Charleston is just as charming as I’ve always imagined it would be. A family wedding in North Carolina created an easy excuse for a roadtrip to to South Carolina to explore this bucket list destination.

Charleston is resplendent with pastel clapboard houses, opulent mansions, vibrant multi-hued flowerboxes, cobblestone streets, horse drawn carriages and endless city views with stately bridges rising above the water way.

The dining options are distinctly southern with a fresh twist. Influences of French, Gullah, Cajun flavors, among others, create a unique food scene. Charm oozes from the historic district mansions as you explore the cobblestone streets in a horse drawn carriage….Clip clop….Clip clop…Or whizing through the streets in a rickshaw. We did both!

Chic boutiques, luxurious hotels, sunny cafes and view-worthy roof top terraces round out the scene in Charleston. The gated porches make you want to settle in with a frosty mint julep on a warm afternoon and a great read.

Our carriage ride with Charleston’s favorite, Charlie.

Our stay at Zero George was everything we hoped it would be. This cluster of 5 historic homes has been transformed to a luxury boutique hotel that retains the true southern charm of the area. We were welcomed with chilled wine and a delicious charcuterie platter.

“Zero Restaurant + Bar will change the way you think about hotel restaurants. This tucked-away gem serves up some of Charleston’s biggest flavors and most dazzling dishes from undoubtedly the tiniest professional kitchen around. But don’t take our word for it: Condé Nast named Zero George one of the Top 5 Foodie Hotels in the World. Chef Vinson Petrillo is a master with seasonal local ingredients, elevating dining to a sublime art of delicious sophistication.”

— Zero George