Spanish Moss & Antebellum Homes

Day 1

Motor with fellow travelers to the much warmer, early spring of the south. Our first overnight will be in Kentucky and the Drury Inn & Suites in Louisville.

Day 2

Travels continue through Tennessee and into the Appalachians as we inch our way further southeast. With our usual rest and meal breaks along the way, we rest our heads once again, at a Drury Inn, in Greenville, SC.

Day 3

Crossing the border into Georgia, the Peach State, early afternoon finds us in the Historic District of Savannah. Our hotel for the next three nights will be at the Hampton Inn located near shops and restaurants in this thriving downtown area. With so much to see and do, the remainder of the day and evening is yours to explore on your own.

Day 4

Get to know your host city with a Narrated Trolley Tour. Hop aboard the trolley and enjoy your friendly conductor as he winds through the town regaling riders with fascinating trivia, historical information, and humorous stories. Experience the extraordinary architecture, lush botanicals and the history of this coastal city. No trip to Savannah would be complete without a stroll down world-famous River Street. It's lined with shops and restaurants on one side and bordered by the Savannah River on the other. Tonight, weigh anchor at the famous Pirate House for an included dinner. This establishment has been welcoming visitors to Savannah with a bounty of food and drink since 1753. First opened as an Inn for seafarers, it quickly became a rendezvous for blood-thirsty pirates and sailors traveling the Seven Seas. Here seamen drank their grog and discoursed - sailor fashion - about their exotic high sea's adventures from Singapore to Bombay and London to Port Said.

Day 5

This morning we head to Brunswick, Georgia where we meet our local guide for a History and Highlights driving tour. Visit St. Simons Island with a stop at Christ Church, which began as a mission in 1736. Then visit historic Jekyll Island, which started as a Spanish mission. Jekyll Island is most notable for being a private Millionaire's Club. Enjoy an open tram tour of this beautiful Island and its private club still in use today. Finish your day at a local eatery for an included dinner.

Day 6

We check out of our hotel this morning and leave historic Savannah behind for historic Charleston! Step on a horse-drawn carriage for a narrated tour through old Charleston. See genteel mansions, parks and gardens, amazing architecture and the people that make up what is known as the "Holy City." Following the tour enjoy free time at the Old City Market. Wander a wide assortment of vendors selling high-quality products including paintings and pottery plus Charleston's famous sweetgrass baskets. There are lots of casual and fine dining options as well. Next learn fascinating historic Charleston facts while you cruise the gentle waves of her harbor. Your knowledgeable and entertaining guide will highlight notable landmarks including Fort Sumter, the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, the Market. Wander a wide assortment of vendors selling high quality products including painting and pottery plus Charleston's famous sweetgrass baskets. Lots of casual and fine dining options for lunch too. Next, learn fascinating historically accurate Charleston history while you cruise the gentle waves of her harbor. Your knowledgeable and entertaining guide will highlight notable landmarks including Fort Sumter, the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, and the Battery and other sites from the past and present. We finally check into our hotel for the night where we can soak up the ambiance of this wonderful city. The Hampton Historic District will be our host. Bountiful seafood is a hallmark of these coastal cities. Your included dinner will be at Hyman's Seafood Restaurant, a local legend dating back to the roaring 1890s.

Day 7

We're on the road again but first we visit the nearby Middleton Place Plantation. This carefully preserved 18th century plantation has survived the Revolution, the Civil War, and an earthquake! It has been the home of four important generations starting with Henry Middleton, President of the First Continental Congress and Arthur, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Henry, the Governor of South Carolina and an American Minister to Russia. While here, experience an included luncheon at the onsite restaurant as well as a tour of the beautiful home and gardens. Early this evening finds us returning to the Drury Inn Greenville.

Day 8

Before we depart Greenville, we pause at the Falls Park on the Reedy. This park adjacent to the downtown historic west end of the city, runs along the area that once housed textile mills. It now has turned into a delightful park full of restaurants and shops. Make sure to walk across the Liberty Bridge for fantastic views of the falls. Continuing our travels northeastern bound, we lodge back at the Drury Inn & Suites in Louisville, KY.

Day 9

The last day of our wonderful southern tour is here. We hope you had a memorable time exploring the jewels of Georgia, Savannah and Charleston.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D =Dinner