Christmas in Savannah

Program Registration: 5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table 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. 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 be accompanied on some field trips by local experts who will provide commentary as we go. At some field trip sites, the extent and duration of walking and other activities will be according to personal choice. Periods in the daily 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/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At the hotel.

Take time to meet fellow travelers. Get ready with a good nights sleep before starting out on your adventure in Savannah tomorrow morning.

At the hotel.

The history of Savannah will be covered in the classroom and on the trolley by a local expert. Following classroom lecture, we'll travel by trolley stopping and getting on and off at select historical points. Learn how General Sherman entered Savannah in mid-December, 1864, after burning the city of Atlanta and everything else in his path on his “March to the Sea.” Upon entering Savannah, Sherman was said to be so impressed by its beauty that he could not destroy it. On December 22, 1864, he sent a famous telegram to President Abraham Lincoln, offering the city as a Christmas present. With our expert you'll learn more about Savannah and her famous squares on a visit to the Massie Heritage Center.

At a local restaurant.

After lunch, we'll take a motor coach over to Old Fort Jackson, listed as a National Historic Landmark. It is the oldest standing brick fortification in Georgia! It offers military exhibits and daily cannon firing. It is one of only eight Second System fortifications (a series of forts built prior to the War of 1812) still standing in the US. After returning to the hotel and having a short rest break, we'll convene in our classroom with a performance of Johnny Mercer Music. Enjoy a wine and cheese welcome while listening to the music provided by three local and popular musicians.

Dinner will be at your own time and choosing of restaurants. This meal has been excluded from your program cost. Join others or join the group leader. The evening is free to enjoy as you like. We will provide a list of restaurants that surround your hotel but the hotel also has its own restaurants.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We'll start the day off with a visit to the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, an excellent example of French Gothic architecture. With a docent, we'll hear and see the history on this expert led field trip.

On your own but not alone. Join others or the group leader at nearby restaurants or opt to eat in the hotel.

We'll ride to the theatre for the afternoon performance of, “A Christmas Tradition” at the Savannah Theatre. This glittering 2-hour variety show features an award-winning cast of singers and a live band performing classic Christmas favorites with special guests including Santa and his elves, dancing reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and more. With a little comedy and audience participation, this will be a delightful experience celebrating the season.

After the play we will ride to dinner to a special restaurant located on Bay Street. It was originally built in 1859 by John Norris under the supervision of John Stoddard. The building was used as a warehouse on the river and has been home to a variety of businesses..

At leisure.

At the hotel.

This morning we'll travel by trolley to the well-known Bonaventure cemetery located on the former site of Bonaventure Plantation. It is partially surrounded by marshes and islands of the Wilmington River. It is beautiful to see the Avenue of Oaks and to hear some of the stories of the people of Savannah. Our study leader will provide commentary while walking. If you decide to turn around and go back to the trolley, then that is ok too. We don't want you to come to Savannah and miss Bonaventure. We'll return to the hotel after this field trip.

At the hotel.

This afternoon we'll go by trolley or bus to board our carriages for our ride in the historic district. We will see holiday decorations, hear stories of the past and learn more about Savannah and her history.

At the hotel.

After dinner, we'll settle down with hot cider or hot cocoa to enjoy a special video. Enjoy the warmth of the hotel and surroundings with special space set aside for our group to enjoy one another's company. Each year we see a movie called "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil". It was staged in Savannah and is a 1997 American Crime drama film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood and stars John Cusack and Kevin Spacey. The on-location scenes were shot in Savannah, GA. You'll see some of the locations and homes while on other field trips.

At the hotel.

We'll begin the day with a visit by trolley to the Green-Meldrim house, which was General Sherman's headquarters during the Civil War. General Sherman gave Savannah as a Christmas present to President Lincoln. Enjoy a private tour that will focus on the architecture and how it has changed and adapted through the years. Next we'll join the Mickve Israel Temple, the third oldest Jewish congregation in America and the first synagogue built in Georgia for a docent led field trip with commentary by a member of the congregation. It was organized in 1735 mostly by Sephardic Jewish immigrants of Spanish-Portuguese extraction from London who arrived in the new colony in 1733. They consecrated their current building on Monterey Square in 1878, a rare example of a Gothic-style synagogue that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the synagogue is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism. We will see and hear about the historic sanctuary and museum.

On the River Boat. You will be transported from the Green Meldrim House to the Cruise ship for a scenic cruise along the winding river.

Feel the sun on your face as your boat cruise travels along the shoreline. See historic Savannah from a completely different viewpoint as you hear stories along the way. Sit back and relax while the popular Riverboat slowly takes you down the Savannah River. We'll hear more of the history as we see Savannah from a different perspective aboard the River Boat.

At a local restaurant.

This is our final evening together. We'll say our goodbyes and share the fun we have enjoyed for the week with our friends.

At the hotel.

This concludes our program. We hope you have enjoyed your stay in Savannah. Safe travels and we hope to see you on another learning adventure with Road Scholar. Thank you for choosing this program.