Our recent holiday to the US was thankfully memorable for all the right reasons (some of those memories have yet to be featured here by the way…). It also turned out to be an accidental multi-centre holiday, thanks in the most part to decent flights not being available to Florida when we wanted to travel. After choosing not to give up on our Summer plans, we looked at where else was available to fly to, and so our multi-centre US road trip began to take shape…
Having spent years driving to and from the UK to Bavaria and back again (journey time around 12 hours if snow doesn’t feature somewhere on route!) and thinking nothing of jumping in the car from Munich and driving down to Venice or Como for a long weekend (it still makes me laugh when some of my English friends consider anything over three hours an undoable journey as it’s “too long to spend in the car”!), we gave up on flying directly to Florida and looked at where we could fly to and then drive instead – we would make our way there…
Of course, you could fly from State to State as we have done in the past. We once attended my Brother in Law’s wedding on a hot and sunny Clear Water Beach, before heading to an unseasonably snowy New York for Halloween (!) (where we even managed a bit of last-minute trick or treating), but on this occasion we were happy for a little more adventure, and decided to do a bit of exploring along the way.
Carolina
We found flights to Charleston and had an initial stop there, where we quickly fell in love with what turned out to be a beautiful city packed full of pockets of colonial charm, and hugely welcoming residents. Plus points to flying to Charleston instead of Florida included a flight that was a) not overly packed, and b) a lot less expensive, c) there was no real difference in flight time to either destination.
We spent our time exploring the city on foot, where we managed to meet the “Best Friend” of the city, before taking in the character of the quiet back streets and discovering a good bit of Street Art along the way (as well as taking in a shop or two obviously!).
We have a family law that dictates that during our travels we must include some of the exploration wishes of our offspring, which is how we ended up at the South Carolina Aquarium (which, after the most delicious seafood lunch at Fleet Landings, did make me feel ever so slightly guilty!)…
Florida
On next to just outside Tampa, Florida (after a six-hour drive) where we spent seven days relaxing with family and spending time with a few other Floridian residents to boot (you just don’t want to get that close to some of them!)…
After a lovely reunion, we drove the four hours (you don’t really appreciate how big Florida is!) to Cape Canaveral where by chance our visit happened to coincide with a space launch. It’s not every day you get to see/hear a rocket taking off in real life!
Canaveral is a little bit like stepping back in time in as far as half of the general architecture is concerned, it’s easy to get a glimpse of the Florida of the fifties and sixties, but then the other half of it (as you might expect) is very much space-aged, and the Space Center is really worth a visit. To be honest, Canaveral far surpassed my expectations, and also provided the perfect backdrop of Floridian palm tree-lined sunsets after each hectic day.
In the event that you are up at the crack of dawn to witness some Interstellar happenings, we can really recommend Southern Charm Cafe by the way – winner of various Best Diner awards! Not only are the breakfasts here great (the pancakes are amazing!) but they also have the insider knowledge on the best rocket launch viewing sites!
Georgia
For the final part of our multi-destination trip, we drove up through Georgia (with a peach stop or two. Peach icecream at the countless roadside places really is worth waiting for a broken ice cream maker to start churning again – trust me!) for our final stop in Savannah.
In many ways, Savannah feels like a big sister to Charleston, but is equally packed full of Colonial buildings. As you might expect from any city literally built upon its dead, it was completely atmospheric, and the cherry on the cake for the end of our holiday.
It really is a beautiful city, and although parts of it can be noisy and bustling, the atmosphere is fun and friendly, and it’s all too easy to get sucked into a lively bar for a cocktail or two and a few oysters.
Equally as easy however is the option to seek out Savannah’s more residential streets and enjoy a spot of architecture appreciation. You can then take in a meal somewhere a little more local, before wandering back to your hotel, watching the bats pour out of the buildings whilst you walk as the sun starts to go down on the city. I will divulge more on that and many of the other places above shortly.
For now though, I am perusing future Multi Centre US holiday options, the USA is obviously a massive place, so there are many many choices, and as this “beginners road trip” was a success, and we now know how much we all liked seeing more than one place, the possibilities are endless. We might opt to see our friends in Seattle next time, and I’ve always fancied San Franciso so maybe we could fly between the two? But then I quite fancy an extreme road trip like Portland Oregon to Portland Maine (a trip of around 2,550 miles) if we had the time to do something like that…
Have you ever undertaken a multi-destination or twin destination US trip? if not where/what would you choose to see and do? If you are looking for inspiration, I think you will find some right here…
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Megan - Truly Madly kids says
I love holidays like this, where you are just exploring. What contrasts from Charleston to rocket launches! Looks brilliant and thanks for sharing #culturedkids
Emma says
Thanks so much! We packed a lot in! :D
Clare (Suitcases and Sandcastles) says
Both Charleston and Savannah are really high on my American wishlist – they look so charming and totally unlike the bigger cities I’ve visited in the States, like New York, Boston, LA and San Francisco. Thanks for inspiring me here on #farawayfiles
Emma says
They were so lovely, I am sure you would love them. Thanks so much Clare x
Zenbabytravel says
We love a roadtrip!!! Our Florida prekids included Miami, Key West, Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville for friends wedding and some awesome 3 days celebrations. Great #CulturedKids post and v handy as Orlando is very topical in our housr at the moment!
Emma says
Fabulous. I have been to Miami and Key West, and loved both those places too! Thank you! x
Elizabeth says
This looks like my idea of heaven! What an extraordinary adventure to have together as a family! Loved this post!
Emma says
Thanks so much Elizabeth! :)
Jess Howliston says
WOW it sounds like you had the most amazing time and managed to fit so much in! Getting to see the rocket launch is pretty awesome too! I have never tried a multi centre holiday before but can see why it would be so appealing as a family we love to explore and discover new places!
Emma says
It worked really well. Thanks Jess! :)
Stephanie Merry says
Charleston has been on my bucket list for so long – I’d love to do a mult-centre type of trip like this, I’d definitely be able to tick off a couple of cities on my list that way x
Emma says
Honestly, we LOVED Charleston, it’s so beautiful! I definitely think multi destination trips are the way forward for us when it comes to the US! :)
Kara says
How lucky were you to witness a rocket launch. I am happy to drive distances, although we do tend to limit day trips to 3 hours. We hope to do a tour of the states next year
Emma says
Thanks Kara. I couldn’t believe it when we turned up and the news said there was a rocket taking off the next morning! :D x
Melanie williams says
We have been to all these places…actually we got married in Florida lol. Fab times and so much to see and do xx
Emma says
Definitely. Thanks Melanie! :)
Anosa says
What an incredible holiday, we love long car journeys and our longest being 30 hours {UK to Lithuania}.
Emma says
That is a road trip and a half! Thanks Anosa! :)
Eva Katona says
Wow that must have been a packed holiday! The Delta Space Launch is a once in a life time event – lucky you were around!
Emma says
So lucky! :)
Laura Dove says
Oh I love this! We are well into our road trips, we did a UK road trip this summer and we just want to see as much as possible in the short time we are away!
Emma says
Such a good way to see a lot of somewhere! Thanks Laura! :)
Nichola - Globalmouse says
Ah I would love to visit Charleston. We were in Georgia two years ago and absolutely fell in love with it, it’s a beautiful state isn’t it? So much more to explore of the US!
Emma says
Such a gorgeous state. We loved Savannah and Charleston. Could easily live in either! :) Thank you! x
Charli says
Charleston looks absolutely stunning. I’ve always wanted to go there. I’ve not a done multi-trip but my husband and I have considered a West Coast road trip – I adore San Francisco and he’d like to go back to Portland and Seattle so we may look at that one day.
C x
Emma says
That sounds like a great plan. Charleston really is lovely if you ever make it that way! Thanks Charli! x
Sarah | Boo Roo and Tigger Too says
I’d love to take the children on a driving trip across America, a chance to experience and visit smaller places as well as the big name destinations and sights.
Emma says
The smaller destinations often appeal to me more if I am honest! Thanks Sarah! x
Rosie - Eco-Gites of Lenault says
A rocket launch – wow. My son watched one live online but I suspect that was nowhere near as good as seeing it for real.
Emma says
It was unbelievable!! We were so lucky to catch it! :) x
Jennifer says
Sounds like you had a great holiday! I’ve been to Charleston once before and it’s such a lovely city. Never thought of doing a multi-destination holiday though!
Emma says
I loved Charleston so much. I think multi-destination holidays are the way forward, especially in countries as huge as the States! :) Thanks Jennifer!
Rebecca Smith says
I’ve never taken a multi destination trip but I definitely would do it in the US if I could.
Emma says
It’s the ideal place to try one isn’t it? Thanks Rebecca…
Phoebe | Lou Messugo says
This is right up my alley, exactly how we travel. I’m trying to think if we’ve ever just stayed in one place on a holiday…I think not! Savannah and Charleston are both places I’d love to go. What wonderful luck to see a rocket launch.
Emma says
Thank you Lou, I think if you are going to go somewhere that far away, it just seems a shame to only see one part of it! :D We were so lucky with the rocket launch, we had no idea it was happening at all!