Have you ever wondered if there was a place in the United States which captures the feeling of Gone with the Wind?
We've found it! That place is Charleston, South Carolina. Its divine city centre seems untouched since the 18th century with wide treed streetscapes with grand mansions with horse and carriages rides taking tourists round in style. The compact city centre is easily walkable and charming and if you make it off the beaten track, you can peek inside the windows of some of the houses undergoing restoration to take them back to Charleston's glory days in the 1770s.
For those that like a little more modern pace, there are fantastic restaurants showcasing the best Southern food has to offer and young guys on rickshaws quickly ferry you between your accommodation and restaurants and bars.
Direct flights to Houston flying with Air New Zealand make destinations such as Charleston far more accessible than ever before.
If you want to experience true Southern hospitality you cannot look past the boutique hotel 2 Meeting Street Inn. This is a beautiful, stylish small hotel located a short walk from the city on a corner block of one of Charleston's best streets. There is always a pitcher of fresh, ice cold lemonade or ice tea on offer and the genial hosts love hearing about your travels and offering further tips. Breakfast is served on the generous verandah under the trees and the rooms are individually decorated in a lovely Victorian inspired way.