Home to a thousand movies, majestic music and sweet cuisine, the Southern States of the USA has so much to offer.
The best way to see it is a self-drive tour taking in the best of the best. In Tennessee, you’ll feel the rhythm of music, which will have echoes in Memphis as you see neon-lit Beale Street, Elvis Presley’s Graceland, Sun Studios and Stax Museum.
Nashville or ‘Music City USA’ is the undisputed capital of country and home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry; and Pigeon Forge is home to Dolly Parton’s unique theme park Dollywood!
Let’s not forget the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a preserve of wildflowers, old-growth forest and rushing mountain streams.
No city in the USA can compete with New Orleans when it comes to culture, food, historic architecture and joie de vivre. In the birthplace of jazz, music is everywhere, particularly around the historic French Quarter with its stunning architecture, intricate balconies and flower-filled courtyards.
Or try Alabama, awash with history, from the Civil War battlefields and beautiful antebellum mansions of a bygone era to the Civil Rights struggles of the 20th century. The two main cities of Birmingham and Montgomery became focal points in the Civil Rights era and you can find out more at the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery or the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
In association with our friends at Premier Holidays we can offer a self-drive adventure spanning 13 nights and 9 cities:
Atlanta 2 nights
Nashville 1 night
Memphis 2 nights
Vicksburg 1 night
New Orleans 2 nights
Pensacola 1 night
Tallahassee 1 night
Savannah 1 night
Charleston 1 night
Atlanta 1 night
Itinerary
Day 1:
Fly to Atlanta. On arrival collect your car and head for the hotel.
Day 2:
Atlanta. Day at leisure to explore a city that began as a railway junction in the 1830s. Sights include Fairlie-Poplar, African American Panoramic Experience, Grant Park and the Atlanta History Centre.
Day 3:
Atlanta/Nashville. Break your journey with a visit to Chattanooga and see the legendary “Choo Choo”, or visit the Jack Daniel’s whiskey distillery in Lynchburg. (245 miles).
Day 4:
Nashville/Memphis. Soak up the sounds in the country music capital by visiting the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. You may also like to visit the Tennessee State Museum before heading to Memphis. (210 miles).
Day 5:
Memphis. Explore the birthplace of the blues by taking in a performance in one of Beale Street’s many bars. Alternatively, drive out to Graceland, Elvis Presley’s home for a fascinating tour.
Day 6:
Memphis/Vicksburg. Today visit Vicksburg National Military Park which commemorates the campaign, siege and defence of Vicksburg in 1863. There is over 1,300 monuments, markers and plaques, a 16 mile tour road and national cemetery (217 miles).
Day 7:
Vicksburg/New Orleans. Enjoy a drive through Natchez and Baton Rouge en route to New Orleans. The city’s unique geography, sandwiched between Lake Pontchartrain and the mighty Mississippi River shaped the flavours of the only cuisine native to North America. (189 miles).
Day 8:
New Orleans. A day at leisure to explore the “Big Easy”. Stroll through the French Quarter where you can admire the distinctive architecture, enjoy a tour aboard a paddle steamer on the mighty Mississippi or experience the frenzy of Bourbon Street!
Day 9:
New Orleans/Pensacola. Leave the city and head to the Gulf Coast beaches where you can enjoy a swim in the warm blue water and laze on the beautiful white sands. You may also like to wander through Pensacola’s Seville District. (188 miles).
Day 10:
Pensacola/Tallahassee. Travel along the Gulf Coast through the untouched wildlife preserves and natural habitats that dot the landscape. (196 miles).
Day 11:
Tallahassee/Savannah. Historic Savannah is home to some of the South’s most beautifully restored homes. (301 miles).
Day 12:
Savannah/Charleston. Charleston truly represents the grandeur and elegance of the South. Gorgeous tree-lined avenues add to the charm of the antebellum architecture. (105 miles).
Day 13:
Charleston/Atlanta. Leave the coast behind and return to Atlanta. (290 miles).
Day 14:
Atlanta. Return to the airport for your return flight.
Prices start from £1535 per person on a room only basis. The price shown is based on the best value travel dates in low season and includes international flights to and from Atlanta, compact 2-door car with fully inclusive insurance and 13 nights accommodation.