The City is Bursting with Azaleas, Dogwoods and Redbuds in the Spring
One of the most romantic cities in the country is Savannah, Ga., the ‘Hostess’ city.
Springtime is the most enchanting when the azaleas, dogwoods and redbuds fill the city with color under moss-draped oaks in the 22 squares, around the historical homes, Forsyth Park and the Bonaventure Cemetery.
The revitalized downtown has come alive with new hotels, restaurants to please any palette and Savannah College of Arts and Design taking over closed and dilapidated buildings and turning them into refurbished working classrooms or dormitories.
The 100-acre Bonaventure is Savannah’s largest cemetery strewn with oaks shading a plethora of colorful azaleas, stunning sculptures and historic headstones. At one time it was home to the bird girl “Little Wendy” statue featured on the cover of the book “Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil” which is now housed at the Telfair Academy – a must-see.
On a recent visit, everywhere I looked the school was buying up buildings and expanding their campus. It was remarkable. I have always loved visiting Savannah with its riverfront shops and restaurants. Years ago when visiting, I would always stay at a different Bed & Breakfast to feel more of the flavor of the ‘oldest city in Georgia,’ which has easy access off I-95 traveling north from Florida or coming south from anywhere along the east coast. The proprietors of the B&B’s would typically turn me on to a local bistro or dining place where I could enjoy some local fare.
The best way to see the city and its historical sites is on a tour either in a comfortable air-conditioned bus, open-air bus, or on a horse-drawn carriage. If you have the stamina, you can do a walking tour, best done in the early spring, late fall or early winter.
When cotton was king, Savannah was the major port of call and today is the single largest and fastest-growing container terminal in America with the Savannah River flowing into the Atlantic Ocean just east of the city. More
