Start date: 1/10/13

Start time: 8:30 AM

End date: 1/12/13

End time: 1:00 PM

Cities visited: Ocean Isle, Southport, Wilmington

The world is your oyster along North Carolina shorelines. In Ocean Isle, “sip” and “shuck” at Silver Coast Winery before hopping aboard the “Hurricane II,” where you’ll learn about shrimping boat operations in coastal waters. The following day, take a windshield tour of the charming town of Southport laden with colonial history and hundreds of majestic live oaks full of Spanish moss. Wind your way through Kure and Carolina Beaches before arriving in historic Wilmington.

A ferry will take visitors across Cape Fear River to Ft. Fisher, site of the largest land/sea battle of the Civil War. From there, find work at Theatre NOW, where your group will have a condensed version of acting lessons followed by a short performance. Then, a step-on guide shows visitors the best of Wilmington through a combined Hollywood tour, Ghost Walk tour and Pirate tour. Cap your excursion with local characters aboard the “Henrietta III”, anchored downtown along the Cape Fear River. Get an introduction to some of the fun and festivities surrounding our annual Azalea Festival each spring.