South Carolina

South Carolina's fascinating subtropical coastline of sea islands , great beaches, marshes and lush palmetto groves preserves traces of a virtually independent black culture (featuring the unique patois gullah ), from the days when slaves escaped the mainland plantations. Beyond the grand old peninsular port of Charleston , arguably the most elegant city in the US with its rainbow-colored old buildings and magnificent, tree-lined avenues, restored plantations stretch as far north as Georgetown , en route toward the poseur's paradise of Myrtle Beach.