Deep South

Considered the soul of America, this south-eastern region of the United States is recognised as made up of five states – Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee – all entwined by a unique shared history and culture.

Music is a key ingredient of the Deep South – sit in a dive bar to hear a musician redefine rock’n’roll, learn gospel at a Sunday service, or stroll the streets of New Orleans to the sweet sounds of jazz emanating from nearby windows. The Deep South is a music lover’s Eden: Louisiana has the birthplace of jazz, Mississippi has the birthplace of blues, Kentucky has its bluegrass. Alabama has renowned recording studios, and in Tennessee, Memphis has Elvis, and Nashville has all things country.

But musical tastes aren’t the only things to be satisfied – the South is home to culinary styles that are rarely found beyond its borders. From Creole cooking – a heady mix of historic West African, Spanish, and French influences – to Cajun cuisine, and the undeniable comfort of southern hospitality, there is a lot to try from this diverse region. From beignets and boudin to warming bowls of grits and gumbo; fried catfish and hot tamales along the Mississippi and the best barbecue you will ever eat. Drinks have their heritage in the South too – Kentucky brews the finest bourbons and New Orleans invented the cocktail. With an eclectic bar culture to boot, there is something for everyone.

History also bounds in every corner – from the pivotal American Civil War battle in Vicksburg to the 1960s Civil Rights movement in Birmingham and Montgomery. Drive, bike or walk along the scenic splendour of the Natchez Trace Parkway and follow the same paths as the Native Americans, European settlers, slave traders, and soldiers that came before. Stop by 19th-century mansions and explore the former plantations they inhabit. Ride a steamboat up the Mississippi River or witness the spectacular sunrise in the ever-present morning fog of The Great Smoky Mountains. From the lush Louisiana swamps to the flat grasslands of Kentucky and the serene Gulf Coast shores, this region has so much to offer.