Southern Charm 7 Days/6 Nights

Welcome to Charleston, South Carolina. On your two-night stay in this picture-perfect town you will get to know what southern charm is all about! Originally founded as Charles Towne in 1670, this refined city is a beautifully preserved treasure known for its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and pastel antebellum houses. Steeped in history and quintessentially Southern, the city’s past is evident in its elegant charm. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your professional Tour Director and fellow travelers that are sure to become fast friends, especially in the extraordinarily hospitable ambiance of the South. (D)

Rise and shine with a beautiful breakfast at your hotel before heading out on a Charleston City Tour. Along the way, take in the historic homes and restored buildings that have helped give Charleston its reputation as the “charm spot” of the South. Stop at City Market, known as the “Historic Heart” of Charleston since 1804, and look for unique handcrafted products authentically made in the local area. Later, travel to the Charleston City Marina for a cruise to Fort Sumter. The narrated boat ride takes you to the fort where you will join a guided tour led by National Park Service Rangers. It was here on April 12, 1861 that troops fired the first shots of the Civil War. (B)

Get ready for a day of adventuring after breakfast at your hotel. This morning you will visit one of the most photographed plantations in America, Boone Hall Plantation, a 738-acre estate that was once the center of a cotton plantation and is still a working farm today. Next drive along South Carolina’s scenic coastal route to the charming town of Beaufort. Beaufort has been the setting or the inspirational setting for several novels by long-time resident Pat Conroy and a popular filming location for major motion pictures, including The Big Chill, The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, Forrest Gump, Something To Talk About and G.I. Jane. Here you will delight in a Beaufort Horse Drawn Carriage Tour where you will learn about the local Civil War History and see Antebellum and Victorian architecture. Travel on to Georgia’s fascinating city of Savannah, America’s first planned city. The entire restored center, featuring more than 1,000 buildings, is a registered National Historic Landmark. Tonight, savor a southern dining experience at the historic Pirates’ House Restaurant, situated on the first public agricultural experimental garden in America that was established in 1753. (B,D)

Have breakfast at your hotel before heading out on a Savannah City Tour. Delve into Savannah’s diverse history and modern allure; discover how the city became the core of the colonial settlement in Georgia; and learn about General Sherman’s March to the Sea from Atlanta to Savannah during the American Civil War. Stroll along the cobblestone streets of Factors Walk and River Street, and check out the chic shops, modern art galleries, and trendy restaurants converted from old world cotton warehouses. This afternoon you will have time at leisure to experience Savannah at your own pace. (B)

Savor breakfast at your hotel then head out to Jekyll Island, where the glitterati of days gone by had their private retreats. Take a Trolley Tour to view the grand mansions known as “cottages” that once belonged to iconic families such as the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Morgans, and Cranes. Lunch will be served today at the famous Jekyll Island Club. Originally, its members were a group of American millionaires that represented over one-sixth of the world’s wealth, and then in 1947, it was purchased by the State of Georgia. Further along on your travels today, you will continue to Florida’s St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S. and first settled in 1565. Enjoy two nights in this city known for its colonial Spanish architecture, charismatic energy, and historic charm. (B,L)

This morning wake to a glorious day with breakfast at your hotel before heading out on a St. Augustine Trolley Tour. Visit the Old Spanish Quarter, historic Bayfront, Old Town established in 1572, and Constitution Square with its quaint shops and restaurants. In the afternoon you will have plenty of time to explore the city’s many cultural attractions at your leisure. Tonight, indulge in a delicious Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers at a local restaurant. (B,D)

As you enjoy breakfast this morning, bid farewell to the charms of the south with unforgettable memories to share, and then depart St. Augustine, heading to Jacksonville for your flight home with cherished memories to relish for a lifetime from your Sothern Charm program with Aventura World. (B)