Mon, Apr 13: Arrive in Charleston, South Carolina. Have lunch and time for shopping on your own at Charleston’s historic City Market. Meet the locals, savor the local cuisine and find the highly sought after sweetgrass baskets—once made to winnow rice but today are works of art. Experience the city by carriage ride and see the historic downtown district and the mansions, gardens, churches, and parks that make her famous. Check into your centrally located Historic District hotel before rejoining the group for some delicious upscale Lowcountry cuisine at a local restaurant. (Meal: Dinner)

Tue, Apr 14: After an included breakfast at the hotel depart for the renowned Magnolia Plantation. Founded in 1676 by the Drayton family, the plantation has survived centuries and witnessed the history of our country from before the American Revolution. It is the oldest public tourist site in the Lowcountry and the oldest un-restored public gardens in America. After exploring the magnificent gardens, tour the Plantation House and learn the history of plantation life and Drayton family ownership, then take a guided tram tour of the plantation’s diverse landscapes, lakes, marshes, and woodlands. The remainder of the day is yours to explore at your leisure! Charleston has many opportunities for history buffs, sun-seekers, art lovers and foodies alike. An optional excursion will be offered to further explore the extensive military history in the area. Visit the nearby Patriot’s Point Naval & Maritime Museum and take a guided tour aboard the centerpiece, the WWII aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. (B)

Wed, Apr 15: This morning, a short drive takes you to tour the beautiful grounds at the Charleston Tea Garden on Wadmalaw Island, the oldest tea garden in North America. View acres of tea plants as far as the eye can see, learn first-hand how tea is processed and made during an informative factory tour, ride a trolley through the tea fields, stop by the greenhouse to learn how tea is grown, and help yourself to all the iced or hot tea you can drink. Next, return to the city and tour the Nathaniel Russell House, offering a glimpse into the lives of the mercantile elite who flourished in the late Colonial and early Federal period, the artisans and craftspeople they hired to build and adorn their opulent homes, and the enslaved men and women whose labor made possible their lavish lifestyles. Move on to the nearby Aiken-Rhett House where you’ll learn about the lives of the Governor and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. The house and its surviving furnishings offer a compelling portrait of life in antebellum times. Spend the evening on a dinner cruise touring the beautiful Charleston Harbor. (B,L,D)

Thu, Apr 16: Enjoy a leisurely morning before checking out of the hotel. Prior to departing for the airport savor a private culinary walking tour. An expert local guide will take you on a narrative journey, sharing the tales of the city and its food while you taste your way through Lowcountry cuisine. Indulge in a variety of flavors and create lasting memories of your time in beautiful Charleston! Return to Indianapolis in the afternoon. (B,L)