Although it is one and one-half years away, it's not too soon to plan. If you're looking to spend the last New Year's Eve of the century in a city that is no mere place on the map, but a cultural treasure with a point of view and graceful human proportions, Charleston is a possible choice for a long weekend to usher in the year 2000. Charleston The atmosphere of affluence and vitality is only fitting since it harks back to Colonial times when Charles Town, settled by Irish, Scots, Germans, Huguenots and Sephardic Jews, was the most prosperous port on the Eastern Seaboard. Revitalization was slow. The town is back on a roll again, sophisticated and glamorous in its second golden age, as it was in the years following its establishment in 1670.
Citizens are concerned with manners, propriety and graciousness.
So well preserved is the Historic District that you almost expect those gentle folk smiling at you to be dressed in hoop skirts and knee breeches. Docents in the historic homes and tour guides are uncommonly well informed. Motivated by a love of and pride in the city, their knowledge goes beyond what is required to provide cursory information about the subjects on which they speak. Having studied everything relating to a particular topic, most can provide endless details about it. A prime virtue of Char-lestown is that it is supremely walkable.