Maame Koranchee's: Gullah Itinerary

Enjoy one of the last unspoiled areas on the Eastern Seaboard with breathtaking views of golden marshes, sparkling waters and ancient moss-filled trees. Spend this Memorial Day weekend in the Sea Islands, off the coast of Georgia and South Carolina, visiting historic towns filled with stately homes. Stroll through charming streets boasting unique shops, restaurants, galleries, etc. and walk down streets lined with huge oak trees branching out like fortresses, draped in gray beards of Spanish moss. Yes, enjoy this and more with Red Sandal Tours’ personalized 5 days, 4 nights trip, which focuses on the beauty and mystery of the “disappearing” Gullah culture, a compelling mix of West African and Southern cultures.

During this fully guided tour of not more than 10 people; you will see and experience the spirit of West African culture through food, clothing, house wares, language and edutainment:

A visit to Charleston’s famous market or at the Gullah Festival will reveal present day Sea Islanders “sewing” the famed coiled Gullah baskets as has been done by their ancestors for 400 years

The Gullah red rice not only looks like the Ghanaian or Senegalese Jollof rice, but uses most of the basic ingredients.

Where’s the origin of Nana, Yam, A’min? Nana is from Ghana and means grandmother; yam for sweet potato in Liberia; and a’min is Senegalese for amen. These are common West African words that are part of the Gullah language and have now become part of the Southern lexicon.

Day 1 - Savannah & Beaufort
Arrive in Savannah, GA and depart by minivan to Beaufort, SC. Beaufort (pronounced Bew-fort) is home of the Gullah Festival and the second oldest city in South Carolina. It is an hour’s drive away from Savannah, GA and an hour and a half’s drive from Charleston, SC. We’ll check into our lavishly decorated and impeccably furnished Five-Star inn. At our Bienvenue Party , you be able to network with your fellow travelers and enjoy hors d’oeuvres by the inn’s talented and celebrated chef.

Later on, we’ll either stroll or take a carriage ride through the shady streets of historic downtown Beaufort called the Old Point before ending on the Beaufort River public marina and water front. There are over 170 public and private buildings of historical interest in this district, such as, Tidalhom, the house where the movie The Big Chill was filmed. As one watches the tide come in during the dying day, one can imagine the slaves planting rice in the marshes as well as literally hear their syncopated songs as they work away. We’ll cap the night off at Plum’s Restaurant for the best homemade ice cream anywhere below the Mason-Dixon Line.

Day 2 - Beaufort
We’ll meet in the Grill Room for breakfast and depart for the Gullah Festival. The Gullah Festival was established 18 years ago to reclaim for future generations the Gullah culture. Events include participating in the art of storytelling as done in various parts of Africa; enjoying Yoruba drumming and dancing; attending workshops on Sweetgrass basket weaving, quilting and indigo dyeing demonstrations; and listening to various historical and self-acknowledgment seminars. And yes, there’ll be plenty of the 3 Ss (shops, stalls and stands) to browse and shop. Detailed scheduled of events of the 2005 festival would be provided.

After lunch at the Gullah Grab on St. Helena Island, we’ll take a historic tour of the Island. Stops will include visits to homes of prominent African Americans, the famous Penn Center, a living museum dedicated to preserving the language, history and culture of the Sea Island’s Gullah population and places of worship called Praise Houses. Many Spirituals with its call and response rhythm of West African traditions came from Praise Houses.

The evening is yours free to do what you choose.

Day 3 - Charleston
After breakfast in the Grill Room, we head for the Kingdom of Oyo-Tunji African Village, designed to follow ancient Yoruba traditional villages. As the sign to the village advertises, this is a must see place.

From there we leave for our Doorways of Charleston tour. But before that, we stop at either Bowen’s Island or Edisto Motel Restaurants for our Lowcountry lunch. Huckleberry Finn would have been down right at home at any of these restaurants.

Does the Charlestonian single house with the front door leading directly onto a piazza has its architectural roots in Ghana via Bahamas or as some theories go it originated from Charleston itself due to the English custom of primogeniture? Curious? Find out at our insightful Doorways of Charleston tour.

We will return to Beaufort just in time to freshen up for dinner, or go for a casual stroll. Evening is at your leisure. Have a cocktail at Ping’s Sports Bar & Grill or dance the night away at Banana’s.

Day 4 - Around Beaufort
No activity schedule for the morning. Arrangement would be made for those interested in attending church / religious services. As usual we meet for breakfast in the Grill Room.

A trip to the South isn’t a trip without a visit to a plantation. We will explore one of the Ashley River or Boone Hall Plantations and enjoy 17^th Century English style gardens or relive life on “Slave Street.” Luncheon picnic would be provided at one of the plantations.

Day 5 - Savannah

Alas, all good things must come to an end, but not before we swap stories during breakfast. We depart for Savannah right after breakfast.

Depending on flight schedules, we may take amini tour of the city and lunch at Nita’s Place or The Lady & Sons restaurants.

General Information:

This tour begins at $1,600.00/pp double occupancy prices. A deposit of $300 holds your spot and is due with your registration form 90 days prior to departure (March 21st 2009). Deposits are fully refundable until dates noted. Tour price must be paid in full 45 days before the start of the tour. The all inclusive price¹ includes:

Expert leadership provided by Nita Brown

Roundtrip trip airfare to Savannah, GA from Rochester, NY / New York City Airports. Price adjustment would be made for those traveling outside these two airports accordingly.

5 days, 4 nights at a historic 4-diamond inn where you’ll indulge yourself in Southern hospitality

Ground transportation including airport transfers as noted in schedule

Meals as noted (Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner)

Sightseeing, attractions/parks entrance fees and permits

Basic medical and evacuation insurance

All Red Sandal Tours begin with a Bienvenue Party, where we "meet and greet" each other. It will briefly take place at the airport, followed by cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at a five-star hotel or four-diamond inn.

For the detailed itinerary, go to www.redsandaltours.com. You can also contact us at 585-305-8292 or nita@redsandaltours.com or go to the Registration Form. We do pair up roommates, so let us know if you are a single and in search of a roommate. We look forward to seeing you in the Sea Islands!