Charleston and Savannah Dossier

Trip - Sunsets and Southern Charm - Charleston and Savannah

Charleston, Beaufort, South Carolina, Savannah, Georgia

5 Days and 4 Nights

Emergency Contact

Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to call your Tour Director and leave a detailed message, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. If for any reason, you do not receive an answer in a timely matter, please call the company emergency line and leave a detailed message, so we may assist you.

Tour Director Name and Phone

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What's Included

* Roundtrip Motorcoach transportation

* Five Days 

* Four Nights in 4-star accommodations with baggage handling

* Eight Meals

* Dinner at the Oyster House in Charleston

* Locally guided tour of Charleston

* Charleston City Market

*Guided tour of Charleston Tea Garden on Wadmalaw Island

* Wine tasting at Deep Water Vineyard

* Haunted Sunset Cruise of Charleston

*Guided Horse and Carriage tour of Beaufort, South Carolina

* Dinner at Paula Deen's The Lady and Sons Restaurant, Savannah

* Narrated tour of Historic Savannah's Historic District

* Stops at Forsyth Park and Cathedral  Basilica of St. John the Baptist

* Historic tour of the Andrew Low House

* Dinner on Tybee Island

* Sunset dolphin cruise of Tybee Island 

Highlights

On our guided tour of Charleston, this charming low country's 300-year-old history comes alive. We will see vibrant neighborhoods like Rainbow Row, elegant churches, and beautiful gardens. In the historic district, we will pass grand antebellum mansions, and take in the views of Charleston Harbor. Established in the 1790s, we will have free time for lunch at City Market, one of the nation's oldest, which offers more than 300 entrepreneurs, from restauranteurs and specialty food vendors to artists and craftsmen. Our next stop, located on Wadmalaw Island, is the Charleston Tea Plantation, to date, the only one of its kind in the United States. Here we will get a close-up view of thousands of tea plants and learn how tea is processed from start to finish. Our day concludes with a sunset cruise that highlights Charleston's ghostly past. 

The next day, we will take a relaxing horse and carriage tour of Beaufort, South Carolina on our way to Savannah. On this excursion, we see Civil War sites, Victorian and Antebellum homes, and even spot a few movie locations. 

A highlight of this tour is to explore the heart of Savannah's Historic District where gnarled oak trees festooned with Spanish moss line the streets which are punctuated with beautifully preserved Colonial and Antebellum-style homes and mansions. Along the way, we will stop at Forsyth Park and the Cathedral  Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Another high point is going into one of these gracious homes. We will tour the Andrew Low House, which is the former residence of the founder of the Girl Scouts of America. We will have some free time to grab a bite to eat and explore River Street, which boasts more than 70 shops, restaurants, and pubs before we head out to our final excursion, a sunset river cruise where we just might be lucky enough to spot a few dolphins that call Savannah home. 

Dossier Disclaimer 

The information in this trip details a document that has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However, it is subject to change and does not form part of the contract between the client and Tours of Distinction. The itinerary featured is correct at this time. Occasionally itineraries change as we make adjustments according to input from travelers, and our tour directors, as well as with lodging and other availability. Our goal is to give you the most rewarding travel experience that is seamless and fun.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days before travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Itinerary Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the route as described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion, it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. 

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Itinerary 

Note: Accommodations and restaurants can vary per departure date until the tour start date, they are not final and should be considered as examples of better than or comparable hotels and restaurants. 

Day 1 - Arrive Charleston, South Carolina

Upon arrival in Charleston, we will be greeted by our coach and make our way to our hotel. After some downtime, we will head to Oyster House, located in the heart of the French Quarter in downtown Charleston for dinner. 

Transfer from the Airport to the Hotel

Hotel - Hampton Inn, Charleston Historic District

Dinner - Oyster Hous

Day 2 - Charleston

Today, after breakfast at the hotel, we embark on a guided tour of Charleston, one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the south. Admire the beautiful architecture of the historic buildings and colorful houses throughout the city. The tour will conclude at the Charleston City Market to enjoy some free time and lunch on your own. This afternoon, we will travel to Wadmalaw Island, where we enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful Charleston Tea Garden, to date, the only one of its kind in the United States. Our next stop will be the Deep Water Vineyard, nestled among majestic live oaks on Wadmalaw Island where we will enjoy a wine tasting. Afterward, we will head to dinner before we set sail on a haunted sunset cruise where we learn about Charleston’s ghostly past. 

Hotel - Hampton Inn, Charleston Historic District

Breakfast at the Hotel

Lunch on your own at Charleston City Market

Dinner at a lovely Charleston Restaurant 

Day 3 - Savannah, GA

After breakfast, we’re off and out again, making our way to Beaufort, SC! Historic Beaufort was founded in 1711 and is notable for the role it played in the storied history of America's South.  We will enjoy a horse-drawn carriage tour of Beaufort, and have time for lunch and some shopping before resuming our journey south to Savannah, GA. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel and enjoy dinner at  Paula Deen's flagship restaurant, the Lady & Sons, named "International Meal of the Year," by USA Today. 

Hotel - Doubletree Hotel Historic Savannah

Breakfast at Hampton Inn Charleston

Dinner at Lady & Son's Restaurant, Savannah

Day 4 - Savannah, GA

After breakfast at the hotel, we will meet our local guide for a full day of touring fun. Enjoy a narrated tour of Savannah’s rich history as we explore the Historic District. We’ll make a stop at Forsyth Park and the Cathedral  Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Our tour also includes a visit to the Andrew Low House, the former home of Juliette Magill Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts of America, and her husband, Andrew Low. Enjoy free time for lunch on River Street, before our tour to the Atlantic Low Country and Tybee Island. This evening’s dinner is included on Tybee Island, followed by a relaxing sunset dolphin cruise. What a way to complete this wonderful tour! 

Hotel - Doubletree Hotel Historic Savannah

Breakfast at the Doubletree Hotel Historic Savannah

Lunch on your own at River Street

Dinner on Tybee Island

 Day 5 - Depart Savannah

Breakfast is included this morning before we start making our way home and saying our farewells to Georgia & South Carolina. We will be dropped off by our motor coach at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport for your flight back home. 

Breakfast at the Doubletree Hotel Historic Savannah

Notes

1. Our ground transportation for this trip is a motorcoach. It is a good idea to bring along your mobile phone, camera, charging devices, sunscreen, and any other necessities.

2. This trip is easy in terms of walking around the attractions we will be visiting. There is free time built into this trip that allows you to explore several areas on your own such as the City Market and River Street. 

3.  Spring and fall, when this tour is scheduled to depart, are the best times to visit Savannah and Charleston. In the spring, flowers, including gorgeous azaleas, and trees are in bloom and the temperatures are mild making it perfect touring weather. In the fall, the weather is warm but not too hot, and best of all, the summer crowds are gone. If you like temperatures that range from the 60s and 70s, and sometimes creep into the 80s, with a warm coastal breeze, spring and fall in Savannah and Charleston are ideal times to visit.  Opt for cotton shirts, light pants, shorts, flowy dresses, and light layers. Both are walkable cities so pack comfortable walking shoes. At night you might want to bring a light jacket or sweater, just in case. 

4. We are including two cruises and time outside, so it is best to wear sunscreen and bring sunglasses.

5. Although Savannah and Charleston are considered upscale destinations, food, including lunch costs are considered to be reasonable, and happy hours abound. There is a state tax on food and items that you purchase. Tipping is customary.

Group Leader Description

This Tours of Distinction tour is accompanied by one of our professional tour directors. This person is responsible for coordinating traveler's accommodations, attractions, meals, and luggage on the trip. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have general knowledge of the places we will be visiting.  They will also offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local tour guides who will have in-depth knowledge of the areas and attractions we are visiting. The Group Leader is also responsible for keeping the tour itinerary on time and for checking the attendance of all travelers to make sure no one is left behind. It is also the Group Tour Leader's responsibility to maintain appropriate traveler conduct while on the tour.

Transportation

If airfare is included in the cost of your tour, we will book the most convenient flights available within the budget allotted for this trip. For tours where no air is included, please contact Tours of Distinction for assistance and coordination.  

For this trip, we will be using a large motorcoach from one of our trusted partners. We choose our partners with great care to ensure that your transportation throughout the trip is smooth and uneventful. However, we are not responsible if the motorcoach has mechanical issues and will work with the executives of the company to resolve any issues as quickly as possible. 

We do not practice seat rotation due to COVID-19, especially on a trip where the motorcoach is in use for multiple days. The motorcoach has comfortable seating, a restroom, internet, plugs to power up devices, overhead bins for essentials, and video capability. The motorcoach will make a stop in Beaufort, South Carolina for lunch en route to Savannah, the longest motorcoach leg of this excursion.

Solo Travelers

If you are a solo traveler and do not want to pay a single supplement and are open to sharing your accommodations with another traveler, Tours of Distinction will do their best to match you up with someone else. We cannot guarantee that we can find another traveler for you to room with and take no responsibility for any situations that may arise between roommates.

About Accommodations

Tours of Distinction uses 4-star hotels on this trip that are centrally located and within walking distance of historic downtown areas.  Our chosen hotels may vary in size, character, and amenities. All our rooms are booked and chosen because they offer double occupancy with private bathrooms. Sometimes lodging facilities are changed before departure. These changes are predicated on availability and on the advice of our clients and the tour director's past experiences. When a change is made, you will be placed in the same caliber of hotel or better.

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What to Take

You must be aware of your airline's baggage policy and weight restrictions. Tours of Distinction is not liable for your baggage charges. As a rule of thumb, our advice is to pack light and to bring clothes that coordinate well. During the day we recommend layers of lightweight weight breathable fabrics and for the evenings, we recommend a light jacket or sweater. A set of smart casual clothes is recommended for dinner if you like to dress up. Comfortable clothes and shoes along with a light sweater or jacket are recommended for sunset cruises.

Packing List 

To start with write down where you are going, what you are doing, what the temperatures will be, and how long you will be gone. Keeping this in mind will help you focus on the itinerary and help you define how much you need to bring. A general rule is to plan your outfits ahead of time and pack clothes that will go together. Many experts recommend up to five shirts/blouses, two pairs of pants, a lightweight to medium-weight sweater or jacket, smart casual wear,  a scarf or tie, sleepwear, underclothes, and socks. As for the suitcase, it is always a good idea to be aware of airline luggage restrictions and to check carry-on size requirements to ensure that it will fit in the overhead bin on the plane and on the motorcoach. 

Travel Essentials in Carry-on or Travel Bag/Purse

Medicine

Driver's License

Credit cards/ATM cards

Cash

Glasses/sunglasses/contacts

Insurance cards 

House/Car keys

Cell phone and chargers

Travel Documents 

Emergency contacts

Credit card/bank contacts

Travel Pillow, Back pillow, earplugs

Water bottle 

Hand sanitizer

Tolitery bag and toiletries

Compression socks if flying

Chargers for Phones, Computers, Camera

Pens

Lip balm

Itinerary

General Packing List

Underwear, undershirts/bras

Socks

Sleepwear

Comfortable shoes

Long and short sleeve shirts/blouses

Cotton shirts

Jeans

Lightweight cotton pants

Lightweight shorts

Light jacket

Cotton sweater

Flowy cotton dress 

Umbrella

Fold up tote bag

Toiletries

Sealable plastic baggies to hold packed liquids

Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss

Deodorant

Hair styling tools

Face cleanser and make-up, make-up remover

Shaving supplies

Bandages/antibiotic ointment

Asprin and Vitamins

Currency

It is always good to bring some cash on a trip. Some travelers spend more than others, so please consider your own spending habits when it comes to purchasing souvenirs, shopping, drinking, and tipping.  In the City Market, although credit cards are widely accepted, cash may be easier at some specialty food vendors. It is also prudent to take along some emergency cash for circumstances out of our control.

Currency Exchange 

Credit cards are accepted everywhere in the U.S. and ATMs are readily available on this trip. 

Tipping

On a TOD tour, all tipping is included for baggage handling, the motorcoach driver, tour director, local guides, and meals. It is customary to tip your waiter, waitress, or bartender when dining on your own. You may also want to tip your chambermaid at your hotel, the range is $2 to $5 per day. At the end of each trip, it is up to your discretion to tip the local guide (range is $2-$5 for the experience), tour director, and bus driver (guideline is $5-$10 a day), if you feel that they did an outstanding job. 

Unacceptable Behavior

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trip. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Lewd, drunken behavior is also unacceptable.

Travel Insurance 

Travel insurance isn’t just for trips overseas. It’s prudent to buy travel insurance for every trip because you never know what might happen when you’re far from home! We strongly recommend that the policy covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment,  accidents, medical evacuations, loss of luggage, and personal effects.

Feedback

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Minimum Age

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a Tours of Distinction trip. For minors traveling with a guardian or parents, they must be 21 or older. The minimum age for group travel is 12.