Savannah Vacation News

Surf and Pier Fishing in coastal waters off Historic Savannah

Now that summer has arrived with a vengeance after a cool, cool spring, head out on the highway for your favorite Georgia beach for surf, dock or pier fishing. Summer time is the right time to try your hand at some vacation fishing while waiting for the fall season. Low Country docks and piers from Charleston to Savannah still produce some red drum, sea trout and flounder, but the heat of the day makes fishing a moot point until the more favorable morning, evening, or even into the night hours of the fishing cycle. Of course, tides play an important part in this dynamic, so time these less warm hours to the incoming tide for best results.

If croaker, spots and whiting are your target fish, then pier fishing is a good vehicle to go full tilt boogey if surf fishing for whiting is not what you have in mind. While the debate about the preferred fishing bait of choice, dead shrimp versus live fiddler crabs may still go on in some serious angling circles for the aforementioned finny denizens of our teeming low country waters, either bait will do the trick. Many people believe that whiting can be picky eaters and actually prefer the shrimp peeled! Look for whiting just beyond the breakers on sandy bottoms and within the breaking surf where they periodically school from time to time.

king mackerels start showing up in fairly decent numbers along with the tourists during the summer season. This is a good time to stake out the very end of the ocean piers. Savvy anglers looking for kings fish the waters off the pier ends with live bluefish, blue runner or other small live fish under a float. During our sizzling summers, more large king mackerel are caught within one mile from our popular coastal Georgia beaches than anywhere else. So your odds for catching a nice king from the end of an ocean pier as opposed to charter fishing are very good indeed at this time of year.

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Rockets Red Glare over Tybee Island & Eco-Tours?

Looks like another kicking July 4th celebration here in the Lowcountry sports fans. Plenty of Good Times and Cold Beer to be had this past weekend in the Hostess City and her neighbor Savannah Beach, AKA Tybee Island. That whole Hot Fun in the Summer Time thing don’t you know? For those of you that missed the fireworks display this past weekend, check out the You Tube Video at the end of this article.

For the rest of you, conjugate on this if you will. I suspect many of you have already been there done that with that whole beach scene thingy. Looking for something a tad different this summer? Well then, have I got a different vacation experience in mind for you and yours! How about coming to coastal Georgia and take in some of the most pristine eco-tourism to be found here in the Low Country with our strategic partners, the good folks at Wilderness Southeast? Like they say in their promotional material:

“Explore Georgia’s true nature on a private tour arranged to accommodate your interests and itinerary. WiSE Nature Tours can provide a few hours or a whole day of wildlife discovery from birding to beachcombing and beyond. Visitors to Historic Savannah choose to explore by walking, paddling, or boating and by the wildlife and habitat they want to observe.” For the past 36 years, my favorite group of live oak tree-huggers have specialized in providing just the right atmosphere to learn about nature and wildlife. Their explorations for individuals, families, and groups integrate information from many diverse fields including biology, ecology, geology, astronomy, natural and cultural history. So come to lowcountry Georgia and see live gators in their natural habitat. Or maybe you just prefer to watch the fireworks display. That’s Okay too!

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History Comes Alive in Historic Savannah

As you walk the streets of Savannah’s Landmark Historic District, the sense of history that permeates these storied streets in this designated district are all around you. Many of the historic markers recount an obscure tale or two or perhaps you prefer to hear the best tour guides on the Eastern Seaboard recount some fascinating drama over the past 276 years. But the really serious student may prefer to get straight to the source at our compelling Hodgson Hall Building located on the corner of Whitaker and Gaston Streets cattycorner to Forsyth Park. Within these hallowed halls (pardon the pun), resides the living archives of the Georgia Historical Society.

Pertinent information covering General Oglethorpe's faithful landing in 1733, many battles stretching out over several wars, the Cherokee Removal over the infamous Trail of Tears from Antebellum Georgia during 1836 from their ancestral land, and the correspondence of well known Savannahian, Girl Scout Founder Juliette Gordon Low during her formative years in coastal Savannah are just a few of the many documents and artifacts that are available to the public at large. We take our Georgia History seriously and invite other like minded history buffs to come and sit a spell in air conditioned comfort what it is that sets Georgia apart from the other 13 colonies. You might want to plan your upcoming Savannah Getaway around some of our upcoming events.

Savannah Vacation News

Special One Night Get Acquainted With Daufuskie Island Offer

Visit mysterious and beautiful Daufuskie Island, an hour by boat from the nearest traffic light, a world away from anything you ever thought was real. The second Saturday in July (the 11th), take in a one time only offer of two days and one night at a Beach Front Cottage Vacation Rental at Melrose Resort on Daufuskie Island. All for just $360 for the night, all inclusive of the nightly rental rate, bed tax, and cleaning fee! And while you are here, take in the book signing of Beaufort County’s favorite born and bred native son author Roger Pinckney for the debut of his latest work, his Reefer Moon book. And why is it you would want to come to Daufuskie Island, you might well ask?

Roger says “there are lots of developed islands here along the South Carolina and Georgia coast. Hilton Head and Tybee immediately come to mind. There are preserved islands, too, like Ossabaw and Cumberland. But Daufuskie offers a unique mix. You may explore rich historic sites on a guided tour, fish, beachcomb, paddle a kayak through trackless and pristine salt marshes, peruse the work of local artisans at their studios such as Silver Dew Pottery or Iron Fish Art Gallery take a carriage ride or ride a horse along the beach. You can play golf on a Jack Nicklaus designed IsIand Golf Course or relax in a beach side swimming pool with your favorite beverage at the end of your day."

The Beach Cottages at Melrose are in the middle of all this. Clean, comfortable, and affordable, these cottages sleep 4-16 and are walking distance to the beach, pool, the Beach Club Restaurant and a kid's play area. Rental golf carts are available Come hang out with us on Daufuskie at our Book Signing throw down. Explore the island while you are here. You'll be glad you did. We are proud of our island home and are eager to share it with you.

Savannah Vacation News Late Breaking Single Night Ocean Front Island Vacation Rental Package

From The Civil War to the Silver Screen, Tour Savannah’s Luxurious Lady

The Mercer Williams House has seen it all over the years. Originally built in the 1860's, it stands at the west end of Monterey Square. The Mercer Williams House is arguably one of Savannah's grandest homes and certainly the most photographed historic home in the district due to the famous names that have been attached to this home since it was built in the 1800's. It has eight cast-iron balconies, cast-iron window pediments and a fence at the sidewalk, all of which add to the design. The house was named after Confederate General Hugh Mercer - General Mercer as a descendant of the Revolutionary War General and George Washington’s close friend by the same name, Hugh Mercer. The Civil War Hugh Mercer was the original owner as well as the great grandfather of the renowned lyricist and composer Johnny Mercer who had a major impact on Twentieth century music with a wealth of well known tunes such as Moon River, Days of Wine and Rose, Hooray for Hollywood, and That Old Black Magic, just to name a handful from the repertoire of this prolific writer.

In recent years The Mercer Williams House was owned by another Savannahian who gained his own notoriety that has indelibly imprinted Monterey Square and all of Savannah. Jim Williams was a 20th century restoration expert of many low country homes. He was written about in the best selling book and movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Williams who purchased the Mercer House in a state of disrepair completed a thorough period correct restoration. He was an antique dealer/collector who operated an antique store found at the rear of the Mercer Williams House. This Carriage House around back now serves as the entrance for the Mercer Williams House Tour.

R. Purser for Savannah Getaways

At the Jazz Band Ball Johnny Mercer
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“Yamacraw’s” Marshside Mama’s & Daufuskie Crab Co. for Day Tripping

If you are coming to our Landmark Historic District in the next month or so, you really should take an extra half a day to check out one of Savannah’s better kept secrets, mythical “Yamacraw Island” just across the mouth of the Savannah River. Drawing a blank are you? Well actually, you might better recognize this Island under the Daufuskie Island handle that gained notoriety in the 1970’s from Pat Conroy’s “The River is Wide” book that led to a movie which in turn squarely placed our sea island gem within the national consciousness. Even though most visitors know the island as comprised of Resort Beach Front Homes interspersed amongst three separate Golf Courses, the real island story might very well be the Gullah Historic District that Conroy wrote first wrote of. It certainly is for my money.

Only accessible by boat, this unique sea island haven is home to an eclectic mix of Kinky Friedman like collection of Low Country miscreants that march to their own drummer. Like one of our Savannah Getaways Consortium of Absentee Property Owners once told me, “Hilton Head Island is as far as you can go on the South Carolina Coast, and many of those that don’t fit in on Hilton Head end up out on Daufuskie.” I have seen nothing to dissuade me from this Hilton Head attorney’s analogy on any of my trips out to the island’s Freeport Marina Landing. With that in mind, here is a calendar of events planned over the next several weekends. Looking for road less traveled in the way of a one of a kind day trip? Here you go!

June 27, All day, 30th annual Daufuskie Day,

Marshside Mama's July 4, 9PM, 4th of July Party with Fireworks! Public Beach access next to Sandy Lane.

July 11, Time TBD, Author Roger Pinckney is having a Daufuskie Throwdown at Freeport Marina.

Fantastic 4th of July Fireworks Display over Savannah River + Fort Pulaski

Plan your July 4th family getaway in Savannah’s Landmark Historic District. The downtown celebration officially starts at 5 p.m. on River Street’s Rousakis Plaza with a fireworks display planned for 9:20 p.m. Bring a blanket, some snacks, and a radio. According to the Vacations Made Easy Website, “Why a radio, you ask? The fireworks are amazingly choreographed to a music simulcast on Cumulus FM radio stations KIX96.5, Z102.1, and Magic 103.9.“

You might want to see what’s kicking at the Beach out on Tybee Island earlier in the day. And on the way back to downtown Savannah, stop at Fort Pulaski just across Bridge from Tybee Island. Celebrate the nation’s 233rd Birthday at the Civil War era fort with a special patriotic living history event. This annual event traditionally includes a baseball game using 1860’s rules and equipment as Abner Doubleday and his Civil War era ball players would have appeared. So the game of baseball is not your cup of tea? Then take in the cannon firings and soldier demonstrations that are sure to be a hit with the younger crowd. Historic Savannah has it all in the summer season.

Call Savannah Getaways today and make your best deal for your historic district accommodation.

Savannah Getaways has your Culinary Arts itinerary covered - savor the flavor in your own upscale getaway home

Savannah Getaways is pleased to announce private chef services inside your own upscale Savannah Historic District Town Home with your own personal chef, cooking star Sallie Ann Robinson. Sallie Ann is an accomplished chef specializing in the very best Lowcountry fare to be found in the Gullah tradition that she was raised on. Our Savannah based celebrity chef, television personality, and cookbook author Ms. Robinson is a sixth-generation native of Daufuskie Island, South Carolina. She is renowned for her culinary expertise, entertaining presentations, and knowledge of southeastern United States Gullah culture.

Robinson has maintained a notable presence on national television and in popular magazines for more than a decade. Her television appearances have been many and include the December 2008 pilot for Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Dixie Divas in the Kitchen. She has also made guest appearances on such noted programs as The QVC Show, The 700 Club, CN8’s Your Morning Show, and The Food Network.

In addition to her high visibility as a recognized television personality, Robinson has been a frequent favorite subject of magazine and newspaper journalists. Some have profiled her as an author while others have focused on her ongoing efforts to preserve the legacy of Gullah culture. Ironically, Robinson first attained national prominence as a character named Ethel, one of only fourteen students that studied under Conroy on that well documented year portrayed in famed author Pat Conroy’s novel, The Water Is Wide. Since its publication in 1972, the novel has inspired stage adaptations as well as two major movie productions, all of them helping to introduce the world to Robinson via her fictional alter ego.

To customize your own in house cooking experience, be it an exquisitely catered meal or your very own personal chef school, call our reservation desk or contact Sallie Ann Robinson directly and we will hook you up with Ms. Robinson herself. Come to Savannah and take the Foody Tour with Hollywood Ron and return home later that night for very own taste of the south experience prepared by Ms. Robinson in Keeping with that whole Southern Culinary Arts Thingy!

Friends of the Gullah Geechee Heritage – Resident Daufuskie Blacksmith Chase Allen

Accomplished artist, Chase Allen has lived in the historic district of Daufuskie Island for the past eight years where he has managed to make a living doing what he loves best in an environment that he has no intention of leaving any time soon. Chase shares this common bond with the folks that resettled this island many generations ago post indigenous Amerindian removal, the Gullah/Geechee People who's own arrival generations ago from West Africa is another American saga within a saga itself. Their mutually connected story is an inspirational one to the rest of us mainlanders that can only dream of living the good life afforded on this sea island paradise by those visionary enough to make that lifestyle happen where economic opportunities are few and far between the residents.

“I am a blacksmith/metal artist who has found a niche in the world of art buyers who collect and decorate with vintage decor. I specialize in forging limited numbers of fish, mermaid, and crab wall hanging sculptures out of sheets of steel.” I have developed a finishing process which on completion makes newly created works of art appear to be weathered. “What is left are vintage finished sculptures that look as if they had been found on the beach or on the side of an old barn.”

"My gallery/studio is on an island named Daufuskie which is between but can only be reached by boat. My website has served me well over the past four years, thanks to the guidance of Mark O’Brien, President and Owner of Newfangled Web Factory. This collaboration has helped connect me to customers and collectors from approximately 8 different countries and nearly 50 states. “Again, let me re-state that I live on Daufuskie, population 235!”

Ever evolving Daufuskie Island is about the writers, artists, lovers of God’s Green Earth and Blue Waters, savvy tour guides to points of interest off the beaten path, the historic district, and above all else one of the island homes of the Gullah/Geechee people in the lowcountry. The restricted resort areas are located elsewhere on the island. Parts of the above edited blog have been provided courtesy of Chase Allen originally posted on his Iron Fish Art website.

Eco-Friendly BLUE Ocean Film Festival plans June Debut in the Disrict

Breaking News regarding the Savannah College of Art and Design sponsored BLUE Ocean Film Festival that came across our radar this morning for the first time. As we were arranging lodging for some of the film makers to be in attendance at our private housing, we were told just enough to pique our interest for this four day event. This important festival is predictably in the Savannah tradition of multiple “value added” film viewings in Savannah’s Historic District.  As usual it promises to be an event the savvy traveler will not wish to miss. Slated to start mid week of June 10th, it will run right through the weekend. Check out the press release below for details:

March 27, 2009 (Savannah, Georgia) —BLUE, a global film and conservation event, will launch its first Industry Film Festival June 11-14, 2009 in Savannah. The purpose of the event is to honor, promote and share films that inspire people to protect our oceans and the life within. BLUE will provide an intimate venue where ocean filmmakers can interact with leaders in the oceans conservation, broadcasting and research fields, lending support to the filmmakers, who provide a critical role in educating and empowering the public. All film offerings to be judged will be shown at two separate SCAD Theaters, Trustees Theater and The Lucas.

During BLUE Ocean Film Festival we will film our own documentary—speaking with leading filmmakers, researchers and other industry partners about their personal insights, concerns, hopes and fears regarding the state of our oceans. This “State of Our Oceans” documentary will provide a traveling communication that will help put key issues into perspective and will offer real, individual solutions. Clips from the documentary will be posted online as well.

One of the fondest hope's is that one of the main component of BLUE Ocean Film Festival's outreach will be a traveling film festival that will take a selection of award winners to targeted locations where films can create awareness and impact the local community.

As usual we have your lodging options covered at Savannah Getaways if you plan to be in attendance at this uplifting event.

The Water out to Daufuskie Island isn’t that wide

With apologies to a youthful long ago Daufuskie Denizen, Pat Conroy who wrote his break out book “The Water is Wide” about his year on Daufuskie, the Ferry Boat Ride out to our sea island paradise is less than an hour away from all embarkation points. Our modern day author in residence, Roger Pinckney, explains why it is you would want to spend some time in Daufuskie’s Historic District in today’s blog.

"Visit mysterious, beautiful and historic Daufuskie Island, a hour by boat from the nearest traffic light, a world away from everything you ever thought was real."

Take the insider's tour with Roger Pinckney, celebrated author, environmentalist and gifted storyteller. Visit historic sites, hear tales of Indians, wars, hurricanes, romance and island voodoo. Learn about efforts to preserve this very special place, visit galleries run by local artisans.

Roger's tours are limited to 15 persons Tuesday-Thursday weekly. If you are traveling with a group of 20 or more, or wish a tour on another day, contact Calibogue Cruises to make arrangements. Self-guided golf cart tours are also available daily. Reservations required.

Leave Broad Creek Marina on Hilton Head Island aboard a comfortable Coast Guard certified passenger ferry. Enjoy stunning views of river and marsh, watch Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin at play. Arrive at Freeport Marina on Daufuskie, enjoy an authentic Gullah buffet at the Old Daufuskie Crab Company, where African recipes have been passed down the generations since slave times. After a three hour tour, return to Freeport where Roger will be happy to sign copies of his many books. You'll still have time for cocktails, beer or wine before boarding your ferry back to civilization....if you really want to leave.

If you wish to tarry with us awhile, overnight accommodations are available in a number of comfortable river front cabins. Many visitors leave saying Roger Pinckney's Daufuskie Tour was the highlight of their vacation.

Support Live Music – Savannah Free Style Performing Arts

Savannah’s many indoor and outdoor venues have been supplying the very best live music to be found, whatever your listening pleasure. Be it a ten - fourteen day long Savannah Music Festival indoors and outdoors, two different seasonal jazz festivals, historic district street musicians, club band, concert, or show band, you can find it in Savannah. The Performing Arts are a live, well, and flourishing in coastal Georgia’s favorite travel destination. Find out what six million Americans are raving about every travel season, Mr. & Mrs. Music Lover.

Folk Music every first Friday of the month, virtually every weekend features a band in City Market, and the list goes on and on folks. From Rap to Rockabilly, Blues to Blue Grass, from Hank to Hendrix …. You get the picture. Savannah’s Landmark Historic District or the music venues out on Tybee Island has your very favorite kind of ear candy you can be sure. Just schedule your getaway trip to Georgia’s First City around the night scene. You will be rewarded for coming to Savannah and partying like a local.