Southern Explorer
Southern Explorer
Southern Explorer
14 Days Starting in New York, NY, USA and ending in Miami, FL, USA
Visiting: New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Williamsburg, Roanoke, Blue Ridge Mountains, Gatlinburg, Great Smoky Mountains, Nashville, Memphis, Jackson, New Orleans, Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola, Orlando, Kennedy Space Center, Miami
Tour operator:
Tour code:
USE
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 55
Physical rating:
Low, Easy
Age range:
18-39
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$4286
$2501 (USD)
Operator discount: -$1714
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$71
-42%
Tour Overview
Discover the best cities of the Eastern USA from New York all the way to Miami on a 14-day journey, getting to the bottom of the American spirit with guided tours in every destination. The Southern Explorer trip is perfect for those who have a cultural inclination, making a stop at the country’s iconic cities of music, arts, and European heritage. Once you experience the plethora of sights in New York and Washington D.C., head inland, and pass through the grand Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains. Taking in the views, arrive at the legendary music city Nashville and feel the country groove at its best. Memphis will change the tunes to blues and rock and roll, where you will get to trace the footsteps of the world’s most iconic musician, Elvis Presley. Revel in the unique and frisky culture of New Orleans and enjoy Florida’s modern attractions.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: New York
Location: New York
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Martinique NY on Broadway – 4 Star
Meals Included: No Meals
Welcome to New York City! Meet your group and tour leader in the evening for an informal welcome at the hotel.
Until then, feel free to roam the famed streets of New York like a local or rest up for our great adventure ahead!
Day 2: New York – Philadelphia – Washington D.C.
Location: New York, Philadelphia, Washington
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Washington Hilton – 4 Star (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
We depart New York for Philadelphia, where we spend the morning exploring the gorgeous historic district of the “City of Brotherly Love” and the birthplace of a nation.
See landmarks such as the Liberty Bell, and stroll through Independence National Historic Park and Mall.
Then continue to the nation's iconic capital, Washington, D.
C.
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Independence Hall
Sightseeing of Liberty Bell
Day 3: Washington D.C.
Location: Washington
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Washington Hilton – 4 Star (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
Ready to explore the capital inside out? Tag along your expert guide to learn all about the marvellous sights such as the U.
S.
Capitol Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House and Arlington National Cemetery, site of the JFK Memorial.
Enjoy your personal leisure time in the afternoon, perhaps visit some of the many museums including the famous Smithsonian Institute or simply stroll the banks of the Potomac River.
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Washington D.
C.
Day 4: Washington, D.C. - Williamsburg - Roanoke
Location: Washington, Williamsburg, Roanoke
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Tanglewood – 3 Star (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
Our journey continues to Willamsburg, Virginia's colonial capital.
Visit the the Duke of Gloucester Street and discover the city's impressive public buildings, authentic colonial houses and the college of William and Mary.
Then we ride inland towards Roanoke, where we spend the night.
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Williamsburg
Day 5: Roanoke - Blue Ridge Mountains - Great Smoky Mountains - Gatlinburg
Location: Roanoke, Blue Ridge Mountains, Gatlinburg, Great Smoky Mountains
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Edgewater Hotel & Conference Center – 3 Star (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
Watch the charming landscape as we drive along the Blue Ridge Mountains, setting up the scene for the fascinating Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
In the afternoon, we arrive in Gatlinburg with abundant evening time to spend at your leisure.
Explore the unique resturants and cafes on the high street before a refreshing rest at the hotel.
Included Activities
Panoramic Sightseeing of Great Smoky Mountains
Day 6: Gatlinburg - Nashville
Location: Gatlinburg, Nashville
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Inn at Opryland, A Gaylord Hotel – 3 Star (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, our adventure takes us through Knoxville, the third largest city of Tennessee, to Music City USA, Nashville! Arriving early in the afternoon, absorb the buzing music scene and the modern skyline of the city at your own tempo.
Day 7: Nashville - Memphis
Location: Nashville, Memphis
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown – 3 Star (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
Without skipping a beat, we travel on to Memphis! The city is acclaimed for blues music and home to the legendary Sun Records, where immortal artists as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash recorded albums.
Take a tour of the city with your guide to explore Beale Street, the ever-beating heart of blues.
In the afternoon, you can join an optional tour to Graceland, the former home of the one and only Elvis Presley.
Included Activities
Memphis City Tour
Optional Activities
Graceland Tour
Day 8: Memphis - Jackson - New Orleans
Location: Memphis, Jackson, New Orleans
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hilton New Orleans Riverside – 4 Star (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
We delve further south and into Mississippi, the 'Magnolia State'.
Driving through the state capital, Jackson, we continue to Lousiana and New Orleans.
See up close the home of the infamous costume parade on Mardi Gras and why New Orleans is called the 'Big Easy'.
Enjoy round-the-clock nightlife, a buzzing live-music scene and spicy, fascinating heritage with influences of American, French and African cultures.
In the evening, you can familiarise yourself with the Creole culture on an optional Mississippi Riverboat dinner cruise with live tunes by a Dixieland jazz band.
Optional Activities
Mississippi Riverboat dinner cruise
Day 9: New Orleans
Location: New Orleans
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hilton New Orleans Riverside – 4 Star (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
The day is yours to enjoy at leisure! Soak in the French flavor and splendor of New Orleans oozing in the air.
Venture the French Quarter with its distinctive iron balconies hanging over narrow streets of cobblestone.
Climb atop an infamous New Orleans levee to grasp how these unique engineering projects safeguard the city against nature.
Frequent one of the trendy live music venues.
Day 10: New Orleans - Gulf Of Mexico - Pensacola
Location: New Orleans, Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Courtyard by Marriott Pensacola – 3 Star (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
Following the Mississippi Gulf Coast through Mobile, we travel to the city of Pensacola.
Here we will take a tour of one of the top 10 rose gardens in the United States, the Bellingrath Home! Then, visit Pensacola Beach to roam among sea oats dancing in the wind and dip your toes in the warm turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Included Activities
The Bellingrath Home visit
Sightseeing of Pensacola Beach
Day 11: Pensacola - Orlando
Location: Pensacola, Orlando
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Delta Hotels Orlando Celebration – 3 Star
Meals Included: No Meals
We continue east towards central Florida taking a panoramic route through Ocala, a region renowned for thoroughbred horses and fields of citrus.
Our next stop will be the fantasyland of thrilling entertainment, Orlando! Arrive in Orlando around 6pm, explore the town on your terms and have a good night's rest for an adventrous day tomorrow.
Accommodation
Holiday Inn & Suites Orlando SW - Celebration Area - 3 Star (or similar)
Included Activities
Panoramic Sightseeing of Ocala
Day 12: Orlando
Location: Orlando
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Delta Hotels Orlando Celebration – 3 Star
Meals Included: No Meals
Make the most of Orlando, the 'City Beautiful' for yourself! You can explore the city in depth, recharge by the pool, or up the adrenaline with a visit to one of Orlando's world-famous attractions such as Universal Studios, Walt Disney World or Sea World!
Day 13: Orlando - Kennedy Space Center - Miami
Location: Orlando, Kennedy Space Center, Miami
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Miami Beach-Oceanfront – 3 Star (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
Departing sunny Orlando, we ride on to the distinguished Kennedy Space Center, home of United States' space programme! Visit the centre in fascination of the amazing feats accomplished with tremendous efforts to expand humanity's horizon.
We continue to Miami to land on the famous Miami Beach, always vibrant and diverse! We will arrive at the hotel around 7pm, enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Included Activities
Kennedy Space Center visit
Day 14: Miami
Location: Miami
Meals Included: No Meals
Our trip will end in Miami after we bid our farewells and check-out of the hotel by 11:00am.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 & 3 star hotels
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Meals
1 Breakfast
-
Transportation
A/C coach or mini-bus
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Tour Guiding
Services of experienced tour leaders
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Orientation Walks
Organised orientation walks at some of the towns visited
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Free Wi-Fi
Complimentary hotel and coach Wi-Fi ( where available )
What's Not Included
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Any flights not mentioned above
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Travel Insurance
-
Meals not stated above
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Items of a personal nature
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Tips and gestures
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Entrance fees to the sights and museums
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Optional activities
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Other services not stated in the itinerary
Add Ons
Local Payment: £0
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No
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What is the maximum group size?
Maximum group size is 55
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No passenger under the age of 21
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
There are always single travellers on our tours. If you don't mind being roomed with another single traveller of the same gender, then you do not need to pay a single supplement, however, this excludes all of our North American tours where the sharing option for a solo traveller is not available, and the single supplement must be applied if you are travelling alone. The single supplement is for travellers who would like to stay in a private room for the duration of the tour. PLEASE NOTE: The single private option is not always available, especially for sailing tours and camping.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our tours are suitable for any traveller above 18 years old. The majority of Travel Talkers are from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada or Europe, however we always have travellers from all over the world. What brings them together is a passion for travel, discovering authentic cultures and experiencing unique adventures with like-minded travellers.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Travel Talk, we believe that travel is a force for good and show our support through various initiatives and charity organizations, as well as keeping the principals of responsible and sustainable travel at the core of our ethos. These values are engrained in our business culture and the design of our trips just the same. Together with our guests, we strive to make a positive impact on local p
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 20 years
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
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Friday - Thursday
May 24, 2024 - Jun 06, 2024Friday - Thursday
Jun 07, 2024 - Jun 20, 2024Friday - Thursday
Jun 21, 2024 - Jul 04, 2024Friday - Thursday
Jul 19, 2024 - Aug 01, 2024Friday - Thursday
Aug 16, 2024 - Aug 29, 2024Friday - Thursday
Sep 20, 2024 - Oct 03, 2024Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Travel Talk Tours allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 61 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Travel Talk Tours requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel talk tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 85% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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