Two weeks ago was our spring break in Florida. My best friend and I had the brilliant idea of going on a road trip together to Covington and Charleston. Our trip was full of different emotions and experiences, however we would both do it again in a heartbeat.
Planning
Kelly’s Perspective
We both spoke about different possibilities of spring break ideas, however everywhere we researched was either too expensive or not exactly what we had in mind. I went to Covington in 2022 and told Priscilla about all the different filming locations which is why we had the idea to go to Covington. We both wanted to go to Covington however it was too close to the dates to book a flight and we both agreed driving would be easier. We chose to go to Charleston as well because we both knew if we were going to go on a road trip we wanted to see more than one city.
Priscilla’s Perspective
When it came to planning we had to decide where we wanted to go, what we wanted to see, as well as what hotels we wanted to go to. We both decided we wanted to go to Covington, Georgia and South Carolina. In Covington we knew before we got there we wanted to see all the houses and filming locations from The Vampire Diaries. When it came to South Carolina we did not have too many ideas at first of what we wanted to do so we went with a go-with-the-flow attitude. When planning hotels we looked at proximity as well as something cheap as we are college students, we spent around 3 to 4 hours planning everything as far as the locations we wanted to go to and the hotels.
Car ride
Kelly’s Perspective
The drive was way better than a plane flight could ever be. I was worried that we would both get tired and give up halfway through the drive but we kept pushing. My favorite part of the drive was taking Priscilla to a gas station that is pretty well known down south called “Buc-ee’s”. As well as having to listen to the tv shows and movies instead of watching since I did the driving during the duration of the trip.
Priscilla’s Perspective
It took us about 9 hours to get to Georgia, on the ride there we talked a lot, listened to music, we watched movies and tv shows such as The Hunger Games and The Originals since The Vampire Diaries was not on Netflix. We stopped a couple of times on the road. Then from Georgia to South Carolina it was around 4 hours and we watched more movies and tv shows. The drive home from South Carolina to Florida was around a 9 hour drive.
Hotels
Kelly’s Perspective
The hotel situation seemed to be the most stressful part of our trip. When we first arrived at the first hotel we were worried about what the remainder of the trip had in store for us. If I was with anyone else I do not think it would have been the same experience. Although, we were not thrilled about staying in our first hotel because of numerous reasons such as the locks not working, the bathroom arrangement, and the location we toughed it out and had a really great time. Our second hotel in Charleston blew my expectations away as it had an amazing bathroom, a full kitchen, as well as the room itself being gorgeous. When it comes to hotels I preferred staying at the one in Charleston.
Priscilla’s Perspective
When we got to the hotel we realized it was nothing like their pictures they had posted on their website. There was no lock on our door which made us feel very unsafe, the bathtub was in the middle of the room and not in the bathroom, and the reception was not the best. Our first hotel was not a good experience, we thought we were getting something and got something different. However, the second hotel was MUCH better, we had a nice big spacious room, door locks, an actual bathroom, as well as a full kitchen. There was a drastic difference between our first and second hotel.
Food
Kelly’s Perspective
I was probably more concerned about eating good food than anything else on this trip. One of my favorite places we ate was a brunch place we ate at in Atlanta the day we left Covington from Charleston. The place was called Pancake Social and they had some of the best pancakes I have ever had. In Charleston I also enjoyed this cute little bar/bakery, they serve mini cakes. This place was called Carmelas and it was delicious. Safe to say the food did not disappoint on this trip!
Priscilla’s Perspective
We looked a lot online and on TikTok to figure out the type of food we wanted. One of my favorite meals was in Covington, Georgia at Mystic Grill, this is where one of The Vampire Diaries filming locations was. I did not think it was going to be amazing but the food was really good, I was mind-blown! I got a burger and it was one of the best burgers I had in my life. Another really good meal that I enjoyed was our first night in Charleston, we went to a restaurant where I ordered a steak and it was a really amazing steak, I would definitely say those were my favorites.
Covington, Georgia
Kelly’s Perspective
We first arrived in Covington, Georgia and it was amazing. The weather, the people, the scenery was exceptional. It was really fun getting to walk around and see all different sights from tv shows and having our fun little photoshoot moments (which there were a lot of). My favorite part of this trip was going into the gift shop and thinking of all my friends and family back home and getting them little things that I thought they would love.
Priscilla’s Perspective
When we went to Covington, Georgia, my favorite part was seeing the difference between Mystic Falls in person versus how it was portrayed on tv. I loved seeing the clock tower and eating at Mystic Grill, that was one of my favorite meals we had. I loved seeing how all the houses were so close to one another versus on the actual show. My least favorite part was the hotel.
Charleston, South Carolina
Kelly’s Perspective
Charleston is definitely a must-see city, I have to admit I would go back in a heartbeat. In Charleston my favorite thing we did was walk around to different hotspots of the city like Rainbow Row, the Pineapple fountain, and the marketplace. I also loved doing a little boat ride tour of the bayou where Outer Banks and The Notebook were filmed. If you have a chance to visit I would definitely recommend it.
Priscilla’s Perspective
In Charleston I loved going to this little park where The Notebook was filmed as that boat ride was definitely one of my favorite things we did there. I also just loved walking around Charleston and seeing how it was. I do not think I necessarily had a least favorite part, I loved the whole experience we had. We had good food, great things to see, and a great hotel.
Overall Experience
Kelly’s Perspective
This trip has to be one of my favorite road trips I have ever been on. It was not only fun traveling with one of my best friends but getting to experience new things together is an experience I will never forget. Especially since this is going to be one of my last trips before I graduate and start adulting in the real world. It was fun getting a last taste of freedom before starting a new chapter of my life.
Priscilla’s Perspective
Overall I loved this trip, I know it was a little spontaneous and a last minute spring break idea but I loved how it turned out. It was definitely one of my favorite trips being able to travel with one of my best friends and being able to experience something new. Going on a road trip across new places in the United States was exciting because it was something I have never done before.