This trip traces its way through America's iconic Deep South. From North Carolina's Appalachian mountains to the Mississippi River Delta and New Orleans; explore the music, food and deeply rich culture of this eclectic corner of the US.
Lunch: 1
Explore Tour Leader
Maxiwagon
10 nights comfortable hotel
Moderate
Trip maximum 13
Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.
Our tour starts in Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina and our gateway to America's Deep South region. For those arriving on time, our Tour Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. We don't provide arrival transfers on this tour, but information on how to reach the hotel will be provided in your final documentation.
Our hotel is situated near the airport, offering ease of access upon your arrival and a comfortable place to rest up before our journey begins. Charlotte is a bustling modern city so if you do arrive early enough, a taxi is the easiest ways to access downtown less than 10 miles away where you could visit one of many great museums such as The Mint Museum or The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture. Alternatively, a ride along the CATS Blue Line Streetcar from downtown can lead you the Noda Arts District. Out here, restaurants like The Goodyear House can make the journey worth the effort with their take on southern staples like shrimp & grits or spare ribs.
Our itinerary allows us limited time in the city, if you'd like to see more, we recommend adding an additional night's stay pre-tour. Contact our sales team to book accommodation.
Hampton Inn & Suites Charlotte Airport (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
After our welcome briefing this morning, we leave Charlotte behind as we head up into the forested hills of North Carolina and into the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We stop off at Chimney Rock State Park, offering panoramic views of Hickory Nut Gorge atop the 535 million year-old monolith rock for which the park is named. We spend a few hours on foot hiking along trails that lead to waterfalls, and which burst into life in late spring and summer with colourful rhododendrons and hydrangeas, whilst a visit in autumn/fall will offer beautiful vistas of burnt orange and reds. The walk will be 2-3 hours in length across undulating terrain, and will cover a distance of approximately 10 kilometres.
Please note that due to effects of the storms of 2024 and Hurricane Helene which passed through Asheville and its surrounding areas, we may have to change the exact location of this walk, but there are a variety of great alternatives available throughout this region of Appalachia.
We will then continue onto Asheville, arriving in the late afternoon. Asheville boasts a thriving arts community, a vibrant downtown and numerous historic and architectural attractions. You may wish to enjoy some authentic southern cuisine tonight in one of the local restaurants.
Sleep Inn Asheville - Biltmore West (or similar)
This morning has been left free with a variety of options to choose from. You could explore some of Asheville's famous sites, including the Thomas Wolfe Memorial and the Basilica of Saint Lawrence along with a stroll through the River Arts District. It's also possible to visit Biltmore Estate, a southern-style mansion that is the USA's largest privately-owned home. Optional walks in the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway are also available.
This afternoon we will take a walking tour between three of Asheville's best craft breweries. Having been previously crowned as 'Beer City USA', Asheville's beer scene consistently ranks within the top five spots in all of the US, with its numerous microbreweries, craft beer houses and friendly bars. We soak up some of this lively atmosphere this afternoon as we take a guided walking tour through town taking in a few of the breweries along the way. The tour samples a variety of styles of beer and shares insight into the craft beer process, as well as taking in some of the local sights along the way.
In addition to beer, Asheville is also one of the nation's fastest growing culinary hot spots, so after the tour there's the opportunity to soak up the drink with some hearty food from one of the many establishments here (not included).
Heading west this morning, we leave the state of North Carolina and venture into Tennessee. Our drive skirts around the outside of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, an important part of the Appalachian mountain chain which contains a wide diversity of plant and animal life.
We arrive into Nashville in the late afternoon, and after some time to freshen up we'll take a short orientation walk of the downtown area and Broadway, the spiritual home of country music with its iconic honky-tonk bars. Here we can experience all that Nashville, the country music capital of the world, has to offer, with plenty of bars offering excellent live music, and you may also want to drink some Jack Daniels whiskey, a proud product of Tennessee.
Holiday Inn Express Nashville Downtown - Broadway (or similar)
This morning we will visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum where we can view memorabilia from stars such as Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn and Garth Brooks. We will also take a guided tour of Historic RCA Studio B, where artists such as Elvis and Dolly Parton recorded over 35,000 songs.
This afternoon has been left free for further exploration of this atmospheric city, where you could explore the Ryman Auditorium - the iconic venue that has hosted legendary folk show 'Grand Ole Opry' as well as numerous country artists. Other options include the national museum of African American music, or a whiskey distillery tour. Broadway is definitely worth a second visit, with its countless honky-tonks and live music venues playing not only country, but all music genres; a great way to enjoy your free evening.
Shifting gears today, we travel from Nashville on to Memphis, one of the cultural heartlands of the Deep South, which is recognised throughout the world for the community's historical contributions to art and culture in the US.
In the culinary world, Memphis is well-known for its regional style of barbecue, with BBQ masters across the south competing here in a variety of eateries, each offering their own unique flavour. We'll stop for lunch at one of Memphis' legendary barbecue joints, where we can sample some mouth-watering, finely marinated meats (or portobello mushrooms), which are slow-cooked in pits and smothered in a rich and smoky sauce.
This afternoon we visit the Civil Rights Museum, which documents some of the key moments in US history. Housed in the former Lorraine Motel, the location of Martin Luther King's assassination in 1968, the museum depicts the fight for equality from the 17th century right through to the present day, reflecting on pivotal moments like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington which have helped progress the Civil Rights Movement.
This evening we can enjoy live music along Memphis' famous Beale Street. Legendary forefathers such as Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters and B.B. King helped to put Beale Street on the musical map.
Comfort Inn Downtown (or similar)
Today is a free day to uncover how Memphis became the birthplace of Rock 'n Roll. With plenty of historical sites and museums to choose from, one of the most popular options is, of course, a trip to Graceland, the home of 'the King', Elvis Presley. Elvis lived here for 20 years and died at the estate in 1977. Hence Graceland is forever styled in '70s decor. The guided tour takes in all aspects of this opulent mansion, including the Jungle Room which includes an indoor waterfall. It was originally built as a den and was later converted into a recording studio, where Elvis recorded his last two albums.
Other options include seeing Memphis by water on a riverboat tour, or a trip to Sun Studios, where singers such as Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and, of course, Elvis recorded.
This evening, there's another opportunity to sample the city's vast culinary array and your Tour Leader can assist you to pick from the many live music venues across the city.
Today we travel along Old Highway 61, more commonly referred to as The Blues Highway. Our destination will be Clarksdale, Mississippi at the junction of Highways 61 and 49. Legend has it that it was at these crossroads where Robert Johnson, the godfather of the blues, sold his soul to the Devil. Johnson's music later went on to influence some of the most highly regarded artists and musicians in modern history, from Bob Dylan to Eric Clapton. Known as the birthplace of Delta Blues, Clarksdale is the premier city for the preservation of the arts and music of the Mississippi Delta as we will see with a visit to The Delta Blues Museum. The rest of the afternoon is free, where we can soak up this uniquely American experience of blues culture in one of the 'juke joints' found here, an all but nearly extinct style of music venue that once existed throughout the Mississippi Delta.
Hampton Inn Clarksdale (or similar)
Continuing our journey south and following the direction of the mighty Mississippi River, our drive takes us along vast flat lands and past the swamps of Cajun Country. Crossing the border into Louisiana, we reach our final destination, and a city like no other in the US. New Orleans is an eclectic mix of European, Creole and Cajun culture which manifests in every aspect of the architecture, cuisine and musical scene.
This afternoon we'll take an orientation walk through the iconic French Quarter with its famous intricate ironwork balconies and its many bars, restaurants and live music venues. Here we can listen to some jazz, perhaps whilst sipping some Southern Comfort, which originated in this city. New Orleans is well known for its fusion cuisine and you may want to try some local specialities such as gumbo or Po' boys (submarine sandwiches).
Drury Plaza Hotel New Orleans (or similar)
A good way to start the day in New Orleans is with beignets and coffee at Cafe du Monde. With so many options, today has been left free day to explore New Orleans and its environs further. Optional trips include visiting Mardi Gras World, taking a streetcar or 'trolley' to the Garden District or you could also take to the Mississippi River Delta on a traditional paddle steamer. Alternatively, you could just spend the day further exploring the streets of this vibrant city, discovering numerous local galleries and museums in the Arts and Warehouse District. Your Explore Leader will help you organise your day based on your interests.
The trip ends in New Orleans at the hotel this morning. There are no airport transfers provided on this trip, so you are free to leave at any time. Your Explore Tour Leader can help you to arrange transport to Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY).
There are great variations in the altitude and terrain of the areas visited and this is reflected in the temperatures. Desert areas can be extremely hot in the summer months (49°), though temperatures can drop dramatically at night. The mountains are cooler and wetter especially in the north of the Rockies. At the beginning and end of the season there may still be some snow around in the high passes and it can be cold, whereas in mid-summer the day time temperatures can soar.
-9
2 Pin Flat
English
There are a number of exciting optional excursions you can do on tour. These activities are booked and paid for direct with the supplier and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract. Asheville, NC Southern Highland Craft Guild, Folk Art Center - Donation Biltmore Estate - multiple visiting options available - $94-$196 USD Nashville, TN Standard Proof - Whiskey Tasting - $25 USD Memphis, TN Graceland - Tours starting at $84 USD Sun Studios - Studio Tour - $20 USD Stax Museum of American Soul Music - $15 USD Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum - $14 USD Clarksdale, MS Red's Blues Lounge - $7 USD & up at the door (event dependent) New Orleans, LA Streetcar to Garden District - $1.25/ride Creole Queen Paddlewheeler - $50-$100 USD Ogden Museum of Southern Art - $11 USD
This trip covers a variety of climates, where it can be quite fresh in the Appalachian Mountains region of North Carolina, whilst it will be hot and humid in the tropics of Louisiana. We recommend packing a variety of layers on this trip, with a fleece and a hat for the cooler evenings, along with lighter layers and shorts for the second half of the trip.
Lightweight walking/hiking boots with good ankle support, trainers and/or sandals for travelling (ones that can get wet).
20kg
Bring only the bare essentials - one main bag plus a small daysac for walking and for personal items. Main luggage cannot be accessed during the day. Soft luggage is more practical as it is stored in the trailer during travel. Laundry facilities are available at various points during the trip.
Bring at least 1 water bottle (2-3 litre capacity), a sunhat, sunglasses and high factor sunblock.
During this tour, we stay in a range of comfortable-grade motels, lodges and hotels, all well-located to make the most of the USA's cities and natural wonders.Comfortable-grade hotels are usually 3-star properties with single or twin-share en-suite rooms. Rooms generally have air-conditioning and WiFi. Please see your final documents for the confirmed hotels for your departure.Breakfast is listed as not included on this tour, however, in a couple of the properties the hotels do occasionally provide a small, continental offering. For customers who prefer a bigger breakfast, there are plenty of local cafes, diners and bakeries available.
You'll note that there is no breakfast included during this tour. In fact, at a couple of the hotels along the route a small continental offering is provided, but for many of our well-travelled customers a US hotel breakfast is underwhelming compared to most other worldwide destinations where a higher quality of fresh food is available.Regardless of whether the hotel offers a small breakfast or no breakfast at all, our Tour Leader will make daily recommendations for local cafes, diners and bakeries. Due to the pace of the tour, we'll often be setting off early and making stops for food en route, whether for a picnic or in a local eatery. You won't go hungry during this tour!
Can you drink the water? It is generally possible to drink the local tap water, therefore to reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles we recommend you bring a refillable water bottle with you. Your leader will advise you on refill points each day.
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page. If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page. The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
USA: You will require either a visa or an ESTA (an evisa). Please read on for more information. Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can apply for an ESTA under certain conditions. This applies if you enter the country by sea or by air, and this must be done online via https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov, no later than 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding. You must have a biometric passport to apply for an ESTA. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover. If you have visited Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen since 2011 or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel with an ESTA and instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel. You should also be aware that if you have travelled to or have been in Cuba since the 12th of January 2021, you will not be eligible for an ESTA visa waiver and will need to apply for a US visa. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need. Your ESTA application will ask for Point of Contact information. Please note that if you're only transiting through the USA then this is not required. If you're visiting or staying in the USA on an Explore trip, then our USA contact information will be listed on your final documentation which you will receive approximately 3-4 weeks before departure. Entry requirements for the USA can change regularly, therefore, please ensure you have the most up to date information before you travel by checking the US embassy website. Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html ETA - only if transiting via Canada Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia and passport holders from several EU countries can apply for an ETA here - http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp - other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.
If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.
If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking. For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here
It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom. Read more information about what travel insurance is required.
Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.
You'll note that there is no breakfast included during this tour. In fact, at a couple of the hotels along the route a small continental offering is provided, but for many of our well-travelled customers a US hotel breakfast is underwhelming compared to most other worldwide destinations where a higher quality of fresh food is available. Regardless of whether the hotel offers a small breakfast or no breakfast at all, our Tour Leader will make daily recommendations for local cafes, diners and bakeries. Due to the fast-pace of the tour, we'll often be setting off early and making breakfast a group stop en route, whether for a picnic or in a local eatery. You won't go hungry during this tour!
Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.