14D/13N - 2025 Southern Explorer

day 01 New York Arrival

Arrive in New York City and transfer independently to your hotel where you will meet with your Tour Director in the evening.

day 02 New York-Philadelphia-Washington DC

Transfer from New York to Washington DC via Philadelphia, where you will stop to see Independence Mall and Liberty Bell.

day 03 Washington DC

Enjoy a city tour with such highlights as the U.S. Capitol Building, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, the F.B.I. Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House and Arlington National Cemetery, site of the JFK Memorial. Spend the remainder of the day exploring some of the many museums comprising the Smithsonian Institute or stroll the banks of the Potomac River.

day 04 Washington DC-Williamsburg-Roanoke

Depart this morning for Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. Walk along the Duke of Gloucester Street to visit some of the impressive public buildings, colonial houses and the College of William and Mary (admissions not included).

day 05 Roanoke-Blue Ridge-Gatlinburg

Today, travel along portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway before an afternoon arrival in Gatlinburg, nicknamed the ‘Heart of the Smokies.”

day 06 Gatlinburg-Great Smoky Mountains-Nashville

Enjoy the breathtaking scenery as you visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Stop at the Mountain Farm and Museum to explore the life of an Appalachian farmer. Continue through Knoxville to Nashville, capital of Tennessee and home to country music.

day 07 Nashville-Memphis

Travel across the countryside and arrive in Memphis, the city known for blues music, cotton and home of Sun Records. Take a city tour including Beale Street, the heart of the blues music scene. This afternoon, fans of “The King of Rock and Roll” have the opportunity to tour Graceland, former home of Elvis Presley (optional).

day 08 Memphis-Jackson-New Orleans

Today’s tour takes you to Mississippi, the Magnolia State. Pass through Jackson, the state capital, and continue to Louisiana and New Orleans, the home of the infamous Mardi Gras celebrations. Tonight, immerse yourself in Creole culture on board an authentic Mississippi Riverboat dinner cruise and enjoy the rhythms of a Dixieland jazz band (optional).

day 09 New Orleans

A whole day is at leisure to take in the French flavour and grandeur of New Orleans. Explore the French Quarter with its trademark wrought iron balconies overlooking the narrow, cobblestone streets. Stand atop one of the infamous New Orleans levees and gain the perspective of how these unique feats of architecture guard the city.

day 10 New Orleans-Gulf of Mexico-Pensacola

Travel along the Mississippi Gulf Coast through Mobile, AL to the city of Pensacola. Visit one of the top 10 rose gardens in America at the Bellingrath Home (admission included). While visiting Pensacola Beach, walk along side the swaying sea oats, dipping your toes in the warm waters of the emerald green Gulf of Mexico.

day 11 Pensacola-Orlando

Travel along the Florida panhandle to Oscala, known for thoroughbred horse ranches. Continue through central Florida, heart of America’s citrus industry, and on to Orlando for an evening arrival at your hotel.

day 12 Orlando

Day at leisure. Spend the day relaxing by the pool, or visit one of Orlando’s well known attractions, such as Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney/MGM Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

day 13 Orlando-Kennedy Space Centre-Miami

Visit Kennedy Space Centre, home of America’s space program (admission included). Continue to the cultural melting pot of Miami Beach. Note: for passengers leaving the tour today in Orlando, your services end upon check-out from the hotel in Orlando.

day 14 Miami

Your tour comes to an end upon check-out from the hotel.

Inclusions: twin share in 3* and 4* accommodation, deluxe coach, tour director, visits as per programme, porterage, service charges, tax.
Sightseeing: Philadelphia and the Liberty Bell, Washington, see the Lincoln Memorial and “go back in time”, Great Smoky Mountains, Nashville, Memphis city tour including the Lorraine Hotel, site of the MLK assassination as well as Beale Street, Bellingrath and Kennedy Space Centre.
Hotels: New York-Dylan or similar, Washington-Washington Hilton, Roanoke-Holiday Inn Tanglewood, Gatlinburg- Edgewater Inn Great Smoky Mountains, Nashville-Inn at Opryland, Memphis-Guest House at Graceland, New Orleans-Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Pensacola- Courtyard by Marriott, Orlando-Wyndham Orlando Resort, Miami-Hilton Garden Miami South Beach (or similar).

Notes: All bookings are made only on English spoken tour departures, however some tours may be modified to bilingual (2 languages) at short notice. Tours are subject to change without notice pending climatic and local traffic conditions.

Optional excursions: Washington Monuments at night with dinner in fashionable D.C., visit Elvis Presley’s Graceland home, New Orleans plantation visit and Jazz Brunch, Universal Studios in Orlando to see how movies are made and “All-American” Picnic at a surprise destination en route. Please book the optional excursions with the tour director at the start of the tour.