Savannah is such a warm, welcoming city that you may find it especially easy to get acquainted with the "Hostess City," as it is known to those smitten by its hospitality and charm.

Savannah, Georgia's oldest city, began its modern history on February 12, 1733, when James Oglethorpe and 120 colonists arrived at Yamacraw Bluff on the Savannah River to found what would be the last British colony in the New World. For a century and a half, the city flourished as a bustling port and was the departure point for cotton being shipped around the world. It was America's first planned city and is perhaps most recognized for its 22 squares, the diverse group of parks that dot the Historic District.

Although Savannah was spared during the Civil War, the city fell on hard times soon afterward. Cobwebs replaced cotton in the dilapidated riverfront warehouses. Historic buildings languished; many were razed or allowed to decay. The tide finally turned in the 1950s, when residents began a concerted effort—which continues to this day—to restore and preserve the city's unique architectural heritage.

The past plays an important role in Savannah. Standing in a tranquil square surrounded by historic homes, it's easy to feel as if you have stumbled through a portal into the past. Don't be fooled though, as the city offers much more than antebellum nostalgia for moonlight and magnolias. Savannah is home to several colleges and universities, including the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), and since 2000 in particular has seen a surge of creative energy and development, especially along its namesake river.