Compare Southern Charm: Savannah, Hilton Head & Charleston by Great Value Vacations vs California Panorama by Omega Tours
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| Trip |
4 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 1,900 | $ 2,127 |
| Price Per Day | $ 238 | $ 266 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Travel Themes | N/A |
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| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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| Flights & Transport | NA | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
This 8-day getaway will bring you to the southern cities of Savannah and Charleston, oozing with charm and sophistication. In between, stop off for a stay on Hilton Head for a taste of the laid back island life. Start in Savannah, Georgia's oldest city. Stroll along the river, indulge in true southern cuisine and snap photos in front of the fountain in Forsythe Park. Next, spend a few days on Hilton Head Island and enjoy the slower lifestyle of this relaxing retreat. Play a few rounds of golf or hit up the beach. Lastly, visit Charleston, rich in history and consistently voted a top destination in the US. Marvel at the stunning mansions, walk the waterfront promenade and explore City Market. |
Tick off all the Californian must-sees on this fantastic escorted tour as you experience Las Vegas in all its glittering glory, see the spectacular Yosemite National Park in awe and embrace San Francisco with its diverse and incredible surroundings including the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Discover all the glamour Los Angeles has to offer with stops at some of its most famous spots and much more |
Day 1 Welcome to Savannah
Touch down in Savannah, pick up your rental car and head to your first hotel to check in and get settled. This afternoon, stroll along River Street to see the galleries, restaurants and pubs housed in old cotton warehouses. Stick around after sunset to see the area come to life with street musicians.
Day 2 Savannah
Savannah's historic district is a collection of pretty town squares and preserved architecture; you might consider taking a history or ghost tour to acquaint yourself. Later on, linger at landmarks such as Forsyth Park, where residents and visitors have gathered for generations around a spectacular fountain. Heading toward the Savannah River, pause for a self-guided tour of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist; its towering twin steeples are a fixture on the Savannah skyline. Continue to City Market's courtyards and squares with restaurants, shops and galleries. Prefer to venture outside the city today? Visit Tybee Island for a lighthouse tour, paddling excursion or charter cruise.
Day 3 Savannah - Hilton Head
Hop back in your rental car and make the short drive over to Hilton Head Island today. Time for some laid back, coastal relaxation! This barrier island offers a less crowded atmosphere, pristine beaches, top-rated golf courses and it's a nature lovers delight with a forest preserve and a national wildlife refuge.
Day 4 Hilton Head
Hilton Head is consistently named among the top golf destinations in the US, choose one for today and tee off to scenic ocean views. With over 40 courses in the area (over 20 right on the island), you're sure to find one that suits you, and with the moderate climate you can play any time of year. Not a golfer? No problem! Head to one of the island's 7 beaches for some fun in the sun. Coligny Beach is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Rent a bicycle for a ride along the shore, or just relax with a refreshing cocktail. It's your vacation - do what you want!
Day 5 Hilton Head - Charleston
Leave the island life behind and head to Charleston today! The ride is about 2 hours depending on traffic so you have plenty of flexibility for when to get on the road. Tonight, head to a rooftop bar in Charleston to enjoy the sunset and toast to your first night in this exciting city.
Day 6 Charleston
Charleston is rich with Civil War history and known for its signature antebellum mansions painted in a rainbow of colors and featuring elaborate ironwork. You might want to join a walking tour today for the best view of these homes, their gardens and the Battery, Charleston's historic waterfront promenade. Tonight, perhaps you want to take an atmospheric carriage ride through the city or a beautiful sunset cruise.
Day 7 Charleston
Today, start at Market Hall and shop through City Market for souvenirs, including sweetgrass baskets, an essential tool on former rice plantations. City Market is a historic market complex that stretches four full city blocks of Charleston. Tour a plantation at Middleton Place, featuring the 18th century House Museum and Stable yards. History also comes alive at Fort Sumter National Monument, where the American Civil War began. The site looks over Folly Beach and Sullivan's Island with wide beaches, locally owned restaurants and activities such as surfing and kayaking.
Day 8 Depart Charleston
Sadly it's time to say goodbye to your charming southern vacation. Drop off the rental car and board your returning flight home.
DAY 1: LOS ANGELES ARRIVAL
Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport and transfer independently to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport, Los Angeles, or similar
DAY 2: LOS ANGELES > MOJAVE DESERT > LAS VEGAS
Meet your Tour Director and depart for Las Vegas, the glittering “Entertainment Capital of the World,” for non-stop fun, gambling, and world-class entertainment. Your tour stops at the iconic Las Vegas Welcome Sign where you may wish to capture your photo memory of Las Vegas.
Accommodation at the Luxor Las Vegas, Las Vegas, or similar
DAY 3: LAS VEGAS > DEATH VALLEY > MAMMOTH LAKES/FRESNO
Having enjoyed glamorous Las Vegas, it will be a sharp contrast this afternoon to enter the quiet and extreme environment of Death Valley. Stop at Zabriskie Point and Furnace Creek Ranch/Visitors Center before continuing across the valley and ascending the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the alpine resort town of Mammoth Lakes. The area gained prominence as a gold mining town in the 19th century and today is renowned for its superior skiing terrain and staggeringly beautiful mountain vistas.
Important note: Winter Routing The Tioga Pass may be closed due to weather or road conditions, in which case you will overnight in Fresno or Visalia and a visit to Mammoth Lakes will not be possible (winter routing applies to all departures between October and May under normal snow conditions).
Accommodation at the Mammoth Mountain Inn, Mammoth Lakes, or Piccadilly Inn, Fresno
DAY 4: MAMMOTH/FRESNO > YOSEMITE > MODESTO
Your journey today brings you to the Tioga Pass (please see important note on day 3) into the scenic wonderland of Yosemite National Park. Here, you will experience the valley floor and its splendors including the glacial-shaped granite formations of El Capitan, Half Dome, the magnificent Bridal Falls, and Yosemite Falls. Overnight in Modesto.
Accommodation at the Doubletree by Hilton Modesto, Modesto, or similar
DAY 5: MODESTO > SAN FRANCISCO
Depart early this morning to arrive in San Francisco, one of the most beloved cities in America. Enjoy a comprehensive sightseeing tour before arriving at your hotel. This evening take a memorable City by Night Tour (optional).
Accommodation at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, San Francisco, or similar
DAY 6: SAN FRANCISCO (NAPA VALLEY OPTIONAL)
Day at leisure! Your Tour Director is on hand to assist with making your plans for the day: perhaps a cable car ride to Fisherman’s Wharf where one may enjoy a “Taste of San Francisco”: local seafood, famous sourdough bread, or decadent Ghiradelli’s Chocolate. Or take a stroll by Sea Lions’ Marina to watch them frolic.
Be sure to gaze across the bay to Alcatraz Island where “America’s Most Wanted” such as Al Capone and ”Machine Gun” Kelly were incarcerated. Or visit Union Square for a shopping stop at Macy’s Department Store. You also may choose to embark on a wine-tasting tour to Napa Valley, world-renowned for its fine wineries and beautiful scenery (optional).
Accommodation at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, San Francisco, or similar
DAY 7: SAN FRANCISCO > MONTEREY/ CARMEL > CENTRAL COAST
Depart San Francisco this morning for the drive to the Monterey Peninsula, known for its magnificent homes and lovely beaches. In Monterey, visit Fisherman’s Wharf and famous Cannery Row Then tour charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, noted for its quaint houses, upscale art galleries, and unique stores. In the afternoon your tour continues through Paso Robles, home of fine wineries. Overnight in a quaint Central California Coast town.
Accommodation at the Radisson Santa Maria, Central Coast, or similar
DAY 8: CENTRAL COAST > SANTA BARBARA > SANTA MONICA > LOS ANGELES DEPARTURE
Journey south through the Santa Ynez Valley into Santa Barbara where palm-lined walkways border white sandy beaches. Upon arrival in Los Angeles, an orientation tour commences to include Hollywood, portions of Beverly Hills, and Century City before arriving in Santa Monica, home to the finish line of Historic Route 66, where you may enjoy an optional lunch on the pier before departure or arriving at your hotel.
