Silversea Luxury Cruises À CHARLESTON (South Carolina)

Discover the legacy of Charleston cuisine and secrets to preparing it during this informative, half-day tasting and cooking excursion with lunch.

Charleston, Walking and Tasting Tour

Depart the pier for a guided, approximately 1.5-hour tasting tour of Charleston. Along the way, learn about the rich history of the city and the way Charleston cuisine is related to that history during a series of tasting stops at some downtown culinary gems.

History of Charleston Cuisine

Charleston is rich in both history and food. The rice grown here in the 1700s and 1800s made this city the wealthiest in Colonial America. This wealth allowed the planters who grew the rice, and the merchants and factors who marketed and transported it, to entertain lavishly with sumptuous banquets. The enslaved Africans who were brought here to work the rice fields brought with them the sweet potato, benne seed, okra and collard greens, among other southern favourites. Along with settlers from England, Charleston's population included French Huguenots, Sephardic Jews, and settlers from Germany, Scotland and Ireland. All of these groups contributed to Charleston cuisine. Some lowcountry favourites include biscuits with butter and honey, Huguenot torte, shrimp and grits, and okra Gumbo.

Lowcountry Cuisine Cooking Demonstration with Lunch

The highlight of the tour is a three-course cooking demonstration with lunch conducted by a renowned Charleston chef. Watch as the chef prepares a lunch of lowcountry cuisine for your entire group, and pairs each course with the ideal wine. Afterward, proceed for lunch consisting of the meal you have watched being prepared. At the conclusion of this lowcountry culinary experience, commence the short walk back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 600 yards (about 549 metres), at times over uneven and cobblestone surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate at the sites visited. 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. Guests must be at least 21 years old to participate in tastings of alcoholic beverages. The tour sequence may vary. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment.

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.

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.

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking for approximately 600 yards (about 549 metres), at times over uneven and grassy surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and board/de-board the trolley, and five steps at the Tea Factory. 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.

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, artefacts and craft exhibits.

Middleton Place, House Museum, Middleton Archives and Collections Storage Room, Gift Shop

Next, proceed for a special, behind-the-ropes tour of the remaining flanker of Middleton House, which is furnished with heirlooms from the Middleton family. Along the way, explore the Middleton family's history through the important house museum collections, examine seldom-seen objects such as an 18th-century clothing collection, and view additional photographs and collections not on display to the general public in the Middleton Archives and Collections storage room. 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.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 0.76 miles (about 1.22 kilometres), at times over uneven surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and 20 steps at Middleton Place. 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. Photography and videography are prohibited inside Middleton House. The tour sequence may vary. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Discover the southern beauty, charm and romance of the 'Forest City' during this delightful, full-day sightseeing excursion to Savannah with lunch.

Savannah, Tree-Lined Squares

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately two-hour drive to Georgia's most historic city, Savannah. This lovely city is also known as the 'Forest City', alluding to the many trees lining her elegant collection of historic squares. During your visit, explore and relive the romance of Savannah's fabled history, and enjoy some of the most picturesque architecture to be found in the southern U.S.

Historic District, River Street Waterfront, 13th-Colony, Factor's Walk, Cathedral, Lunch

Upon arrival at the Savannah Visitors' Centre, take a guided walking/driving tour of the Historic District. Stroll along the River Street waterfront, where blocks of old cotton warehouses have been converted into shops, inns and restaurants. Along the way, discover the origins of the 13th-Colony, cobblestoned Factor's Walk and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and pass by restored, 18th-century and 19th-century warehouses and homes. Afterward, proceed for lunch at the River House restaurant.

Victorian District, Homes, Diverse Architectural Styles, Davenport House, Free Time

Your visit to Savannah concludes with a tour of Davenport House, a beautiful mansion built by master builder Isaiah Davenport in the Federal style in 1820. Following your tour, some free time is made available to explore the city at your leisure. At the conclusion of your visit, meet your coach at Barnard/Bryan and commence the approximately two-hour drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 531 yards (about 581 metres), at times over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and at Davenport House. This tour is not suitable for guests prone to motion sickness, 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. Guests must be at ten years old to participate on this tour. The driving distance between the pier and Savannah is approximately two hours in each direction. The tour sequence may vary. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment.

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.

Our Simply Hotel selection is the perfect choice for those who want a centrally located setting from which to discover - or rediscover - the city. Rooms in these 4.5 and 5-star properties are generally Standard Double or King rooms that provide comfortable accommodations and superior service for those who wish to extend their trip with a cultural or shopping experience in some of the world's most iconic cities.

For your convenience, we can easily organize transfers between the airport and hotel or between the hotel and the pier so that you only have to decide how much or how little you wish to do.

Hotel brands that we consistently feature include Intercontinental, JW Marriott, Fairmont or the Conrad Group.

Grande Hotel is for those who want to begin or prolong their Silversea holiday - luxury accommodations, exclusive service and impeccable attention to detail in style. Grande Hotel guests appreciate the finer things in life. These properties have been chosen not only for their prime location but for their outstanding service and their exceptional quality.

For your convenience, we can easily organize transfers between the airport and hotel or between the hotel and the pier so that you only have to decide how much or how little you wish to do.

Hotel groups that are frequently featured in our program include Shangri-La, Four Seasons, Peninsula or Fairmont to name just a few.

Belmond Charleston Place

Located at the very heart of downtown Charleston, in the historic district and within walking distance of all the major attractions, Belmond Charleston Place is the perfect base for a city adventure. We effortlessly blend gentility and old-world charm with a leading-edge spa and innovative cuisine. With over 434 rooms and 80 club level suites on property, in addition to the award winning Charleston Grill, guests will be able to sit back and relax for an unforgettable escape.