Savannah and Charleston

For some obscure reason best known to herself. the present Mrs Treelo has expressed a wish to explore the area from Charleston south through Savannah and down the coast to our usual early spring destination that is Kissimmee. Any knowledge out there of this sort of area, and what is likely to be on offer by way of interesting things/places to see? All ideas gratefully received.

[honey lamb]

I visited Charleston about 3 years ago and loved it. It is so graceful and elegant in the historic area that it seemed entirely appropriate to meet a southern gentleman in a white suit complete with hat and walking cane a la Col Saunders.

We took a horse drawn carriage trip around the area and saw the antebellum houses in the South Battery area (a picture of one of which is facing me as I type). The Old City Market is well worth a visit to see the Gullah women weaving their sweetgrass baskets which are for sale. We took a trip out to Fort Sumter where the opening shots of the American Civil War were fired and there saw the different American flags as more and more states joined the union and visited the Middleton House Plantation outside the city.

We stayed at the Mills House Hotel which was very comfortable and centrally located in the historic area.

I loved it. It was so full of charm and atmospheric. I wouldn't have been in the least surprised if Scarlett O'Hara had shown up in her crinoline with a 'Fiddle-dee-dee'! You can't beat Southern charm.

I haven't been to Savannah but friends say that it is something similar.

It may seem obscure, but Mrs Treelo knows best! It is actually really nice down that way. There is plenty to see and do on the East coast, if you had the time, the Outer Banks in NC should make the list (always memorable for me for getting my month old SUV stuck on the beach at 2am), but may be a little too far north for this trip, plus the weather can be 'changeable' in early spring.

Charleston, as honeylamb pointed out, is a gorgeous town and seems like it hasn't changed in the past hundred years or so! Also, on the way down to Savannah (it's actually right outside of Savannah), Hilton Head Island is another great spot to stop. Great beaches, hotels and GREAT golf courses. Perhaps get a quick round in while Mrs T is in the hotel spa?!

[Nottingham Nick]

We visited Savannah a few years ago, and thought it was fantastic.

Although Georgia is only just over the border from Florida, it seemed to be a different world - the real Deep South. [y]

The food, the people, the sights all get a thumbs up from us. [y]

Nick