Thursday, 3/24/2011 - Arrive Chareston
Optional transfers from home or our departure points this morning will have us at Orange County’s John Wayne Airport for our flight arriving in Charleston, South Carolina this afternoon. The “Grand Dame of the South,” Charleston is widely regarded as the most beautiful and historic city in America. Charleston is a place where delightful southern breezes and cobblestone streets pave the way to stately Antebellum homes and southern hospitality. The city is known for its magnificent formal gardens and its graceful historic district. After checking into our Charleston hotel, our home for the next three nights, we’ll depart for an included dinner this evening.

Friday, 3/25/2011 - Charleston
This morning, following an included breakfast, enjoy a fully narrated carriage tour of Charleston’s Historic Residential District – an area of beautiful homes, buildings, churches, many of which date from pre-Revolutionary War days. Afterwards, time to stroll the galleries, and shops of the historic City Market. This afternoon we take a guided sightseeing cruise of Charleston’s harbor and disembark at Fort Sumter. It was here on April 12, 1861 that America’s most tragic conflict began with a single gunshot and through a chain reaction of social, economic and political events exploded into civil war. This afternoon, a visit to the Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. An included dinner at a local favorite this evening.

Saturday, 3/26/2011 - Charleston
This morning we travel to Middleton Place, an 18th century plantation that has served as home to the President of the Continental Congress, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a Governor of South Carolina, and an Ambassador to Russia. Explore “America’s oldest formal landscaped gardens” at Middleton Place Plantation. Your visit includes a guided walking tour of the gardens, an authentic Low Country lunch, and time to explore the gardens, stable areas, and reenactors village. This afternoon we visit Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, a 17th century estate, acquired in 1676 by the Drayton family. It features a year-round bloom of America’s oldest gardens, boasting one of the largest collections of azaleas and camellias in the country. Magnolia Plantation has for over a century been considered to be “the most beautiful garden in the world”. Highlights include the Pre-Revolutionary War Plantation House with early American antiques, a biblical garden, antebellum cabin, and wildlife observation tower. Ride the nature tram thru the wildlife and cypress swamp to look for birds, turtles and alligators. Return to the hotel with an optional transfer to downtown Charleston.

Sunday, 3/27/2011 - Beaufort, Jekyll Island
This morning following an included breakfast, we travel south along South Carolina’s scenic coastal route to Beaufort, South Carolina known as the “Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands”. It was discovered by the Spanish in 1514 and chartered by the British in 1711. Here we will join a local guide and drift back in time as we make our way through the narrow streets of Beaufort’s historic district. Visit Parris Island Marine Base, where all potential Marine east of the Mississippi goes through boot camp. Visit the Marine Museum here, paying homage to United States Marines. Enjoy lunch at your leisure in Beaufort before we head to Jekyll Island, Georgia, once considered an exclusive “escape” for the wealthiest Americans. See miles of wide, barrier island beaches and dune-lined unbothered woodlands. Beginning in 1886, and continuing for four gilded generations, the Island was the exclusive domain of the renowned Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Over a century later, this fabled river front colony shines and lives again as a National Historic Landmark. Check-in for an overnight stay followed by an included dinner in the Jekyll Island Club’s Grand Dining Room.

Monday, 3/28/2011 - Jekyll Island, Savannah
This morning, following an included breakfast, a guided tram tour of the Jekyll Island Historic District often called “Millionaire’s Row” with an opportunity to go inside one the homes. Traveling to Savannah, we’ll stop in the town of Darien for an included lunch. Next it’s onto Savannah, the first city of Georgia and the largest Historic Landmark area in the United States. Savannah personifies southern charm, grace and beauty. A local guide will join us and provide a guided tour of the city showcasing her cobblestone streets, historic squares, magnificent architecture and live oaks draped with moss seduce the senses. Visit the spectacular Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Time at your leisure this afternoon along River Street to do some shopping and exploration. After checking into our conveniently located Savannah hotel, we’ll depart for some old time cooking as we enjoy dinner at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room – reminiscent of the boardinghouses that used to dot the southern towns. This Savannah institution has served hearty Southern fare - family-style - for over 60 years.

Tuesday, 3/29/2011 - Savannah
This morning following an included breakfast, a docent-guided tour of the Mercer Williams House, made famous by the novel, “In the Garden of Good and Evil.” Throughout the house you will see furniture and art from Mr. Williams’ private collection including 18th and 19th century furniture, 18th century English and American portraits, drawings from the 17th century and a wide collection of Chinese export porcelain. Following, time at your leisure this afternoon to explore downtown Savannah’s trendy shops and taverns prior to a special farewell dinner this evening at the 17Hundred90 Restaurant. Hidden within the city’s Spanish moss-draped majestic oaks, it is Savannah’s oldest inn and favorite local haunt.

Wednesday, 3/30/2011 - Journey Home
Following an included breakfast we head north to Charleston and our return flight back to Orange County. Those with pre-arranged transfers will be returned to their respective destination. A spectacular journey of America’s South providing for very fond memories.