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Gone with the Wind – America's Historic South
Taking inspiration straight from the pages of the classic novel, Gone with the Wind, this escorted tour takes in the very best of America’s Deep South. With sprawling plantations, antebellum architecture and stories of the Civil War, every turn on this impressive tour will read like an impressive story book, packed full of history, culture and that world-famous southern charm. Atlanta offers a fascinating look into the places that inspired its most celebrated resident, and Gone With the Wind' author, Margaret Mitchell. From the Road to Tara museum to the Stately Oaks Plantation, you’ll step into the world of Scarlett O’Hara and trace her steps of survival through the tragic history of the South. The American Civil War was fought mostly on southern soil, and cities such as Augusta and Charleston offer a historical masterclass from the origins of the war to incredible pre-war architecture. Visit the stunning city of Savannah, spared from destruction by warfare. Moving on, our tour heads to the Deep South and the musically renowned cities of New Orleans, Nashville and Elvis Presley’s Memphis. This exciting tour is a real southern spectacular.
Tour Includes
- 11 Nights Hotel
- Return Flights to Atlanta
- Airport Transfers in the USA
- Hotel Porterage (1 bag per person)
- Escorted in USA by a Tour Manager
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Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 13 day itinerary
Fly into Atlanta and transfer to your hotel for a two night stay.
During the Civil War, Atlanta was one of the most important Southern Cities as it provided war materials 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 hub.
This morning we will enjoy a guided 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 daughter of a plantation owner and follows her life through the Civil War and Reconstruction. The story takes place in Atlanta and a small town, just south of the city named Jonesboro.
This afternoon, we will 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.
In the evening, enjoy a welcome reception which will give you the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers.
Included Highlights
Today, we leave Atlanta and head east to Augusta. Augusta is the second oldest city in Georgia and is home to The Masters golf tournament and several fine historic sites.
In the afternoon, we will arrive in historic Charleston, the largest and oldest city in South Carolina where we will be based for two nights. It was Charleston harbour that saw the first full battle of the Civil Ware break out, after a heavy 34-hour bombardment, the harbour was surrendered.
The city is known for its well-preserved architecture, distinguished restaurants and mannerly people, and you will have time to explore the city for yourself. Enjoy a stroll down the cobblestone walkways or admire the fine architecture including the fine pastel antebellum houses.
In the evening, you may want to enjoy a romantic carriage ride or an optional sunset cruise.
Included Highlights
Natural disasters, the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War all took their toll on this beautiful city, yet it stands out as an historic gem of the South.
You may wish to participate in an optional excursion to historic Boone Hall Plantation with its famous Avenue of Oaks. The property has appeared in numerous movies and TV Series, among them the popular miniseries, "North and South".
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.
The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments only).
After lunch, continue on to Savannah, once the world's largest cotton port. When cotton was king, Savannah controlled the prices of the world cotton market at her cotton exchange and 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 remain open to the public.
You will enjoy a historical guided tour to learn more about the fascinating history of the antebellum residences. The old cotton warehouses that line the river are now converted into shops and little restaurants, frequented by locals and tourist alike. We will stay in Savannah for one night.
Included Highlights
Enjoy a stop in the charming city of St. Augustine, founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers. It is the oldest continuously occupied European established city and port within the continental U.S. With miles of pristine beaches, rich history and its tranquil settings, it’s easy to fall in love with St. Augustine.
In the evening arrive in Florida's state Capital, Tallahassee where we will stay overnight. Tallahassee is one of the nation’s smaller and quieter capitals with oak lined streets and soft hills surrounding the city.
Included Highlights
Pensacola was founded in 1599 and the area is known for its miles of Gulf shoreline, many of which are preserved as state and federal parks.
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 for a two night stay, a city immersed in Creole culture. 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.
Experience this melting pot aboard our optional Riverboat Dinner Cruise and enjoy the rhythms of a Dixieland jazz band.
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.
The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments only).
Take in the French flavour and grandeur of New Orleans. You can start the day with a visit to a working plantation on our optional excursion.
Or, you can choose to explore the French Quarter with its trademark wrought iron balconies overlooking the narrow cobblestone streets. With plenty on offer in New Orleans, from the National WW2 Museum to visiting the grand St. Louis Cathedral the home of Mardi Gras celebrations will certainly start a carnival in your heart.
Included Highlights
From there, we will travel via the historic Natchez Trace Parkway to Natchez for a one night stay.
The parkway is a 444-mile drive through exceptional scenery and years of Native American and European history.
Natchez is the oldest European settlement on the Mississippi River. Before the Civil War, wealthy plantation owners from Louisiana built magnificent antebellum homes here because the area was considered safer from flooding. In the afternoon, we will visit one of the homes and learn about the wealth of these 19th century millionaires.
Included Highlights
The city is also known as the "home 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, known as Cotton Row in the days when cotton traders and merchants conducted business here.
And, of course, no visit to Memphis would be complete without a visit to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. Join us on an optional excursion and get up-close-and-personal to ‘the King’ and fully immerse yourself in Elvis’ life and career. We will stay at the Guest House at Graceland for one night.
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.
The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments only).
The city earned its title with the very 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 music.
The city is also host the Country Music Hall of Fame, the world’s largest popular music museum making it a worthy holder for the title of ‘Music City’.
But the city isn’t all about music, you can also admire a fantastic representation of ancient Greek architecture. Nashville is also home to world’s only full scale reproduction of the Ancient Parthenon in Nashville’s Centennial Park, and inside you will find an art museum housing an impressive 42ft statue of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom.
Included Highlights
In the afternoon, our trails lead us back to Atlanta where our tour comes to an end. You will transfer to Atlanta International Airport for your overnight return flight to the U.K.
Included Highlights
Morning arrival in U.K.
Accommodation
Throughout your holiday, you will stay at the hotels detailed below, or similar.
You will spend 2 nights in Atlanta at the Holiday Inn Express Downtown and 2 nights at the Holiday Inn Charleston. In Savannah, you will spend one night at the Clarion Hotel and one night at the Courtyard By Marriott in Tallahassee. Moving on to New Orleans, you will stay for 2 nights at the Staybridge Suites French Quarter, then one night at The Vue hotel, Natchez, one night at the Guest House at Graceland and one night at the Clarion Hotel Nashville Downtown.
All hotels are of European minimum 3-star standard and have a restaurant or bar on site or nearby.
Please note: due to local laws at least one person in each room booked must be 21 years of age or over.
