Rich with history, dense with beauty, and brimming with beach-themed activities, Charleston, South Carolina and its surrounding area is a worthwhile destination for anyone in the mood for a sunny, southern-tinged, and relaxing vacation. Whether you settle down in the city or on the beach, you'll be happy to call this blessed bit of land your temporary home.

The weather is fine and dandy year-round and there is much to do that will allow you to take advantage of this. Most people do end up coming for the summer, though, when the beach is at its best and it feels most appropriate to let responsibilities fade into the background for a few precious days. Follow the city folk to a place where swimming, shopping, and eating seafood take first priority and forget all about less important things.

You've heard it's historic, but what exactly will you see in Charleston? Homes that are hundreds of years old, preserved plantations, churches, museums and a general atmosphere of charm and hospitality will greet you around every corner of your downtown adventure. Take a guided tour of a rice field, the crop responsible for making this city successful, and keep your eyes open for the wildlife that inhabits the abandoned gardens today.
Also on dry land you'll find tons of tennis courts, golf courses, and bike paths. Rent a cycle and cross the longest cable-stayed bridge on the continent (don't worry, it's easier than it sounds) or hop on a horse and take a trail ride through a picturesque park. If these activities tire you out, book a spa treatment and get pampered, or burn off some steam by going for a walk or a run along the beach. Mother Nature is a friendly figure in Charleston, so get out and enjoy her riches.

On the water, there's perhaps even more to keep you busy and to reconnect you to the natural world. No experience is necessary to rent a kayak and head out for a one-of-a-kind tour of the Carolina coastline, where you'll likely encounter dolphins, osprey, and river otter. Whether guided or not, as you explore the waters of the barrier islands you'll learn something about where you are while forgetting about where you're not (the cubicle, the office, the dry cleaner's...). Birds and alligators have a way of taking you to a whole new level of consciousness, and that'll be a very good thing.

If you like to fish, there are plenty of places to charter a boat for a day of reeling in a few great catches. Head out into the open sea or stick to shore in a canoe; either way you'll feel happy to be alive. Catch a whopper, watch the experts do their thing, learn to sail, or even choose to step onboard a dinner cruise where you'll be treated to a fresh meal while you watch the sun go down. Boating is a way of living here, so be sure to bring your sea legs.
A sillier water activity involves heading to the area water park for some slipping and sliding, and there's always time for some old-fashioned playing around on the beach. Build a sand castle or roll up your shorts and go for a wade, as long as you take advantage of this time on the ocean you'll feel that your vacation has been complete. Sand and surf aren't available every day, remember.

Charleston is known for much more than all of this, including dining options, culinary classes, and special events and festivals. Shop for souvenirs, look at local art, catch a movie or a show, or take a day trip to a nearby resort area. You and your traveling companions will be as busy as you want, or more importantly, as busy as you don't want.
A smart option in this region would be to rent a vacation home to ensure your days and nights are cozy and comfortable, making it easy to fit in a nap or a game of cards without dreading a return to your boxy hotel room.  Charleston SC Vacation Rentals  come in all shapes and sizes, so you're sure to find the ultimate complement to your planned trip somewhere along the coast or in the city area. Go online to start looking today, and prepare to enjoy your upcoming vacation.




About the Author:Visit CyberRentals.com to check out all the vacation rental listings that have the potential to maximize the possibilities during your next trip.  

Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia provide the road trip planner the perfect backdrop for a romantic vacation for two. These two cities dish up hearty helpings of Southern Hospitality spiced with an intoxicating combination of romance and charm. And with only two hours between cities, it's not a long road trip unless you're driving from your own home in another state.

Two hours apart, but each city has distinctive flavors. Charleston simmers with history. There's a rich mix of "Old South" charm, dotted generously with historic homes, landmarks, and historic districts, all of which make Charleston one of the most popular southern destinations in the United States. You'll find cobblestone streets with shops lined on either side. A Going Places user (an application within the Facebook environment) had this to say about her stay there: "Charleston has a gorgeous historic district full of luxurious mansions, restaurants, shops, and museums... This is the city where the Civil War began so it's filled with history and fascinating stories. If you go here, you have to go to the market and take in a ghost tour.

The nearby plantations are a real sight to see as well and the beaches are spectacular. You'll need at least a week to really appreciate everything there is to see here and the Port City Java coffee shops are really charming. Try to stay at a B&B if you can, they run about the same price as a regular hotel but you get more personalized care and a nice touch of true Southern Hospitality."Add one or more of these Charleston Districts to your road trip planner to fully explore the city.

* DOWNTOWN DISTRICT - Besides historic churches, buildings, and landmarks, you'll find plenty of opportunities for shopping. Downtown is a convenient starting point for getting to know Charleston as it is a vibrant combination of old and new, offering diverse attractions suitable for just about anyone.* HISTORIC DISTRICT - The Historic District is the oldest part of town with many preserved buildings and homes. Try some walking tours like the Historic Homes Walk , which will allow you to learn more about this amazing architecture dating back to the mid-18th century. And don't forget to check out the old houses like the Heyward-Washington House or the Nathaniel Russell House.*

*MOUNT PLEASANT DISTRICT - The Mount Pleasant District is known for its fine dining. And this district holds more than its share of diverse dining establishments. It's also the home of one of the biggest naval & maritime museums in the world, Patriot's Point. Tour boats are available from Mount Pleasant to view Fort Sumter , the site where the Civil War began.

* NORTH CHARLESTON - North Charleston is the main business and transportation location for the southern half of the state. Both the International Airport and Amtrak Station are located here. Adding to the bustle of North Charleston is the 14,000-seat North Charleston Coliseum , home of the South Carolina, home of the South Carolina Stingrays ice hockey team.

Now it's time to head to the second city on your road trip planner, Savannah! Many people use the word "genteel" to describe Savannah. The word means refined, elegant and stylish, adjectives that fit the city, from the Savannah River to the seaside resorts to the 2 1/2 square mile Historic District. And though I'm sure you could find a horse-drawn carriage to draw you into the past, Savannah is considered one of the Top 10 cities for walking tours.

Fellow traveler, Gary Aldrich, gave Savannah 5 stars, praising, "A wonderful Old-South getaway! I went with my best friend during a period of intense professional stress and by the end of our few days there, I was relaxed enough to return to work. The restaurants are wonderful, and the charming old houses and well-kept park squares are unlike anything else in the country. Being on a river and near the coast keeps it very mild, even in winter. Coastal Georgia is indeed a wonderful winter respite. I highly recommend it, especially when others are in such a mad rush to get to Florida!" His top picks were Comfort Suites Historic District, Old Pink House Restaurant, and the Squares of Savannah in the Historic District.

In addition to the Squares of Savannah (in case visiting 21 squares isn't enough), Savannah also has other distinct points of interest, so make sure one of these activities gets added to your road trip planner.

* RIVERFRONT - Situated alongside the Savannah River, this area was once the heart of Savannah's booming cotton trade. Now it is the most popular destination for visitors, with popular restaurants like Huey's , the Shrimp Factory and the elegant Chart House. Cobblestones dot River Street, a popular starting point for parades and festivals.

* CITY MARKET - City Market also sits on the river, a bit north of River Street at Jefferson and West Julian. Like River Street, the brick warehouses now host droves of tourists. Shops, restaurants and clubs draw daily crowds, with live music and performance artists adding to the festive atmosphere.

* MIDTOWN - This area incorporates the Victorian District. You'll notice the homes becoming more modern as you head south. You'll find many businesses here but just as you begin to miss Old Savannah's charm, you come across Thunderbolt, a quaint fishing village on the Wilmington River.

* SAVANNAH'S ISLANDS - The low country surrounding the city harbors many small islands, including the residential areas of Wilmington and Whitemarsh, and the quaint Isle of Hope. Nearby, Skidaway Island is the site of golfing communities, marinas, and miles of biking and nature trails. Savannah's seaside playground is Tybee Island. Just 15 miles east of downtown past Fort Pulaski National Monument, Tybee Island features crab shacks, expensive condos, party hotels and cheesy gift shops, as well as the oldest lighthouse on the South Atlantic seaboard.It doesn't take long before the atmosphere permeates your senses and the southern cadence carries you along, leaving no doubt that every couple should add these cities to their Road Trip Planner to experience what it's like to be in love, southern style.


About the Author: To plan your next road trip, please use the ultimate road trip planner, which leverages the collective wisdom of thousands of users worldwide, and makes road trip planning interactive and fun. Check out our Road Trip Blog for more great places to explore.