Combine African and European cultures, with a semi-tropical climate, and the smell of salt marsh and oysters,and you get the exotic Lowcountry. Edgar Allen Poe, George Gershwin, William Gilmore Simms, Josephine Pinckney, Pat Conroy, Jonathan Green, and Dorothy Benton Frank are among a long, diverse list of artists and writers inspired by its sultry allure.

Shakespeare said “There is a tide in the affairs of men”, and no where is this better felt than in the sensual nature of the food, music, and tone of life reflected in the rhythmic, yet ever changing ebb and flow of Lowcountry life. But don’t be fooled. Time has shown that the quiet strength of these waters conceals the potential for storms – in the form of violent hurricanes or the emotional passions of colorful characters who change the course of history.

Cosmopolitan Charleston is her capital, with Beaufort and Georgetown nearby. Storied plantations and small hamlets are linked by thousands of miles of creeks and rivers. And despite the dark corners of her past, it remains a beautiful and soulful place that begs exploration – of her character, places, history, and the thoughtful optimism of her people.