Self-Drive Rhythms of the South 15 Days

Day 1

Arrive in Atlanta. Pick up your car and proceed to your hotel.
Hotel: Fairfield Inn Downtown or similar
Standard: Baymont Inn and Suites
Select: Wyndham Garden

Day 2

Atlanta, GA
Arrive in the capital of the Peach Tree State. Visit the Road to Tara Museum, the Carter Presidential Center, the World of Coca Cola Pavilion or the CNN Center, home of the world’s largest television network. Explore Underground Atlanta for great food and jazz.
2 nights Atlanta.

Day 3-4

To Nashville, TN (247 miles)
Depart Atlanta this morning, driving north through Chattanooga of “Chattanooga Choo Choo” fame. Stop for lunch to see the actual “Choo Choo,” visit Ruby Falls or Lookout Mountain before driving to the home of Country Music and the Grand Old Opry, Nashville. Visit the homes and museums of music giants, dance to hot country sounds or sail on the Cumberland River or lunch on the General Jackson.
2 nights Nashville.
Standard: Quality Inn and Suites
Select: Millennium Maxwell

Day 5-6

To Memphis, TN (209 miles)
Commanding the Mississippi River from high bluffs, Memphis is by far the most exciting, atmospheric city in the South. Renowned as the Birthplace of Rock ’n Roll and the home of the Blues, Memphis more than matches its myth. Visit Graceland, Elvis’ home; Sun Studio where Rock ’n Roll was born; Beale Street where the music and party last all night; the new Smithsonian Rock ’n Soul Museum at the Gibson Guitar Factory; and the remarkable National Civil Rights Museum.
2 nights Memphis
Standard: Comfort Inn
Select: Holiday Inn Select

Day 7-8

To Natchez, MS (254 miles)
Travel to Natchez, MS. Escaping the ravages of the Civil war, Natchez today offers some 500 antebellum houses and buildings that still grace its city streets. Natchez Under-the Hill, overlooking the Mississippi, was once a lair for gamblers, thieves and riverboat roughnecks and is now a thriving entertainment area with restaurants, bars and casinos.
2 nights Natchez.
Standard: Days Inn Natchez
Select: Natchez Eola

Day 9-10

To Lafayette, LA (197 miles)
Travel today to Cajun Country. Savour the mystic charm of Cajun Country, a land of sugar cane, winding bayous, Acadian cottages and crawfish. If you have any preconceptions, you had best set them aside before you explore these historic towns and cities with vibrant folklife, colourful carefree traditions and their own way of speaking that will make you wonder if you really are in the U.S.
2 nights Lafayette
Standard: Comfort Inn
Select: Best Western Acadiana

Day 11-12

To New Orleans, LA (135 miles)
Set out early for New Orleans. Start in the French Quarter, where old brick and iron-tatted buildings reflect French and Spanish influence. Stroll the narrow streets, visit antique shops and jazz clubs, experience Cajun and Creole cooking. Shop at Jax Brewery, Canal Place or the boutiques of Royal Street. Travel on the Streetcar Named Desire, walk the historic Garden District or sail on the Mississippi River.
2 nights New Orleans.
Standard: Holiday Inn Superdome
Select: Omni Royal Orleans

Day 13

To Biloxi/Gulfport, MS (90 miles)
Drive to Biloxi on the Gulf Coast. Old World charm and a mild climate have made Biloxi a delightful resort city. See the Old Lighthouse, relax on the beach, try your luck in the casinos, or venture into the Gulf of Mexico with a fascinating shrimping tour.
1 night Biloxi
Standard and Select Hotel: IP Hotel

Day 14

To Montgomery, AL (229 miles)
Travel to the birthplace of the Civil War and Civil Rights. Walk where Jefferson Davis, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks left imprints on history. See vintage houses in Old Alabama Town. View the inspiring Civil Rights Memorial. Share a dramatic evening at the renowned Alabama Shakespeare Theatre.
1 night Montgomery
Standard: Best Western Monticello
Select: Lexington Hotel

Day 15

To Atlanta, GA (168 miles)
Drive along Georgia’s Antebellum Trail and enjoy the scenery en route to Atlanta to catch your flight home.

Day 1-2

Atlanta, GA
Arrive in the capital of the Peach Tree State. Visit the Road to Tara Museum, the Carter Presidential Center, the World of Coca Cola Pavilion or the CNN Center, home of the world’s largest television network. Explore Underground Atlanta for great food and jazz.
2 nights Atlanta.
Standard: Baymont Inn and Suites
Select: Wyndham Garden

Day 3-4

To Nashville, TN (247 miles)
Depart Atlanta this morning, driving north through Chattanooga of “Chattanooga Choo Choo” fame. Stop for lunch to see the actual “Choo Choo,” visit Ruby Falls or Lookout Mountain before driving to the home of Country Music and the Grand Old Opry, Nashville. Visit the homes and museums of music giants, dance to hot country sounds or sail on the Cumberland River or lunch on the General Jackson.
2 nights Nashville.
Standard: Quality Inn and Suites
Select: Millennium Maxwell

Day 5-6

To Memphis, TN (209 miles)
Commanding the Mississippi River from high bluffs, Memphis is by far the most exciting, atmospheric city in the South. Renowned as the Birthplace of Rock ’n Roll and the home of the Blues, Memphis more than matches its myth. Visit Graceland, Elvis’ home; Sun Studio where Rock ’n Roll was born; Beale Street where the music and party last all night; the new Smithsonian Rock ’n Soul Museum at the Gibson Guitar Factory; and the remarkable National Civil Rights Museum.
2 nights Memphis
Standard: Comfort Inn
Select: Holiday Inn Select

Day 7-8

To Natchez, MS (254 miles)
Travel to Natchez, MS. Escaping the ravages of the Civil war, Natchez today offers some 500 antebellum houses and buildings that still grace its city streets. Natchez Under-the Hill, overlooking the Mississippi, was once a lair for gamblers, thieves and riverboat roughnecks and is now a thriving entertainment area with restaurants, bars and casinos.
2 nights Natchez.
Standard: Days Inn Natchez
Select: Natchez Eola

Day 9-10

To Lafayette, LA (197 miles)
Travel today to Cajun Country. Savour the mystic charm of Cajun Country, a land of sugar cane, winding bayous, Acadian cottages and crawfish. If you have any preconceptions, you had best set them aside before you explore these historic towns and cities with vibrant folklife, colourful carefree traditions and their own way of speaking that will make you wonder if you really are in the U.S.
2 nights Lafayette
Standard: Comfort Inn
Select: Best Western Acadian

Day 11-12

To New Orleans, LA (135 miles)
Set out early for New Orleans. Start in the French Quarter, where old brick and iron-tatted buildings reflect French and Spanish influence. Stroll the narrow streets, visit antique shops and jazz clubs, experience Cajun and Creole cooking. Shop at Jax Brewery, Canal Place or the boutiques of Royal Street. Travel on the Streetcar Named Desire, walk the historic Garden District or sail on the Mississippi River.
2 nights New Orleans.
Standard: Holiday Inn Superdome
Select: Omni Royal Orleans

Day 13

To Biloxi/Gulfport, MS (90 miles)
Drive to Biloxi on the Gulf Coast. Old World charm and a mild climate have made Biloxi a delightful resort city. See the Old Lighthouse, relax on the beach, try your luck in the casinos, or venture into the Gulf of Mexico with a fascinating shrimping tour.
1 night Biloxi
Standard and Select Hotel: IP Hotel

Day 14

To Montgomery, AL (229 miles)
Travel to the birthplace of the Civil War and Civil Rights. Walk where Jefferson Davis, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks left imprints on history. See vintage houses in Old Alabama Town. View the inspiring Civil Rights Memorial. Share a dramatic evening at the renowned Alabama Shakespeare Theatre.
1 night Montgomery
Standard: Best Western Monticello
Select: Lexington Hotel

Day 15

To Atlanta, GA (168 miles)
Drive along Georgia’s Antebellum Trail and enjoy the scenery en route to Atlanta to catch your flight home.