Print   Close

Moonlight and Magnolias

The Deep South evokes images of magnolias, mansions, southern belles and cemeteries rich in notable personages. Even today, in many places the South still offers an unhurried pace of life reminiscent of the days before the Civil War. Its many historic districts, preserved and restored homes continue to bring the past to life, displaying living history at its best. 

The South has been home to some of the country’s most important events, from Revolutionary War battles, to the Civil War’s massive destruction of an entire culture’s way of life, to the focal point of epic struggles for civil liberties that made our country great. Of course, the South also played its part in changing the world with the birth of jazz, blues and rock ‘n’ roll. 

This month’s hosts include a number of day tours that will show you the premier cites and sites of the Deep South and offer insights into what makes the region’s culture unique.  

Name: RiverBarge Excursion Lines
Location: Southern USA
Specialty: River barge cruises
Why We Like Them: For those explorers wishing to travel by water instead of land, the great rivers and Intracoastal waterways of the South are the perfect thoroughfares through which to discover this unique land. Visiting places rarely accessible from the land, a river journey offers an entirely different perspective. Scheduled trips include the Delta South, Cajuns & Creoles and The Route of Jean Lafitte. Special “Rare on the River” journeys focus on special events such as Foliage and Fillies, Christmas Bonfires on the Levee and Mardi Gras Mambo. The combination of Rivers to Rails rounds out the unique offerings.

Name: Monmouth Plantation
Location: Natchez, Mississippi
Specialty: Small Luxury Hotel
Why We Like Them: Owners Ron and Lani Riches have recreated the glory and grandeur of the past with their beautiful inn. Set amidst twenty-six acres complete with moss-draped oaks and pond, this beautifully restored 1818 Greek Revival estate allows visitors to enjoy the luxury of the South’s greatest era. Thirty rooms housed in the mansion and eight outbuildings have each been individually decorated with period furniture and modern amenities. A candlelit and crystal dinning room completes the romance. For lovers of the Old South, a stay at Monmouth Plantation is a must.

Name: American Orient Express
Location: Southeastern USA
Specialty: Train trips
Why We Like Them: Offering a selection of tours to the South, including Antebellum South, Civil War & The South and Jazz Heritage & Southern Culture, this company allows you to explore the past in grand style from the comfort of vintage rail cars. Sixteen carriages refurbished to the exacting standards of rail travel’s golden era transport travelers back in time to experience the excursion just as travelers would have in days gone by.

Name: Tours By Isabelle
Location: New Orleans and surrounding area
Specialty: Small personalized tours of the area’s most popular sites
Why We Like Them: Isabelle has nearly 25 years creating and leading tours, and she insures that each trip is an experience to remember. Offering half-day, full-day and grand tours that combine two offerings, the options cover most any site a traveler can wish to see. Tours include a city tour of New Orleans, a selection of plantation tours and a swamp boat tour.

Name: Natchez Pilgrimage Tours
Location: Natchez, Mississippi
Specialty: Visits to the antebellum homes of this famous city
Why We Like Them: Offering year-round tours to the fabulous mansions that make this city unique. The company is also the headquarters for the yearly spring and fall Pilgrimages, when the city’s finest private homes open their doors to guests. Step back in time as hoop-skirted hostesses welcome visitors into the glorious past of the pre-Civil War South.

Name: America by Foot
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Specialty: Walking tours
Why We Like Them: This company offers a number of tours that feature highlights of Charleston. Tours include Wicked Charleston, Pirates and Buccaneers, and Patriots of Charleston. Tours are lead by guides with wide-ranging experience, most of whom have completed extensive studies and research in their chosen area. A trip to Charleston would not be complete without enjoying at least one of these highly focused walks.

Name: Savannah Under The Stars Tours
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Specialty: Day and evening tours of the city
Why We Like Them: A great overview to Savannah whether you’re interested in a night time pub crawl, historic evening tour or a day trip to Tybee Island’s beach and sites. Enjoy two and a half centuries of Savannah’s past, including the historic districts, museums, churches and cemeteries that make this city unique

Name: Ghost Talk Ghost Walk
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Specialty: Walking tours
Why We Like Them: Spend an evening uncovering Savannah with the Ghost Talk Ghost Walk tour. The cities highlights are different after dark and this tour will show with you the secrets of this beautiful city. Other tours include the Bells of Savannah, the Architectural walk and the War in Georgia.