Southern Explorer
Southern Explorer
Southern Explorer
14 Days Starting in New York and ending in Miami
Visiting: USA
Tour operator:
Tour code:
USE
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 55
Age range:
18-59
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
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
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
1 Select your preferred date
Friday - Thursday
Apr 18, 2025 - May 01, 2025Friday - Thursday
May 09, 2025 - May 22, 2025Friday - Thursday
May 23, 2025 - Jun 05, 2025Friday - Thursday
Jun 06, 2025 - Jun 19, 2025Friday - Thursday
Jun 20, 2025 - Jul 03, 2025Friday - Thursday
Jul 04, 2025 - Jul 17, 2025Friday - Thursday
Jul 18, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025Friday - Thursday
Aug 01, 2025 - Aug 14, 2025Friday - Thursday
Aug 15, 2025 - Aug 28, 2025Friday - Thursday
Aug 29, 2025 - Sep 11, 2025Friday - Thursday
Sep 05, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025Friday - Thursday
Sep 19, 2025 - Oct 02, 2025Friday - Thursday
Sep 26, 2025 - Oct 09, 2025Friday - Thursday
Oct 10, 2025 - Oct 23, 2025Book 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.
-
Terms and Conditions