Historical Cities and Succulent Seafood: A South Coast USA Road Trip

Rise bright and early ready for today’s two-hour walking tour around Charleston’s charming downtown. Stroll through 300 years of history and hear the surprising stories behind the city’s colourful past as you take a tour of the pastel-coloured homes of Rainbow Row; the historic waterfront Battery; the impactful Civil War Landmarks; and the hidden gardens, courtyards and churches.

The next activity of the day is a trip to Fort Sumter, a 19th-century sea fort located in the middle of Charleston Harbour. Accessible only by ferry, you’ll cruise across the waters while listening to important facts to prepare you for your visit. On the island, visit the museum which is filled with artifacts and information on the construction of the fort; stroll the grounds to see the cannons and wayside markers; and soak in the sweeping city views from atop the fort.

Kick off your second full day in Charleston with a visit to the magnificent Magnolia Plantation. Blooming with beautiful flowers year-round, the 24 hectares make up the oldest public garden in the United States and are perfect for a romantic morning stroll. After much oo-ing and ahh-ing at the pretty petals, the rest of the day is yours to spend how you please. Stretch out on one of the city’s six beaches, tuck into a plate of iconic shrimp and grits or try your hand (and feet) at some Charleston dancing in an artsy bar.

Get ready to hit the road, as today you’re collecting the car that’ll whisk you around the South coast. After loading up the boot and deciding the designated driver, set your satnav to Savannah, the oldest city in the state of Georgia. The drive is around two-and-a-half hours (109 miles), giving you plenty of time to soak in the surrounding natural landscapes. Park up at your hotel in Savannah’s historic district and check into your room, where a quick refresh will set you up for exploring the city’s nighttime attractions.

Over the next two days, dive into what the historical cobbled streets of Savannah have to offer. Included in your itinerary is a walking tour with a local resident, whose knowledge of the city will be the soundtrack to the picturesque squares, parks and churches. With Savannah being the filming location of Forrest Gump, you’ll even get to visit the iconic bench sat on by Tom Hanks.

With the city explored, it’s now your chance to further explore anything that caught your eye. If Savannah Theatre stole your attention, ask your local Concierge to book you into one of their award-winning performances. Or if the storefronts had you pining over their products, take some time to find the perfect Savannah keepsake. Come evening, scout out a restaurant with a watery view over the river or on the bustling beachfront and tuck into some seriously good Savannah seafood.

Send fond farewells to Savannah as you begin today’s hour-and-a-half (93-mile) drive to Jekyll Island. As you cruise over the bridge that connects the island to the mainland, the stunning ten miles of white beaches will slowly come into view. Check into your waterfront resort, slip straight into your swimsuits and head to the nearby beach for an afternoon of cocktail-sipping and sun-tanning beside your special someone.

Feast on a refreshingly fruity breakfast under the sun before getting stuck into today’s activity – a trip to Georgia’s only sea turtle education and rehabilitation facility. Here, you’ll get the chance to learn about the important work that goes into rehabilitating turtles before they’re released into the wild, and educational displays provide interesting information about the turtles. Use the rest of the day to explore Jekyll Island. We recommend checking out Driftwood Beach at sunset, where the tangles of dead trees create a stunning contrast against the twilight sky.

It’s goodbye Georgia and hello Florida as you set off for Fernandina Beach, a speedy one-hour-and-15-minute drive from Jekyll Island. Relax into your beachfront hotel and spend the rest of the day as you please. If you’re craving some city sites, head to Centre Street, the main artery of Fernandina Beach’s small centre. Browse the collection of art galleries, shops and restaurants and take a seat in a bar in time to watch the sunset with a cocktail in hand.

Today, you’ll leave the mainland behind as you take a trip to Cumberland Island. Head to St Mary’s, a short drive away from your hotel, and board the 45-minute ferry to Georgia's largest barrier island. Spend the day exploring the protected beaches and maritime forests, and make sure not to miss the Dungeness Ruins – the fascinating remains of a mansion built by Thomas Carnegie, brother and partner of steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie. After exploring, board the ferry back to mainland for an evening of slurping oysters at your hotel’s waterfront restaurant.

Buckle up ready for today’s one-and-a-half-hour (80-mile) drive to St Augustine. Built by the Spanish in 1565, this city is commonly thought to be the oldest in the USA, and the Hispanic influences live on in its streets, hotels and restaurants. Check into your historical hotel and set out for a day of exploring: stroll through the Colonial Quarter, a living museum depicting city life in the 1700’s; climb to the top of the lighthouse and swoon over a view of the bay; or kick back on one of the long beaches (with 42 miles of silky sand, you won’t have to be elbow to elbow with tourists).

Fuel yourself with some coffee before the four-hour (230-mile) drive to Anna Maria Island, a barrier island tucked away on Florida’s southwest coast. It’s a longer journey so either persuade your partner to take turns behind the wheel (easier said than done) or stop off in one of the many cities en route. Upon arrival, relax into your boutique hotel, a delightful oasis that’ll be your home for the next three nights.

Life on Anna Maria Island is best experienced in the slow lane – with days spent flip-flopping between sand and sea, and indulging in seafood served fresh at the waterfront restaurants. If you fancy hopping on a boat tour to see dolphins and manatees in the wild, your local Concierge can book you into the best. Further inland, head to Bridge Street and unleash your inner shopaholic in the large selection of stylish boutiques. Come evening, head back to the beach and settle into a cosy cocktail bar. Anna Maria Island is spoilt with a west-facing sunset, so as the sun sinks into the sea be sure to cheers to your other half as you savour your last night in this romantic paradise.

Enjoy one final lazy morning on Anna Maria Island before hitting the road for Tampa. The drive is just over an hour (55 miles), and you’ll be saying goodbye to the trusty set of wheels that took you along the coast at the end. After dropping off the car, head into the airport and relax in the lounge before boarding your eight-and-a-half-hour flight back to London.