THE best Savannah tour = Savannah Rambles
 

At least in one Fodorite's opinion - http://www.savannahrambles.com/default.html

I made a quick trip to Savannah, mainly see some favorite Fodorites again at yesterday's GTG. It was mostly a working trip and I really didn't plan to do any "touristy" stuff. But, there was a display of brochures in the hotel lobby and I picked up the one for Savannah Rambles. It piqued my interest so I checked out the website and then called the number to see if there was a chance at joining a tour.

Dirk called back and we arranged a Saturday morning tour. He was very flexible in adjusting the start time to assure that I would be finished in time to meet up with other Fodorites. I arrived at Johnson Square at the appointed time and was impressed to learn that I was the only person on the tour. A lot of tour guides will not conduct a tour without a minimum number and years ago I had a negative experience when the originator of the ghost tour in Savannah blew two of us off for an alloted tour time because he didn't want to do a tour for only two people. In the years since I've not offered up specific recommendations for trolley, carriage or walking tours because I've not found a real reason to do so. Now I have.

Here are some other testimonials -
http://www.savannahrambles.com/Testimonials.html

And here is some background on the guide, Dirk Hardison -
http://www.savannahrambles.com/About-Your-Guide.html

He's an architect who was the Architectural Design Consultant for the Historic Savannah Foundation. He's a historian who brings history to life and demonstrates the changes and evolution over time in context using buildings and their features. I think I am somewhat well-traveled and well-read but in this few minutes I learned so much that I was literally shaking my head and grinning from ear to ear. All of it is delivered in a friendly and conversational style.

I was more than a bit surprised to see a few random snowflakes falling. I thought I'd left the snow and ice behind in Atlanta. It was a very cold morning but an extremely enjoyable one. I plan to sign up for another of Dirk's tours on upcoming trips to Savannah and highly recommend him to anyone who is interested in learning more about Savannah from someone who knows and loves it on a personal and professional basis.

A note for anyone reading this later on - if you are planning a trip to Savannah, the spring Savannah Tour of Homes & Gardens is a highlight of the year. Dirk started giving his Preservation-in-Progress walking tour during that annual event. I try to make it every year to see private homes and gardens opened up for all of us to enjoy.

Thank you so much for this comprehensive review. I am putting it in the file for the October reunion party I am coordinating.

Thanks, starrs! Am going to Savannah in Feb. so hope to arrange something when I get my schedule straight.

Thanks for the info. I will be in Savannah in March so will look this tour up. Also very interested in the Homes and Gardens tour as I love both homes and gardens so this is perfect timing for me. Could you tell me if the homes are in the Historic District (where I will be staying) or are the homes further afield? Just wondering about the logistics of touring some as I will not have a vehicle.

Thanks, starrs! I may be there in March as well, so this is definitely of interesst.

(One S, of course. I shouldn't try to type one-handed...)

The Home and Garden tour in March is wonderful! The homes are in the historic district and each day's tour has different homes/gardens -

http://www.savannahtourofhomes.org/

I'll be there that week :-)

The Home and Garden tour in March is wonderful! The homes are in the historic district and each day's tour has different homes/gardens -

http://www.savannahtourofhomes.org/

I'll be there that week :-)

starrs, reading this thread, I realize I too will be in Savannah during the Home and Garden tour this year (as well as during the Music Festival...neither of which I knew about when I booked my trip and both of which explain why all the hotels are booked!). Unfortunately, it seems like a lot of the Music Festival and the Home and Gardens tours are already sold out but I did find a few tickets available for the self guided Home & Gardens and Preservation in Progress tours. My question is, would you recommend the Home and Garden tour, the Preservation in Progress or the Savannah Rambler tour? I'm guessing I'll have to move quickly if I want to get anything. I'm a preservationist/architectural historian by training but my traveling companion is not though he is patient and easy going. Any advice you can give would be appreciated!

Well, I highly recommend the Savannah Rambles tour. He is an architect who worked for the historical association so knows Savannah architecture better than anyone giving tours. The tours aren't too "techy" and everyone should enjoy them. He just gives things a different twist from any other tour I've been on. I was amazed that I was standing there looking at a building I'd seen a gazillion times (example - the Kehoe house) and had not noticed what now seems obvious!. He's just a really good guide - whether he's talking about architectural features or history or Savannah in general.

The Home and Garden tour is organized with certain homes on tour during certain time frames. The tour is self-guided in that you walk to the houses on your own, in any order you want, and there are volunteers at the houses to tell you a little bit and answer questions. I love seeing homes that aren't open except for tour time.

The Preservation in Progress tour? I know nothing about it.

" Since 2003 I have been giving my Preservation-In-Progress walking tour as part of the annual Savannah Tour of Homes & Gardens."

http://www.savannahrambles.com/About-Your-Guide.html

Oh, that's Dirk's tour (Savannah Rambles). That's how he got started doing tours. So, definitely the PinP tour and/or the Savannah Rambles tour (given by the same person) and buy at least one timeframe for the Home and Garden tour.

Enjoy Savannah. It's the prettiest time of the year. :-)

Thanks, starrs, I appreciate the information.

I'm also going to be in Charleston during their Festival of Houses & Gardens and I want to go to some of the plantations up there as well so I'm worried about house tour overload. It's so hard to choose when they all sound interesting! I guess that's a nice problem to have though. Thanks again for your helpful advice.

I really like Charleston's tour as well. In either Savannah or Charleston, pick a tour time frame that highlights gardens. One of my favorite tour experiences was a garden segment during the Charleston tour that highlighted the pocket/courtyard/hidden (from public view) gardens of Charleston.

Dirk's Savannah Rambles tour is not just "houses" and is very interesting. I think if you pick one of his tours, add in a house tour and a garden tour you'll have a really great experience. And truly, those tours are unlike the commercial tours offered by other vendors.

starrs, I've followed your advice and booked one of Dirk's "highpoints" rambles as well as one of the self-guided house and garden tours. I'm really looking forward to them, thanks!

SlowWanderer, may I suggest you read "Mrs. Whaley and her Charleston Garden"? It can be purchased at the Charleston Historical Society or on line from Amazon. It is a wonderful introduction to the Charleston gardens.

Yay! I think you will really enjoy both, Slow_Wanderer.

cmcfong's suggestion for the Charleton book is a great idea.

In Savannah you'll hear folks talk about "The Book". If you have time, read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil before you go to Savannah. Or at least know what book folks will be referring to.

Have a great trip!

I wish I had time to read both before my trip but I'm down to just a couple of days left and they'll be busy ones! I read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil when it first came out so my memory of it is a bit sketchy, but I remember the gist of it. I hadn't heard of Mrs. Whaley before, but I'll keep my eyes out for it...it sounds interesting. Thanks for the suggestions, starrs & cmcfong!

The Mrs. Whaley books are small and well worth your time. You can pick one (or both) up while you're in Charleston.

starrs, I've returned from my trip to Savannah and just wanted to thank you for your great recommendation. We immensely enjoyed the Savannah Rambles tour with Dirk. He gave us a great overview of the city and a true understanding of its history. My friend and I were the only people on the tour so that made it even better. I understand why you went to the trouble of posting this thread for the tour, it was so good that one wants to encourage more people his way. I've just posted a review on Trip Advisor out of the same impulse (or will once it gets approved or whatever happens on there). The rest of our trip was wonderful as well but the Ramble was one of the highlights.