Day 1 | Arrive in New Orleans, LA

Distance: 0.00 miles / 0.0 km

Arrive at the airport, pick-up rental car and proceed to your hotel. Enjoy your overnight stay in “The Crescent City”. New Orleans is known world?wide for its multicultural and multilingual heritage, cuisine, architecture, music (particularly as the birthplace of jazz), and its annual Mardi Gras and other celebrations and festivals. For this, the city is often referred to as the “most unique” city in America. Around every corner you will find eclectic shops and fine dining. Depending on your time of arrival visit the French Market and find treasures of food, antiques and crafts. Make sure to sample a beignet, the state doughnut of Louisiana. The center of the French Quarter is Jackson Square. Musicians, artists, mimes, tarot card readers and entertainers set up in front of St. Louis Cathedral on the square each day, creating an animated street scene. At night stroll down famous Bourbon Street, where the heart of jazz lives in New Orleans. You will likely hear this music in the streets and pouring out of the many nightclubs and bars. If you’re feeling fortunate, you might want to visit the casino and try your luck at Las Vegas style gambling.

Accommodations: (STD) Holiday Inn Downtown or similar (2 nights) (SUP) Maison Dupuy or similar (2 nights)

Day 2 | New Orleans,LA

Distance: 0.00 miles / 0.0 km

Today is yours to explore this historical city. Ride on the legendary St. Charles Street Car Line for an amazing view of the city’s architectural wonders. Along its route you will also pass through the Garden Distict, the second largest historic district in the country. This elegant neighborhood is home to lovely southern homes and lined with parks and cafes. Some of the historic homes are available for touring. Enjoy a riverboat excursion on the Mississippi, a swamp tour through the famous bayou, or a carriage ride tour of the French Quarter. Visit The Presbytere Museum for an insider look at Mardi Gras from its origins to the present day. In the evening, you must visit Pat O’Brien’s for their world?famous hurricane cocktails in the beautiful courtyard and sing?along in the patio bar. Another important stop tonight is at the legendary Preservation Hall for some traditional New Orleans Jazz. .

Day 3 | New Orleans – Lafayette, LA

Distance: 136.00 miles / 218.8 km

Depart New Orleans early this morning and travel west to Lafayette. This city, doubed “the heartbeat of Acadiana”, is where you can trully feel the pulse of Cajun Country. This cultural oasis on the bayou blends contemporary sophistication of a cosmopolitan city with a unique heritage and culture hard to find anywhere this side of Europe. Visit the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve, Acadian Cultural Center for a complete understanding of Cajun Country; admission is free. Another great venue to learn the history of the Acadian and Creole people is the 23?acre Vermillion Heritage and Folklife Park. This evening, further immerse yourself in the unique cultures of the area by visiting Mulate’s “The Original Cajun Restaurant”, Prejean’s Restaurant, or Randol’s Restaurant & Cajun Dancehall. These three dancehall/restaurants are known for serving delicious cajun and creole foods along with cajun and Zydeco music and dancing.

Accommodations: (STD) Juliet Boutique Hotel or similar (1night) (SUP) Hilton Lafayette or similar (1 night)

Day 4 | Lafayette – St. Francisville, LA

Distance: 86.00 miles / 138.4 km

This morning concider participating in the Atchafalaya Experience before departing to St. Francisville. Once there take a walking tour of the Historic District as well as paying a visit to the West Feliciana Historic District Museum on Ferdinand Street. Six historic plantation homes are open for tours in this area; Oakley House, Butler Greenwood Plantation, Cottage Plantation, Greenwood Plantation, Rosedown Plantation and the Myrtles Plantation where an overnight stay has been arrranged for you.

Accommodations: (STD & SUP) Myrtles Plantation* (1 night) *Due to the uniqueness of this area both categories will enjoy the same accommodations at Myrtles Plantation.

Day 5 | St. Francisville – Natchez, MS

Distance: 62.00 miles / 99.8 km

Continue exploring the traditions of the Old South as you drive toward Natchez, the oldest permanent settlement on the Mississippi River. This historic city is known for the preservation of many antebellum homes. Visit the historic downtown where several local businesses offer walking tours. Tour the Longwood Plantation, Monmouth Plantation, or Stanton Hall built circa 1857. Stanton Hall is one of the most magnificent palatial residences of antebellum America. The interior contains original furnishings and Natchez antiques. Make sure to taste a local favorite, the pecan. Below the town lies Natchez Underthe? Hill, once a haven for all things inappropriate, now home to many bars and restaurants. Here you will also find a riverboat casino.

Accommodations: (STD) Days Inn Natchez (1 night) (SUP) Natchez Eola or similar (1 night)

Day 6 | Natchez – Vicksburg, MS

Distance: 72.00 miles / 115.8 km

Leave Natchez behind and travel to Vicksburg. For over five decades of the 1800s, Vicksburg was the center for the aristocracy whose wealth was based on cotton and lumber. A glimpse of its former glory is evidenced by the preservation of many historic churches (two containing Tiffany stained glass windows), government buildings and grand homes, dating to the 19th Century. Visit the Old Court House Museum, home to over 15,000 artifacts dating from pre?Columbian times to present day. Take a tour the magnificent historic homes and gardens. For the history buff, there is the 1,800?acre Vicksburg National Military Park, America’s most monumented national military park. The Vicksburg Battlefield Museum, just east of the military park, features models of gunboats, the film “Vanishing Glory” which tells about civilian life during the siege as well as a diorama depicting the Siege of Vicksburg. Historic Downtown Vicksburg offers a variety of restaurants specialty shops and art galleries. You’ll also find The Corner Drug Store with an engaging collection of Civil War artifacts; the Biedenharn Coca?Cola® Museum where Coca?Cola® was first bottled in 1894; and the Antique Doll and Toy Museum.

Accommodations: (STD) Quality Inn & Suites Vicksburg or similar (1 night) (SUP) Cedar Grove Mansion or similar (1 night)

Day 7 | Vicksburg – Greenwood, MS

Distance: 100.00 miles / 160.9 km

Depart Vicksburg northbound to Greenwood. Take a tour of downtown; most buildings found here are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visit the Greenwood Blues Heritage Museum or follow the Mississippi Blues Trails markers for an unforgettable journey into the land that spawned the single most important root source of modern popular music. In the evening visit the legendary Alluvian Hotel on Howard Street for the famous Happy Hour at the Lobby Lounge. Enjoy dinner tonight at one of the city’s historic restaurants such as Giardina’s, Lusco’s, or Crystal Grill (Superior category guests will be staying at this hotel).

Accommodations: (STD) Hampton Inn Greenwood or similar (1night) (SUP) Alluvian Resort or similar (1 night)

Day 8 | Greenwood – Memphis, TN

Distance: 131.00 miles / 210.8 km

Drive to Memphis this morning, home of the blues. Your first stop must be Graceland, Elvis Presley’s 14? acre estate. Visit the “Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll” at Sun Studios. Enjoy a fascinating tour and listen to audio presentations of some of the earliest recordings made there. After that, visit the original studio itself, the exact same room where the likes of Johnny Cash and Elvis recorded their first tracks. City sightseeing tours are offered by paddleboat, carriage and motor coach. Stroll down historic Beale Street where blues has been playing for more than half a century. This historic entertainment capital has something for everyone, whether you want to listen to music or sample southern barbecue.

Accommodations: (STD) Red Roof Inn West Memphis or similar (1night) (SUP) Elvis Presleys Heartbreak Hotel or similar (1 night)

Day 9 | Memphis – Nashville, TN

Distance: 211.00 miles / 339.5 km

Depart Memphis this morning and drive toward Nashville, better known as Music City, USA. Nashville is the heart and soul of country music. Take the time to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It presents a vast collection to illustrate the story of country music told through two centuries. Enjoy historic country video clips and recorded music, dynamic exhibits and state?of?the?art design. Also visit Historic RCA Studio B, “The Home of 1,000 Hits.” Get an up?close look at what was once the second home of music legends Elvis Presley, Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton and more. Over 35,000 songs were recorded here. For a slightly different side of Nashville, see the Parthenon, the world’s only full?scale reproduction of the famous Greek temple. Nashville’s Parthenon stands in Centennial Park and features both the city’s art museum and Athena Parthenos. At almost 42 feet in height, Athena Parthenos is the tallest indoor sculpture in the Western world. This evening consider a dinner cruise on a paddlewheel riverboat or a dinner theatre experience, both offering exceptional entertainment and cuisine.

Accommodations: (STD) Ramada Inn Nashville or similar (1night) (SUP) Millenium Maxwell House or similar (1 night)

Day 10 | Nashville – Gatlinburg, TN

Distance: 217.00 miles / 349.2 km

Continue to Gatlinburg today. Amid the splendor of the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg embodies the simple goodness of small town life. Stand in awe of nature''s glory as you fill your spirits, seek inspiration, and continue on your journey. This mountain resort town is one of the premier tourist destinations in the USA; it is best known as the north gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Other than the park''s outdoor activities, the city of Gatlinburg offers great shopping and fine dining. For a bird’s eye view of the scenery, ride the sky lift to the top of Crockett Mountain.

Accommodations: (STD) Glenstone Lodge* or similar (2 nights) (SUP) Bearskin Lodge* or similar (2 nights) *Accommodations in this area are rustic which allows for a real in?touch?with?nature experience.

Day 11 | Great Smoky Mountain National Park

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker''s paradise with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short leg?stretchers to strenuous treks that may require backcountry camping. But hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies. Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world''s temperate zone. The park is also a world?renowned preserve of wildflower diversity—over 1,660 kinds of flowering plants are found here, more than in any other North American national park.

Day 12 | Gatlinburg – Atlanta, GA

Distance: 225.00 miles / 362.0 km

Leave Gatlinburg’s natural beauty behing and drive toward Atlanta, Georgia, “The Peach State.” While this city is the State’s capital, Atlanta still welcomes visitors with the same southern hospitality of a small town. It is a bustling big city with the past and present colliding. Visit Atlanta neighborhoods like the quaint Midtown and luxurious Buckhead; both filled with interesting shops and restaurants.

Accommodations: (STD) Days Inn Downtown or similar (2 nights) (SUP) Westin Atlanta or similar (2 nights)

Day 13 | Atlanta,GA

Distance: 0.00 miles / 0.0 km

Today is yours to explore all this great southern city has to offer. Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and Sweet Auburn District. Here you will find The King Center and the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. Exhibits tell the story of the Civil Rights Movement. The Roswell Historic district has a visitor center and several antebellum homes that can be toured. Taste the past and present of Coca?Cola products at the NEW World of Coca?Cola. Enjoy a movie experience and taste brands from around the world. Experience Inside CNN Atlanta and see global news in the making. Take a tour and go behind the scenes to see how a production comes together. View television broadcast innovations and the technology that makes global news?gathering a reality. Just east of the city lies Stone Mountain. This is the world''s largest exposed granite monolith with a relief carving of Confederate heroes, surrounded by attractions and recreation in a natural environment.

Day 14 | Atlanta – Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, GA

Distance: 14.00 miles / 22.5 km

Enjoy this final day of taking in the charm and hospitality of the Deep South. Depart at leisure for the Atlanta International Airport. Drop-off Rental Car