Activity note: Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.

Afternoon: For those who chose the “Free Airfare” option and will be arriving in Savannah on the first day of the program, shuttle service from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport will be provided at no additional cost. On arrival, participants should proceed to Baggage Claim, collect any checked baggage, and then report to the K-Shuttle Customer Counter (in the Ground Transportation/Baggage Claim area) for directions to the Road Scholar shuttle bus. Program Registration: 5:00-6:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table across from the front desk in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, program materials, and other important information, and to learn when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.

Dinner: In the hotel meeting room, we’ll have a plated dinner including salad, entrée, side dish, dessert, with coffee, iced tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: 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 have an expert local historian as our primary lecturer and educational resource. We will do a lot of walking in this program and use a trolley that has (four) 4 steps up/down. 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. We’ll continue getting to know our fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. We will have an expert local historian as our primary lecturer and educational resource. We will do a lot of walking in this program and use a trolley that has 4 steps up/down. 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. We’ll 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 trolley. Walking up to 1.5 miles; climbing steps, navigating uneven terrain.

Breakfast: In our meeting room at the hotel, the breakfast offer offers a variety of hot and cold items with beverage choices of juice, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: We’ll be joined by a local expert for a presentation on the city’s founding and historical timeline.

Lunch: At a restaurant within walking distance of the hotel, we’ll have a plated entrée and dessert as well as iced tea, coffee, water. The charming restaurant is filled with history and character.

Afternoon: We will explore the Historic District with our local expert by motorcoach and on foot. One of the highlights is the Green-Meldrim House, an outstanding example of Gothic Revival architecture and a National Historic Landmark. General Sherman used it as his headquarters during the Civil War when the Federal Army occupied Savannah.

Dinner: At a dining establishment with a rich history, our plated dinner includes salad, a choice of two entrées, side dish, and dessert along with iced tea, coffee, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. After a long, busy day there will be no formal activity after dinner, leaving plenty of time to relax over the evening meal and get better acquainted with each other. We’ll ride back to the hotel together via trolley.

Activity note: Getting on/off a trolley. Walking up to 2 miles; periods of standing indoors and out.

Breakfast: Hotel plated meal.

Morning: We’ll head out to explore significant houses of worship in Savannah by motorcoach and on foot including Congregation Mickve Israel, the third-oldest Jewish congregation in America, and the majestic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, home of the Diocese of Savannah and the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Georgia. We’ll also visit Bonaventure Cemetery, featured in the book and movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” and Laurel Grove Cemetery, Savannah's most significant African-American burial ground.

Lunch: At a restaurant in the Historic District, we’ll enjoy a plated lunch with a choice of sandwiches, soups, or salad combos plus dessert and non-alcoholic beverage.

Afternoon: We’ll continue our expert-led walking and riding field trip and see look more deeply into the heart of Savannah's soul.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. You might like to try one of the many and varied dining establishments in the area we have not experienced. The hotel concierge can also assist you in deciding where to go.

Evening: At leisure.

Breakfast: Hotel plated meal.

Morning: In the hotel meeting room, our local expert will provide an engaging overview of remarkable architecture designed and constructed through the eras, shaping Savannah's Historic District. From the National Park Service: “The Savannah Historic District, a National Historic Landmark, is significant for its distinctive grid plan as well as its 18th and 19th century architecture. The district encompasses the original town plan laid out in 1733 by Gen. James E. Oglethorpe, founder of the British colony of Georgia. Today Savannah retains much of this plan based on divisions also called wards, squares, and ‘trustee lots.’ Most of the original squares remain and are surrounded by fine examples of buildings in the Georgian, Greek Revival, and Gothic styles.”

Lunch: At the hotel.

Afternoon: Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. You might like to explore further in the beautiful Historic District or venture out into surrounding areas to take in sights and points of interest not included in our program.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure. See and do more of what interests you most. City Market, River Street, or maybe a musical at the Historic Savannah Theater are calling!

Activity note: Getting on/off a trolley. Walking up to 2 miles; standing indoors and out.

Breakfast: Hotel plated meal.

Morning: In the hotel meeting room, we will meet “Mr. Joseph Habersham, Esquire” — in the person of a costumed interpreter — who departed from life in this beautiful city in 1815. Habersham was a member of the Georgia Provisional Council, a member of the Sons of Liberty, and a mayor of Savannah before being appointed Postmaster General by President George Washington.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: Accompanied by a local expert, we will explore Savannah's artistic side with walking field trips to the Telfair and Jepson Art Museums. Formerly the home of one of Savannah's most prominent families, the Telfair Museum was the first public art museum in the U.S. The Jepson Center is an art museum of contemporary art and was designed by Moshe Safdie.

Dinner: Hotel plated meal.

Evening: We’ll be joined by a talented balladeer and music historian who will reveal the stories “behind the music” of some quintessential American songs as he plays and sings. We are invited to join in!

Activity note: Getting on/off a trolley; climbing uneven stairs, standing indoors and out.

Breakfast: Hotel plated meal.

Morning: By trolley with a local expert, we’ll take a field trip to Fort Pulaski and Old Fort Jackson. Fort Pulaski was designed to protect the city from attacks coming up the Savannah River. Preliminary construction in 1829-30 was overseen by a young Army lieutenant named Robert E. Lee. Old Fort Jackson is Georgia's oldest standing brick fortification. After a brief introduction, we’ll cover our ears for a cannon-firing! We’ll then return to the hotel.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most.

Dinner: At a popular local restaurant, we’ll have plated meals including a salad, a choice of three tempting entrées, a side dish, and dessert along with iced tea, coffee, water; other beverages available for purchase. As a delightful bonus, enjoy entertaining piano music while we dine.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy time to linger over the evening meal while socializing with fellow participants and our Group Leader. We’ll walk back as a group, but those who wish are welcome to return independently.

Activity note: Getting on/off a trolley. Walking up to 1.5 miles; climbing steps, navigating uneven terrain.

Breakfast: Hotel plated meal.

Morning: To learn about the African-American experience in the South and more specifically Savannah, we’ll divide into two groups to visit the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum and the Davenport House Museum with local experts on a walking and riding field trip.

Lunch: At a charming restaurant filled with history and character, we’ll have a plated entrée and dessert with beverage choices of coffee, iced tea, water.

Afternoon: We will continue our examination of the African-American experience with our local experts.

Dinner: Aboard a riverboat on the Savannah River, we will enjoy a buffet farewell meal plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Aboard the riverboat, we’ll cruise down the Savannah River and enjoy entertainment as we end our memorable week! Returning to the hotel, prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

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

Breakfast: Hotel buffet. This concludes our program.

Morning: For those who chose the "Free Airfare" option, Road Scholar shuttles will be departing for Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at scheduled intervals between 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 Noon. The welcome packet you received during registration on Day 1 includes information about your scheduled departure, based on your flight time. 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!