Discover southern hospitality at its best on this Southern coastal escorted vacation. Begin your tour in Charleston with a sightseeing tour of this beautiful, historic town. On the tour of Charleston’s 300-year-old historic district, see where the Old South lives—in stately homes, well-mannered hospitality, and gentle dignity. Then it’s off to picturesque Beaufort for a tour via a carriage ride through the quaint streets. On to romantic Savannah, America’s first planned city, for a trolley tour, sightseeing, free time, and dinner at Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room.

Enjoy a tour of glorious St. Simons before your cruise to Jekyll Island, once the playground for the rich and famous at the turn of the 20th century. Stay at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, built in 1887 as the winter home for the Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, and Morgan families. Here, a trolley tour introduces you to a cluster of 19th-century mansions formed by some of America’s most prominent families. Also visit Amelia Island and Fort Clinch State Park, a restored Civil War-era fort, before your vacation ends in Jacksonville, Florida. If you want to see and tour some of the most beautiful and historic Southern towns, this Southern Coastal Journey is the vacation for you.

Day 1 Arrive in Charleston (Wed.)
Welcome to Charleston! At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.

Day 2 Charleston (Thu.)
This morning, see where the Old South lives on in Charleston—in the stately homes, well-mannered hospitality, and gentle dignity, in the words of Gone with the Wind’s Rhett Butler. Enjoy a guided tour of Charleston’s beautiful, 300-year-old historic district. Your afternoon is at leisure. This evening, perhaps join an optional dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Carolina through spectacular Charleston Harbor and past Fort Sumter. (B)

Day 3 Charleston–Beaufort–Savannah (Fri.)
Depart Charleston for picturesque Beaufort, a town that has conserved much of its pre-revolutionary character. Enjoy a guided tour of the town by CARRIAGE through narrow, oak-lined streets past the former homes of wealthy cotton growers. Later this afternoon, make your way to romantic Savannah, America’s first planned city and a place filled with numerous historic landmarks. This evening, a special treat is in store for you when you experience Southern hospitality and down-home cooking at MRS. WILKES' DINING ROOM. (B,D)

Day 4 Savannah (Sat.)
This morning, a TROLLEY TOUR led by a Local Guide tells you about Savannah’s history as the center of Georgia’s Colonial settlement and as the destination of General Sherman’s infamous 1864 “March to the Sea.” Also tour the OWEN-THOMAS HOUSE, considered one of the finest examples of English Regency architecture in the United States. The balance of the day is for exploring Savannah and its waterfront on your own. (B)

Day 5 Savannah–Jekyll Island (Sun.)
Depart Savannah for a guided tour of St. Simons, including the Bloody Marsh Battle Site, where the English fought off the invading Spaniards. Keep an eye out for dolphins on a glorious CRUISE from St. Simons to Jekyll Island, once the playground for the rich and famous at the turn of the 20th century. For dinner tonight, take a stroll down to the historic marina. (B)

Special Feature: Your hotel on Jekyll Island is the lovely Jekyll Island Club Hotel, built in 1887 as the winter home for the Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, and Morgan families. Known for its elegance and beautiful setting, the Club is the focal point of Jekyll Island, providing a relaxing atmosphere, superior service, and many diversions for guests.

Day 6 Jekyll Island (Mon.)
Enjoy a guided TROLLEY TOUR of the Club Historic District, a cluster of 19th-century mansions. This “club” was formed by some of America’s most prominent families who at one time controlled one-sixth of the world’s wealth. Your tour includes a visit to two of the most elaborate winter mansions, including ROCKEFELLER’S INDIAN MOUND. The remainder of your day is at leisure to take advantage of your resort’s many activities like croquet, high tea, a round of golf, or just relaxing poolside. This evening your Tour Director hosts a lavish farewell dinner at the Jekyll Island Club. (B,D)

Day 7 Jekyll Island–Amelia Island–Jacksonville (Tue.)
This morning, journey to Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island and visit FORT CLINCH STATE PARK, a restored Civil War-era garrison. Also see the island’s Victorian neighborhood, testament of its “Golden Age.” Next, stop at Jacksonville International Airport for guests with homebound flights (please schedule flights after 3:30 pm). The motorcoach continues to the Holiday Inn Jacksonville Airport, where the vacation ends. (B)

PRICES
From approx $1,609 US per person double occupancy