Lowcountry Literary and Leisure Getaway
March 9-13, 2022
One of the many great things about a vacation is relaxing, kicking back, and spending time with a good book. Especially a book that is so beautifully written, you can easily get lost in the story, scenes, and settings. The Lowcountry is a place that inspires such vivid imagery and spirited storytelling, and there are many wonderful books about this area written by acclaimed authors.
Interested in a vacation that brings books alive for you and allows you to delve deeper into the scenes and local lore that are the inspiration behind literary gems?
Join me on a literary tour of the Lowcountry. We’ll visit locations from “The Water is Wide” ” by Pat Conroy and “Tell Me a Story” by Cassandra King Conroy, and we’ll have a meet and greet with authors, aspiring writers, and artisans. You’ll also have the opportunity to relax on the beautiful beaches of South Carolina and enjoy shopping and restaurants.
Beaches & Books …one of my favorite combinations!
If you want to prepare before the trip, join our virtual book club
Reserve your spot on the getaway by paying a $150.00 Deposit and we will ship a Complimentary Copy of “The Water is Wide” by Pat Conroy, to you as a gift from Luxe Lowcountry Travel. In February, the Pat Conroy Literary Center (PCLC) executive director will facilitate a Facebook live with me, Susie Mc Mahon. In March, we will meet for this incredible travel experience!
GETAWAY BASICS
- Dates: March 9-13, 2022, Beaufort, South Carolina, and Fripp Island, South Carolina
- Trip Length: 5 days, 4 nights (with optional add-ons – just ask)
- Trip Theme: Literary Getaway
- Category: Casual Luxury
- Group Size: 20 max, including your host, Susie
- Accommodation Type: 4-5 Star local luxury inns or private home
- Events to Benefit the Pat Conroy Literary Center: Meet and Greet Author Event, Friends of Pat Conroy Author Panel, Lowcountry Dinner with Authors and Artisans
Excursions: Walking History Tour or Horse and Carriage Tour, Pat Conroy Center tour, Beaufort Tours- Pat Conroy Tour, Daufuskie Island Gullah Tour and lunch, Private Home Brunch in the Historic Point neighborhood, Friends of Pat Conroy Author Panel with Wine and Cheese Biscuits.
OPTIONAL excursions not included.- Sunset River Cruise- Wine and Appetizers made from Pat Conroy’s Cookbook $$ Pricing TBD
Meals: Welcome Wine/Beer Reception, Breakfast Vouchers, Lunch on Daufuskie Island, Saturday Brunch, and Farewell Lowcountry Boil Dinner.
Price: The price of the getaway includes meals and excursions as noted above and your choice of accommodations outlined below.
- *$700.00pp Private Home
- *850.00pp Double Occupancy Inn Room
- *1,200.00 Single Occupancy Inn Room
For example, the pricing of the getaway with a double occupancy room at an Inn is $850.00pp. total for all meals and excursions as noted above.
$150.00 deposit required. The deposit is refundable up to 90 days prior to the getaway. Full payment is required 60 days prior to the getaway.
Covid-19– Please be vaccinated against covid-19 or have a negative covid-19 test within 72 hours prior to the getaway to participate.
“I’ve come home to the place I was always writing about…. I’ve tried to make Beaufort, South Carolina, my own.”—Pat Conroy, The Death of Santini
Day One – Arrive in the Lowcountry
- Travel day. Book transportation into Savannah; Susie can assist or make suggestions. Please arrive in Charleston or Savannah by 1:30pm at the latest to be able to share ground transportation to Beaufort in time for festivities.
- Reserve ground transportation service with Susie or rent a car.
- Check-in at The Beaufort Inn or private home.
- After freshening up from your travels, join your guide, Susie, and other group members for a Welcome Wine/Beer Meet and Greet with local authors, aspiring authors, and artisans. Stay for dinner or stroll the charming streets of Beaufort and the Point. Location- Beaufort Inn Palmetto Courtyard: 5:00pm-7:00pm
- If you are still wanting dinner, ask Susie for suggestions within walking distance.
Day Two – Beaufort, South Carolina and touring day
- Sleep in a bit and enjoy breakfast in town using your breakfast voucher from Inn or order breakfast items for a private homestay.
- Pick your tour: Janet’s Historical Walking Tour or Horse and Carriage Tour – 10:00 am
- Lunch at one of Susie’s favorite downtown Beaufort restaurants
- After lunch, we’ll walk through the Pat Conroy Literary Center and take the Pat Conroy Golf Cart or Van tour. We will be there in conjunction with Beaufort Tours, Pat Conroy’s Beaufort Tour, and you will be able to enjoy a 10% Discount on any of the books.
- Dinner on your own- Susie is happy to make suggestions and reservations where applicable.
Day Three – Day Trip to Daufuskie Island, South Carolina
- Get ready for the day by enjoying breakfast in town or order breakfast items for a private homestay.
- Activity One-Drive from Beaufort to Bluffton Ferry Boat Dock. We’ll be carpooling’ the departure time will be TBD and shared with the group the night before. ( Group S-The first 14 registered getaway guests)
- Enjoy a relaxing and scenic boat ride to Daufuskie Island – the inspiration for “The Water is Wide” by Pat Conroy.
- Meet up with Sally Ann Robinson for the Daufuskie Gullah Tour
- Traditional Lowcountry lunch service in Ms. Robinson’s yard.
- Ferry back to Bluffton.
- Activity Two– Meet Beaufort Tours for a special Sea Island and Gullah Tour (Group C- The next 6 Registered Getaway Guests)
- Lunch – Free time to choose your dining location in Downtown Beaufort
- Dinner on your own- Susie is happy to make suggestions and reservations where applicable.
Day Four – Beaufort, South Carolina/ Private Beaufort Home Tour, Beach Walk, and Farewell Dinner
- Wake up refreshed and ready for another beautiful day in Beaufort.
- Brunch at Private Historical Home in The Point neighborhood. ( First 14 registered guests. Space is limited)-10:00am
- Beaufort River Cruise with Mimosas and Muffins( Second 6 registered guests)- Time TBD
- Author Panel Discussion- Friends of Pat Conroy- with Wine and Cheese Biscuits. Bay Marketplace 2:00pm
- Beach Walk on Hunting Island State Park or Fripp Island. (Weather depending and car required)
- Return to Inn or Private Home to relax and dress for farewell dinner.
- Tonight, we’ll enjoy a customary Lowcountry farewell dinner: This event will be in the open air, weather permitting, at The Celadon Clubhouse on Lady’s Island. 6:00pm-8:00pm
Day Five – Beaufort, South Carolina
- Guests check out of their inns or private home.
- Reserved ground transportation will take you back to Savannah International Airport or return rental car
- Farewell until next time. Safe travels.
Travel protection and flights additional. Luxurious Journeys and Luxe Lowcountry Travel reserves the right to alter or deviate from the tour itinerary, inclusions, or hotels should circumstances dictate. Luxurious Journeys and Luxe Lowcountry Travel is a full-service independent affiliate with Trips and Ships Luxury Travel and can assist with flights and additional travel arrangements, as needed.
Additional Details on Excursions and Local Fare:
Conroy Center: guests are also encouraged to visit the Conroy Center where you can see artifacts from Pat’s life, including his writing desk and chair, the Great Santini’s flight jacket, and the handwritten prologue to The Prince of Tides. Tour guests get a 10% discount on purchases of gifts and books at the Conroy Center.
Daufuskie Island Tour: Presented in partnership with the Pat Conroy Literary Center. See Pat Conroy’s Beaufort in this one hour 45 minute tour of sites from Pat’s writing life—including the high school where he was a student during his junior and senior years and where he later taught for two years before going to Daufuskie Island, homes in the historic Point where Pat lived and wrote, sites related to his teachers and friends, his parents’ gravesite, Pat’s grave on St. Helena, and locations connected to the filming of The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini.
