I'm planning a trip for my parents for their 40th wedding anniversary. It's a 5 night trip and they wont be driving at all. Do you recommend Savannah or Charleston - or both? (Both would require a car service or something to take them between the cities). Also - any recommendations on places to stay, places to eat, things to do?

We just came back from 4 nights in Savannah and 3 nights in Charleston. Both me and my wife preferred Savannah. Probably most people prefer Charleston. In Savannah we stayed at Hampton Inn Historic dictrict. In Charleston we stayed at Holiday Inn Historic district. Both are very nice places to stay. The Hampton in Savannah came with a free breakfast each morning. We rented a car to make the drive between Savannah and Charleston. I do not know if they have a "car service" for this trip. Amtrak and Greyhound bus connects the 2 cities. There are tons of good places to eat in both places. Do they like fresh seafood? Both cities are famous for it. Both cities are walkable for someone that enjoys walking. My favorite restaurant in Savannah is Old Pink House.

Charleston. More to do in the historic district, more walking type city.

There have been several threads on this topic. You might want to plug "Charleston" into the search a topic box. I believe the overwhelming recommendation was Charleston.

Visited both cities over the Thanksgiving Holiday. Savannah is a beautiful city but we preferred Charleston. Great walking city. We had a delicious meal at Rue De Jean (French & Sushi). Didn't stay there but did check out the Charleston Place Hotel. Very beautiful lobby and great location.

Charleston and stay at The Planters Inn or The Charleston Place. You don't need a car for either and the are both worthy of a 40th anniversary.

Most definitely dinner in the Penninsula Grill at The Planters Inn.

I prefer Charleston, though Savannah is great too. If you decide to book both cities, which I recommend (but for me 5 nights probably would not be enough time to do both, but everybody is different), they could take Amtrak between Charleston and Savannah.

We did both cities this past May - 2 nights in Savannah and 3 nights in Charleston, and wished it had been reversed.

We stayed at an awesome place in Savannah, which may have colored our preference - not just a room, but a whole "apartment" in the Historic district for the price of a room -
http://www.zeiglerhousesavannah.com/

I disagree that Charleston is a better walking city. Because Charleston has very few trees, it was extremely hot, and not as pretty. Savannah has beautiful square to amble about, shops and churces line the squares, and benches are available to rest.

We found the people in Savannah (in our mind) much more "genuine, or "without airs". The people in Charleston were nice, but superficially so. Savannah seemed more down to earth and real to us. I also disliked the overt commercialism of Charleston - Hawkers out on the street trying to get you to come into their store. It really turned me off.

We did stay at a lovely inn in Charleston - http://www.governorshouse.com/
Very reasonable and good location.

Both are great destinations. If I could only visit one, it would be Charelston. More to see and do, more history, a place that shouldn't be missed.

With that said, I did feel very comfortable and relaxed in Savannah.

I guess if the object is to see a new place and all the sights that go with it, I'd say Charleston. IF it is to jus kick back and relax in a nice city, I'd say Savannah.