Southern Explorer

Welcome to New York City! Meet your group and tour leader in the evening for an informal welcome at the hotel. Until then, feel free to roam the famed streets of New York like a local or rest up for our great adventure ahead!

• Accommodation
  Martinique NY on Broadway – 4 Star

We depart New York for Philadelphia, where we spend the morning exploring the gorgeous historic district of the “City of Brotherly Love” and the birthplace of a nation. See landmarks such as the Liberty Bell, and stroll through Independence National Historic Park and Mall. Then continue to the nation’s iconic capital, Washington, D.C.

• Accommodation
  Washington Hilton – 4 Star (or similar)
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Independence Hall
  Sightseeing of Liberty Bell

Ready to explore the capital inside out? Tag along your expert guide to learn all about the marvellous sights such as the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House and Arlington National Cemetery, site of the JFK Memorial. Enjoy your personal leisure time in the afternoon, perhaps visit some of the many museums including the famous Smithsonian Institute or simply stroll the banks of the Potomac River.

• Accommodation
  Washington Hilton – 4 Star (or similar)
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Washington D.C.

Our journey continues to Willamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. Visit the the Duke of Gloucester Street and discover the city’s impressive public buildings, authentic colonial houses and the college of William and Mary. Then we ride inland towards Roanoke, where we spend the night.

• Accommodation
  Holiday Inn Tanglewood – 3 Star (or similar)
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Williamsburg

Watch the charming landscape as we drive along the Blue Ridge Mountains, setting up the scene for the fascinating Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In the afternoon, we arrive in Gatlinburg with abundant evening time to spend at your leisure. Explore the unique resturants and cafes on the high street before a refreshing rest at the hotel.

• Accommodation
  Edgewater Hotel & Conference Center – 3 Star (or similar)
• Included Activities
  Panoramic Sightseeing of Great Smoky Mountains

Today, our adventure takes us through Knoxville, the third largest city of Tennessee, to Music City USA, Nashville! Arriving early in the afternoon, absorb the buzing music scene and the modern skyline of the city at your own tempo.

• Accommodation
  The Inn at Opryland, A Gaylord Hotel – 3 Star (or similar)
• Meals Included
  Breakfast

Without skipping a beat, we travel on to Memphis! The city is acclaimed for blues music and home to the legendary Sun Records, where immortal artists as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash recorded albums. Take a tour of the city with your guide to explore Beale Street, the ever-beating heart of blues. In the afternoon, you can join an optional tour to Graceland, the former home of the one and only Elvis Presley.

• Accommodation
  Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown – 3 Star (or similar)
• Included Activities
  Memphis City Tour
• Optional Activities
  Graceland Tour

We delve further south and into Mississippi, the ‘Magnolia State’. Driving through the state capital, Jackson, we continue to Lousiana and New Orleans. See up close the home of the infamous costume parade on Mardi Gras and why New Orleans is called the ‘Big Easy’. Enjoy round-the-clock nightlife, a buzzing live-music scene and spicy, fascinating heritage with influences of American, French and African cultures. In the evening, you can familiarise yourself with the Creole culture on an optional Mississippi Riverboat dinner cruise with live tunes by a Dixieland jazz band.

• Accommodation
  Hilton New Orleans Riverside – 4 Star (or similar)
• Optional Activities
  Mississippi Riverboat dinner cruise

The day is yours to enjoy at leisure! Soak in the French flavor and splendor of New Orleans oozing in the air. Venture the French Quarter with its distinctive iron balconies hanging over narrow streets of cobblestone. Climb atop an infamous New Orleans levee to grasp how these unique engineering projects safeguard the city against nature. Frequent one of the trendy live music venues.

• Accommodation
  Hilton New Orleans Riverside – 4 Star (or similar)

Following the Mississippi Gulf Coast through Mobile, we travel to the city of Pensacola. Here we will take a tour of one of the top 10 rose gardens in the United States, the Bellingrath Home! Then, visit Pensacola Beach to roam among sea oats dancing in the wind and dip your toes in the warm turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

• Accommodation
  Courtyard by Marriott Pensacola – 3 Star (or similar)
• Included Activities
  The Bellingrath Home visit
  Sightseeing of Pensacola Beach

We continue east towards central Florida taking a panoramic route through Ocala, a region renowned for thoroughbred horses and fields of citrus. Our next stop will be the fantasyland of thrilling entertainment, Orlando! Arrive in Orlando around 6pm, explore the town on your terms and have a good night’s rest for an adventrous day tomorrow.

• Accommodation
  Delta Hotels Orlando Celebration – 3 Star
• Included Activities
  Panoramic Sightseeing of Ocala

Make the most of Orlando, the ‘City Beautiful’ for yourself! You can explore the city in depth, recharge by the pool, or up the adrenaline with a visit to one of Orlando’s world-famous attractions such as Universal Studios, Walt Disney World or Sea World!

• Accommodation
  Delta Hotels Orlando Celebration – 3 Star

Departing sunny Orlando, we ride on to the distinguished Kennedy Space Center, home of United States’ space programme! Visit the centre in fascination of the amazing feats accomplished with tremendous efforts to expand humanity’s horizon. We continue to Miami to land on the famous Miami Beach, always vibrant and diverse! We will arrive at the hotel around 7pm, enjoy the evening at your leisure.

• Accommodation
  Holiday Inn Miami Beach-Oceanfront – 3 Star (or similar)
• Included Activities
  Kennedy Space Center visit

Our trip will end in Miami after we bid our farewells and check-out of the hotel by 11:00am.