Hilton Head & Savannah, SC
Smoky Mountains, NC & TN | Orlando, FL
Atlanta, GA | Washington, DC
 

Hilton Head is not your usual beach town. An exclusive resort island community of exciting dimensions with lush subtropical forests and vast sea marshes, it is world-famous for its championship golf courses and top-ranked tennis clubs. The world’s top golfers compete annually in the Sea Pines Heritage Golf Classic and the Hilton Head Senior International. Sea Pines also hosts the Family Circle Magazine Cup Tennis Tournament. Enjoy a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. Climb the world's most-photographed lighthouse.  

Savannah, just across the Georgia border, was one of America's most important ports in British colonial days. The last of the 13 original colonies, Savannah was colonized in 1732 by 114 people, chiefly to defend Carolina from the Spaniards in Florida and as a refuge for persecuted Protestants, where they could market manufactured goods so England no longer had to buy from France or Russia! It grew very fast, and today is a cosmopolitan city yet with all of its Southern charm and hospitality still remaining. A Traveler magazine readers’ poll named Savannah "one of the top ten cities to visit", judged on cultural enrichment, atmosphere, restaurants, and friendliness of the people here. River Street offers many shops and cafes, each unique, as well as a museum of model ships. Just across a lovely park from the riverfront is the historic district, where you can take a walking or riding tour of its many well-preserved historic homes. (In all, there are 2,358 "historically and architecturally significant buildings", with 72% of them restored).

Cost includes:
3 nights stay in an American home
Transportation
Most meals (you have to buy 4 meals)

Optional extras:
Dolphin Boat Ride in Hilton Head harbor ($15-$25)
Horse Carriage Ride/Trolley Tour of Savannah ($15-$25) 
Miniature golf (about $5)
Tybee Island Lighthouse ($3)
Shopping & Souvenirs

There are no bus, plane, or train connections to Hilton Head. If you are coming by bus, train, or air, plan to arrive in Columbia, South Carolina by NOON on the day of departure. IFM will provide transportation from there at 2:00 p.m. IMPORTANT: If you arrive after 1:00 p.m., you will have no way to get to Hilton Head!

Plan your return departure from Columbia, SC after 6:00 p.m.

Friday, May 25

2:00 p.m. Depart from Columbia

5:30 p.m. Arrive on the Island

6:30 p.m. Host families arrive and take students home

Saturday, May 26

Breakfast with host family

8:30 a.m. Meet at designated location for a whole day of sightseeing in Savannah, GA

10:00 a.m.  Savannah Museum & Welcome Center

11:00 a.m. Personal Walking Tour & Lunch

2:15 p.m. Fort Pulaski

3:45 p.m. Lighthouse & beach (if time permits)

5:00 p.m. Leave for Hilton Head Island

6:15 p.m. Meet host families back at designated location

Sunday, May 27   

Breakfast with host family

9:30 Meet at host church for International Sunday School Class

10:30 a.m. observe Worship Service at host church

12:30 p.m. Lunch at fast food restaurant

1:30 p.m. Sightsee on Hilton Head Island and visit Harbor Town

Optional activities

Dolphin Boat Ride (Boat leaves at 2:50 p.m.)(about $20 adult; $10 children)
Swimming (bring swimsuits & towel)

Shopping at New England village of shops
Biking (Bike rentals available at the Holiday Inn) - about $8

Miniature golf (about $5)
 

8:30 p.m. Return to designated location & meet host families

Monday, May 28

9:30 a.m. One more trip to beach, including lunch at restaurant

12:30 p.m. Van leaves from designated location for Columbia and connections to home campuses

We should be back in Columbia by 4:30 p.m.
(Do not plan your return departure from Columbia, SC before 6:00 p.m.)