South Carolina became the first Southern state to declare independence from the Union. It was also the state where the first shot of the American Civil War was fired at Fort Sumter. Today, if you visit Charleston, SC, you can take a boat tour to Fort Sumter, go to the visitor center, and learn about the American Civil War's first battle. Here, is the beginning of a learning vacation for the entire family, but Charleston is much more than just a place to learn about American history.

The modern city of Charleston offers the tourists a myriad of attractions and great shopping. The focal point of the city is the luxurious Charleston Place Hotel, which is one of only four Orient-Express Hotels in the United States. The hotel is located in the heart of the historic district in downtown Charleston. The fountain at the front entrance is a top tourist attraction with its 14-foot Greek revival column in the center surrounded by four 9-foot bronze horses representing the significance of the horse in Charleston's history.

The Charleston Place Hotel is anchored by an upscale shopping center with names like Gucci, Cache, St. John, Godiva Chocolatiers and the hotel's signature shop, the Orient-Express Boutique which features unique gifts that celebrate their sister property the Venice-Simplon Orient-Express train. The 20-year old hotel was the vision of the mayor who wanted to revitalize the downtown area of Charleston by building a world-class hotel and shopping center in the middle of the historic district. His plan worked and the downtown area is a lively maze of tourists shopping till they drop in stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Coach and numerous specialty stores. There is also a market located downtown where locals sell everything from wicker baskets and jewelry to unique furniture, antiques and art to clothing at colorful stands and stores. When it comes to shopping, it's hard to beat Charleston for variety. There are things for sale here that you simply won't find anywhere else.

The Charleston Place Hotel is the place to spot celebrities because of the unusual upscale shopping and the exclusivity of the hotel. Its former guests include Ted Turner, Bruce Willis, Jessica Lange, Barbra Streisand, Melaine Griffith, Richard Gere, Jeff Bridges, Julia Roberts and many more. There is a concierge floor where a special key is needed to enter and a luxurious European style spa with a massive indoor swimming pool and whirlpool spa.

The upscale spa menu of exotic treatments includes a Chocolate Cake Body Scrub and the Champagne of the Sea Pedicure where you sip champagne as your feet are buffed, massaged and perfectly groomed. Kids 12 years of age and under can also enjoy being pampered in the spa with a Lollipop Manicure and Pedicure or a Cinderella Treat, a 25-minute facial or the Bear Scrub, an invigorating hydrotherapy body treatment accented by a honeysuckle scrub.

Celebrities and dieters love the spa menu which caters to every conceivable type of diet according to spa chef, Matthew Dibble, whose passion is to create cuisine that is low in calories but looks and tastes fabulous.

"We strive to give our guests extra special cuisine that they have come to expect at Orient Express hotels around the world," Dibble said. I enjoyed several of the spa selections on the menu and they were definitely a cut-above the usual spa fare I have experienced at other hotels in taste and presentation.

The Charleston Place Hotel has a daily tea each afternoon in the luxurious lobby area with imported loose leaf teas, tea sandwiches, scones, lemon curd, strawberries and cream . There are live performances by a classic pianist or guitarist, but don't expect to just drop by for tea. You'll need a reservation, because tea is a catered affair and nearly always booked with tourists, hotel guests and locals.

For those who want to explore Charleston, there are daily horse and carriage rides which take tourists all around the city with experienced tour guides who point out the city's many attractions and relate the history of many of the historic homes. There are many beautiful homes located across from the ocean along the Battery area, where a park and many restaurants are located. Cruise ships are also docked along Charleston's shore, bringing more tourists to the area.

Charleston also is home to the American Military Museum, where there are collections of hundreds of miniature and toy soldiers and collections of uniforms from the Vietnam War, Korean War, World I and II , the Civil War and more.

A popular family attraction in Charleston is the South Carolina Aquarium where thousands of amazing aquatic animals from sharks, eels and loggerhead turtles to river otters provide hours of fun for families. There are also many walking tours in the city where you can meander through back alleyways and cobblestone streets, and stroll along the Battery, where you can learn about the history of the city and get a glimpse of many forms of architecture dating back to the 1800's. A good day trip is a visit to the Magnolia Plantation and its beautiful gardens, with a history that dates back 300 years.

Photos by Phyllis Steinberg

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

• Charleston Place Hotel, 843-724-8410, www.charlestonplacehotel.com
• Charleston Area South Carolina Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1-800-774-0006, CharlestonCVB.com
• South Carolina Aquarium, 843-720-1990
• American Military Museum, 843-723-9620
• Horse and carriage rides, Visitor and Transportation Center, 843-853-8000
• Walking tours, 843-577-3311, www.historictoursofcharleston.com
• Spiritline cruises to Fort Sumter, 843-722-2628