
0
100
98
44
0
100
98
44
The Deep South traditionally consists of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Louisiana. However, Kentucky and the Carolinas are also often considered to be part of the mesmerising south as well. Whilst each of the six Deep South states has its own very distinct personality and identity, what unites them is the legendary “Southern Hospitality”, stemming from a fundamental belief that a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet! Of course, there are other things that tourists take a holiday to the Deep South to discover too!
When it comes to iconic American music, many forms find their roots in the cotton fields, river deltas and smoky clubs of the Deep South. Take a tour through its musical heritage of blues, jazz, country, gospel….these genres form the backbone of American music. The soulful, gritty blues find their home in Mississippi, while the French Quarter of New Orleans offers a bolder jazz sound. Nashville is known for the infamous country twang, while Bluegrass fiddle is commonplace in Kentucky. Of course, don’t forget the gospel choirs that are scattered across almost every city in the south.
The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee and the legendary studios of Alabama’s Muscle Shoals both cannot be missed either.
If there’s one thing the southerners do well, it’s food. With something to suit every taste under the sun, the Deep South offers everything from fine dining in five-star establishments to straight-off-the-boat seafood, while what the southerners can’t do with cheese simply isn’t worth knowing.
Specialities include fried green tomatoes, peach cobbler, jambalaya, mint juleps, soft shell crabs, iced tea, barbecue ribs and of course the original southern fried chicken.
If Birmingham, Alabama is on your list, be sure to check out the Hot & Hot Fish Club, and pay a visit to the Crab Shack on Tybee Island in Georgia. If seafood is your thing, head to the Acme Oyster House in New Orleans to take part in the oyster challenge, as made famous in Man v. Food.
Alternatively, Memphis has plenty to offer if you want a good, old fashioned American cheeseburger – and the BBQ ribs at BB King’s in Memphis are literally finger-lickin’-good. Louisiana even offers “Foodie Trails”, so you can tick off all your favourite places and devour some truly amazing food along the way.
Much of the history of America is embodied in the complex heritage of the Deep South. From the Native American Choctaw, Chickasaw and Cherokee people, America moved on to keeping slaves on the plantations. After the Civil War, the USA continued to develop with the rise of Dr Martin Luther King jr. and the birth of the modern civil rights movement. Memphis is home to the Lorraine Motel, site of Dr. Kings murder and now a Civil Rights Museum.
Give us a call to find out more information or chat through ideas about your Deep South holiday. Whether you’ve got a plan or need assistance putting it all together, we’re on hand to help you. Call us on 0800 316 3012 or request a quotation and get your Deep South holiday planning started.
To order your FREE colour guide on the Deep South click here
Where you stay is the heart of your holiday. Location reigns supreme but do you prefer resort facilities or unique and boutique? Historic and old world or modern and shiny?
We aim to present choices across the spectrum but there are many hundreds of places to stay and not room to feature them all. Do speak to your Bon Voyage travel consultant and click the video for our take on this important topic.
We would rate the Bellagio as one of the best hotels we have ever stayed in. Fabulous, glitzy, exciting. We loved having breakfast at the poolside café... one of our best experiences ever. If it hadn't been for you we wouldn't have had the suite or cabana and we loved them. We both agreed that the hotel was the best for us and you had suggested that so well done!
Leonore & Mike Rumford