Explore Charleston and Jekyll Island including Indian Mount Cottage with a Local Specialist
Visit Charleston City Market, Beaufort, Hilton Head Island, Tybee Island Lighthouse, St. Simons Island, Wanderer Memory Trail and Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island
Visit the Mosaic Museum for an in-depth look into Black history on Jekyll Island
Visit Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Explore Jekyll Island's historic district on a private trolley
Deluxe coach travel
Selected hotel dinners plus a locally hosted meal
4-star stays
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: Take a guided tour through one of the best-preserved plantation houses in the US. Explore the main house with a Local Specialist, then visit the gallery and garden exhibits showcasing original artefacts, historic furnishings and stories of the people who lived and worked on the estate.
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.
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.
Savannah: Known to locals as the "Grand Lady on the Bay", the building was once 19th-century mega-merchant Simon Guckenheimer's dry goods storage house, which was filled with everything the South made best, from tobacco to canned peaches. The 1940's and '50s brought a grocery store with the city's first true coffeehouse. Now, the Grand Lady stands as a charming boutique hotel with modern style in the vibrant Ellis Square that reflects the essence of Savannah's renowned Historic District.
Savannah: Meet Emmy-nominated food show host Jesse Blanco at Vic’s on the River, a former cotton warehouse overlooking Savannah’s historic waterfront. Over lunch featuring contemporary Southern cuisine, Jesse shares his passion for the region’s culinary heritage and stories from Eat It and Like It, his celebrated tribute to the South’s vibrant food scene.
Jekyll Island: Support local wildlife on your private tour of the rehabilitation center of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Georgia's first sea turtle rehabilitation, research and education facility. You’ll see where injured and sick sea turtles are treated and learn how the Center’s research helps sea turtles in Georgia and around the world. You’ll love exploring the lives of sea turtles and other native animals knowing that your visit supports their rehabilitation. Your visit also directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
Deluxe coach travel
Selected hotel dinners plus a locally hosted meal
4-star stays
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: Take a guided tour through one of the best-preserved plantation houses in the US. Explore the main house with a Local Specialist, then visit the gallery and garden exhibits showcasing original artefacts, historic furnishings and stories of the people who lived and worked on the estate.
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.
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.
Savannah: Known to locals as the "Grand Lady on the Bay", the building was once 19th-century mega-merchant Simon Guckenheimer's dry goods storage house, which was filled with everything the South made best, from tobacco to canned peaches. The 1940's and '50s brought a grocery store with the city's first true coffeehouse. Now, the Grand Lady stands as a charming boutique hotel with modern style in the vibrant Ellis Square that reflects the essence of Savannah's renowned Historic District.
Savannah: Meet Emmy-nominated food show host Jesse Blanco at Vic’s on the River, a former cotton warehouse overlooking Savannah’s historic waterfront. Over lunch featuring contemporary Southern cuisine, Jesse shares his passion for the region’s culinary heritage and stories from Eat It and Like It, his celebrated tribute to the South’s vibrant food scene.
Jekyll Island: Support local wildlife on your private tour of the rehabilitation center of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Georgia's first sea turtle rehabilitation, research and education facility. You’ll see where injured and sick sea turtles are treated and learn how the Center’s research helps sea turtles in Georgia and around the world. You’ll love exploring the lives of sea turtles and other native animals knowing that your visit supports their rehabilitation. Your visit also directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
Customer Reviews
3.4
based on 7 reviews
1
3
2
1
Itinerary
Step into the heart of the American Southeast on the 'Charms of Southeast USA' explorer tour, tailored for experienced travelers who crave a blend of heritage, gastronomy, and wildlife. From Charleston’s historic streets to Savannah’s culinary delights with a celebrity food writer, each day reveals new discoveries. Explore Fort Sumter National Monument, stroll Jekyll Island’s scenic trails, and experience Georgia’s lighthouses. Unique experiences like learning about Gullah Geechee culture and a behind-the-scenes visit to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center set this tour apart, offering an engaging journey through the South’s most captivating highlights.
day 1Welcome 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-coloured 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, dinner with your travel companions awaits.
Meals
Dinner
Location Visited
Charleston
Accommodation
Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Historic District
day 2Charleston Sightseeing
day 3Charleston to Savannah via Beaufort
day 4Savannah Sightseeing
day 5Georgia Coast Sightseeing
day 6Jekyll Island Sightseeing
day 7Depart Jekyll Island
What's Included
Accommodation
Cherrypicked hotels, all tried and trustedAll hotel tips, charges and local taxesOn occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
Meals
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Transport
All transport and transfers shownLuxury airconditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Guide
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
Others
All porterage and restaurant gratuitiesMustsee sightseeing and surprise extrasAudio headsets for flexible sightseeingOptional Experiences and free time
Good to Know
Travel Insurance
Visa
Other Practical Information
7 daysDuration
Group TourJoin a group of travelers
48 peopleMaximum group size
5 - 99 yearsAge range for participants
EnglishGuide language
Easy
Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.
Starts
Ends
Charleston, USA
USA
What's Excluded
Availability
Loading availability...
A
AnonymousVerified Traveler
4.0 | Very Good
Not enough time in Savannah. Could skip Hilton Head.
K
Kathleen C.Verified Traveler
4.0 | Very Good
Drayton hall in Charleston was more like an archeological dig than a plantation experience, would have liked to see more scenic plantation, Magnolia or Middleton . Enjoyed the horse and carriage tour on did on my own, better than large tour bus as the narrow streets in both Charleston and Savannah were too difficult to navigate in large coach. I took a hop on and off the year before and saw so much more in Savannah. If you really wanted to see the beauty needed another day. Also, last year had opportunity to see Bonaventure cemetary, so unique. The sunset boat ride was nice in Savannah. Hotel Indigo was disappointing, no pool and the breakfast buffet was always cold even though I showed up at the beginning of service. One more day at Charleston and Savannah would have allowed more time to see museums and other sites. The Holiday Inn on Jeykll Island was nice and the free shuttle allowed exploration on your own. The sea turtle hospital, Mosaic museum and tour that were provided were just right. Sunrises were beautiful and nice beach access as well as pool. Food was okay. Stop at the driftwood beach ,St Simeon Beaufort was well spent.
A
AnonymousVerified Traveler
4.0 | Very Good
Use of a large coach to tour Charleston and Savannah is impractical.
At Jekyll Island include the Dolphin experience as an optional extra.
A
Arthur C.Verified Traveler
5.0 | Excellent
Itinerary was great, efficient timing of activities, and knowledgeable guides.
A
AnonymousVerified Traveler
3.0 | Average
Content of trip and Itinerary was great.
The choice of hotels was less than desirable. Accommodation was of very low quality. The food served as furnished breakfast was very low quality.
Monthly Price Comparison
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