Savannah Part 2
Travel Excursion
By Patrice Raplee
Seductive and enchanting, Savannah, Georgia, is the lure of the south.
A city wrapped in mystery and beauty sets itself apart with eccentric
vibrancy and exquisite architecture. This month, TE continues to unwrap
a few of the town’s enticing cafes, B&Bs and mystical nuances
that draw curious visitors.
Fine southern cuisine is found around every corner of Savannah, but
the hidden, offbeat sidewalk cafés are where the locals congregate
and the essence of the town’s character resides.
The Firefly Café, located on Habersham Street, is distinguished
by its ceiling-high bay windows and sidewalk dining under splendid
magnolia and Spanish moss-draped oak trees. The cuisine caters to rich
indulgences and vegetarian palates, while finicky appetites are appeased
with substitutes and deletions. The café’s leisurely weekend
brunches are a specialty and include the Firefly’s Banana Nut
French Toast, served with crème Anglaise. This delicious repast
in concert with a latte is heavenly. The café’s Savannah
Eggs Benedict with crabmeat and hash browns are scrumptious and will
appeal to the savory inclined diner. Lunch and dinner selections are
equally quixotic and recommended to enjoy while seated under the magnolia
trees watching the world go by.
Another café providing excellent fare is the Sweet Leaf Smokery & Eatery
on Abercorn Street. Brunch is served on weekends and Tuesday through
Sunday, lunch and dinner are available. The café’s sampler
plate of ribs, chicken, beef brisket and pull-pork is tremendous and
accompanied by two sides, such as granny smith cole slaw and smoky
baked beans. For a sweet affair, indulge in the café’s
traditional southern pecan pie.
Bed and breakfasts and inns are the preferable accommodation choice,
given Savannah’s history and incredible architecture; although,
visitors should make sure the establishment they select is suitable
to their needs. There are touristy inns along the Riverfront that are
renovated historical buildings for guests. But attractive as some of
these inns may appear, the insides tend to be stuffy and dark, not
to mention moldy smelling and uncomfortable. Visitors who wish to stay
at an inn or B&B are better off seeking accommodations within the
historic district of town.
Kehoe House Inn - Savannah Georgia – Photo by
Patrice Raplee
One suggestion for a charming and beautiful historic inn is the Kehoe
House located on Habersham Street. Originally built in 1892, this lovely
restored renaissance revival mansion is an aristocratic and refined
inn. Excellent service, fine linens and upscale amenities are but a
few of the advantages of staying at the Kehoe House.
The mansion exudes elegance from the exterior white Corinthian columns,
Italianate “eyebrows” over the windows and red brick decor,
to the gorgeous flowing arrangements of antique furniture and period
art. The Inn proffers many services that a fine hotel would provide
such as a concierge, boardroom and high-speed wireless access. Wine,
tea and hor d’oeuvres are served in the evening and guests are
offered made-to-order gourmet breakfasts. The Inn is also within walking
distance to historical sites, parks, arts, antiques, shopping and cafes.
The Kehoe House is truly exquisite and TE’s top recommendation
for fine accommodations in Savannah.
Unexplained phenomenon (mist) in front of angel monument
at Bonaventure
Cemetery in Savannah Georgia.
For visitors who wish to explore Savannah’s supernatural side,
there are many inns, establishments and graveyards that are reputed
to be haunted. Indeed, Savannah has a reputation of the most haunted
city in America. Several houses and business that have been photographed
by paranormal researchers, such as the Hamilton Turner Inn, the Cherished
Memories Shop, The Pirate’s House and Hampton Lillibridge House
have shown unexplained phenomenon in photographs. The Colonial Park
Cemetery and Bonaventure Cemetery are favorite hunting grounds for
seekers of the supernatural and consistently yield photographic evidence
of unexplained phenomenon. Is Savannah really haunted? Locals are of
mixed opinions when discussing the issue, but the tourist industry
has taken advantage of the city’s reputation and various companies
take visitors on tours day and night of “Haunted Savannah.” A
few serious guides can be found and they take visitors to the sites
that paranormal researchers claim show reoccurring phenomenon.
The allure of Savannah is in the city’s half hidden mystery and
beauty. Books are written about the city and movies are made trying
to capture something that is indefinable. Savannah is a special place
that one must experience, and only then do we get a fleeting glimpse
of her secrecy and intrigue.
For additional information on Savannah go to: www.savannah-visit.com
For additional information on the Kehoe House go to: www.kehoehouse.com
For additional information on ghost tours go to: www.sixthsensesavannah.com.
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