Southern Explorer

Tour Information

Explore the best of the American south, first flying to New York and then transferring to Washington DC after a one-night stay in the Big Apple. There’ll be time to visit the major monuments and museums of the nation’s capital before heading to Charlottesville via Civil War battlesites. Drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and through the Blue Ridge Mountains to Cherokee, North Carolina.

Then it’s down through the Great Smoky Mountains to Nashville, home of country and western. The musical theme continues as you head to Memphis, heartland of the blues, where you can visit Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion. Next up is a stop at Jackson, the capital of Mississippi as you travel to New Orleans, thriving once again and very much open for business. From New Orleans the tour moves eastwards along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, passing through Mobile and Penascola on the way to Florida. End the trip in the Sunshine State, with time in Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center and Miami.

Day 1

UK - New York
Your holiday starts with a flight from your chosen UK airport to New York.
Arrive New York City and transfer independently to your hotel.
Hotel: The New Yorker

Day 2

New York – Washington, D.C.
Transfer from New York to Washington, D.C.
Hotel: Omni Shoreham Hotel

Day 3

Washington, D.C.
Enjoy a city tour with such highlights as the U.S. Capitol Building,
Supreme Court, Library of Congress, the F.B.I. Building, Washington
Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House and Arlington
National Cemetery, site of the John F. Kennedy Memorial. Spend
the remainder of the day exploring some of the many museums
comprising the Smithsonian Institute.

Day 4

Washington, D.C. – Charlottesville – Winston/Salem
Depart this morning for Manassas Battlefield, the site of two famous
Civil War battles, where much of the landscape still retains its
wartime character. Evening at leisure.
Hotel: Quality Inn & Suites

Day 5

Winston/Salem – Blue Ridge – Cherokee
Today, travel along portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway, through
the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains for an early afternoon arrival
in Cherokee, in the heart of North Carolina.
Hotel: Holiday Inn

Day 6

Cherokee – Great Smoky Mountains –Nashville
Enjoy the breathtaking scenery as you visit Great Smoky Mountains
National Park. Explore the Mountain Farm and Museum to glimpse
the life of an Appalachian farmer. Continue through Knoxville to
Nashville, capital of Tennessee and home to country & western
music. This evening, perhaps visit Nashville Palace Restaurant and
Dinner Theatre (optional).
Hotel: Guesthouse Inn & Suites

Day 7

Nashville – Memphis
Depart Music City today, traveling across the beautiful Tennessee
countryside. Arrive in Memphis, the city known for blues music
and cotton, where you will take a city tour including Beale Street,
the heart of the blues music scene, as well as the Civil Rights
Museum. This afternoon, fans of “The King of Rock and Roll”
have the opportunity to tour Graceland, former home of
Elvis Presley (optional).
Hotel: Crowne Plaza

Day 8

Memphis – Jackson – New Orleans
Today’s tour takes you to Mississippi, the Magnolia State.
Pass by Jackson, the state capital, and continue to Louisiana
and New Orleans — the most exciting city in the South.
Hotel: Hampton Inn

Day 9

New Orleans
A full day at leisure to take in the French flavor and grandeur
of New Orleans. Explore the French Quarter with its trademark
wrought iron balconies overlooking the narrow, cobblestone streets
which are lined with many fine restaurants and Dixieland jazz clubs.
Perhaps take a swamp tour, a relaxed jazz brunch, or just a stroll through
this uniquely fascinating city.

Day 10

New Orleans – Mobile – Pensacola
This morning, travel along the Mississippi Gulf Coast through
Mobile, Alabama to the city of Pensacola. En route visit one of
the top 10 rose gardens in America at the Bellingrath Home
(admission included).
Hotel: Clarion Hotel University Mall

Day 11

Pensacola – Orlando
Travel through rural Florida to Ocala, known for thoroughbred
horse ranches. Continue through central Florida, heart of
America’s citrus industry, and on to Orlando for an evening
arrival at your hotel.
Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott

Day 12

Orlando
Day at leisure. Spend the day relaxing by the pool, or visit one
of Orlando’s well known attractions, such as Walt Disney World
Resort’s Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney/MGM–Studios, or
experience Disney’s wildest adventure yet, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Theme Park (admissions not included).

Day 13

Orlando – Kennedy Space Center – Miami
Drive to the Kennedy Space Center, home of America’s space
program (admission included). The tour of the complex takes you to
the launch pad of the Space Shuttle and there will be time to explore
the space museum before continuing on. Arrive in Miami by early
evening. Your tour ends upon arrival in Miami. Independent transfers for your
evening flight back to the UK.

Day 14

Arrive back in the UK at your chosen airport.

What's Included

• Return scheduled transatlantic flights from the UK
• Professional Tour Director Service
• Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation throughout the tour
• Hotel accommodation as per hotels listed above (or similar standard)
• Washington City Tour
• Memphis City Tour
• Bellingrath Home Tour
• Kennedy Space Centre Tour