Best of the South: Atlanta to New Orleans

Welcome to Georgia! Your adventure begins in Atlanta with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. As this trip only spends limited time in Atlanta, we recommend arriving a day or two early to truly experience the city. You might like to check out the 33 acres of historic houses, gardens and award-winning exhibitions at the Atlanta History Center, or visit the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site. After your meeting, your leader will be able to recommend some good local restaurants for dinner. (D)

Hit the road bright and early to make the journey to Savannah this morning. In 1946, Lady Astor referred to Savannah as 'a beautiful lady with a dirty face' in reference to the crumbling, faded majesty of the city's 18th and 19th-century mansions. Due to plenty of restoration work, Savannah's face may no longer be dirty, but she's still a city of contradictions with hidden delights. When you arrive, you’ll join an expert guide for a tour of Bonaventure Cemetery, widely regarded as one of the world's most beautiful cemeteries. Take in its Southern gothic glory as you learn more about this famous spot that has inspired everyone from poets to nature lovers and filmmakers. After, you might like to check out Savannah’s antebellum mansions, towering oak trees and colonial buildings on a stroll around town. In the evening, maybe head out on a ghost tour of old Savannah or seek out spirits of a different kind at one of the city’s many lively bars. (B)

Take it easy this morning before meeting up at 11 am for a three-hour walking tour that blends the city’s history with some of its best and most delicious eats. This fascinating food tour visits spots like a not-so-ordinary pub, an award-winning honey store and a traditional British pie shop highlighting dishes consumed by some of Savannah’s earliest settlers. This afternoon is all yours, so make the most of it! (B/L)

Leave Savannah in the rear-view mirror and drive to Charleston. When you arrive, you might like to grab some lunch before joining a Black History tour with an expert guide. You’ll drive around in comfort, hearing stories of the city’s complex past and stopping for walks at historic landmarks. The afternoon is yours to explore Charleston at your own pace. Perhaps book a food tour to discover more flavours of the South. (B)

This morning is free for you to continue exploring Charleston. You might like to take an early stroll through the city’s historic district, or pay a visit to the Fort Sumter National Monument. Then, make the drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains to the charming town of Asheville. Home to the country’s best breweries and some of North Carolina’s finest barbecue, Asheville also boasts an incredible folk music scene. After arriving you’ll join your leader for a guided walking tour of the downtown area, packed with galleries and artist studios. For dinner, your leader will be able to suggest some of the town's boutique brew houses. (B)

Enjoy an easy start to the morning, and then join your group for a visit to Biltmore House and Garden. Tour the opulent Gilded Age mansion famous for being America’s largest home, and perhaps stop in for lunch and a glass of wine at the on-site winery. With the afternoon free, you can then choose to keep exploring the extensive property or head back into town. Tonight, there’s also the chance to join your group for an optional dinner. (B)

Depart Asheville this morning, hitting the road headed for Nashville. Along the way, stop in at a local whiskey distillery. Tour the distillery and sample some of the award-winning Tennessee whiskey, named in honour of the first known African American master distiller. After, join your group for lunch at a nearby restaurant, then continue to Nashville – the country music capital of the world. When you arrive, you’ll be introduced to this famous toe-tapping town during an orientation walk with your leader. The evening’s then free – why not track down a true-blue Nashville hot chicken dinner? (B/L)

Today you're free as a bird to explore Nashville. You may like to check out the Nashville murals, visit the much-loved Goo Goo candy store, or swing by the Johnny Cash Museum. Tonight, there's a meeting at 6 pm to welcome any new travellers joining the next stage of your itinerary. After, head out on a leader-led walking tour of the city and then join your group for an optional welcome dinner. (B)

This morning after breakfast, dive straight into the city’s history with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame. This fabulous piano-shaped building is a work of art and contains a whole range of impressive memorabilia, including Elvis’ gold Cadillac. Then, cruise across town to Studio B, where Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison and ‘The King’ Elvis Presley have all laid tracks – today, you’ll even be joining this prestigious list! Meet with a professional sound engineer for your own recording session and find out what it takes to create the Nashville sound. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city – you may like to check out the Nashville murals, visit the much-loved Goo Goo candy store, or swing by the Johnny Cash Museum. (B)

Hit the road this morning and make tracks for Memphis – a city overflowing with musical history and legends. Your first stop is the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Here at the original location of Stax Records in downtown Memphis, you'll learn the story of the Memphis sound where stars like Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes got their starts. You'll even have a chance to cut a rug on their dance floor as you listen to Stax tracks. The rest of the day is yours to discover the sights and sounds of Memphis. No visit to this city would be complete without checking out Beale Street, lined with traditional blues clubs. Join back up with your group for a dinner at a local restaurant, then head out to enjoy some of that live, local music. (B/D)

After breakfast this morning, head out on an orientation walk in downtown Memphis including a stop at the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel. Your leader will talk about the museum, you’ll have the chance to take photos and can choose to take an optional tour. Then, head to another of Memphis’ iconic sites – Graceland. Elvis’s former home and final resting place, a visit to Graceland is like stepping back into the 1970s, with a glamourous and kitschy twist. Explore a fascinating world of green shag-carpet ceilings and yellow vinyl walls while getting a sneak peek into the glitzy side of the Deep South. (B)

Today you’ll be road-tripping from Memphis to New Orleans, arriving in the afternoon. Jazz is not just a part of the city’s history – it’s alive and kicking! When you arrive, join your leader for an orientation walk around The Big Easy, and maybe try to sample one of the city’s famous beignets. The evening is yours to explore further – your leader will have some great recommendations on where to grab a bite to eat and listen to more live music. (B)

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a free morning to explore New Orleans at your own pace. Then for lunch, you’re in for a real treat – not only famed for its music scene, the food in New Orleans is some of the best in the country, and today you’ll learn about Creole and Cajun cuisine at a local cooking school. Find out how to create one of the region’s most beloved dishes with a demonstration, then get hands-on and try it yourself. Tuck into the finished product with your group, then the rest of the day is free for you to continue exploring. Why not check out a jazz club on Frenchman Street, join the party on Bourbon Street or – for the brave of heart – take a tour of the iconic St. Louis Cemetery? (B/L)

This morning, head out for a jazz brunch at The Court of Two Sisters – a gorgeous outdoor courtyard dining area where you can enjoy some delicious brunch specialities while live jazz plays – a great way to complete your music trail! With nothing planned for the rest of the day, your trip will come to an end after brunch. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent. (B)