Christmas Time In Savannah, GA

Day 1

Following meal and rest stops at your expense enroute, you arrive in Florence, South Carolina for check-in to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites (843-432-1500) for one night. The hotel features an indoor, heated pool & whirlpool, complimentary fitness center, cardio packed fitness center, and 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 return to your hotel for the remainder of the night.

Day 2

Following breakfast included at the hotel, you check-out and depart for Savannah, Georgia. Upon arrival in Savannah's Historic District, you admission included to the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace. 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. Afterwards, you have free time to explore and have lunch on your own and at your expense at the Savannah Christmas Market in the Plant Riverside District. Experience one of Savannah's merriest holiday traditions. With exciting celebrations taking place throughout the Christmas season, visitors will enjoy live holiday music, seasonal food specials and exclusive holiday market vendors along Savannah's Waterfront. You then board the motorcoach and depart for check-in at the Hampton Inn & Suites Savannah Historic District (912-721-1600) for a 3-night stay. Hotel amenities include a fitness center, an outdoor (seasonal) pool and business center with complimentary Wi-Fi. Guest rooms feature a mini refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, hairdryer and iron/ironing board. After a brief time to freshen up, you will depart for a Savannah Riverboat Cruise, where you will have the luxury of seeing Savannah from a totally different perspective. Sit back, relax, and enjoy being on board in one of the beautifully appointed ballrooms, while the Georgia Queen slowly glides down the river. While on board, enjoy buffet-style heavy hors d'oeuvres, along with entertainment and specialty drinks for purchase. 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. 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. Your day of touring begins 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. (**PLEASE NOTE: This walking tour covers .8 mile and last approximately 2 hours. Make sure you have comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather**). 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 taste local favorites throughout during your tour stops. The only thing you need to bring for this foody tour is a BIG appetite! With a full belly and the desire to relax, you will be ecstatic to depart for the Savannah Theater, where you will kick back and enjoy "ELF the Musical" the comical stage adaptation of the classical film that tells the lovable tale of Buddy the Elf. It's a heartwarming delight and will hopefully help you to embrace your inner Elf. Following the show, you depart for dinner included at the Pirates House which first opened in 1753 as an inn for seafarers, and fast became a meeting point for pirates and sailors from the Seven Seas. Following dinner, you will embark on 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. Following your trolley tour, you will depart for your hotel for the remainder of the night to do whatever you wish.

Day 4

Breakfast is included at the hotel before you board the coach for the Isaiah Davenport House tour. 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. Next, you 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 tour, you have free time for lunch on your own and at your expense with time to browse the area. Mid-afternoon, you have admission included at the American Prohibition Museum. Enjoy an 80-minute, fully guided tour of the American Prohibition Museum, that culminates with a cocktail experience! Your tour will start with a historically costumed guide bursting with Prohibition stories. Once you enter the Speakeasy, you will get the opportunity to spend time with an expert bartender, tasting a delicious cocktail, and learning the art of making one yourself. Dinner tonight is included at Paula Deen's 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 then, it has grown into a world-renowned restaurant. In true Southern tradition, you enjoy a family-style spread of hearty down-home entrees, sides and dessert. Following dinner, you board the motorcoach and return to the hotel for the night where you may choose to use the hotel amenities or relax and unwind.

Day 5

Following breakfast included at the hotel, you check out and depart for Richmond, VA, with a rest stop and lunch on your own and at your expense enroute. Upon arrival in Richmond, you check in for your final night's stay at the Drury Plaza Hotel Richmond (804-354-1542). Hotel amenities include an outdoor/indoor pool & whirlpool, business center, fitness center, and an on-site restaurant and bar. Guest rooms feature a TV, coffee maker, hairdryer, iron/ironing board, microwave, refrigerator, and complimentary high speed wireless internet access. Dinner tonight is included at an area restaurant. You day ends with a heartwarming and en"lightening" experience at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with admission included for the Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights. Marvel at the uniquely decorated garden for the holidays with hand-crafted botanical ornaments and enchanting displays. Witness 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, (Note: Please dress appropriately for the weather and you may want to bring a flashlight to help illuminate your walking path). Visit the Education and Library Complex to view the beautiful holiday trees creatively decorated by elementary school students. After time to explore the property, you return to the hotel to turn in for the night.

Day 6

Breakfast is included at the hotel before you check out and depart for a guided tour of the Virginia State Capitol Building. The capitol building 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 depart for Carytown for lunch on your own and at your expense, 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 board the motorcoach for home, with everlasting memories of Savannah.

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**TIMES AND ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE**

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner