63rd Annual Spring Festival of Houses and Gardens

The Charleston, South Carolina area is a great place to live or have a vacation home. The weather is great, the beaches are fantastic, golf courses are abundant, there are many historical sites, the architecture is unbelievable, the dining is unbeatable, and the people are the friendliest in the country. It is because of these reasons that I believe Charleston SC Real Estate is truly unique. I look forward to helping you with any of your real estate needs in Charleston, Berkeley, or Dorchester counties. Today’s article is titled:


63rd Annual Spring Festival of Houses and Gardens


March 18 - April 17, 2010

Experience the intimate charm and elegance found only beyond Charleston's private garden gates and historic thresholds during Historic Charleston Foundation’s 63rd Annual Spring Festival of Houses & Gardens. Order your ticket online now by selecting one of the Festival Tours or Special Events listed at right.

Set amid the historic ambience of the city’s Old & Historic District, this series of award-winning tours showcases Charleston’s distinctive architecture, history, gardens and culture. These tours provide a rare opportunity for guests to go inside the private houses and gardens of some of America’s most beautiful historic residences, dating to the 18th century.

Visit Charleston to see why it has been renowned for three centuries as “a city set in a garden.” The Festival is set during the peak of the city's blooming season. Tours feature seven to ten properties each day in one of 11 neighborhoods, dating from the American colonial period, through the antebellum and Victorian eras, to early 20th century. Beautiful architecture and lush gardens are woven throughout the historic neighborhoods of Charleston, which has consistently been named among the 10 most courteous and friendly cities in America.
Tours and events vary daily to allow you to enjoy the diversity of this unique port city which traces its origins to 1670. Order tickets and see the schedule at http://www.historiccharleston.org/ . Here are the available tours and events:

HOUSE AND GARDEN TOURS

These daily walking tours are the hallmark of the festival. Go inside and experience first hand the splendor of these historic Charleston homes and gardens. There are 7 to 10 homes featured on each tour. Volunteer guides will meet visitors at each site to guide and interpret. Tickets are $45. . Order tickets and see the schedule at http://www.historiccharleston.org/ .

2010 CHALRLESTON INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUES SHOW

This is the seventh year of this event. Exhibitors will showcase a spectrum of art from the late 17th century to early 20th century, including vintage jewelry, oriental rugs, ceramics, architectural elements, garden furniture, porcelains, needlework, and silver. The dates are March 19th – 21st, tickets are $15 and the location is 40 East Bay Street. . Order tickets and see the schedule at http://www.historiccharleston.org/ .

CHARLESTON HISTORY GUIDED TOURS

These two-hour morning walking tours of the Old and Historic District are led by some of the most qualified licensed tour guides in the city and provide the perfect background to prepare you for your afternoon or evening house tour. They provide a good general overview of the city's history and major sites. Walking tours depart March 18 - April 17, Mondays through Saturdays, at 9:30 a.m. from the Festival Ticket Office, located in The Shops of Historic Charleston Foundation, 108 Meeting Street. No private sites are included on this tour. Tickets are $20 for adults; $10 for children age 6-12; free for children younger than 6. Reservations are required. Order tickets and see the schedule at http://www.historiccharleston.org/ , or by calling 843-722-3405

DRAYTON HALL PLANTATION PICNIC and OYSTER ROAST

Fun for the whole family, this year's Festival Oyster Roast and Picnic will allow you to experience the unique culinary pleasures of the Carolina Lowcountry at historic Drayton Hall Plantation, a property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Built when George Washington was only six years old,this National Historic Landmark, c. 1738, is the only main plantation house on the historic Ashley River to predate the Revolutionary War.
This event will introduce guests to the culinary pleasures of the Lowcountry with steamed oysters as appetizers, along with other Southern cuisine. Admission includes a guided tour of the historic house and grounds. Friday, April 2, 4:30 - 7 p.m. Tickets are $45 for adults; $20 for ages 6-12; children under six free. Reservations required. Order tickets and see the schedule at http://www.historiccharleston.org/ , or by calling 843-722-3405

CAVIAR & BANANAAS WINE TASTINGS

March 24 and April 14, 5:15 p.m. at 51 George Street is Caviar & Bananas Market and Café, one of Charleston’s hottest new eateries, indulges thefive senses with all things gourmet. Explore, discover and savor wines and hors d’oeuvres rich in flavor, character and soul. Tickets are $35. Reservations required. Order tickets and see the schedule at http://www.historiccharleston.org/ , or by calling 843-722-3405

FIREFLY SWEET TEA VODKA AND RUM TASTING

March 30th at 5:15 PM at the Captain James Missroon House, 40 East Bay Street. Firefly Vodka is located on Wadmalaw Island, about 30 miles south of Charleston, where the pace is a little slower – a place of plantations, century-old oak trees, dirt roads and porch swings, where fireflies still light up the night sky. This ambience and special ingredients found right on the island inspired Firefly to create handcrafted vodkas unlike those found anywhere else, using their own muscadine grapes and tea grown just a few miles away on America’s only tea plantation. Tickets are $35. Reservations required. Order tickets and see the schedule at http://www.historiccharleston.org/ , or by calling 843-722-3405

CIRCA 1886 WINE TASTING

April 5 and 9, 5:15 PM, 149 Wentworth Street, behind the Wentworth Mansion A perennial favorite, this tasting is sponsored by The Wine Shop and Circa 1886, a AAA four-diamond restaurant tucked behind one of Charleston’s true architectural gems, the stately Wentworth Mansion. The Wine Shop has been providing the best in quality and price to the Charleston area since 1995. Circa 1886 will complement its vintages with deliciously paired hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $35. Reservations required. Order tickets and see the schedule at http://www.historiccharleston.org/ , or by calling 843-722-3405

HARBOR OF HISTORY BOAT CRUISES

Join local historian Ian MacDonald aboard the Spirit of Carolina for this panoramic perspective of the South's most historic seaport, whose fame, fortunes and fate illustrate its ongoing link with the sea Friday, March 26Friday, April 2Wednesday, April 7
Cruise includes hors d’oeuvres, a wine or beer ticket, and soft drinks. Cash bar available. Tickets are $45 for adults, $20 for children ages 6-12; children under six free. Reservations required. Please be ready to board at 1:15 p.m. The boat departs promptly at 1:30 p.m. Order tickets and see the schedule at http://www.historiccharleston.org/ , or by calling 843-722-3405

PERIOD CONCERTS

Join us for some of the most popular events on the annual Festival schedule, our special Festival period concerts. Each offers a rare chance to experience period music in intimate historic settings with entertaining and educational interpretations. Seating is limited, so early reservations are encouraged.To see schedule and order tickets ($25) online or by calling 843-722-3405

As always, your thoughts, questions, or comments are greatly appreciated. Let me know if I can help with any of your Charleston SC real estate needs or questions.

To look for Charleston SC Real Estate homes anywhere in the tri-county area go to my website at http://www.carolinajoe.com/mls/

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Sincerely,

"Carolina Joe" Idleman
http://www.carolinajoe.com/