16 GUESTS OR FEWER
Small enough to feel the difference.
Smaller groups create access to more personal hotels, local tables, flexible moments and conversations that larger tours simply miss.
Why Small Groups →
FeaturedThe Beauty of Small-Group Travel
Now Journey Limited Series
Lanterns of the South
Experience the Soul of the American South.
St. Augustine → Savannah → Charleston
- 9 Days / 8 Nights
- Maximum 8 Guests
- From $7,779 per person
- Tour Captain Hosted
- DELUXE · LOTUS
9 Days / 8 NightsLeisurely to moderate pace
St. Augustine to CharlestonVia Savannah
Maximum 8 GuestsOne intimate group
Hotel CollectionsDELUXE · LOTUS
Tour CaptainHosted throughout
The South reveals itself in streets, stories, meals and conversation.
The South reveals itself gradually: in shaded squares, waterfront streets, hidden gardens, remarkable meals and conversations that continue long after dinner. Lanterns of the South brings together three cities with distinct personalities, experienced through carefully chosen hotels, guided discoveries and time to explore with confidence.
St. Augustine opens with Spanish heritage and Matanzas Bay. Savannah brings fountains, shaded squares and layered storytelling. Charleston closes with Lowcountry culture, architecture and a dining scene shaped by the coast.
The pace is intentionally intimate. Eight guests means one table, one conversation, and the flexibility to move through historic neighborhoods without feeling like a tour group.
Journey at a Glance
Three Southern Chapters. One Coastal Story.
St. Augustine → Savannah → Charleston
History, live-oak shade and Lowcountry light.
A hosted route through the Lowcountry
Scroll through citiesSwipe through cities
- 01
St. Augustine
Coquina, Courtyards & Matanzas BaySpanish colonial streets, Moorish Revival details and a lantern-lit waterfront create an atmospheric opening to the Journey.
- 02
Savannah
Squares Beneath the Live OaksFountains, ironwork, rooftop evenings and streets draped in Spanish moss invite a slower rhythm through the Historic District.
- 03
Charleston
Harbor Light & Lowcountry TablesSteeples, hidden gardens, the Battery and a final Lowcountry table bring the coastal Journey to a polished close.
Designed Differently
Small enough for the details to matter.
This route is planned around cultural context, personal attention and the comfort of moving through three beloved cities with a small, hosted group.
Eight guests, never a crowd
Small enough to move naturally through historic neighborhoods, dine together comfortably and travel with a personal rhythm.
Evenings are part of the journey
Discovery Walks, hosted dinners and thoughtful recommendations help each city reveal a different character after the scheduled touring ends.
Hotels that belong to the destination
Character-rich properties keep guests close to the streets, squares and waterfronts they came to experience.
Guided, never over-scheduled
Expertly planned experiences are balanced with time for personal discovery, slower mornings and independent dining.
Journey by Chapters
Spanish streets. Shaded squares. Lowcountry shores.
The route is simple, but the moods are distinct: Spanish heritage and Matanzas Bay, Savannah's fountains and live oaks, then Charleston's Battery, gardens and culinary scene.
Chapter One
St. Augustine
Stone streets, courtyards, Matanzas Bay and the Moorish Revival character of Casa Monica introduce a city unlike anywhere else in the country.
- 2 nights
- Discovery Walk
- Journey Welcome Dinner
Chapter Two
Savannah
Fountains, shaded squares, rooftop views and streets draped in live oak give Savannah its grace and mystery.
- 3 nights
- Perry Lane Hotel or comparable
- Guided city exploration
Chapter Three
Charleston
Church steeples, side gardens, pastel homes and the waterfront along the Battery create a polished final chapter.
- 3 nights
- The Charleston Place or comparable
- Journey Farewell Dinner
9 Days from St. Augustine to Charleston
The Complete Itinerary
See how the South reveals itself day by day—from coquina walls and Spanish courtyards to Savannah’s live-oak squares and Charleston’s harbor light.
Chapter One
Days 1–2 · 2 Nights
St. Augustine
Coquina walls, hidden courtyards and the shimmer of Matanzas Bay open the Journey in America’s oldest city.
Day 1
Welcome to St. Augustine
Your Journey begins in a city where stone lanes meet salt air. An included meet-and-greet transfer brings you into the Historic District and the distinctive Moorish Revival setting of Casa Monica Resort & Spa, or a comparable hotel chosen for character and location.
As the day softens, join your Tour Captain for a first Discovery Walk through lantern-lit courtyards, centuries-old streets and the graceful waterfront along Matanzas Bay. It is an easy introduction to the city—and to the unhurried rhythm of the Journey ahead.
Included Today
- Meet-and-greet arrival transfer
- Hotel check-in in the Historic District
- Tour Captain-led Discovery Walk
- Journey Welcome Dinner
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2
St. Augustine & the Gilded Coast
This morning, St. Augustine’s many lives come into view: Spanish stronghold, colonial port and Gilded Age retreat. With local context, explore the coquina ramparts of Castillo de San Marcos, cathedral spaces and the Flagler-era architecture that transformed the city at the turn of the twentieth century.
After the guided experience, the pace becomes your own. Follow Aviles Street toward its galleries, linger over coffee near the plazas or return to the bay as sailboats move through the afternoon light.
Included Today
- Castillo de San Marcos
- Flagler-era architecture and local context
- Cathedral Basilica and historic plazas
- Aviles Street and the Lightner Museum area
Time to Explore
Choose galleries, the waterfront, a café stop or a slower return through the Historic District. Your Tour Captain is close at hand with thoughtful suggestions.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Typical stay in St. Augustine: Casa Monica Resort & Spa or a thoughtfully selected comparable hotel. See hotel details.
Chapter Two
Days 3–5 · 3 Nights
Savannah
Fountains, ironwork and squares draped in live oak invite three days of history, flavor and lingering discovery.
Day 3
Coastal Road to Savannah
Leave St. Augustine behind as the Atlantic coast unfolds through waterways, low marsh and long Southern horizons. By afternoon, Savannah’s Historic District draws near—a city of brick facades, wrought iron and leafy squares made for exploring on foot.
Settle into Perry Lane Hotel or a comparable property, then follow your Tour Captain into the early evening. The first walk threads through residential lanes and moss-draped squares before a hosted dinner inspired by the Southern table.
Included Today
- Scenic travel to Savannah
- Hotel check-in in the Historic District
- Tour Captain-led Discovery Walk
- Savannah Southern Table dinner
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4
Savannah, Square by Square
The morning unfolds along Savannah’s elegant grid, where every square seems to hold a different story. Forsyth Park, church spires, shaded residential streets and the cobbled riverfront reveal a city shaped by commerce, faith, ambition and an unmistakable sense of theater.
By afternoon, the city is yours. Browse boutiques, look out from a rooftop, return to a favorite square or pause at Leopold’s for a Savannah ritual of your own.
Included Today
- Forsyth Park and historic squares
- River Street and the waterfront
- Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
- Colonial Park Cemetery and Mercer-Williams House area
Time to Explore
Spend the afternoon with galleries, independent dining, a rooftop view or an unhurried walk beneath the live oaks.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5
Savannah at Your Own Pace
Today is deliberately spacious. Sleep a little later, follow an architectural curiosity, seek out coastal scenery or let the morning decide what comes next. Your Tour Captain will help shape the day around the Savannah you most want to know.
Perhaps wander beneath the live oaks of Bonaventure Cemetery, make for the coast at Tybee Island or linger over a long lunch before returning to the city’s gardens and galleries.
May We Suggest?
Consider Bonaventure Cemetery, a Tybee Island coastal excursion, additional museums and galleries, or independent dining at The Olde Pink House or Vic’s on the River.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Typical stay in Savannah: Perry Lane Hotel or a thoughtfully selected comparable property. See hotel details.
Chapter Three
Days 6–9 · 3 Nights
Charleston
Pastel homes, hidden gardens and Lowcountry flavor bring the Journey to a graceful close beside the harbor.
Day 6
Welcome to Charleston
Travel north into the South Carolina Lowcountry, where tidal creeks and broad marshland lead toward Charleston. Settle into The Charleston Place or a comparable hotel in the walkable Historic District, close to the streets and storefronts that give the city its polished, lived-in character.
Later, your Tour Captain leads the first Charleston Discovery Walk. Church steeples rise above the rooftops, garden gates offer fleeting glimpses and the air begins to carry the promise of dinner.
Included Today
- Scenic travel to Charleston
- Hotel check-in in the Historic District
- Tour Captain-led Discovery Walk
- A Taste of the Lowcountry dinner
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7
Charleston & the Harbor
Charleston comes into focus through the details: the pastel rhythm of Rainbow Row, palms moving above the Battery, side gardens tucked behind iron gates and harbor views opening at the ends of historic streets.
The guided experience connects architecture, trade, community and the city’s complex history. Later, choose your own Charleston—King Street browsing, a shaded courtyard, independent dining or a walk back toward the water.
Included Today
- Rainbow Row and the Battery
- Waterfront Park
- Historic Charleston Market
- Hidden alleys, side gardens and historic homes
Time to Explore
The afternoon and evening are open for King Street, the harborfront, galleries or an independent dinner selected with help from your Tour Captain.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 8
A Final Day in the Lowcountry
Your last full day is yours to compose. Begin slowly, follow the city’s architecture and galleries or venture beyond the peninsula for gardens and Lowcountry landscapes. The pleasure is in choosing what deserves more time.
As evening approaches, return to the heart of Charleston for the Journey Farewell Dinner—a final table shared after nine days of Southern cities, coastal roads and discoveries made together.
May We Suggest?
Consider Magnolia Plantation & Gardens with its historical interpretation and extensive gardens, King Street shops and galleries, or an additional culinary or museum experience.
Included Today
- A full day to personalize with your Tour Captain’s guidance
- Journey Farewell Dinner
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9
Until We Meet Again
Enjoy breakfast and one last Charleston morning before the Journey concludes. Perhaps there is time for coffee, a final glance down a palm-lined street or the quiet pleasure of knowing you experienced the South at a pace that allowed it to become personal.
Transportation to the airport is not included unless specifically stated. Departure transfers may be arranged by request.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Typical stay in Charleston: The Charleston Place or a thoughtfully selected comparable hotel. See hotel details.
Signature Experience
The Now Journey Discovery Walk
As the scheduled touring winds down, your Tour Captain invites you to experience the city at a different pace - through hidden streets, quiet squares, viewpoints, cafes, courtyards and the atmosphere that emerges after sunset.
St. Augustine, Savannah and Charleston
Discovery Walks appear where listed in the itinerary. They are relaxed, practical and personal, helping you feel oriented and confident without turning every evening into a scheduled tour.
Led by Your Tour Captain
These informal walks are part orientation, part story, and part invitation to notice the details that are easy to miss from a vehicle or a crowded landmark.
Hotel Collections
Same extraordinary Journey. Your preferred level of accommodations.
Choose between two thoughtfully curated Hotel Collections. The itinerary, Tour Captain services, sightseeing, transportation and included dining remain exactly the same.
Signature Collection
DELUXE
Thoughtfully selected premium properties emphasizing location, service, comfort and a strong sense of place.
Your accommodations
Planned examples include Casa Monica Resort & Spa, Perry Lane Hotel and The Charleston Place, or comparable properties chosen for quality, location and character.
Lotus Collection
LOTUS
A more spacious or preferred accommodation experience through available suites, sitting areas, terraces, balconies, views or premium finishes.
$10,779 per person
Lotus room categories vary by property and departure. Availability is confirmed in your personalized Journey Proposal.
Both collections enjoy the same itinerary, Tour Captain, expert local guides, sightseeing, transportation and included dining.
Collection images are conceptual and do not depict a named hotel. Named hotels below are Deluxe Collection examples; each Journey Proposal confirms the properties and room categories available for your departure.
Destination hotel examples
St. Augustine
Casa Monica Resort & Spa
Rich in architectural character and positioned steps from the city's historic streets, Casa Monica sets the tone from the moment guests arrive.
- 2 nights with breakfast
- Historic District location
- Or comparable quality, location and character
Savannah
Perry Lane Hotel
An artful Historic District base with easy access to squares, cafes, galleries and rooftop views.
- 3 nights with breakfast
- Historic District setting
- Or comparable quality, location and character
Charleston
The Charleston Place
A polished Charleston stay near shopping streets, restaurants, steeples and the walkable Historic District.
- 3 nights with breakfast
- Historic District location
- Or comparable quality, location and character
Dining
The Flavors of the South
Dining on this route reflects coastal influence, Spanish heritage, Savannah restaurant culture, Charleston's culinary scene, hosted dinners and independent discoveries with guidance from your Tour Captain.
St. Augustine
Spanish influence, coastal ingredients and the first hosted dinner of the journey.
Savannah
Coastal flavors, relaxed restaurant time, rooftop views and a city that rewards an unhurried meal.
Charleston
Lowcountry cooking, exceptional independent dining and a final farewell table.
Culinary imagery reflects regional flavors and atmosphere; specific dishes and restaurants may vary by departure.
What Your Journey Includes
The details that make the Journey feel effortless.
Nine thoughtfully paced days, eight nights in carefully selected hotels, premium transportation, guided cultural experiences, hosted dining and personal Tour Captain support.
Eight hotel nights
Deluxe Collection hotels or comparable properties, with breakfast listed for each stay.
Personal support
Thoughtful Tour Captain attention and practical help throughout the Journey.
Tour Captain leadership
Hosted by a Now Journey Tour Captain from beginning to end.
Guided touring
Historical and cultural touring with expert local English-speaking guides where listed.
Discovery Walks
Tour Captain-led walks in each destination where shown in the itinerary.
Arrival transfer
Included meet-and-greet arrival transfer to begin the Journey.
Scenic travel
Comfortable travel between St. Augustine, Savannah and Charleston. No large buses.
Hosted dining
Selected hosted dinners and premium included beverages where listed.
Hotel taxes
Hotel and city taxes are included.
Luggage handling
Luggage portage through the Journey where confirmed by the operating details.
Included gratuities
Gratuities for included drivers and local guides are included; Tour Captain gratuity is not included.
Transparent planning
No surprise mandatory add-ons. Optional experiences remain optional.
Airfare and transportation to the Journey's starting point and from its ending point are not included unless specifically stated. Departure transfers may be arranged by request.
Dates & prices
Choose your season.
Explore the upcoming limited departures. Prices are in U.S. dollars, per person, based on two guests sharing a room.
Featured Departure
Our upcoming 2027 Lanterns of the South departure.
Oct 19–27, 2027
DELUXE$7,779per personLOTUS$10,779per person
Space AvailableRequest a Journey ProposalTraveling solo? The published supplement for a private double room for solo use is $2,800. Lotus solo pricing is confirmed in your personalized proposal.
2028 departures Now accepting reservations
Apr 23–May 1, 2028
DELUXE$7,779per personLOTUS$10,779per person
Space AvailableRequest a Journey ProposalOct 5–13, 2028
DELUXE$7,779per personLOTUS$10,779per person
Space AvailableRequest a Journey ProposalTraveling solo? The published supplement for a private double room for solo use is $2,800. Lotus solo pricing is confirmed in your personalized proposal.
Pricing note: DELUXE is $7,779 per person and LOTUS is $10,779 per person, based on two guests sharing a room. Room-category availability is confirmed by proposal.
Prefer another date? Tell us what works for you and we will review alternate timing and availability.
Tell us who is traveling and what matters most to you. We'll personally help you review availability, room options and the right departure.
Is This Journey Right for You?
For travelers who value story, food, architecture and time to notice.
Lanterns of the South is best for guests who want cultural depth, beautiful settings, guided support and room for personal discovery.
Right for you if...
- You prefer an intimate group over a large motorcoach.
- You enjoy historic cities, architecture, gardens and storytelling.
- You appreciate distinctive hotels, hosted dining and time to explore independently.
- You want guided experiences balanced with personal freedom.
- You are comfortable walking historic districts, including uneven sidewalks, brick streets and occasional stairs.
Not ideal if...
- You want highly active adventure travel or resort-style beach time.
- You prefer every hour and every meal tightly scheduled.
- You dislike walking on uneven surfaces common in older neighborhoods.
- You want large hotels outside city centers or a budget motorcoach format.
- You are looking primarily for nightlife rather than culture, dining, history and atmosphere.
Activity level is leisurely to moderate. Most guided touring is typically 45-90 minutes of walking per day, often broken into shorter segments with regular stops.
Guest Stories
The proof is in the way guests talk about it.
Guest Perspective
"We love the small group and personal vibe" and the "attention to detail" throughout the trip.lmf59, Tripadvisor review of Now Journey Small Group Tours
Plan & prepare
Is this your kind of Journey?
Expect a leisurely to moderate pace, historic streets and guided discovery balanced with independent afternoons and evenings.
Included: 8 hotel nights, breakfasts as listed, selected hosted dinners, the itinerary-listed sightseeing, an arrival meet-and-greet transfer and planned transportation between St. Augustine, Savannah and Charleston. Not included: airfare, transportation from the Journey ending point and optional experiences unless specifically stated.
Walking and activity expectations
Guests should expect guided sightseeing and scenic walking on older sidewalks, brick streets and occasional stairs, with warm Southern weather depending on season. Tell us about mobility needs before deciding whether this Journey is the right fit.
Independent time and optional activities
Most sightseeing occurs during the mornings, leaving many afternoons and evenings open for cafés, rooftops, waterfronts, boutiques, gardens, galleries or independent dining at your own pace. Optional suggestions are not included unless expressly listed.
Group size and Tour Captain hosting
This Limited Series Journey features a maximum of eight guests and is hosted by a Now Journey Tour Captain from beginning to end.
Arrival airport and departure planning
The Journey begins in St. Augustine. Recommended arrival airports are Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) or Northeast Florida Regional Airport (UST). The Journey ends in Charleston.
Arrival and departure transfers
An arrival meet-and-greet transfer is included. Transportation to the Journey starting point and from its ending point is not included unless specifically stated. Departure transfers may be arranged by request.
Included dining
Selected hosted dining experiences and hotel breakfasts are included as shown day by day. Not every meal is included; independent dining time is part of the Journey design.
How do the Hotel Collections differ?
Both collections share the same itinerary and included experiences. DELUXE uses the published hotel plan. LOTUS adds available premium room categories, suites, sitting areas, terraces, balconies or preferred views, with room-category availability confirmed by proposal.
Solo travel and pricing
Prices are per person, based on two guests sharing a room. The published supplement for a private double room for solo use is $2,800. Lotus room and solo pricing is confirmed in a personalized proposal.
Booking and payment terms
Our team reviews your preferences, confirms availability and prepares a personalized proposal. Sending an inquiry is not a confirmed booking or reservation hold. Review the existing booking and payment terms before reserving.
Final Invitation
Ready to Experience the Soul of the American South?
Some journeys are remembered because of what you saw. Others because of how they made you feel. Lanterns of the South has a way of staying with you long after you return home.
Tell us who is traveling and what matters most to you. We'll personally help you review availability, room options and the right departure.