The American Civil War began in the beautiful South Carolina city. The state had already seceded from the Union six months earlier, and then in April 1861, Rebel forces decided to capture Fort Sumter, which was manned by Union troops. The rest is history, but you can visit these days and make your own travel history.

Charleston was a beautiful Southern city then, and still is today. The same stately mansions stand as they did before the War Between the States. They and other sights you should see while roaming the city locals call Chucktown.

The city’s November weather averages are pleasant low 70s daytime and mid 50s at night. Stroll the picturesque waterfront, parks and beaches, and eat at least one restaurant that specializes in Southern cooking. Gilligan’s near the beach is a good choice, with a special dish called Lowcountry Boil, consisting of locally-caught shrimp and other seafood in a spicy sauce.

While high in the sky above the Pacific between Los Angeles and Seoul, South Korea, your travel4seniors.com editor enjoyed a fantastic ethnically-themed KAL dinner and wine experience.

When booking flights from late November through December, keep in mind that the prices will be highest of the year. If you must fly or book a hotel room, especially on the busiest eve days of Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year, expect a wallet-emptying experience.

To save money, try to plan your holiday flights for the least hectic times during those seasons. Keep checking airline and hotel websites for lower prices, such as red eye flights and mid-week specials. Also, to get expert advice, consult with your favorite hometown or online travel agency.

Expect to pay high seasonal prices for holiday travel and lodging. However, with some smart research and clever booking, you may save enough to enjoy just one more glorious day at a sunny beach or night at a posh hotel.

Your roaming travel4seniors.com editor captures this dramatic city street scene.