“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”
– Excerpt from Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
For years I subscribed to Southern Living and was always intrigued by their travel section. But they covered the entire South and featured cities that were too far away for trips with young children. Even today, I prefer to visit places that are within a four hour drive of Aiken. I am surprised at how much there is to see and do within this range. From mountain to ocean, city to countryside, river to lake, the South has it all. Now with “Our Experience,” I can share some of these amazing places with Bella readers.
Dérive – A spontaneous journey dictated by the way in which the spirit of the landscape and architecture move the traveler. This month’s experience is Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston is a place with landscape and architecture that moves me. In the past 20 years I have been to Charleston more times than I can remember — it must be at least 30. Whether a day trip, an overnight trip, or a 3-day vacation, I notice and appreciate new things each time.
As a licensed architect I am trained to pay attention to the details of buildings. Charleston is a wonderland for my architectural eye. My focus always lands on something that delights me, like a checkered black-and-white tiled courtyard, or an art deco façade, or neon signs mixed in among the traditional, narrow Charleston-style homes with their iconic porches on the south side of the building to allow for passive cooling in hot summer months.
There is something for everyone in Charleston, and if you have never been, I suggest you put on your bucket list. It offers southern hospitality, oozes rich history from every brick and cobblestone, and features the swanky and cool vibes of trendy restaurants where you can experience things you have never tried before. When you get ready to explore Charleston, check out our social media and website for my suggestions and advice.
Ladonna Armstrong
A travel column has always been on Bella’s to-do list, and what better time to introduce it than with the launch of Palmetto Bella Magazine. And since the iconic Pineapple Fountain graces the cover of this month’s Bella, what better city to start with than Charleston. Even before we knew each other and began working together, my partner and I had both been long-time fans of this great city.
Each month we look forward to sharing “Our Experience” with you, and we encourage you to share yours with us. I will admit that it was not until I took the time to get to know and appreciate Charleston that I became a true fan. As with any city, I encourage you to do a bit of research before you go. Take the time to slow down and explore on foot so you can appreciate the city block by block. But fair warning — it is truly the Deep South and you ain’t felt humidity until you’ve visited the coast of South Carolina in late summer.
I am sure becoming a full-time professional photographer also helped. I have learned to appreciate the finer details and look of Charleston. From the waterfront to the markets, cemeteries to the old majestic homes that line the cobblestone streets, it truly is a beautiful city with many diverse scenic opportunities. As many of us do, I consider myself a bit of a foodie, and this is another area Charleston excels in. From high class dining and fantastic bars to local eats, there is something here for everyone.
As we move forward with this series we will dig deeper into the specifics of this and other cities by exploring aspects such as the food, night life, architecture, history, etc., but for now, rest assured that if you give this great city a chance, it will give you back a great experience.
Tad Jones
