Tuesday, March 2
We’ll drive to Charleston, arriving in the afternoon and checking into our historic district hotel. This evening, we’ll drive across the “new” Cooper River Bridge to Sullivan’s Island and enjoy a delicious meal along Shem Creek. Overnight, historic district.
Wednesday, March 3
This morning, we’ll enjoy an in-depth look at “old Charleston,” including a tour of the 1876 Calhoun Mansion – which opened to the public for the first time in the year 2000. After lunch, we’ll make the pretty drive across James, John’s, and Wadmalaw Islands, to the small fishing village of Rockville. En route, we’ll visit the ancient Angel Oak, perhaps the oldest live oak in America, and the Bigelow-owned Charleston Tea Plantation.
Thursday, March 4
This morning, we’ll drive around the campuses of two of Charleston’s oldest and most-esteemed schools, the College of Charleston and the Citadel. We’ll continue along the Ashley River Road – once the heart of the rice plantations closest to the city. We’ll visit the Magnolia Plantation and enjoy lunch in the “up-river town” of Summerville. In the afternoon, those who wish may visit the interior of St. Philip’s church. We’ll enjoy another sumptuous dinner this evening.
Friday, March 5
We’ll depart Charleston this morning, following lovely less-traveled roads inland. We’ll pass interesting sites related to the American Revolution and its early aftermath, taking in the stories of Isaac Hayne, and the Catholic Community at “Catholic Hill.” We’ll arrive in Blackville, SC, in time for lunch at a regionally-popular Mennonite restaurant. We’ll return to North Georgia by the late afternoon.
“the Charleston You’ve Never Seen”
March 2 – 5
Trip description: We will tour downtown Charleston and three beautiful “country roads” radiating out from the city in different directions.
Trip highlights will include
• interesting descriptions of Charleston’s history, lovely residences, churches, and commercial buildings
• a tour of Charleston’s biggest and costliest historic residence – the Calhoun Mansion
• outstanding dining
• accommodations in the historic district
• a drive to the picturesque fishing village of Rockville; en route we will visit the Angel Oak, and the Charleston Tea Plantation
• a drive along the scenic Ashley River Road, stopping for a tour of Magnolia Plantation, and taking in the old summer residences of “Summerville”
• a drive near the Stono and Edisto Rivers, and along gorgeous low country backroads to Blackville, SC, where we’ll enjoy a regionally-famous Mennonite restaurant (on our return drive to Georgia)
This small group tour of Charleston and Low Country backroads is limited to 10 people. Transportation will be by van and / or mini-van, which will allow us to go where the tour buses can’t.
Cost: $865 / person (single supplement, $250). Cost is all-inclusive except for one lunch and alcohol.