One of my favorite cities, and surely one of the most historical in the south, is Charleston, S.C.

Beautiful antebellum homes abound in Charleston, a reminder of the grace and charm that reflect the South more than any other part of the U.S.

One of my favorites is the Governor’s House Inn. Big, canopied four-poster beds with thick coverlets. Huge second-floor porches. Fireplaces. A huge, sweeping staircase inside. The house and bed above belong to it. The photos do not do it justice.

I love walking along The Battery. Visiting the many craft shops. And eating seafood and rich she-crab soup in one of the fine restaurants.

In December, Charleston is cold and crisp. Blue skies. Holiday decorations everywhere.

It’s about a seven-hour drive from Tampa, and we’ve decided to spend four nights there just before Christmas. That’s the bed we’ll be sleeping in.