Southern Charms

Southern Charms

48 Views
9 Days From

$4020

$3706

Southern Charms

9 Days Starting in Atlanta, USA and ending in Savannah, USA

Visiting: Atlanta, Charleston, Savannah, Georgia, Savannah, Jekyll Island Georgia

Tour operator:

Globus

Tour code:

NS-2025

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Small Group

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

From: $4020 $3706 Operator discount: -$314

NB: Prices correct on 22-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on the "Southern Charms" tour and explore the heart of the American South, starting in Atlanta, Georgia. Discover the rich history and vibrant culture of cities like Charleston, Savannah, and Jekyll Island. Enjoy guided tours of historic sites such as the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, Boone Hall Plantation, and the Mercer Williams House Museum. Savor Southern cuisine, from a local favorite restaurant in Atlanta to a cooking class in Savannah. Experience the charm of Beaufort by horse-drawn carriage and relax on the picturesque Jekyll Island. This journey promises a blend of history, culture, and Southern hospitality.

Highlights

  • Sightseeing in Atlanta includes Centennial Olympic Park, the historic Fox Theatre, Buckhead neighborhood, and Ponce City Market.

  • Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta.

  • Explore Charleston's historic district, including Rainbow Row and the Battery promenade.

  • Tour Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens in Charleston.

  • Horse-drawn carriage tour of Beaufort's historic district.

  • Trolley tour of Savannah, including the Mercer Williams House Museum.

  • Guided trolley tour of the Jekyll Island Historic District.

Places You'll See

Courtland Grand Hotel, Trademark Collection By Wyndham

Hampton Inn Historic Charleston

Embassy Suites By Hilton Historic Savannah

Courtyard Jekyll Island

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Arrive In Atlanta

Location: Atlanta

Accommodation Name: Courtland Grand Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham

Welcome to the Peach State! At 6 pm, meet your travel companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming Southern adventure.

Day 2: Atlanta

Location: Atlanta

Accommodation Name: Courtland Grand Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Sightseeing includes Centennial Olympic Park, the historic Fox Theatre, Buckhead neighborhood, often referred to as the “Beverly Hills of the South” and Ponce City Market. Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, where you’ll learn more about the man and his legacy. Free time this afternoon to visit the Atlanta’s gems such as the Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, World of Coca-Cola or the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Dinner of southern specialties at [LF] a favorite local restaurant.

Day 3: Atlanta,Columbia,South Carolina,Charleston

Location: Atlanta

Accommodation Name: Hampton Inn Historic Charleston

Meals Included: Breakfast

Depart Atlanta and head east across Georgia and South Carolina. Stop in Columbia, the state capital of South Carolina, rich with history and warm southern hospitality. Feel a grand Southern welcome with the charms of this historic community and see the stunning granite State House. Later, continue to Charleston. Choose to explore Charleston during free time with a stroll through the historic district, enjoying fresh seafood with a Southern flair or learn about Charleston’s colorful past on an evening ghost tour. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for dining this evening.

Day 4: Charleston

Location: Charleston

Accommodation Name: Hampton Inn Historic Charleston

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

CHARLESTON Southern Hospitality Start the day with a city tour of Charleston before visiting America’s most photographed plantation, Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens. Tour Patriot Points Naval Museum for a hands-on look at retired aircraft and naval carriers plus a Vietnam Experience Exhibit. Then enjoy a true Southern staple, [LF] a fresh biscuit from Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit shop. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. You may wish to shop for a favorite souvenir at the historic City Market, where more than 50 artisans are on-site daily; visit Fort Sumter National Monument, take a relaxing and scenic cruise of Charleston Harbor; or try one of Charleston’s favorite dishes, such as grits, barbecue, fried okra, or Carolina Gold Rice. This evening, join a local guide on a Small Group Discovery exclusive Gullah Stories and Spirits Tour. (B,L)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SITE Tour the mansion with a guide, see the beautiful gardens and the Black History in America exhibit at historic Boone Hall Plantation - one of America’s oldest working farms. Once known for cotton and pecans, the farm still actively produces strawberries, tomatoes, peaches, and other signature Southern produce on the banks of Wampacheone Creek where it has stood the test of time since its founding by the Boone family in 1681.LOCAL FAVORITE SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE TASTING OF FLUFFY SOUTHERN GEMS Biscuits have been a staple of Southern cuisine since introduced by European settlers in the early 18th Century. Inexpensive to make and requiring only a few local ingredients, the biscuits slowly evolved from dense to delightful. Their popularity remains with creative flavors and regional variations, while served fluffier than their ancestors, biscuits still have a spot on the table.

Day 5: Charleston,Beaufort,Hilton Head,Savannah,Georgia

Location: Savannah, Georgia

Accommodation Name: Embassy Suites by Hilton Historic Savannah

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

CHARLESTON–BEAUFORT–HILTON HEAD–SAVANNAH, GEORGIA Heart of the South Depart Charleston for picturesque Beaufort, a town that has conserved much of its pre-revolutionary character. Tour the town by horse-drawn carriage through narrow, oak-lined streets past the former homes of wealthy cotton growers. This afternoon, visit [LF] Palmetto Dunes General Store on Hilton Head Island en route to romantic Savannah, America’s first planned city. (B,L)HISTORY & TRADITIONSMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Explore Beaufort in style with a local guide on a horse-drawn carriage. The coastal town’s historic district has well-preserved Antebellum and Victorian architecture including homes that pre-date the Civil War. Learn about Beaufort’s role in the Civil War, the Lowcountry history and local favorite sites used in movies such as Forrest Gump, Forces of Nature, and The Prince of Tides. LOCAL FAVORITE SOUTHERN COMFORT Palmetto Dunes General Store on Hilton Head Island is a local “institution” providing a traditional general store experience with local Lowcountry food specialties. Lucrative plantations and fishing dominated the Hilton Head area economy in the 18th century. The plantations no longer produce crops; tourism and real estate now drive development. The beachfront town gained popularity in the 1950’s by turning the plantations into private neighborhoods, adding resorts to highlight the spectacular natural beauty, providing marina access plus building world-class golf courses to please the tourists and local residents.

Day 6: Savannah

Location: Savannah

Accommodation Name: Embassy Suites by Hilton Historic Savannah

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

SAVANNAH Trolleys & Timeless Tales Visit the Mercer Williams House Museum, the mysterious setting for the book and film, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Explore Savannah in style on a trolley tour led by a Local Guide who will entertain you with stories of the city’s legendary characters and past. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Experience low-country cuisine during an interactive cooking class and dinner, infused with memorable stories and southern specialty flavors. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SIGHTS Discover the charm and captivating stories of Savannah where art, period architecture, and ghost stories fill the air under a cool veil of Spanish moss that drapes the oaks along your trolley tour of this historic and unforgettable southern city.ENHANCED FREE TIMEEXPLORE MORE in Savannah with a stroll through Forsyth Park, visit to the Telfair Museum of Art, window shopping on Broughton Street, or a tour of the Mercer Williams House Museum—the setting for the book and film, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional shopping, sightseeing, and dining. Tap your GlobusGO mobile app for all the maps and tips for a special day in Savannah.

Day 7: Savannah,Jekyll Island

Location: Jekyll Island, Georgia

Accommodation Name: Courtyard Jekyll Island

Meals Included: Breakfast

Visit Jekyll Island for a relaxing island experience. Enjoy a guided trolley tour of the Jekyll Island Historic District. A cluster of 19th-century winter-cottages, this “club” was formed by some of America’s most prominent families. The rest of the day is yours to explore the island.

Day 8: Jekyll Island

Location: Jekyll Island, Georgia

Accommodation Name: Courtyard Jekyll Island

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Perhaps take a boat to Cumberland Island National Seashore, shop or kayak close to the sandy coast. Your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner at the historic [LF] Jekyll Island Club.

Day 9: Jekyll Island,Savannah

Location: Savannah, Georgia

Meals Included: Breakfast

Morning drive to Savannah. Your vacation ends at Savannah Airport. Schedule departing flights after 1:00 pm.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    Stay at Courtland Grand Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham in Atlanta, Hampton Inn Historic Charleston in Charleston, Embassy Suites by Hilton Historic Savannah in Savannah, and Courtyard Jekyll Island in Jekyll Island.

  • Meals

    Daily breakfast (B), selected lunches (L), and dinners (D) as specified in the itinerary.

  • Guided Tours

    Guided city tours in Atlanta, Charleston, and Savannah, including visits to significant historical sites such as the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and Boone Hall Plantation.

  • Local Experiences

    Unique local experiences such as a walking food tour in Atlanta, a Gullah Stories and Spirits Tour in Charleston, and an interactive cooking class in Savannah.

  • Transportation

    Transportation between cities and attractions as per the itinerary.

  • Welcome Drink

    Welcome drink on the first day in Atlanta.

  • Farewell Dinner

    Farewell dinner at the historic Jekyll Island Club.

What's Not Included

  • International Flights

    International flights to and from the USA are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended.

  • Optional Activities

    Optional activities such as the culinary experience in Atlanta, evening ghost tour in Charleston, and boat trip to Cumberland Island National Seashore are not included.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and beverages are not included.

  • Gratuities

    Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.

Accommodation

Stay at the Courtland Grand Hotel in Atlanta, the Hampton Inn Historic Charleston in Charleston, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Historic Savannah in Savannah, and the Courtyard Jekyll Island on Jekyll Island.

Mode of Transport

Travel by coach across Georgia and South Carolina, with stops in Columbia, Charleston, Beaufort, Hilton Head, and Savannah, including guided trolley tours and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Notes

Guests should be prepared for easy but sustained walking throughout the tour, including ¼-½ mile over uneven ground during select days of sightseeing.

Meals

8 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of accommodation can I expect on the Southern Charms tour?

    The tour includes stays at the Courtland Grand Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham in Atlanta, the Hampton Inn Historic Charleston in Charleston, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Historic Savannah in Savannah, and the Courtyard Jekyll Island on Jekyll Island.

  • What activities are planned for the first day of the Southern Charms tour?

    On the first day, you will arrive in Atlanta and meet your travel companions for a welcome drink at 6 pm. The Tour Director will prepare you for the upcoming Southern adventure. There is also an optional culinary experience available, which includes a walking food tour to sample exclusive local Southern cuisine.

  • What are some of the key attractions visited in Atlanta during the tour?

    In Atlanta, the tour includes sightseeing at Centennial Olympic Park, the historic Fox Theatre, the Buckhead neighborhood, and Ponce City Market. You will also visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

  • What can I expect during the visit to Charleston?

    In Charleston, you will start with a city tour and visit Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens. You will also tour Patriot Points Naval Museum and enjoy a fresh biscuit from Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit shop. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city, shop at the historic City Market, visit Fort Sumter National Monument, or take a scenic cruise of Charleston Harbor.

  • What unique experiences are included in the visit to Beaufort?

    In Beaufort, you will tour the town by horse-drawn carriage through narrow, oak-lined streets past the former homes of wealthy cotton growers. The tour will also highlight Beaufort’s role in the Civil War and its use as a filming location for movies such as Forrest Gump and The Prince of Tides.

  • What activities are planned for the day in Savannah?

    In Savannah, you will visit the Mercer Williams House Museum and explore the city on a trolley tour led by a Local Guide. The afternoon is at leisure, and you can experience low-country cuisine during an interactive cooking class and dinner.

  • What can I do during my free time on Jekyll Island?

    On Jekyll Island, you can take a boat to Cumberland Island National Seashore, shop, or kayak close to the sandy coast. The day is yours to explore the island at your leisure.

  • What is special about the farewell dinner on Jekyll Island?

    The farewell dinner is hosted at the historic Jekyll Island Club, which was the winter home of the Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, and Morgan families. You will enjoy an elegant dinner in this famous and historic location to celebrate your Southern adventure.

  • What time should I schedule my departing flight on the last day of the tour?

    You should schedule your departing flight from Savannah Airport after 1:00 pm on the last day of the tour.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    For over 90 years.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.

Reviews of this operator

Lisset  

Great Value for your Money

19-Dec-2022

This is my second time travelling with Globus, would have been my third if not for COVID. The way they plan everything is super organized, the tour managers are very caring and knowledgeable. We always enjoy all the site visits planned for each trip. They start by picking you up from the airport and from then on everything is taken care of up until the last day of your trip, even dropping you off at the airport not matter the time of day or night. The hotels at every city are always great and centrally located so you can walk around during your free time or plan your own visits to different sites.

Joan Cupp (Google Reviewer)  

My go-to escorted travel Co My...

01-Mar-2024

My go-to escorted travel Co My 4th trip with Globus and the did not disappoint. The sales deals they offer make it affordable for me to travel. All of the guides are well versed in the history of the area you travel in.

David R  

What a wonderful trip, thanks Globus

10-Jan-2023

Globus is my favorite travel agency. I tried others, but always come back to Globus. It is a 100% stress free one-stop shop. Easy booking with flight, hotel, transportation and travel insurance all in one place. Great customer service at reasonable prices. Lots of information prepared for the trip to handle travel logistics. I planned and booked my trip within 24 hours. Highly recommended to everyon

Alexander Wright  

Great guide, accommodations, and tours.

28-Dec-2022

We had a fantastic guide, with a great mix of free time and guided tours.

CTRTeach 11  

Globus exceeded my expectations!

20-Dec-2022

This is my first Globus tour. I was pleasantly surprised with the depth and quality. The hotels were top notch, and the cruise on the Nile exceeded my expectations. The cabins were roomy and comfortable, and the food was very good.

Nancy Arias  

The experience was amazing!!

30-Dec-2022

The trip was amazing. Our tour guide was so kind and very knowledgeable. I needed to attend a very important meeting via zoom. She was very understanding and accommodating to my needs and made it happen. I was very grateful! Our driver was by far the best driver I’ve ever encountered! I was beyond impressed with our guide, driver and trip!! I will definitely be back for another adventure!!

Irish Beth Maddock (Google Reviewer)  

Did the Globus Highlands and...

30-Sep-2023

Did the Globus Highlands and Islands Scottish Tour with Ian and Allister. What a trip!! With his sharp wit, immense knowledge and fun humour, Ian absolutely brought Scotland to vivid life with his many tales, informative quips and total, utter passion for history. Was spellbound. Am so VERY thankful I had the opportunity to be on Ian's last bus tour before retiring with Globus. In addition, to being so hard working and helpful, with Allister our driver, I cannot tell you how safe and secure I felt in his capable driving hands. He had some very awkward traffic and interesting roads to navigate with our large bus, (especially on the islands and up north) but he handled it all expertly and without a hitch. So much so, I was able to relax and enjoy the journey. All in all, with our tour, you could tell both these kind men cared very much for those of us who needed the extra help and advice. Made my bucket list trip to Scotland so memorable and wonderful. Thank you Ian and Allister! Globus is truly fortunate to have you both.

Patty Walker (Google Reviewer)  

Specifically, Cosmos Tour of Ireland...

11-Aug-2024

Specifically, Cosmos Tour of Ireland and Scotland. August 2024. Let me begin with the positive , the Tour guide was knowledgable, personable and educated! He also was extremely professional and took a genuine interest in providing the highest quality of service to the client. The bus was clean and comfortable and well maintained. The driver was highly experienced and provided excellent transportation. The excursions were acceptable and enjoyable. The Variety of age groups on the trip made for wonderful traveling companions. But unfortunately, that is where the positive ends. The Leonardo hotels that are part of the chain and experience for this specific tour are below quality. We spent a night in a room with a leak in the ceiling. That was known before we checked in and continued to leak while we were there. Another Leonardo hotel, we could not get out of our room. Due to the carpet being ripped up and blocking the door. Most of these hotels I would have walked away from, had I been on my own individual trip. The customer service is missing, customer safety is also missing in these hotels. There is lack of concern to assist customers to their rooms even when it is there responsibility to change the room, there isn't assistance offered. Never have I experienced where you had to absolutely be your own advocate. Because there is no customer concern or care. Quality of food provided is also below standards. It is frowned upon if you request something and often denied. We even had a situation where another individual was placed in the same room we were in and it was considered a "oh well too bad for you." Again, we had to transport our own luggage and bags to a new room. Only after we were our own advocates. We said this stranger and ourselves are not going to stay in the same room. Finally, we received a good room, a room that would be found acceptable in every day normal travel, and we had to change again. Because there was a missing part in a Radiator and this was known to the hotel but yet they still booked us into a room. The radiator would not turn off and the room was steaming hot. So once again, we had to transfer all of our luggage and personal items and trudged down stairwell and elevators to once again change rooms. This is so sad for a bucket list, once in a lifetime, save your money and go on your anniversary trip. The rooms are old and out, dated with stains and tears in carpets and materials. Some of the missing items are a safety concern. Buyer beware! The communication for traveling in other countries is not to the level of customer service and satisfaction that we are used to, we did not expect this level of unacceptable accommodations, much like staying in a hostile. It is the Globus/Cosmos Travel companies responsibility to make sure their accommodations for housing is up to the level of expectations of their customers. The accommodations provided are a reflection of Globus/Cosmos business model and integrity in the global travel industry. This is not everything we experienced, but just a few examples. At this time, their brand appears to be old, outdated, without concern or care for the safety of their clients or their health and welfare as applied to accomodations.Customer service, is their lost art. Choose carefully for travel service. And I would not recommend Globus or Cosmos.

Suneetha Raja (Google Reviewer)  

I have done Newfoundland &...

06-Jul-2024

I have done Newfoundland & Labrador with Iceberg Festival tour with Globus in June 2024. It was absolute rubbish for the price I paid towards the tour. Terrible hotels, horrible meals, barely any sightseeing that is worth while the visit, most importantly, the Iceberg festival never happened. Globus sold this specific tour departure date as the only way to attend this supposed Iceberg Festival. I felt cheated after paying 3527£ for a 13 day tour considering the only reason I picked this departure date was because I wanted to attend this Iceberg festival. I could have used my time and money in a better way doing a different tour with another company. A Canadian company who did the exact same tour is doing it for £2400. I have been travelling with Globus and Cosmos tours since 2008. However, this company tours have been terrible after the covid shutdowns. They are charging more than the premium companies and not providing the equivalent service on par with the prices. Safe to say that I won't be recommending Globus and Cosmos tours to anyone. Try other tour companies that are on the market.

Lynda Bailey (Google Reviewer)  

I really enjoyed my Cosmos...

11-Jun-2024

I really enjoyed my Cosmos tour to Italy last September. However I was totally disappointed by two major things which completely changed the atmosphere of the holiday for me. One was the 'last minute' rearrangement of one of our hotels which then put us well outside of Florence on a trading estate for two nights instead of walking distance from the city walls. That completely blocked any plans or ideas of enjoying Florence in the evening. My biggest disappointment was the terrible travel arrangements and associated advice about travelling through Heathrow Cosmos put in place for me and for which they refused to be accountable despite the fact that they had made the ticket booking on my behalf and I had asked them for appropriate check in advice at all key points before I travelled. As a result I was put on standby when I should never have been (even the BA departure staff were shocked at this) and separated from my luggage which travelled on a later flight. I spent over 6 hrs of my first day in Rome in the airport waiting for my luggage and subsequent transfer to my hotel, without any assistance from Cosmos or BA airside staff. When I complained after my holiday, Cosmos would not take any responsibility at all for the fact that I lost the first day of my holiday and approx. 50% of the time I was due to spend in Rome, preferring to blame BA who in turn were uncontactable about my complaint. Very poor customer service indeed.

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1 Select your preferred date

Friday - Saturday

Apr 18, 2025 - Apr 26, 2025
$4121 $3806

Operator discount: -$314

Friday - Saturday

May 02, 2025 - May 10, 2025
$4121 $3806

Operator discount: -$314

Friday - Saturday

Sep 05, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025
$4020 $3706

Operator discount: -$314

Friday - Saturday

Sep 26, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025
$4048 $3734

Operator discount: -$314

Friday - Saturday

Oct 10, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025
$4048 $3734

Operator discount: -$314

Prices last published on 20-Dec-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Globus requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of globus charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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