| Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia | | | | road trip planner, Savannah! |
| provide the road trip planner the perfect | | | | Many people use the word "genteel" to describe |
| backdrop for a romantic vacation for two. These | | | | Savannah. The word means refined, elegant and |
| two cities dish up hearty helpings of Southern | | | | stylish, adjectives that fit the city, from the |
| Hospitality spiced with an intoxicating combination | | | | Savannah River to the seaside resorts to the 2 1 |
| of romance and charm. And with only two hours | | | | 2 square mile Historic District. And though I'm sure |
| between cities, it's not a long road trip unless | | | | you could find a horse-drawn carriage to draw |
| you're driving from your own home in another | | | | you into the past, Savannah is considered one of |
| state. | | | | the Top 10 cities for walking tours. |
| Two hours apart, but each city has distinctive | | | | Fellow traveler, Gary Aldrich, gave Savannah 5 |
| flavors. Charleston simmers with history. There's a | | | | stars, praising, "A wonderful Old-South getaway! I |
| rich mix of "Old South" charm, dotted generously | | | | went with my best friend during a period of |
| with historic homes, landmarks, and historic | | | | intense professional stress and by the end of our |
| districts, all of which make Charleston one of the | | | | few days there, I was relaxed enough to return |
| most popular southern destinations in the United | | | | to work. The restaurants are wonderful, and the |
| States. You'll find cobblestone streets with shops | | | | charming old houses and well-kept park squares |
| lined on either side. | | | | are unlike anything else in the country. Being on a |
| A Going Places user (an application within the | | | | river and near the coast keeps it very mild, even |
| Facebook environment) had this to say about her | | | | in winter. Coastal Georgia is indeed a wonderful |
| stay there: | | | | winter respite. I highly recommend it, especially |
| "Charleston has a gorgeous historic district full of | | | | when others are in such a mad rush to get to |
| luxurious mansions, restaurants, shops, and | | | | Florida!" His top picks were Comfort Suites Historic |
| museums... This is the city where the Civil War | | | | District, Old Pink House Restaurant, and the |
| began so it's filled with history and fascinating | | | | Squares of Savannah in the Historic District. |
| stories. If you go here, you have to go to the | | | | In addition to the Squares of Savannah (in case |
| market and take in a ghost tour. The nearby | | | | visiting 21 squares isn't enough), Savannah also |
| plantations are a real sight to see as well and the | | | | has other distinct points of interest, so make sure |
| beaches are spectacular. You'll need at least a | | | | one of these activities gets added to your road |
| week to really appreciate everything there is to | | | | trip planner. |
| see here and the Port City Java coffee shops are | | | | * RIVERFRONT - Situated alongside the Savannah |
| really charming. Try to stay at a B&B if you | | | | River, this area was once the heart of Savannah's |
| can, they run about the same price as a regular | | | | booming cotton trade. Now it is the most popular |
| hotel but you get more personalized care and a | | | | destination for visitors, with popular restaurants |
| nice touch of true Southern Hospitality." | | | | like Huey's , the Shrimp Factory and the elegant |
| Add one or more of these Charleston Districts to | | | | Chart House. Cobblestones dot River Street, a |
| your road trip planner to fully explore the city. | | | | popular starting point for parades and festivals. |
| * DOWNTOWN DISTRICT - Besides historic | | | | * CITY MARKET - City Market also sits on the |
| churches, buildings, and landmarks, you'll find plenty | | | | river, a bit north of River Street at Jefferson and |
| of opportunities for shopping. Downtown is a | | | | West Julian. Like River Street, the brick |
| convenient starting point for getting to know | | | | warehouses now host droves of tourists. Shops, |
| Charleston as it is a vibrant combination of old and | | | | restaurants and some of the Savannah's coolest |
| new, offering diverse attractions suitable for just | | | | clubs draw daily crowds, with frequent live music |
| about anyone. | | | | and performance artists lending a festive |
| * HISTORIC DISTRICT - The Historic District is | | | | atmosphere to this busy corner of the city. |
| the oldest part of town with many preserved | | | | * MIDTOWN - This area incorporates the |
| buildings and homes. Try some walking tours like | | | | Victorian District. You'll notice the homes becoming |
| the Historic Homes Walk , which will allow you to | | | | more modern as you head south. Though you'll |
| learn more about this amazing architecture dating | | | | find many businesses here and just as you begin |
| back to the mid-18th century. And don't forget to | | | | to miss Old Savannah's charm, you come across |
| check out the old houses like the | | | | Thunderbolt, a quaint fishing village on the |
| Heyward-Washington House or the Nathaniel | | | | Wilmington River. |
| Russell House. | | | | * SAVANNAH'S ISLANDS - The low country |
| * MOUNT PLEASANT DISTRICT - The Mount | | | | surrounding the city harbors many small islands, |
| Pleasant District is known for its fine dining. And | | | | including the residential areas of Wilmington and |
| this district holds more than its share of diverse | | | | Whitemarsh, and the quaint Isle of Hope. Nearby, |
| dining establishments. It's also the home of one of | | | | Skidaway Island is the site of golfing communities, |
| the biggest naval & maritime museums in the | | | | marinas, and miles of biking and nature trails. |
| world, Patriot's Point. Tour boats are available | | | | Savannah's seaside playground is Tybee Island. |
| from Mount Pleasant to view Fort Sumter , the | | | | Just 15 miles east of downtown past Fort Pulaski |
| site where the Civil War began. | | | | National Monument, Tybee Island features crab |
| * NORTH CHARLESTON - North Charleston is the | | | | shacks, expensive condos, party hotels and |
| main business and transportation location for the | | | | cheesy gift shops, as well as the oldest lighthouse |
| southern half of the state. Both the International | | | | on the South Atlantic seaboard. |
| Airport and Amtrak Station are located here. | | | | It doesn't take long before the atmosphere |
| Adding to the bustle of North Charleston is the | | | | permeates your senses and the southern |
| 14,000-seat North Charleston Coliseum , home of | | | | cadence carries you along, leaving no doubt that |
| the South Carolina, home of the South Carolina | | | | every couple should add these cities to their Road |
| Stingrays ice hockey team. | | | | Trip Planner to experience what it's like to be in |
| Now it's time to head to the second city on your | | | | love, southern style. |