Charleston, S.C.

The gentle clip-clop of the horse’s hooves had a hypnotic effect. Our horse, Scout, navigated the traffic and narrow streets with hardly any input from the driver. Moss filled trees lined centuries old streets where picturesque homes bid visitors welcome with inviting doorways and cloistered, courtyard gardens.

The surprising thing about this old American city was the vibrant and youthful culture that seemed in contrast to the idyllic and sleepy life.  The city was bustling with energy; driven forward by its young inhabitants and its own momentum.

Welcome to Charleston, South Carolina.

Travel has become a tradition for my wife and I. Every opportunity we get, we take a trip. Some are grand, some small, but all rejuvenate the tired soul.  For our second anniversary we wanted to do something special and Charleston fit the bill.  A warm coastal retreat, with history, shopping, food and all within driving distance? Perfect.

Our home for this trip was the Harborview Inn - a beautiful hotel, in the perfect location.  Well appointed, but not stuffy, the staff was excellent and the accommodations were even better.  Breakfast delivered to your room in the morning is the perfect way to start any day.

This city is connected to its history like no place I've been before.  Most American cities have their historic districts but for Charleston, the city is the historic district.  A walking tour of downtown finds the visitor confronted with an almost endless array of historical markers and plaques. The very streets themselves are a testament to walking back through time, with some dating as far back as the original settlement of the city.

One of the most touching moments came from seeing the finger prints of slaves; pressed forever into bricks that they made so many years before, and being to touch where they did.  It was a very powerful moment and one we'll both carry the rest of lives.  That's the power of travel. It disconnects us from the ordinary and enables to remember the beauty, tragedy and fleetingness of life.