North Carolina Holidays
Sample itineraries
Explore the Southern States Tour
From £1425
Highlights:
- New Orleans and the historic French Quarter
- Plantation homes
- Natchez Historical Park
- Graceland
- The Grand Ole Opry
- Smoky Mountains
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Cherokee Indian Reservation
- Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island and Sullivans Island
- Nataniel Russell House and Drayton Hall
Price per person includes:
- Return flights into New Orleans, Louisiana and home from Atlanta or Charleston
- Airport taxes
- 13 nights accommodation in sought after locations
- 13 days mid-size car hire
- A personalised road book which is a complete guide to travelling within North America and provides bespoke driving instructions for your holiday.
Ideal time to visit: April to mid November
Drop off fee on the car hire payable locally.
Prices are based on off-season travel. Please call or email for costs for your preferred date of travel.
Days 1 - 3 New Orleans
Arrive in New Orleans. Once you have settled into your hotel, why not take a walking or guided tour of the city to find your bearings. The French Quarter is not to be missed.
New Orleans Northshore is a part of New Orleans that offers high quality restaurants and cafes. There are winding bayous and forest trails, primitive swamplands and sophisticated shopping, art colonies and crossroad villages. There is also a year-round calendar of festivals and celebrations to enjoy. This is where all of New Orleans comes to play.
Day 4 New Orleans to Natchez, Mississippi
Distance: 175 miles
Natchez is home to a true southern plantation, Magnolia Hill. Nestled quietly in a country setting, Magnolia Hill rests undisturbed by city life.
Convenient to downtown Natchez, Magnolia Hill Plantation offers visitors many recreational diversions. You can swim, play golf on a private course or play croquet and badminton. Alternatively you can go hiking on private trails, fishing or the simple pleasure of doing nothing.
Day 5 Natchez to Jackson, Mississippi
Distance: 104 miles
Prepare to be enlightened as you discover Jackson. From the hallways of history to the end of the galaxy, theres no shortage of things to explore here. Museums, natural wild animals and historic homes, a beautiful scenic highway that lets you step back in time. You'll find Jackson's unique blend of attractions totally captivating.
Days 6 - 7 Jackson, Mississippi to Memphis
Distance: 209 miles
Memphis is the place where it all began. Elvis recorded his first song there. Many careers of music greats were also launched in this place including Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and B.B. King. The Sun Studio is still used by famous recording artists today, definitely worth a visit!
Another attraction in Memphis is the Pyramid. Since Memphis was named after the ancient capital of Egypt, the shape of a giant pyramid was the logical choice for a new 22,500-seat venue. The base of the stainless steel building stretches the equivalent of six football fields and its height reaches higher than the top of the Astrodome. This centre hosts University of Memphis basketball games, concerts and skating shows.
Memphis also plays host to the Libertyland Amusement Park, located downtown. Just one of the rides is the Revolution roller-coaster which features a 360-degree loop. For the not so brave it also has a good ole' Ferris Wheel for your enjoyment. If theme parks are not quite your style, then try Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley.
Stay: 2 nights
Days 8 - 9 Memphis to Nashville
Distance: 210 miles
The whole atmosphere of Nashville is friendly and family orientated. Common-sense signage helps visitors find there way around with ease. Though all the major area attractions charge for admission, there are plenty of free programmes too including concerts at Riverfront Park during the summer months.
With Nashville’s lush, rolling hills and smoky blue sky, its a beautiful city. Its rich past is steeped in Civil War history and horseracing traditions, and embellished with antebellum mansions and 19th century architecture.
Spend your time exploring this wonderful city. Why not visit the Wild Horse Saloon in the evening and practice your line dancing!
Days 10 - 11 Nashville to Asheville, North Carolina
Distance: 295 miles
Asheville is situated in the Smoky Mountains, so there is an abundance of outdoor pursuits to enjoy including hiking trails and walking tours. One of the best known is the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which stretches 2147-miles from Maine to Georgia. The trail follows the ridge tops of the fourteen states through which it passes.
There are breathtaking views from atop the 315-foot monolithic rock. Trails along the way lead to the 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States.
If you are looking for culture, then take a visit to the Cherokee Indian Reservation. This expansive reservation is home to over 10,000 members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokees.
Days 12 - 13 Asheville to Charleston
Distance: 267 miles
Perhaps nowhere in North America offers a more idyllic marriage between high culture and easy living than Charleston and her nearby Resort Islands. Known as the Low Country, this region is home to five coastal island communities; Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, the Isle of Palms, Wild Dunes and Sullivan's Island. All are within 30 minutes of historic downtown Charleston.
The Low Country offers some of the most pristine beaches in South Carolina. Kiawah Island alone boasts 10-miles of beachfront, championship golf, tennis and 30-miles of paved bike and jogging trails. Each island offers great golf, tennis, boating, shopping and dining.
