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: Hutton Hotel (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: Hutton Hotel (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 Vicksburg, Mississippi – 250 miles

Leave Memphis this morning and drive south to the historic city of Vicksburg. Best known as being an important site of a Civil War battle you may wish to tour the Vicksburg National Military Park and the infamous battle site of 1863. Alternatively, embark on a walking tour along the Heritage Walking Trail to see some of the 35 historical landmarks or explore one of the city’s many museums. (N)

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

Day 7 Vicksburg to New Orleans, Louisiana – 207 miles

Depart Vicksburg in the morning and travel further south to New Orleans via the beautiful Great River Road. You might choose to make a slight detour via the New Orleans Plantation Country en route. Here you can join a swamp tour or visit a historical plantation before continuing your journey to New Orleans. 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: Le Pavillon Hotel (or similar)

Day 8 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: Le Pavillon Hotel (or similar)

Day 9 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 10 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 11 Houston

Today enjoy a full day of leisure exploring Houston. Visit the educational Space Center which is the leading science and space learning centre in the world, the excellent Houston Museum of Fine Arts that features an exquisite sculpture garden or one of the city’s leafy parks. Head to Discovery Green Park with live music, public art and kayaking, and in the evening experience true Texan style dining at one of the city’s many restaurants. (N)

Accommodation in Houston: The Whitehall (or similar)

Day 12 Houston to Austin – 162 miles

Today you’ll drive around three hours until you reach Austin. Priding itself on being the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin is renowned for its eclectic music scene centred mainly around country, rock and blues. It is also the state capital of Texas and any visit to Austin should include a visit to the impressive Texas State Capitol building. (N)

Accommodation in Austin: Hilton Garden Inn (or similar)

Day 13 Austin

Today enjoy a day at leisure to discover this contemporary city. Head to the unique Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, home to the world's largest urban bat colony where approximately 1.5 million take to the sky at dusk each evening from March through to November. Take a dip in the city’s three-acre Barton Springs swimming pool or enjoy a paddle on Lady Bird Lake’s serene reservoir. Austin is also known for its exciting food scene and throughout the city you’ll find many inviting food trucks and restaurants serving anything from gourmet donuts to Korean barbecue. (N)

Accommodation in Austin: Hilton Garden Inn (or similar)

Day 14 Austin to Dallas – 195 miles

Today you will drive for around three and a half 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 15 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 16 Dallas to the UK

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

Self-Drive: The Deep South and Texas

16 days from £2900 per person

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Pettitts guide to price for this itinerary would be £2900 per person

Itinerary: Self-Drive: The Deep South and Texas

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