Thursday, February 28, 2013

wanderlust: charleston, sc



The winter months always have me feeling wanderlust. I'm seriously craving some adventure, peeps. I think it's that springtime is teasingly close. Plus, it's been four months since our trip to New York and I have the insatiable urge to go somewhere. Somewhere with heaps of good food, cool little neighbourhoods and interesting architecture. An ocean or sea nearby wouldn’t hurt either.

But I'm going to have to wait. You see, we're bypassing our winter holiday this year (last year's trip was amazing). First world problem, I know. There are two reasons why: 1) we surprised my parents with a trip to Jamaica for their 40th anniversary and 2) we're saving in order to renovate our 1950s kitchen (so happy about this!).

Thankfully, this temporary travelling sabbatical hasn't stopped me from daydreaming about how I'd like to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary in June. Scott and I have thrown around the idea of going back to New York (which we LOVED!) and San Francisco (where we celebrated our 5th anniversary), but the main contender may just be Charleston, South Carolina. Yep, the South is calling my name, y’all.

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While researching Charleston, I happily discovered that it’s the No. 1 tourist destination not only in the U.S., but it's also the top travel city on the planet, according to these guys. The eating is damn good there, too. I'm especially looking forward to super fresh seafood and lowcountry classics. The menu items at this charming local spot are already calling my name (in particular the fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, succulent fried chicken, gooey macaroni and cheese & squash casserole). And I’m not leaving Charleston without trying the famous 12-layer Ultimate Coconut Cake at the Peninsula Grill, which, apparently, has become the cake-of-choice for Charleston brides and Martha Stewart.

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While we’re in that neck of the woods, we thought we might pop on over to Georgia and visit the quaint beach town of Tybee Island. I learned about Tybee while watching HGTV's House Hunters International one day (love that show!). A funky young New York couple bought a summer home in Tybee and now, just like them, I'm completely smitten with the place and its chill seaside vibe.

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So, the nerd in me will continue to research  and dream of a southern summer getaway.

And if you’ve been to either of these places, please let me know! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Thursday, friends! So happy the weekend is almost here (:

Dajana

Images from herehere and here.

11 comments:

  1. Hi there! I found your blog via another one, but the title of your post piqued my interest. I love Charleston! My husband and I lived there for 10 years, and we go back every summer for vacation. Hominy Grill is one of my favorites, and that coconut cake at Peninsula Grill IS all that! It's a perfect place for an anniversary trip. If I had to pick a favorite fancy restaurant, McCrady's would be mine. Hope you have a great time - June is a good time to go because it's not too humid yet. August is really hot!

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    1. Thank you kindly for the suggestions and for taking the time to comment. You've made me SUPER excited about visiting Charleston!

      p.s. So happy to hear the coconut cake IS all that. (:

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  2. Oh man, that 12-layer coconut cake is calling me, and it's not even lunchtime yet.

    Also my first visit to your blog, and I quite enjoyed it:) I look forward to hearing more about a '50's kitchen reno in the future!

    xo Rachael
    arunawaymuse.blogspot.ca

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by, Rachael. And for your kind words. I love meeting new blogging peeps. (:

      I'm also looking forward to the kitchen reno, too! Big time.

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  3. Dajana, Dave and I went to Charleston a couple of years ago and loved it! The food and scenery were amazing and just so different. It's worth seeing some of the big plantations and most will let you wander their extensive grounds for as long as you'd like. The downtown is full of gorgeous southern homes and history (lots about pirates, interestingly enough). There's a little info center right downtown that does great little horse drawn carriage tours every few hours. We don't normally do that kind of "touristy" stuff but found it was really interesting and worth it. I can't remember all the places we ate, but can't think of anywhere downtown where the food wasn't great. Make sure to bring/get GPS; the streets downtown were often exceptionally narrow, random and confusing.

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    1. Thanks so much for the suggestions, Kim! Your comments confirm that I do NEED to go to Charleston.

      I may get in touch with you via Facebook in the near future, lady. Thanks again!

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  4. Charleston is such a quaint city and the downtown area is simply magical. Not to mention the food is delicious. I almost got married in Charleston because of that very reason. I would definitely recommend a visit. The Gin Joint is on my not so short list of places to try during my next visit. Keep us posted on your trip. If you come to Atlanta, I'll have plenty of recs.

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    1. Cool! Thanks for the suggestions, Dyan! I'll definitely add the Gin Joint to my list of places to try.

      p.s. I have the same striped BB Dakota dress. Stylish minds think alike (:

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  5. My best friend lives in Charleston! well she use to but now is about 30 mins away in Summerville and i just love love love going to visit her! One of my favorite parts are those gorgeous trees ! And getting seafood down by the beach! Its all just so lovely, downtown Charleston is to die for ! I am planning on going out there this summer as well!

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    1. Awesome! Thanks for your enthusiastic feedback on Charleston, Alycia! It makes me even more excited to visit. Your friend is lucky to live in such a beautiful & cool state! Maybe we'll end up seeing each other at one of those delicious seafood places this summer.

      p.s. If you have any others recos or suggestions about SC, please let me know! Would love to hear 'em.

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