Charming Charleston & Savannah for the Holidays

Arrive in Charleston and take a taxi to the stylish Spectator Hotel, located at the desirable corner of City Market and the historic French Quarter. It offers a unique boutique experience, blending Southern charm with Jazz Age flair. 

Settle in, explore the neighborhood, or simply relax and enjoy the hotel's charming atmosphere. We'll gather in the early evening for a meet-and-greet and a welcome toast in the hotel bar. 

Then, we're off to dinner at Tempest, an elegant eatery offering seasonal, locally sourced seafood delicacies and a robust wine list. 

After breakfast, we'll start the day with a private guided tour of Charleston, where we'll discover the traditions and stories of the city’s rich history and colorful past. 

The tour will highlight vibrant neighborhoods, historic sites, architecture, and art, including Rainbow Row, 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'll stop for some gourmet comfort food at one of Charleston's many quaint cafes. After lunch, you'll have the rest of the afternoon to discover more of Charleston on your own time. 

Before dinner, we'll take a private bus tour of historic downtown Charleston to uncover its secrets. We'll weave through cobblestone streets, past grand antebellum mansions, and under moss-draped live oaks as hidden stories come alive at every turn. Prepare for a truly memorable journey through time.

Dinner tonight will be at one of Charleston's favorite restaurants, S.N.O.B., an eclectic bistro serving up authentic lowcountry cuisine. 

We'll start the day with a delicious breakfast, then explore Charleston's rich history with a private, behind-the-scenes tour of the Charleston Museum.

Next, we'll journey back in time with a tour of the opulent Joseph Manigault House, marveling at its architectural grandeur and glimpsing the lives of its former inhabitants.

We'll savor a delectable lunch at 39 Rue de Jean, where we can indulge in French-inspired dishes in a charming courtyard.

Later, take some free time to explore at your own pace. Wander through Charleston's quaint streets, browse unique shops, or relax and soak in the city's atmosphere.

As dusk settles, we'll experience a unique holiday event at the Edmondston-Alston House: "Christmas on the Battery." Featuring carols, candlelight, and Gullah Christmas stories, we'll be transported to a festive bygone era. 

Later, we'll sit down for a meal of fresh seafood at Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar. Treat yourself to one of their many delicious dishes featuring the bounty of the Lowcountry coast in a contemporary, lively setting.

We'll start the day with a delicious breakfast at our hotel, fueling up to explore coastal gems. Our friendly guide will then whisk us to Middleton Place, a National Historic Landmark that's home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America.

Next, we'll drive to Wadmalaw Island. You'll be awestruck by the majestic Angel Oak, a centuries-old live oak draped in Spanish moss, a true symbol of the South. 

Our island journey continues to the Charleston Tea Garden, a lush, tranquil estate that's the only large-scale tea plantation in North America. We'll learn about the tea-making process and sip freshly brewed blends right where the leaves are grown.

As the sun sets, we'll return to our hotel and freshen up for a memorable evening. At the acclaimed Magnolias, we'll dig into a culinary feast of Southern comfort foods.

Savor a leisurely morning before the day kicks off. 

Mid-morning, we'll set out for a delicious glimpse into this city's culinary richness with a farm-to-table walking food tour, exploring historic streets, sampling locally sourced specialties, and learning about the Lowcountry’s distinctive culinary traditions. 

Later, we'll relish one of the city’s most classic experiences with a horse-drawn carriage ride through Charleston’s historic district. As we clip past grand homes and centuries-old streets, our guide will share stories of the people and events that shaped this captivating city.

Dinner tonight is at Circa 1866, a charming, laid-back French restaurant. But don't be fooled; their service and food are on par with a fine dining establishment, just without all the fuss.

Today, we trade Charleston’s cobblestones for Savannah’s moss-draped lanes as we make our way south to Georgia’s famously enchanting coastal city. After checking out and driving about 2 hours south, we'll arrive in the "Hostess City of the South".

Our home for the next few nights is the Hamilton-Turner Inn, a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion in the heart of Savannah’s historic district. It has a rich history of being a hotspot for socializing in Savannah and is the perfect base for us as we explore!

Settle in before lunch at Vic’s on the River, where Southern cooking comes with a side of Savannah history and sweeping views toward the river. 

Then, we'll head out on a walking tour to uncover the character of the historic district, passing leafy squares and some of the city’s most storied corners. Instead of simply seeing Savannah, we’ll really dive in and learn the stories that make it so intriguing.

Tonight we have a reservation at the Olde Pink House, one of Savannah’s most recognizable eateries set within an 18th-century mansion. What a wonderful spot for our first evening in the city.

Savannah has a wonderfully quirky side, and today we’ll experience it through food, art, history, and a little bit of the supernatural. 

We'll begin with a hands-on cooking class at Darin’s, where we’ll gather around the kitchen to prepare a meal inspired by the flavors of the South. It’s a relaxed, social way to connect with the region and enjoy the satisfaction of sitting down to something we helped create.

Next, we'll step inside the Davenport House Museum, a beautifully preserved historic home that offers us an intimate peek into Savannah life in the 19th century. 

As evening arrives, our final dinner at Alligator Soul takes us below street level into one of Savannah’s hidden gems. Set in a historic basement, the restaurant is known for its creative (and sometimes adventurous) Southern-inspired fine dining.

After dinner, we'll keep the evening rolling with a Spooky Christmas Tour, when Savannah’s famously haunted history takes on a festive twist. With tales of ghosts, legends, and mysterious happenings along the way, it’s a wonderfully supernatural way to end the day.

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll say our goodbyes and send happy holiday wishes, promising to stay in touch with our new friends. Your guide will be available to help arrange a taxi to the airport based on your flight time.

May the spirit and joy of the holidays linger with you wherever you're headed next.