Charms of the Southeast USA
Charms of the Southeast USA
$2727
Charms of the Southeast USA
7 Days Starting in Charleston, United States and ending in Jacksonville, United States
Visiting: Charleston, Savannah, Jekyll Island
Tour operator:
Tour code:
DSOCM20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Travel through the American Southeast to immerse yourself in its history, art, food and wildlife. You’ll unlock the past at Fort Sumter National Monument and Jekyll Island’s Wanderer Memory Trail and Mosaic Museum. Taste the flavours of Charleston at its City Market and dine with a celebrity food writer and TV host in Savannah. From a behind-the-scenes experience at Georgia Sea Turtle Center and learning about Gullah Geechee culture on Jekyll Island to the beauty of Georgia’s lighthouses and coastlines, this is the Southeast at its most charming.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Charleston, Jekyll Island including Indian Mount Cottage with a Local Specialist
- Discover Beaufort, Savannah, Hilton Head Island
- Visit McLeod Plantation, Tybee Island Lighthouse, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island's Mosaic Museum, Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center, Georgia Sea Turtle Center
- See Fort Sumter National Monument, Driftwood Beach
- Scenic Charleston Harbor cruise to Fort Sumter National Monument
Make Travel Matter®
Visit Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Jekyll Island: Support local wildlife on your private behind-the-scenes tour of the rehabilitation centre of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Georgia's first sea turtle rehabilitation, research and education facility. You’ll see where injured and sick sea turtles are treated and learn how the Center’s research helps sea turtles in Georgia and around the world. You’ll love exploring the lives of sea turtles and other native animals knowing that your visit supports their rehabilitation. Your visit also directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 15: Life Below Water and Life on Land.
Be My Guest
Savannah: Meet your host, a local food celebrity in the culinary hotspot of Savannah, Georgia. This Be My Guest experience at a restaurant will find you sampling some of the city’s finest flavours while the host shares their stories with you.
Stays with Stories
Savannah: Known to locals as the "Grand Lady on the Bay", the building was once 19th-century mega-merchant Simon Guckenheimer's dry goods storage house, which was filled with everything the South made best, from tobacco to canned peaches. The 1940's and '50s brought a grocery store with the city's first true coffeehouse. Now, the Grand Lady stands as a charming boutique hotel with modern style in the vibrant Ellis Square that reflects the essence of Savannah's renowned Historic District.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Charleston
Location: Charleston
Accommodation: Hyatt Place Charleston Historic District
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Place Charleston Historic District
Meals Included: Dinner
Get ready for charming neighbourhoods, historical sites and delicious food in Charleston, South Carolina. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel or get out and explore. Perhaps make your way to Rainbow Row and you’ll soon see why the 13 candy-colored Georgian homes are a photographer's dream. Discover a bit of history at these structures dating back to 1730 when they were shops on the wharf. Tonight, a Welcome Dinner with your travel companions awaits.
Day 2: Charleston Sightseeing
Location: Charleston
Accommodation: Hyatt Place Charleston Historic District
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Place Charleston Historic District
Meals Included: Breakfast
Unlock Charleston’s people, places, culture and traditions with a Local Specialist. You’ll love this chance to discover the secrets – from architecture to art – from locals. You've surely worked up an appetite and Charleston City Market is just the place to fuel up. This vibrant, open-air market dating back to 1804 is one of the nation's oldest. Browse among more than 300 vendors selling goodies like biscuits, shrimp and grits, lobster hushpuppies and pimento cheese sandwiches. You’ll even find locally made products marked with a 'Certified Authentic Handmade in Charleston' seal. Cap off your day in the Southeast USA with a visit to Fort Sumter National Monument aboard a scenic cruise through Charleston Harbor.
Day 3: Charleston To Savannah Via Beaufort
Location: Savannah
Accommodation: Indigo Savannah Historic District
Accommodation Name: Indigo Savannah Historic District
Meals Included: Breakfast
Kick off your day at McLeod Plantation. Unlock the past at this living tribute to the descendants of people who fought for freedom, equality and justice. You’ll tour the homes comparing the McLeod family home with those built for enslaved families. Then it’s off to Beaufort for lunch and free time to spend as you choose. Get out and explore the historic district antebellum mansions and 19th-century architecture. Your next stop is Hilton Head Island, rich with white sand beaches and towering oaks, before arriving in Savannah. This evening is yours to explore Savannah at your leisure.
Day 4: Savannah Sightseeing
Location: Savannah
Accommodation: Indigo Savannah Historic District
Accommodation Name: Indigo Savannah Historic District
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Unlock the icons of Savannah on a city tour. Steeped in history and Southern charm, Savannah’s cobblestone streets, oak trees draped in Spanish moss and antebellum architecture bring you new sights with each step. Enjoy its historic district, boasting well-preserved squares, museums and exquisite examples of 18th and 19th-century architecture. You’ll explore iconic and lush Forsyth Park, finishing your tour along River Steet to admire the cobblestone streets, historic buildings and views of the Savannah River. Celebrate this vibrant city with a Be My Guest experience with local food celebrity and TV host, Jesse Blanco.
Day 5: Georgia Coast Sightseeing
Location: Jekyll Island
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island
Meals Included: Breakfast
Get ready for more must-see sights of the American Southeast, starting with Tybee Island Light House. Climb to the top to ensure you capture a photo of the island and visit the on-site museum. Your next stop is St. Simons Island where moss-draped oaks line the streets filled with shops and museums. After free time over lunch, make your way to Jekyll Island. Settled in 1733 as the Georgia Colony, Jekyll Island retains its historic character. You’ll visit Driftwood Beach to explore the sun-bleached trees worn down by erosion. On the Wanderer Memory Trail, unlock the past and you’ll learn the stories of enslaved people brought to the shores of Jekyll Island 160 years ago. This trail has received a UNESCO Slave Route Project “Site of Memory” designation and will leave you reflective of the island’s past.
Day 6: Jekyll Island Sightseeing
Location: Jekyll Island
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Discover the hidden treasures of Jekyll Island on a Landmarks Tram Tour of the island’s 240-acre historic district. You’ll dive into the world of Jekyll Island Club members who created an exclusive retreat for their family and friends including a stop at Indian Mound Cottage, former home of the Rockefellers. Your next stop is at Mosaic Museum where you will Dive into Culture through “Hearing History: African American Music on Jekyll Island.” You'll learn about Gullah ring shouts, a call and response dance passed down through the descendants of the enslaved people of the low country. Cap off your exploration of the island with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Your final full day concludes with a farewell dinner with your travel companions.
Day 7: Depart Jekyll Island
Location: Jekyll Island
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy one last leisurely morning on Jekyll Island before concluding your American Southeast tour. Then say farewell to your fellow travellers as you depart for Jacksonville, Florida International Airport arriving at approximately 10:00 AM. Please be aware when booking your flights. You may also choose to extend your stay in Jacksonville, FL.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
The tour includes the services of an expert Travel Director and a professional Driver.
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Accommodation is provided in carefully selected hotels that are tried and trusted.
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Porterage and gratuities at restaurants are included in the tour package.
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are covered in the tour.
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Daily breakfast and up to half of the evening meals are included.
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
The tour includes must-see sightseeing opportunities and surprise extras.
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Audio headsets are provided for flexible sightseeing experiences.
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All transport and transfers shown
All transport and transfers as shown in the itinerary are included.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi
Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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Optional Experiences and free time
The tour offers optional experiences and free time for personal exploration.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from the tour start and end locations are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary are not included.
Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 6 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Dive Into Culture
- Visit the Mosaic Museum for an in-depth look into Black history on Jekyll Island
- Jekyll Island: Visit the Mosaic Museum for an in-depth look into Black history on Jekyll Island through the lens of music. You’ll learn about Gullah ring shouts, a call and response dance passed down through the descendants of the enslaved people of the low country. Enjoy cake walk performances by the Black employees of the Jekyll Island Club. Lastly, explore ragtime and the Club era, and Maurice Ruddick and the Dolphin Club - where legendary performers such as BB King, Percy Sledge and Otis Redding entertained guests like you.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with luxury air-conditioned coaches equipped with Wi-Fi, ensuring a seamless journey through the Southeast USA, with all transport and transfers included as per the itinerary.
Accommodation
Experience the charm of the Southeast USA with stays at the Hyatt Place Charleston Historic District, Indigo Savannah Historic District, and Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island, offering modern amenities and a touch of local history.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a Be My Guest experience in Savannah with a local food celebrity, a behind-the-scenes tour at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, and a visit to the Mosaic Museum on Jekyll Island to learn about African American music history.
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What can I expect from the visit to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center?
At the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, you will have a private tour of the rehabilitation center, where you can see how injured and sick sea turtles are treated. The visit supports the center's research and rehabilitation efforts, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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What historical sites will be visited during the tour?
The tour includes visits to historical sites such as McLeod Plantation, Fort Sumter National Monument, and the Wanderer Memory Trail on Jekyll Island, which is a UNESCO Slave Route Project 'Site of Memory'.
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What is the significance of the Mosaic Museum visit on Jekyll Island?
The Mosaic Museum visit offers an in-depth look into Black history on Jekyll Island, focusing on music. You'll learn about Gullah ring shouts and explore the history of ragtime and the Club era, with performances by legendary artists like BB King and Otis Redding.
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What kind of dining experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a Welcome Dinner, a Be My Guest experience with local cuisine in Savannah, and a farewell dinner. Breakfast is provided daily, and there is one lunch included.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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