Georgia & South Carolina

History comes thick and fast in the charming Southern states of Georgia and South Carolina. Residents will tell you that the Civil War general W.T. Sherman spared Savannah, Georgia, because of its beauty, a story easily believed when you walk through its rich Historic District, where parades of houses reveal 200 years of architectural styles. A particular favourite is the Owens-Thomas House, considered the best Regency-style house in America.

Savannah’s squares are at their best in spring, when the azalea, dogwood and magnolia trees are in full bloom. But even in the thick of an August heatwave, as greenery grows wildly up cast-iron balconies, Savannah’s charm is relentless. And if the mugginess gets too much, there’s a host of great restaurants in which to fortify yourself, many serving up classic Lowcountry fare such as fresh shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes and succulent roasted oysters.

Across the state border, Charleston is equally charming, with its colourful houses, cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages. A remarkable 73% of its pre-revolutionary buildings remain intact, making it the best-preserved colonial city in America. Around the city are several antebellum mansions now open to the public, including Magnolia, Drayton Hall and Boone Hall Plantation. While out in the harbour is historic Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.

Between these two cities are a string of alluring islands and breathtaking beaches. Closest to Savannah is Tybee Island, home to Georgia’s tallest and oldest lighthouse. Travelling north, both Hilton Head Island and Kiawah Island offer world-class hotels as well as miles of white-sand beaches. While just south of Charleston, Folly Beach teems with ocean-based attractions, including the 1,000-foot Folly Beach Pier, a pelican rookery and seafood restaurants of every stripe imaginable.

With so much action on the coast, it’s easy to forget Atlanta. But the so-called capital of the South has a lot to offer too, from the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola to a string of sites associated with the city’s most famous son, Martin Luther King Jr.