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Charms of the Southeast USA

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Operated by Trafalgar
Tripcode: DSOCM20
Overview
Destination:
United States
United States Of America
Start:Charleston, United States Of America
Finish:Jacksonville, United States Of America
Duration:7 days
Type:Group tour (max 45)
Travel Period
April 2025 - October 2026
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.
Sightseeing 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
Iconic Experience
  • Charleston: Discover America’s Lowcountry history at McLeod Plantation. Established in 1851, McLeod Plantation Historic Site is a 37-acre Gullah/Geechee heritage site preserved in recognition of its cultural and historical significance. You’ll learn about the cultivation of sea island cotton and follow the emergence of Gullah Culture in the Low Country. Get a feel for the past strolling the grounds including a riverside outdoor pavilion, a sweeping oak allée and the McLeod Oak which is thought to be more than 600 years old. Treasure this opportunity to learn about the people who shaped Charleston’s complex past and the nation’s future.
  • Charleston: Charleston brings new sights, sounds and experiences around every turn. Join an experienced Local Specialist for a coach tour through historic Charleston. You’ll have the chance to smell fragrant jasmine, peer through wrought iron gates and see names from the past etched in stone as you stroll past historic sites. Unlock the best of the city from those who know it best. Your host invests back into the properties you tour, ensuring that Charleston’s most historically significant landmarks, structures, sites and stories endure for generations to come.
  • Charleston: Explore local and national history at the grounds and visitor centre of Fort Sumter National Monument. Take in the scenery cruising to the Fort on an island off the coast. Arriving at Fort Sumter National Historical Park, you will stand where America’s deadliest war began at the mouth of Charleston Harbor. You’ll learn about the events leading to the Civil War from knowledgeable National Park Rangers and explore well-preserved fort ruins.
  • Savannah: Embark on an orientation tour with your Tour Director beginning at Forsyth Park, one of Savannah's most picturesque spots. You’ll admire the famous Forsyth Fountain and the greenery before driving down Jones Street, often referred to as one of the most beautiful streets in America, with historic homes, tree-lined sidewalks and a charming atmosphere. Explore the Savannah Historic District, passing landmarks such as the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Mercer-Williams House and the Owens-Thomas House. Finish along River Street, Savannah's bustling waterfront area.
  • Tybee Island: Visit the must-see Tybee Island Lighthouse, the oldest and tallest lighthouse in Georgia. Unlock its history dating back to 1732, and you’ll learn how it’s one of the most intact, historic lighthouses remaining in America. The lighthouse has been rebuilt several times. It was first constructed with stone and wood, and in 1773, with bricks and wooden stairs. View the 1916 historic marker and climb 178 stairs to snap a photo overlooking Tybee Island.
  • St. Simons Island: Discover the local secrets of St. Simons Island, the largest barrier island in Georgia’s Golden Isles. Stroll along the historic St. Simons Pier and watch the local fishermen and fisherwomen. Another must-see awaits at charming Pier Village where you can browse boutique shops, art galleries, and explore the local seafood restaurants.
  • Jekyll Island: Unlock the history of Jekyll Island on the interpretive Wanderer Memory Trail. You’ll learn the history of the Wanderer, a slave ship that arrived on the Jekyll River 160 years ago. Through individual exhibits, you’ll hear the stories of the 500 enslaved Africans including Umwalla, a young African boy brought to America on the ship. You’ll also explore Driftwood Beach, a former maritime forest that has been eroded to sculpture-like piles of sun-bleached driftwood.
  • Jekyll Island: Get ready for a one-of-a-kind experience on your Landmarks Tram Tour of Jekyll Island. You’ll learn how the Island was the exclusive site of the renowned Jekyll Island Club - the winter retreat for some of America's wealthiest families including the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Morgans. Unlock the elegance and opulence of the early 20th century at Indian Mount Cottage, the Rockefeller’s winter home, where you’ll step inside to see how the family, nannies and servants lived.
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.
Standard inclusions
  • 2 Dinner (D)
  • 6 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • All transport and transfers shown
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
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Itinerary
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Welcome to Charleston
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.
Charleston Sightseeing
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 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.
Charleston to Savannah via Beaufort
Kick off your day at Fort Sumter National Monument aboard a scenic cruise through Charleston Harbour. 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.
Savannah Sightseeing
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. Finish the afternoon at Tybee Island Light House. Climb to the top to capture a photo of the island and visit the on-site museum.
Georgia Coast Sightseeing
Get ready for more must-see sights of the American Southeast, your next stop is St. Simons Island where moss-draped oaks line the streets filled with shops and museums. After free time for 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 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.
Jekyll Island Sightseeing
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.
Depart Jekyll Island
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.
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Travellers

Operator
Trafalgar

The best of the world unlocked for you. Imagine unmissable experiences you’ve always dreamed of, getting to know the locals and having everything taken care of every step of the way.   Here's what you'll experience: Must-sees to local secrets: Visiting bucket list sites are a highlight of travelling, however, travelling on your own can make them hard work. Don’t queue with other sightseers for hours, with Trafalgar our experts unlock doors –  think exclusive access to the Vatican out of hours or a tour of Versailles and its grounds with an expert. This, coupled with the intimate glimpses and hidden gems our local specialists show you, are the life-changing experiences that make you feel like an insider, not a tourist. One-of-a-kind experiences: Thanks to our global network you’ll unlock local access to communities and people around the world. Our 100+ Be My Guest experiences are a signature Trafalgar exclusive, where you will enjoy the hospitality of locals as you are welcomed into their homes to hear their stories and learn about their cultures. In every destination, you’ll also enjoy unique “Stays with stories” accommodation: more than just a place to rest your head, they are part of the heritage and fabric of the communities you visit.  Responsible travel at heart: When you choose Trafalgar, you are choosing to make your travels a force for good and support our goal to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®. We recognise our responsibility to ensure we make a positive impact on the planet we call home, the people we visit, and the rich wildlife we find. We ensure that the impacts of our business and your travels are positive in two ways: through our TreadRight Foundation, and our 5-year sustainability strategy How We Tread Right.

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Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. For more information, please see Terms of Use
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6 nights
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