The Antebellum South & Georgia’s Golden IslesA cruise featuring the history and nature of the Intracoastal Passage

Itinerary

Free Airfare - 2013 DEPARTURE ONLY!
Free airfare (or a credit of $400 per person) will be provided from the following cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, kansas City, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tampa, and Washington, D.C. Airfare from other cities is available and may require a surcharge.

Overview
Note: The 2013 departure will run in reverse order of the Overview.

This segment of America's grand southern shore is rife with natural history, cultural attractions, and historic sites. Our journey begins in the multifaceted city of Charleston, adorned with Palmetto trees and wrought-iron balustrades. Call in Beaufort and spend time exploring its numerous charming galleries, strolling the magnificent waterfront park, and traveling back in time with a visit to the city's preserved historic homes. Nature lovers won't want to miss a visit to nearby Hunting Island, home to the loggerhead turtle and more than 100 bird species.

We visit delightful Savannah, Georgia's oldest city. Call at remote Cumberland Island, with its picturesque sand dunes and incredible wildlife. Visit the impressive mansions on Jekyll Island, once used as wintertime retreats for the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts. Glimpse rare wildlife off St. Simons Island such as European fallow deer, armadillos, and alligators. Relax aboard ship and revel in the beauty of the coastal Low Country. Our journey concludes in Jacksonville, Florida.

Don't forget to check out our photo slide show to glimpse the excitement of this special program!
View photos by clicking "Next Photo" at top of page!

2013 Itinerary
November 14 - Jacksonville, Florida, Embark
Upon arrival, transfer to the Yorktown. (D)

November 15 - St. Marys, Georgia, Cumberland Island
From St. Marys, a historic small port town on Georgia’s south coast, take a local ferry to nearby Cumberland Island, the largest wilderness island in the country. Inhabited by Timucuan Indians for more than 3,000 years, the island was also host to British colonists, Spanish missionaries, and the Carnegies, who owned most of the island from the late 19th century. In 1972, the federal government purchased the island and established the Cumberland Island National Seashore in order to protect the unique wildlife. During our visit, we will explore Cumberland’s historic sites, as well as the rich bird and animal life, in the company of park rangers. (B,L,D)

November 16 - Brunswick, Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island
Today, explore Jekyll and St. Simons Islands, two of Georgia’s famed Golden Isles. In 1886 a group of millionaires from the north bought Jekyll Island as a winter retreat and built the Jekyll Island Club, whose members included Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Astors. These illustrious members erected stately mansions—which were called "cottages"—around the imposing club and are remarkably preserved today. In 1947 Georgia purchased the island and the estates and subsequently turned the area into a state park. On scenic St. Simons Island, visit the archaeological site of Fort Frederica, where Spanish and British troops battled in 1742, establishing Georgia as a British colony. Also visit the island’s lighthouse, rebuilt in 1872 and still operational today. Golfers may elect to play a round of golf at the Sea Island Golf Club, graced by majestic ocean vistas in the tradition of St. Andrews. (B,L,D)

November 17 - Brunswick, Cruising the Intracoastal Waterway
In the morning, enjoy time at leisure to explore Brunswick. Then spend the day enjoying the wildlife and scenery as Yorktown cruises along the Intracoastal Waterway. The Low Country is home to a multitude of birdlife and wildlife, including alligators and turtles that might be seen along the swamps, marshes, and sawgrass flats. (B,L,D)

November 18 - Savannah
Spend the day touring Savannah, Georgia’s oldest city, founded by James Oglethorpe in 1733. In December 1864, the city fell to General Sherman’s troops but was spared the destruction waged on other areas of Georgia during Sherman’s March to the Sea. Today the fine avenues and open spaces that Oglethorpe planned form the cornerstone of the three-square-mile historic district, which features over 1,000 Federal and Regency buildings and 21 verdant squares. A tour includes the Davenport House, an elegant Federal-style home that presides over the northwest corner of Columbia Square. In the afternoon enjoy time at leisure to stroll among the lovely streets and squares. Golfers will enjoy playing The Club at Savannah Harbor, an 18-hole masterpiece created by architect Robert Cupp surrounded by tidal marshes and abundant wildlife. (B,L,D)

November 19 - Beaufort, South Carolina
Set amid an estuary in the interior Sea Islands, Beaufort is steeped in beauty and in history. Explore Beaufort’s downtown area, a designated National Historic Landmark whose unique, antebellum architecture has been remarkably preserved. Golfers will transfer to Hilton Head Island to play the worldfamous Harbour Town Golf Links. (B,L,D)

November 20 - Charleston
Spend the day in Charleston, one of the East Coast’s loveliest cities. A prosperous, cosmopolitan seaport from colonial times, it was here in Charleston’s harbor that Confederate troops first fired upon Fort Sumter, thus starting the Civil War. Tour Charleston’s extensive historic district. Visit Drayton Hall, a National Historic Landmark and a National Trust Historic Site and the oldest surviving example of Georgian Palladian architecture in the United States. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, or drive to historic Middleton Place, a carefully preserved 18th-century plantation that is a National Historic Landmark. Situated on the Ashley River, the property includes the House Museum, built in 1755 as the gentlemen’s guest quarters, and 65 acres of magnificent gardens. Golfers will have the opportunity to play the famed Links at Stono Ferry, where the 1779 Battle at Stono Ferry was fought on the very grounds where you will tee off. (B,L,D)

November 21 - Charleston, Disembark, Fly Home
Disembark and transfer to the airport for return flights. (B)

2014 Itinerary
Saturday, November 8, 2014 - Charleston, South Carolina, Embark
Arrive in Charleston, South Carolina, and transfer to Yorktown. (D)

Sunday, November 9 - Charleston
Spend the day in Charleston, a prosperous, cosmopolitan seaport from colonial times. Tour the city's extensive historic district, including the 18th-century Heyward-Washington House; the Calhoun Mansion; and the Nathaniel Russell House. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure exploring the area's secluded beaches, or drive to historic Middleton Place, a carefully preserved 18th-century plantation that is a National Historic Landmark. Situated on the Ashley River, the property includes the House Museum, built in 1755 as the gentlemen's guest quarters, and 65 acres of magnificent gardens. (B,L,D)

Monday, November 10 - Beaufort
Today we call in elegant Beaufort. Set amid an estuary in the interior Sea Islands, Beaufort is steeped in beauty and history and filled with impressive historic and cultural sites. Visit the downtown area, a designated National Historic Landmark. Nature enthusiasts can explore nearby Hunting Island, a pristine state park filled with wildlife including egrets, osprey, herons, and loggerhead turtles. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, November 11 - Savannah, Georgia
Call at Savannah, Georgia's oldest city, founded by James Oglethorpe in 1733. Today the fine avenues and open spaces that Oglethorpe planned form the cornerstone of the three-square-mile historic district, which features over 1,000 Federal and Regency buildings and 21 verdant squares. A tour includes the Davenport House, an elegant Federal-style home that presides over the northwest corner of Columbia Square; the opulent Owens-Thomas House; and the Romanesque Cotton Exchange. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, November 12 - At Sea
Enjoy the wildlife and scenery along the coast, as well as lectures aboard ship, as Yorktown cruises to Brunswick. (B,L,D)

Thursday, November 13 - Brunswick, Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Brunswick
From Brunswick, explore Jekyll and St. Simons Islands, two of Georgia's Golden Isles. In 1886 a group of millionaires bought the island as a winter retreat and built the Jekyll Island Club, whose members included Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Morgans. These illustrious members erected stately mansions—called “cottages”—around the imposing club and are remarkably preserved today. On scenic St. Simons Island, visit the archaeological site of Fort Frederica, where Spanish and British troops battled in 1742. Also visit the island's lighthouse, rebuilt in 1872. Alternatively, travel to Little St. Simons Island, a premier destination for admirers of wildlife. More than 280 species of birds have been recorded on this small island, not to mention its abundance of alligators and dolphins as well as rare flora. (B,L,D)

Friday, November 14 - St. Marys, Cumberland Island
From St. Marys, take a local ferry to nearby Cumberland Island, the largest wilderness island in the country. Inhabited by Mocama Indians for more than 4,000 years, the island was also host to British colonists, Spanish missionaries, and the Carnegies, who owned most of the island from the late 19th century and built several mansions that are still standing. In 1972, the federal government established the Cumberland Island National Seashore in order to protect the unique wildlife. During our visit, we will explore Cumberland's historic sites, as well as the rich bird and animal life, in the company of park rangers. (B,L,D)

Saturday, November 15 - Jacksonville, Florida, Disembark
Disembark Yorktown after breakfast. (B)