New York to Miami

Day 1 New York (Newark)
Welcome to the USA. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting in the hotel lobby at 6 pm. If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details, food kitty and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. If you arrive a couple of days earlier to see the sights (recommended), we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Consider doing a one-day sightseeing tour of New York by visiting: urbanadventures.com.

Day 2 Washington DC
Today, drive south towards the nation's capital of Washington DC, stopping at Philadelphia on the way for a quick look at some of the highlights of the Old City, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the 'Rocky' steps. After touring around Philly, continue onto DC. The total driving time from New York to Washington DC will take about seven hours.

Day 3 Washington DC
Today is a free to explore Washington DC, with the city being easily discovered on foot. To see as much as you can today, it may be an idea to get a map and make a plan. Choose from any of DC’s almost 100 world-class museums – the National Air and Space Museum, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, and the Newseum are just a few. There are also many other small fascinating museums hidden around the city. The city is overflowing with iconic monuments and buildings, so don’t miss the White House, Capitol Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Monument, FDR and Jefferson Memorials. You’ll most likely do a lot of walking today, so maybe reward yourself with a relaxing evening.

Day 4 Appalachian Mountains
Journey into the breathtaking scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountains (500 km). Shenandoah National Park is one of the highest and most scenic portions of the Appalachian Mountains. Taking the Skyline Drive along the crest of the mountains, travel through deep woods and past spectacular vistas. Stop to stretch your legs under the impressive oak trees and admire the gorgeous views. Later in the afternoon, drive to your campsite for the night. Total driving today will take around eight hours including stops.

Day 5 Nashville
Drive for around six hours further south today to Nashville, Tennessee. Once settled into the campground perhaps visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, which contains the golden Cadillac that once belonged to Elvis. Another point of interest is Music Row, where more than 50 recording studios and approximately 200 music publishing houses are located. The Wildhorse Saloon is a great spot in the evening to experience authentic southern food and live music.

Day 6 Memphis
Head west this morning to Memphis, which should take around four hours. Just out of the city you can visit Graceland, Elvis Presley's former home and the site of his tomb. Here you can see the famous jungle room, as well as his cars, private planes and much more. In the evening, consider heading down to check out Beale Street's traditional blues clubs, made famous by legends such as W.C Handy, Howlin' Wolf and B.B. King. For those with an interest in history, there's the National Civil Rights Museum (at the former Lorraine Motel) where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. If you have time, a must-see in Memphis is Sun Studio - the 'Birthplace of Rock'. It boasts the first recordings of legendary performers like Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Day 7 New Orleans
Today make the long drive across the state of Mississippi to New Orleans - the 'Big Easy' (approximately 6.5 hours). Founded by French traders in 1718, there are many layers of history in this city and its many attractions combine to make it one of the most visited cities in the USA – a trend that was momentarily halted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Use your free time in the late afternoon/evening getting to know the city. An eclectic mix of European, Creole and Cajun culture manifests in the city's architecture, cuisine and music scene. Possibly take a walk down rowdy Bourbon Street or through the former plantation area of the Garden District.

Day 8 New Orleans
Today is a free day for you to explore New Orleans. There's a welcome meeting at 6 pm to introduce the second leg of your trip, so please make sure you attend this. Before the meeting, perhaps head out on one of the many optional activities in the city. If the weather is nice, venture out on a Mississippi Riverboat Cruise, comb the French Market among the shops and flea markets or take a walk around the Preservation Hall for a history in jazz. In the evening, try some of the Cajun style food and beignets that New Orleans is famous for.

Day 9 Panama City Beach
It's quite a long drive today to Panama City Beach, which should take around six hours. Once there, the best way to recover is to flop on some of the 27 miles of white sand beach, or go for a dip in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Panama City Beach is also renowned for its night clubs and parties, so if you have enough energy left at the end of the day you may choose to hit the town.

Day 10 Orlando
Leave Panama City Beach behind today as we head in the the heart of Florida to Orlando! With its large Latino population, including many from Cuba, Orlando has an exciting and varied nightlife, as well as a plethora of shops and outlet malls. If there's time on arrival, you may like to go out and explore the town.

Day 11 Orlando
Today is a free day to explore Orlando's famous amusement parks and attractions. Most people opt for Walt Disney World or Universal Studios, but there are a host of other parks that might take your fancy. Islands of Adventure is one of the world's best theme parks and if the weather is nice, Orlando has a handful of water parks such as Wet'n Wild, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Each park is a full day's worth of action, so choose wisely.

Day 12 Key West
Get comfortable today for a long drive to Key West, which can take up to eight hours. As Florida's southernmost point, you'll travel across the Oversees Highway to this little slice of American paradise. On arrival to the island city, use your free time to recharge.  Later head down to Mallory Square waterfront to watch the sunset and enjoy the nightly festivities.

Day 13 Key West
Today is free to explore. Key West is a town that has long been a haven for artists. The local area is famous for its pastel houses and laid-back attitude, and this combines to give the whole area a bohemian and relaxed feel. With the tip of Key West sitting around 90 miles north of Cuba, the water is warm and perfect for snorkelling and swimming among the reefs.

Day 14 Miami
Drive back across the Overseas Highway this morning to Miami, which will take around four hours. Get another fix of sandy beaches and glorious sunshine down at SoBe (South Beach) before your trip comes to an end. No accommodation is provided tonight. If you do wish to spend extra time in Miami we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).  Should you decide to fly out on this day, please don't book a flight before 8pm. This will give you enough time to catch a shuttle from the finishing hotel to the airport and be there two hours before departure. If you are staying in town for the evening, South Beach is also great to stroll the art deco seafront or pose with the beautiful people in ultra-cool nightspots.