My husband and I are in our mid-fifties and would like to plan a road trip for late April. We live in Southeast Florida and would probably like to hit St. Augustine, Savannah, Charleston. We have never been to Atlanta and would like to try to include that also, if it works out. My husband uses a wheelchair, but I am a strong walker and we love to explore cities together. Any suggestions about a route, hotels, must-sees,restaurants, etc. would be very helpful. We can spend about a week to 10 days.

Several years ago I got a good deal on a Hertz rental car -- 1 way out of Florida with no drop-off charges. (Several of the companies have 1-way deals for cars driven south in the fall - so that cars will be available for winter vacationers, and similar deals for north-bound cars in the spring)

I flew to Orlando and picked up a car to "poke along" on an 8 day trip back to Hartford CT. I just took my time and found little museums and attractions and just nothing to do for a few hours at a time as I worked my way up the coast. Maybe you would enjoy doing a similar trip, flying home at the end?

(BTW- Taurus for 8 days was under $90 including taxes in 1999!! I doubt I'll ever see a deal like that)

Savannh & Charlest are both great towns although I prefer Charleston a bit more - just more to do, more restaurants, etc. Savannah, I think, may be difficult to get around in a wheelchair. The streets are terraced down to the river and paved in old cobblestones, sidewalks are narrow and uneven.

Savannah is doable in a wheelchair with some planning. River Street - and area of shops and restaurants (obviously right on the river) is about one story below the level of the rest of the city, accessed either by winding staircases or sharply sloping streets, paved with brick and cobblestones - a wheelchair nightmare. Along River Street, sidewalks are narrow, bumpy and curb-cuts are difficult (If you are wondering how in the world I noticed this, my son attends school in Savannah and I am a rehab RN and tune into these things).

However, the rest of the city is relatively flat, and the Historic District is compact. So you may have to skip River Street and enjoy the rest of the city. However, the Hyatt Hotel is right on River Street, and they may have an exit one floor up onto Bay Street - the first street up from the River. If so, that would be perfect. If not, it would be awful - so you will have to check with them.

We usually stay at the Hampton Inn Historic District, also on Bay Street. While there are many lovely inns and B&Bs in Savannah, I do not know how wheelchair accessible they would be.

If you are into funky art, check out some of the galleries at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design)

I would contact the Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau and ask for tips with wheelchairs.

The biggest problem is that 99% of the sidewalks are either brick or flagstone/slate which makes it very difficult for wheelchairs. You will also come across cobblestone and brick streets.

The good part is that the most beautiful architecture in Charleston is off the main tourist fares (Meeting Street, King Street, Market Street) and has the least traffic. You could easily wheel him around lesser know side streets.