The citizens of Savannah are already looking ahead to the 2012 Savannah Music Festival, which will run March 22 through April 7 at various sites across Savannah.

An exciting lineup is planned this year: Lyle Lovett, Pink Martini, The Head and the Heart, Justin Townes Earle, Acollective…. These are just a few of the performers scheduled for the 2012 Savannah Music Festival. Musicians are coming from Seattle, Tel-Aviv, Athens, Georgia, and elsewhere around the globe.

Béla Fleck and the Fleckstones perform at the 2012 Savannah Music Festival.

Genres include Baroque, Classical, Bluegrass, Rock, Salsa, World, Flamenco, Funk, Cajun, Caberet, Old-Time, Country, and so on, and so on, and so on. Featured instruments include the clarinet, mandolin, trumpet, harmonica, lap steel, organ, and accordion. We’ll be stomping our feet and clapping our hands for two weeks.

There are worse ways to spend a couple of weeks, but you’d be hard pressed to find a better way. Come to the Savannah Music Festival. Stay at one of our Savannah Vacation Rentals while you’re here.

For more festival information, please see the Savannah Music Festival.

Please visit our reservations page to reserve one of our Savannah Vacation Homes.

Three hundred years ago, fisherman, farmers, and merchants brought their produce and wares to Savannah’s City Market. It was the center of commerce; people came daily to trade goods and information. In many ways, it was the heart of Savannah.

Walk to the City Market from any of our Savannah Vacation Homes.

Two of the original market buildings were lost to fire prior to the 1850s, and a third was torn down after the Civil War. After two hundred years of service, yet another grand old market building was destroyed in 1954–this one lost to a wrecking ball. Yet the legacy of the Savannah City Market lived on.

The historic buildings that comprise today’s City Market are spread across four blocks in Savannah Historic Downtown District. Once again, the Savannah City Market provides a place to congregate, exchange news, and do business. Locals and visitors are drawn to this open pedestrian area filled with shops, art galleries, restaurants, and live entertainment.

Dine at Tapas By Anna, Vinnie Van Go-Go’s, or the Cafe at City Market. Enjoy the art at Jim Pennington Fine Art, the A.T. Hun Gallery, and the Stephen Kasun Gallery. Shop for clothes, sweets, cigars and books. The City Market has it all.

It takes about 15 minutes to walk to the City Market from our Savannah Vacation Rentals on Broughton Street, and about 10 minutes to walk there from our Savannah Vacation Home on West Liberty Street. Guests take advantage of the close proximity to visit it frequently for food, art, shopping, and to feel the pulse of Savannah.

Stay in a Savannah Vacation Home and wander over to River Street Sweets.

Many lucky people will receive gift baskets from River Street Sweets in the coming days. Valentine’s Day means sweets for our sweeties; to those of us in Savannah, sweets means River Street Sweets.

River Street Sweets originated in an old warehouse on historic River Street. It started out in 1973 as “The Cotton Bale,” a gift shop that did not sell sweets. By the end of the decade, an enormous fudge making pot was added, and shortly after that, their “World Famous Praline” recipe was born. Thus The Cotton Bale was transformed into River Street Sweets.

Most people who stay in our Savannah Vacation Rentals eventually find their way to historic River Street and the original River Street Sweets store. Those who do are rewarded with free samples. The samples are a savvy marketing move, since it is practically impossible to taste one treat and not want more.

Gift baskets, gift tins, gift boxes, gift towers….you can offer your love a small token of your affection, or give a veritable monument. You could place your order on line, or you could do something even better: bring your sweetheart to the store.

Plan a sweet getaway in one of our Savannah Vacation Homes this February. Bring your true love to the original River Street Sweets. Indulge in pleasure, together.

The 23rd Annual Savannah’s Black Heritage Festival takes place February 1-16, 2012. It promises more than two weeks of exciting entertainment, lectures, youth programs, and seminars. There is something for everyone in the family, so bring the whole family to Savannah.

Stay in a Savannah Vacation Home while in town for the Black Heritage Festival.

Highlights include:

• Internationally acclaimed conceptual artist Fred Wilson.

• Balletethnic Dance Company.

• August Wilson’s “Jitney,” the first installment of his 10-play cycle.

• African Drumming classes and performances.

• Grand Festival Day at the Savannah Civic Center.

• Gospel Concerts.

• The Future of Jazz concert.

• Stories of Faith and Freedom.

• Spoken Word.

Make yourself at home while in town for the Black Heritage Festival. Stay in one of our Savannah Vacation Homes.

A complete list of festival events is available at Savannah Black Heritage Festival.

Weddings traditionally take place on weekends. This is understandable, given that the majority of people work Monday through Friday, and it’s easier for guests to attend if they don’t have to miss any work. Indeed, the bride and groom themselves can work before a weekend wedding.

Yet there are good reasons to break out of the traditional weekend wedding mold, especially if you’re having a Destination Wedding.

It may be easier to book musicians and caterers for your midweek Savannah wedding.

1. Midweek travel is often more affordable. Discounts at our luxury Savannah Guest Homes are available Sunday through Thursday. Lodging discounts may greatly reduce the overall cost of a Savannah Destination Wedding.

2. Don’t even try to work. In truth, no one close to the bride and groom gets much work done the week prior to the nuptials; everyone is too caught up with last minute details and pre-wedding socializing. There’s the bachelor party, the bachelorette party, and so forth. There are last minute dress-fittings, and appointments for hair and nails. There’s maybe even some drama. It’s all part of the big day.

3. Have a weekend for last minute details. If you get married in the middle of the week, there is plenty of time to take care of last minute details (see #2) the weekend before your nuptials.

Giving up a few days of work may seem a lot to ask of friends and family, and it is; but it may actually be for the best. Most Destination Weddings tend to be small, with the bride and groom and only their very closest friends and family in attendance. These are the people in your life who will want to take a few days off work to stand by your side as you say “I do”.

Make your relationship special from the outset. Have a Destination Wedding at one of our luxury Savannah Vacation Homes during the week.

Please call (912) 232-6633 to inquire about discounted rates for weddings scheduled for Sunday through Thursday.

A fun piece in Savannah's Alex Raskin Antiques.

Given Savannah’s rich history, it should come as no surprise that the city is home to many outstanding antique shops.

Our gracious Savannah Vacation Home at 109 West Liberty Street is just around the corner from quite a few antique shops:

• Everett and Cobb Antiques & Interiors specializes in 17th, 18th, 19th, and early 20 century art, furniture, and accessories.

• Arthur Smith Antiques is filled with interesting old clocks, mirrors, rugs, tables, lamps, and more. It’s a fun place to spend a few hours.

• V&J Duncan sells interesting old maps, engravings, mezzotints, lithographs, photographs, books, and more.

• George Davis Antiques and Interiors imports hand selected furniture and accessories from the Continent and England. Their pieces are carefully restored.

• Southern Charm Antiques is a good spot to find vintage linens, elegant Depression-era crystal, and fine porcelain and china.

• Jeres Antiques has been in the business for more than 35 years. Their selection of fine antiques is impressive, and they also hand build copies of English and Continental antiques.

More antique shops are found in other neighborhoods, such as the Starland District , also known as the Thomas Square Streetcar District:

• It’s fun to lose yourself in 37th @ Abercorn Antiques & Design. Its 6 city blocks (7,000 square feet) are filled with antique furniture, jewelry, collectibles, art, quilts, and more. There’s even a European Café and French Bakery, for refueling while shopping.

• Fran Campbell Antiques and Interiors specializes in upscale 18th and 19th century furniture, primarily English and American. Assorted objets d’art, accessories, and porcelain from Asia are also predominant.

• If you’re staying at one of our Savannah Vacation Homes because you needed a break from restoring your own historic home, you may want to check out Pinch of the Past, an architectural hardware supplier with an impressive selection of salvaged goods.

Browsing for antiques is always fun, even in you’re not in the market for a particular item. Savannah is, simply put, a great city for antiquing. See for yourself the next time you stay at one of our Savannah Vacation Rental Homes.

Our Savannah Vacation Rentalsare ideal for business travelers and corporate retreats. They are elegant and spacious, with wireless internet and fully equipped kitchens. If business brings you to Savannah, we hope you’ll consider staying with us.

Johnson Square is just around the corner from our Savannah Vacation Rentals on East Broughton Street.

The location of our Savannah Vacation Rentals couldn’t be better. We’re in the heart of the Landmark Historic District, close to numerous restaurants, shops, and picturesque squares. When you need to stretch your legs and get some air after a lengthy meeting, you’ll find it a pleasure to open the door and stroll down the street; West Liberty Street is a wide boulevard lined with mature live oak trees; the Savannah Vacation Homes on East Broughton Street are a short walk from the River Street area along the Savannah River.

The Broughton Street homes are quite close to The Lady and Sons, Paula Deen’s renowned restaurant. The home on West Liberty Street is just two miles from Elizabeth on 37th, a restaurant recently given high marks by the travel section of the New York Times. Both welcome large parties, should you wish to continue your business over a meal.

Given that our Savannah Vacation Homes have fully equipped kitchens, you may prefer to dine in. Cook yourself (a wonderful team-building exercise), or ask us to suggest local caterers.

Our vacation rentals are large enough to comfortably house business partners traveling with their families, or quite a few colleagues. Rooms have their own private baths. The main house of the Broughton Street House sleeps six, and the Carriage House sleeps four. The large home at 109 West has seven bedrooms, including a separate penthouse; this property also has a Garden Suite and a Carriage House, which are wonderful for CEOs.

Use our Savannah Vacation Rentals as the location of your corporate retreats, or as lodging for families while in town to pursue business. Either way, it’s a sound business choice.

The sun is setting on 2011. Happy New Year!

Thank to all guests of our Savannah Vacation Homes for another good year. We’ve had fun meeting and working with you. Thank you for choosing our luxury Savannah Vacation Rentals for your weddings, your business retreats, and your family reunions. We know you can go anywhere, and we appreciate you coming here.

We wish you all the very best in 2012. May all your travels go smoothly.

Happy New Year!

Robbie

Watch the fireworks from River Street in Savannah.

We still have room at two of our Savannah Vacation Homes over New Year’s Eve. Be spontaneous. Call a few friends, your sister, or your brother, and plan a Savannah getaway for New Year’s Eve. Broughton Street House is located in the heart of the Savannah’s Historic District.

The weather in Savannah is expected to be sunny and pleasantly warm at the end of the year. With the mild temperatures, why not spend New Year’s Eve on the Savannah River? Savannah Riverboat Cruises is offering several options: the New Year’s Eve Party Cruise includes hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, dancing, a cash bar, and champagne at midnight; the New Year’s Eve Gala has the above, along with a buffet dinner and a front row view of the fireworks; the New Year’s Eve Dinner has you back on land by 9 p.m., and is ideal for families looking for a special way to celebrate with children. More information is available at Savannah Riverboat Cruises.

For an exceptionally romantic New Year’s Eve, try Alligator Soul. The menu is built around organic local and regional ingredients. The setting is unpretentious yet elegant; you’ll feel at home and you’ll feel pampered.

Ele is another great choice for New Year’s Eve, especially if you enjoy Asian fusion.   Dress your best for an elegant evening of delicious food, live music, and fun.

Of course, spending a quiet evening at your Savannah Vacation Home with good friends or family may be just what you need this New Year’s Eve. Cook together in the kitchen, play games, and sit around the fire swapping best stories from 2011. Sometimes the “less is more” approach is the best way to spend New Year’s Eve.

Don’t stay in your home town on New Year’s Eve. Gather together your favorite friends and family and head to Savannah.

Enjoy a New Year's Eve feast right here, in our luxurious Savannah Vacation Rental.

People like to step out in Savannah on New Year’s Eve; they dine out, go dancing, and toast the arrival of 2012 with champagne. You can spend the evening on a riverboat, at the Savannah Theatre, or in a variety of restaurants and lounges. You can walk down to Historic River Street and watch fireworks over the Savannah River, or you can spend the whole evening at the Savannah City Market, where an outdoor street party will be in full swing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Our Savannah Vacation Rentals are comfortable and luxurious–you’ll feel that it’s a special occasion even if all you do is stay in for the evening. Bring in armloads of food and prepare a feast in our fully equipped kitchen, or hire a caterer to prepare the feast for you. Play games late into the night in our spacious common areas. Put the kids to bed and stay up until the wee hours, talking of the past year and planning for the year to come.

The Broughton Street House and Carriage House comfortably sleep twelve people. Broughton Street is a perfect Savannah Vacation Rental for multigenerational gatherings or groups of friends. Everyone has their own space, and common areas house everyone comfortably. Whether you like to spend New Year’s Eve out on the town or safely tucked away at home, you’ll be happy in our Savannah Vacation Rental on Broughton Street.