Day 1 – Home to Bloomington, IL
Today we begin our journey to Georgia and South Carolina. Enjoy an included lunch along the way. We will enjoy the lush scenery as we make our way to Bloomington, IL and check into our hotel.
Included Meals: Lunch
Hotel: DoubleTree
Day 2 – Bloomington to Bowling Green, KY
After a satisfying breakfast we make our way through southern Indiana’s wooded hills and cross the beautiful Ohio River into the Bluegrass State. We’ll stop for a tour of Churchill Downs, explore the museum, visit the gift shop, and have lunch at the Derby Cafe. Then traveling the Blue Grass Parkway, we find ourselves “driving into Spring!” Be watching for flowering dogwoods and azaleas. After settling into our hotel, partake in the Drury’s Kickback Reception, which is a complete light meal.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Drury Kickback
Hotel: Drury Inn
Day 3 – Bowling Green to Marietta, GA
Before we depart Bowling Green we will take time to visit the National Corvette Museum. The National Corvette Museum showcases the Chevrolet Corvette, an American sports car that has been in production since 1953. America’s Sports Car… an exciting legend produced only in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Museum features over 80 Corvettes in periodic settings, including mint classics, one-of-a-kind prototypes and modern-day wonders of engineering and design. We’ll check into our hotel and enjoy the Drury’s Kickback.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Drury Kickback
Hotel: Drury Inn
Day 4 – Marietta to Savannah, GA
After breakfast, we head to The King Center for a self-guided tour. Take in Dr. & Mrs. King’s Crypt, The Eternal Flame, Freedom Hall, and The Coretta Scott King Peace & Meditation Garden. You may also choose to spend time at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Visitor Center just across the road. Lunch will then be on your own at Ponce City Market before we make our way to Savannah, one of the South’s oldest and most graceful cities. Savannah features an entire restored area registered as a National Historic Landmark. It is with this in mind that we have given you three relaxing nights in the historic district. Dinner this evening is on the beautiful waterfront near our hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Hampton Inn Historic District (3 Nights)
Day 5 – Savannah
This morning step on an “Old Savannah Tours” trolley for our private tour of historic Savannah! This delightful union of transportation and entertainment, “Transportainment,” is an experience not to be missed. Through humorous tales and fun facts, our hometown conductors will guide, inform, and amuse! Keep your ticket as you have on & off privileges later this afternoon. Next we’re treated to a harbor luncheon cruise! Come ready to relax and feast on a delicious southern-style buffet, all while cruising along the Savannah River listening to the Captain’s intriguing tales and historic facts. The remainder of the day is yours to spend however you’d prefer. You may choose to explore the charming historic district, the River Street, or the Riverfront Plaza. The 22 squares and parks of Savannah are the community’s most beloved icons. Perhaps you’ll wish to see how many squares you can visit with your trolley pass from earlier! Or, maybe just relax with your favorite book.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 – Savannah
A step-on guide joins us this morning, helping to bring Savannah’s charm and history to life. Our first visit is the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, featuring historically noteworthy architecture as well as over a century of faith and civic traditions in Savannah. Next we tour the Andrew Low House Museum. Built in 1848, the Italianate exterior features intricate cast iron railings and side balconies contrasting with the smooth stucco brick walls. The well-proportioned rooms are decorated with elaborate plaster cornices and carved woodwork. The house remained in the family until the death of Andrew Low’s daughter-in-law, Juliette Gordon Low, Founder of Girl Scouts of the USA. Then we’ll stop at beloved Forsythe Park with its iconic fountain. Up next is some free time for shopping at Savannah City Market. Then we will take a scenic drive to Tybee Island, where we’ll enjoy exploring the grounds at Tybee Island Lighthouse, Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse. Will you be one to climb the 178 steps to the top for amazing views?! We’ll return to the hotel to freshen up before dinner is served at the Pirates House, a unique, historic tavern dating back to 1753.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 – Savannah to Charleston, SC
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for the charming and unique village of Beaufort, located on Port Royal Island, one of the largest Sea Islands along the southeast Atlantic coast. First we will step aboard our waiting horsedrawn carriages for a pleasant ride past and under live oak trees with their massive, sprawling branches draped in Spanish moss. To the clippity-clop of our horses, our narrated driver tells us about Beaufort’s Civil War history as we see beautiful, old Antebellum and Victorian mansions as well as Hollywood movie sites! Lunch is on your own to choose from Beaufort’s wonderful waterfront options. Next, we’ll make our way to Charleston; literally a living museum which features 789 acres of historical beauty reflecting its 300 year old history. We’ll check into the Drury Plaza North Charleston, followed by a southern-style dinner at T-Bonz. Our day isn’t over as we’re guests at the Charleston Stage Theater for the Broadway show, Les Miserables. This musical follows Jean Valjean, an ex-convict in 19th-century France who breaks parole to build a new life, while being pursued by the relentless Inspector Javert. Set against the backdrop of the 1832 Paris student uprising, the story explores themes of justice, sacrifice, and redemption.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Drury Plaza North Charleston (2 Nights)
Day 8 – Charleston
A local step-on guide leads us through Charleston and its historic district. Our tour ends at the old City Market where we’ll enjoy some leisure time for shopping and lunch on your own. This afternoon we are guests aboard the ‘Spirit of Carolina’ for a cruise of Charleston Harbor and a close-up look at historic Fort Sumter! On April 12, 1861, the Civil War began when Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter. After a busy day, we will relax at the hotel and partake in the Drury Kickback.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Drury Kickback
Day 9 – Charleston to Hendersonville, NC
After a full breakfast we depart for today’s highlight: Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens, home to 330 years of history! The world famous Avenue of Oaks forms a timeless corridor transporting us back in time to an era gone forever but not forgotten. We’ll tour the first floor of the Georgian-designed mansion, experience the Lowcountry Gullah culture through an entertaining & educational one-of-a-kind live presentation, visit the Black History in America exhibit that’s told using 8 of the original slave quarters, stroll through the beautiful gardens, and enjoy a boxed lunch. Did you know that Boone Hall Plantation produced bricks that comprise Fort Sumter? Departing charming Charleston, we’ll make our way to Hendersonville where we’ll check into our hotel and have dinner on our own.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
Hotel: Hampton Inn
Day 10 – Hendersonville to Berea, KY
Today after breakfast, we’ll travel to Asheville and cross the threshold into a world of hospitality, beauty, and luxury that has remained unchanged for more than a century. The Biltmore Estate, home of George Washington Vanderbilt, is a testament to the uncompromising ideals of an exceptional man. We’ll thoroughly enjoy our tour of the remarkable mansion and some time to stroll the immaculate gardens! Departing for Kentucky, we’ll have lunch on our own along the way before arriving in Berea. A wonderful dinner is served at the historic and elegant Boone Tavern.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express
Day 11 – Berea to Bloomington, IL
Although today is a travel day, we have plans for a special stop at the Old Friends Living History Farm where they provide a safe haven & permanent retirement to thoroughbreds whose racing & breeding careers have come to an end. We’ll enjoy meeting these “horse friends.” Continuing on, we’ll have lunch on our own and make comfort stops to break up our travel. This evening we’ll gather together for an included Farewell Dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: DoubleTree
Day 12 – Bloomington to Home
As we make our way on the final stretch, we will reminisce about the many memories of a great trip to beautiful South Carolina and Georgia in the Springtime.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information
Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
20 Meals & 3 Kickbacks, Activities & Hotels as stated, Luxury Motorcoach
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- South Carolina row of old historic houses
04/16/2027 04/27/2027
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
* Churchill Downs
* National Corvette Museum
* The King Center in Atlanta
* 3 Nights in Savannah’s Historic District
* Savannah Old Town Trolley Tour
* Riverboat Luncheon Cruise on Savannah River
* Savannah’s Forsythe Park, Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, and Guided Tour of the
Andrew Low House Museum
* Tybee Island Lighthouse
* Carriage Tour in Lovely Beaufort
* 2 Nights in Charleston
* “Les Miserables” Broadway Play at Charleston Stage Theatre
* Boone Hall Plantation Tour & Box Lunch
* Cruise in Charleston Harbor
* Guided City Tour of Charleston
* Biltmore Estate Tour
* Old Friends Living History Farm
