My Kind of Town: Charleston, SC

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I love this mixture of Southern France, Italy and Deep South that is Charleston, SC:
Cobblestones, Palmtrees and lush flowers, a fantastic Market and a wonderful restaurant and excellent coffee shop scene.  No skyscrapers, the churches are the highest buildings...

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Charleston is the oldest and second-largest city in the State of South Carolina, once named 
the nation’s friendliest city, not only due to its historic charm, and centuries old architecture. 
To add even more to the mix, it is surrounded by gorgeous beaches, and offers world-class golf, something few destinations its size can rival.  The Kiawah Island Golf Resort, just outside Charleston, is home to the world famous Ocean Course, as well as four other top courses and the Forbes 5-star Sanctuary hotel and its 5-Star spa.
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Charleston's waterfront is lined with charming and well-preserved historic homes and beautiful Azaleas. Hard to imagine that not far from here the Civil War began: on an island in the harbor, reached by regularly scheduled ferries, combining the best of a scenic cruise with the exploration of Fort Sumter, easily accessed from the heart of downtown. 

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Many Plantations around Charleston are attractive destinations for visitors, especially the famous Magnolia Plantation and their lovely gardens, or the enchanting Middletonplace Plantation, not to forget the famous Tea Plantation.

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No wonder that fresh seafood and Catfish are staples among other delicious choices in fine dining places around town, when you watch the many fishing boats in all sizes bustling in the harbors of South Carolina. More hot coastal Low-Country cuisine with flair can be explored at Zagat.com.

It’s about time for me to visit Charleston again. Cannot even remember the names of the restaurants. Maybe in Spring when the Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Magnolias are blooming?

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