United States·December 5 - 10 2023

Charming Charleston for the Holidays

Charleston: Where Christmas Magic Meets Southern Charm!

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Overview

With its vibrant culture, rich history, exquisite architecture, celebrated dining scene, and friendly locals, it’s no wonder Charleston has become one of America’s best-loved travel destinations. And there is no better time to visit the Holy City than just before the holidays when temperatures are still mild. Join us for a trip that showcases Charleston from an insider’s perspective. This trip will entice all your senses, including beautiful historic homes, meticulous private gardens, world-class cuisine, rich history, and holiday cheer at every turn.

Highlights

Take a holiday walking tour through Charleston’s historic district

Take a holiday walking tour through Charleston’s historic district

Explore the Middleton Plantation

Explore the Middleton Plantation

Dine at some of Charleston’s best restaurants including the award-winning Fig

Dine at some of Charleston’s best restaurants including the award-winning Fig

Take a culinary walking tour then share a meal with an award-winning local chef

Take a culinary walking tour then share a meal with an award-winning local chef

Explore the wonders of Wadmalaw Island

Explore the wonders of Wadmalaw Island

Explore historic downtown Charleston with an engaging guide, a beautiful horse and a comfortable private carriage

Explore historic downtown Charleston with an engaging guide, a beautiful horse and a comfortable private carriage

Itinerary

Here's a day-by-day itinerary of the schedule.

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Day 1: Tuesday, December 5th, 2023

Fly into Charleston in the morning (or the night before). Make your way to the historic Francis Marion Hotel to check-in. The hotel boasts spectacular views of Charleston’s steeples, historic mansions, and famous harbor. Located downtown on Marion Square, the hotel is within walking distance of magnificent gardens, house museums, antique shops, local boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife.

We'll meet and greet with a welcome toast in the hotel bar at 6 p.m.

Then, we're off to dinner at Tempest.


Included

Welcome drinks

Dinner

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Day 2: Wednesday, December 6th, 2023

We'll start the day with a private guided tour of Charleston, hearing the traditions and stories of Charleston’s rich history and colorful past. The tour will highlight vibrant neighborhoods, historic sites, architecture, and art, including Rainbow Row, The Battery, White Point Garden, and some of Charleston’s most beautiful churches. We'll visit the Four Corners of Law and The Battery while viewing private neighborhoods dressed in their holiday finery.

We will stop for some gourmet comfort food at Cru Cafe. After lunch you will have the rest of the afternoon to discover more of Charleston in your own time. With the holiday season in full swing, you'll have many options from which to choose.

Before dinner we'll explore historic downtown Charleston on a private and memorable horse-drawn carriage ride. Run by a family-owned and operated carriage company, the tour is led by a certified guide and some of the family's more than 30 horses. With Belgian and Percheron breeds from Amish working farms, these incredible horses live on a tranquil 65-acre farm and pasture sometimes called "horse heaven."

Dinner tonight will be at one of Charleston's favorite places SNOB.



Included

breakfast

lunch

dinner

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Day 3 : Thursday, December 7th,2023

After breakfast, we'll take a guided walking tour of Charleston’s enchanting alleys and hidden passages. Distinguished by their beauty, Charleston’s alleys occupy spaces that blur the line between public and private areas and offer remarkable insight into the history of the Holy City. Typically inaccessible to cars and often overlooked, walking along these cobblestone, brick, and stone pathways will give you the chance to step back in time.

Later in the afternoon we will head over to the fabulous Hotel Bennett for some Holiday afternoon tea followed by an optional tree lighting at Gabrielle Plaza.

For dinner night, we'll take a short walk to Indaco for some Italian Food and Wine.







Included

breakfast

lunch

dinner

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Day 4: Friday, December 8th, 2023

After breakfast, we'll drive to Middleton Place, a National Historic Landmark, home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America and an enduring, vibrant, and essential part of the Charleston and American experience. We'll stop and pick up our gourmet lunch boxes  from Blackbird's Market and enjoy them in Angel Oak park.

After we pick up lunch, we will drive to Wadmalaw Island to experience the Charleston Tea Garden, America's only farm-to-table tea growing & production plant. We'll do a trolley tour around the garden, and you can drink as much tea as you like.

Later in the afternoon we will head back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner. Prepare to step back in time for dinner. You're about to have a 7-course authentic 18th and 19th-century dining experience prepared by a culinary historian and chef. From the narration, you'll see that food, on its own, can tell the story of Charleston.





Included

breakfast

lunch

dinner

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Day 5: Saturday, December 9th,2023

Today will start with a walk across the street for a quick visit to the renowned Charleston Farmers’ Market to browse the annual holiday market. The market is full of local artisans, crafters, and farmers in December. After browsing, we’ll meet one of Charleston’s best chefs for a visit to another neighborhood market to observe how a chef shops. The chef will create a one-of-a-kind farm-to-table dining experience for us at a local restaurant using the ingredients we selected at the market.

This afternoon, the time is yours to spend as you please. Holiday shop on King Street, enjoy a spa treatment at the hotel, or discover more of Charleston. The choice is all yours.

On our final evening, we'll have dinner at Hank's Seafood. Great food and a charming ambiance can only equal an extraordinary dining experience! Hank’s Seafood Restaurant is located in a turn-of-the-century warehouse overlooking the Charleston City Market. 

Included

breakfast

lunch

dinner

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Day 6: Sunday, December 10th,2023

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll say our goodbyes and happy holiday wishes, with a promise to stay in touch with our new friends. 

Included

breakfast

You'll Be Staying Here

The Francis Marion Hotel

The Francis Marion Hotel

Named for Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion (the “Swamp Fox”), the Francis Marion Hotel became an instant Charleston landmark when it opened in 1924. Rising 12 stories above the Historic District, the hotel offers spectacular views of Charleston’s church steeples, historic mansions, and famous harbor, providing easy access to the wealth of Charleston’s attractions. 

Hosts

Robin Leonard

Robin Leonard

Robin Leonard, an experienced navigator who loves uncovering the unexpected in every location.  After spending years in the corporate world as a consultant, Robin joined the travel industry with a goal of helping other women dream, explore and discover through travel. With a passion for all things Charleston, Robin is excited to share the magic of Charleston at the holidays with you. 

Add Ons

Arrive one day early

Arrive one day early

Includes one night at the Francis Marion Hotel

PRICE$270.00

The Holy City

Charming Charleston

Charleston expresses an enchanting blend of opulence and intimacy, history and hospitality, culture and cuisine, and art and architecture.

Charming Charleston

What's Included

What's Included

All ground transportation (excluding airport transfers)

GG2P Welcome Gift

All meals plus wine or beer at dinner

All guides, experts, and entry fees for tours, museums, and plantations on the itinerary

Your stay at the Francis Marion hotel

Roundtrip airfare to Charleston

Airport transfers

Additional wine, beer, or spirits beyond what is offered at meals.

All personal souvenir purchases

Travel and Medical Insurance (required)

Hotel spa treatements and other incidentals

FAQs

The trip officially starts on the afternoon of December 5th, so make your travel arrangements to Charleston accordingly. If your flight doesn't arrive until later in the evening, or you'd like to have time to relax in Charleston before the trip starts, just send an email to concierge@girlsguidetotheworld.com and we'll take care of booking your room for an extra night.

We will have a zoom call about 8-10 weeks before the trip starts to discuss all that information and give you a packing list. Here is a great website that we love that will help you with packing and travel trips.

The weather in Charleston in December is usually lovely. You can expect day-time temperatures in the mid 60'sF (approx 17C-18C) with lows in the evening of 50°F (10°C). 

Inquire about this trip

Charming Charleston for the Holidays

United States· December 5 - 10 2023· 5 nights