September 27-30th, 2012 VTCI International Convention (VTCI Sanctioned)

Hosted by Florida West, North Georgia, & Space Coast Thunderbirds. The event will be held at Charleston/Mt Pleasant Courtyard Marriott for $114.00 a night.  Hotel website 

Video of Charleston and tours http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/video/

 THE CIVIL WAR IN CHARLESTON –
Fort Moultrie and the Confederate Submarine, the Hunley. On this excursion your expert guide will discuss Charleston's role in the Civil War. During the course of the tour you will visit Fort Moultrie located on Sullivan's Island and the Hunley, the world's first successful submarine. On display are guns at Fort Moultrie which were used by both the Confederate and the Union armies who fought in this area during the Civil War. You will also learn about the role of the Hunley (the first submarine to successfully sink a ship in naval warfare). To complete this unique experience you will continue on to the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in North Charleston. On February 17, 1864 the Confederate
Submarine, H. L. Hunley successfully sank the Union warship, the Housatonic in Charleston Harbor by ramming it. After this successful foray she also sank with all of her crew to the bottom of the Atlantic where she remained until August 8, 2000. On this auspicious day after months of planning and work by archeologists from the state and National Park Service, divers and marine engineers, she was successfully raised and taken to a special tank at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in North Charleston. Today we will have the opportunity to view this 19th century marvel as the archeologists continue their research and stabilize the boat

CHARLESTON TEA PLANTATION TOUR
As you cross beautiful marshlands and travel lovely live oak canopied roads you will be treated to the history of the large plantations which once occupied these islands and stories of the unique culture and language of the sea island black people who worked these plantations. Included in the tour will be views of rich farm land and forests, St. John's Episcopal Church and the Angel Oak, a 1400 year old live oak tree. The highlight of the tour will be a stop at the Charleston Tea Plantation, the only tea plantation in the United States. Over 100 years ago, tea planters brought their finest tea bushes from China, India, and Ceylon to the South Carolina Lowcountry. Now the descendants of those very plants are growing strong at the nation's only tea plantation, nestled on a serene sea island near the historic city of Charleston. As you enter the plantation you will see thousands of tea plants growing on acres and acres of rich and fertile lowcountry soil. A stroll under the avenue of oaks will take you to the porch of the new factory which affords remarkable views of the plantation. An informative narrated trolley tour of the grounds and a tour of the Tea Factory are included.

HISTORIC CHARLESTON AND BOONE HALL
Tour Charleston, one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the south. Her stately homes with their lovely gardens, her magnificent public buildings and her majestic churches will enchant you. As you tour you will see the College of Charleston, Harleston Village (one of the early suburbs of the city), the Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, and of course our famous Battery with its elegant town houses built by planters and merchants in the 18th and 19th centuries. After touring the city spend a couple of hours in the old City Market shopping and browsing and have lunch on your own at one of our many excellent restaurants. Journey across the Cooper River to the town of Mt. Pleasant. Here visit historic Boone Hall Plantation which was used in the filming of the television mini series, "North And South" and "Queen" and for background filming in "Gone With the Wind". Tour the lovely Georgian plantation house, the slave quarters built from brick made on the plantation in the 1800's and watch the flower ladies making their sweetgrass baskets.

SPIRIT OF CAROLINA DINNER CRUISE
Cruise Charleston's beautiful harbor by moonlight aboard the 100' luxury yacht, Spirit of Carolina. Enjoy the unique and beautiful sights of our harbor at night as well as a delicious dinner in a romantic atmosphere. The view of the city and its church spires is fantastic from the water and the sunsets are glorious. Dance to the music of a live band. Entrée choices can be made at the table. Alcoholic beverages and optional dessert menus are on your own. Dinner Menu: Charleston She-Crab Soup, Spirit Signature Salad with assorted homemade dressings; Choice of Beef, Seafood, Chicken or vegetarian Entrée.Chef's selection of potatoes, rice, fresh seasonal vegetables, and freshly baked breads w/sweet cream butter; pecan pie, coffee, tea or decaffeinated coffee.

PATRIOTS POINT AND FORT SUMTER TOUR
Tour Patriots Point, the world's largest naval and maritime museum. Visit the Aircraft Carrier YORKTOWN, the famous fighting lady of World War II; the destroyer LAFFEY, a participant in the World War II D-Day landings at Normandy; and the submarine, CLAMAGORE, one of the Navy's last diesel powered submarines. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the CPO Mess on the Yorktown before boarding the General Beauregard for your Fort Sumter Tour. As you cruise through Charleston's beautiful harbor, you will view the beautiful homes along the Battery and watch the sea gulls and the dolphins play in the harbor. Upon arrival at Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began, rangers from the National Park Service will give you an informative introduction before you begin your tour of this famous bastion and its marvelous museum.

Ghost & Graveyard Tour
You’ll get an exclusive opportunity to walk inside the gates of one of Charleston’s oldest graveyards after dark. When all the other walking tours are looking in through the wrought iron fence, you’ll be on the inside. Explore the graveyard’s dark corners, closely inspect the headstones to see what you might learn, and take a moment to step across the graves, if you dare. Learn about the history of Charleston’s graveyards and hear the stories of the famous individuals who found their final resting place in the Holy City. You’ve heard the spooky Charleston ghost stories. Now experience them on this up close and personal tour that takes you where others won’t dare go. Graveyards – full of history, intrigue and tales of love and loss.

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