Planning holiday to Savannah and Charleston USA - thoughts/ tips please?

rosieprimrose

We are thinking about doing a 2 centre trip to Savannah and Charleston in September or October, flying into Atlanta.

Does anyone have recommendations about where to stay/ what to do or things to avoid? Or any advice at all..........

Thank you.

mandm65

Two years ago we drove from New York to Florida and drove through Savannah and Charleston, beautiful places they are. Unfortunately we did not spend much time there to explore fully as kids were in hurry to reach Florida. Anyway we stayed in the HolidayInn Express, basic yet functional place to stay for short-term.

shaun_from_Africa

If you've not yet booked your tickets to Atlanta and you don't mind not going there, I have one bit of advice.

Atlanta airport can be a bit of a nightmare getting in and out of (I've done it a few times), and when I now head to that part of the USA, I always fly into Charlotte NC.

It's a small international airport, and it's very close to the 2 places that you intend to visit, and once landed, you can be out of the airport very quickly.

There are flights direct from Gatwick or Heathrow.
You have to use US airways or AA which aren't everyones cup of tea, but I've never had a problem with them.

rorylando45

I drove from Chapel Hill NC to Miami FL in March 2010 and we stopped overnight in Savannah. Didn't get to see that much of it, but what did we see was absolutely beautiful. I think it's particularly nice in Spring, but should also be really nice when you're planning to go.

Backbiter

Went to Savannah a couple of years ago. Loved the place and would definitely go back. Stayed in the Hampton Inn which was terrific. Superb location, great value and service and had a rooftop pool with lovely views.

It was sweltering, though (in July).

realaledrinker

OMG second the warning about Atlanta airport. You have to claim your bags then check them in again (!!!!!!?) then go through immigration then pick em up again (or something like that anyway!!!) Atlanta is worth it though, just for the MLK Historic sites.

We stayed in Hilton Head three years ago, kind of half way between Savannah & Charleston. Great beaches and golf. Also Daufuskie Island and the strange tale of the Gullah people:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullah

Lots of plantations to explore which really brings to life the Ole South and the antebellum way of life.

Make sure you takle in a walking tour. This guy was brilliant:

http://www.exploresavannah.com/index.html

neilbond007

realaledrinker wrote: »

OMG second the warning about Atlanta airport. You have to claim your bags then check them in again (!!!!!!?) then go through immigration then pick em up again (or something like that anyway!!!)

You have to do that at all US airports when arriving from foreign shores!

I was meant to be going to Savannah next week but the weather forecast was nasty so I'm on holiday this week! In Virginia Beach, VA.

I was going to stay in the Hampton Suites Midtown in the Hospitality suite (2 rooms, big wet bar). Got a friend that lives in Savannah. He loves it. Easy reach to Hilton Head as mentioned previously.

shaun_from_Africa

You have to do that at all US airports when arriving from foreign shores!

Agreed, but the difference with doing it at Atlanta airport is that due to the sheer size of the place and passenger numbers going through (Atlanta airport has been the worlds busiest each year for well over a decade), the process of getting off a plane to finally getting out of the airport can be a horrendous experience.

Last time I did it, it took 3 1/2 hours, with 2 of these waiting to get through immigration.
The UKBA has had bad press recently due to the delays at immigration at UK airports, but trust me, getting through Gatwick or Heathrow is a breeze compared to Atlanta.

I know that surveys are often misleading, but this one has plenty of commments about the queues and delays there.
http://www.airlinequality.com/Airports/Airport_forum/atl.htm

neilbond007

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Agreed, but the difference with doing it at Atlanta airport is that due to the sheer size of the place and passenger numbers going through (Atlanta airport has been the worlds busiest each year for well over a decade), the process of getting off a plane to finally getting out of the airport can be a horrendous experience.

Last time I did it, it took 3 1/2 hours, with 2 of these waiting to get through immigration.
The UKBA has had bad press recently due to the delays at immigration at UK airports, but trust me, getting through Gatwick or Heathrow is a breeze compared to Atlanta.

I know that surveys are often misleading, but this one has plenty of commments about the queues and delays there.
http://www.airlinequality.com/Airports/Airport_forum/atl.htm

I agree completely with the advice of flying in to Charlotte. Just pointing out that the procedure outlined was in fact standard.

Can I also add Newark to airports to avoid?

Coolhandluke

rosieprimrose wrote: »

We are thinking about doing a 2 centre trip to Savannah and Charleston in September or October, flying into Atlanta.

Does anyone have recommendations about where to stay/ what to do or things to avoid? Or any advice at all..........

Thank you.

Let us know whats the best return airfares you can find.

Make-it-3

You'll probably find better fares to Atlanta tho, because there is more competition on that route.

We did a round trip Atlanta-Charleston-Savannah-St Simeon Island-Brunswick-Atlanta a few years ago. I found Charleston a bit twee, but Savannah is just gorgeous and has lots of layers (definately read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil before you go). Atlanta is worth a day or two - we went to see the Olympic Park, CNN centre, Coke museum and did some shopping. Also, if you want a bit of beach time the coast is lovely and uncrowded. We went in early May so weather was just perfect, would be quite humid in summer.