Gone with the Wind

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. Transfer independently to your hotel where you will meet your Tour Director.

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 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 morning, you 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 Clarke Gable and Vivien Leigh. In the evening, enjoy a welcome reception which will give you the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers

Leave Atlanta today and head west to Augusta, which is the 2nd eldest city in Georgia and home to the prestigious Masters Golf tournament. In the afternoon, you will arrive in historic Charleston, where you will have time to stroll down the cobblestone walkways and admire the fine architecture. In the evening, you may want to enjoy a romantic carriage ride or a sunset cruise (optional).

Enjoy a locally guided tour of Charleston and spend the afternoon at leisure. Take some time to walk the streets of Charleston’s meticulously preserved historic district, the best protected in the nation. Earthquakes, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and hurricanes all took their toll on this beautiful city, yet it stands out as the historical 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, among them ’North and South’

Today, your journey leads you further south to Savannah. En-route stop on Port Royal Island and see Beaufort, South Carolina’s 2nd eldest city. Its impressive Antebellum architecture has been the backdrop to a number of Hollywood movies, including ’Forest Gump’. 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. 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, with many of them being very well preserved and some remain open to the public. You will enjoy a historical guided tour (included) to learn more about the fascinating history of the Antebellum residences. The old cotton warehouses which line the river are now converted into shops and restaurants, frequented by locals and tourists alike.

Leave Savannah 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. In the afternoon you will enter the Sunshine State of Florida. Enjoy a stop in the charming city of St. Augustine, founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers. It is the eldest continually occupied European established City and Port within the Continental U.S. In the evening arrive in Florida’s state Capital, Tallahassee. One of the nation’s smaller and quieter capitals with oak lined streets and soft hills surrounding the city.

Travel along Florida’s panhandle to Pensacola, which 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, 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 a Riverboat Dinner Cruise (optional) and enjoy the rhythms of a Dixieland jazz band.

A full day at leisure to explore the charm and excitement of one of America’s most unique cities. Take in the French flavour and grandeur of New Orleans. Start the day with a visit to a working plantation (optional), or explore the French Quarter with its trademark wrought iron balconies overlooking the narrow cobblestone streets.

This morning, you will travel to the capital of Louisiana, Baton Rouge for a brief city tour. From there travel via the historic Natchez Trace Parkway to Natchez. 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 Untebellum homes here because the area was considered safer from flooding. This afternoon, visit one of the homes and learn about the wealth of these 19th century millionaires.

Leave Natchez and drive to Memphis, home of ’Sun Records’. As 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’. 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. Next, travel along the historic Front Street, known as Cotton Row in the days when cotton traders and merchants conducted business there. Of course, no visit to Memphis would be complete without a visit to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley (optional).

Continue on to Nashville, known as the capital of country music. The city earned its title with the very first airing of the WSN Barn Dance radio programme, 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.

Leaving Music City, we head to Chattanooga, home to the famous Choo Choo and which has received national recognition for the renaissance of its beautiful downtown and redevelopment if its riverfront. In the afternoon, our trail leads us back to Atlanta where your tour comes to an end. If you wish to extend your stay, please let us know at the time of booking so we can add any additional hotels and sightseeing tours to your holiday.