Oyster farming is not a romantic profession, though it can look that way from the shore. It’s cold mornings and sunburned afternoons, fingers cracked by brine and backs bent over floating cages that demand constant tending. It’s work that requires patience, precision, and faith in forces of nature you cannot control. And in the Carolinas and Georgia, it is also surprisingly new.

In South Carolina’s small towns, Christmas unfolds like a storybook—twinkling lights illuminate historic main streets, local parades and tree lightings delight families, and markets brim with Southern cheer. Each community adds its own festive flourish, offering a signature touch of holiday magic and Southern warmth. Put these South Carolina spots to your holiday travel wish list.

There’s something effortlessly theatrical about seeing a seafood tower set down in the center of a table. The gleaming tiers of shellfish, the sparkle of ice against metal, the aromatic perfume of brine and lemon—it’s a moment that invites everyone to lean in, to share, to dive deep.

Control. We all pretend we don’t need it—but deep down, we’re all control freaks. From emails and errands to deciding what’s for dinner, our days are one long to-do list of choices. So, when it comes to dining out, the idea of handing the reins to someone else? Terrifying. And yet, that’s exactly what a tasting menu dares you to do: sit back, relax, and trust the chef to lead the way. Sure, you picked the restaurant, so technically that choice was yours—but after that? It’s their show. One beautifully orchestrated meal where you’re along for the ride. The ultimate epicurean trust fall.

As a travel destination, the town of Burnsville (population 1,628) isn’t nearly as well-known as NC High Country hotspots like Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, and Boone. But if you’re hoping to explore the glorious natural beauty of Western North Carolina during peak Fall leaf-peeping season, Burnsville’s perennial under-the-radar status makes it an attractive alternative. 

Chain hotels often cannot provide the true flavor of a region, but for those of us traveling around the Southeast, we’re in luck: independent lodging options aplenty are waiting to check us in. All of them honor our favorite locations with corresponding art, cuisine, architecture, and excursions, which create a memorable sense of place. 

A fall getaway on Jekyll Island, Georgia is twice as nice – less commercialized than some coastal towns, and, given the ebbing temperatures, it’s easier to unplug from life and immerse yourself in nature. Because Jekyll is one of Georgia’s state parks, visitors look forward to points of interest such as the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, the state’s only sea turtle rehabilitation facility, or Driftwood Beach, a shoreline known for its “boneyard” of beautiful driftwood. Biking and hiking are especially enticing in the autumn months, and you can catch the end of turtle hatching season – lasting August through October – or participate in an eco-tour.

“Yes, I’d like a cheeseburger, please, large fries and a Cosmopolitan—I mean a strawberry shake, please,” pleads Carrie Bradshaw from a rural drive-thru in the Sex and the City episode, “Sex and the Country.” A born-and-bred Manhattanite, Carrie could hardly stomach a world beyond bistros, brunches, and cocktails. But for those raised outside the bright lights and big city, drive-in dining isn’t just acceptable, it’s sacred ground.

There’s so much to see, do, and eat in and around Walterboro that just one day will only be an appetizer for all “The Front Porch of the Lowcountry” has to offer. So, we’ve prepared a “menu” of possibilities from which to pick for a day (and a meal or two) in Walterboro—knowing from experience that you’re going to want more than a day or night.

You could think of South Carolina's tomato pie like the family friend who eventually got their own seat at the holiday table—not truly yours, but close enough to claim. Or maybe like a local ghost story: it started with a kernel of truth but evolved over time into a myth that everyone knows, though no one can quite trace its origins.

Chain hotels often cannot provide the true flavor of a region, but for those of us traveling around the Southeast, we’re in luck: independent lodging options aplenty are waiting to check us in. All of them honor our favorite locations with corresponding art, cuisine, architecture and excursions, which create a memorable sense of place. In this three-part series on Southern Boutique Hotels, Inns and Bed-and-Breakfasts, we’re introducing you to a few of our regional favorites.

Charleston might be famous for its Lowcountry cuisine, but the Holy City also knows how to deliver big flavor in a small package—especially when it comes to tacos. From traditional street style to creative fusion twists, Charleston's taco spots stand out for their bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and inviting atmospheres.

"Columbia has found its niche! We are truly on the cusp of something special!" says Tim Gardner, proprietor of Maintstreet's eclectic wine bar, Lula Drake, and the 2024 James Beard Award winner, when describing this year's highly anticipated Columbia Food & Wine Festival. "It truly expands the boundaries for the footprint of Columbia's food and hospitality scene," adds Gardner.

Chain hotels often cannot provide the true flavor of a region, but for those of us traveling around the Southeast, we’re in luck: independent lodging options aplenty are waiting to check us in. All of them honor our favorite locations with corresponding art, cuisine, architecture and excursions, which create a memorable sense of place.

In the South, and particularly in the Lowcountry, coconut cake may seem like just another dessert—but in reality, it’s a symbol of history, celebration, and for many people, a keepsake from the generations before them.