Christmas in Savannah
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At a Glance
What You'll Learn
- Experience a production of “A Christmas Tradition” in one of the country’s oldest continually run theaters.
- Take a field trip to the historic Isaiah Davenport House to learn about local holiday traditions of that period.
- Explore by trolley the lovely squares, cathedrals and the annual Gingerbread Village Competition.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Hotel check in from 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon: 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.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: Take time to meet fellow travelers. Get ready with a good nights sleep before starting out on your adventure in Savannah tomorrow morning.
Activity note: Getting on/off a trolley. Standing for up to an hour in historic home.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: The history of Savannah will be covered in the classroom and on the trolley by a local expert. As we travel by trolley, we'll be 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. As we ride through the entire historic district for an overview, we'll stop over at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist for a docent led trip inside the Cathedral.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: After lunch, we'll take the trolley to the Davenport Home where we will have a special program designed just for our group. The Federal-style home neared completion in 1820. We'll hear the story of those dwelling in the house, both enslaved and free, in the early 19th century. This experience will include refreshments in the garden at the end of the field trip. 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: 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.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: You will walk to the theater from your hotel for the "Christmas Tradition" performance. The walk is .2 mile.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We'll start the morning off with a presentation by a local expert on “Strong Women, Strong Spirits”.
Lunch: On your own.
Afternoon: We'll walk to the theatre for the afternoon performance. Performance. “A Christmas Tradition” at the Savannah Theatre is a glittering 2-hour variety show featuring an award-winning cast of singers and 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.
Dinner: Ride to dinner at 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..
Evening: Celebrate a Victorian Christmas with your group leader with a glass of Sherry and a special story time.
Activity note: Bonaventure Cemetery involves walking up to 1 mile over dirt hard packed paths. Carriage Ride has 4-5 steps to get into carriage from ground level.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: This morning we'll travel 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 bus, 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.
Lunch: At the hotel.
Afternoon: After lunch, we'll settle down with hot cider or hot cocoa to enjoy a Christmas tradition video before going on a carriage ride. Mid afternoon, we'll go by trolley 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.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure. Enjoy the warmth of the hotel and surroundings with special space set aside for our group to enjoy one another's company.
Activity note: River Cruise is handicapped accessible. Temple is walking and standing up to 1 hour.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We'll begin the day with a visit by trolley to the Mickve Israel Temple, the third oldest Jewish congregation in America and the first synagogue built in Georgia. This is 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. You will be transported to the Cruise ship for a scenic cruise along the winding river. Sit back and relax while the popular Riverboat slowly takes you down the Savannah River. We will board at approximately 11:00 for a short cooking demonstration by the chef.
Lunch: After our demonstration by the chef, we'll have an elaborate lunch buffet while enjoying the sounds of holiday spirit.
Afternoon: 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 and enjoy musical entertainment.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Hotel check-out is 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: 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.