Southern Charm and Coastal History


Southern Charm and Coastal History
14 nights
From £1161 per person


Price Includes: Flights, accommodation and car hire

Day 1 - Fly into Miami and drive to Palm Beach, FL, approx. 75 miles

On arrival collect your hire car and head north to Palm Beach. With over 200 cultural attractions, The Palm Beaches has earned the name of Florida's Cultural Capital. Visitors can enjoy a variety of cultural opportunities that include nationally recognized performers and dozens of internationally renowned annual events at the many theatres, museums, art centres, indoor and outdoor auditoriums, and enchanting gardens. The dining options are dazzling, but the 47 miles of pristine beaches and countless waterways offer no shortage of liquid assets in The Palm Beaches as well.

Stay two nights in Palm Beach 

Day 3 - Drive to St Augustine, FL, approx. 250 miles

Founded in 1565, St Augustine is the oldest city in the USA, and is a complete contrast from the state of the art Orlando attractions. Enjoy the cobbled streets, quaint restaurants and boutique shopping. Discover attractions like the St. Augustine Lighthouse or dive into history at the Fountain of Youth and Castillo de San Marcos.Tour the Oldest Wooden School House in the United States and experience what school life was like in the 1700s. Marvel at the Tiffany windows and extravagant murals in the main building of Flagler College, formerly Hotel Ponce de Leon.

Stay one night in St Augustine

Day 4 - Drive to Jekyll Island, GA, approx. 115 miles

The smallest of Georgia's barrier islands, Jekyll has a rich history that reaches back centuries. It offers 10 miles of beach, protected marshland, award-winning golf courses, wildlife experiences, kayaking, biking and horseback riding adventures, a fun-filled water park, a 250-acre Historic Landmark District and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. A must see (or stay if you like) is the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel, a 19th-century winter retreat for the wealthy. Watch the sunset from the bay side dock or dining in style in the main house. 

Stay two nights on Jekyll Island 

Day 6 - Drive to Tybee Island, GA, approx. 110 miles 

Tybee Island is located 20 minutes from Historic Savannah, Georgia's First City. This barrier island boasts 5 miles of beaches backed by sea oat-covered sand dunes that are perfect for sunbathing, people-watching and frolicking in the sand and surf of the Atlantic Ocean. The island’s south-end pier and pavilion provide the perfect venue for strolling above the waves for a picturesque view or reeling in the day’s catch from the sea.

Stay two nights on Tybee Island 

Day 8 - Drive to Savannah, GA, approx. 15 miles

Stroll the streets charming port city of Savannah. Take a carriage tour through the gracious squares, visit the house of the film and book Midnight in the Garden of Good Evil, tout Old Fort Jackson built in 1808 and Georgia’s oldest brick fortification, visit the First African Baptist Church which was built by slaves during the night when they were not working and believed to be the oldest African American Church in America. Visit the museums, browse in the shops and dine in one of the many restaurants. One of the best ways to see Savannah is to take a walking tour of the city or an evening Ghost Tour. 

Stay two nights in Savannah

Day 10 - Drive to Charleston, SC, approx. 105 miles 

Known as one of the South's best preserved cities, Charleston has survived the Civil War, major fires, an earthquake and hurricanes and still exudes elegance, charm and grace. Take a guided tour of the city either on foot or by horse and carriage, which will highlight the cobblestoned streets, historic homes and restored buildings, some with origins prior to the Revolution. Stop at the battery overlooking Fort Sumter where, on April 12, 1861, the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Charleston boasts some fantastic restaurants and you will have the opportunity to sample some authentic Southern cuisine. Make sure you visit Pawley's Island and some of the nearby plantation homes, including one of America's oldest working plantations, Boone Hall, set amidst moss draped oaks. 

Stay two nights in Charleston

Day 12 - Drive to Madison, GA, approx. 265 miles 

Madison is Georgia's "authentic southern town", with an array of ambient local dining options, speciality shops and over 160 antique dealers. It was voted in the top 10 of Southern Living’s South’s Best Small Towns in 2017. Located on Georgia’s 100 mile Antebellum Trail, Madison's pre Civil War and Victorian homes, as well as its tastefully restored downtown are testament to why it escaped Yankee General Sherman's burning march through Georgia.

Stay two nights in Madison 

Day 14 - Drive to Atlanta, GA, approx. 60 miles

Explore this city, home to the World of Coca Cola, the CNN Center, the world’s biggest television network and the Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the world. Visit the Martin Luther King Center where you can take the Civil Rights Walk of Fame, past the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, into the Visitor Center. Visit the Georgia State Capitol building, where Ray Charles played when honoured by the state, making his version of ‘Georgia On My Mind’ the official state song. See the house where Margaret Mitchell wrote Gone with the Wind or unwind in Piedmont Park or at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The city boasts some fantastic restaurants and array of nightlife including plenty of spots where you can find live music.

Stay one night in Atlanta

Day 15 - Fly home from Atlanta.

*Please note there is a one-way drop off fee on the hire car of $300 payable locally.
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