Savannah Vacation News

City Market Planning another New Year’s Eve Throw Down

Savannah's City Market will be doing her normal New Year's Eve Celebration in downtown Savannah. With live music throughout the night starting at 9:00 PM plus an always well attended fireworks display.  Suffice it to say, this makes this always popular tourist destination in the Landmark Historic District the place to be on January 31st. So ring in the New Year at City Market's outdoor street party. No reservation required, just show up to join in the fun for this free event open to the public. Don't be late for the final countdown that begins at 11:30 p.m. Be there are be square! 

Savannah Vacation News – All the News of the Decade that’s Fit to Print 

Savannah's own Busker's Bizarro of the River Street Variety

Although street performers are evident in many cities these days in ever increasing numbers given the eroding economic conditions, Historic Savannah has long been a gathering place for you basic Busker Street Performer. And River Street is where you are likely to find these performers day or night in any season. It takes the bravest or most bizarre personality, if you will, to pursue their craft in this outdoor venue. Coming to Savannah in the not too distant future? You may want to check out what's in store on your next trip to Lowcountry Georgia in the Youtube videos below:

Savannah Vacation News - All the Street Performer News that's Fit to Print

Beautiful Beaufort, Younger Sister to Charleston and Savannah

Along with its stunning coastal landscapes and majestic historic architecture, Historic Beaufort South Carolina, offers an amazing blend of arts, history, recreation and luxury living. Beaufort has to be considered on this Southern Passages leg of the Heritage Corridor as a favored "get away from it all" destination, with its rows of antebellum mansions, restful waterfront setting, and a well deserved reputation of Southern hospitality. Overlooking one of the most pristine natural habitats along the Atlantic Ocean, the surrounding lowcountry area is a picturesque archipelago of lush sea islands and tidal estuaries. Within the adjacent view shed of this coastal paradise, nature's finest is much in evidence. White-tailed deer and raccoons scamper around under Live Oaks draped with Spanish moss while the rivers, creeks, and bays teem with splashing dolphins and diving osprey. 

The Historic District of Beaufort is ideal as a place simply to linger - enjoying live acoustic music and local artisans at the Arts in the Park series, or taking in the freshest seafood dinner at any of the chic eateries along Bay Street. Stroll through historically correct neighborhoods built in classic architectural styles. Take in the tantalizing boutique City Loft Hotel, with luxury amenities in well appointed guest rooms in the midst of the historic district.This upscale Beaufort accommodation is a well positioned overnight stop on a leisurely planned road trip between Charleston and Savannah. 

While many consider summer the prime time to visit Beaufort’s Historic District, fall is an equally popular time to visit when the Beaufort International Film Festival, featuring more than 100 productions from dozens of countries, as well as a look at the city's wondrous historic buildings and blooms in the Fall Festival of Houses and Gardens. Beaufort is only 30 minutes away from the famed golfing paradise and deep-sea fishing of Hilton Head Island and within an hour’s drive of Top Ten North American Destination, Sultry Savannah just one county away. 

Historic Beaufort News - All the Southern Passages News that's fit to print

Hacking your way through the best Low Country Golf Courses

My introduction to a table top book about Golf in the Lowcountry recently caught my attention about one of coastal South Carolina and coastal Georgia’s single greatest attractions. This book by Joel Zuckerman is well worth reading if you are a golf junkie like my son in law and reservation desk manager, Aubrey, is.

Mr Zuckerman is an award winning writer of some note. His links reviews and travel features been read in numerous publications all across the golfing world, including Sports Illustrated, T&LGolf and Golfweek to name but a few. His "Golf in the Lowcountry---An Extraordinary Journey through Hilton Head Island & Savannah", was first published back in 2003. Read the below partially excerpted information gleaned from this fine book. 

In the beginning golf out on Lowcountry Hilton Head Island began its rise to golf prominence in the modern era back in 1969.  At that time Pete Dye, in association with Jack Nicklaus, created the esteemed Harbour Town Golf Links. When Arnold Palmer won the island’s inaugural PGA Tour event at Harbour Town, the Heritage Classic, on Thanksgiving weekend of the same year, Hilton Head was off and running as a golf destination. 

The ensuing decades have seen tremendous growth in the Carolina Lowcountry and nearby Georgia coast, both in quantity and quality of golf experiences. The game has become such an integral part of life here that the area was named among the top ten international golf destinations by Golf Digest in 2000. Now, long time Carolina Morning News golf writer, Joel Zuckerman, has delivered a delightful paean to the region with his book, Golf in the Lowcountry---An Extraordinary Journey through Hilton Head Island & Savannah.

Zuckerman’s later book, Golf Charms of Charleston about golf in the Charleston area was recently released as well. Just one more reason to visit the Georgia/Carolina Low Country Sea Islands. 

Lowcountry Golfing News – All the Low Country Golf News that’s fit to print

Kobo Gallery Reception Scheduled for December 3rd

The recently expanded Kobo Gallery located just off City Market has scheduled a reception for all art lovers on Thursday, December 3rd from 5:30 PM until 8:00 PM. The Kobo Gallery is a co-operative art gallery comprised of 14 Lowcountry Artists. Review their recent press release and make it a point to take in art work of some of Savannah’s most accomplished artisans.

Exhibition: “Kobo Gallery’s Grand Opening and Expansion”

Location: 33 Barnard Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401 912.201.0304

Opening Reception: Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Gallery Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:30-5:30 p.m. Sunday 11-5 p.m.

Artists: Anna Fox Ryan, Doris Grieder, Scott Griffin, Steve Cook, Amanda Hanlon, Sonya Ho, Kristi Jilson, Liza Crowley Judson, Tobia Makover, Christi Reiterman, Heather Lindsey Stewart, Dicky Stone, Meredith Anne Sutton, Caroll Williams. 

Contact information: For information regarding gallery, concept, interviews, contact: Christi Reiterman 217.414.5244 Kobo.co.op.gallery@gmail.com

For information regarding press packet, images of artists’ work or artists’ bio, contact: Tobia Makover tobia@tobiamakover.com 912.484.0393

Materials available: 14 artists’ bios/work statements

One image from each artist Kobo, that innovative little coop gallery in historic downtown Savannah, has reinvented itself. We are still in our same location, 33 Barnard Street, but have doubled our size and number of artists. Our doors now open to a completely renovated space featuring the work of 14 local artists. We invite you to come view and experience our new floor plan and enjoy our exciting and original artwork.

Savannah Vacation News

Keeping it Fresh on the May River

While attending a recent seminar over on Hilton Head Island, I stopped at my favorite fresh oyster resource across the Savannah River, the Bluffton Oyster Company, to pick up some of my favorite shell fish. Well truth be told, this historic lowcountry resource is the last remaining oyster “shucking factory” in all of South Carolina. The wonderfully fresh shrimp and already shucked oysters were not only tasty as usual but as affordable as you are likely to find in today's economy. Next time you visit Historic Savannah or the surrounding Low Country, make it a point to drive into Bluffton’s Historic District, visit Tina Toomer’s packing house, and prepare your own private seafood banquet in one of our self catered accommodations here in our historic district roster of homes. Read the Bluffton Today article excerpted below: 

"Larry and Tina Toomer are happily married to the May River — as well as to each other — as proprietors of the Bluffton Oyster Co. on its banks. Their lives revolve around harvesting, selling and catering the river’s seafood bounty—from shrimp to oysters to crabs to clams and mussels. They have the distinction of running South C a r o l i n a ’ s last remaining commercial oyster shucking factory, proudly keeping alive a Lowcountry culture by its Wharf Street presence and the shrimpers, oystermen and oyster shucking women it employs." 

"The Toomers also have helped Bluffton celebrate its seafood industry by assisting in the creation and running of the Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival. Next week, when the festival cranks up for the fourth time, the Toomers will be honored as co-admirals of the Sunday, Oct. 26, Blessing of the Fleet flotilla procession on their lifeblood." 

Give the Bluffton Oyster Factory a ring at (843) 757 – 4010 to make sure they have what you are looking for. And drive on over to Bluffton’s Historic District to create your own memorable fresh seafood meal.

Savannah Fresh Seafood News – Scoping out all the Fresh Seafood for your gourmet delight!

Savannah Tour Company to Launch Historic District Shopping Tour

Savannah Getaways has worked with Savannah Movie Tours founder Ron Higgins, for the past five years now. The collaboration has been an excellent one as those guests that take have been astute enough to book a tour have rave reviews about all of “Hollywood’s” tours. Ron came up with the movie tour idea after himself working on films shot in both Los Angeles and Savannah over the years according to a press release by Telfair Square based online Carriage Trade publication. 

"We have a rich Hollywood history here in the city, which started back in 1915 with the silent film "Under Southern Skies," and since then 85 films have been shot here, with those films winning 10 Academy Awards. Those films also left us with more than 420 movie locations." “Since the inception of the company in 2003, Mr. Higgins has also created the Scary Ghost Tour, Foody Tour, Savannah Shopping Tour, a "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" Tour, and VIP versions of all the tours. 

Ron, Russ Moore, Lou Thomann of Suites on Lafayette and I all collaboratively co-founded our Hostess City Experience Alliance several years ago and have continued to keep our commitment of providing top notch goods and top drawer services to travelers to the Historic District. In the spirit of that tradition, Ron has expanded his tour company's offerings to include the Scary Ghost Tour and Foody Tour Savannah. In the next few weeks, his newly minted Savannah Shopping Tour will be rolled out featuring an eclectic shopping tour of the District for just $38 per person. Ron and Company will be feted at half a dozen different boutique shops with the appropriate swag for savvy shoppers. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 912-234-3440 or visit the Savannah Shopping Tour website. 

Savannah News Channel – All the Touring News that’s Fit to Print

Jingle Bell Rockers, Tis the Season for Lighted Boat Parades

Historic Savannah's charm is rarely better displayed than during the Christmas Season. The Yule Season features thousands of winking Christmas lights decorating City Market and River Street, a gigantic Christmas tree in Forsyth Park, and all twenty three Garden Squares sporting lush evergreens with their bright red bows. Think Old South Tradition celebrating Lowcountry Christmas in years gone by and you get the picture. The Folks at All Getaways like to say that "Savannah is a scene come alive from an old-time Victorian Christmas card" And they would be right in that assessment. 

Not only will the traditional Yule log be all aglow but the holiday season in Coastal Georgia becomes uniquely Savannah with our usual holiday firework display.  We also feature a stunning Harbor Boat Parade of Lights every Christmas Season. This year's event will showcase more than 60 sailboats and yachts in complete holiday decor, with a prize for the top decorating awards to be given. Held in front of the Westin Hotel on Hutchinson Island, this picture perfect display of nautical holiday cheer, can easily be viewed from River Street just across the Savannah River from the Westin Complex. Slated to kick off later this month on Saturday, November 28th, we still have availability at some wonderfully upscale urban lofts, one located on East Factors Walk with a premium viewing location looking out over River Walk to jump start your holiday season. 

Savannah Vacation News – All the Historic Savannah Jingle Bell News fit to print

Savannah's Christmas Boat Parade @ Yahoo!7 Video

Christmas Made in the South - arts, crafts, great gift ideas for Christmas

Come out this November 13 – 15 for Christmas Made In The South at the Savannah International Convention and Trade Center. This event is celebrating its 21st year.

This huge event will feature local crafts for the holiday season. It’s a great time to get a jump on your holiday shopping and you’ll find unique gifts to give the people on your Christmas list.

Hours: Friday 10 – 8, Saturday 10 – 6 and Sunday 11 – 5. Admission costs: Adults $6, children 12 and under free. Admission good for all three days with hand stamp.

Tribute to Old Black Magic Savannah’s Favorite Musical Son

Multi-talented Savannah psychologist, educator, writer, composer, and a social critic Dr. Ja A. Johannes has written a marvelous musical tribute to Savannah’s legendary First Son, Lyricist Johnny Mercer. Mercer who traced his own Savannah Low Country roots to Mercer Williams House builder Civil War era General Johnny Mercer is being honored this year with a 100 year centennial commerating his birth in 1909. 

The Lucas Theatre will host Johannes’ musical premiere, Mister Mercer, on his birth month November 13th. Information found on the Lucas Theatre Website would indicate a wonderful cross section of Mercer’s melodies are in store for those in attendance either as fans or those new fans to be from a new generation unfamiliar with Mr. Mercer's body of work.

Mister Mercer is a lighthearted musical play about the late Johnny Mercer, America's most gifted popular songwriter. Johnny, and his wife Ginger, stuck this side of Heaven in the apartment of Darlene, a zany well-known local singer and ardent Mercer fan, review their lives and prepare to meet with God. The music in the play from Mercer includes "Come Rain or Come Shine," "Days of Wine And Roses," "And the Angels Sing," "Skylark," "Blues in the Night," "Moon River," "Strip Polka," "Charade," "Satin Doll," "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe," "Accentuate The Positive," "That Old Black Magic," "Tangerine," "I Remember You," "Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing," and "Too Marvelous For Words." 

Click here to purchase tickets online. 

Savannah Theatre News – All the Musical News that’s Fit to Print

Savannah’s Lowcountry Historic District Little Sister, Beautiful Beaufort

The beauty of Lowcountry Living in Savannah is the multitude of day trip opportunities less than an hour away. Driving northeast through Savannah’s closet South Carolina neighbor, Bluffton, eventually brings you to Port Royal and Beaufort. These two early Colonial Townships are often overlooked history filled harbor towns in coastal South Carolina. Easily accessible by car via highway 170 or by boat up the Broad River, Beaufort provides easy access to a marvelously abbreviated Historic District looking across a picturesque expanse of water. The charm of blended antebellum architecture dotting the myriad waterways and life sustaining wetlands guarantees a worthwhile day of sightseeing. 

Browse the Tony Boutique Stores and Art Galleries along Bay Street. Tour the John Mark Verdier House. Better yet show up next weekend and take in 22 different historic homes during the Historic Beaufort Foundation’s Fall Festival of Homes and Gardens. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to snag a glimpse of some very historic churches, gardens, and antebellum era private homes. 

Take in the entire tapestry of Southern history woven into the historic fabric of Beaufort's unforgettable Landmark District. With eight Low Country Forts scattered in close proximity to the Parris Island War Museum, historic churches, tabby ruins, elegant homes and majestic plantations, there is much to take in for the history lover. Let horse-drawn carriages carry you through the streets of yet another historic district that is as memorable as Georgia’s First City, Savannah is in her own right. Take in one of only three National Historic Landmark Districts in South Carolina for a snapshot of this picturesque waterfront community of the antebellum coastal Southland. 

Savannah Vacation News – All the Day Trip News that’s fit to Print

Fall Into some Historic District Architecture next Weekend

Savannah’s annual Fall Tour of Homes and Gardens is upon us this coming weekend. Lovers of Savannah’s architectural delights get the opportunity to tour private homes and gardens in the landmark historic district. Each day of the tour a new neighborhood is featured for three hours, during which visitors enjoy self-guided tours in any order of their choosing at a comfortable individual pace. For 70+ years, this tradition is one of Savannah's most popular annual architectural events. The Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens is a partnership of the Women of Christ Church and the Historic Savannah Foundation. 

Both Concerns have an excellent reputation as well as an impressive history that belie the good Savannah hosts they have become. Christ Church was founded in 1733 by Savannah’s founder, General James Oglethorpe. For more than 275 years, Christ Church has conducted worship services at its historic site on Johnson Square. The first Church sponsored Tour of Homes and Gardens was held in 1935. During the bicentennial, The Historic Savannah Foundation joined Christ Church as an equal partner in presenting these popular tours. 

Since its founding, The Historic Savannah Foundation formed in 1950’s has proven itself to be an organization has overseen the restoration of more than 1,200 buildings. There is a reason their efforts are recognized internationally. There are still available tickets for the 2009 October Tour of Homes. Book your last minute reservation today!

Savannah Vacation News – All the Savannah Tour of Homes News that is fit to print!