Christmastime in Charleston

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your name tag (sent previously).

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby area to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 25 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour total riding time. Walking up to 1/2 mile; some uneven terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: An expert local historian will join us at the hotel and provide an introduction to Charleston and the Carolina Lowcountry. This prefatory history of Charleston will prepare us for the field trips we will take during our stay. Our study leader will include the craftsmanship and architecture of the homes decked in holiday finery and holiday customs leading to Christmas.

Lunch: At the hotel.

Afternoon: After lunch, we’ll ride to Magnolia Plantation. Founded in 1676 by the Drayton family, it has survived the centuries and witnessed the history of our nation unfold from the American Revolution through the Civil War and on to the present day. It is the oldest public site open to visitors in the Lowcountry with the oldest public gardens in America. As part of the Magnolia Plantation field trip, we will experience the beauty of the house and gardens on a narrated nature tram ride around the property.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: We will be treated to a performance at the hotel by a local performing artist, singing jazz, gospel and spirituals. She is the director of the Magnolia Singers and has written and produced local jazz and gospel concerts.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 8 miles the day, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles; paved surfaces, some uneven terrain, cobblestones. Joseph Manigault home .3 mile from the hotel and a 10 min walk.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: In our meeting room at the hotel with a local expert, we’ll learn about the history and techniques that have birthed Charleston's unique Sweetgrass Baskets. Brought to the area by slaves who came from the west coast of Africa, basket making is an ancient African art form in this country, which has been passed on from generation to generation. Skilled craftsmanship and long hours are involved in making these baskets.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: We'll enjoy hot chocolate and/or a glass of sherry as we watch a movie together.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: We'll leave on our motor coach for James Island to cruise along the three-mile display of glimmering lights through the park. The festival features over 750 light displays, including the newly refurbished and rebuilt Cooper River Bridge display. This dazzling light show is one of Charleston’s most cherished holiday events, featuring an estimated two million twinkling lights.

Activity note: Walking up to 2 blocks of the hotel on a field trip. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 20 miles throughout the day, approximately 2 hours total riding time as we travel to James Island for the Festival of Lights.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This is Christmas Day and most of Charleston shuts down for church services and for people to be home with their families. The morning has been set aside to enjoy as you like.

Lunch: At the hotel.

Afternoon: Board your motor coach for the Charleston history field trip with our expert study leader. We will be getting on and off the bus as we stop at select points of interest. We'll walk along the Battery, ride past the Citadel, which is closed for Christmas but worthy of a ride through, and learn more about life in Charleston. Later in the afternoon, we’ll drive to and through the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park. This cherished local tradition has achieved national and international renown. Along the three-mile route, there are more than 700 enchanting displays with some two million lights.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Walking up to 1.5 miles at Boone Hall; some uneven terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We'll board our motorcoach for Boone Hall Plantation. The mansion that stands today was built in 1936. With blended materials recovered from the original plantation and antique furnishings, we'll enter an atmosphere of a Coastal Carolina family. Addressing the slavery at Boone Hall, we see and go into the different cabins to see how black Americans worked and lived, struggles that were faced, as well as follow periods of historical progression from the 1800's up to present day. We will learn about the Gullah people and culture at a 30 minute Gullah presentation outside the slave cabins.

Lunch: At Boone Hall.

Afternoon: We'll return to the hotel in time for a short rest before going to an early dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel at approximately 5:00 p.m. in order to arrive at the concert venue in time to get our reserved seating.

Evening: 7:00 p.m. We’ll attend a performance of “The Sound of Charleston” at historic Circular Congregational Church. Professional performers will bring to life authentic music from throughout the city’s history, from the founding of one of America’s first musical organizations — the St. Cecilia Society (1766) — through Civil War songs, spirituals, gospel, Gullah, Gershwin, and jazz. We’ll hear about the words, context, and meanings of the music as we clap and sing along. “The Sound of Charleston” is the city’s longest running musical production. The church, founded in 1681, is one of the oldest continually worshipping congregations in the country; the present building dates from 1892. Returning to the hotel, prepare for check-out and departure following our closing session in the morning.

Activity note: Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!