Southern Charms

Day 1

ARRIVE IN ATLANTA Welcome to the “Peach State!” At 6 pm, meet your travel companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming Southern adventure!

Day 2

ATLANTA Southern Specialties Sightseeing includes Centennial Olympic Park, the historic Fox Theatre, and the Buckhead neighborhood, often referred to as the “Beverly Hills of the South.” Also visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, where you’ll learn more about the man and his legacy. Free time this afternoon where you may wish to visit the Georgia Aquarium or the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Dinner of southern specialties at [LF] a favorite local restaurant. (B,D)

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES No visit to Atlanta is complete without good old-fashioned Southern cooking. Pull up a chair for made-from-scratch Southern classics in a local eatery. Atlanta is known for all-time faves like Georgia peach cobbler, and sweet tea. Fried chicken and fried-green tomatoes – and grits, of course!

Day 3

ATLANTA–COLUMBIA–CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA Carolina on Our Minds Depart Atlanta and head east across Georgia and South Carolina. Stop in Columbia, the state capital of South Carolina, rich with history and warm southern hospitality. Enjoy free time to explore the charms of this warm community and see the stunning granite State House. Later, continue to Charleston. This evening is free to explore on your own. You may wish to stroll the historic district, sample fresh seafood, or learn about Charleston’s colorful past on a ghost tour. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for dining this evening. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS From Rainbow Row to the aroma of honeysuckle flowers on the French Quarter and the Battery promenade to the pastel-painted antebellum homes along the cobblestone streets, the sights of historic Charleston are a feast for the senses. Horse-drawn carriages lumber down the avenues as they have since the city’s founding in 1670 carry passengers to the Waterfront Park overlooking Charleston Harbor, while Fort Sumter still stands where the first shots of the Civil War rang out across the water. Don’t leave before cutting into a slice of pecan pie after plenty of spoonfuls of shrimp and grits!

Day 4

CHARLESTON Southern Hospitality Start the day with an orientation tour of Charleston before visiting America’s most photographed plantation, Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You may wish to shop for a favorite souvenir at historic City Market, where more than 50 artisans are on-site daily; take a relaxing and scenic cruise of Charleston Harbor; or try one of Charleston’s favorite dishes, such as She-crab Soup or Carolina Gold Rice. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SITE Tour the mansion with a guide, see the beautiful gardens and the Black History in America exhibit at historic Boone Hall Plantation - one of America’s oldest working farms. Once known for cotton and pecans, the farm still actively produces strawberries, tomatoes, peaches, and other signature Southern produce on the banks of Wampacheone Creek where it has stood the test of time since its founding by the Boone family in 1681.

Day 5

CHARLESTON–BEAUFORT–SAVANNAH, GEORGIA Heart of the South Depart Charleston for picturesque Beaufort, a town that has conserved much of its pre-revolutionary character. Tour the town by horse-drawn carriage through narrow, oak-lined streets past the former homes of wealthy cotton growers. This afternoon, make your way to romantic Savannah, America’s first planned city. Visit the American Prohibition Museum, where there’s time to explore the various exhibits, interact with costumed guides, and enjoy a [LF] classic cocktail in the Speakeasy. (B)

LOCAL FAVORITE
HISTORY & TRADITION Experience the American Prohibition Museum in Savannah and drink in the history of this turbulent time in American history. Explore the fascinating story of America’s dry spell before giving the secret password to enter the speakeasy for a classic cocktail.

Day 6

SAVANNAH Trolleys & Timeless Tales See Savannah in style on a trolley tour led by a Local Guide who will entertain you with stories of the city’s legendary characters and past. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE in Savannah with a stroll through Forsyth Park, visit to the Telfair Museum of Art, window shopping on Broughton Street, or a tour of the Mercer Williams House Museum—the setting for the book and film, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional shopping, sightseeing, and dining. Tap your GlobusGO mobile app for all the maps and tips for a special day in Savannah.

Day 7

SAVANNAH. EXCURSION TO JEKYLL ISLAND & ST. SIMONS ISLAND Island Traditions Visit Jekyll Island for a guided trolley tour of the Club Historic District. A cluster of 19th-century winter-cottages, this “club” was formed by some of America’s most prominent families. After the tour, your Tour Director hosts a farewell lunch at the historic [LF] Jekyll Island Club. The, visit nearby St. Simons Island, home to beautiful beaches and charming communities. Return to Savannah, where your evening is at leisure. (B,L)

LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURAL GEM Built in 1887, the Jekyll Island Club was the winter home of the Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, and Morgan families. Enjoy the atmosphere and superior service of this famous and historic location. Enjoy an elegant farewell luncheon to celebrate your Southern adventure.

Day 8

SAVANNAH–ATLANTA Safe travels until we meet again! Morning drive to Atlanta. Your vacation ends at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport or the Atlanta tour hotel for those with post-nights. Schedule departing flights after 3 pm. (B)