A Touch of Southern Comfort
DAY 1:Â Atlanta, Georgia
Arrive Atlanta and transfer to your hotel. This evening, one may want to visit Underground Atlanta. Located in the heart of downtown, this six block area was once the city center. During the 1920\'s, construction of the concrete \"viaducts\" elevated the street system one level, thus giving birth to what is now Underground Atlanta. Today it is bustling with activity. Take a guided history tour or enjoy a variety of clubs and restaurants.
Arrive Atlanta and transfer to your hotel. This evening, one may want to visit Underground Atlanta. Located in the heart of downtown, this six block area was once the city center. During the 1920\'s, construction of the concrete \"viaducts\" elevated the street system one level, thus giving birth to what is now Underground Atlanta. Today it is bustling with activity. Take a guided history tour or enjoy a variety of clubs and restaurants.
DAY 2:Â Atlanta
Spend the day exploring Atlanta from its place in the Civil Rights movement to the iconic attractions of today. Drive to the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Sweet Auburn district to see the restored King birth home, the Ebenezer Baptist Church where three generations of the King family preached, and Dr. King\'s burial site. Or visit the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum, next to The Carter Center. The library includes a replica of the Oval Office and Jimmy Carter\'s Nobel Peace Prize, as well as traveling exhibits. This afternoon, return to downtown. Choose to take the Inside CNN Studio Tour and watch behind-the-scenes action of the newsroom, or head to the World of Coca-Cola where the famous soft drink\'s story is told through fascinating exhibits, a 4-D theater, classic ads and a fully-functioning bottling station. Taste more than 70 Coca-Cola products from around the world. In the evening visit the Virginia-Highland district, Atlanta’s most popular neighborhood for shopping, dining and nightlife.
Spend the day exploring Atlanta from its place in the Civil Rights movement to the iconic attractions of today. Drive to the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Sweet Auburn district to see the restored King birth home, the Ebenezer Baptist Church where three generations of the King family preached, and Dr. King\'s burial site. Or visit the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum, next to The Carter Center. The library includes a replica of the Oval Office and Jimmy Carter\'s Nobel Peace Prize, as well as traveling exhibits. This afternoon, return to downtown. Choose to take the Inside CNN Studio Tour and watch behind-the-scenes action of the newsroom, or head to the World of Coca-Cola where the famous soft drink\'s story is told through fascinating exhibits, a 4-D theater, classic ads and a fully-functioning bottling station. Taste more than 70 Coca-Cola products from around the world. In the evening visit the Virginia-Highland district, Atlanta’s most popular neighborhood for shopping, dining and nightlife.
DAY 3:Â Atlanta-Savannah (249 mi/ 400 km)
This morning, depart for Georgia’s Atlantic coast, better known as the Lowcountry and check-in to your centrally located Savannah hotel. This afternoon take a trolley tour to see some of Savannah’s hundreds of restored buildings, such as the home to the founder of Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low, and the Mercer- Williams House where the events described in the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil played out. Stroll along River Street this evening and dine on some of the local seafood fare or enjoy
the sweet praline treats for which the city is known.
This morning, depart for Georgia’s Atlantic coast, better known as the Lowcountry and check-in to your centrally located Savannah hotel. This afternoon take a trolley tour to see some of Savannah’s hundreds of restored buildings, such as the home to the founder of Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low, and the Mercer- Williams House where the events described in the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil played out. Stroll along River Street this evening and dine on some of the local seafood fare or enjoy
the sweet praline treats for which the city is known.
DAY 4:Â Savannah
Today, be sure to stroll through a few of Savannah’s 21 squares, laid out by James Oglethorpe in 1733 and filled with statues, fountains, and lush vegetation. Tour some of the historic homes and learn about Savannah’s past, Civil War history and magnificent buildings spanning 3 centuries worth of architectural styles. For famous Southern cuisine head to Mrs. Wilkes, a boarding house turned family-style restaurant off of Monterey Square. If interested in doing some shopping, City Market and the Bay Street area are known for their quaint shops and galleries. The historic District also boasts many quaint fine dining restaurants for a cozy dinner.
Today, be sure to stroll through a few of Savannah’s 21 squares, laid out by James Oglethorpe in 1733 and filled with statues, fountains, and lush vegetation. Tour some of the historic homes and learn about Savannah’s past, Civil War history and magnificent buildings spanning 3 centuries worth of architectural styles. For famous Southern cuisine head to Mrs. Wilkes, a boarding house turned family-style restaurant off of Monterey Square. If interested in doing some shopping, City Market and the Bay Street area are known for their quaint shops and galleries. The historic District also boasts many quaint fine dining restaurants for a cozy dinner.
DAY 5: Savannah-Charleston, South Carolina (108 mi/ 174 km)
Travel through the Lowcountry to Charleston, South Carolina. Situated on a peninsula, this 340 year old city oozes with Southern charm and historic significance. From its cobblestone streets and rainbow colored colonial homes to landmarks that pay homage to historic battles, the city has an abundance of fascinating sites. A walking or horse-drawn carriage tour of the historic center offers visitors the chance to get an overview of some of Charleston’s important historical sites such as Fort Sumter, the site upon which the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired. There’s a vast selection of restaurants in the city center as well from fine dining to casual outdoor cafes. Visitors should try a favorite southern fare – grits, prepared every which way or enjoy a festive dockside oyster roast.
Travel through the Lowcountry to Charleston, South Carolina. Situated on a peninsula, this 340 year old city oozes with Southern charm and historic significance. From its cobblestone streets and rainbow colored colonial homes to landmarks that pay homage to historic battles, the city has an abundance of fascinating sites. A walking or horse-drawn carriage tour of the historic center offers visitors the chance to get an overview of some of Charleston’s important historical sites such as Fort Sumter, the site upon which the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired. There’s a vast selection of restaurants in the city center as well from fine dining to casual outdoor cafes. Visitors should try a favorite southern fare – grits, prepared every which way or enjoy a festive dockside oyster roast.
DAY 6:Â Charleston
Today is a good day to visit some of the numerous Plantations and Gardens just outside of Charleston. Moss draped oak trees align the long road into Boone Hall, which is still a working plantation. There one can tour the stately home, original slave cabins and beautiful gardens. At Magnolia Plantation one will find the oldest gardens in America which bloom yearround, as well as the original estate, antebellum cabin, nature train and boat and other attractions depicting this pre-Revolutionary War plantation. Or one can stay in Charleston and explore some of the city’s carefully preserved 18th and 19th c. homes which offer a glimpse into the lives of pre-Civil War Southern wealth and the history of the “Old Southâ€.
Today is a good day to visit some of the numerous Plantations and Gardens just outside of Charleston. Moss draped oak trees align the long road into Boone Hall, which is still a working plantation. There one can tour the stately home, original slave cabins and beautiful gardens. At Magnolia Plantation one will find the oldest gardens in America which bloom yearround, as well as the original estate, antebellum cabin, nature train and boat and other attractions depicting this pre-Revolutionary War plantation. Or one can stay in Charleston and explore some of the city’s carefully preserved 18th and 19th c. homes which offer a glimpse into the lives of pre-Civil War Southern wealth and the history of the “Old Southâ€.
DAY 7:Â Charleston-Asheville, North Carolina (267 mi/Â 430 km)
This morning’s drive ends in Asheville, North Carolina in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Asheville boasts a thriving arts community, diverse outdoor adventures, a vibrant downtown, and numerous historic and architectural attractions such as Biltmore, the largest home in the United States. This afternoon is a good time to tour the Biltmore Estate’s home and gardens. Take a selfguided tour of this 250-room French château, completed in 1895 by George Vanderbilt. The house showcases how people lived and worked in this, America’s largest home. Also, explore the acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, designed by the renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Asheville’s funky downtown has a vibrant restaurant scene that goes well beyond its Southern cooking and roots and many restaurants also feature live music from jazz to bluegrass.
This morning’s drive ends in Asheville, North Carolina in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Asheville boasts a thriving arts community, diverse outdoor adventures, a vibrant downtown, and numerous historic and architectural attractions such as Biltmore, the largest home in the United States. This afternoon is a good time to tour the Biltmore Estate’s home and gardens. Take a selfguided tour of this 250-room French château, completed in 1895 by George Vanderbilt. The house showcases how people lived and worked in this, America’s largest home. Also, explore the acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, designed by the renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Asheville’s funky downtown has a vibrant restaurant scene that goes well beyond its Southern cooking and roots and many restaurants also feature live music from jazz to bluegrass.
DAY 8:Â Asheville
Scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway are a must while in Asheville and there are a number of places to visit. If soft adventure is of interest, there’s more than enough hiking trails, canopy tours or horseback riding options available. At Grandfather Mountain, view the native animal habitats, enjoy hiking and test your courage on the Mile High Swinging bridge. Or travel along old Indian trading paths the Indians used to cross through the mountains to trading posts and villages in the Tennessee and Ohio River valleys. Over the years, the river cut away at the rock valley walls leaving a relatively flat river bed. One can also choose to visit Hot Springs, named for the hot mineral springs, it is a haven for those seeking outdoor adventure, healing and relaxation.
Scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway are a must while in Asheville and there are a number of places to visit. If soft adventure is of interest, there’s more than enough hiking trails, canopy tours or horseback riding options available. At Grandfather Mountain, view the native animal habitats, enjoy hiking and test your courage on the Mile High Swinging bridge. Or travel along old Indian trading paths the Indians used to cross through the mountains to trading posts and villages in the Tennessee and Ohio River valleys. Over the years, the river cut away at the rock valley walls leaving a relatively flat river bed. One can also choose to visit Hot Springs, named for the hot mineral springs, it is a haven for those seeking outdoor adventure, healing and relaxation.
DAY 9:Â Asheville-Atlanta, Georgia (208 mi/ 335 km)
Before departing, take the morning to see some of downtown Asheville’s attractions, such as the Basilica of St. Lawrence which boasts the largest free standing elliptical dome in the country or stroll the city’s downtown art galleries which offer specialized items such as custom jewelry, quilts, furniture, and one-of-a-kind gifts to take home. Depart Asheville late morning and enjoy the drive south through rolling hills back to Atlanta for the return flight.
Before departing, take the morning to see some of downtown Asheville’s attractions, such as the Basilica of St. Lawrence which boasts the largest free standing elliptical dome in the country or stroll the city’s downtown art galleries which offer specialized items such as custom jewelry, quilts, furniture, and one-of-a-kind gifts to take home. Depart Asheville late morning and enjoy the drive south through rolling hills back to Atlanta for the return flight.
|
Atlanta |
Georgian Terrace |
|
Savannah |
River Street Inn |
|
Charleston |
Francis Marion Hotel |
|
Asheville |
At Cumberland Fall B&B |
Package includes:
- Accommodation
- Taxes
- Fly - Drive directions and information packet at hotel upon arrival