AAA Arizona - AAA Sojourns Vacations

Detailed Description
Itinerary

Package details include

You needn’t “rely on the kindness of strangers” to discover the glorious treasures of each of these Southern cities. In Charleston, a carriage ride lets you discover century-old buildings that now house antique stores and restaurants. Go behind the ropes at Middleton Place, a National Historic Landmark that survived both the Revolutionary and Civil wars, where you’ll view artifacts of plantation life that the public rarely sees. Also visit the country’s oldest public garden at Magnolia Plantation before enjoying a walking tour of 8 to 10 of Charleston’s loveliest private gardens.

You’ll also attend a show at Spoleto Festival USA 2012, the country’s premier arts festival. Each spring, the Spoleto Festival draws enthusiastic audiences and exceptional performers to Charleston’s historic theaters, churches and outdoor spaces. Celebrating rising young performers in opera, dance, theater and music, the Spoleto Festival is named for the Italian town that hosts the parallel Festival of the Two Worlds.

Farther south, you’ll explore Savannah, a coastal treasure trove of history, during your narrated trolley ride through its cobblestone streets. The River Street boardwalk boutiques, galleries and seafood restaurants invite you to linger before you cruise the river where mighty ships once anchored. Experience more traces of the past on Jekyll Island, once frequented by tycoons, politicians, and socialites, where you’ll visit the Victorian cottages that once accommodated the Jekyll Island club’s elite members. Conclude your trip with a farewell dinner at the famous Lady & Sons Restaurant owned by Paula Deen, where you'll get to enjoy some favorite classic southern dishes prepared in the way that has made her famous.

Price includes:
• 5 nights hotel accommodations: 3 nights in Charleston and 2 nights in Savannah
• Daily breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner at Lady & Sons Restaurant, owned by Paula Deen
• Tours of Historic Charleston, Magnolia Plantation, Middleton Place Plantation and Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston
• Walking tour of some of Charleston’s private gardens
• Attend a show at the Spoleto Festival 2012
• Trolley Tour of Savannah followed by a sunset cruise on the Savannah River with wine and cheese reception
• Full-day guided tour of Jekyll Island off Savannah’s coast

Limitations and Restrictions *Prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking, and may change without notice. Due to the event's "festive" environment, this tour is not recommended for children. Single supplement may apply. Unless stated otherwise, airfare, taxes and government fees are not included. Fares may not reflect additional fuel supplement and vary by provider. Offers valid for new bookings only. Member benefit is per person and applies to first and second traveler only. Member benefits are available only with advertised fare and are subject to change without notice. Your travel arrangements may be modified or cancelled subject to the travel providers policies. Black out dates and other restrictions may apply. We make every effort for accuracy at time of publication, but reserve the right to correct errors. AAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip protection insurance.

Note: Show tickets for the Spoleto Festival are included at $50 each and are not refundable; rates may change depending on show selected. This tour involves a lot of walking for extended periods each day. Please bring comfortable walking shoes. Additional nights may be available. Inquire at time of booking.

Day 1 - Arrive in Charleston
Meet your motor coach upon arrival and transfer to the beautiful old historic district. Upon arrival at your hotel, a full-time tour escort will be available to assist with check-ins. Enjoy dinner on your own this evening.
Accommodation: Francis Marion Hotel - 3 nights

Day 2 - Magnolia Gardens & Middleton Place Plantation Tour
Enjoy breakfast this morning at the hotel. Visit the stately Magnolia Plantation, the oldest major public garden in America. Enjoy lunch on your own while at Magnolia Plantation. Next, visit Middleton Place Plantation, one of the oldest and finest landscaped gardens in America, a Registered National Historic Landmark and plantation home of the Middleton family since 1741. Stroll through the beautiful formal gardens and visit the stable yards where you’ll be treated to a bird’s-eye view of life on an 18th century working plantation.

Then enjoy a tour of Historic Charleston on a 16-passenger surrey. During the one-hour tour you experience 25 – 30 blocks of Charleston’s historic downtown district. View the lovely homes, magnificent public buildings and churches, and other points of interest followed by dinner this evening at High Cotton.

Day 3 - Boone Hall Plantation & Spoleto Festival
After breakfast, visit Boone Hall Plantation, touted as “a must see stop on any trip to Charleston, SC” by NBC Daytime. Then enjoy lunch on your own and free time at The Old City Market. After lunch you can enjoy free time to further explore Historic Charleston before embarking on “Glorious Garden Tour” by the Festival of Gardens and Houses. The walking tours are arranged so guests may stroll leisurely through eight to ten private gardens. Guides are stationed at each location to provide information about garden design, plant material and history. Return to the hotel at our leisure. Enjoy dinner on own this evening.

Sometime this afternoon or evening the group will see a show at the Spoleto Festival. (Show TBA pending release of schedule). For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston, South Carolina’s historic theaters, churches and outdoor spaces with performances by renowned artists as well as emerging performers in opera, theater, dance, and chamber, symphonic, choral and jazz music. Now approaching its 35th season, Spoleto Festival USA is internationally recognized as America’s premier performing arts festival.

Day 4 - Arrive in Savannah / Savannah Sightseeing & Sunset Cruise
Enjoy breakfast this morning at the hotel before departing for Savannah. Upon arrival, board a Savannah trolley and depart on a 90-minute fully narrated Trolley Tour of Savannah, GA. Enjoy all 2.2 square miles of Savannah’s rich history. We recommend stopping in the Riverfront Plaza area and experience the magic of River Street, where Georgia was first founded in 1733. Walk along historic cobblestone streets that were once the ballast stones in mighty sailing ships. Other famous sites include Colonial Cemetery, Forsyth Park, a historic house museum and more. Enjoy free time and lunch on own today during your tour.

Depart and return to the hotel refresh. This evening, enjoy a 90-minute sunset cruise with a wine and cheese reception. The cruise explores the today and yesteryear history of the Savannah River and Harbor area, from Fort Jackson to the Savannah Refuge. Learn about the rice plantations that surrounded the city. Enjoy dinner on your own at the hotel or in historic downtown Savannah. The escort will be available to help you with dinner arrangements
Accommodation: Mulberry Inn - 2 nights

Day 5 - Jekyll Island / Lady & Sons Restaurant
Following breakfast, arrive at the Jekyll Island Club and enjoy a club tour followed by lunch. At the turn of the century, tycoons, politicians, and socialites flocked to Jekyll Island to revel in their burgeoning wealth. Visit the Jekyll Island Museum in the afternoon and take a tram ride through the 240-acre Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District, where you can view historic Victorian cottages that accommodated the club’s elite members.

Then visit the Telfair Academy Art Museum. The museum contains two 19th century period rooms and houses 19th and 20th century American and European art from the museum’s permanent collection including paintings, works on paper, sculpture, and decorative art. Return to the hotel to rest and relax before your farewell dinner at Lady & Sons, a restaurant owned by Paula Deen. Your dinner will include some of Paula Deen’s favorite classic southern dishes prepared in the way that has made her famous.

Day 6 - Depart Savannah
Following breakfast, depart for the airport for your return flight home. Baggage handling is included.