Deep South Atlanta to New Orleans - 9 Days

Welcome to Atlanta, Georgia. During the Civil War, the city was a key Southern hub for manufacturing and supplies. In 1864, General Sherman’s forces captured and burned much of Atlanta, yet it rebuilt rapidly and is now a thriving cultural and business centre of the South. On arrival, transfer independently to your hotel where we meet our Tour Director. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

This morning, we take a comprehensive city tour of Atlanta. Highlights include the boyhood home of Martin Luther King Jr, a central figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. We also learn about Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind.We visit the Road to Tara Museum and Stately Oaks Plantation, the inspiration for the plantation featured in the film, where memorabilia such as original costumes are on display. In the evening, we gather for a welcome reception - a chance to meet fellow travellers.

Atlanta - Augusta - Charleston. We leave Atlanta and travel to Augusta, Georgia’s second oldest city and home to the prestigious Masters golf tournament. Later, we continue to Charleston, one of the South’s most historic and atmospheric cities. This evening is at leisure - your Tour Director can suggest dining and entertainment options.

Charleston - Savannah. This morning, we enjoy a guided tour of Charleston, including a walk through its remarkably preserved historic district - widely regarded as one of the finest in the United States.Despite wars and natural disasters, the city retains its historic character. In the afternoon, you may choose to join an optional visit to Boone Hall Plantation, known for its striking Avenue of Oaks and appearances in several films and television productions. We then continue to Savannah.

Today we explore Savannah, once the world’s leading cotton port. At its peak, the city played a major role in setting global cotton prices. Designed by founder James Oglethorpe, Savannah is known for its elegant grid of leafy squares. Unlike many Southern cities, it was largely spared during the Civil War, leaving a wealth of historic buildings intact. Its atmospheric streets later inspired the novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Savannah - Montgomery. We travel west into Alabama to Montgomery, a key city in the American Civil Rights Movement. On arrival, we visit the Rosa Parks Library and Museum, which tells the story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott - a pivotal event in the fight for racial equality. You may also wish to visit the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr once preached.

Montgomery - Selma - New Orleans. This morning, we visit Selma, another important Civil Rights landmark. We stop at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, site of the 1965 march and the events of Bloody Sunday, before visiting Brown Chapel AME Church. We then continue through Mississippi to New Orleans, a city shaped by a rich blend of French, Spanish, Caribbean and African influences. This evening, you may wish to join an optional riverboat dinner cruise with live Dixieland jazz.

Today is free to explore New Orleans at your own pace. You might begin with an optional visit to a working plantation. Alternatively, discover the French Quarter, known for its wrought iron balconies, lively atmosphere and historic streets, or simply enjoy the city’s distinctive music and cuisine.

Your Tour Director will assist with arranging your individual transfer to New Orleans International Airport. We hope you leave with lasting memories of your journey through America’s Deep South.