Savannah and Charleston Spring Garden Festivals


sponsored by Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut




This 6 day 5 night garden tour of Savannah and Charleston includes the following: roundtrip motor coach transportation, round trip airfare; 5 nights hotel, daily breakfast, 2 lunches, 2 dinners and entrances to the attractions.    
 
Trip price: $1999 (double occupancy) details below.  



Visit secret gardens, tour magnificent plantations and  elegant homes in gracious southern towns of  Charleston and Savannah. Enjoy the special events at the House and Garden Festivals.  The lushly planted gardens woven throughout the fabric of these enchanting cities will be a source of ideas and inspiration!  A  $350.00 deposit is due with your reservation by December 1.  Shirley Girioni, FGCT Federation tour director, will be on hand to oversee the programs.






1.  Friday, March 24     Savannah
We provide motor coach pick ups in Stamford, New Haven and Hartford for our morning flight from Bradley airport to Savannah.  On our first day we explore this oak-shaded coastal city rich with history. Savannah is credited as being America's first planned city. It was  laid out in a series of grids that allowed for wide open streets intertwined with shady public squares and parks that served as town meeting places and centers of business. Savannah had 24 original squares with 21 still in existence.  Stroll through the elegant squares and architectural gems of this enchanting city and enjoy tea in a private garden. A Savannah gardener will discuss similarities and differences between gardening here and in New England. We check into the lovely Mulberry Inn, located in Savannah’s Landmark district and refresh before our welcome dinner in the historic Pirate’s House restaurant.  
 



2.  Saturday, March 25     Savannah
We have tickets for the Savannah Garden Festival.  This annual spring event offers self-guided walking tours through private homes and gardens in Savannah's National Landmark Historic District. You’ll have a map and listing for the featured gardens so that you can make your personal selection and proceed at your own  pace.  In the afternoon you are free to explore Savannah.   Why not take a cruise on the Savannah River or visit the local museums?  You are free this evening.



3.  Sunday, March 26     Charleston
We travel by private motor coach to the charming coastal town of Beaufort  where we have lunch and tour the historic district in a horse-drawn  carriage. We continue to Charleston  where we discover an unspoiled 1,000-acre Historic District, with a distinctive past that is 300 years old.  Your hotel, the Holiday Inn Historic District, is located on elegant Marion Square.   The evening is free.  



4.  Monday, March 27     Charleston
For an intimate look at the past where history comes to life, we walk down quaint alleys and  feel the sea breeze.  We visit the stately Nathaniel Russell  where the magnificent gardens  should be in splendid bloom.  You are free for lunch.  In the afternoon you have a ticket for the Festival of Houses and Gardens which takes place in the old and historic district.  Festival events vary daily so visitors may enjoy the diversity of the garden. The evening is free.  



5.  Tuesday, March 28     Charleston
We visit Magnolia Plantation, which has America’s oldest garden.  You’ll explore the Barbados tropical garden,  a horticultural maze with hundreds of camellias interspersed with holly, and a biblical garden. With luck the camellias and azaleas will be in full bloom.  We return to Charleston for lunch on your own.  In the afternoon you’ll have tickets for another tour of private and public landscaped gardens.  We plan a farewell dinner this evening.



6.  Wednesday, March 29     Depart Charleston
This morning we tour a selection of private gardens with our garden specialist who has written extensively on  Charleston.  After lunch (included) we travel to the airport for our flight to Bradley.  Our bus returns you to Hartford, New Haven and Stamford.  





This engaging experience includes:

  • roundtrip motor coach transportation
  • roundtrip airfare
  • 5 nights hotel
  • daily breakfast
  • 2 lunches
  • 2 dinners
  • entrances to the attractions
PROGRAM PRICES  
Per person (double occupancy) from New York: $1999  
Single Supplement: $450