Page 9 - AAA Shelby County – AAA Now! – March/April 2017

TRAVE
L
The AmericAn SouTh
Savannah
The roads to America’s South are paved with history. In grand cities such as Charleston, South Carolina, where horse-drawn carriages pass centuries-old mansions, you can at times feel as though you’ve been transported in time. In Savannah, Georgia, over half of the 2,500 buildings have architectural or historic significance. Stroll the streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter and you’ll discover a unique neighborhood of a bygone era. The timeless beauty of these cities is legendary.
Where the Past aWakens
Colorful Charleston
The city of Charleston exudes Southern charm and hospitality. In fact, it’s been called the most mannerly city in the country. Folks are friendly. Gardens are meticulously tended to. And in a city that has over the years weathered so many natural disasters, including hurricanes, earthquakes and fires, it seems amazing that its vast historic district has endured.
One of the best ways to acquaint yourself with Charleston is to walk the streets of the downtown area. Many of the historic district’s pastel-painted homes, B&Bs, restaurants and shops are located here. The historic district encompasses more than 2,000 buildings: 73 predate the Revolutionary War. The spires and steeples of more than 180 churches punctuate the skyline.
The Battery, the waterfront along the edge of the historic district, offers scenic views of the harbor, where some of the settlement’s earliest fortifications were. Planted with palmettos and live oaks, the park contains cannons, war relics and a monument to the defenders of Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumpter. Visitors can also tour homes of some of the city’s early settlers. The Edmondston-Alston House on Charleston’s High Battery, built in 1825, offers
a glimpse of early 19th century elegance, style
and comfort. The house contains Alston family furniture, silver, books and paintings.
Savannah, Southern belle
Savannah has received wonderful accolades from numerous consumer magazines, including Condé Nast Traveler, which featured the city in its “Top 10 American Travel Destinations.”
Cosmopolitan and laid-back, the city manages to gracefully blend trendy downtown boutiques and microbreweries with a backdrop of centuries-old, dramatic architecture. The many neighborhood garden squares, with their shady trees, flowers, fountains and monuments make walking city streets an absolute pleasure.
Soak up the romantic atmosphere of Savannah
in the restaurants and cafés it’s famous for. Stay in
a historic inn or B&B to complete the experience. When you feel like sightseeing, head for the historic district where architecture tells the story of one of the South’s most intriguing cities. Strolling through the district you’ll see the influence of Europe in its many mansions, storefronts and museums.
If you feel like escaping to the beach for a while, head for Tybee Island, 18 miles east of Savannah. The island is known to be kitschy, but ever so much fun.
New Orleans
Sultry new Orleans
Some cities are merely collections of skyscrapers and concrete, while others dazzle us with their distinctive style, physical beauty and soul. Yet few cities rival the seductive charm of New Orleans.
The heart of New Orleans is, of course, the French Quarter, divided into Upper and Lower sections,
with Jackson Square at the midpoint. At Jackson Square, you’ll find historic buildings and a beautifully landscaped park. Be sure to also visit the City Park, filled with art Deco-styled benches and fountains, artificial lagoons and ancient moss-draped oaks. Stroll down bawdy Bourbon Street and pop into some of the many oyster bars, restaurants and novelty shops, then visit the New Orleans Museum of Art, which has one
of the largest glass collections in the country.
A trip to New Orleans would not be complete, of
course, without partaking in two of its most famous attractions – food and music. At the French Market you can satisfy your taste buds with Creole tomatoes, jambalaya and gumbo, pralines and muffulettas (sandwiches stuffed with ham, salami, mozzarella and green olives), as well as Cajun specialties.
The best of traditional New Orleans jazz can
be enjoyed at Palm Court Jazz Café and the Preservation Hall. Not only can you hear music from some of the best jazz musicians in the world, you also have the chance to rub elbows with them in-between sets.
The cities of America’s South provide great historical lessons for the kids, plus plenty of fun things to do. So take the family! And when you’re ready to go, call your travel professional.
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