We visited Charleston in September of last year for our friends' wedding and then spent a few days unwinding in Palmetto Bluff following the celebrations. We hadn't allowed much extra time for exploring (a big mistake and we are already planning a return trip!) but we couldn't resist squeezing in a day trip to Savannah, especially when we realised it was only a short 30 minute drive from Montage Palmetto Bluff. Savannah is a charming city and home to many buildings of architectural or historic significance. Spanish-moss-draped trees line the streets and border the parks, giving the city an urban forest feel. Prepare yourself for many, many photos of beautiful houses and buildings.
We decided to hit the road early to make the most of our day in Savannah. As this was an impromptu day trip, I was happy to go with the flow, but the one thing I never leave to chance is where we will dine. A quick search online told me that The Collins Quarter is one of the best brunch spots in the city and so we made a beeline for Bull Street in Downtown Savannah. Being on the road at such an early hour was rewarded with a parking spot just off Wright Square. As we walked through the manicured gardens, I caught sight of the historic Tomochichi Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse with its gleaming white Georgia marble ... and I knew that Savannah was going to be something special.
Inspired by the world-renowned Melbourne cafe scene (indeed the name itself is a nod to the owner's roots in Australia's culture capital), The Collins Quarter boasts an impressive menu of speciality coffees - much to my Antipodean fiancé's delight! The brunch menu offered the usual favourites but many dishes had an added Aussie or Southern flair. I, rather unsurprisingly, opted for the Avocado Smash (and they kindly accommodated my request for scrambled egg in place of poached) and the fiancé chose a delicious dish of Crab Cake Benedict with Butter-Poached Shrimp (yes, I had food envy!). Tummies satisfied and caffeine levels restored, we set off to explore the city.
Savannah is a city for romantics. The cobblestone streets and elegant squares are brimming with antebellum mansions and historical architecture, and you can be forgiven for feeling like you have stepped back in time (especially when one of the horse-drawn carriage tours ambles by). The ubiquitous Spanish-moss-draped oak trees accentuate Savannah's romantic atmosphere. We explored for hours, stopping often to photograph the beautiful buildings and enchanting parks.
One of my favourite discoveries of the day was The Paris Market - a beautiful store and café stocking an eclectic mix of merchandise, ranging from locally sourced and handcrafted gifts to one of a kind vintage and antique pieces. Were it not for the limited space in my luggage, I'm sure I would have left with half the contents of the shop! We capped off my successful shopping spree with some delicious pistachio and vanilla macarons from the in-house café. Inspired by one of the owner's favourite cafés in Paris' sixth arrondissement, it's easy to see why it made Architectural Digest's list of the most beautiful coffee shops in every state in America.
The day had flown by and though we had only scratched the surface of this wonderful city, we vowed to make a return (and overnight) visit in the not too distant future. With that in mind, we decided to check out one of the city's newest hotels. Perry Lane Hotel opened in 2018, just a stone's throw away from the iconic Forsyth Park. A member of The Luxury Collection portfolio of hotels, it boasts a rooftop pool and bar with some of the best views of downtown Savannah. There's lots on offer on the ground floor too, from the beautifully designed hotel restaurant and wine bar to the cute café serving coffee, pastries and even gelato! We made our way to the rooftop to enjoy a glass of bubbles and watch the sun set over the city - the perfect end to a perfect day!
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