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Charleston & Savannah: Coastal Charms - WIBW TV
Charleston Museum
©Atlanta History Center Turning Point
Carriage Tour of Downtown Charleston
Local Cuisine
Georgia Aquarium
Cannon Firing Demonstration
Melissa Brunner
Melissa Brunner
Melissa is a native of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, a town about 40 miles south of Green Bay, which means she is required to be a Packers fan! However, she’s adopted Topeka as her home (and the Chiefs and Royals, too), moving here in May 1996 for a job…
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, discover the city’s charm on your own, 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: Fly to South CarolinaUpon arriving in Charleston, we check in for a wonderful three-night stay.
- Day 2: CharlestonOur day begins with a tour of Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, founded in 1676 by the Drayton family. Enjoy time to explore the beautiful gardens and grounds independently before our guided tour of the 19th-century mansion. After a fantastic Welcome Lunch with new friends, we embark on a nostalgic horse-drawn carriage ride through historic downtown Charleston. Take in sights of lovely greenery, quaint houses, mansions, parks, and churches as we trot through several blocks of the “Holy City.” Our last stop is Patriot’s Point Naval & Maritime Museum, which includes the opportunity to view an impressive piece of American history: the USS Yorktown. We then return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 3: Fort SumterThis morning, we relax on a cruise to Fort Sumter. A National Park Service Ranger joins us at the sea fort in the middle of Charleston Harbor to share many impactful stories, including how the Battle of Fort Sumter marked the beginning of the Civil War. Later today, 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 yours to pursue personal interests.
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 Leisure & Cooking ClassDelight in a leisurely morning to relax or explore as you wish. Our afternoon kicks off with lunch on your own at the Savannah City Market, a historic marketplace filled with some of Savannah’s most popular restaurants, art galleries, shops, and more. Later, a fun cooking class at Chef Darin’s Kitchen Table awaits! Team up with other guests to prepare a fresh batch of delicious pralines as we learn this renowned cuisine’s history.
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 6: AtlantaToday, we say goodbye to the old-time charm of Savannah and head west to Georgia’s vibrant capital city, Atlanta. Arriving early afternoon, our first stop is the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. Dive into the life and legacy of our country’s 39th president while browsing impressive exhibits, such as a life-size replica of the Oval Office. Later, we check in to our Atlanta accommodations and have the evening free to explore the city’s incredible cuisine.
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 7: Georgia AquariumOur day starts at Georgia Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world. Marvel at seven massive galleries featuring hundreds of species, from bottlenose dolphins and hammerhead sharks to African penguins and California sea lions. Following lunch on your own at the historic Ponce City Market, we stop at Centennial Olympic Park, a 22-acre park honoring Georgia’s legacy of the 1996 Summer Olympics. Take time to briefly stroll the park, then our immersive experiences continue at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights with exhibits detailing the history of the U.S. civil rights movement and stories of struggles for human rights around the world. After returning to the hotel, there’s time to freshen up and relax before this evening’s celebratory Farewell Dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 8: Fly HomeToday, we return home with fond memories of our time together in the Southeast United States.
Sep 28 - Oct 5, 2025
$5,799
per person
$4,799
per person
Jul 15, 2025
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 3 nights at Hampton Inn Charleston - Historic District
- 2 nights at Hampton Inn & Suites Savannah Historic District
- 2 nights at Hotel Colee in Atlanta
Attractions & Highlights
- Downtown Charleston horse-drawn carriage tour
- Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
- Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum feat. USS Yorktown aircraft carrier
- Charleston Museum
- Cruise to Fort Sumter
- Leisure time in Charleston, Savannah & Atlanta
- Old Fort Jackson Civil War Militia Program feat. cannon firing demonstration
- Savannah Historic District trolley tour
- Savannah City Market
- Chef Darin’s Kitchen Table cooking class
- Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum
- Ponce City Market
- Centennial Olympic Park
- Georgia Aquarium
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.
Topeka - Hotel Topeka At City Center