TRIED
& TESTED
EMBASSY SUITES
by Hilton Savannah
Located right in the city’s historic district, the hotel is in a great spot, and walkable from Savannah’s main attractions. We stayed in a two-room queen bed suite, which had all the amenities we needed. The lounge area was spacious, as was the bathroom, which opened into both the lounge and bedroom areas. The hotel has a gym and business centre, and an outside pool area with a cosy firepit, making it great for families. Breakfast does not disappoint, with omelettes made to order and a selection of pastries, fruit and more. The complimentary drinks from 5.30pm-7.30pm are a real highlight. Guests can wind down in the lounge area, indulging in snacks and drinks from the bar, before venturing back into town for dinner, or heading next door to the exquisite French restaurant, 39 Rue de Jean. Book it: Room-only rates start at $146 per night, or $165 for a Premium Suite.
hilton.com
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: American Prohibition Museum; The Crab Shack; Davenport House Museum; Bonaventure
Cemetery OPPOSITE: Tybee Island PICTURES: Visit Savannah/Casey Jones; Natalie Marsh; Shutterstock
Savannah was founded in the 1700s, when British soldier and MP James Oglethorpe came to the state of Georgia. A great place to experience one of the most fascinating periods of its history is at the American Prohibition Museum. The first museum of its kind in the US, it gives visitors a window into what life was like when alcohol was illegal. We also sampled a cocktail in the museum’s hidden speakeasy bar. Guided tours are available at several historic buildings across the city. Davenport House Museum, built by master architect Isaiah Davenport in the 1800s, is worth a visit. The house was threatened by demolition in the 1950s, and seven women came together to raise thousands to purchase and save it, in a matter of days. This spearheaded the Historic Savannah Foundation, which has since preserved more than 350 buildings. And when the sun sets, Savannah Ghost Tours offers
a great insight into what makes Savannah the US’s most haunted city. Whether you’re a believer or not, the stories are captivating, and it’s an eerie experience nonetheless, looking up at blacked-out windows hearing tales of the strange occurrences that supposedly happened on the other side of those walls.
TYBEE ISLAND I looked up at a sign that read “where the elite eat in
their bare feet”. I’m not a member of the elite, but I still felt as if I should be removing my sandals. We’d
20 2 APRIL 2020
come to The Original Crab Shack on Tybee Island, a no-frills restaurant on the edge of one of the small river tributaries. When our seafood platter arrived, I didn’t know
where to start. It was full to the brim with shrimp, crawfish, two types of crab and more. It didn’t take long before we were cracking open crab legs and pulling the tails off the crawfish – and it was delicious. As well as the restaurant itself, there’s a gator lagoon, where visitors can feed the resident alligators. Tybee Island is about five miles long, and its vast sandy beaches, warm and sunny weather, and laid- back vibe are among the main draws for American holidaymakers who live in the northern states. For Brits, though, it’s lesser known and a real hidden gem. There’s a beach pier, cafes and restaurants lining the
roads and a variety of accommodation, from coastal villas to B&Bs. For those who want to head out to sea, a dolphin cruise is a great way to take in the beautiful coastline, and it didn’t take long before we found a small pod of dolphins that enjoyed playing alongside our boat. As I sat on a restaurant balcony overlooking the Savannah River, the sun began to set, casting vibrant colours over the tops of the trees. In that moment, as I gazed out over the water, the sunset glistening on the surface, the song popped back into my head to perfectly describe the setting: “My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me.”
TW
travelweekly.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38
