Charleston is a city in the state of South Carolina in the United States of America. It is located, rather like Manhattan, on a peninsula formed by two rivers flowing into the Atlantic, and protected from the open ocean by surrounding islands. It was captured early in the Civil War without much property damage, so the older part of town has buildings that are hundreds of years old. The skyline has practically no tall buildings, and is dominated by the stunning Arthur Ravenel cable stay bridge. The city is a major port in the US.

      Understand

Charleston is in general a laid-back, but sophisticated, city and has an old-South feel as does Savannah, GA. Most people in Charleston are helpful when approached in a polite manner. If a traveller speaks little English, Charlestonians are still generally willing to help as best they can. It is advisable, however, to at least learn a few key English phrases, and perhaps carry a traveler's phrasebook.