Situated at the intersection of the Atlantic and Western railroads, deep in the heart of the American south, Atlanta serves as the capital of Georgia and is the most populated city in the state. This city of tree-lined streets and elegant homes balances sleek modernism with old southern charm and features a wide selection of historical museums, classical music venues and a thriving theatre and art scene. Take the opportunity to learn about the historical Civil Rights Movement at the Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Other popular attractions include the Georgia Aquarium, Piedmont Park, High Museum of Art, and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Located in east Tennessee, on the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains, the resort town of Gatlinburg offers some eccentric sights in addition to its staggeringly beautiful natural scenery. Although most visitors to Gatlinburg content themselves with exploring the scenic hiking routes of the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the town itself offers some fun diversions. There is a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum, which holds 500 exceptional items; the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, where you can view some of Hollywood’s most iconic vehicles; and the Gatlinburg Space Needle, offering incredible views from the observation tower in addition to a popular arcade. Finally, in nearby Pigeon Forge, you will find the popular amusement park of Dollywood, designed by the area’s most famous resident, Dolly Parton.
Commonly known as ‘Music City’ and ‘The Country Music Capital of the World’, Nashville is the ultimate pilgrimage site for music fans from around the globe. Despite its association with a rather honky-tonk, cowboy boot-clad crowd, Nashville has a lesser-known culturally rich and sophisticated side bolstered by a steady influx of young people who ensure that there is constantly something new and innovative going on. Beyond the tourist-focused downtown area, designer stores, hip art galleries, trendy breweries and quirky coffee shops seem to be popping up around the city’s lively neighbourhoods and occupying its gorgeous old Classical and Neoclassical buildings. With its fabulous food scene, rich musical heritage, and wonderful historical sights, Nashville always makes for some captivating and inspiring travel experiences.
Set on the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee, the wild-spirited town of Memphis offers a beguiling blend of Southern tradition and modern efficiency. Aging cotton warehouses stand alongside state-of-the-art new office buildings; old-fashioned paddle wheelers steam upriver past the city's most striking landmark, the gleaming, stainless-steel Pyramid Arena. Legendary music, hearty Southern-style soul food, and incredible vistas come together beautifully here. As the birthplace of blues and the site of much activity in the historical development of rock ‘n roll, Memphis’s musical heritage is just as diverse as its architectural delights. Highlights include the famed jazz, blues and rock ‘n’ roll joints lined up on Beale Street, the heavily storied Sun Studio and of course Elvis Presley’s impressive Graceland mansion.
Situated directly on the iconic Mississippi River, Natchez is one of southwest Mississippi's hidden gems. Oozing Southern charm and incredibly rich in history, Natchez is known for its antebellum mansion, like the unfinished Longwood and the Melrose estate. Fans of American literature can view Richard Wright's childhood home. At the same time, nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike can rent canoes and paddle on the mighty Mississippi, admiring the area's rich birdlife as they go, or join the popular Natchez Trace Parkway cycling route. Finally, the town is home to several trendy shops, bars and restaurants, and the Natchez Brewing Company offers excellent tours and tastings.
Resting at the mouth of the mighty Mississippi River, this truly cosmopolitan city offers a veritable smorgasbord of fascinating cultures. Settlers from as far afield as France, Spain, Africa and the Caribbean arrived here during New Orleans’ heyday as the principal port of the American South. Each group lent something unique to the mix, resulting in a vibrant, bursting-at-the-seams melting pot of old masters, modernists, bohemian street artists and of course the city’s stunning array of museums and galleries. The attractions of New Orleans are the same as they have always been – riding rattling streetcars and the Algiers ferry, steamy jazz in colonial cafes, or simply admiring the stately architecture of the French Quarter. With the allure of its world-renowned cuisine, eclectic architecture and an atmosphere that can only be described as ‘magic’, many visitors are known to come for the spectacle of Mardi Gras and, quite simply, never leave!
Pensacola is located in northwest Florida at the edge of the region known as The Panhandle and is best known for its idyllic white beaches. Nature lovers, fishing enthusiasts, families and sun-worshippers alike will be in their element in beautiful Pensacola Beach, with its calm aquamarine waters, salt-white sand and 450-metre -long pier - perfect for taking in spectacular sunsets! The Pensacola Boardwalk backs the beach and is dotted with shops, restaurants and live music venues. The more remote Perdido Beach is a pristine seaside haven that shelters a wealth of marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles, eagles and a wide array of waterbirds. Besides its beautiful coast, Pensacola also has an incredibly rich historical heritage - it was the site of the very first European settlement in 1559! The Naval Aviation Museum (which features a flight simulator) is a must for military buffs, as is a visit to Fort Barrancas. The Historic Downtown area is excellent to explore on foot, with a stop at the Pensacola Museum of Art being highly recommended.
Montgomery's capital of the southern state of Alabama, is a friendly city with a wealth of historical sights. Playing an important role during the American Civil Rights Movement, the city features several interesting attractions that provide insight into this critical piece of recent history. Begin at the Civil Rights Memorial Centre, a sobering exhibition which details the lives of 40 leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Then head to the Rosa Parks Museum, which features interactive multimedia displays, and the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church, which commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King's contribution to the politics of the time. Finally, for literature fans, the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, housed in the couple's former home, provides some fascinating insight into the artists' troubled relationship.
