Southern Explorer - 13 Days

Las Vegas Las Vegas at night Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX Monument Valley Route 66 Chicago Bean

Program

Day 1:
New York
Arrive in New York City and transfer independently to your hotel where you will meet with your Tour Director in the evening.

Day 2:
New York - Philadelphia - Washington, D.C.
Today our journey begins by leaving the city of Manhattan and travel to Washington, D.C. via Philadelphia, the birthplace of the nation, where you will stop to see Independence Mall and Liberty Bell.

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 JFK Memorial. Spend the remainder of the day exploring some of the many museums comprising the Smithsonian Institute or stroll the banks of the Potomac River.

Day 4:
Washington, D.C. - Williamsburg - Roanoke
Depart this morning for Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. Walk along the Duke of SOUTHERN EXPLORER Gloucester Street to visit some of the impressive public buildings, colonial houses and the College of William and Mary (admissions not included).

Day 5:
Roanoke - Blue Ridge Mountains - Great Smoky Mountains - Gatlinburg
Travel along portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway/Mountains before entering the breathtaking scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains and National Park, before arriving in Gatlinburg in the afternoon and explore some of the unique restaurants on main-street, during this evening leisure time.

Day 6:
Gatlinburg - Nashville
Continue today through Knoxville, the state’s third largest city before you arrive in the early afternoon in Music City USA, Nashville.

Day 7:
Nashville - Memphis
Travel across the countryside and arrive in Memphis, the city known for blues music, cotton and home of Sun Records. Take a city tour including Beale Street, the heart of the blues music scene. This afternoon, fans of “The King of Rock and Roll” have the opportunity to tour Graceland, former home of Elvis Presley (optional).

Day 8:
Memphis - Jackson - New Orleans
Today’s tour takes you to Mississippi, the Magnolia State. Passing Jackson, the state capitol and continue to Louisiana and New Orleans, the home of the infamous Mardi Gras celebrations. Tonight, immerse yourself in Creole culture on board an authentic Mississippi Riverboat dinner cruise and enjoy the rhythms of a Dixieland jazz band (optional).

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. Stand atop one of the infamous New Orleans levees and gain the perspective of how these unique feats of architecture guard the city.

Day 10:
New Orleans - Gulf of Mexico - Pensacola
Travel along the Mississippi Gulf Coast through Mobile, AL to the city of Pensacola. Visit one of the top 10 rose gardens in America at the Bellingrath Home (admission included). While visiting Pensacola Beach, walk along side the swaying sea oats, dipping your toes in the warm waters of the emerald green Gulf of Mexico.

Day 11:
Pensacola - Orlando
Travel along the Florida panhandle 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.

Day 12:
Orlando
Day at leisure.

Day 13:
Orlando
Transfer independently to the airport for your return flight.

Price includes

- Hotel accommodations as specified or similar
- Services of our tour director throughout the tour
- Bilingual English and German-speaking guide
- Excursions as mentioned in the program
- Deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach transportation

Price does not include

- Airfare (unless specified in the tour itinerary)
- Meals other than those specified (if any)
- Transfer on arrival and departure
- Optional excursions
- Laundry, telephone and other items of a personal nature
- No refund for unused services or hotel nights offered within the tour itinerary
- Anything not indicated in the program or in the price includes.