful sights as our comfortable ride takes us into the old Historic District, filled with restored buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Enjoy picturesque waterfronts, once the location of cotton warehouses and now hotels, restaurants, and shops. Next, delight in a riverboat luncheon cruise down the Savannah River and kick back to feast upon scrumptious Southern fare with a buffet of signature regionally-celebrated shrimp and grits, Southern fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato soufflé, Southern greens, and more. This afternoon we visit Old Fort Jackson, Georgia’s oldest standing brick fort. Revel in the opportunity to take part in an exciting cannon demonstration that uses some of the oldest artillery in the Southeast United States. Later, we check in to our Savannah hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5: Savannah at LeisureIndulge in a leisurely morning, with lunch on our own at the Savannah City Market. This historic market center is filled with some of Savannah’s most popular spots for restaurants, art galleries, shopping, and more. This afternoon, we travel to the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace and tour the Regency-style home where the Girl Scout’s founder was born while hearing interesting stories about her world-changing legacy. We then visit Chef Darin’s Kitchen Table to learn the history of delicious pralines and how this confection came from France to New Orleans, becoming a trend across the South. Work together with other guests to prepare a batch of fresh pralines and take home your very own homemade Southern candy that will be a great memory of Savannah.
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 6: AtlantaWe pack up and head to the Atlanta History Center this morning to learn about the city’s diverse range of origins and economies. Discover the way railroads helped build this fascinating city, how Atlanta played a vital role in the Civil War, and why Georgia’s most famous golfer, Bobby Jones, is believed to be responsible for popularizing golf in the United States. Later, we check in to our Atlanta accommodations and have the evening free for dinner and exploring the city.
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 7: Georgia Aquarium & the National Center for Civil and Human RightsWe enjoy a delicious breakfast before experiencing the biodiversity of Earth’s marine animals at one of the largest aquariums in the world. The Georgia Aquarium has seven massive galleries featuring hundreds of species including bottlenose dolphins, African penguins, hammerhead sharks, and more. Following lunch on our own at the historic Ponce City Market, we stop for photos at the Centennial Olympic Park, a 22-acre park honoring Georgia’s legacy of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. We continue to the National Center for Civil & Human Rights. The 42,000 square-foot building houses immersive exhibitions dedicated to the history of the civil rights movement in the United States and stories of the struggles for human rights around the world. Spend time at leisure before gathering for a Farewell Dinner to celebrate and relive the memories of our wonderful vacation.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 8: Arrive HomeToday we fly home with fond memories of our time together in the Southeast United States.
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 3 nights at the Hampton Inn Historic District in Charleston
- 2 nights at the Hampton Inn & Suites Savannah Historic District
- 2 nights at Embassy Suites by Hilton Midtown in Atlanta
Attractions & Highlights
- Horse-drawn carriage tour of downtown Charleston
- Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
- Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum feat. USS Yorktown aircraft carrier
- Charleston Museum
- Cruise to Fort Sumter
- Savannah guided city tour
- Old Fort Jackson Civil War Militia Program with Cannon Firing Demonstration
- Chef Darin’s Kitchen Table cooking class
- Atlanta History Center
- National Center for Civil & Human Rights
- Georgia Aquarium
- Ponce City Market
10 Excellent Meals
- Welcome Lunch in Charleston
- Savannah Riverboat Luncheon Cruise
- Farewell Dinner in Atlanta
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
Medford - Rogue Valley International Medford Airport