Christmas Time In Savannah, GA

Day 1

Following meal and rest stops en route, you will arrive in Florence, South Carolina where you will check in to the Holiday Inn Express and Suites (843-432-1500) for the night. The hotel features an indoor, heated pool, and indoor whirlpool, complimentary fitness center, cardio packed fitness center, and an on-site business center. In-room amenities include a microwave, mini refrigerator, coffee maker with complimentary coffee, 24-hour high speed internet access, and flat screen TV. Dinner this evening is included at a Florence staple for over a decade, Victor's Restaurant. Your dining experience at Victor's will include upscale food and services in a comfortable atmosphere. After dinner, you will return to your hotel with the evening to do as you wish.

Day 2

Following breakfast included at the hotel, you will depart for Savannah, Georgia with lunch on your own en route. Upon arrival in Savannah's Historic District, you will travel to Plant Riverside District, for a stop at the Savannah Christmas Market. Experience one of Savannah's merriest holiday traditions. With exciting celebrations taking place throughout the Christmas season, visitors will enjoy live holiday music, street performances, seasonal food specials and exclusive holiday market vendors along Savannah's Waterfront. Next, you will visit the Isaiah Davenport House at Christmas. Just imagine the sights and sounds of Savannah two centuries ago - candlelit homes, horse drawn carriages and a flurry of festivities in anticipation of Christmas Day. Now you can experience a brief glimpse of what the early 19th century life was like in the Hostess City inside one of its most historic homes. Afterwards, you will board the motorcoach and depart for check in at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Savannah Downtown/Historic District (912-236-1777) for first class lodging on a 3-night stay. Hotel amenities include a fitness center and an outdoor pool. Guest rooms feature a pantry area, mini refrigerator, and a work space with high-speed internet access. Enjoy some free time to explore the hotel. Early evening time, you will depart for Savannah Riverboat Cruises, where you will have the luxury of seeing Savannah from a totally different perspective. Sit back, relax, and enjoy being one board in one of the beautifully appointed ballrooms, while the Georgia Queen slowly glides down the river. While on board, enjoy a specially prepared buffet style dinner, made with the freshest local ingredients. This special night will include Savannah's once a year Boat Parade of Lights. Experience the parade from the best seats in Savannah, as you lead more than 30 beautifully decorated glowing vessels along the Savannah River. While on board, included is heavy hors d'oeuvres, entertainment, and special drinks. After the boat ride, you will dock and return to the hotel for the remainder of the evening.

Day 3

Wake to breakfast included at the hotel. Following breakfast, your day will begin with a journey to the Bonaventure Cemetery for a hauntingly beautiful tour. Quintessentially Southern Gothic, it has captured the imaginations of writers, poets, naturalists, photographers, and filmmakers for more than 150 years. Part natural cathedral, part sculptural garden, you will transcend time at the Bonaventure Cemetery. Following the cemetery visit, you will depart for the Savannah: Taste of Town Tour. Get a taste of Southern cuisine on this filling Savannah culinary tour. This walking and tasting tour will ensure you enjoy a fun, one-of-a-kind culinary experience while strolling through the gardens and historic, cultural landmarks of the squares of Savannah, the Hostess City of the South. You will dine on local favorites throughout your journey through the city. The only thing you need to bring for this foody tour, is a BIG appetite! The final stop on your Savannah tour is Paula Deen's famous the Lady and Sons as featured on the Food Network. With a full belly and the want to relax, you will be ecstatic to next depart for the Savannah Theater, where you will kick back and enjoy the holiday glitz, by the showing of "A Christmas Tradition." This two-hour variety show features Frosty, dancing reindeer, Santa, and his elves, along with an award-winning cast of singers and a live band performing all the class Christmas favorites. The theater will be transformed into a perfect holiday picture, sharing all your Christmas favorites. Sprinkle in a little comedy for the cheeriest event of the season. Following the show, you will depart for dinner included at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room. Most Southern towns used to boast a boardinghouse where you could find a simple, quiet room and communal dining room that offered at least two hearty meals a day. In 1943, a young Sema Wilkes took over a boardinghouse in historic downtown Savannah. Her goal was modest: to make a living by offering comfortable lodging and homestyle Southern cooking…the rest is history! Following dinner, you will depart for your last excursion of the day, the Holly Jolly Trolley Tour. One of Savannah's most beloved holiday traditions is back and all aglow for the most wonderful time of the year. Now in their 26th year, enjoy the magic of Savannah's holiday sights and festive nights in the warm, cozy comfort onboard the Old Town Trolley for a fully immersive holiday experience. Enjoy caroling from the trolley as you drive through the beautiful historic district of Savannah and Hutchinson Island. The trolley tour includes a visit to 1820's Savannah during the holidays to get a glimpse of a typical 19th-century family holiday at the Isiah Davenport House, the grandeur of the Gingerbread Village and Trees of Life Display at the Westin Harbor Resort. The Holly Jolly Trolley will take you through the "Festival of Lights" featuring over 70 themed holiday lights displays. Following your trolley tour, you will depart for your hotel for the remainder of the night to do whatever you wish.

Day 4

Breakfast will be included at the hotel before you depart for the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace tour. You will be provided with an exciting look into the history of the founder of the Girl Scouts, as well as a glimpse into a movement that is still building girls into strong women of courage, confidence, and character over 100 years later. Lunch today will be on your own during touring. Next, you will depart for a tour of the Green-Meldrim House. A national historic landmark, General Sherman used the Green-Meldrim house as his personal headquarters in Savannah. Susie Baker King Thomas also learned to read and write as a young slave girl and worked for Mrs. Green as a laundress and cook. She also worked as a nurse and teacher for the Union soldiers. The house is also known as notable architect John Norris' best work! Following the house tour, you will depart for the American Prohibition Museum. Enjoy an 80-minute, fully guided tour of the American Prohibition Museum, that culminates with a hands-on cocktail experience! Your tour will start with a historically costumed guide bursting with Prohibitions stories. Once you enter the Speakeasy, you will get the opportunity to spend time with an expert bartender, tasting a delicious Old Fashioned, original cocktail, and then make a Bee's Knees cocktail using all the tools yourself! Your last excursion for the evening will be dinner included at Paula Deen's The Lady and Sons Restaurant. The Lady Sons Restaurant had its humble beginnings back in June of 1989 when Paula started The Bag Lady, out of her home. Since, it has grown into a world-renowned restaurant. In true Southern tradition, we serve a family style spread of hearty down-home dishes along with Paula's famous sides to be selected and shared by the table. Enjoy endless portions of entrees and sides, like collard greens, crispy fried chicken, broccoli casserole and more! Following your delicious, filling dinner, you will depart the restaurant to head back to the hotel. The remainder of the night is yours to use the hotel amenities or explore the area on your own.

Day 5

Following breakfast included at the hotel, you will check out and depart for Norfolk, Virginia, with rest stops and lunch on your own en route, to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Upon arrival, you will have dinner included as you enjoy the uniquely decorated garden for the holidays with hand-crafted botanical ornaments and enchanting displays. Included in your admission, is the Garden fest of Lights, featuring more than half-a-million twinkling lights, hand-crafted botanical decorations, model trains, and more. Stroll through the outdoor garden and lakeside paths festively illuminated, (please dress appropriately for the weather). Visit the Education and Library Complex to view the beautiful holiday trees creatively decorated by elementary school students. Next, you will depart for Richmond, Virginia, to check into the Drury Plaza Hotel Richmond (804-354-1542), for your final night's stay. Hotel amenities include an outdoor/indoor pool and whirlpool, 24-hour business center, a 24-hour fitness center, and an on-site kitchen and bar. Guest rooms feature a TV, coffee maker, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, microwave, refrigerator, and complimentary high speed wireless internet access. The remainder of the evening is yours to relax and explore the hotel amenities, if you wish.

Day 6

Breakfast will be included at the hotel before you check out and depart for a guided tour of the Virginia State Capitol Building. The capitol houses the oldest elected legislative body in North America, the Virginia Assembly, first established as the House of Burgesses in 1619. Designed by Thomas Jefferson, see how the Commonwealth shows off its Capitol during the holidays. After the tour, you will depart for Carytown, for lunch on your own and a chance to browse the shops. Voted "Best Neighborhood to Shop In" by Southern Living Magazine readers, Carytown is a broad blend of locally owned specialty stores, boutiques, and savory culinary delights. Afterwards, you will depart for home, with everlasting memories of Savannah.

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**TIMES AND ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE**

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner