ONGOING:  THE TEA HOUSE TIMES TEA TOUR FEATURING CHARLESTON TEA PLANTATION AND SUMMERVILLE TEA MUSEUM, HISTORIC SUMMERVILLE (SITE OF THE FIRST TEA FARM) AND HISTORIC CHARLESTON TOURS AVAILABLE ONGOING See SAMPLE itinerary below.  Please note: All group tours require an approved Event Coordinator.  We are using an approved event coordinator and experienced tour guides. All you need to do is show up and relax and enjoy!  Tours available for groups of 20 or more on-going. Email for details. 

Current tour dates below.

No current tours at this time.

Plan your own group tour for 20 or more people.

Past or possible future tour dates below:

Bring 20 people with you and your tour portion is free. Email for information.

July 2007 Tour Featuring Charleston Tea Plantation and Woodlands Resort & Inn has ended. It was fabulous!

TEA TOUR - CRUISE - Several requests have been received for a 2009 cruise. If a cruise is planned, it will be announced here or through our e-news. Sign up to receive email from us at the Contact page to the left.

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SAMPLE ITINERARY (Varies with dates chosen)

THE TEA HOUSE TIMES 2007 TEA TOUR – October 22-26, 2007

FEATURING CHARLESTON TEA PLANTATION

& WOODLANDS RESORT & INN

ITINERARY

All evenings are free time.  Dining at Woodlands is perfection and highly recommended.

Monday, 10/22/2007   Arrive at your hotel, relax and enjoy. 

3:00 PM           Check in at Woodlands ~ Enjoy the afternoon at the pool or elsewhere. 

*3-5 PM          Self serve afternoon tea 3-5 in hotel – Meet & Greet

Tuesday, 10/23/2007   Summerville & Historic Charleston Tours & Shopping

(Please be sure to EAT breakfast before the tour)

8:45 AM          Report to bus at front of hotel.

*9:00 AM        Depart hotel for Olde Summerville Tour, Summerville Dorchester Tea Museum,

and Historic Charleston Tours.

1:00 PM           Free time in the Old City Market for lunch & shopping on your own.

3:00 PM           Transfer group back to hotel

3:45 PM           Arrive at hotel

Enjoy the afternoon at the pool or elsewhere.  

*3-5 PM          Self serve afternoon tea 3-5 in hotel

Wednesday, 10/24/2007         Magnolia Gardens

(Please be sure to EAT breakfast before the tour)

8:45 AM          Report to bus at front of hotel.

*9:00 AM        Depart hotel for MAGNOLIA GARDENS TOUR

9:30 AM          Arrive Magnolia Gardens

*10:30- 11:30 AM       Garden/walking tour, Tram Tour, and House Tour

12:30 PM         Depart Magnolia Gardens for hotel

1:00 PM           End – back to hotel.

*1:00 PM         5 course Afternoon Tea Luncheon at Woodlands

                        Soup, Salad, Finger Sandwiches, Scones, Sweets & Tea

Enjoy the afternoon at the pool or elsewhere. 

Thursday, 10/25/2007  Charleston Tea Plantation Extravaganza  

(Please be sure to EAT lunch before the tour)

12:45 PM         Report to bus at front of hotel. 

*1:00 PM         TO CHARLESTON TEA PLANTATION

                        Factory Tour, Grounds/Trolley Tour, and a very special program with plantation

                        Co-owner, Bill Hall – Extra special goodie bags and a Tea Tasting session, Q&A

                        with Bill Hall.  Afternoon Tea style refreshments served.

7:00 PM           End tour at hotel 

Friday, 10/26/2007 Check out of hotel.  Check out 12:00 noon

TOURS/EVENTS PRICE:   Reg. $800 per person  Our Group Price $550 per person.  Subject to change with program choices.

OUR GROUP PRICE FOR THE TOUR PORTION IS: $550 per person to include all planned events on itinerary

HOTEL AND TRAVEL is not included in the price.

CLICK HERE FOR TOUR AGREEMENT FORM

If you are unable to open and print this file, please request a form by email. 

If you have any questions about this trip, please contact us.

IF YOU NEED TO USE A CREDIT CARD, PLEASE EMAIL AND WE WILL CALL YOU.

Note: our group tours offer an opportunity to explore and experience things not always allowed or open to the public at a price better than you’d experience individually.  Pricing also includes ALL air conditioned Transportation, Tour Guides, and gratuities for guides, drivers, events, etc. (comparable tours are valued up to $800 - so we have a good group rate)

*Tour Package $550 per person inclusive of all * listed above, and tour buses, drivers, tour guides, gratuities, some food, programs, tour tickets, etc. etc.  PLEASE READ AND RETURN TOUR AGREEMENT FORM with tour payment to The Tea House Times. 

Hotel and Travel is separate.  Hotel reservations must be made with our group at the Woodlands Inn $275/night for Jr. Suite, $310/night Exec. Suite.  All rooms sleep 2 (king or queen bed). Some rooms also have a pull out couch.  Many ladies are sharing rooms.   DO NOT CALL THE HOTEL UNTIL YOU HAVE SECURED YOUR SPOT ON THE TOUR.  (First night deposit due immediately. Balance on arrival. -- make own hotel arrangements - no travel agents - to ensure group rate)

Click here to Email us.  Travel arrangements are on your own.  To Reserve your room, please call the Woodlands Inn directly: 1-800-774-9999 (DO NOT CALL UNTIL WE HAVE YOUR TOUR RESERVATION AND TELL YOU IT IS OK TO CALL).  Tell them you are calling to reserve a room with The Tea House Times group.  Best time to call is weekdays between 9 & 5.  Group rates are per room per night as follows:  Junior Suite $275, Executive Suite $310.   The Woodlands rate does not include tax or service charges or meals.  Each room will be billed a $10 per person roundtrip bellman’s fee and $5 per room per night housekeeping gratuity.  These fees are in lieu of tipping. 

DIRECTIONS FOR BOOKING THIS TOUR:

1.   READ ALL TOUR DETAILS (location details below), Itinerary & Pricing (above) & Tour Agreement Form.

      CLICK HERE FOR TOUR AGREEMENT FORM

2.   RESERVE A SPOT ON THE TOUR. Click here to email. OR call us - ph number on form.

3.      FILL OUT THE TOUR AGREEMENT FORM AND MAIL WITH YOUR DAY TOUR DEPOSIT.

                  CLICK HERE FOR TOUR AGREEMENT FORM 

                  If you are unable to open and print this file, please request a form by email.

      4.      AFTER TOUR CONFIRMATION: ARRANGE GROUP HOTEL, AIR TRAVEL TO/FROM CHARLESTON, SC AIRPORT (unless you plan to drive)

5.      IF YOU ARE FLYING, PLEASE ARRANGE YOUR OWN RENTAL CAR IF NEEDED.

CLICK HERE FOR TOUR AGREEMENT FORM

If you are unable to open and print this file, please request a form by email. 

If you have any questions about this trip, please contact us.

DETAILS BELOW ABOUT STOPS ON OUR TOUR 

ABOUT THE WOODLANDS RESORT & INN:

The hotel is five star, first class all the way.  The Woodlands Inn is located in Summerville, SC and is South Carolina’s only Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond resort. Featuring a restored 1906 revival mansion set among 42-wooded acres. Eighteen elegant guest rooms featuring fireplaces and lavish baths. World-renowned dining room offering new American cuisine with a Lowcountry flair. Outdoor heated pool, tennis, croquet, and Day Spa.   Click here to view photos of the Woodlands www.woodlandsinn.com

Pool, bicycles, tennis and croquet for no extra cost for guests staying at the Woodlands.  Spa Services may be scheduled and billed to your room.  We recommend dining at Woodlands in the main dining room.  Conde Nast Traveler's 2001 Reader Poll named The Dining Room at Woodlands one of the top three restaurants in North America, in 2002 "Among the top ten hotels and only perfect food score in North America" and in 2003 was named "Best by Food." The Woodlands Dining Room is open to the public. It is an experience you will truly enjoy.  Be sure to make reservations.  Check in at the Woodlands Inn is 3:00 pm.  Check out is 12:00 noon  A light afternoon tea service refreshment will be available at your hotel only on the days we are back from our trips between 3 & 5 pm  for guests staying at the hotel. 

If you are bringing your tea group and want a private event, you may plan a private event (luncheon, tea or dinner) at the Woodlands to be held in the 1906 mansion dining room for a maximum of 12 people.  It is truly lovely and may be planned with the Director of Catering at Woodlands Inn.  If you plan something like this and want Lady Gayle to stop by to say hello, just send us an email.  info@theteahousetimes.com

CHARLESTON TEA PLANTATION

Over 100 years ago, tea planters brought their finest tea bushes from China, India, and Ceylon to the South Carolina Lowcountry.  Now the descendants of those very plants are growing strong at the nation's only tea plantation, nestled on a serene sea island near the historic city of Charleston.  As you enter the plantation you will see thousands of tea plants growing on acres and acres of rich and fertile lowcountry soil.  A stroll under the avenue of oaks will take you to the porch of the new factory which affords remarkable views of the plantation.  Highlights of this excursion will be an informative and educational tour of the factory as well as a visit to the gift shop stocked with interesting and exciting items including the American Classic Tea which is produced here and has a wonderful flavor.  In addition to the factory tour and gift shop, a Trolley bus will take our group on a guided tour of the Plantation grounds.  Before heading back to the Woodlands, enjoy a wonderful Tea Tasting program with Plantation co-owner, Bill Hall along with refreshments. 

MAGNOLIA GARDENS TOUR

Tour Magnolia Gardens, one of the most beautiful romantic gardens in the world.  As you stroll the garden paths through a Cypress Swamp which was turned into a garden by the Rev. John Drayton prior to the War Between the States the beauty of these unique gardens will take your breath away.  After touring the gardens board the tram which will take you into part of the Audubon Swamp Garden, home to scores of water loving creatures and traversed by boardwalks, dikes, and bridges to put the visitor in close contact with its inhabitants.  You may even see an alligator and will have the opportunity to view the abundant bird population of the lowcountry.  To complete your plantation experience tour Magnolia's unique Plantation House and Art Gallery.

HISTORIC CHARLESTON TOUR 

Tour Charleston, one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the south.  Her stately homes with their lovely gardens, her magnificent public buildings and her majestic churches will enchant you.  As you tour you will see the College of Charleston, Harleston Village (one of the early suburbs of the city), and of course our famous Battery with its elegant town houses built by planters and merchants in the 18th and 19th centuries.  Free time will be allowed in the Old City Market for Shopping, Lunch, or an optional Horse Drawn Carriage tour of historic Charleston.

THE OLD VILLAGE OF SUMMERVILLE

Tour this charming "Flowertown in the Pines” established as a summer retreat to escape malaria shortly after the American Revolution.  Its lovely homes and gardens span almost 200 years.  Highlights of your tour are the quaint Victorian cottages, lovely turn of the century homes, and town square with its unique shops and boutiques.  Also included in the tour will be Dr. Sheppard’s (the founder of the Summerville Tea Farm) Home, the Summerville Dorchester Museum with original tea plantation artifacts (named the official Tea Museum).

CLICK HERE FOR TOUR AGREEMENT FORM

If you are unable to open and print this file, please request a form by email. 

If you have any questions about this trip, please contact us.

TESTIMONIALS/REFERENCES

Below are comments from people who attended our 2006 Tea Cruise and are also joining us for our 2007 tour featuring Charleston Tea Plantation!

I had such a wonderful time on our tea cruise last summer that as soon as the information was available for the Charleston trip I signed up immediately.  I met a nice group of ladies from all over the country, and am looking forward to seeing them again.  It was such fun to enjoy tea with others who share my love of tea.  It was like a five day tea party!  Can't wait until July.  See you in Charleston.  ~ Erica Sparks, Tucson AZ

What a wonderful 'vacation' with ALL the details taken care of & lots of 

educational information as well. Fun tea drinkers to be around. Very 

relaxing!  ~ Sue Ryno

A note from The Tea House Times - we are in the process of collecting testimonials from our attendees to help some new travelers decide whether to travel with us or not.  If you need a direct contact/reference, please do not hesitate to make a request to us by email. Click here.

PAST TOUR DETAILS

Special Thanks to the following businesses for contributing door prizes for our 2007 Summer Tour Featuring Charleston Tea Plantation & tour dinner party:  www.ajaxcandybouquet.com, www.candybouquetofsummerville.com,

www.earlenegrey.com, www.loveyourneighborhood.com,  www.mimabook.com,  www.fayevoritethings.com,  www.emmaleabooks.com, www.teapartyonatray.com,

 www.theteahousetimes.com, www.charlestonteaplantation.com,  www.numitea.com

For more about Charleston Tea Plantation: www.CharlestonTeaGardens.com

Read extensive articles about Charleston & Summerville in the July/August and Sept/Oct 2006 issues of The Tea House times with additional information posted here at the website.  Click here for news & facts about the Plantation.

For more about Charleston & Summerville, SC, visit www.CharlestonCVB.com

www.VisitSummerville.com

Don't miss the Summerville-Dorchester Museum located at 100 East Doty Ave, Summerville, SC.  Phone 843.875.9666--Declared the official Tea Museum by Gov. Carroll Campbell.

Did you hear Lady Gayle's Travel Log prepared for Tea Radio about Charleston Tea Plantation? Click HERE to listen now.  Join Tea Radio for tea related broadcasts via email.  www.TeaRadio.com

2006 CRUISE:

The Tea House Times Summer, 2006 Tea Cruise.  SAILED 2006 along the scenic coastline of Canada and New England and included fun seminars, tea tasting, elegant teas, and sampling of tea rooms at each port.

THIS EVENT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS! 

Send us your travel suggestions for our next trip.  Email info@theteahousetimes.com

Our 2007 tour featured Charleston Tea Plantation and we are offering that group tour ongoing now. 

Another cruise is a possibility for the future. Keep watching for details.  Click here for future tour details.

Thanks to the following businesses for contributing to our cruise goodie bags and/or door prizes: www.numitea.com  www.charlestonteagardens.com   www.novelexplorations.com  www.portsmouthtea.com www.theteahousetimes.com www.tornranch.com  www.cbdf.com (a special, private Label Lemon Curd)  www.mltea.com  www.sbsteas.com  www.loveyourneighborhood.com  www.teaevents.com (a special CD interview of Lady Gayle & Discover Tea), www.serendipitea.com www.earlenegrey.com

Garden Greens Teas from Windmill Health Products

Door prizes: www.royalteacozies.com www.teatimebingo.com also:

The latest Tea Shop Mystery by Laura Childs: Blood Orange Brewing

And a book by Cindy O’Neill and Barbara Iderosa-- MIMA: Mothballs in My Attic, a journey back into your childhood with easy fill-in-the blank format. www.mothballsinmyattic.com  

Life is Like a Tea Bag by Faye Fitzgerald and tea cards from Faye too.  www.Lifeislikeateabag.com  www.Fayevoritethings.com

CLICK HERE FOR CRUISE DETAILS/UPDATES

This cruise is sponsored/organized by The Tea House Times.

Our travel specialist is Patty Suchy of www.novelexplorations.com

Our 2006 tour was a cruise along the scenic coastline of Canada and New England and included fun seminars, tea tasting, elegant teas, and sampling of tea rooms at each port. 

Our 2007 tour featured a trip to Charleston and Summerville, SC to experience the beginnings of tea in the United States, original tea farm and tea museum in Summerville, the Charleston Tea Plantation, Magnolia Plantation, Historic Charleston, shopping, teas, and Historic Summerville tours. 

2008 & beyond - By popular demand, the Charleston tour is available ongoing for groups or anyone wanting to join a group that may be going.  

The Tea House Times tea tours will be unique each year ~ bringing pleasant afternoon tea experiences and tours to varying destinations. Each tour will be tailored to the area we are visiting. We will seek out special tea experiences to suit each tour.  Our past trips were highly successful and attendees are looking forward to traveling with us for years to come.  The Tea House Times Tea Tours are unique and special and add a very pleasant, unforgettable touch to traveling ~ much more than a vacation ~ a pleasant retreat with Afternoon Tea playing a major part in relaxation and special time with family and friends.  Join us!