Atlanta | Asheville | Nashville | Memphis | Natchez | New Orleans | Montgomery | Savannah | Charleston

Beginning in Atlanta, America’s steaming and charming southern states beckon on this captivating self drive best known for its association with ‘Gone with the Wind’, before travelling onto the home of country music, Nashville. Continue to Memphis, home of the blues and the legendary ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, Elvis Presley. Drive further south and past plantation homes and historic buildings to New Orleans for a taste of southern hospitality and rhythmic sounds before winding your way back through picturesque Alabama and onto Atlanta via the charming towns of Charleston and Savannah.

Day 1: Atlanta
Arrive in Atlanta and collect your rental car and drive to your downtown hotel. Explore the ‘Capital of the South’ with its unique sightseeing including the Inside CNN Studio Tours, the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Overnight: Holiday Inn or similar.

Day 2: Atlanta – Asheville
This morning head for Asheville, located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. Asheville boasts a thriving arts community, diverse outdoor adventures and numerous architectural attractions such as Biltmore, the largest home in the USA. Scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway are a must whilst in Asheville with Grandfather Mountain, Mile High Swinging Bridge and Hot Springs are worthwhile visits. Pigeon Forge is also
close by. Approx 220 miles.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Resort or similar.

Day 3: Asheville – Nashville
Travel via the small town of Knoxville, once famous for its numerous textile mills and now home to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame that looks at the time where women were forced to play in full-length dresses. Continue onto Nashville, a city of contrasts. Approx 218 miles.
2 nights: Millenium Maxwell House or similar.

Day 4: Nashville
Famous as the country music capital of the world, stroll through the city and along the Cumberland River admiring the historical and architecturally interesting buildings and districts. We recommend an entertaining evening at the Grand Ole Opry which has packed in the crowds since 1925 and is the nation’s longest running radio show hosting top country music stars.

Day 5: Nashville – Memphis
Enjoy a leisurely drive to Memphis; perhaps stop en route in the historic city of Jackson, where the Casey Jones Village relives the Steam Age of railroading, with the famous engineer’s restored home, a life-size replica of his locomotives and a 1900’s general store. The remainder of the day is free to get acquainted with this renowned city with an easy-going nature located on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. Approx 215 miles.
2 nights: Comfort Inn Downtown or similar.

Day 6: Memphis
Offering many things to many people – history, music, food, art and cultural diversity. Music put the town on the map; it has rock ‘n’ roll in its heart and blues in its soul. From the holy grails of music landmarks to the atmospheric nightspots on legendary Beale Street, there is an irresistible vibe that has drawn people here for years. Discover a variety of attractions, including the Smithsonian Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, Sun Studio, the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, or, for something a little different, the remarkable National Civil Rights Museum. We recommend a trip to Graceland, Elvis Presley’s former home, located just outside Memphis. Take a tour of his living quarters, board his private jet and see his enormous collection of career momentums.

Day 7: Memphis – Natchez
Travel via Tupelo today and perhaps stop for lunch after exploring the Birthplace of Elvis Presley. Later, if time permits, stop at Indianola to visit the new BB King Museum, portraying the musician’s life and career and describing the music and history of the Mississippi Delta. Continuing onto Natchez made famous for its pre-Civil War mansions built by rich cotton planters. Visit these gracious homes, experience the restored Natchez ‘Under-the-Hill’ with its colourful shops and restaurants or take a nostalgic tour in a horse drawn carriage or trolley. Approx 310 miles.
Overnight: Comfort Suites or similar.

Day 8: Natchez – New Orleans
Follow the scenic Highway 61 to New Orleans through the heart of Cajun Country. Learn about the Cajun culture at Acadian Village, a restored bayou town that illustrates the lifestyle of the Acadians in the early 19th century. Continue your drive along the Mississippi River to
New Orleans visiting some of the gorgeous River Road Plantations along the way. Welcome to the ‘Big Easy’
and the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans; a colourful mix of cultures and lively bohemian atmosphere that you cannot fail to fall in love with. This evening head to Bourbon Street, the hub of activity where music venues and excellent restaurants offer relaxed entertainment.
Approx 174 miles.
2 nights: Hampton Inn Downtown or similar.

Day 9: New Orleans
The shopping opportunities in New Orleans are vast and many of the stores offer tax-free shopping. Explore the delightful French Quarter area where thousands of architectural gems await, hear the rhythms and sounds filling the streets and dine on some of the most incredibly diverse cuisine in the world.

Day 10: New Orleans – Montgomery
Leave New Orleans behind and travel along stunning coastlines to Mobile before heading inland towards Montgomery, capital of Alabama and the crucible for two of the most momentous events in US history, the American Civil War and the National Civil Rights Campaign. Approx 308 miles.
2 nights: Holiday Inn Express or similar.

Day 11: Montgomery
Today visit the church where Martin Luther King Jr preached and the Rosa Parks museum which tells the fascinating story of the lady who refused to give up her seat on a bus sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Visit the Hank Williams museum and the ‘Alley’ Entertainment and dining district.

Day 12: Montgomery – Savannah
A long drive lays ahead today as you drive in to Georgia and the coastal and romantic city of Savannah. Oozing charm, beautiful squares, an enchanting history and a wonderful historic waterfront area, this is one of the loveliest cities in America. Approx 347 miles.
2 nights: Inn at Ellis Square or similar.

Day 13: Savannah
Today explore the restored waterfront, where you’ll find historic cotton warehouses and speciality shops and restaurants. Take a walking tour around the city’s pretty squares, which all have their interesting history and stroll along River Street and watch the ships sail along the waterways and dine in some of the city’s best restaurants.

Day 14: Savannah – Charleston
On your drive to Charleston, make a stop at Beaufort, South Carolina’s second oldest city which is brimming with impressive antebellum architecture and where still today many of the locals speak the Gullah language spoken by the first Low Country inhabitants. Continue to Charleston, one of the south’s most beautiful cities, overflowing with history, charming streets and historic districts. Approx 107 miles.
2 nights: Holiday Inn Riverview or similar.

Day 15: Charleston
Today take a walking tour or horse drawn carriage ride around this warm city. Roam around the open-air markets, the historic district and the spectacular plantations such as Middleton Place, which is just outside the city. Take a cruise to Fort Sumter, an island located at the entrance to Charleston Harbour where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.

Day 16: Charleston – Atlanta
Morning at leisure before taking the long drive but enjoyable drive back to Atlanta airport to drop off your rental car. Approx 305 miles.