On either your first or last night, treat yourself to a marvelous adventure at the Woodlands Resort and Inn, the only Mobil 5 star and AAA 5 Diamond property and restaurant in South Carolina and only a short drive from downtown Charleston in historic Summerville. This Relais & Chateau property is nothing short of magnificent.

Built in 1906 by a Pennsylvania railroad baron and turned into a luxury inn in 1995, the Inn has 19 individually and quite beautifully decorated rooms, a day spa, two English clay tennis courts, a year round heated swimming pool and a croquet lawn. A major expansion is underway that will bring the total number of rooms up to 88 in cottages spread throughout the property. 2006 is the expected completion date.

The public rooms are richly decorated in an English country house motif with hints of India and Jamaica and many have fireplaces.

The Inn's restaurant The Dining Room is renowned in the Southeast and has been recognized by leading national publications including Conde Nast and the Wine Spectator for it delicious food and great wine list.

Accommodations include Executive Suites, Junior Suites and Superior Rooms. The suites are particularly large (up to 630 sq feet) and feature 4 poster beds, a separate sitting area, a gas fireplace, oversized whirlpool tubs, heated towel racks, monogrammed robes and Aveda toiletries. Rates are $225-$425 and include a half bottle of Pinot Noir or Chardonnay upon arrival, afternoon tea, turndown service with homemade cookies, valet parking and all on-site leisure activities.

The spectacular Middleton Place with the most incredible gardens you may ever see, overlooking the Butterfly Lakes and the Ashley River is not to be missed when you are in the Charleston area. This old plantation is a National Historic Landmark and was first granted in 1675. You can take a tour (on foot, carriage or horseback) and learn about plantation life and the gardens. You can also kayak on the Ashley, take a guided nature hike, explore the Black Water Swamp or go horseback riding or biking. Have lunch in the restaurant on the grounds overlooking one of the ponds with Spanish Moss dripping from the trees and alligators peaking from the creek. This is not to be missed. Get there at opening (9am) and walk around. The scenery is just breathtaking. Plan at least a half day here.

And I do mean old! Said to be the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi, Angel Oak on Bohicket Road on St. John's Island is a live oak tree estimated at over 1500 years old. It is about 65 feet high, has a diameter of 160 feet and is now owned by the City of Charleston. It has survived wars, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. Today the park is a perfect place for a picnic. Stop at Saffron for picnic fixins and O'Hara & Flynn for wine and enjoy an afternoon ".under the old oak tree."