March 5, 2010 - This morning Penney, Carol Hall and I headed out on a road trip… this is, of course, a work related trip for Penney, but i thought i would tag along.
Penney and her friend Carol are both members of an association called, NACTA (National Association of Career Travel Agents), who is hosting an event in Charleston SC/Savannah GA this weekend. It is called a destinational, this is to become familiar with the area as well as some seminar type training.
We left our home this morning about 4:50am…. YES i said AM, to start our 9 hour drive to the coast. Carol is driving, Penney is of course working and as it is still dark outside, I am going to crawl up in the back window and rest for awhile, i will report again soon.
3:25pm – We arrived in Charleston SC… Staying at the Historic Holiday Inn Downtown. After dropping our bags in the room, we were off to registration. 
The Buccaneer restaurant resides in an historic warehouse
dating back to the late 1700s. It's located in what was
Charleston's original wharf front district on cobblestoned
Faber Street. The entrance and lobby areas best represent
the original design of the structure.
The food and staff were wonderful, as well as the conversation at our table. Penney and I sat with other members, as well as Bob Duglin… the newest NACTA staffer.
After dinner we headed back to the hotel… exhausted and ready for a good nights sleep.
March 6, 2010 - This morning we started with a lovely buffet breakfast and Welcome from NACTA staff,
Mary Clegg, VP & Bob Duglin BDM.
We had three presentations from preferred suppliers and partners, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Viking River Cruises, and Funjet. We had a few minutes to do agent introductions as well as a Q&A about NACTA, the new one page for members, and the website.
After a nice lunch at the Battery Grill, we were off for a Charleston City Tour sponsored by The Group Tour Company.
Driving the streets of Charleston, seeing Battery Park, Rainbow Row, and so much more, our first stop was at Nathaniel Russell House.
Since 1808, visitors have admired the grand Federal
townhouse of Charleston merchant Nathaniel Russell. Set
amid spacious formal gardens, the Nathaniel Russell House is a National Historic Landmark and is widely recognized as one of America's most important neoclassical dwellings. The graceful interior with elaborate plasterwork ornamentation, geometrically shaped rooms and a magnificent free-flying staircase are among the most exuberant ever created in early America.
Then we were off to Magnolia Plantation & Gardens.
Founded in 1676 by the Drayton family, Magnolia Plantation has survived the centuries and witnessed the history of our nation unfold before it from the American Revolution through the Civil War and beyond. It is the oldest public tourist site in the Lowcountry, and the oldest public gardens in America, opening its doors to visitors in 1870 to view the thousands of beautiful flowers and plants in its famous gardens.
Back to the hotel about 6:30p, we were on our own to explore and enjoy the evening. Many agents went to the Charleston Food & Wine Festival, however, Penney & Carol chose to go with a couple of other agents to a nice French restaurant. Penney and I shared a yummy bowl of french onion soup, salad and mmmm cream Brule .
It has been a LONG day today, so we walked back to the hotel and called it a night.
March 7, 2010 – 6:45am Another EARLY morning, we start with a nice breakfast in the hotel restaurant, Battery Grill. We all met at the motor coach to depart for our ride down to Savannah… it is approximately 120 miles so can you say nap? :)
Along the drive, I took the opportunity to kick back while Penney, of course, talked with other agents and you know her… checked email & voicemails. (always working).
We arrived in beautiful Savannah and boarded a trolley for a city tour. Our local guide, Tara, was GREAT. She was dressed as a traditional southern belle, really knows her history, and played the part SO well.
The southern charm and hospitality characterize this historic town filled with great restaurants, unique shops and legendary stories. Spared during the U.S. Civil War, Savannah has retained the beauty of its past, evolving into a cultural playground.
Our first stop was at the Inn at Ellis Square - A Days Hotel is a 252 guest room and suite hotel, has completed a $6 million renovation and expansion. All guest rooms and suites are being redesigned and renovated. Also features a Grand Lobby. After see several rooms, we are off to lunch.
In the spring of 1924, a star was born in the sleepy
southern town of Savannah, Georgia. Not the type of star you might find at a Hollywood gala, but the type that burns bright in the eyes of the generations that would grow up dancing and dining at Johnny Harris Restaurant. Initially erected at the corner of Bee Road and Victory Drive, the restaurant was hardly more than a roadside Bar-B-Que shack. Built with a white clapboard exterior dotted with black shutters and a sawdust floor inside, Johnny Harris Restaurant would rise from its humble beginnings to enjoy the loyal following and
reputation of today, as one of the largest and most popular
full service restaurants in the city. We were served a traditional southern style BBQ buffet, yum yum.
We were then taken to the riverfront to explore on our own. Several of the agents went to Lady & Sons, the Paula Deen restaurant/gift store, while others wandered the streets looking at historic buildings, museums and churches. We chose to walk along the riverfront, visiting the shops, enjoying local artists dancing and painting.
After meeting Tara and boarding the motor coach, we were swept off for Mint Juleps at Bryson Hall, which is a unique meeting and event space in the heart of historic Savannah, Georgia that provides a comfortable environment for business and civic meetings, as well as distinctive sophistication for social and cultural events.
We had a special guest to entertain us… The ghost of Johnny Mercer!
Well it was time to feed us again, we we were off to The Mulberry Inn. After a tour of this historic and beautiful property, they treated us with a nice southern treat of fried chicken, shrimp & grits (a specialty), greens, and mashed potato martini’s, and several desserts to choose from including pecan pie.
Waddling back to the bus we board for our 2 1/2 hour drive back to Charleston, remember is it already after 8 o’clock. You will hear from me again in the morning… if i can get up :)
March 8, 2010 – Back in Charleston, today is our last day before heading home. The agents all met in the lobby to transfer over to Charleston Place for breakfast and educational sessions with Celebrity Cruise Lines… However, Penney was asked to go with one of NACTA’s photographers to get some photos in the city. I am not at liberty to say why… but i can give you a hint… NACTA produces an awesome new publication for members only called, Agent Life!
I chose to run around the city with Penney and Deb, we had a great time at Battery Park, a local Starbucks, and walking the streets of lovely Charleston. Finding out way to Charleston Place we met up with the others and enjoyed a great presentation on Celebrity by Cris DeSouza. Cris also did a session on Hug your Customer. Penney and I have seen this two other times, but Cris does a fantastic job and Penney says she always learns something about ‘hugging’ your customers and client loyalty.
After a light lunch we were off on our own to explore. Carol, Penney, a new friend Faith (from the Atlanta area) and I walked down to the Market. So many local venders with local food, crafts, clothing and more. We enjoyed walking, tasting and shopping for a couple of hours before heading back to the Holiday Inn where we loaded up Carol’s car and said goodbye to all our new friends.
4:05pm… we are leaving Charleston and on our way home :( I am exhausted, so while Carol drives, and Penney works I am going to get some much needed rest.
9:00pm, we arrived just north of Atlanta for dinner at Sweet Tomato, and to stay the night at Fairfield Inn. We will drive on home in the morning.
March 9, 2010 9:30am, slept in a bit this morning, leisurely got around and now we are headed home to Gallatin. What an awesome trip! Thank you Carol for driving, NACTA for putting together such an amazing event, to all of the preferred partners for helping to pull this together and sponsoring many of the events, Charleston & Savannah for opening your arms to us in that way that shows true southern hospitality, and to Penney for allowing me to ‘tag along’.
Where are we headed next?? Log in to find out…
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