Best of the South: Atlanta to New Orleans

Intrepid Travel · 14 days

4.8

6 Reviews

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Duration

14 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Comfortable

Physical Rating

Easy

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

This fourteen-day Atlanta to New Orleans tour takes you deep into the heart of America’s south.

Highlights

Learn about Charleston's rich and complex past with an expert guide, visiting historic landmarks hearing the stories behind the city.
Take a guided tour of Bonaventure Cemetery where you'll hear stories of the fascinating people interred here among the live oaks dripping with Spanish moss.
Earn your place in the Country Music Hall of Fame as you take part in a recording session with a professional sound engineer at the iconic Studio B in Nashville.
Visit Biltmore House and Garden, the United States’ largest home, and perhaps stop for lunch at the on-site winery.
Enjoy plenty of free evenings to explore the many musical venues of Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans.
It doesn’t get much better than Southern food – learn how to cook a classic New Orleans Cajun feast, sample the local food of Savannah on a walking tour and end your trip on a high note at a a jazz brunch.

Trip Details

Duration

14 days

Transportation

Private vehicle

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Atlanta, United States Of America

Finishes

New Orleans, United States Of America

Accommodations

Comfortable

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Easy

Itinerary

Day 1: Atlanta

Welcome to Georgia! Your adventure begins in Atlanta with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. As this trip only spends limited time in Atlanta, we recommend arriving a day or two early to truly experience the city. You might like to check out the 33 acres of historic houses, gardens and award-winning exhibitions at the Atlanta History Center, or visit the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site. After your meeting, your leader will be able to recommend some good local restaurants for dinner.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Savannah

Hit the road bright and early to make the journey to Savannah this morning. In 1946, Lady Astor referred to Savannah as 'a beautiful lady with a dirty face' in reference to the crumbling, faded majesty of the city's 18th and 19th-century mansions. Due to plenty of restoration work, Savannah's face may no longer be dirty, but she's still a city of contradictions with hidden delights. When you arrive, you’ll join an expert guide for a tour of Bonaventure Cemetery, widely regarded as one of the world's most beautiful cemeteries. Take in its Southern gothic glory as you learn more about this famous spot that has inspired everyone from poets to nature lovers and filmmakers. After, you might like to check out Savannah’s antebellum mansions, towering oak trees and colonial buildings on a stroll around town. In the evening, maybe head out on a ghost tour of old Savannah or seek out spirits of a different kind at one of the city’s many lively bars.

Included Activities:

Savannah - Bonaventure Cemetery tour

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Savannah

Take it easy this morning before meeting up at 11 am for a three-hour walking tour that blends the city’s history with some of its best and most delicious eats. This fascinating food tour visits spots like a not-so-ordinary pub, an award-winning honey store and a traditional British pie shop highlighting dishes consumed by some of Savannah’s earliest settlers. This afternoon is all yours, so make the most of it!

Included Activities:

Savannah – Walking Food tour

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Charleston

Leave Savannah in the rear-view mirror and drive to Charleston. When you arrive, you might like to grab some lunch before joining a Black History tour with an expert guide. You’ll drive around in comfort, hearing stories of the city’s complex past and stopping for walks at historic landmarks. The afternoon is yours to explore Charleston at your own pace. Perhaps book a food tour to discover more flavours of the South.

Included Activities:

Charleston – Black History walking tour with a local guide

Optional Activities:

Charleston - Food Tour (3 Hours) (100 USD)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Charleston to Asheville

This morning is free for you to continue exploring Charleston. You might like to take an early stroll through the city’s historic district, or pay a visit to the Fort Sumter National Monument. Then, make the drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains to the charming town of Asheville. Home to the country’s best breweries and some of North Carolina’s finest barbecue, Asheville also boasts an incredible folk music scene. After arriving you’ll join your leader for a guided walking tour of the downtown area, packed with galleries and artist studios. For dinner, your leader will be able to suggest some of the town's boutique brew houses.

Included Activities:

Asheville - Leader-led walking tour

Optional Activities:

Charleston - Fort Sumter National Monument (39 USD)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Asheville

Enjoy an easy start to the morning, and then join your group for a visit to Biltmore House and Garden. Tour the opulent Gilded Age mansion famous for being America’s largest home, and perhaps stop in for lunch and a glass of wine at the on-site winery. With the afternoon free, you can then choose to keep exploring the extensive property or head back into town. Tonight, there’s also the chance to join your group for an optional dinner.

Included Activities:

Asheville - Biltmore Estate House & Grounds

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Nashville

Depart Asheville this morning, hitting the road headed for Nashville. Along the way, stop in at a local whiskey distillery. Tour the distillery and sample some of the award-winning Tennessee whiskey, named in honour of the first known African American master distiller. After, join your group for lunch at a nearby restaurant, then continue to Nashville – the country music capital of the world. When you arrive, you’ll be introduced to this famous toe-tapping town during an orientation walk with your leader. The evening’s then free – why not track down a true-blue Nashville hot chicken dinner?

Included Activities:

Nashville – Leader led walking tour
Tennessee Whiskey Distillery Visit

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Nashville

Today you're free as a bird to explore Nashville. You may like to check out the Nashville murals, visit the much-loved Goo Goo candy store, or swing by the Johnny Cash Museum. Tonight, there's a meeting at 6 pm to welcome any new travellers joining the next stage of your itinerary. After, head out on a leader-led walking tour of the city and then join your group for an optional welcome dinner.

Included Activities:

Nashville- Leader-led orientation tour

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Nashville

This morning after breakfast, dive straight into the city’s history with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame. This fabulous piano-shaped building is a work of art and contains a whole range of impressive memorabilia, including Elvis’ gold Cadillac. Then, cruise across town to Studio B, where Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison and ‘The King’ Elvis Presley have all laid tracks – today, you’ll even be joining this prestigious list! Meet with a professional sound engineer for your own recording session and find out what it takes to create the Nashville sound. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city – you may like to check out the Nashville murals, visit the much-loved Goo Goo candy store, or swing by the Johnny Cash Museum.

Included Activities:

Nashville - Country Music Hall of Fame
Nashville - Studio B tour with recording session

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Memphis

Hit the road this morning and make tracks for Memphis – a city overflowing with musical history and legends. Your first stop is the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Here at the original location of Stax Records in downtown Memphis, you'll learn the story of the Memphis sound where stars like Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes got their starts. You'll even have a chance to cut a rug on their dance floor as you listen to Stax tracks. The rest of the day is yours to discover the sights and sounds of Memphis. No visit to this city would be complete without checking out Beale Street, lined with traditional blues clubs. Join back up with your group for a dinner at a local restaurant, then head out to enjoy some of that live, local music.

Included Activities:

Memphis - Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 11: Memphis

After breakfast this morning, head out on an orientation walk in downtown Memphis including a stop at the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel. Your leader will talk about the museum, you’ll have the chance to take photos and can choose to take an optional tour. Then, head to another of Memphis’ iconic sites – Graceland. Elvis’s former home and final resting place, a visit to Graceland is like stepping back into the 1970s, with a glamourous and kitschy twist. Explore a fascinating world of green shag-carpet ceilings and yellow vinyl walls while getting a sneak peek into the glitzy side of the Deep South.

Included Activities:

Memphis - Graceland, The Home of Elvis Presley
Memphis - Leader-led orientation walk

Optional Activities:

Memphis - Rock 'n' Soul Museum (14 USD)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 12: New Orleans

Today you’ll be road-tripping from Memphis to New Orleans, arriving in the afternoon. Jazz is not just a part of the city’s history – it’s alive and kicking! When you arrive, join your leader for an orientation around The Big Easy, and maybe try to sample one of the city’s famous beignets. The evening is yours to explore further – your leader will have some great recommendations on where to grab a bite to eat and listen to more live music.

Included Activities:

New Orleans - Leader-led Orientation

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 13: New Orleans

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a free morning to explore New Orleans at your own pace. Then for lunch, you’re in for a real treat – not only famed for its music scene, the food in New Orleans is some of the best in the country, and today you’ll learn about Creole and Cajun cuisine at a local cooking school. Find out how to create one of the region’s most beloved dishes with a demonstration, then get hands-on and try it yourself. Tuck into the finished product with your group, then the rest of the day is free for you to continue exploring. Why not check out a jazz club on Frenchman Street, join the party on Bourbon Street or – for the brave of heart – take a tour of the iconic St. Louis Cemetery?

Included Activities:

New Orleans - Cooking Class

Optional Activities:

New Orleans - Strange New Orleans Tour (50 USD)
New Orleans - Cemetery Tour (25 USD)
New Orleans - Mardi Gras World (23 USD)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 14: New Orleans

This morning, head out for a jazz brunch at The Court of Two Sisters – a gorgeous outdoor courtyard dining area where you can enjoy some delicious brunch specialities while live jazz plays – a great way to complete your music trail! With nothing planned for the rest of the day, your trip will come to an end after brunch. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.

Included Activities:

New Orleans - Jazz Brunch

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $9,520

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 14 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Easy

This fourteen-day Atlanta to New Orleans tour takes you deep into the heart of America’s south.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 11 Mar 2027

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

Naomi Mabel

Traveled, April 2024

04/22/2024

If you are a fan of music, US history, and food - this is the trip for you! Definitely recommend booking the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Claire is a FANTASTIC guide!!

5.0

Alison

Traveled, November 2022

11/28/2022

This was my first trip with Intrepid and it exceeded my very high expectations. Thanks to a well paced, super- interesting programme , centrally located, comfortable hotels and above all, thanks to the BEST leader - Travis Hanks - for managing our expectations with such good humour and professionalism! This trip rocked!

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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