DETAILS
Experience Georgia’s Lowcountry charm, culture, and cuisine in Savannah and Jekyll Island on this custom-designed itinerary enhanced by the insights of study leader John Meffert. Visit stately homes filled with art and antiques, view impressive museum collections, and dine in some of the finest restaurants in the Southeast, all while savoring the elegant sites and rich history of the Georgia coast. For architecture lovers, the tour offers a rich diversity, from Georgian mansions in Savannah to Gilded Age “cottages” on Jekyll Island. For art lovers, personal interaction with museum staff provides a very unique view on the region’s treasures. Stay in historic comfort at the River Street Inn, with a perfect Savannah location in an 1817 building.
- Pricing from
- $4,995
- Trip Type
- Closer to Home, Group Travel Tour
- Departure Dates
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Mar 22, 2026 - Mar 27, 2026
Accommodations at the River Street Inn
Unwind with stunning riverfront views and luxurious amenities at the National Trust for Historic Preservation Historic Hotels of America, River Street Inn. Ideally located along the scenic Savannah River in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District, the River Street Inn is just steps away from the city’s finest restaurants and landmarks. The best thing about River Street Inn is its historic charm combined with a vibrant riverside atmosphere. The cobblestone street, lined with restored 18th- and 19th-century warehouses, offers stunning views of the Savannah River, unique shops, and art galleries. You can watch massive cargo ships pass by, enjoy street performers, and take in the romantic Southern vibe that defines Savannah, the perfect retreat for history buffs and food lovers.
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John Meffert
John Meffert, consultant on Heritage Conservation Services, has a long tradition with the National Trust. He has served as the Director for our Southern Office and was the director of the Preservation Society of Charleston, the oldest nonprofit organization in the United States, responsible for preserving the historic resources of Charleston, S.C. John has delighted many study tour groups with his lectures and insights on preservation, and receives rave reviews as study leader.
Cancellation by participant must be made in writing to ISDI and is effective only upon acknowledged receipt by ISDI. There is a non-refundable registration and planning fee of $500 per person regardless of cancellation date.
ITINERARY
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day 1
Arrivals
Upon arrival in Savannah, transfer independently to the National Trust for Historic Preservation Historic Hotels of America, River Street Inn, your home for the next five evenings. Late this afternoon, join historian John Meffert for an opening lecture and overview of the days to follow. Then look at Savannah’s beautiful architectural heritage during a guided walking tour led by an expert architectural historian viewing key homes, buildings, and squares along the way. Then toast your arrival in Savannah at a welcome dinner.
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day 2
Savannah’s Historic Homes
Depart by trolley for a full day of touring the best historic sites in Savannah. Enjoy an in-depth tour of the beautiful Mercer-Williams House, one of the city’s most storied historic mansions, for a guided tour of its grand interior spaces. Pause for a delicious lunch of Low Country cuisine at a popular local restaurant. Choose between an afternoon at leisure or visiting the SCAD Museum, the main art venue of the growing and innovative Savannah College of Art and Design. Enjoy a student-led tour of the galleries and ongoing shows and learn about the college’s unique urban campus. The evening is free.
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day 3
Jekyll Island
Discover the fascinating history of Jekyll Island. At the end of the nineteenth century, many of the wealthiest men in America, including J.P. Morgan, Joseph Pulitzer, William Rockefeller, and Cornelius Vanderbilt, purchased the entire island as a hunting resort prized for its “splendid isolation.” Today Jekyll Island is part of Georgia’s Sea Isles and boasts “Millionaire’s Village”—240 acres of extravagant homes and winter cottages recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Following an architectural tour of the island, enjoy a delicious lunch. At the Jekyll Island Arts Association, housed in the historic Goodyear Cottage, meet local artists and enjoy free time for shopping. Before returning to Savannah, visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and learn about the turtles in its rehabilitation program. Return to Savannah in the late afternoon and the evening is at leisure.
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day 4
Savannah’s Art Scene
Begin today with a special visit to the Owens-Thomas House, where the Assistant Curator of Historical Interpretation will welcome the group before opening hours. Tour the grandiose mansion and Slave Quarters. Continue to the Telfair Academy, one of the nation’s oldest art museums, and tour the original historic collection with the Director of Curatorial Affairs. Next be welcomed by the Director to the contemporary Jepson Center and explore its art collections. Enjoy free time for lunch and shopping and independent sightseeing. In the late afternoon, enjoy an after-hours visit to the Green-Meldrim House, one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the south. Following a visit to this fascinating house museum, enjoy Southern hospitality with a relaxing lemonade reception on its wonderful porch. In the evening enjoy the company of your fellow travelers over dinner.
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day 5
Beaufort
Drive north to Beaufort, South Carolina, a picturesque old seaport with narrow streets shaded by huge live oaks and lined with 18th- and 19th-century homes famous for their unique Beaufort-style architecture. Beaufort’s history includes Spanish and French explorers, Native American inhabitants, British settlements, and significant Civil War battles. Beaufort was the second area in North America that was discovered by the Spanish and the site of the first fort on the continent (1525). A scenic, driving tour of the city takes you on a journey through the old town, exploring local history, architecture, horticulture, and Low Country life. Be guided by National Park rangers through Beaufort’s Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, and see important sites, including the 2024 Harriett Tubman statue and the Robert Smalls House exterior, owned by the National Trust. Following lunch in a local restaurant, visit the John Mark Verdier House, a remarkable example of Beaufort’s gracious antebellum architectural style. Enjoy strolls through many of the city’s most delightful neighborhoods including a stop in Port Royal to visit its Cypress Wetlands, a birdwatchers paradise! Return to Savannah in the late afternoon. Bid farewell to Savannah during a memorable dinner in the Olde Pink House, an exceptional local restaurant in a beautiful historic building.
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day 6
Departures
After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Davenport House Museum, one of the finest Federal-style houses in the United States, with delicate ironwork and a handsome elliptical stairway. Check out of the hotel. Transfer independently to the airport for return flights home.
Everything you need to know about the tour
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Be prepared with the National Trust Travel Plan
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