Daily deal: Verdant gardens steeped in lowcountry history

The Inn at Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina, features sleek modern architecture and unique landscapes.

You devoured 18th-century literature and daydreamed about a time steeped in romance. Take a deep breath and whisk yourself away to another time and place with today’s escape to The Inn at Middleton Place, a lush, secluded inn nestled among tall pines and live oaks in Charleston, South Carolina.

Your two-night weekday getaway ($398) includes two tickets to nearby Middleton Place, home of the country's oldest landscaped gardens and one of the state's most treasured destinations. Spend the afternoon outdoors and test out your jockey skills on a horseback ride at Middleton Equestrian Centre. For those who'd rather pedal, hop on a bike instead.

Before you venture out, enjoy a complimentary breakfast of assorted fresh fruit, buttery pastries, and cereals. Take your coffee and soak in the wide, panoramic views of the zigzagging Ashley River, where a functioning rice plantation was in full bloom more than 200 years ago.

Aprés-java, head over to Middleton Place, a National Historical Landmark made up of 65 acres of lush, landscaped gardens, the Middleton Place House Museum, and the Plantation Stableyards. Walk in awe of the sculpted terraces and the tranquillity of the reflection pools inhabited by delicate swans.

Be sure and stop by the stable yards to watch the craftspeople demonstrate life on a plantation, and take the tour of the House Museum. Built in 1755, it was once the home of Arthur Middleton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Post-tour, treat yourself to a traditional Lowcountry lunch of such favourites as okra or she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, collard greens, and Huguenot torte at The Middleton Place Restaurant. Later, slip into your riding gear (or biking best) and spend a few hours on an exhilarating ride. Explore trails of both wooded and open terrain as you take in the fragrant landscape. Back at the inn, libations from the evening manager's reception await you. Sip wine or beer, and nibble on hors d'oeuvres as you kick off your boots and reflect on your day. This trip is one for the history books.

Escape kit

• A two-night weekday stay for two
• Two tickets to Middleton Place
• Daily breakfast of fresh fruit, pastries, and cereals
• Evening reception with wine, beer, and hors d'oeuvres
• Horseback riding or biking for two
• Book by 14 June

For details and to reserve your stay, visit LivingSocial Escapes.