Silversea Luxury Cruises À CHARLESTON (South Carolina)

Discover a beautiful home and formal gardens dating from 1741 during this half-day, behind-the-scenes excursion to historic Middleton Place.

Charleston, Middleton Place, Formal Gardens, Stable Yards

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 45-minute drive to Middleton Place, a Registered National Historic Landmark and the plantation home of the Middleton family since 1741. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour through the magnificent Formal Gardens (the oldest in America) laid out by Henry Middleton in 1741. Afterward, explore the stable yards, a living outdoor museum where the behind-the-scenes story of life on an 18th-century plantation is told with animals, artifacts and craft exhibits.

Middleton Place & House Museum

Next, proceed for a special guided tour of the Middleton House, which is furnished with heirlooms from the Middleton family. Along the way, explore the family's history through the important house museum collections. These collections include magnificent portraits of the Middleton family including furnishings that would have been in the house in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Following your tour, some free time is made available to browse the gift shop. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 40-minute drive back to the pier.

Explore the only tea plantation in the United States during this memorable, half-day sightseeing excursion to the Charleston Tea Plantation.

Charleston, Marshlands, Live Oak-Canopied Roads, Sea Island

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 45-minute drive to the Charleston Tea Plantation. Nestled on a serene sea island near the historic city of Charleston, it is the only tea plantation in the United States. En route, drive across beautiful marshlands and along lovely, live oak-canopied roads. In addition, learn about the history of the large plantations that once occupied these islands, and hear stories of the unique culture and language of the sea island black people who worked these plantations.

Charleston Tea Plantation, Guided Trolley Tour, Tea Fields, Tea Factory, Gift Shop

Over 100 years ago, tea planters brought their finest tea bushes from China, India and Ceylon to the South Carolina low-country. Today, the descendants of those very plants are growing strong here. As you enter the Charleston Tea Plantation, see thousands of tea plants growing on acres-and-acres of rich, fertile, low-country soil. A guided stroll under the avenue of oaks takes you to the porch of the factory, which affords splendid panoramic views of the plantation. Afterward, take an informative, narrated trolley tour of the grounds and tea fields, and a walking tour of the Tea Factory. Following your tour, some free time is made available to browse the gift shop and for Tea Tasting

Farmland, Forests, St. John's Episcopal Church, Angel Oak

Next, re-board your coach and continue driving past rich farmland and lush forests, then pass by St. John's Episcopal Church en route to the Angel Oak, a 300-year-old live oak tree. After a photo stop here, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Experience a slice of life in 18th-century Charleston during this picturesque, half-day excursion through the old walled city section of Charles Towne.

Charleston, Old Powder Magazine, Churches, Dock St. Theatre, Four Corners of the Law

Depart the pier for a guided walking tour down lovely streets and lanes of the 1704 walled city of Charles Towne. Along the way, view the marvellous architecture of homes built more than a century ago, peek into the exquisite private gardens of this quaint old city, and savour the sweet aroma of tea olive and magnolia trees. Renowned landmarks to be seen include the Old Powder Magazine, St. Phillips Episcopal Church, Dock St. Theatre, Four Corners of the Law, Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, First Scots Presbyterian Church, and Rainbow Row.

Heyward Washington House, St. Michael's Episcopal Church

Highlights of your guided stroll include a special curator's tour of the Heyward-Washington House, c. 1772. This lovely home-turned-museum houses the finest collection of Charleston-made furniture in the city, and has one of the city's few remaining kitchen houses still in its original state. Following your tour, iced tea and benne cookies are served. Your Charleston experience concludes with a brief stop at St. Michael's Church, c.1761, before commencing the approximately 30-minute walk back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking for approximately one mile (about 1.6 kilometres), with a few steps to negotiate at the Heyward Washington House. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection and a sweater or light jacket from the ship. The tour sequence may vary. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Explore the wonderful old homes, buildings and churches of Charleston in a unique new way during this scenic, horse-drawn carriage excursion through this historic city.

Charleston, Horse-Drawn Carriage-Ride

Depart the pier for the short walk to the horse-carriage stand. Upon arrival, receive your safety and tour instructions, climb aboard the horse-drawn carriage and begin your guided tour through the streets of historic Charleston.

Beautifully-Restored, 18th-Century and 19th-Century Homes, Buildings and Churches

During this leisurely ride through the narrow streets and alleyways, pass by beautifully-restored, 18th century and 19th century homes, buildings and churches. Along the way, your guide relates 300 years of history to the accompaniment of horse's hooves clopping along the pavement. The scent of tea olive from nearby gardens lingers in the air whilst you take in wonderful views and photo opportunities of this lovely old city. At the conclusion of the tour, return to the horse-carriage stand and commence the short walk back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking for approximately 600 yards (about 549 metres), with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the carriage. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection and a sweater or light jacket from the ship. The carriages have to draw for their tour zone. There are five different zones; therefore, our description is very general for this tour. Regardless of the zone selected, guests see beautiful historic homes, churches and public buildings in all zones. The tour sequence may vary. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment.