USA Travel Guide

Hard to believe the 2010 BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival is almost upon us. Feels like we’re still reeling from last year’s smorgasbord of Lowcountry opulence. Magnificent meals, tasty tidbits, luscious libations, celebrity sightings, it’s not quite the same as your local “Taste of…”

The Charleston Food + Wine Festival has fast become a major foodie event on America’s culinary calendar. Attendees come from all over the nation, as do award-winning and celebrity chefs of both local and global acclaim.

What’s so different about Charleston? For one thing, the festival, like the city itself, caters very well both up and down. Food festival mainstays like cooking demonstrations and general tasting tents are joined by high-end extravagances like private dinners in the home of an acclaimed chef.

Add on a tremendous wine program and the whole 3-day event takes on a gourmand sensibility. You don’t just go to get stuffed – you go to celebrate food and eating.

As before, the 2010 Charleston Food + Wine Festival is built around the Culinary Village at Marion Square. Here you’ll find endless delights under the Grand Tasting Tents, celebrity cooking demos, book signings, cooking competitions, charity auctions, live music and a chance to meet any number of incredible chefs.

The festival has always touted big guests, and this year they’re rolling out a platter of Top Chef favorites: Brian Malarkey, Eli Kirshtein, Kevin Gillespie and Richard Blaise. Also on the docket are the Food Network’s Tyler Florence and all-round super chef Daniel Boulud. (Eating at his namesake restaurant in NYC is on my bucket list. Yes, even travel writers have bucket lists).

On the luxury end of the Festival, you can purchase tickets for the Red, White and Lowcountry SpiritLine Cruise, a relaxing cruise of Charleston Harbor flavored with delicious wine pairings. The Bubbles and Sweets Soiree makes a good Saturday night party, a good follow-up, in fact, to the Craft Beer Dinner. Events can sell out quickly and early, so look into the schedule and buy up soon.

The 2010 BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival will be hosted March 4-7, 2010, primarily at Marion Square but really all around Charleston. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Save on Your Tickets – A Charleston Food + Wine Festival Hotel
One of our favorite Charleston hotels, the Mills House, is offering two package options featuring luxury accommodations (the rooms really are wonderful), breakfast each day, and tickets to the Charleston Food + Wine Festival.

• Wine & Food Connoisseur Package – the higher-end package includes tasting tent tickets and tickets to Saturday’s Bubbles & Sweets party (hard to come by).
• Wine & Food Gourmet Package – this more affordable package sticks to the general festival tickets, but try not to have a fabulous time!

View the Charleston Food + Wine Festival hotel packages here.

Have a delicious time!

We brought you the novel, now we’re bringing you the tour. Experience historic Charleston through the eyes of celebrated author Pat Conroy and the characters of his latest novel, South of Broad, in this fun new tour by Old Charleston Walking Tours.

The South of Broad Walking Tour is a scenic two-hour stroll with stops at several locations either mentioned or featured in the new #1 New York Times Bestseller, South of Broad.  Pat Conroy, best known for his novels The Great Santini and The Prince of Tides, has had a longtime love affair with both Charleston and South Carolina, and South of Broad is as much a portrait of the beauty and history of Charleston as it is the story of protagonist Leo Bloom King.

Locations include St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, a striking building at the intersection of Meeting Street and Broad, so called the “Four Corners of the Law” by Robert Ripley. The eye-catching church is the oldest surviving religious structure in Charleston, built around 1751. Two characters from the novel marry in this historic church.

Closer to the end of the tour, you’ll stop at the Dock Street Theatre, another storied Charleston building with key mention in the novel. Though unassuming in appearance, the three-story structure actually houses America’s very first designated theater, built 200 years ago this year. Of course, to follow the tour up with a show at Dock Street would be incredible, but unfortunately the old girl is undergoing renovation through next May.

On the way you’ll walk along refined and upscale Legare Street, part of Leo’s paper route when he was younger, and then Water Street, where characters from the novel outlasted Hurricane Hugo in 1989.

The tour finally ends in front of the stunning façade of the Gibbes Museum of Art on Meeting Street. And really it’s a fitting end. The museum specializes in the work of Charleston and South Carolinian artists, and it captures the flavor of the tour perfectly. Admission is included with the tour, so please check it out.

Wow, some tours just keep on giving. The South of Broad Tour also includes a choice of either a special South of Broad-themed cocktail or dessert at much-awarded Charleston restaurant Slightly North of Broad (also called SNOB, for short).

The South of Broad Walking Tour of Charleston begins at the Mills House Hotel at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday-Saturday, for $25 per person. So, that’s a two-hour tour, admission to the Gibbes and cocktail or dessert all for $25 a person. That’s quite a deal!

But, I actually have a better one for you. The host hotel, The Historic Mills House (mentioned on page 209, btw), is actually sweetening the deal for guests with a special tour package.

The South of Broad Tour Package at the Mills House features tour tickets of course, but adds deluxe overnight accommodations (very nice rooms at the Mills House), a novel-themed welcome gift, and even more savings at the restaurant, Slightly North of Broad. They’ve added a $50 credit for lunch or dinner and a special chef’s amuse bouche. Now that’s quite a deal! Learn more.

You can learn more about the Mills House Charleston Hotel here.

Have fun exploring the historic splendor of Charleston, South Carolina.

We’ve made no secret our love of Charleston, South Carolina here at USA Travel Guide. In the past we’ve referred to the Palmetto City as “quaint yet dynamic”, “historic yet modern”, “romantic”, “authentic”, “hospitable”, “romantic”, “unpretentious”, “approachable” and “graceful”.

We can encourage you to go there, and we have many times, but alas we can’t actually take you there. For that reason, we’ve chosen to go off-topic and talk about someone who can. Beloved South Carolina novelist Pat Conroy returns after 14 long years with his fifth novel, South of Broad, a sprawling narrative of family and friends and a stirring love letter to Charleston.

Since his first novel, 1976’s acclaimed The Great Santini, Pat Conroy’s works have displayed an evocative sense of place, whether New York City or Savannah, but none come to life as Charleston does in South of Broad. As the plot stretches over decades, from the 1960s to the 90s, the city grows, ages and changes along with the characters.

Only out for three days, South of Broad is already bringing rave reviews from Conroy’s longtime fans, and it’s sure to win new ones with every read. You can buy the book here.

You can experience Charleston through the mind of Pat Conroy (which you should), or you can see it for yourself (which you should). An authentic Charleston travel experience for us must include the famous Mills House Hotel. The historic property is a Charleston landmark, opened over 150 years ago. There’s other stuff, too, but we’re hotel people. That’s what we do.

Digression over. Check back in tomorrow for more travel goodness.

Lots of reader requests coming in for romantic getaways, and we at USA Travel Guide serve nothing if not the will of the people. I promise to be less of a cold, unfeeling robot in the future.

Ah, Charleston. One of my favorite places. Quaint yet dynamic. Historic yet modern. Refined, relaxed and oh so romantic. Make it a romantic getaway in Charleston, South Carolina and stay at one of our favorite hotels: the historic Mills House Hotel.

Built in 1853 and newly-renovated to exude the comely Victorian elegance of that bygone era, the Mills House hotel is as historic a landmark as anything else in the city. In fact, it’s so revered for its history and ambiance that it earned a spot on the Charleston Museum Mile just last year, a high honor in a town known for refined sensibilities (but never stuffy). From the collection of storied antiques to the occasional palatial flourish, the Mills House takes you to another time and place. An escape like that is the beginning of any good romantic getaway.

Learn more about the history of the Mills House Hotel in Charleston.

Then there’s the deal: the hotel is currently offering a “Romantic Get-Away Package” featuring a deluxe room, turn-down service, breakfast and that special something: tickets for a horse-drawn carriage tour through the historic district. The package is offered through September 30, 2009 and this popular hotel sells out often, so you’ll want to make your reservations soon. Learn more about this Romantic Charleston Getaway Package.

Historic hotel? Victorian elegance? Whatever, right? Right. Romantic Charleston is really all about the classics: walks for two, incredible scenery, delectable dining, the kind of stuff that’s easy to love.

Don’t skip a visit to Charleston Battery Park, most often called The Battery. The famous promenade offers incredible views of the Cooper Riverside, as well as the stately antebellum homes that give historic Charleston so much of its atmosphere. Wait until evening for a particularly scenic experience. Waterfront Park is another winner. Stretching along the edge of Charleston Harbor, this park features swinging wooden benches ideal for romantic evenings together. Maybe share an ice cream cone, people do that kind of stuff in movies.

For dinner, we like the Peninsula Grill. It’s a bit pricey, with most entrees topping $30, but you surely will not be disappointed. This is a top restaurant in a big-time food town. I should try something fancier, but it’s always the Prime Rib-Eye that calls my name. Learn more.

After dinner, enjoy another walk with historic downtown before returning to the Mills House for the night. I can assure you, after all that, any hang ups you had about splurging on a romantic getaway will be long forgotten.

Have a fabulous time on your romantic getaway in Charleston, South Carolina.

Hotel images used with permission.

No matter where you live in the United States, if there’s a sizable population in your town there’s a good chance you have at least one sister city. But do you know which it is? According to Wikipedia, we have eight here in the Big D, ranging every where from Mexico to Latvia to the Czech Republic. Would your average, everyday, walk-up-and-ask-them-on-the-street Dallasite know that? Of course not!

(So much for fostering international cooperation and community)

In Charleston, South Carolina, however, not only do they know who their sister city is, they celebrate it in the most appropriate way: adopting one of their festivals. Once an abandoned tradition from the 70’s and 80’s, the Spoleto Festival USA will host its third annual event this May in celebration of Charleston’s sister city, Spoleto, Italy. Dedicated to art, music and the power of performance, this is surely one of the east coast’s most exciting cultural events.

A little bit of history: in 1958, the relatively small town of Spoleto, located near Rome, was selected as the host of the Festival of the Two Worlds, an event for young, up-and-coming artists to share the stage with renowned master. In 1977, the founder of the Festival of the Two Worlds worked together with acclaimed American conductor Christopher Keene to found a sister event in the U.S. The spot was Charleston, South Carolina, and the event was the Spoleto Festival USA. All was good for 15 years or so when a fallout among the organizers lead to a lengthy hiatus. Not until 2007 did the North America-based version finally see light of day once again. And it’s back stronger the ever!

From May 22 to June 7, the Spoleto Festival USA will take over the Charleston, South Carolina events calendar for a whirlwind of dance, contemporary music, theatre, jazz, festival gatherings, talks and even opera. As in Italy, the USA festival nurtures the talent of newer artists, celebrates innovative presentations and expands appreciation of the arts. With more than 80,000 attendees expected throughout the festival, you can bet there’s plenty worth seeing.

Like a film festival, the Spoleto Festival USA charges admission by presentation, so you’ll want to scrutinize their Web site to find the best time to visit, and with limited seating a consistent problem, be sure to start looking at those tickets right away.

Hotels in Charleston, South Carolina? What else but the Mills House Hotel? This historical property is renowned for its luxury and location, and as a fun aside, the Mills House has even hosted the mayor of Spoleto, Italy, Massimo Brunini, during his visits to the festival.

So go on, inject some culture into your summer with a trip to Charleston and the Spoleto Festival USA.

It’s been a long time since we featured a good haunted history tour, so we’re coming back strong with a personal favorite, the Charleston Ghost & Dungeon Walking Tour by Bulldog Tours.

I’ve ruminated on the pleasures of Charleston, South Carolina before – the originality, the authenticity, the variety, the hospitality – and this is another fine selection for your to-do list. The Ghost & Dungeon Tour, one of several offered by the company, explores the haunting streets and alleys of Charleston’s infamous Historic District well as any, but is my choice for one reason alone: the dungeon.

The pre-revolutionary Provost Dungeon of Charleston is the dark, heady, menacing sort of place that thrill buffs like myself crave and city ghost tours so rarely offer. Several city tour companies mention the dungeon, quite literally in passing, but only the Ghost & Dungeon Tour by Bulldog goes inside.

__(’Read the rest of this entry »’)

We’re back with more fantastic Valentine’s Day ideas!

If you’re the kind to find romance in history, this is most definitely the set for you. We’ve scanned over our favorite historic hotels and chosen three that are featuring Valentine’s Day specials for you to consider. Once again we’re all over the map, so hopefully there’s something for everyone.

Chateau LeMoyne – A French Quarter Hotel

A historic Valentine’s Day getaway awaits you in sultry New Orleans at the Chateau LeMoyne. With buildings dating back 1847, the Chateau encapsulates the stateliness of the city’s grand history while a choice French Quarter location makes it easy for vacationing couples to experience the full breadth of the Big Easy. A nice Valentine’s Day hotel special helps, too:

Heart to Heart 

• Free Upgrade to Suite or Balcony Room
• Breakfast for Two at Hotel

Learn more about the specials at the Chateau LeMoyne here.

Mills House Charleston Hotel

According to their Web site, “Charleston is a city that defines romance like no other,” and who are we to argue? The legendary history of the Mills House Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina stretches back to 1853 and is today one of the purest expressions of mid-Victorian architecture in the city. A bold, inviting city that not near enough people think to visit, a rewarding Valentine’s Day vacation is the perfect opportunity. The package:

Romantic Getaway Package 

• Room with Canopy Bed
• Nightly Turndown Service
• Breakfast for Two
• Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride through the Historic District

This package requires a minimum two-night stay, so it’s not exactly a Valentine’s Day special, but we just couldn’t let the unrivaled romance of historic Charleston go unnoticed. Learn more here.

The Silversmith Chicago Hotel

We’ve already discussed the Silversmith as one of the finest boutique hotels in Chicago, but I maybe didn’t do it justice as the ideal choice for romantic getaways. Situated in the authentic razzle-dazzle of Jeweler’s Row and complemented by traditional white glove service, the Silversmith Hotel uncannily captures the life, energy and comely spirit of one of America’s most beloved cities. Add that extra touch of sweetness with this package:

Sweet Heart Chicago 

• Luxury Suite
• Chilled Champagne and Strawberries
• Long Stem Roses
• Breakfast in Bed

Bundle up and head over to Navy Pier for an old-fashioned Ferris wheel ride, one of our favorite things to do on Valentine’s Day. Nostalgia and romance are like chocolate and peanut butter. Learn more about this package here.

More Valentine’s Day getaway ideas on their way for tomorrow.

Thanks for reading.

You know, I could really go on about Charleston. This unassuming city is South Carolina surprises me time and again with its profound history, unpretentious friendliness, approachably upscale sensibility and its graceful prosperity. It caters equally well to comfort-seekers and highlife enthusiasts. It’s laidback, but never without an insatiable zest for life and experience. This, understand, is no small feat.

Take, for instance, the 2009 BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival, coming to Marion Square this upcoming March 5-8. This immense food festival combines the reasonably priced smorgasbord of local goodies you’d expect from any “Taste of…” festival with a prestigious selection of ultra-high-end extravagances catered by chefs of regional, national and even global acclaim. The event is welcoming, and affordable, to food lovers of any age, yet also provides a luxury experience to those who, ahem, put their money where their mouth is.

Central to the Festival is the Culinary Village where chef demonstrations, book signings, various meet-and-greets, competitions and, of course, lots and lots of eating come together in a glorious celebration of all things food. Within two massive tasting tents, ticket-holders may sample the bold, diverse cuisines of the Lowcountry’s most respected restaurants, always with a flare for presentation and style that you don’t often find at similar food festivals.

Those with more to spend, or simply a tongue for the very best, may splurge on any of a number of luxury events, including the “Ultimate Cheese + Wine Pairing with Caviar” seminar, the “Masters at Work” food and wine pairing and at the very high end, the “Legendary Evening in the Lowcountry”, an unforgettable meal prepared by four of the area’s top chefs and hosted in an elegant private residence. Wow!

With big food comes big personality, and the festival’s got them. You can meet former Top Chef contestant (or at they say, cheftestant) Richard Blaise, Atlanta’s Kevin Rathbun, and even the Food Network’s Bobby Flay. Celebrity chef superstar Flay will host a book signing as well a burger demonstration, if that’s your thing (I’m more of an Alton Brown man myself).

Again, the 2009 Charleston Food + Wine Festival will be held March 5-8, 2009, with the Grand Tasting Tent (Culinary Village) open every day. Learn more here.

For Charleston, SC hotels, I’m always drawn to the Mills House. Admittedly this is not the least expensive choice, but it’s always a rewarding stay, and they appear to be offering packages for this very event to help take the edge off.

We get so caught up sometimes talking about hotels with big rooms, hotels with great deals and hotels with really fancy bathtubs that we forget the most important thing a hotel can have is heart. We’re a little late on this one, but we just couldn’t let a story like this go by.

The Mills House Hotel, a historic Charleston hotel that’s part of the city’s “Museum Mile”, has hosted not one but two food charities in the past three months. First was a September food drive which yielded over 500 pounds of food for the Low Country Food Bank. Then, barely a month later, the hotel followed this up with a pet food drive for the Charleston Animal Society Pet Food Bank.

This second event in particular turned the adorableness up to eleven. To celebrate the season, Halloween at the time, event guests showed up with their pets in full costume (just don’t tell Jay Leno). The event raised $1800 in cash and over 600 pounds of pet food.

We salute the Mills House Hotel for understanding that charity is more than throwing your name behind a good cause, it’s about getting in there and doing the good work for yourself.

If you happen to be traveling through Charleston, keep the Mills House in mind.

Mills House photography used with permission.