is in Charleston, South Carolina and is one of the oldest plantations in the south having been established in 1676.  The Drayton family has owned the plantation continuously for 11 generations until the present day.  Parts of the gardens are 325 years old, making it the oldest public garden in America.  It is so large that there are over 14 miles of pathways and 500 acres of grounds and gardens.  Some people consider the gardens to be the finest in the world.  It’s easily the most magnificent I have ever seen.  There must be several thousand blooming camellia trees – all so beautiful. 

This is actually the 3rd plantation house built and parts of it were added just recently.  We paid to take the tour but we have seen the inside of so many old mansions in the US that they all are starting to look the same.  Photographing the inside wasn’t allowed.