Trip itinerary:
Tuesday, March 9
We’ll drive to the Columbia area for lunch, then strike out through the gorgeous farm country of South Carolina’s coastal plain. Our driving route will take us through the Congaree and Wateree River floodplains, past the hamlet of Stateburg, with its pretty early churches. We’ll continue through Manning, SC, en route to Georgetown. We’ll check into our comfortable accommodations near the Georgetown Marina and relax before dinner. Overnight Georgetown.
Wednesday, March 10
This morning, we’ll explore historic Georgetown, including pretty residences, churches, and the commercial buildings along Front Street. We’ll visit the Georgetown Rice Museum to learn about the importance of “Carolina Gold” in the world economy in the 18th and 19th centuries. We’ll drive to Murrell’s Inlet for lunch. In the afternoon we’ll visit beautiful Brookgreen Gardens, famous for the array of lovely sculpture assembled there by Archer Huntington, and his famous sculptor-wife, Anna Hyatt. After an afternoon break, we’ll enjoy a drive along pretty country roads to the nearby towns of Hemingway and Indiantown, where we’ll see the old Presbyterian church. Dinner and overnight in Georgetown.
Thursday, March 11
This morning, we’ll visit the studios of some local artisans, specializing in crafts with cultural ties to the region. In the afternoon we’ll drive to Hampton Plantation, on the great Santee River, one of South Carolina’s great historic homes. We’ll have dinner in McClellanville, a quaint fishing village in northeastern Charleston County.
Friday, March 12
We’ll depart the Georgetown area by way of lovely S.C. highway 527, which mirrors the Black River. Our route will pass another array of beautiful old churches, including Williamsburg Presbyterian in Kingstree, and the Salem Black River Church. We’ll return home by the late afternoon.
Cost: $779 / person (single supplement, $200). Cost is all-inclusive except for one lunch and alcohol.
Georgetown and the Five Rivers: Rice Plantations, Historic Churches, and Gardens
March 9 – 12
Trip highlights will include
• interesting descriptions of Low Country history, lovely residences, churches, and commercial buildings
• viewings of area rice plantations, including a tour of the house and grounds of the Hampton Plantation
• outstanding dining
• accommodations at the Hampton Inn – Georgetown Marina
• a drive to the picturesque fishing village of McClellanville; interesting country drives to several area historic churches
This small group tour of Georgetown 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.