While you’re here...

ON MOST Fridays, eight to ten of Charleston’s historic gardens are open to the public free of charge ( historiccharleston.org). A small army of volunteers is on hand to answer any questions (all of a certain age) and they love to talk.

THE pace is leisurely, especially if you opt for a carriage ride. Your horseman will provide a running commentary ( oldsouth

carriage.com) or Beth Briggs does a spirited walking tour ( charlestonstrolls.com) that does not gloss over the city’s past.

CHARLESTON may come across as a grand dame but over the years it has been a pioneer. It was one of the earliest cities to open a theatre (Dock Street Theatre) in 1736, a public library in 1748, a museum in 1773 and it founded the Preservation Society of Charleston in 1920.

KIAWAH ISLAND is less than an hour from Charleston. Its sandy beach stretches for miles. Houses here sell for millions and, if you like golf, you will love The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort ( kiawahresort.com), where the 1991 Ryder Cup was played. The hotel will arrange dolphin-watching trips with an engaging man who has names for all the dolphins. Rooms aren’t cheap, but it’s super-plush.