Self-Drive: The Deep South and Texas

Day 1 UK to Atlanta, Georgia

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international flight to Atlanta, Georgia. On arrival you will collect your hire car from the airport and drive to your hotel. Atlanta offers a delightful blend of art, music and culture, making it the perfect spot to start your Deep South and Texas road trip adventure. Visit jazz bars in underground Atlanta, pass contemporary buildings on your way to the Martin Luther King Centre or take a tour of the CNN Centre. (N)

Accommodation in Atlanta: Hotel Clermont (or similar)

Day 2 Atlanta to Nashville, Tennessee – 250 miles

Today you will leave Atlanta behind as you hit the wide open road, driving four hours north to Nashville. The drive will take you through Chattanooga, where you may like to stop and enjoy the Lookout Mountain attractions, including the incline railway, Rock City and the unusual underground Ruby Falls. (N)

Accommodation in Nashville: Homewood Suites by Hilton (or similar)

Day 3 Nashville

Nashville is a welcoming metropolis, where despite a reputation for country music isn’t as rural as you might think. It’s an urban jungle with stylish skyscrapers, high-end hotels and chic restaurants sprinkled with an easy-going lifestyle. Whilst here, be sure to check out the Grand Ole Opry, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, enjoy quintessential Tennessee sweet treats such as goo-goo clusters or get your country groove on at one of the many bars in Downtown Nashville. (N)

Accommodation in Nashville: Homewood Suites by Hilton (or similar)

Day 4 Nashville to Memphis, Tennessee – 209 miles

From country music to rock and roll, today you will drive for around three and a half hours to Memphis, the iconic city that Elvis Presley called home. Memphis has a musical soul and deep-rooted history - slavery and plantations, the American Civil War and the Civil Rights movement, creating an intriguing mix of old and new. (N)

Accommodation in Memphis: The Guest House at Graceland (or similar)

Day 5 Memphis

Spend today exploring Memphis’ musical heritage; guitar fans can take a tour of the Gibson factory, stroll along the iconic Beale Street and visit Graceland, the Presley family estate. Make time to fit in a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum, where you can learn about how the improvements to society since desegregation in the area. The museum is also located in the old Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968. (N)

Accommodation in Memphis: Hampton Inn & Suites (or similar)

Day 6 Memphis to New Orleans, Louisiana – 395 miles

Today you will drive for around 6 hours, winding your way alongside the Mississippi river to New Orleans. You might choose to break up the journey by stopping for a bite to eat and stretching your legs in the soulful city of Jackson, or historical Vicksburg. New Orleans is a cosmopolitan city whose identity has been formed over years of cultural influences; Spanish architecture, French language, Caribbean soul, rhythmic African beats and Cajun American cuisine. (N)

Accommodation in New Orleans: The Higgins Hotel (or similar)

Day 7 New Orleans

New Orleans is brimming with charisma, from its vibrant music scene, tantalising cuisine and rich history, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into today. You might choose to take a steamboat cruise along the Mississippi River, relax in one of the various jazz bars along Bourbon Street or enjoy a coffee at the legendary Café du Monde in Jackson Square. (N)

Accommodation in New Orleans: The Higgins Hotel (or similar)

Day 8 New Orleans to Lafayette, Louisiana – 135 miles

Today you will drive for around two hours, passing through Louisiana’s ‘plantation country’ and Baton Rouge until you reach Lafayette, the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole culture. You might choose to head into the centre of town where you can visit the Lafayette Museum and Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Alternatively, take a drive out of town to visit the Arcadian Cultural Centre and Village. (N)

Accommodation in Lafayette: Homewood Suites by Hilton (or similar)

Day 9 Lafayette to Houston, Texas - 217 miles

Today you will drive for around three and a half hours, crossing the border into Texas until you reach Houston, home to the NASA Space Centre, innovative attractions and the Texan Cowboy swagger. You might choose to make your way to the tree-lined museum district, spending a few hours popping in and out of museums before taking your pick of the city’s diverse restaurant scene. (N)

Accommodation in Houston: The Whitehall (or similar)

Day 10 Houston

Your time in Houston wouldn’t be complete if you didn’t dedicate a whole day to visiting the NASA Space Centre for a behind-the-scenes tour. Here you will experience futuristic space technology, go inside the massive aircraft shuttle, touch moon rock and see how space suits have developed over the years. (N)

Accommodation in Houston: The Whitehall (or similar)

Day 11 Houston to San Antonio, Texas – 197 miles

Today you’ll drive around 3 hours until you reach San Antonio, a charming colonial city that’s home to the Alamo, one of Texas’ most visited historic landmarks. Explore La Villita, San Antonio’s original settlement which is now a National Historic District and go for a walk to the attractive Riverwalk area where you’ll find a variety of bars and restaurants, we recommend trying Tex-Mex cuisine, which is iconic to this area. (N)

Accommodation in San Antonio: Crockett Hotel (or similar)

Day 12 San Antonio to Dallas, Texas - 274 miles

Today you will drive for around 5 hours until you reach Dallas, home to the infamous super bowl and Texas’ most famous city. There’s a vibrant art scene in Dallas, high-end shopping, bars with rodeo’s set up inside them and plenty of BBQ restaurants to fill your boots. The locals are friendly, welcoming and love their sport, so try and catch a Dallas Cowboys NFL game whilst you’re in town. (N)

Accommodation in Dallas: Magnolia Hotel (or similar)

Day 13 Dallas

Today is free for you to explore Dallas at your own pace. Visit the infamous Dealey Plaza where John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, the Dallas Museum of Art or the unique Pioneer Plaza where you’ll find a herd of sculptured bronze cattle. Make sure you save room for a corndog and take a trip to Wild Bill’s Western Store if you fancy taking home a pair of custom made cowboy boots. Alternatively, you might choose to drive out to Fort Worth, a Wild & Western city in comparison to contemporary Dallas. Here you’ll find wooden sidewalks and false front buildings, visit the historical Stockyard District and enjoy the easy going cowboy culture. (N)

Accommodation in Dallas: Magnolia Hotel (or similar)

Day 14 Dallas to the UK

This morning you will drive to Dallas International Airport where you will drop off your hire car and board your domestic flight to Atlanta and onward international flight back to the UK. (N)

Day 15 Arrive UK

Today you will arrive back into the UK, where you will continue your journey home. (N)

Self-Drive: The Deep South and Texas

15 days from £2400 per person

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Itinerary: Self-Drive: The Deep South and Texas

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