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Overview

SOUTHERN CHARM HOLIDAY
Charleston
Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2026
American Tours image
American Tours
$4,349
Deposit: $698

About your trip

TRIP OVERVIEW

Destination: Charleston, South Carolina • Savannah, Georgia • Jekyll Island, Georgia
Travel Dates: November 30 – December 6, 2026
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Primary Departure Airport: Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) — Alternate airports available upon request
Tour Operator: Collette Vacations
Travel Style: Fly & Ride – Fully Escorted Group Tour
Activity Level: Level 2 – Moderate
Price: $4,349 per person (double)

WHAT'S INCLUDED at a GLANCE

  • Roundtrip Airfare from select airports

  • 6 Nights Hotel Accommodations in Charleston, Savannah, and Jekyll Island

  • 8 Included Meals

  • Charleston City Market & Boone Hall Plantation Tour

  • Choice Touring in Charleston and Savannah

  • Holiday Lights Tour at James Island County Park

  • Mercer Williams House Tour

  • Visit to Pin Point Heritage Museum

  • Two-Night Stay at the Historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel

  • Jekyll Island Historic Landmark District Tram Tour

  • Professional Collette Tour Manager

  • Sightseeing, admissions, and transfers per itinerary

DESCRIPTIVE OVERVIEW

Celebrate the holiday season with a festive journey through some of the most charming destinations in the American South. From the cobblestone streets of Charleston to the moss-draped squares of Savannah and the coastal elegance of Jekyll Island, this tour captures the warmth, traditions, and hospitality that define Southern holiday celebrations.

Begin your experience in historic Charleston, where centuries-old architecture, bustling markets, and beautifully decorated homes create a magical seasonal atmosphere. Explore one of America’s oldest public markets, tour the famous Boone Hall Plantation, and enjoy the glow of thousands of holiday lights at James Island County Park.

Continue to the enchanting city of Savannah, known for its picturesque squares, stately mansions, and romantic riverfront. Discover the city’s unique character through guided sightseeing and choice touring options before visiting the famed Mercer Williams House, one of Savannah’s most iconic historic homes.

Your journey concludes on Georgia’s beautiful Golden Isles with a two-night stay at the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Once a private retreat for some of America’s most influential families, the resort offers a timeless setting for the holidays. Enjoy island touring, festive caroling, and a memorable farewell dinner celebrating the spirit of the season.

This tour package is operated by Collette Vacations, providing a professionally escorted travel experience led by an experienced Collette Tour Manager who oversees the day-to-day travel experience, coordinates sightseeing, and ensures the tour runs smoothly throughout the journey.

American Tours coordinates travel arrangements for our guests and assists with the overall travel experience. Select departures may include an American Tours Host once minimum participation levels are reached, providing additional on-site support and a familiar presence for travelers throughout the journey.

Highlights:

Experience the beauty and traditions of the American South during the holiday season as you explore historic cities, festive lights, and timeless coastal destinations.

  • Charleston City Market and Gullah Sweetgrass Basket Tradition

  • Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens Tour

  • Choice of Touring in Charleston: Historic Walking Tour or Fort Sumter Harbor Cruise

  • Holiday Lights Tour at James Island County Park

  • Savannah Historic District Touring

  • Choice of Touring in Savannah: Narrated Trolley Tour or Haunted Walking Tour

  • Guided Tour of the Mercer Williams House

  • Pin Point Heritage Museum – Gullah Geechee Cultural Experience

  • Visit to St. Simons Island Village

  • Two-Night Stay at the Historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel

  • Jekyll Island Historic Landmark District Tram Tour

  • Holiday Caroling & Farewell Dinner Celebration

Itinerary:

Celebrate the holiday season with a charming journey through Charleston, Savannah, and Jekyll Island, where historic cities, coastal beauty, and festive traditions come together in classic Southern style.

DAY 1: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2026

Arrival in Charleston, South Carolina - Your holiday journey begins as you arrive in Charleston, one of the most elegant and historic cities in the American South. Known for its rich heritage and enduring charm, Charleston has survived wars, fires, earthquakes, and hurricanes while maintaining its timeless grace. After arrival, settle into your hotel in the Historic District and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. If arriving early, you may wish to explore Charleston on your own, perhaps visiting Patriot’s Point Naval Museum or the Aiken-Rhett House.

  • Arrival in Charleston, South Carolina

  • Leisure time to explore Charleston’s Historic District

  • Optional visits to local attractions such as Patriot’s Point Naval Museum or Aiken-Rhett House

  • Included Meals: None

  • Overnight: Charleston, SC

DAY 2: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2026

Charleston Sightseeing & Holiday Lights -Begin the day with a visit to the historic Charleston City Market, one of the oldest public markets in the United States and a center for the beautiful Gullah sweetgrass basket tradition. Continue to Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens, one of America’s oldest working plantations, where you will explore the grounds and gain historical insight into the region’s past. Later, choose how you would like to experience Charleston — either on a walking tour through hidden alleys and charming historic streets with a local guide, or on a harbor cruise to Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers before experiencing a magical holiday lights display at James Island County Park.

  • Visit Charleston City Market

  • Tour Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens

  • Choice of Touring:

    • Guided Walking Tour of Charleston’s Historic District

    • Harbor Cruise to Fort Sumter

  • Welcome Dinner with fellow travelers

  • Holiday Lights Tour at James Island County Park

  • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Overnight: Charleston, SC

DAY 3: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2026

Charleston to Savannah, Georgia - Enjoy a relaxed morning to explore Charleston at your own pace. You may wish to join an optional horse-drawn carriage tour with lunch. Later, travel through South Carolina’s scenic Low Country as you make your way to the charming coastal city of Savannah, Georgia. This evening, explore the lively River Street area and historic Factors Walk before gathering for dinner and a cooking demonstration highlighting regional Southern cuisine.

  • Morning leisure time in Charleston

  • Optional Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour with lunch

  • Scenic drive through South Carolina’s Low Country

  • Arrival in historic Savannah, Georgia

  • Free time along River Street and Factors Walk

  • Cooking Demonstration and Dinner featuring regional cuisine

  • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Overnight: Savannah, GA

DAY 4: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2026

Savannah Touring - Today discover the historic beauty of Savannah, one of the South’s most picturesque cities. Choose how you would like to explore: ride through the Historic District aboard a nostalgic narrated trolley, or take a walking tour focused on Savannah’s haunted history. Both experiences showcase the city’s moss-draped oaks, elegant squares, and historic mansions. Your tour concludes with a guided visit to the Mercer Williams House, famously featured in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is yours to explore Savannah at leisure.

  • Choice of Touring:

    • Narrated Trolley Tour of Savannah’s Historic District

    • Savannah Haunted History Walking Tour

  • Guided tour of the Mercer Williams House

  • Free afternoon and evening in Savannah

  • Included Meals: Breakfast

  • Overnight: Savannah, GA

DAY 5: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2026

Savannah - St. Simons Island - Jekyll Island - This morning, stop at the Pin Point Heritage Museum to learn about the rich culture and traditions of the Gullah Geechee people. Continue south to Georgia’s beautiful Golden Isles, visiting charming St. Simons Island where you will have time to explore the village shops and coastal scenery. Later, arrive at the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel, once a private retreat for America’s most influential families, where you will spend the next two nights.

  • Visit the Pin Point Heritage Museum

  • Travel to Georgia’s scenic Golden Isles

  • Free time to explore St. Simons Island village

  • Arrival at the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel

  • Included Meals: Breakfast

  • Overnight: Jekyll Island, GA

DAY 6: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2026

Jekyll Island Touring & Holiday Celebration - Enjoy a relaxing morning on beautiful Jekyll Island. You may choose to take a complimentary tour of the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel or simply enjoy the festive atmosphere of this beautifully decorated resort. Later, board a tram for a guided tour of the island and the Jekyll Island Historic Landmark District, one of the nation’s largest restoration projects. This evening, celebrate the holiday season with Christmas caroling and refreshments before joining your fellow travelers for a memorable farewell dinner.

  • Morning leisure time at Jekyll Island Club Hotel

  • Optional tour of the historic hotel

  • Tram tour of Jekyll Island and Historic Landmark District

  • Holiday caroling and refreshments

  • Farewell Dinner with fellow travelers

  • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Overnight: Jekyll Island, GA

DAY 7: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2026

Jekyll Island - Jacksonville - Return Home - As your holiday journey comes to a close, depart Jekyll Island and travel to Jacksonville, Florida for your return flight home. Take with you wonderful memories of historic Southern cities, festive holiday traditions, and the gracious hospitality that defines the American South.

  • Transfer to Jacksonville, Florida

  • Return flight home

  • Included Meals: Breakfast

Available "In-Tour" Options

Personalize your travel experience by adding the optional activity below. These experiences are designed to enhance your time in Charleston and provide additional opportunities to explore the city’s rich history and culture.

Optional activities must be reserved using the Prepaid Options Form provided with your travel documents. Availability is limited and reservations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Payment must be received no later than 15 days prior to departure. Prices are subject to change.

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Historic Charleston Carriage Ride & Southern BBQ Lunch = $129 Per Person

Discover beautiful Charleston on a classic horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic district. Relax and enjoy the city’s timeless charm as your carriage driver shares stories and historical insights while passing elegant mansions, churches, gardens, and parks.

Following the carriage tour, enjoy a traditional Southern barbeque lunch, featuring regional flavors and hospitality that are staples of Charleston’s culinary culture.

Duration: Approximately 3 Hours
Minimum Participation: 15 Passengers
Transportation: Included

Overnight Accommodations:

Enjoy comfortable stays in well-located hotels that place you close to the historic districts and coastal charm of the American South while experiencing the holiday season in Charleston, Savannah, and Jekyll Island.

6 Nights Hotel Accommodations
Nights 1 & 2 - Emeline Hotel Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina

Nights 3 & 4 - Cambria Savannah Historic District, Savannah, Georgia

Nights 5 & 6 - Jekyll Island Club Resort, Jekyll Island, Georgia

In the event of unforeseen circumstances, a comparable hotel of equal quality may be substituted.

Pricing & Tour Details:

Double Occupancy: $4,349 Per Person 

Single Occupancy:  $5,349 Per Person 

Triple Occupancy:  $4,299 Per Person  

Tour pricing does not include Collette Vacations' optional Travel Protection Plan (TPP) or travel insurance.

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DEPOSIT & FINAL PAYMENT

Deposit Required at Registration: $698 per person
Final Payment Due: August 30, 2026

A deposit is required at the time of registration to secure your reservation. All reservations are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. We are unable to hold space without completed registration and deposit.

NO RISK DEPOSIT – NO CHANGE FEES: Deposits & TPP payments for any New Bookings made for this tour are fully refundable until 180 days prior to departure. 

Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

Flexible Payment Options
After submitting your deposit, you may log into your secure WeTravel reservation account at any time and make additional payments toward your balance. Travelers may also choose to set up automatic payments or a scheduled payment plan, allowing the remaining balance to be divided into smaller payments leading up to the final payment due date.

Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

Credit card and ACH (bank draft) payments are processed through our secure WeTravel Reservation Platform. If paying by check, please make checks payable to American Tours.

Credit card or bank statements will reflect: WT* SOUTHERN CHARM HOL.

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PRICING INCLUDES

  • Round Trip Airfare (Airport HUB: DFW, IAH, or SAT Airports)

  • 6 Nights Hotel Accommodations

  • 9 Meals (6 Breakfasts & 3 Dinners)

  • Professional Collette Tour Manager

  • Deluxe Motor-Coach Transportation during the tour

  • Sightseeing and Admissions per Itinerary

  • Hotel Transfers

  • Baggage Handling at Hotels

  • Transportation within 125 miles of DFW, IAH, or SAT Airports (~please call for details~)

  • Complimentary Secured Parking at American Tours (~if needed~)

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AIR TRAVEL INFORMATION

Air schedules may not be available until Final Trip Documentation is released 21 days prior to trip date.

Airline baggage fees and seat assignment fees are not included in the tour price.

Many airlines do not provide advance seat assignments until check-in at the airport.

If airline choice or specific seat assignments are extremely important, we recommend booking the Land-Only option and arranging your own flights. Land-only requests must be made at the time of reservation.

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IMPORTAN CONDITIONS / NOTES

Itinerary and hotels are subject to change.

American Tours hosting is confirmed once minimum participation levels are reached for this departure.

Tour Activity Level 2:

This section helps travelers understand the general physical activity required during the tour.

This tour is rated Level 2 on our activity scale (Level 1 = most demanding, Level 4 = easiest).

This tour requires a moderate level of physical activity. Travelers should be comfortable walking reasonable distances during sightseeing tours, exploring historic districts, and navigating areas with uneven surfaces such as cobblestone streets.

Participants should be able to stand for periods of time during guided tours and walk short distances between transportation, attractions, and hotel entrances.

This tour may include some stairs and walking through historic areas where elevators or escalators may not always be available.

Guests should be in good general health and able to keep pace with the group during included activities. Due to the physical demands of this itinerary, guests must be able to participate independently without the use of mobility aids such as walkers or motorized scooters.

Air Travel Information:

Air travel for this tour is arranged by Collette Vacations and is included in the tour package for guests selecting the air-inclusive option.

Flights typically depart from Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), or San Antonio International Airport (SAT). Alternate departure airports may be available upon request. Please contact American Tours for details.

Airline schedules are generally confirmed when Final Travel Documents are released by Premier World Discovery approximately 21 days prior to tour departure.

Airline seat assignments and baggage fees are not included in the tour price and are determined by each airline’s policies. Some airlines do not allow advance seat assignments until airport check-in.

If airline choice or specific seating arrangements are extremely important to you, we recommend booking the Land-Only option and arranging your own flights. Requests for Land-Only reservations must be made at the time of booking.

Passport & Date Of Birth Information:

A valid government-issued photo ID is required for all air travel within the United States. The name on your airline reservation must match the name shown on your identification.

Beginning May 7, 2025, travelers flying within the United States must present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, at airport security checkpoints.

Dates of birth are required at the time of reservation for airline ticketing purposes.

Passengers are responsible for ensuring they have the proper identification required for air travel.

Optional Travel Protection:

COLLETE VACATIONS' TRAVEL PROTECTION PLAN = $429 Per Person

The Travel Protection Plan must be purchased at the time of registration along with the initial deposit.

Travel Protection is strongly recommended to protect your investment in the event you need to cancel your trip or experience unexpected travel interruptions.

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IF TRAVEL PROTECTION IS PURCHASED

The Collette Travel Protection Plan provides the following benefits:

  • Cancellation Waiver – Allows cancellation for any reason prior to departure and provides a refund of all payments made for the tour (excluding the Travel Protection Plan fee itself).

  • Travel Insurance Coverage – Includes additional protection such as trip interruption coverage, baggage protection, medical coverage, and emergency travel assistance during your trip.

  • Airfare Protection – Covers airline tickets purchased through Collette under the terms of the plan.

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IF TRAVEL PROTECTION IS NOT PURCHASED

If the Travel Protection Plan is not purchased, cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees:

  • Cancel 90–16 days prior to departure: 40% of total tour price

  • Cancel 15–1 days prior to departure: 75% of total tour price

  • Cancel on the day of departure or after: 100% of total tour price

Airfare is 100% non-refundable once tickets have been issued and paid in full.

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IMPORTANT NOTES

  • Travel Protection must be purchased at the time of deposit to be valid.

  • The Travel Protection Plan fee itself is non-refundable.

  • Full plan details, coverage terms, and exclusions are available through Collette.

How To Book:

ONLINE REGISTRATION

You may register securely online 24 hours a day by clicking the green “Book Now” button.

During the online registration process you will:

  • Complete the reservation form

  • Submit your required $400 per person deposit

  • Provide passenger information needed for air travel, including Date of Birth

Deposits may be paid by credit card, bank card, or bank draft. Once your reservation is completed, you will immediately receive a booking confirmation email.

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MAIL-IN REGISTRATION

To register by mail, click the “Download Brochure” button to download the Premier World Discovery Color Brochure and Registration Form.

Complete the registration form and mail it with your deposit to the address listed on the form.

Your reservation will be confirmed once your deposit is received and processed by American Tours, and a confirmation email will be sent to you.

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PAYMNET INFORMATION

American Tours accepts the following forms of payment:

  • Credit Card or Debit Card

  • Bank Draft (ACH)

  • Personal Check (processed electronically as Bank Draft)

Important:

  • Credit and debit card payments include a processing fee

  • Bank Draft (ACH) payments do not include additional processing fees.

For simplicity and to avoid processing fees, many guests choose Bank Draft (ACH).

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PHONE REGISTRATION

For security and legal compliance, registrations are not accepted over the phone.

What's included

Airport Transportation

Transportation to/from DFW International Airport.

Round Trip Flights

Flights in/out of DFW International (DFW). *** Other Airport Hubs are possible. Please call our office for details. ***

Hotel Transfers

From airport to/from hotel.

Group Transportation

Group Transportation provided to facilitate completion of itinerary provided by Collette Vacations.

9 Meals

6 Breakfasts & 3 Dinners.

Lodging

6 Nights Lodging (additional information provided above in "OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS" section).

Admissions & Sightseeing

Per Itinerary

Tour Director

Provided by Collette Vacations. (Will meet passengers at Baggage Claim Area after landing at destination.)

What's not included

Travel Protection

Collette's "Travel Protection Plan (TPP)" is explained & offered later in the registration process.

Airline Checked Bag Fee

Unable to pass along information regarding possible "checked bag" fees until flights have been assigned 21 days prior to departure.

Gratuities

Tour Director, drivers, & local guides; allow $15 - $20 per day per traveler.

About your organizer

AT
American Tours
Thanks to all of you who have chosen to travel with us in the past. Welcome to those who enjoy the adventure and rewards of exploring new places, meeting new people and experiencing the personal attention to which we are committed. Our success is attributable to your satisfaction. We measure that success by the enjoyment, appreciation and learning you experience when you travel with us. We are a professional travel company, and have been taking trips for over 30 years! Join us as we traverse the globe and seek out exciting places to vi

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