Charming Ports of the South Feat. Jekyll Island

Duration: 8 Days | Meals Included: 7 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners

 

This Eyre Tour is powered by Starr. Starr Bus Charter & Tours, a family-owned company based in the Philadelphia area, has been providing escorted vacations since the 1960s

and also proudly operates Eyre Tours. For this trip, you’ll travel aboard a Starr motorcoach with the expertise of a professional Starr Tour Director and Driver. Travelers from Maryland and Virginia will enjoy convenient shuttle service to meet the Starr motorcoach, where you’ll join fellow guests from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. As

always, reservations and payments are made directly through Eyre Tours, while Starr provides a seamless and memorable travel experience.

 

Trip Highlights:

 

Jekyll Island Tram Tour

Tram tours of the Jekyll Island Club Historic District begin at the Island History Center on Stable Road. From 1886 to 1942 this area served as the winter retreat for America's wealthiest families - Rockefeller, Crane, Goodyear and Morgan. Thirty-three of the original buildings still stand with many mansion-sized "cottages" on the tour. We will tour one of these historical buildings. After the tour, you will have an opportunity to visit the museum exhibits and view a video presentation that reveals the fascinating story of Jekyll Island-from its earliest inhabitants, across its fabled Club Era, to its wondrous restoration programs today. There will also be time to visit the gift shop.

 

 

Hofwyl-Broadfield Historic Site

This beautiful plantation represents the history and culture of Georgia's rice coast. In the early 1800s, William Brailsford of Charleston carved a rice plantation from marshes along the Altamaha River. The plantation and its inhabitants were part of the genteel low country society that developed during the antebellum period. The museum features silver from the family collection and a model of Hofwyl-Broadfield during its heyday. A brief film on the plantation's history is shown before visitors walk a short trail to the antebellum home. A guided tour allows visitors to see the home as Ophelia kept it with family heirlooms, 18th and 19th century furniture, and Cantonese China.

 

St. Augustine Sightseeing Tour

Explore St. Augustine, the Nation's Oldest City, with a narrated tour aboard Starr's comfortable motorcoach. Over 430 years of history are highlighted as you travel through ancient streets to view buildings dating to the 1700s. Discover the roots of the Timucuan Indians that were native to the North Florida coast and their contributions to the Spanish settlers. Learn of several failed attempts to take over the colony and how the colonists struggled against fire, disease, and threats from neighboring colonies. See the lasting British influence on the architecture, with alterations that remain visible today. During our tour, experience the grandeur of the Flagler Era. Henry Flagler, the Father of Florida Tourism, made St. Augustine a winter destination for wealthy Northerners in the late 1800s. You will see two of his grand hotels and enjoy a guided tour inside the Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church, built in memory of Flagler's daughter, Jenny Louise.

 

Mission of Nombre de Dios Walking Tour

Enjoy a guided walking tour of the Mission of Nombre de Dios, the landing site of Pedro Menendez, the founder of St. Augustine. This site, where the first Catholic Mass was held in the new world, was proclaimed by President Kennedy as "America's Most Sacred Acre."

 

Fountain of Youth Archeological Park

A visit to St. Augustine isn’t complete without experiencing the world-famous Fountain of Youth. Explore the newly renovated Planetarium, which offers a glimpse of the night sky as seen by Ponce de Leon when he first arrived in the harbor, and discover how early explorers used the stars for navigation. Sip from the legendary fountain that Ponce de Leon sought and stroll through the gardens abundant with local flora and fauna, where elegant peacocks roam among the visitors.

 

 

Lightner Museum

Tour the Lightner Museum, formerly the grand "Good Time" Alcazar Hotel, which now showcases one of the finest collections of turn-of-the-century art and collectibles. Founded by Otto C. Lightner, creator of Hobbies Magazine, the museum features an eclectic array of collections amassed by Lightner himself and spread across three floors.

 

Savannah Trolley Tour

Discover Savannah like never before with Old Town Trolley Tours, the ultimate way to explore this historic coastal gem. From its stunning architecture and lush gardens to its captivating stories, Savannah offers an unforgettable vacation experience. Enjoy a lively tour led by a friendly conductor, who will share a blend of fascinating trivia and amusing anecdotes. With convenient on-and-off boarding privileges at all designated stops, you can explore at your own pace and make the most of your visit.

 

 

 

Davenport House Museum

Step inside this beautifully preserved 1820 Federal-style home and explore three floors of history. Led by our expert docents, the tour reveals the lives of the Davenport family and the thirteen enslaved people who lived and worked here, offering a powerful glimpse into Savannah’s complex past.  

 

Ida Alice Shourd Flagler Visit

While enjoying dinner at Hurricane Patty's, prepare for a delightful and unexpected encounter with Ida Alice Shourd Flagler, the second wife of Henry Flagler. Mistaking our group for new employees of the Ponce de Leon Hotel, she wastes no time assigning duties, arrogantly introducing herself, and boasting about her wealthy husband’s success. But as her dramatic storytelling unfolds, so does a glimpse into her emotional instability, making for an entertaining and eye-opening experience. This unique performance brings history to life in the most surprising way, through the eyes of one of St. Augustine’s most colorful and controversial women!

 

Meal Information:

 

Dinner on day two is included at the Holiday Inn Jekyll Island

Dinner will be served buffet-style and features a house salad, garlic chicken in a lemon beurre blanc, grilled Atlantic salmon sauteed with spinach and blistered tomatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables. Dinner includes chocolate torte for dessert, along with water, sweet tea, and lemonade.

 

Dinner on day three is included at Jekyll Island Club

Menu TBA

 

Dinner on day four is included at Hurricane Patty's. Choices are:

Menu TBA

 

Dinner on day five is included at Aunt Kate's

Dinner will be served buffet-style and features a house salad with ranch dressing, pumpkin bread, corn bread, grilled tilapia, north beach chicken (grilled chicken breasts basted with homemade southern comfort barbeque sauce topped with bacon, provolone, shredded cheddar and tomatoes), veggie baked ziti, mixed veggies in garlic butter, red bliss potatoes, and banana pudding for dessert. Sweet tea, unsweetened iced tea, water, and canned sodas are also included

 

Menus are subject to change.

 

Need to Know:

• There is a considerable amount of walking on this tour.

• Every Eyre trip includes deluxe round-trip motorcoach transportation from one or more of our departure locations.

• An Eyre Tour Director will accompany you on this trip.

• Baggage handling at hotels is included.

 

Accessibility:

• This trip is not a good fit for those with mobility challenges because a lot of walking is required.

• The Jekyll Island Tram Tour is not wheelchair accessible.

• Mission of Nombre de Dios: expect uneven terrain as you explore the sacred grounds.

• Eyre has a select quantity of wheelchair accessible motorcoaches available; therefore, we suggest you contact a Travel Advisor to discuss any needs you may have before reserving your trip.

Days 1 and 7: Country Inn Fayetteville (Fayetteville, NC)

The hotel features a seasonal outdoor pool and fitness room. Guest rooms include coffee maker, mini-fridge, hair dryer, and iron/board.

 

Days 2 and 3: Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island (Jekyll Island, GA)

Located on the beach, the resort offers an idyllic setting for relaxation. The hotel features a heated outdoor pool, fitness center, and outdoor firepits. Guest rooms include coffee maker, mini-fridge, hair dryer, and iron.

 

Days 4 and 5: Fairfield Inn St. Augustine (St. Augustine, FL)

The hotel features an outdoor heated pool and fitness room. Guest rooms include coffee maker, mini-fridge, hair dryer, and iron/board.

 

Day 6: Holiday Inn Savannah Historic District (Savannah, GA)

The hotel is located in the heart of the Savannah Historic District, just a short stroll from River Street. The hotel features a restaurant/lounge, seasonal outdoor pool, and fitness room. Guest rooms include a coffee maker, mini-fridge, hair dryer, and iron/board.

See highlights from Starr's Tour Tuesday!