Hi. I'm considering a 8-9 day trip to Charleston, Savannah and St Augustine the third week in March (08).

First question - is this a good time to go? One of the things that attracted me was the description of all the great flowers. Will things be blooming at this time? I see some major garden tours are at the end of March/early April so am a bit worried this might be too early.

Second question - since the week I'm considering is the week before Easter will that make a difference? Will things be extremely crowded?

Third question - is 8-9 days too long for those three cities? I'm mostly interested in architecture, gardens,and basically anything I can photograph. I spend much of my time when traveling taking photos so as long as there's beautiful/interesting subjects I'm happy. If 8-9 days is too long, where else can I add in the general area?

Finially, I love Europe and have spent most of my vacation time over the past 8 years in Europe. My travel companion is a bit worried that I'll be "bored" with the south (she's from the south, I'm from the northeast). Any thoughts on that?

Anything else you can tell me to psych me up for this trip would be greatly appreciated.

We lived in Jacksonville and visited Savannah for 2 1/2 days and it was not quite enough..Charleston I think would be the same..St Augustine is nice but nothing like the other two so you might want to give that 2 days..

In March it was blustery and sunny, so often you have a hot sun and cold wind, which makes good walking around and sightseeing weather.
Late April in Savannah was already hot and humid so March will most likely be great.
If schools are out, crowds can be a problem.

Azaleas..lots of azaleas !!

I think the amount of time you are planning is perfect

This is generally a great time to visit Savannah area, but Easter is busy (not relaly crowded, just nned to make hotel reservations). We were there mid-April last year and azaleas were done - other flowering things, so your timing should be good.

Photographny in Savannah - our dtr is a serious amateur photographer and we parked car and she took off down some side streets - just regular areas near Historic District but not notable for anything - regular people lived there - and she found incredible building features to capture - iron, stone, brick, windows - with nice plants.

Time your visit to Savannah for the last week of March to catch events for their Festival of Homes. In December, I'd recommend purchasing tickets for the St. Bonaventure Cemetary tour.

We did this tour on our visit, and we still talk about it. They have costumed actors at gravesites of notable citizens of Savannah describing their lives. The cemetary is gorgeous with statuary imported from Europe and is not to be missed. Festival of Homes is March 27-30.

http://www.savannahtourofhomes.org/Default.asp

You might consider stopping off in beaufort between Charleston and Savannah. There are some lovely homes and if the camellias are in bloom you'll find it quite enchanting.

I have a house down near Savannah and I'd say mid-late March is a great time to be there. The flowers are out, you can expect blue skies and low humidity too. This past March we stayed at my house March 22-25 and the Savannah Home and Garden tour was going on at that time. We're currently talking about heading back down during the same time frame in March.

If you include driving time between cities too, 8 days sounds about right. It will take roughly 2 hours to go from Charleston to Savannah and I think it's about 3 hours from Savannah to St. Augustine, give or take.

You could spend a pleasant day in Beaufort on your way south to Savannah.

As far as "bored" - it's a slower pace certainly but I don't think you'd be bored. I plan to check out some architecture tours on my next visit to Charleston - that would be an interesting way to spend several hours. You could also check out Tybee Island while in Savannah if you wanted to relax on the beach for a few hours. Standing in line for Paula Deen's restaurant will also apparently kill several hours. (kidding! Although the lines do look daunting. We haven't tried that yet.)

Enjoy!

Unless you are a fan of Paula Deen..I would skip her restaurant..there are so many good places to eat in Savannah..Olde Pink House, ... I wrote a trip report .. have to go look it up and get some names for you

Isabel: I just returned from some time in Charleston (a wed afternoon thru saturday late afternoon) and easily could have used one or two more days - had I been by myself, and/or skipped the shopping, I might have been able to do more historic homes and gardens - but still, you can only fit so many in in one day and there are sooo many historic homes and gardens and churches and photo ops

I took 147 photos in my 'short' visit -

You will NOT be bored in Charleston (or Savannah) - St. Augustine I was in once over 20 yrs ago and I'm sure it's changed since then !

Here is the link to my trip report, it might help give you an idea of some of the activities - tours - self walking tours, etc. Enjoy !

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=35085382

Indeed take a look at Escargot's trip report!!
As for being bored because you go to Europe. We go to Europe, take lots of pictures. We also enjoy Charleston, (more than) Savannah. They are different places--full of history that is just as interesting as European. But I have often maintained that Charleston is our most "European" city--more than NOLA or San Francisco.

Just FYI, most central Florida elementary schools have a 4th grade field trip to St. Augustine. I know my daughters trip was in March, there were herds of kids all around the historic district. Weekdays might be busy.

Thanks for all the replys. I've been doing some more reading and I do think I'll enjoy it. Per your advice I will plan to stop in Beaufort and not to go to Paula Deens!

My dates will be between the 13th and 23rd so I guess I'll miss the home and garden tour but will hopefully see lots of azaleas. Anyone know when the wisteria blooms? It's much later up in the north where I live but I've seen such wonderful photos of it in Charleston and Savannah I was hoping to catch it in person.