WRITTEN BY KALYN SALINAS, FOUNDER OF THE CITRINE COMPASS

International travel has always shot to the top of the priority list for me, not only for the exotic nature of different languages, cultures, history and scenery, but because the window between making enough money to afford multiple expensive trips abroad and the early years of starting a family (when long trips anywhere are challenging, if existent at all) is so dang short and I always felt compelled to make the trips count.

But in peak Covid time, I found myself thinking more about traveling here in the good old U-S-of-A. International travel restrictions forced me to press pause on the long hauls and start simmering on some of the U.S. states and cities that could be amazing passport-free options. We knew we wanted to travel in March so I began my research.

I reached out to dude ranches in Bozeman, Montana and Jackson Hole, Wyoming (every single one of which was closed, turns out they are really more of a summer thing), pondered on Austin (no open honkytonks during Covid = no fun), thought about Sedona (we could do that just about anytime being a short trip from the California coast) and thought about a road trip through the five national parks of Utah (an average temperature of 25 degrees in March…in the sun).

I finally landed on Charleston, a faraway city with rich history and southern charm that I had heard about often but knew little about. A quick Google search and I realized that Savannah was only 2 hours away by car, thus the birth of this splendid low country road trip itinerary.

Technically the term “lowcountry” describes the salt marshes of the South Carolina coastline and sea islands (Hilton Head Island, St. Helena Island, Tybee Island, Kiawah Island and Folly Beach being some of the most popular) but Savannah is close enough to get thrown in the mix.

The Civil War began in Charleston in 1861 when shots were fired at Fort Sumter so Downtown Charleston is the perfect place for history buffs that want to feel a taste of old timey America, but those that don’t want an agenda can spend a full day wandering the historic district and admiring the antebellum homes, indulging in amazing food and drink and relaxing in the sprawling Waterfront Park. Savannah, Georgia's oldest city, is nostalgic as well but feels a bit more contemporary than Charleston and has a cutting edge food and art scene to complement the rich history.

Both cities are teeming with southern hospitality and move at a leisurely pace that puts even the busiest bodies at ease. Spanish moss hangs romantically from live oaks, the cobblestone streets and historic homes are reminiscent of both cities' colonial history and good food, kind locals and walkable downtown areas make both cities ideal for leisurely cruising. This southeast road trip is one for the books so pack your paisley best and get ready for a beautiful and relaxing trip through this special area of the country.

7-DAY ITINERARY OVERVIEW

DAY ONE: Savannah
DAY TWO: Savannah
DAY THREE: Savannah
DAY FOUR: Drive Savannah to Charleston
DAY FIVE: Charleston
DAY SIX: Charleston
DAY SEVEN: Charleston

SAVANNAH

Logistics Upon Arrival: One-way flight to Savannah/Hilton Head (you’ll fly home from Charleston); Uber or shuttle to hotel
Logistics Upon Departure: Pick up rental car and visit a plantation on your way in to Charleston, then drop the rental car in Charleston
Accommodations: Perry Lane Hotel (3 nights)
Must Do:
- Explore City Market, the Savannah River + River Street District
- Rooftop happy hour cocktails (see “Best Cocktails" below)
- Walk the twenty-two picturesque squares of Downtown Savannah
- Forsyth Park
- Colonial Park Cemetery (or Bonaventure Cemetery if you've read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil)
- Telfair Academy Museum
- Hire a local guide for a historic walking tour (daytime for historic sites, nighttime for a ghost tour)

Best Hearty Breakfast -or- Lunch:

Collins Quarter
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room (only open 11am-2pm but they’ll close earlier if they sell out of fried chicken)
Little Duck Diner
Best Dinner:
- The Grey
- Olde Pink House
- Common Thread
- Husk
Best Cocktails:
- Savoy Society
- Cotton & Rye
- Lone Wolf Lounge
- American Legion
- Artillery Bar
- Peregrin (rooftop)
- The Grove (rooftop)
Best Sweets:
- Leopold’s Ice Cream (can’t go wrong with the Savannah Socialite flavor)
- Back In the Day Bakery
KEEP READING ABOUT SAVANNAH //
How to Have the Perfect Long Weekend in Savannah, Georgia

CHARLESTON

Logistics Upon Arrival: Plan to drop your rental car upon arrival (you won’t need it in Charleston and it’s expensive to park)
Logistics Upon Departure: One-way flight out of Charleston International Airport
Accommodations: Hotel Emeline (2 nights) + 86 Cannon Historic Inn (2 nights)
Must Do:
- Rainbow Row + surrounding neighborhood
- Downtown walking tour
- Historical Charleston City Market
- Bike the streets south of Broad Street
- Tour the Williams Mansion and/or Aiken-Rhett House
- Shop on Queen Street
- South Seventeen Antiques
- Tour a plantation along the Ashley River, pick your poison: Magnolia Plantation + Gardens | Drayton Hall | Middleton Place | Boone Hall Plantation

Best Brunch:
- Millers All Day
- Harken Cafe (grab + go)
- Felix Cocktails et Cuisine
Best Lunch:
- Gaulart + Maliclet Fast and French
- 167 Raw
- Leon’s Oyster Shop
- Rodney Scott BBQ

Best Dinner:
- Tempest
- FIG
- Le Farfalle
- The Ordinary
- Maison
- Frannie & The Fox
- Chez Nous

Best Cocktails:
- Doar
- Citrus Club (rooftop @ The Dewberry Hotel)
- The Belmont (also serving up homemade Pop Tarts)
- Revelry Brewing Co
Best Sweets:
- Le Patisserie
- Breizh pan Crepes
- Carmella’s Dessert Bar

KEEP READING ABOUT CHARLESTON //

A 3-Day Itinerary for Charleston, the South's Most Charming City

A NOTE ON SEA ISLANDS

We didn’t have time to do the any of the South Carolina islands but the locals raved about them and it may be a fun thing to add to the Charleston and Savannah road trip itinerary if you have extra time. I’ve included dining recommendations we received along the way just in case you find yourself visiting the Sea Islands: