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Charms of Southeast USA

7 Days Charleston to Jacksonville
Charms of Southeast USA
Charms of Southeast USA
Charms of Southeast USA
New Release Coach Group Scenic

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Trafalgar's 7 Day Charms of Southeast USA. Travel through the American Southeast to immerse yourself in its history, art, food and wildlife. You’ll unlock the past at Fort Sumter National Monument and Jekyll Island’s Wanderer Memory Trail and Mosaic Museum. Taste the flavours of Charleston at its City Market and dine with a celebrity food writer and TV host in Savannah. From a behind-the-scenes experience at Georgia Sea Turtle Center and learning about Gullah Geechee culture on Jekyll Island to the beauty of Georgia’s lighthouses and coastlines, this is read more the Southeast at its most charming.
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US$2,916 per person
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Trip Length
Trip Length

7 Days

Trip Starts
Trip Starts

Charleston

Trip Ends
Trip Ends

Jacksonville

Countries Visited
Countries Visited:
USA
Operator
Operator
Trafalgar
Trip Style
Trip Style

Regional Explorer

Accommodation
Accommodation

4 Star

Budget
Budget

Premium

Age Range
Age Range

5-99 Years

Max. Group Size
Max. Group Size

48

Guide Style
Guide Style

Fully Guided

Tour Code
Tour Code

DSOC

Itinerary

Get ready for charming neighbourhoods, historical sites and delicious food in Charleston, South Carolina.

Upon arrival, settle into your hotel or get out and explore. Perhaps make your way to Rainbow Row and you'll soon see why the 13 candy-coloured Georgian homes are a photographer's dream. Discover a bit of history at these structures dating back to 1730 when they were shops on the wharf.

Tonight, dinner with your travel companions awaits. (D) Stay: Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Historic District

Unlock Charleston's people, places, culture and traditions with a Local Specialist. You'll love this chance to discover the secrets – from architecture to art – through local eyes. You've surely worked up an appetite and Charleston City Market is just the place to fuel up. This vibrant, open-air market dating back to 1804 is one of the nation's oldest. Browse among more than 300 vendors selling goodies like biscuits, shrimp and grits, lobster hushpuppies and pimento cheese sandwiches. You'll even find locally made products marked with a 'Certified Authentic Handmade in Charleston' seal.

This afternoon, you may choose to take an Optional Experience cruise through Charleston Harbour to Fort Sumter National Monument, where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired. (B)

Spend the morning at Drayton Hall, a National Historic Landmark that offers a powerful look at life on a Southern estate. Led by a Local Specialist, you'll explore the preserved interiors of the main house and hear stories of the Drayton family and the people who built and maintained the estate across generations. Then it's off to Beaufort for lunch and time to explore the historic district and its 19th-century architecture. Continue to Hilton Head Island, known for its white sand beaches and oak-lined streets, before arriving in Savannah.

This evening is yours to enjoy at leisure. (B) Stay: Indigo Savannah Historic District

Unlock the charm of Savannah on a city tour through oak-lined streets, historic squares and elegant antebellum homes. Take in the beauty of the historic district and stroll through Forsyth Park before wandering the cobbled lanes of River Street beside the Savannah River.

Later, enjoy a Be My Guest experience hosted by local food personality Jesse Blanco. Over a Southern-inspired lunch, Jesse shares stories and his love for Lowcountry flavours. End the day at Tybee Island Light House and climb to the top for sweeping coastal views. (B/L)

Get ready for more must-see sights of the American Southeast, your next stop is St. Simons Island where moss-draped oaks line the streets filled with shops and museums.

After free time for lunch, make your way to Jekyll Island. Settled in 1733 as the Georgia Colony, Jekyll Island retains its historic character. You'll visit Driftwood Beach to explore the sun-bleached trees worn down by erosion. On the Wanderer Memory Trail, unlock the past and learn the stories of enslaved people brought to the shores of Jekyll Island 160 years ago. This trail has received a UNESCO Slave Route Project “Site of Memory” designation and will leave you reflective of the island's past. (B) Stay: Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island

Discover the hidden treasures of Jekyll Island on a Landmarks Tram Tour of the island's 240-acre historic district. You'll dive into the world of Jekyll Island Club members who created an exclusive retreat for their family and friends including a stop at Indian Mound Cottage, former home of the Rockefellers.

Your next stop is at Mosaic Museum where you will Dive into Culture through “Hearing History: African American Music on Jekyll Island.” You'll learn about Gullah ring shouts, a call and response dance passed down through the descendants of the enslaved people of the low country. Cap off your exploration of the island with a  MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Your final full day concludes with a dinner with your travel companions. (B/D)

Enjoy one last leisurely morning on Jekyll Island before concluding your American Southeast tour. Then say farewell to your fellow travellers as you depart for Jacksonville, Florida International Airport arriving at approximately 10:00 AM. Please be aware when booking your flights. You may also choose to extend your stay in Jacksonville, FL. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Explore Charleston and Jekyll Island including Indian Mount Cottage with a Local Specialist
  • Visit Charleston City Market, Beaufort, Hilton Head Island, Tybee Island Lighthouse, St. Simons Island, Wanderer Memory Trail and Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island
  • Visit the Mosaic Museum for an in-depth look into Black history on Jekyll Island
  • Visit Georgia Sea Turtle Center
  • Explore Jekyll Island's historic district on a private trolley

Be My Guest

  • Savannah: Meet Emmy-nominated food show host Jesse Blanco at Vic's on the River, a former cotton warehouse overlooking Savannah's historic waterfront. Over lunch featuring contemporary Southern cuisine, Jesse shares his passion for the region's culinary heritage and stories from Eat It and Like It, his celebrated tribute to the South's vibrant food scene.

Iconic Experience

  • Charleston: Charleston brings new sights, sounds and experiences around every turn. Join an experienced Local Specialist for a coach tour through historic Charleston. You'll have the chance to smell fragrant jasmine, peer through wrought iron gates and see names from the past etched in stone as you stroll past historic sites. Unlock the best of the city from those who know it best. Your host invests back into the properties you tour, ensuring that Charleston's most historically significant landmarks, structures, sites and stories endure for generations to come.
  • Charleston: Take a guided tour through one of the best-preserved plantation houses in the US. Explore the main house with a Local Specialist, then visit the gallery and garden exhibits showcasing original artefacts, historic furnishings and stories of the people who lived and worked on the estate.
  • Savannah: Embark on an orientation tour with your Tour Director beginning at Forsyth Park, one of Savannah's most picturesque spots. You'll admire the famous Forsyth Fountain and the greenery before driving down Jones Street, often referred to as one of the most beautiful streets in America, with historic homes, tree-lined sidewalks and a charming atmosphere. Explore the Savannah Historic District, passing landmarks such as the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Mercer-Williams House and the Owens-Thomas House. Finish along River Street, Savannah's bustling waterfront area.
  • Tybee Island: Visit the must-see Tybee Island Lighthouse, the oldest and tallest lighthouse in Georgia. Unlock its history dating back to 1732, and you'll learn how it's one of the most intact, historic lighthouses remaining in America. The lighthouse has been rebuilt several times. It was first constructed with stone and wood, and in 1773, with bricks and wooden stairs. View the 1916 historic marker and climb 178 stairs to snap a photo overlooking Tybee Island.
  • St. Simons Island: Discover the local secrets of St. Simons Island, the largest barrier island in Georgia's Golden Isles. Stroll along the historic St. Simons Pier and watch the local fishermen and fisherwomen. Another must-see awaits at charming Pier Village where you can browse boutique shops, art galleries, and explore the local seafood restaurants.
  • Jekyll Island: Unlock the history of Jekyll Island on the interpretive Wanderer Memory Trail. You'll learn the history of the Wanderer, a slave ship that arrived on the Jekyll River 160 years ago. Through individual exhibits, you'll hear the stories of the 500 enslaved Africans including Umwalla, a young African boy brought to America on the ship. You'll also explore Driftwood Beach, a former maritime forest that has been eroded to sculpture-like piles of sun-bleached driftwood.
  • Jekyll Island: Get ready for a one-of-a-kind experience on your Landmarks Tram Tour of Jekyll Island. You'll learn how the Island was the exclusive site of the renowned Jekyll Island Club - the winter retreat for some of America's wealthiest families including the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Morgans. Unlock the elegance and opulence of the early 20th century at Indian Mount Cottage, the Rockefeller's winter home, where you'll step inside to see how the family, nannies and servants lived.
  • Jekyll Island: Visit the Mosaic Museum for an in-depth look into Black history on Jekyll Island through the lens of music. You'll learn about Gullah ring shouts, a call and response dance passed down through the descendants of the enslaved people of the low country. Enjoy cake walk performances by the Black employees of the Jekyll Island Club. Lastly, explore ragtime and the Club era, and Maurice Ruddick and the Dolphin Club - where legendary performers such as BB King, Percy Sledge and Otis Redding entertained guests like you.

Make Travel Matter®

  • Jekyll Island: Support local wildlife on your private behind-the-scenes tour of the rehabilitation centre of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Georgia's first sea turtle rehabilitation, research and education facility. You'll see where injured and sick sea turtles are treated and learn how the Center's research helps sea turtles in Georgia and around the world. You'll love exploring the lives of sea turtles and other native animals knowing that your visit supports their rehabilitation. Your visit also directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.

Trafalgar Difference

  • Savannah: Known to locals as the "Grand Lady on the Bay", the building was once 19th-century mega-merchant Simon Guckenheimer's dry goods storage house, which was filled with everything the South made best, from tobacco to canned peaches. The 1940's and '50s brought a grocery store with the city's first true coffeehouse. Now, the Grand Lady stands as a charming boutique hotel with modern style in the vibrant Ellis Square that reflects the essence of Savannah's renowned Historic District.

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • All transport and transfers shown
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Optional Experiences (Additional Cost) and free time
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised

  • 2 Dinners (D)
  • 6 Breakfasts (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included

Operator

Trafalgar
 (1,001) Reviews
Total No. of Tours & Cruises262
We are the world’s leading and most awarded travel brand spanning all 7 continents of the globe. From the iconic to the unexpected our guests connect to the real depth of the places we go. They will break bread with the locals at our exclusive Be My Guest experiences and unlock local secrets of our Travel Directors and more Local Specialists. Everything is taken care of, so they travel with true ease and get the real thing without worrying about a thing.

We consider how we can positively impact the communities we engage with. Through our JoinTrafalgar initiatives powered by TreadRight, guests don’t just leave footprints on the ground, but leave a lasting legacy for the betterment of locals and the future of their communities.

It’s 72 years of destination experience and feedback from over 5 million happy guests that fuels our innovation to continually delivery simply the best holidays.
Must-sees to Local Secrets
Must-sees to Local Secrets

You’ll enjoy the icons and hidden gems with a Local Specialist by your side. Read more

Connect with Locals
Connect with Locals

With one on every itinerary, Be My Guest ensures your journey is truly one-of-a-kind, wherever it takes you. Read more

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Stay With Stories

Find yourself overnighting in accommodations with stories as rich as the destinations you’re exploring. Read more

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Trafalgar USA (2026-27) Brochure

Trafalgar USA (2026-27)

Trafalgar’s USA tours span coast to coast, offering epic journeys through iconic cities, natural wonders, and vibrant local cultures. From the Grand Canyon and New York’s museums to Texan ranches and Alaskan wilds, each itinerary reveals the unforgettable glory of the American landscape and spirit. With highlights ranging from Motown to Mardi Gras, more this is the United States at its most dynamic.

Dates & Pricing USD USD

Friday 10 Apr 2026 10 Apr 26 Charleston
Thursday 16 Apr 2026 16 Apr 26 Jacksonville
Details
Definite Departure
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Was: $3,495
US$3,211
Save $284
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
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Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Trafalgar. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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