For my birthday I’m giving one lucky reader a week in my life. Without the dishes, dog walking or blog posting duties. All the fun, none of the, well, not fun. Also, wearing six inch heels to the airport is totally optional. And the cake, you get the cake.

 

Regular readers know that Charleston and Kiawah Island are my happy places. We love it there so much that we built a home after vacationing every summer for many years. I’ve had some time to figure out what’s the best of the best in the low country and I’m not only sharing my intel with you, but giving you a glorious 5 day vacation WITH AIRFARE.

ROUND TRIP AIRFARE FROM JETBLUE

Fly round trip from either JFK in New York or DCA in Washington, D.C. JetBlue is my favorite airline for many reasons: they still let you check a bag FOR FREE, the service is amazing, their planes leave on time, and they have great direct service to Charleston from JFK and DCA. JetBlue has given me two round trip tickets, just for you. Extra points for wearing stilettos.

 

 

 

A COTTAGE STAY IN CHARLESTON

Charleston boasts a list of fabulous hotels. However, none of them have water views and accommodate a family like the Cottages on Charleston Harbor. These charming little bungalows are just a short drive from downtown and have everything a traveling family needs: a full kitchen, large bedrooms, cozy living room and a huge back patio with water views and hammock. The service at the cottages is top notch, breakfast is included and they even have a lovely outdoor swimming pool. When we stayed  there last summer we fell in love, I know you will too. There’s a reason Southern Living named them “One of the Best Places to Stay.”

 

 

While in Charleston you’ll enjoy some of my favorite things.

Charleston is over 300 years old and chock full of history and architecture. It’s one of the few southern cities not to have burned during the Civil War. The best way to see it is to step back in time and board a horse drawn carriage for a leisurely stroll through the Holy City and have a knowledgeable tour guide share some of the great tales the city has to tell.

 

HORSEDRAWN CARRIAGE RIDE

 

The best way to capture vacation memories is not by handing a stranger your iPhone. We LOVE Flytographer and have used them in more than one city. A professional photographer will meet you in Charleston for a 30 minute photo shoot. The photographers are locals and will give you great advice on some of the more scenic spots in town where you’ll get great shots and possibly your Christmas card done.

 

PHOTO SESSION

 

DINNER AND COCONUT CAKE AT PENINSULA GRILL

Dinner at this Forbes four star restaurant is an event unto itself. The Peninsula Grill’s Executive Chef Graham Daley dreams up the most amazing tasting menu. Dinner for two with coconut cake is included. Sadly, alcohol is not. I am so in love with this coconut cake that I shipped one to Seattle for my birthday. I sort of want to marry it.

 

THREE NIGHTS ON KIAWAH ISLAND

You’ve heard people talk about Kiawah but weren’t sure where it is? It’s a barrier island just thirty minutes from downtown Charleston (if you drive fast, and I do). It’s a completely private and gated island, you can only gain access if you are a resident or guest. It’s been rated the #2 “Best American Beach Resort” by Conde’ Nast Traveler. You can ride your bike on 10 miles of hard packed sand. In the summer the water is a cozy 85 degrees which makes days spent surfing and boogy boarding easy. There are five public golf courses including the Ocean Course which hosted the PGA Championships in 2012. As a guest of Kiawah Resort you have exclusive access to the Night Heron pool and two super fun water pool parks. 

 

 

PACK YOUR NEW EMME BAG

You might have seen my gushing review of the EMME travel bag. Designed by a former business traveler, I really think this little bag is the bomb. The owner has thrown in a bag, valued at $65 so my one lucky winner can get packing for this fab getaway.

 

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED

 

The winner will be announced next Friday, October 3 at noon eastern time. Entries close at midnight on October 2.

All of these come with some restrictions, holidays are blacked out, some need to be booked 90 days in advance. I will send the winner all of the details. The hotels are two bedroom hotels so you can sleep a family of six, but the airfare is for 2, you can fly to Charleston from either JFK or DCA. All of the prizes were given to me for the purpose of this giveaway. They are truly all my favorite things and I’m thrilled to share them with you. Children not included.