Southern Explorer

Tour Information

12nt Tour Begins New York, Ends Miami: 1nt New York; 2nts Washington DC; 1nt Winston; 1nt Cherokee; 1nt Nashville; 1nt Memphis; 2nts New Orleans; 1nt Pensacola; 2nts Orlando;

Southern Explorer takes in some of the best spots in the American south, heading down first to Washington DC after a night in New York. Tour the capital’s major museums and monuments before visiting Civil War battlefields and colonial-era Charlottesville as you approach the Blue Ridge Parkway and Blue Ridge Mountains, then crossing the Great Smoky Mountains to arrive in country and western capital Nashville. Stay on the musical trail in Memphis, home of the blues, and then travel to New Orleans, with its jazz clubs and irrepressible atmosphere, now thriving again and a highlight of a tour of the south. Next you’ll follow the Gulf Coast to sunny Florida, visiting Orlando, Cape Canaverel and Miami.

Day 1

Fly from Dublin - New York
Arrive New York City and transfer independently to your hotel.
Hotel: Doubletree Chelsea

Day 2

New York – Washington, D.C.
Transfer from New York to Washington, D.C.
Hotel: Omni Shoreham Hotel

Day 3

Washington, D.C.
Enjoy a city tour with such highlights as the U.S. Capitol Building, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, the F.B.I. Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House and Arlington National Cemetery, site of the John F. Kennedy Memorial. Spend the remainder of the day exploring some of the many museums comprising the Smithsonian Institute.
Hotel: Omni Shoreham Hotel

Day 4

Washington, D.C. – Charlottesville – Winston/Salem
Depart this morning for Manassas Battlefield, the site of two famous Civil War battles, where much of the landscape still retains its wartime character. Evening at leisure.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Tanglewood

Day 5

Winston/Salem – Blue Ridge – Cherokee
Today, travel along portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway, through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains for an early afternoon arrival in Cherokee, in the heart of North Carolina.
Hotel: Holiday Inn

Day 6

Cherokee – Great Smoky Mountains – Nashville
Enjoy the breathtaking scenery as you visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Explore the Mountain Farm and Museum to glimpse the life of an Appalachian farmer. Continue through Knoxville to Nashville, capital of Tennessee and home to country & western music. This evening, perhaps visit Nashville Palace Restaurant and Dinner Theatre (optional).
Hotel: Guesthouse International

Day 7

Nashville – Memphis
Depart Music City today, traveling across the beautiful Tennessee countryside. Arrive in Memphis, the city known for blues music and cotton, where you will take a city tour including Beale Street, the heart of the blues music scene, as well as the Civil Rights Museum. This afternoon, fans of “The King of Rock and Roll” have the opportunity to tour Graceland, former home of Elvis Presley (optional).
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Memphis

Day 8

Memphis – Jackson – New Orleans
Today’s tour takes you to Mississippi, the Magnolia State. Pass by Jackson, the state capital, and continue to Louisiana and New Orleans — the most exciting city in the South.
Hotel: Hampton Inn Downtown (or Holiday Inn French Quarter)

Day 9

New Orleans
A full day at leisure to take in the French flavor and grandeur of New Orleans. Explore the French Quarter with its trademark wrought iron balconies overlooking the narrow, cobblestone streets which are lined with many fine restaurants and Dixieland jazz clubs. Perhaps take a swamp tour, a relaxed jazz brunch, or just a stroll through this uniquely fascinating city.
Hotel: Hampton Inn Downtown (or Holiday Inn French Quarter)

Day 10

New Orleans – Mobile – Pensacola
This morning, travel along the Mississippi Gulf Coast through Mobile, Alabama to the city of Pensacola. En route visit one of the top 10 rose gardens in America at the Bellingrath Home
(admission included).
Hotel: Hampton Inn Cordova Mall

Day 11

Pensacola – Orlando
Travel through rural Florida to Ocala, known for thoroughbred horse ranches. Continue through central Florida, heart of America’s citrus industry, and on to Orlando for an evening arrival at your hotel.
Hotel: Ramada Inn International

Day 12

Orlando
Day at leisure. Spend the day relaxing by the pool, or visit one of Orlando’s well known attractions, such as Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney/MGM–Studios, or experience Disney’s wildest adventure yet, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park (admissions not included).
Hotel: Ramada Inn International

Day 13

Orlando – Kennedy Space Center – Miami
Passengers can choose to depart today from Orlando or continue the tour onto Miami
Drive to the Kennedy Space Center, home of America’s space program (admission included). The tour of the complex takes you to the launch pad of the Space Shuttle and there will be time to explore the space museum before continuing on. Arrive in Miami by approximately 6pm. Your tour ends upon arrival in Miami.
Independent transfers back to the airport for your return flight.
If returning from Miami today a late evening departure flight is required

Day 14

Arrival back to Dublin

What's Included

• Return scheduled transatlantic flights
• Professional Tour Director Service
• Deluxe air-conditioned Motorcoach Transportation throughout the tour
• Hotel accommodation as per hotels listed above (or similar standard)
• Washington City Tour
• Memphis City Tour
• Bellingrath Home Tour
• Kennedy Space Centre Tour