Southern Explorer

Southern Explorer

2,345 Views
14 Days From

$4376

$2292

Southern Explorer

14 Days Starting in New York and ending in Miami

Visiting: USA

Tour operator:

Travel Talk Tours

Tour code:

USE

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 55

Physical rating:

Low, Easy

Age range:

18-59

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing

From: $4376 $2292 Operator discount: -$1969 Travel Club discount: -$114 -48%

NB: Prices correct on 19-Sep-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

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

  • Visit a mixture of historic and cultural landmarks with your local guide in the most recognized cities of the eastern half of the USA in 14 days.

  • Stay in the comfort of 3 & 4-star hotels with central locations and great facilities. Spend less time on the road with the carefully designed itinerary.

  • Wander among the historic symbols of Washington D.C. for a visual tour of America’s revolutionary history and learn the stories from your guide.

  • Spend a night in the mountainous town of Gatlinburg watching the night sky revolve over the Great Smoky Mountains. Feel free to explore the picturesque alleys of the town at your own pace.

  • You can choose to immerse in the local culture with an optional cruise on an authentic Mississippi River Boat. The quirky charm of New Orleans will put a spell on you over 2 nights.

  • Take an optional and very much-needed tour of Graceland, the famed home of Elvis, or feel the memory of countless musicians as you stroll down Beale Street in the legendary Memphis.

  • Spend a free day in Orlando, pay a visit to Disneyland if you wish, and engage in the thumping atmosphere of the sun-kissed Miami beach.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: New York

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!



Accommodation

Martinique NY on Broadway - 4 Star

Day 2: New York – Philadelphia – Washington D.C.

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.





Accommodation

Washington Hilton - 4 Star (or similar)

Included Activities

Sightseeing of Independence Hall

Sightseeing of Liberty Bell

Day 3: Washington D.C.

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.





Accommodation

Washington Hilton - 4 Star (or similar)

Included Activities

Sightseeing of Washington D.

C.



Day 4: Washington, D.C. - Williamsburg - Roanoke

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.





Accommodation

Holiday Inn Tanglewood - 3 Star (or similar)

Included Activities

Sightseeing of Williamsburg

Day 5: Roanoke - Blue Ridge Mountains - Great Smoky Mountains - Gatlinburg

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.





Accommodation

Edgewater Hotel & Conference Center - 3 Star (or similar)

Included Activities

Panoramic Sightseeing of Great Smoky Mountains

Day 6: Gatlinburg - Nashville

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.





Accommodation

The Inn at Opryland, A Gaylord Hotel - 3 Star (or similar)

Meals Included

Breakfast

Day 7: Nashville - Memphis

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.





Accommodation

Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown - 3 Star (or similar)

Included Activities

Memphis City Tour

Optional Activities

Graceland Tour

Day 8: Memphis - Jackson - New Orleans

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.





Accommodation

Hilton New Orleans Riverside - 4 Star (or similar)

Optional Activities

Mississippi Riverboat dinner cruise

Day 9: New Orleans

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.





Accommodation

Hilton New Orleans Riverside - 4 Star (or similar)

Day 10: New Orleans - Gulf Of Mexico - Pensacola

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.





Accommodation

Courtyard by Marriott Pensacola - 3 Star (or similar)

Included Activities

The Bellingrath Home visit

Sightseeing of Pensacola Beach

Day 11: Pensacola - Orlando

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

Delta Hotels Orlando Celebration - 3 Star

Included Activities

Panoramic Sightseeing of Ocala

Day 12: Orlando

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!



Accommodation

Delta Hotels Orlando Celebration - 3 Star

Day 13: Orlando - Kennedy Space Center - Miami

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.





Accommodation

Holiday Inn Miami Beach-Oceanfront - 3 Star (or similar)

Included Activities

Kennedy Space Center visit

Day 14: Miami

Our trip will end in Miami after we bid our farewells and check-out of the hotel by 11:00am.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    4 & 3 star hotels

  • Meals

    1 Breakfast

  • Transportation

    A/C coach or mini-bus

  • Tour Guiding

    Services of experienced tour leaders

  • Orientation Walks

    Organised orientation walks at some of the towns visited

  • Free Wi-Fi

    Complimentary hotel and coach Wi-Fi ( where available )

What's Not Included

  • Any flights not mentioned above

  • Travel Insurance

  • Meals not stated above

  • Items of a personal nature

  • Tips and gestures

  • Entrance fees to the sights and museums

  • Optional activities

  • Other services not stated in the itinerary

Add Ons

Local Payment: £0

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    No

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    No passenger under the age of 21

  • What is the maximum group size?

    Maximum group size is 55

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    No

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Over 20 years

Reviews of this operator

Jessie Mae Sia  

My travel talk experience was great and memorable

24-Feb-2021

My travel talk experience was awesome and fantastic. Me and my husband was on their Morocco and Turkey tours in 2019, they operated their tours in a culturally fun manner and the tour guides were very nice and very approachable. It exceeded our expection, we love to come back with them in our future travel. Thank you travel talk you made our 2019 as one of our memorable year!

Trustpilot
Jes Snowden (Google Reviewer)  

The Best of Turkey by...

10-Sep-2024

The Best of Turkey by Land was fantastic! If it’s a “tour” of Turkey you’re seeking, this one is the pick of them all. We travelled to the most spectacular locations, and experienced breathtaking moments and views, in every stop! Our tour guide Mustafa was very knowledgeable and talked us through the history of the land. He was friendly and very patient, considering the hours he puts into his tours. Mus was able to swap the days activities for some days to ensure we were given the best opportunity for photo’s and leas tourists in other locations. Our bus drivers did an amazing job getting us to all locations safely! Thank you Ahmet & Ali, you are superstars… Highlights for us were Gallipoli, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethyie and hot air ballooning in Cappadocia. The group consisted of all ages, which worked out to be a good mix. The weather varied between 25 - 36 degrees throughout the trip, so be sure to pack the sunscreen and portable fan. Hotels varied, each one having it’s own idiosyncrasies, but overall very good. Some of the days were extremely long but we got through them.. I’d recommend this tour to anyone that wants a taste of the beautiful land that Turkey is ☺️

Courtney Godden (Google Reviewer)  

First time doing a tour...

28-Jul-2024

First time doing a tour overseas, wow what an amazing experience. Smaller tour group which was awesome, great hotel choices, professional transportation services and saw the best of Turkey in 12 days. Our tour guide Aykut's hospitality was second to none, he went above and beyond for every member of the group. His knowledge of his country's history and culture was outstanding and explained in a memorable way for a lasting memory. Aykut's has extensive experience as a tour guide and it shows in every way, many special tips from living/growing up in Turkey. Aykut's planning meant everything ran smoothly making our only job to turn up with your belongings and enjoy your experience. Thank you again Aykut for going the extra mile, making sure places had gluten free options for me and for all the funny jokes ☺️

elle mcdowell (Google Reviewer)  

We had an amazing time...

10-Jul-2024

We had an amazing time on our 12 day tour of Turkey! Our guide Yild was attentive, always was there to help us make the most of our trip and great fun! Would definitely recommend this tour to others!!

Samantha Treadwell (Google Reviewer)  

Such an UNREAL EXPERIENCE! I...

13-Aug-2024

Such an UNREAL EXPERIENCE! I cannot recommend the best of Turkey by Gulet for 12 day tour enough. On this tour we were able to see all parts of turkey from the coast line to the major cities and immerse ourselves in the culture and history! Mustafa is the best tour guide who priorities experiences, learning and safety of all tour participants (he also doubles as a comedian so ensures many laughs are had). From sailing on the Mediterranean Sea, experiencing the best food and culture in Istanbul, to paragliding over Pamukkale springs, and finally ticking off the bucket list moment of hot air ballooning over Cappadocia, this has been a trip not to forget. I cannot recommend this tour enough and would encourage anyone going to turkey to book this trip with Travel Talk!

Victoria McCullough (Google Reviewer)  

I did the travel talk...

26-Aug-2024

I did the travel talk turkey tour with mus. He's an awesome guide full of local knowledge. There had been wild fires at Gallipoli so rearranged our itinerary to allow us a chance to visit which we did! I spent 3 days on the gulet and was a great way to relax. Would highly recommend the tour as a way to visit turkey and would do it again.

Leigh Anaru (Google Reviewer)  

Just finished the 10 day...

30-Apr-2024

Just finished the 10 day ANZAC tour in Türkiye. Wow what an experience! The tour although busy was jam packed with amazing experiences made all the more richer by our highly knowledgable and very funny guide Aykut. The bus was full of 44 Aussies and Kiwis which would've been no easy feat to control. Aykut and our drivers Naci and Sevki were kind and patient making our long drives enjoyable. Gallipoli was a bucket list of mine, and what a beautiful humbling experience it was, especially the following day tour of the cemeteries. Other than that highlight, the early morning hot air balloon and all the other sites the Kapadokya offers was pretty special too. I will be using Travel Talk again. 5 stars!

Bec Wood (Google Reviewer)  

We did the 11 Day...

26-Apr-2024

We did the 11 Day Anzac Tour of Turkey. It. Was. Phenomenal. My husband and I absolutely love Turkey and were excited to explore the country. Highlights were definitely the Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia and the privilege of attending the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove. A bucket list item ticked off. This was my second Travel Talk in 2024 and I would absolutely do another one in the future. The tour was organised and our guide, Mustafa, was fantastic.

Scarlett Lily  

One of the best holidays I’ve had

25-Feb-2021

We went on a tour of the Balkans and it was above our expectations. Bojan was the best tour leader gave us so much information about the places we were visiting but also a great laugh! The tour ran so smoothly and was the perfect way to see the area in a little amount of time. It was one of the best holidays I have been on, I loved every minute of it and I can’t wait to book another tour with travel talk. They are great value for money!

Trustpilot
James Wilkins (Google Reviewer)  

Just completed the exotic Morocco...

29-Oct-2023

Just completed the exotic Morocco tour with our excellent guide Abdul! He was one of the best tour guides I have met, he brought so much energy and knowledge on the tour and could not imagine doing the tour without him. The tour itself was so diverse, seeing so many different landscapes. It has been one of the best trips I have done. Would highly recommend!

1 Select your preferred date

Friday - Thursday

Apr 18, 2025 - May 01, 2025
$4376 $2292

Operator discount: -$1969

Travel Club discount: -$114

Friday - Thursday

May 09, 2025 - May 22, 2025
$4376 $2292

Operator discount: -$1969

Travel Club discount: -$114

Friday - Thursday

May 23, 2025 - Jun 05, 2025
$4376 $2292

Operator discount: -$1969

Travel Club discount: -$114

Friday - Thursday

Jun 06, 2025 - Jun 19, 2025
$4376 $2292

Operator discount: -$1969

Travel Club discount: -$114

Friday - Thursday

Jun 20, 2025 - Jul 03, 2025
$4376 $2292

Operator discount: -$1969

Travel Club discount: -$114

Friday - Thursday

Jul 04, 2025 - Jul 17, 2025
$4376 $2292

Operator discount: -$1969

Travel Club discount: -$114

Friday - Thursday

Jul 18, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025
$4376 $2292

Operator discount: -$1969

Travel Club discount: -$114

Friday - Thursday

Aug 01, 2025 - Aug 14, 2025
$4376 $2292

Operator discount: -$1969

Travel Club discount: -$114

Friday - Thursday

Aug 15, 2025 - Aug 28, 2025
$4376 $2292

Operator discount: -$1969

Travel Club discount: -$114

Friday - Thursday

Aug 29, 2025 - Sep 11, 2025
$4376 $2292

Operator discount: -$1969

Travel Club discount: -$114

Friday - Thursday

Sep 05, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025
$4624 $2422

Operator discount: -$2081

Travel Club discount: -$121

Friday - Thursday

Sep 19, 2025 - Oct 02, 2025
$4624 $2422

Operator discount: -$2081

Travel Club discount: -$121

Friday - Thursday

Sep 26, 2025 - Oct 09, 2025
$4624 $2422

Operator discount: -$2081

Travel Club discount: -$121

Friday - Thursday

Oct 10, 2025 - Oct 23, 2025
$4624 $2422

Operator discount: -$2081

Travel Club discount: -$121

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.

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