Sights & Sounds of the Deep South

Following breakfast, we meet with our Tour Manager and fellow travellers to learn more of the adventures that lie ahead. A city of remarkable contrasts and immortalised in Gone with the Wind, Atlanta was famously burned to the ground during America’s Civil War. Our tour begins with visits to some of the city’s key landmarks including the Georgia State Capitol Building, the National Centre for Civil & Human Rights and historic Oakland Cemetery. We continue to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park, where we explore the life of this civil rights leader in the neighbourhood where he was born, lived and worked. Later, we visit Centennial Olympic Park, a 22-acre green space in the heart of downtown Atlanta, built to commemorate the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. We return to our hotel, where the remainder of the day is at our leisure. Perhaps relax by the hotel’s rooftop pool, or explore the neighbourhood, known for its shopping and dining.

This morning, we leave behind the city lights of Atlanta and journey south toward Georgia’s coastal charm. En route, we visit Macon & Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park – home to 17,000 years of Native American heritage, including ancient earthworks, a rare spiral mound, and the restored Earth Lodge, used by tribal leaders. Continuing to Savannah, we arrive in one of America’s most beautiful historic cities. Once a wealthy cotton port, Savannah’s elegant architecture and leafy squares have been lovingly restored since the 1960s. On arrival, we step aboard our private trolley (a large, open-windowed bus) for a guided tour through the Old Town. Highlights include Forsyth Park, Colonial Park Cemetery, Madison Square, and several famous filming locations from Forrest Gump. Following our tour, we arrive at our hotel, the Kimpton Brice Savannah, where we stay for the next three nights. Ideally located in the town's Old Town and just steps from the riverfront, it provides the perfect base from which to explore.

Today, we head to the charming coastal town of Beaufort, one of only a handful of US towns with their downtown designated as a preserved historic district. A favourite filming location for classics like the aforementioned Forrest Gump, along with The Prince of Tides, and The Big Chill, we enjoy an orientation tour before spending some free time exploring at our leisure. Returning to Savannah, we visit Green-Meldrim House, a National Historic Landmark. Once home to merchants, socialites, and even a civil war general, this elegant gothic revival mansion offers a glimpse into the city’s storied past. Enjoy a sip of Madeira wine, a Savannah tradition, before touring the house and its tranquil gardens.

The day is ours to enjoy Savannah at leisure. Perhaps return to Forsyth Park, with its iconic fountain or explore Savannah City Market, a lively hub for local art, live music, and boutique shopping. For those looking to delve deeper, an optional excursion offers an insight into the Gullah Geechee people – descendants of West Africans enslaved on coastal plantations. Shaped by generations of resilience and isolation, their culture remains rich in language, food, and tradition. This experience offers a moving look into one of the most distinct African American communities in the US. However you choose to spend your day, enjoy.

We bid farewell to Savannah and journey north through South Carolina’s scenic woodlands, passing the vast Francis Marion & Sumter National Forests. We take in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Spartanburg, before continuing into North Carolina. Late afternoon, we arrive in Asheville, a vibrant mountain town nestled in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains. Known for its thriving arts scene, historic architecture, and farm-to-table food culture, Asheville offers a warm welcome and a distinctly creative spirit. Our home for the next two nights is the Cambria Hotel Downtown, ideally located for exploring the city’s lively centre.

This morning, we visit the magnificent Biltmore Estate, a Gilded Age masterpiece built by George Vanderbilt. With over 250 rooms, it remains the largest private mansion in the United States. As we explore the house – with its grand interiors and fine art – we learn about the Vanderbilt family, their guests and their staff. Afterwards, we have time at leisure to enjoy the estate’s expansive gardens – from the symmetry of the Italian Garden to the colourful Walled Garden, and the lush Azalea Garden – spread across 15 vibrant acres. Returning to our hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Ashville further. Known for its music, arts, and award-winning food scene, it’s the perfect place to unwind and perhaps enjoy some live bluegrass music at a local bar.

Departing Asheville this morning, we make our way into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Our first stop is the Oconaluftee Visitor Centre, home to the Mountain Farm Museum, where preserved log buildings from the early 1900s offer a glimpse into Appalachian farm life. Our scenic drive takes us past rolling forests, misty ridges, and panoramic vistas that define this majestic stretch of the Appalachian Mountains. We stop in Knoxville before continuing west into Tennessee’s hill country. By late afternoon, we arrive in Nashville, the legendary Music City and home of country music. Following a brief orientation tour of the city, we check into the Hyatt Centric Nashville Downtown – a stylish, centrally located hotel that places us close to the action, yet far enough for a restful night’s sleep.

We start the day with a visit to the legendary Studio B, where artists like Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton and The Everley Brothers recorded hit songs and paved the way for music that became known as The Nashville Sound. Stand where these musical greats once stood and learn the history of the recording process. Later, we head over to the Country Music Hall of Fame, dedicated to the history and preservation of this American art form. Explore the diverse sets of exhibits, with everything from instruments played by the artists to artefacts from their tours. This evening, we experience an unforgettable Nashville tradition with a live show at the Grand Ole Opry. Celebrating over 100 years, it is the longest-running live music radio broadcast in the US, featuring some of country music’s biggest names.

This morning, we visit the National Civil Rights Museum, housed in the historic Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. Through powerful exhibits and interactive displays, we trace the history of the civil rights movement, from the transatlantic slave trade to the marches and milestones that shaped modern America. We continue to Sun Studio where legends like B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and a young Elvis Presley shaped the sound of a generation. Hear behind-the-scenes stories, view rare memorabilia, and even stand on the very spot where Elvis recorded his first track. Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Memphis. Whether it's revisiting Beale Street or discovering more of the city's rich musical legacy, the rhythm of Memphis is never far away.

Today, we travel deep into the heart of the Mississippi Delta along Highway 61, known as the legendary ‘Blues Highway’. Our journey takes us through Clarksdale, where blues greats like Ike Turner, Muddy Waters, and Robert Johnson began their careers, and the Devil’s Crossroads, famous for its blues folklore. A visit to the Delta Blues Museum offers not only a celebration of the music and its pioneers, but also explores the powerful connection between the blues and the civil rights movement. Our day ends in Greenwood, where we stay overnight at The Alluvian Hotel. This evening, we come together for a hands-on Southern cooking class, learning to prepare and enjoy regional favourites – the perfect end to a day steeped in Southern soul.

This morning, we travel south through the state of Louisiana. We stop at Hammond, winner of the ‘Great American Main Street Award’, where there is free time to enjoy lunch and a taste of Southern hospitality. Following the Mississippi River, our journey continues to the Whitney Plantation. A producer of indigo, sugar, and rice from 1752 to 1975, today the site is dedicated to telling the story of the enslaved and offers a powerful, factual, and thought-provoking insight into the lives of black Americans living in Southern USA during this period. We continue to New Orleans, the soulful heart of Louisiana and enjoy a brief orientation tour of the atmospheric French Quarter, before arriving at the stylish Hyatt Centric French Quarter. Perfectly located just steps from Bourbon Street, the hotel offers an exceptional bourbon selection – ideal for toasting the start of our two nights in the ‘Big Easy’.

This morning, we step into the rich cultural tapestry of New Orleans, a city shaped by French, Spanish, and American influences. Our day begins with a guided walking tour of the French Quarter, where stunning colonial architecture, lively music, and the origins of voodoo and jazz intertwine to create a city like no other. Next, we cross the mighty Mississippi to visit Mardi Gras World. Here, we go behind the scenes of one of the world’s most famous celebrations, learning about the history of Mardi Gras and touring the float den, where artists work year-round to create the vibrant, elaborate floats and props that bring the festival to life. The remainder of the day is free to explore at leisure. Perhaps join a tour of one of the city’s iconic cemeteries, known for their above-ground crypts and mausoleums. Venture a little further afield and join a Swamp tour in a private wildlife area, cruising through a private bayou in search of alligators and local wildlife. Or simply soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant, soulful city at your own pace.

Our British Airways flight arrives into London Heathrow in the early afternoon. For those travelling onwards to regional UK airports, connecting flights will operate via Heathrow. After 15 wonderful days exploring the Deep South’s music, history, and rich culture, our journey comes to a close.