Itinerary

Land in the Southern metropolis of Atlanta. A city bursting with charm and world-class sophistication, Atlanta combines rich history with contemporary cultural attractions, delectable dining, hip nightlife and enticing shopping. You’ll be staying in the heart of the downtown entertainment district at the stylish The American Hotel. Get settled in and spend the rest of the day strolling around the local area – you’ll be within easy walking distance to some of the city’s greatest attractions, like Centennial Olympic Park, the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. You’ll also easily find a place for dinner before heading back to your hotel for a good night’s rest after a day of travel.

Atlanta once played a pivotal role in both the American Civil War and the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, and there are a number of locations you can visit to learn about this storied past. Start your day at the Martin Luther King Jr. Birth Home before strolling through the MLK National Historical Park, and stop by the Center for Civil & Human Rights if you’d like to delve deeper.

Come afternoon, take a delicious food and history tour through the Victorian-style Grant Park neighbourhood and Oakland Cemetery. You’ll get to try 8 modern Southern tastings from 3 locally-renowned restaurants and detour for a jaunt through Oakland Cemetery – home to the graves of “Gone With the Wind” writer, Margaret Mitchell, American golfer, Bobby Jones and numerous Civil War soldiers – all the while being entertained by a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. Hear all about the founding of Atlanta, from a tiny railroad town to the capital of Georgia, while trying delightful bites such as shrimp and grits and South fruit galettes from a nationally award-winning bakery.

After breakfast pick up your rental car and leave Atlanta for the charming town of Macon just an hour and a half away. Rich with history and incredible architecture, Macon known first and foremost as the place “Where Soul Lives” – home to the famed Capricorn Sound Studios and accompanying museum, where musicians such as the Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Charlie Daniels, Otis Redding and Little Richard all recorded.

On your way there, stop just outside of the town to first visit the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, a prehistoric Native American site that many Native American cultures have occupied for thousands of years. Dating from the Ice Age to around 900CE when the Mississippian Period began, you’ll be in for an interesting historical visit thanks, in part, to the friendly and knowledgeable park rangers.

Spend the afternoon exploring Macon after dropping your bags off at your centrally-located hotel. A visit to Capricorn Studios is a must, and other worthwhile sites include one of Georgia’s most distinguished structures, Hay House, and the Tubman Museum of African American Art, History and Culture.

Today you’ll be driving over to Savannah – leave on the earlier side as the drive is around 2.5 hours and you’ll want to have plenty of time to explore this wonderful city renowned for its Southern hospitality, breathtaking architecture, world-class art scene, award-winning restaurants, and a history that dates back centuries.

You’ll be staying at the River Street Inn situated along Savannah’s historic riverfront just steps away from the best local attractions. Get settled in before heading out to explore the city with a scenic hop-on hop-off trolley tour around Savannah’s nationally-recognised historic district. You’ll get a friendly introduction to the history of the city while passing by numerous notable sites like Forsyth Park, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Telfair Museums, Pirates House, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum and more.

Later, dine in one of the many delightful restaurants in this charming coastal town.

One of the most well-preserved historical cities in the South, there’s nothing like walking through its magnolia and oak-lined streets exploring at your leisure. Take the day to walk through the historic district where you’ll see an impressive range of architectural styles including Federal, Victorian Regency, Italianate and both Greek and Gothic Revival. Savannah was the first American city to be built on a grid system so you should have no problem finding your way around.

Greenery is another major feature of this stunning city and a trip to Savannah wouldn’t be complete without an hour or two spent admiring the city’s 30-acre garden, Forsyth Park, the otherworldly Wormsloe State Historic Site or the awe-inspiring monuments and setting of Bonaventure Cemetery.

The rest of the day can be spent visiting the boutique shops in the historic district or the new Plant Riverside for some delicious dining.

Drive over to South Carolina after a leisurely breakfast. The drive is short, and you’ll be arriving in Beaufort, a city on Port Royal Island, one of South Carolina’s coastal Sea Islands, where you’ll be spending a relaxed night. Beaufort is one of the most picturesque towns in the South, founded in 1711 and known for its pre-Civil War mansions, typical Southern porches and tree lined streets. Considered part of South Carolina’s famed Low Country, this lesser known gem is the perfect place to unwind before continuing your journey through the Carolinas.

Stroll the moss-draped live oak-lined streets, enjoy the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, or visit the notable John Mark Verdier House Museum, an early 1800s Federal-style mansion with period furniture and exhibits on the area’s history. There are also multiple opportunities here to learn about the local ancestral Gullah Geechee culture. You’ll be staying at either the Beaufort or the Rhett House Inn right in the heart of town’s nationally-recognised Historic District, so you won’t run out of things to see and do.

This morning, make the relatively short drive from Beaufort up to Charleston. Consistently ranked as the ‘Best Small City in America’, Charleston is sure to impress with its historic surroundings, world-class restaurants and beautiful beaches.

You’ll be staying at the charming and historic Frances Marion Hotel in the heart of Charleston’s downtown district, so get checked in and then head out to explore. The city was founded in 1670 and there’s plenty to see. Book a private guide to take you around or head out on your own. From the idyllic antebellum waterfront to the historical plantations that surround the city proper, take in the incredible views of the Battery and the French Quarter as you stroll the Waterfront Park, stand on the site of the first shot in the Civil War at Fort Sumter, visit one of the many grand historic homes, and soak up some history in either the Charleston or the Confederate Museum.

Charleston is renowned for its culinary prowess so alternatively join a walking food tour in the afternoon to discover the city’s sights and tastes.

Today, go off the beaten path by starting with an intimate tour of Charleston’s hidden alleyways and historic sites. You’ll get insight into this fascinating historic city and see places and passageways that not even locals know about. Afterwards, wander around at your leisure taking one of our suggestions from the previous day.

A visit to one or two of Charleston’s historic homes is also recommended. The Heyward-Washington House is a Georgian-style double home from 1772 that offers the only glimpse of a kitchen building of this period, and the Aiken-Rhett House offers an important and educational perspective of life in the 1800s, giving insight into the conditions and life endured by enslaved African people pre-American Civil War.

Leave early for the 4-hour plus drive up to Asheville in North Carolina. You’ll pass parts of the famed Blue Ridge Parkway on your journey and arrive at the sophisticated The Restoration, right in downtown Asheville. Get settled in – and maybe grab a bite to eat – before heading minutes outside of Asheville to the majestic Biltmore Estate. Built by the Vanderbilt family and modelled on the chateaux of the Loire in France, Biltmore Estate is America’s largest home, and features 8,000 acres of horticultural splendour and outdoor pursuit as well as beautiful mansion interiors.

The evening can be spent wandering around Asheville – the city is known for its vibrant arts scene and Art Deco architecture, neither of which you’ll want to miss.

Take advantage of Asheville’s proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains with a day trip over to Great Smoky Mountain National Park. This drive is under an hour, and you can easily visit by yourself or in the company of a private guide.

The Great Smoky Mountains are America’s most-visited national park and one of the USA’s finest examples of remote wilderness – not to mention a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. See year-round wildflower meadows, ridge upon ridge of verdant forest and maybe even a black bear – the mountains are home to the largest population in the United States – on your visit.

Leave after breakfast back to Georgia for a relaxing three night stay at the upscale Southern Cross Ranch in Madison. A working horse ranch set against beautiful unspoiled scenery just an hour outside of Atlanta this is the perfect place to relax and unwind at the end of your trip. From daily horse rides through the countryside to sitting back and relaxing by the pool, you’ll find plenty to do every day with mountain biking, hiking, basketball, billiards, darts and table tennis all on offer. And the best part is, it’s entirely up to you what you do or don’t want to do. The welcoming staff will make sure you have a wonderful time, and you can count on three delicious home-cooked meals everyday too – it’s all part of the package so you can properly unwind before returning home.