Arrival & Check-in, Registration & Orientation, Introductions & Getting to Know You

Afternoon: HOTEL CHECK-IN: From 4:00pm.

PROGRAM REGISTRATION: 5:00pm. After you have your room assignment and have dropped off your bags, please register with the Road Scholar program staff at our desk in the lobby beginning at 5:00pm. You’ll receive your arrival packet containing the most up-to-date schedule and program information that we’ll review during our orientation session after dinner.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Evening: ORIENTATION: You'll have an informative overview of the program to come plus an opportunity to meet the program staff and your fellow participants during an introductory get-acquainted session. We’ll review the updated schedule, answer any questions you may have, and cover responsibilities, safety guidelines, and emergency procedures. Take the remainder of the evening to begin getting to know one another or just relax and prepare for tomorrow’s full day of activities. (If you arrive late, please pick up your packet at the hotel front desk.)

Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of any changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding!

You are about to embark on a wonderful new learning adventure that will involve savoring the culinary history, heritage, and delectable flavors of Charleston and the Lowcountry. You will discover how a unique cuisine has evolved over the past 300+ years while sampling delicious specialties from local eateries, markets, bakeries, restaurants, and culinary landmarks. As we dine out, keep mental notes and then jot down your "review" of the experience. Each participant will have an opportunity to share the review of your favorite culinary experience in the closing session.

Lodging: The Mills House Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Historic Restoration, Restaurant Field Trips & Lowcountry Cuisine, Dine Like A Critic

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: PRESENTATION: Learn about historic structures that have been restored as kitchens and restaurants to present some of the finest dining in Charleston, SC.

Lunch: Part of what makes this program special is experiencing some of Charleston's characteristic eateries. Lunch today is at a favorite local restaurant.

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Walk, talk, and taste your way through Charleston. This field trip will immerse you in Lowcountry history and culture as you become familiar with some local chefs and their menus in Historic Charleston. We'll make stops at several venues (subject to change): Market Street Sweets, The Spice & Tea Exchange, Lucas Belgian Chocolate, Charleston Cooks, Dixie Supply Bakery & Café — featured in “Southern Living” as one of the top 5 places for breakfast in South Carolina, and A.W. Shucks Restaurant.

Dinner: Dinner is out at one of Charleston's Gullah Cuisine Restaurants. Savor the experience and remember to make mental notes you can jot down later for a "review" of the dinner.

Evening: EVENING: Continue socializing with newfound friends after returning from the Gullah Restaurant.

Lodging: The Mills House Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: FIELD TRIP: No exploration of Charleston would be complete without an introduction to the Historic District. Our motorcoach will take us through one of America’s most extraordinary neighborhoods with several stops along the way including the Palmer House, the Citadel & Hampton Park. As the Historic Charleston Foundation notes, the city’s history has been shaped by many things: the exuberant and artful influences of King Charles II himself; periods of great wealth and prosperity followed by generations of great poverty; two major wars being fought within its boundaries and countryside, followed by the occupation of invading armies; and much, much more.

Lunch: Lunch will be in the City Market area and will include choices from some of the most popular dishes at this special restaurant.

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: We'll board the motor coach for a field trip that will include the Battery and history of homes and gardens on the Battery. We will visit the Palmer Home on the Battery where we will be treated to lemonade and cookies on the porch overlooking the water and Fort Sumter.

Dinner: Dinner out at selected restaurant picked especially for this culinary program.

Evening: PRESENTATION: Hear Gullah stories and music from an African American who has performed in musicals.....a favorite local talented person.

Lodging: The Mills House Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A Taste of the Low Country Cooking Demo/Lunch/Free Afternoon and Evening

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: DEMONSTRATION: Learn the artistry of Lowcountry cooking from expert chefs in an informative and entertaining presentation in a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen. Get the secrets of good taste while enjoying generous tastings of regionally-based recipes and sipping a glass of wine. Today you will have A Taste of the Low Country, the most popular cooking demonstration. Afterwards, you'll enjoy the food that has been cooked just for you.

Lunch: Lunch will be at the cooking school - Charleston Cooks! You will also love their kitchen store!

Afternoon: Free afternoon to explore the city on your own. We will be happy to help you in planning your afternoon activities. Some suggestions: City Market, plantations outside Charleston, Charleston museum, historical homes open to the public, Fort Sumter.

Dinner: Dinner will be on your own to experience the restaurant of your choice. We will make suggestions for restaurants within walking distance to the hotel and other restaurants as well.

Evening: Free evening to explore on your own or just take time to sit and enjoy the moment.

Lodging: The Mills House Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: FIELD TRIP: We will visit the Charleston Tea Plantation, home of American Classic Tea, the ONLY tea grown in America. It is located on picturesque Wadmalaw Island in the heart of South Carolina's Lowcountry. Its grounds include 127 acres of Camellia Sinensis tea plants, a working Tea Factory and a charming Plantation Gift Shoppe. FIELD TRIP: Ambrose Family Farm is the Charleston Area's favorite You-Pick Farm for Strawberries, Onions, Peas, Squash, Zucchini, Collards, Cabbage, Potatoes, Tomatoes and perfect bedding plants from the greenhouse. We will hear from the owners how restaurants use their fresh vegetables and how the community benefits from boxes of fresh vegetables sent to designated pick up points.

Lunch: Lunch will be at the Tomato Shed Cafe, owned by the Ambrose Farm. This popular local restaurant is a delightful and fun place for a tasty lunch right from the farm.

Afternoon: After lunch we'll visit Angel Oak, the oldest living live oak tree ever recorded. The Angel Oak is a Southern live oak tree located in Angel Oak Park on Johns Island, one of South Carolina's Sea Islands. It is estimated to be in excess of 1500 years old, stands 65 ft (20 m) tall, measures 28 ft (8.5 m) in circumference, and shades with its crown an area of 17,000 square feet (1,600 m2). The Angel Oak is thought to be one of the oldest living organisms east of the Mississippi River. It has survived countless hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and human interference.

Dinner: Dinner will be at a special historical restaurant set up just for Road Scholar. It will be our farewell evening and we will enjoy the company and the fine dining.

Evening: Our evening will be saying farewell to our fellow travelers and enjoying stories about our week adventure in Charleston.

Lodging: The Mills House Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: WRAP-UP SESSION & REVIEWS: We'll discuss what we've seen and learned as well as sharing our personal "reviews" of favorite culinary experiences during the program.

This session concludes our appreciation of Charleston's culinary history, heritage and delectable flavors. We hope you have enjoyed this new program and will join us for other fascinating and fun Road Scholar learning adventures in the future. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Meals Included: Breakfast