Traveling to Virginia to visit family for Christmas is a traditional trip for us. We look forward to the trip each year. Our family is spread across the state. We start off visiting on the east coast and work our way west. This year, we made it to the center of the state before the freezing cold weather forces us to move to warmer weather on Christmas eve. The big chill covered the eastern US and deciding were to go was easy. Charleston! It’s on the water, has coastal warmth and we like the area.
We have been to Charleston several times in the past and visited the major attractions such as the waterfront, Patriot Point, Fort Sumter, Boon Hall Plantation and the beaches. On this trip, it was good to see the waterfront again. The waterfront was very busy with large cruise ships. The sidewalks reminded us of walking downtown NYC, it was that crowded.
Charleston Tea Plantation
This was a really enjoyable visit to the largest (and only) commercial tea farm in the US. There is a brief but educational factory tour (free) (although no production on the day we visited) and a trolley tour that was also really interesting and it well complemented the factory tour. There are also unlimited delicious tea samples and a well stocked gift store with local food items, expensive decorative pieces and of course teas.
A one-of-a-kind harvester trims the top of the tea bushes every two weeks. The new-growth tender leaves on top is what is used for making tea.
Tea Time!
Charleston Navy Base
Charleston Navy base has been closed for many years and was donated to the city. Now, it’s a memorial park. When Denise’s was about 10 years old, her dad was stationed here.
Angel Oak Tree
It is considered to be the largest Live Oak Tree east of the Mississippi estimating to be 300 to 400 years old. The tree is 65 feet high with a circumference of 25.5 feet, shading an area of 17,000 square feet.
We stayed at Oak Plantation Campground on John’s Island. Great location and easy to get around the area. We would stay there again. We found Angel Oak Restaurant about half a mile away. Excellent food and wine.
