Charleston feels like stepping into another century. Stroll past grand antebellum homes and moss-draped oaks, wander cobblestone alleys and historic cemeteries, and hear the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages under the glow of gas lamps after dark. Yet for all its old-world charm, the Holy City is anything but stuck in the past. It's home to one of the best restaurant scenes in the South, creative shops, contemporary galleries and the acclaimed Spoleto Festival USA.

History is woven into every corner. Take the ferry to Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began. Visit Middleton Place to learn about both the plantation owners and the enslaved people whose labor built it. Stop by Emanuel AME Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. once spoke. For souvenirs with real meaning, head to Charleston City Market and look for sweetgrass baskets handwoven in the Gullah tradition.

When you need some beach time, Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms and Folly Beach are all just a short drive away. I'll find you a charming historic inn or beachfront rental and line up the tours and dinner reservations that make Charleston special.