Rhythms of the South
Enjoy this exciting itinerary that explores the historic and musical southern U.S.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Atlanta arrival
Arrive in Atlanta. Pick up your car and proceed to your hotel.
Day 2: Atlanta
Enjoy a day in Atlanta, which started as railroad junction in the 1830s and quickly became the transport hub of the South. Its strategic importance was a large part of the reason it made such an inviting target for General Sherman's Union Army, which razed it during the Civil War. Visit Fairlie-Poplar, the African American Panoramic Experience, Grant Park or the Atlanta History Center.
Day 3: Atlanta - Nashville
Along the way, stop to see the Chattanooga "Choo Choo" train. In Lynchburg tour the legendary Jack Daniel's whisky distillery. Proceed to Nashville in the evening.
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. Experience the South's tumultuous history at the Tennessee State Museum. Leave the city early enough to arrive in Memphis for a late dinner.
Day 5: Memphis
Explore the birthplace of the blues by taking in a performance in one of the entertaining Beale Street blues bars. Drive out for a tour of Elvis Presley's home Graceland; see the original bomber, Memphis Belle; or monorail to unique Mud Island.
Day 6: Memphis - Vicksburg
Today visit Vicksburg National Military Park which commemorates the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg in 1863. There's over 1,300 monuments, markers and plaques, a 16-mile tour road and a national cemetery, the nation's largest burial site of Civil War Union soldiers and sailors with graves totaling over 17,000.
Day 7: Vicksburg - Natchez - Baton Rouge - New Orleans
Enjoy a drive through Natchez and Baton Rouge, the heart of the old South en route to New Orleans. New Orleans' unique geography, sandwiched between Lake Pontchartrain and the mighty Mississippi River, shaped the flavors of the only cuisine native to North America.
Day 8: New Orleans
The Big Easy is a melting pot of European culture and southern charm. Stroll through the French Quarter and admire it's distinctive architectural styling, then experience the festive frenzy on Bourbon Street. Steamboat river tours onboard restored paddleboats are a great way to experience the mighty Mississippi.
Day 9: New Orleans - Pensacola
Drive from city life to beach blankets. Relax on the white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and enjoy a swim in the warm blue waters of the Atlantic Coast. Wander through Pensacola's Seville District or head to the beaches of Santa Rosa Island.
Day 10: Pensacola - Tallahassee
Travel along the Gulf Coast through the untouched wildlife preserves and natural habitats that dot the landscape. Fishing villages and the Emerald Coast provide ample distraction on the way. Sprinkled with southern charm, Tallahassee's landscape mixes antebellum architecture and modern innovation.
Day 11: Tallahassee - Savannah
Historic Savannah is home to some of the South's most beautifully restored houses. Take a relaxing afternoon walk and picnic in one of the many green parks throughout the city.
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.
Day 13: Charleston - Atlanta
Leave South Carolina's coast and head back inland on your return trip to Atlanta.
Day 14: Atlanta Departure
Return your car at the airport before your departure flight.
Customise this itinerary to travel at your own pace.
Highlights worth seeing along the way
New Orleans - Enjoy great food and music in New Orleans, the birth place of jazz.
Atlanta - Explore Atlanta's role Civil War and Civil Rights Movement in the city's museums.
Nashville - Walk Nashville's Music City Walk of Fame honoring country performers of national reputation or visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum located on Nashville' Music Row.
Graceland - Embark on the ultimate rock 'n roll experience at Elvis Presley's Graceland.
Memphis - Walk down Beale Street for a taste of the music that Memphis makes today.
Jackson - Explore Mississippi's capital city, Jackson, the City with Soul.
Pensacola - Find serenity in Pensacole, where blue skies meet the emerald-green water of the Gulf.
Tallahassee - Visit Tallahassee, Florida's capital city nestled in the Red Hills bio-region of Florida's Panhandle.
Charleston - Stroll down Charleston's quaint alleyways or trot through the streets in a carriage.
Our favourite places to stay:
• Crowne Plaza Atlanta - Midtown, Atlanta
• Days Inn by Wyndham Nashville North/Opryland Area, Nashville
• Comfort Inn Downtown, Memphis
• Quality Inn, Vicksburg
• Holiday Inn New Orleans - Downtown Superdome, New Orleans
• Comfort Inn Pensacola - University Area, Pensacola
• Quality Inn & Suites, Tallahassee
• Holiday Inn Savannah South, Savannah
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Charleston Riverview, Orlando
Choosing your Rental Car
Take into consideration the size of the vehicle you require. We recommend a minimum of a medium sized SUV for two adults. This will give you space and freedom when you're travelling, and room for those extra purchases that you may make along the way. Book your car with House of Travel before leaving home as this will save money and ensure you get the car of your choice.
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HOT Code: CMPBUSA2904
