SOUTHERN JOURNEY - 2010

11 days from Atlanta to Atlanta (CO-8210)

On this vacation, discover the South at its finest as you travel through Georgia and South Carolina! Enjoy a city sightseeing tour in Atlanta, see majestic antebellum mansions in Augusta, experience Myrtle Beach’s 60-mile-long “Grand Strand,” and visit the famous Brookgreen Gardens. In Georgetown, see where the first permanent settlers arrived in the early 1700s; tour the historic district of Charleston, one of the last bastions of the Old South; and encounter the preserved pre-Revolutionary character of picturesque Beaufort. Next up: trolley tours of Savannah and Jekyll Island. Visit St. Simons Island, home to one of Georgia’s last working lighthouses, and Macon’s Hay House, Palace of the South, and Cannonball House. Return to Atlanta for an overnight and the perfect ending to your Southern adventure vacation.

8210

Itinerary

Day 1 Wed. ATLANTA Atlanta, the capital city of Georgia

Welcome to Atlanta! Enjoy time at leisure to relax or to do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.

Day 2 Thu. ATLANTA

A morning tour focuses on the downtown area and the elegant and traditional residential neighborhoods. Highlights include the Georgia State Capitol, Peachtree Plaza, Olympic Village and Stadium, and CNN’s headquarters. Visit the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s Historic Site, which contains his birth home and burial site. Later, see the MARGARET MITCHELL HOUSE & MUSEUM, the birthplace of Gone With the Wind. The rest of the day is free to explore Atlanta. Discover why celebrities such as Elton John, Whitney Houston, and Jane Fonda have made this vibrant city their home.

Day 3 Fri. ATLANTA–AUGUSTA

Today, head east with a stop in Hammond, Georgia, to visit the LAUREL & HARDY MUSEUM, a tribute to the great comedy team of British-born Stan Laurel and his American partner Oliver Hardy. Continue to Augusta and discover the historic charm and classic South with tree-lined streets and majestic antebellum mansions. On the historic tour you’ll travel along the downtown streets, learn about Augusta’s elite, and see the grand homes they once inhabited. You’ll also visit Summerville, one of Augusta’s seven historic districts, which began as a summer resort for wealthy Augustans. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Perhaps spend time exploring the Riverwalk, a 2-tiered park along the historic Savannah River.

Day 4 Sat. AUGUSTA–MYRTLE BEACH Myrtle Beach

Enter South Carolina, the Palmetto State, and drive through the Lakes and Blackwater Rivers area. This afternoon, reach the white sandy shores of exciting Myrtle Beach and the 60-mile-long Grand Strand. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy this resort. Relax at the pool, shop for souvenirs, or perhaps join our optional outing to the “Carolina Opry.” This award-winning show blends music, comedy, and dance—from Broadway to country, from classic pop to rock ’n’ roll, and from gospel to bluegrass.

Day 5 Sun. MYRTLE BEACH–GEORGETOWN–CHARLESTON

First stop this morning is famous BROOKGREEN GARDENS, a National Historic Landmark located on an old rice and indigo plantation. Your guided tour features more than 550 pieces of art comprising the world’s finest outdoor collection of American figurative sculptures. Your admission includes a guided CRUISE along the rice fields that are now home to alligators, waterfowl, and ospreys. Later, drive through historic Georgetown, where the first permanent settlers arrived in the early 1700s. Many of their buildings are still in use today. This afternoon, tour Charleston, one of the last bastions of the Old South. The city is world-renowned for its charm, splendid architecture, colorful homes and gardens, shady tree-lined streets, and fresh sea air.

Day 6 Mon. CHARLESTON

This morning, visit MAGNOLIA PLANTATION & GARDENS, which was founded in 1676 by the Drayton family and is still operated by their heirs today. On the site is a 50-acre garden with more than 900 varieties of camellias, more than 250 types of azaleas, and hundreds of other flowering plants. The remainder of the day and evening are at leisure to explore more of this quaint town on your own. Perhaps stroll through Charleston’s Old City Market, which sells everything from local specialties to souvenirs. This evening, join an optional dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Carolina.

Day 7 Tue. CHARLESTON–BEAUFORT–SAVANNAH

Enjoy a morning break at picturesque Beaufort, a town which has conserved much of its pre-Revolutionary character. Enjoy a CARRIAGE RIDE through narrow, oak-lined streets past the former homes of wealthy cotton growers. Make your way to historic Savannah, America’s first planned city. On our included TROLLEY TOUR, visit City Market, Forsyth Park, the Mercer House, Madison Square—where General Sherman concluded his “March to the Sea”—Colonial Park Cemetery, and River Street. Your evening is at leisure to enjoy this Southern town.

Day 8 Wed. SAVANNAH

A full day at leisure. Shop on cobblestoned River Street or stroll among the many squares surrounded by elegant homes and majestic gardens. Visit the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, where you can learn about Savannah’s important role in maritime history and view models of famous ships, or visit the First African Baptist Church, the oldest African-American church in the United States which played an important part in the Underground Railroad. In addition, join our optional outing to Tybee Island, where you’ll visit the oldest lighthouse in Georgia and then enjoy a traditional Southern dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 9 Thu. SAVANNAH–GOLDEN ISLES–JEKYLL ISLAND

This morning, drive down the coast to the Golden Isles and visit St. Simons Island, home to one of only three working lighthouses in Georgia. Afterward, enjoy a TROLLEY TOUR of Jekyll Island’s Historic District, a cluster of 19th-century mansions. This “club” was formed by some of America’s most prominent families who at one time controlled one-sixth of the world’s wealth. Your tour features a visit to two restored properties, including ROCKEFELLER’S INDIAN MOUND.

Day 10 Fri. JEKYLL ISLAND–MACON–ATLANTA

Today, arrive in Macon, the heart of Georgia and the historical crossroads of the South. During your time here, visit the historical HAY HOUSE, the Palace of the South, and the CANNONBALL HOUSE, where you’ll learn about the preservation of these significant homes. Return to Atlanta.

Day 11 Sat. ATLANTA

The trip ends today with guests departing on individual flight schedules. Transfers to Atlanta International Airport are included.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Airport transfers may be included when you make your international flights arrangements.

Dates and Prices

Departure Details	Departure Date	Tour Start Date	Return Date	Land/Cruise Price Only	Status
Popular Departure	5/12/2010	5/12/2010	5/22/2010	$1,489.00	Available
Popular Departure	5/26/2010	5/26/2010	6/5/2010	$1,519.00	Available
	6/2/2010	6/2/2010	6/12/2010	$1,519.00	Sold Out
	9/8/2010	9/8/2010	9/18/2010	$1,489.00	Available
	9/15/2010	9/15/2010	9/25/2010	$1,489.00	Available
	10/13/2010	10/13/2010	10/23/2010	$1,489.00	Available
	10/20/2010	10/20/2010	10/30/2010	$1,489.00	Available

Popular Departure - due to itinerary and time of year, this departure historically sells out quickly. Early booking is encouraged.

Single Room Supplement:
$654