The Old Historic District has a distinctive ambiance with its unique architecture, history and garde

Cotton plantations, antebellum architecture, white sand beaches, the Atlantic Ocean, barrier islands lighthouses, shrimp boats, estuaries marshes and always the pungent, salty smell of pluff mud permeating the air; ancient Live Oaks shrouded in silvery Spanish Moss, the shrill songs of tree frogs and katydids - these are but a few of the enduring memories I have of my week-long road trip through the Low Country.
Extending for 200 miles along coastal South Carolina and Georgia this region is packed full of natural beauty, culture and history . The Low Country lends itself to a slow road-trip, the cities of Charleston and Savannah natural beginning and end points with the barrier islands beaches of South Carolina providing interesting detours discount hotel san antonio in between.
I began my trip in Charleston. For the third year in a row Charleston was voted "Top City in the US" in the 2013 Conde Naste Traveler Reader's Choice Award based on six categories: Atmosphere Ambiance, Culture Sights, Friendliness, Lodging, Restaurants, and Shopping. Having experienced just a taste of Charleston I would have to agree it hits the mark in every category; this is a wonderful city and already I'm hankering to visit again.
The Old Historic District has a distinctive ambiance with its unique architecture, history and gardens. This is an artist's paradise; during my self-guided walking tour I came upon several artists painting in watercolors, capturing Charleston's cobbled streets, church spires, window boxes, houses and gardens.
The Pink House, pictured left, is the oldest stone house in Charleston; it is also the oldest standing tavern building in the South. It was constructed in the 1690's as a 'groggerie' and coffee discount hotel san antonio house and it was visited by sailors from all over the world. Architecturally the Pink House is Charleston's most unique building: there is just one room on each floor accessed by a narrow staircase, discount hotel san antonio and each room has its own fireplace discount hotel san antonio used for both heating and cooking. The tavern was built in an area known as Mulatto Alley; the street discount hotel san antonio was lined with many small houses, many of them operating as bordellos. discount hotel san antonio The Pink House was a simple tavern satisfying discount hotel san antonio the sailors' needs for the three W's: whiskey, wenches and wittles. It is not hard to imagine long trestle tables set up in front of a blazing fire and rowdy, bawdy sailors discount hotel san antonio partying well into the night. The Pink House is now home to an art gallery; locals discount hotel san antonio love to tell you this infamous tavern and brothel is now the best little art house in town!
A stroll down East Bay Street is not to be missed; here you will find Charleston's most beautiful discount hotel san antonio and historic neighborhoods. Antebellum, art deco and Italianate architecture vie for your attention; the mansions of East Battery Promenade are stunningly beautiful to behold.
discount hotel san antonio War history buffs can stand on the spot where the first shot was fired in the Civil War, visit the wreck of the Confederate submarine the H.L. Hunley sunk in 1864 (the first submarine in the world to sink an enemy ship), or visit one of the six national cemeteries established in 1863 for the re-interment of Union soldiers and sailors.
Charleston's beaches and barrier islands each have distinctive character: the marshes, river head and miles of uninterrupted beach on Kiawah Island; the sand, surf and golf courses at Isle of Palms; the eclectic, laid back community of Folly Beach; the tranquil, residential Seabrook Island with its deep-water marina; the seaside village of Sullivan's Island situated at the mouth of Charleston Harbor, the only island in the world that has been the setting for a short story by Edgar Allan Poe and a Revolutionary War battle.
Heading south to Beaufort I detoured via St Johns Island to the Angel Oak Tree, reputed to be somewhere between 500 -1500 years old and the oldest living thing east of the Rockies. At 65' it is not particularly tall but the shade from its canopy covers 17,000 square feet. Many of the limbs are propped up by scaffolding to support their tremendous weight. Residential and commercial development nearby threatens the forests and vital ecosystems surrounding the Angel Oak. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this living treasure. This is truly a marvelous sight and very worthy of the detour to view.
Continuing on to Beaufort discount hotel san antonio I detoured onto Highway 174 to Edisto Island, one of the few places yet to be commercialized on the South Carolina coast. The unhurried lifestyle is perfect for family vacations. Bicycle rentals are available; discount hotel san antonio bike trails circle and criss cross the island town and the hard sand beaches provide the perfect surface for seaside riding. Edisto Island beaches are a shell-collectors paradise. The southern end of the island, discount hotel san antonio where the South Edisto River meets the Atlantic Ocean, provides perfect sunset views. Kayak tours, sunset cruises and dolphin discount hotel san antonio tours are offered by Botany Bay Ecotours.
Beaufort is South Carolina's second-oldest city (after Charleston) and one of the fastest growing retirement areas on the East Coast. I especially enjoyed the exploring the old historic town and the beautiful plantation homes. Rhett House is one such antebellum home converted now to a 4-star B B offering true Southern hospitality straight out of Gone With the Wind. I loved the Waterfront Park and promenade. Here, after an enjoyable dinner of catfish and grits, I sat in a swing seat at sunset and watched discount hotel san antonio the boats cruising by on the Intracoastal Waterway.
discount hotel san antonio Hunting Island quickly became my favorite spot along the coast. Just 16 miles east of Beaufort the island is home to the 5000 acre Hunting Island State Park and three miles of beautiful beaches. The island was once a layover for sailors and pirates, including discount hotel san antonio Blackbeard and his crew. More recently, Hunting Island and the nearby Fripp Island (a gated community) became Vietnam during filming of the movie Forest Gump. Jungle scenes were filmed in the State Park forests; Bubba died on the beach of Hunting Island Lagoon.
Hunting Island is a nesting ground for the endangered Loggerhead turtle. The park maintains a hatchery discount hotel san antonio for the study and preservation of the species. The island is also home to osprey and bald eagles, egrets, herons, discount hotel san antonio pelicans - and alligators ! The alligators dwell here in the salt water marshes, ponds, tidal pools and the lagoon and they are a protected species.
The historic lighthouse was originally built in 1859. This is the only lighthouse in the State of Carolina open to the public. Visitors willing discount hotel san antonio to climb the 167 steps up the spiral staircase to the top platform will be rewarded with great views of the Atlantic Ocean, the park and the surrounding salt marshes.
I met the lighthouse keepers here, a lovely couple from Chicago who spend their winters acting as volunteer keepers moving from one lighthouse to another in the warmer southern climes; discount hotel san antonio they will spend up to six weeks at each location before heading home for the Chicago summer. They were passionate about this particular lighthouse and provided a very informative narrative of its place in history. The first lighthouse was destroyed by confederates at the beginning of the Civil war to prevent the Union from using it as a means of navigation. It was rebuilt and placed back into service in 1875 to warn ships away from the sandbars treacherous currents. It was eventually deactivated in 1933.
Coligny Beach Park was adjacent to my hotel. I was very impressed with the facilities here: fountains and synchronized jets for water-play or for rinsing off the salt and sand from the sea; a gazebo with swing seats, rocking chairs and Adirondack chairs; restrooms, outdoor showers, Wi-Fi, and beach matting providing wheelchair access down to the shoreline. Shopping, dining and entertainment are just a few minutes walk away at Coligny Plaza. Unseasonable weather brought with it cooler temperatures and strong winds which curtailed my planned beach bike riding activities; huge jellyfish washed ashore discount hotel san antonio in the wild surf.
I absolutely loved Savannah with its' cobblestone streets, oak-shaded parks, beautifully restored historic homes and manicured gardens. In the heart of Savannah discount hotel san antonio is the largest National Historic discount hotel san antonio Landmark District in the USA; it contains more than 20 city squares filled with museums, churches, mansions, monuments, old cotton warehouses and forts built during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Enormous oaks shade the squares; elaborate wrought ironwork adorns houses, discount hotel san antonio public buildings, garden fences, discount hotel san antonio bench seats. This city has tremendous character; it is vibrant and alive and pulses with energy.
The Old Town Trolley Tour is a great way to get your bearings here. Conductors are knowledgeable, fun-loving and well-versed in the city's history. Passengers can elect to ride the entire route or hop off and on at leisure, enabling visitors to explore more in depth at each major point of interest. discount hotel san antonio In Savannah one can visit many famous landmarks including Green-Meldrim House which once served as General Sherman's headquarters, the Mercer-Williams House notorious for the killing of a male prostitute (the event played out in the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil) , and the nearby Andrew Low House , home to Juliette Low, the founder discount hotel san antonio of Girl Scout USA. Not to be missed are the Cathedral of St John the Baptist with its stunning interior and the Bonaventure Cemetery built on the Bonaventure Plantation and resting on a scenic bluff overlooking the Wilmington River. The city was built upon her dead. Ghost tours abound regaling discount hotel san antonio tourists with tales of murders, suicides and paranormal activities; many houses are believed to be haunted.
After the Trolley Tour I wandered the streets and Squares taking photos along the way. I found my way to River Street down a steep cobbled alleyway, past old cotton warehouses now converted discount hotel san antonio to boutique hotels, restaurants and shopping galleries. River Street discount hotel san antonio is home to pubs and cafes, artists and buskers and 'tourist-trap' shopping. River Street Sweets is a must-visit for melt-in-your mouth p