Where else but the thirteenth colony to find ghostly tours and an Island Club House named Jekyll? Why, Savannah Georgia, that's where! Seniors, you'll need your best walking shoes for this vacation. Savannah is the coastal Southern Belle of the Peach State.  Designed as America's first planned city, Savannah had an unusual beginning. British General James Edward Oglethorpe along with 114 colonists arrived at Yamacraw Bluff establishing the thirteenth colony. This colony's primary existence was to provide protection for the northern English colonies already settled and serve as a buffer against Spanish Florida. To further enhance Savannah's appeal to traders, the city was laid out in a system of squares. While touring Savannah, you will be able to see this layout with the historic homes, statues, markers, flowering gardens, and architecture which was almost lost during the Civil War, however; the National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Society has been able to preserve 22 of the 24 original squares. Your best view of these historical squares is to tour on foot!  Touring Savannah on foot allows you to amble at your own pace. The walkways are easily accommodating and frequent rest areas help rejuvenate your internal motor! Or if you just have to ride, order a horse drawn carriage and take an extra tour at night to savor the exquisite beauty of the evening!

Check into touring Fort Jackson, the oldest standing Fort in Georgia, which had been in use since 1740 serving as headquarters for the Confederate Army during the Civil War. For museum lovers, the Telfair Museum of Art is a historic 19 th century building filled with paintings, sculptures, photography, and world class visiting exhibitions. Historical homes such as the Flannery O'Connor House, childhood home of the great American author, and the Juliette Gordon Low House, birthplace of Juliette, founder of the Girl Scouts of America are on tour. The house is restored to its 1800's appearance and will fascinate those who love history, architecture, and old southern charm.

Savannah isn't just old buildings and ghost stories. It's modern. One can find spas, galleries, upscale shopping, dining in aromatic bakeries, Bistros from Soho to Moroccan or Southern fried chicken, Creole, and barbeque. One specialty of the area is high tea.   Sit down and enjoy tea, crumpets, scones, ice cream, lemonade, or maybe a cup of Espresso with a gourmet desert. Dive into one of the nightly live theatres or the Savannah Symphony.   Serenade your sweetheart on the Riverwalk! For more information on ghost tours, carriage tours, symphony, theatre, and lodging, go to www.savannahgeorgia.com and request a travel guide brochure.   Savannah has plenty of accommodations to fit every lifestyle and budget.

Besides Civil War Ghosts, Savannah has skeletons of colonial revolt and piratry. If only the trees could talk! The city is flanked with islands which were frequented by pirates.  Tales of buried treasure surround Savannah and the islands. Jekyll's Island Club Hotel is a Historic Landmark on Jekyll Island with beautiful southern charm accommodations and activities planned especially for guests of the club hotel along with golfing and wildlife tours.

Reservations can be made by contacting: reservations@jekyllclub.com.   Tybee Island houses the first southern lighthouse which was built in 1736 and stood 90 feet tall made of cedar and brick.   At that time it was the tallest structure in America. Tybee island offers lighthouse tours, birding, land and sea adventures as well as monthly local festivities. More information can be obtained by contacting www.tybeeisland.com .

Savannah has been compared to Mona Lisa's smile.   One doesn't really know the depth behind the smile but those who study it are intrigued.   So too, are the residents of Savannah. Think about spending a lifetime here and never fathoming the mysteries and beauty surrounding the city. Savannah's appeal is expanding across the country.   It regularly makes top ten lists and travel polls. Under the oaks laced with moss, a southern history strolls by waiting to be discovered! One fact is for sure, go to Savannah; you'll love it and before you go pick up a copy of the book ìMidnight in the Garden of Good and Evilî by John Berendt.  Everyone agrees this book helps give a lot of information on Savannah.

If you have questions you may contact me at:

Rhonda@photoandtravel.com