Charming Charleston for the Holidays

Fly into Charleston in the morning (or the night before). Make your way to the fabulous Spectator Hotel. The hotel is located at the enviable intersection of the City Market and the historic French Quarter. Here, you’ll discover something of a maverick boutique hotel, evoking southern charm and Jazz Age charisma. 

Settle in and spend some time checking out the neighborhood or relax in the hotel's charming atmosphere. We'll connect early in the evening for a meet and greet with a welcome toast in the hotel bar. 

Then, we're off to dinner at Tempest, an elegant destination offering seasonal, locally sourced seafood delicacies & a robust wine list. 

We'll start the day with a private guided tour of Charleston, discovering the traditions and stories of Charleston’s rich history and colorful past. The tour will highlight vibrant neighborhoods, historic sites, architecture, and art, including Rainbow Row, The Battery, White Point Garden, and some of Charleston’s most beautiful churches. We'll visit the Four Corners of Law and The Battery while viewing private neighborhoods dressed in their holiday finery.

We will stop for some gourmet comfort food at the Cru Cafe. After lunch, you'll have the rest of the afternoon to discover more of Charleston in your own time. With the holiday season in full swing, you'll have plenty of options from which to choose.

We'll uncover the secrets of historic downtown Charleston before dinner with a private bus tour. Weave through cobblestone streets, past grand antebellum mansions, and under moss-draped live oaks as hidden stories come alive at every turn. Prepare for a truly memorable journey through time.

Dinner tonight will be at one of Charleston's favorite restaurants, S.N.O.B.

We'll start the day with a delicious breakfast at our hotel, fueling up to explore coastal gems. Our friendly guide will whisk us away to Middleton Place, a National Historic Landmark, home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America and an enduring, vibrant, and essential part of the Charleston and American experience. 

Next, we'll drive to Wadmalaw Island. You'll be awestruck by the majestic Angel Oak, a centuries-old live oak draped in Spanish moss, a true symbol of the South. Our island journey continues to the Charleston Tea Garden, the only one in North America where we can sip locally grown loose-leaf tea, savoring the unique flavors. Finally, we'll wrap up our island adventure with a visit to Deep Water Vineyard, where we'll sample award-winning wines before returning to the mainland.

As the sun dips low, we'll return to our hotel and freshen up for a truly special evening. At the acclaimed Historic Supper Club, we'll embark on a 7-course Historic Christmas Feast, a culinary journey through Charleston's history. Immerse yourself in the elegant ambiance and indulge in seasonal flavors.

We'll start our day with a delicious breakfast and then explore the rich history of Charleston with a private behind-the-scenes tour of the Charleston Museum, uncovering hidden stories and corners. 

Next, we'll journey back in time with a tour of the opulent Joseph Manigault House, marveling at its architectural grandeur and glimpsing the inhabitant's lives.

We'll savor a delectable lunch at 39 Rue de Jean, indulging in French-inspired dishes in a charming courtyard.

Later, enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace. Wander through Charleston's quaint streets, browse unique shops, or relax and soak in the city's atmosphere.

As dusk settles, immerse yourself the unique holiday experience at Edmondston Alston House. We'll enjoy "Christmas on the Battery," carols, candlelight, and Gullah Christmas stories, and be transported to a festive bygone era. 

Later, we'll enjoy fresh seafood at Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar. Savor delicious dishes featuring the bounty of the Lowcountry coast in a contemporary, lively setting.

After fueling up for a morning stroll to Marion Square with breakfast at the hotel, we'll visit the renowned Charleston Farmers’ Market to browse the annual holiday market. The market is full of local artisans, crafters, and farmers in December. 

After browsing, we’ll meet one of Charleston’s best chefs for a visit to another neighborhood market to observe how a chef shops. The chef will create a one-of-a-kind farm-to-table dining experience for us at a local restaurant using the ingredients we selected at the market.

This afternoon, the time is yours to spend as you please. Holiday shop on King Street, enjoy a spa treatment at the hotel or discover more of Charleston. The choice is all yours.

Before dinner, we'll explore historic downtown Charleston on a private and memorable horse-drawn carriage ride. Run by a family-owned and operated carriage company, a certified guide and some of the family's more than 30 horses will lead the tour. With Belgian and Percheron breeds from Amish working farms, these incredible horses live on a tranquil 65-acre farm and pasture sometimes called "horse heaven."

On our final evening, we'll enjoy a delightful dinner at Magnolias. Savor Southern cuisine classics with a modern twist in this elegant setting, the perfect blend of tradition and innovation.

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll say our goodbyes and happy holiday wishes, promising to stay in touch with our new friends.