Gone with the Wind

Tour Information

12nt Tour Begins & Ends Atlanta: 3nts Atlanta; 2nts Charleston; 1nt Savannah; 1nt Tallahassee; 2nts New Orleans; 1nt Natchez; 1nt Memphis; 1nt Nashville

Enjoy the history of the south on this 12 night tour of Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and Tennessee. Commencing in Atlanta discover the charm of Charleston, Savannah, Tallahassee, New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville, the capital of Country and Western music.

Day 1

Fly from UK – Atlanta
Welcome to Atlanta, Georgia. During the Civil War, Atlanta was one of the most important Southern Cities as it provided munitions to the South. In 1864, General Sherman marched into Atlanta and burned the entire city. The city recovered from its losses and today is one of the most dynamic in the South, boasting a successful cultural and business center. Transfer independently to your hotel where you will meet your AmericanTours International tour director in the lobby from 2-8 pm. In the evening, enjoy a welcome reception which will give you the opportunity to meet your fellow travelers.
Hotel: Country Inn & Suites Buckhead

Day 2

This morning, enjoy a city tour of Atlanta and learn about one of its most famous residents, Margaret Mitchell. In 1936, Mitchell published the book “Gone with the Wind”. It depicted the life of the spoiled daughter of a plantation owner and follows her life through the Civil War and Reconstruction. The story takes place in Atlanta and south of Atlanta in a small town named Jonesboro. This afternoon, you will see Margaret Mitchell’s apartment and visit the Road to Tara Museum and Stately Oaks Plantation which was the inspiration for Tara. You will have the opportunity to see memorabilia from the movie including costumes worn by the stars Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh.
Hotel: Country Inn & Suites Buckhead

Day 3

Atlanta – Augusta – Charleston
This morning, we will leave Atlanta and journey via Augusta to Charleston. Augusta is the second oldest city in Georgia and is the home of the prestigious Masters Golf Tournament. In the early afternoon, we arrive in Charleston, one of the prettiest cities in the South.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Mount Pleasant

Day 4

Charleston
Walk the streets of the meticulously preserved historical district; the best protected in the nation. Earthquakes, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and hurricanes all took their toll on this beautiful city. Charleston still allows visitors to relive the past in what is almost an outdoor museum.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Mount Pleasant

Day 5

Charleston – Savannah
Today, you will continue to Savannah, once the world’s largest cotton port. When cotton was king, Savannah controlled the prices of the world cotton market at its cotton exchange. Its founder James Oglethorpe laid out the city squares. The Civil War destroyed a large portion of Georgia, but Savannah was spared. Numerous buildings around the tree-shaded squares are hundreds of years old. Many of them are very well preserved and some of them are open to the public. The old cotton warehouses that line the river are now converted into shops and little restaurants, frequented by locals and tourist alike.
Hotel: Four Points Sheraton Savannah Historic District

Day 6

Savannah - (Jacksonville) – Tallahassee
Leave Savannah with its antebellum homes and head on. Driving south along the coast of Georgia, the cities you will pass are as rich with history as they are full of charm. Darien, located on the banks of the Altamaha River, was settled by Scottish Highlanders in 1736. The small city of Brunswick, founded in 1771, was a prosperous lumbershipping center in the 19th century. Shortly after leaving Brunswick, you will re-enter the state of Florida pass Jacksonville. In the evening arrive in Florida’s state capital, Tallahassee. Tallahassee is one of the nations smaller and quieter capitols and visitors are charmed to find oak lined streets and soft hills surrounding the city. Florida State University is one of the largest employers and also contributes a student
population of 250,000.
Hotel: Doubletree Hotel Tellahassee

Day 7

Tallahassee – Pensacola – Mobile – New Orleans
Continue on to Pensacola, one of Florida’s most important vacation destinations. Pensacola was founded in1599 by Spanish colonists who created here the first European settlement. Today, the area is known for its miles of Gulf shoreline, many which are preserved as state and federal parks. Tourists come to enjoy the white sand beaches and to participate in activities such as scuba diving and fishing. Next stop is Mobile, Alabama. Founded in 1702, Mobile rapidly became one of the most important ports along the Gulf Coast. In the evening arrive in New Orleans, Louisiana’s most important port city. People from all over the world have been arriving in New Orleans since the Sieur de Bienville laid out the city’s streets in 1718. The city today is a unique blend of Spanish, French, Caribbean, African and Anglo-Saxon influences. This is obvious in the food, architecture and of course, the music. Ask your tour director about an optional Mississippi Paddlewheel Cruise.
Hotel: Hampton Inn Downtown

Day 8

New Orleans
The day is yours to immerse yourself in the charm and excitement of one of America’s most unique cities. Your tour director will assist you with planning the day’s activities. Perhaps start the day with an early morning optional Jazz Brunch and Swamp tour. Enjoy window shopping along Royal Street’s art galleries, or while away the day lazily sipping coffee in the cafe Du Monde. Take a stroll along the Mississippi River or ride the St. Charles street car through the Garden District, an area known for its magnificent architecture.
Hotel: Hampton Inn Downtown

Day 9

New Orleans – Baton Rouge – Natchez
Today you will enter the state of Mississippi as you travel towards Natchez. Every year thousands of people come to Natchez for the pilgrimages that offer visits of the many antebellum homes in the area. The gracious citizens open their homes which have been lovingly restored so that visitors can get a glimpse of the southern prosperous life. The town itself is a great example of late 19th century architecture. Enjoy a stroll through town and peek into the charming shops.
Hotel: Natchez Eola Hotel

Day 10

Natchez – Memphis
Leave Natchez and drive on to Memphis. A large river port, it was one of the most important links in the cotton trade before the Civil War. Memphis is also known as the “Home of the Blues.” It was here that W.C. Handy first played his Memphis Blues and many other tunes that earned him the reputation of “Father of the Blues”. A brief city tour will take you to the city’s liveliest street, Beale Street, where the Blues and other types of music are played nightly in almost a dozen clubs. Travel along historic Front Street, once known as Cotton Row, in the days when cotton traders and merchants conducted business here. Look across the Mississippi River to Arkansas as Hernando de Soto did in 1541, as the first European to see the Big River. Of course, no visit to Memphis would be complete without a visit to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Memphis

Day 11

Memphis – Nashville
Today you will continue on to Nashville, known as the capital of Country and Western music. The city earned its title with the first airing of the WSM Barn Dance radio program, the forerunner of the Grand Ole Opry. The newly renovated Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville, once home of the Grand Ole Opry, the studios near Music Row, and Opryland itself attest to Nashville’s reputation as the most important city in Country and Western music.
Hotel: Guesthouse International

Day 12

Nashville – Chattanooga – Atlanta
Chattanooga, the 4th largest city in Tennessee, has received national recognition for the renaissance of its beautiful downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront. People who love the out-of-doors use Chattanooga as a base for hang-gliding, bass fishing, mountain climbing
and caving expeditions into the Great Smoky Mountains. Our trails lead us back to Georgia and the origin of our journey, Atlanta, where our tour comes to an end. Overnight Atlanta.
Hotel: Country Inn & Suites Buckhead

Day 13

Thursday
Independant transfer back to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Day 14

Friday
Arrival back in the UK

What's Included

• Return scheduled transatlantic flights from the UK
• Professional Tour Director Service
• Deluxe air-conditioned Motorcoach Transportation throughout the tour
• Hotel accommodation as per hotels listed above (or similar standard)

Tour Highlights

• Charleston
• Savannah
• New Orleans
• Visit to Graceland (optional)
• Memphis
• Nashville