Deep South Discovery

Day 1: Dallas Forth Worth to Austin (Texas). Saddle up for the adventure of a lifetime! Meet the rest of the cowboys and gals in Dallas before hitting the highway to Austin, where we’ll take a tour of the city’s most exciting sights, and enjoy our first taste of southern hospitality at a Texan BBQ.

Day 2: Austin. Take a big bite of Texan pie with a free day in Austin. Go shopping for cowboy boots, chow down at the legendary food trucks, join a bicycle tour, or go paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake. After dark, grab a brew in a traditional saloon before checking out a band in the official Live Music Capital of the World!

Day 3: Austin to San Antonio. While we could explore Austin ‘til the cows come home, San Antonio is callin’. Eat your way around the biggest Mexican market outside of Mexico, then take a walking tour through the city. After dark, wet your whistle with your fellow cowboys and gals at some of San Antonio’s rootin’-tootin’ bars.

Day 4: San Antonio to Houston. San Antonio, you’ve been a class act, but it’s time to make our way to Texas’ biggest city. Explore the bustling streets or get out of this world with an optional trip to the NASA space centre. Tonight, take a bar crawl through the hip drinking joints in the Montrose/Westheimer neighbourhood.

Day 5: Houston to New Orleans (Louisiana). Cross state lines into laid-back Louisiana, where our destination is the south’s ultimate party town. Tonight, pull on your eating pants and take an optional tour of the SOFAB (Southern Food & Beverage Museum) followed by a Cajun and Creole cooking experience – delicieux!

Day 6: New Orleans. Take a walking tour of the city streets today, soaking up the colonial buildings, chowing down on Creole cuisine, and grooving to the live jazz that’s a constant soundtrack . Take an optional airboat swamp tour to see some ‘gators, then sample some Creole Specialities at the New Orleans School of Cooking.

Day 7: New Orleans. You’ve got a whole day to explore the Big Easy at your own pace. Pick up some artisanal souvenirs in Bywater, soak up some southern gothic in the city’s grand cemeteries, or take a ramble in Audubon Park. There’s only one place to be for your last night in NOLA – the fabled Bourbon Street!

Day 8: New Orleans to Memphis (Tennessee). It’s time to head to the Birthplace of Rock n’ Roll. We’ll take a tour of the city’s musical hotspots, including Sun Studios, where Elvis recorded his first song, as well as paying a visit to the Civil Rights Museum.  Tonight, follow the throb of the blues guitars to Beale Street.

Day 9: Memphis. You’ve got a full day to explore the city. Pay a visit to the Museum of Soul Music, tuck into the world’s best ribs, and hit the boutiques on South Maine. No trip to Memphis is complete without a tour of Graceland, the King’s iconic home, but save some energy for after dark, when those guitars rev up again.

Day 10: Memphis to Nashville. Another day, another musical Mecca! There’s no better place to immerse yourself in America’s country music scene, and the history of the civil rights movement, than Nashville. Dine at the legendary Woolworths this evening, where the first sit in against segregated lunch counters took place.

Day 11: Nashville. You’ve got the whole day to explore Music City. Check out the hipster neighbourhoods, enjoy some fried chicken and a JD or two, and head to the Grand Ole Opry or Ryman Auditorum for some country music direct from the source.

Day 12: Nashville. Get the skinny on the city’s musical heritage today with an optional visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame, hit the Johnny Cash Museum to learn about his life and work, or sample some grade A liquor at the Uncle Nearest Distillery. Tonight’s yours to enjoy more of Nashville’s epic music and bar scene.

Day 13: Tour end. Your tour ends after breakfast today in Nashville. You can depart at any time. 

Start Dates before April 2024 only

For those travelling on start dates before April 2024, your trip will be slightly longer at 15 days and end in Atlanta, Georgia. Please see below for your final days itinerary. 

Day 13: Nashville to the Great Smoky Mountains. Leave the city behind today and head to the Great Smoky Mountains. A place of sun dappled forests, wildflower meadows, and small mountain communities, it’s the perfect place to get back to nature. Stay in your own luxury glamping yurt, surrounded by forest tonight.

Day 14: Great Smoky Mountains. Spend today exploring your spectacular surroundings, or get your adrenaline pumping with some unforgettable adventure activities from ziplining to horse riding. We’ll pay a visit to the beautiful mountain town of Gatlinburg ahead of another night under the stars.

Day 15: Great Smoky Mountains to Atlanta (Georgia). We’re on the road for the last time today as we make our way to Georgia’s capital city, where we’ll say our goodbyes. Stay on and explore ‘Hotlanta’s’ vibrant arts scene, lush parks and southern fried hospitality or head to the airport. See y’all next time!