A small group of advisors recently experienced the Lowcountry life and true Southern hospitality in Isle of Palms and Charleston, South Carolina.
Our first stop was on sunny Isle of Palms where we were instantly greeted by the salty air and refreshing ocean breeze. We were excited to start off the FAM with some relaxation and beach-time at Sweetgrass Inn at Wild Dunes Resort.
We quickly settled in and were taken on a lovely boat cruise with Barrier Island Eco Tours to the spectacular Capers Island. We learned about the ecosystem and marine life in Charleston, spotting local birds and dolphins along the way. We even stopped at an oyster bed and cracked open this local delicacy to sample on our ride over to the island. Part of the experience to Capers Island is having the chance to visit Boneyard Beach, which is known for being one of the most photographed beaches in the country. The group then enjoyed a classic Lowcountry Boil served on right the beach as we watched the beautiful sunset. Then we made our way back to the resort. We ended the evening with some delicious appetizers at Oystercatcher, known for its sustainably-sourced seafood and fusion menu with shareable plates.
The next morning, we kicked off the day with a tour of this award-winning property, which sits in its own gated resort community on Isle of Palms. We then had some time at leisure to enjoy one of the many fantastic resort amenities. Some of the options were tennis, golf, pickleball, bike riding, a spa treatment, or having time by the pool or beach. Most of the group decided to zen out and enjoy a massage at the spa at Sweetgrass Inn. We quickly discovered the spa was quite the tranquil hidden oasis at the resort.
After a morning of R&R, we were ready to discover more of Charleston and were escorted downtown for an afternoon walking tour hosted by Bulldog Tours and Explore Charleston, the local tourism board. We were immediately enchanted by the beautiful historic homes and charming cobblestone streets. After seeing the highlights, such as City Market, King Street, Rainbow Row, and Waterfront Park, our group had worked up a huge appetite. We then made our way to an iconic local spot, Leon’s Oyster Shop, where we casually dined on the most delectable seafood, oysters, and fried chicken found in all of Charleston.
For our final day, we made our way downtown and checked into the dreamy boutique Hotel Emeline. This hotel sits in one of the best downtown locations, near the famous King Street and City Market. There are endless shops and restaurants all within a few steps of the hotel. After checking in, our group had the afternoon at leisure to enjoy the hotel and explore downtown. We then were treated to a tour of the hotel followed by a cocktail reception in the cozy courtyard of Frannie & the Fox, where we were served their version of an Italian Spritz and some scrumptious Italian bites.
We ended our last night in Charleston mingling with other advisors and travel partners at a Millennials in Travel networking event and reception. This was held at the elegant Thoroughbred Club at Charleston Place, a historic and timeless luxury hotel located in the heart of downtown. It was such a wonderful opportunity to network with other local partners and fellow millennials in the travel industry, and we all left with even more new connections and friends.
We were sad that our trip had quickly come to an end. Charleston is a one-of-a-kind destination that immediately draws you in and captivates your heart. As soon as you set foot in this destination, you feel the warmth and genuine hospitality from the people here. It’s also a place that really has something for everyone. It has history, culture, great shopping, a phenomenal dining scene, and also incredible beaches and islands when you are ready to escape the hustle and bustle. But ultimately, it’s a place where you feel at home. We all left a piece of our hearts in Charleston, and we can’t wait until we return back “home” again.