13-Nights The American South: Atlanta, Savannah, New Orleans, Nashville & More

Nashville

Nashville is the perfect destination for all kinds of visitors - from music lovers to history buffs to Southern lovers to sports enthusiasts and nature lovers. Nashville is the Country Music capital of the world. Have fun searching through the past or getting close to the Country Music stars of the present. Hike, bike, golf, go for a balloon ride and take tours guiding you through the history of country music. View homes of current stars including: Joe Diffie, Bryan White, Brooks & Dunn, Lorrie Morgan, George Jones, Reba McEntire, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Marty Stuart, Dolly Parton and more. Find tons of historic sites from the Civil War dating back to the 1700s.

Memphis

Memphis is known as the home of Elvis Presley and as birth place of the blues. Don't forget to travel down Beale Street and listen to some of the worlds best blues bands. Hike, bike, golf, go for a balloon ride and take tours through the history of Elvis Presley's life. Don't forget some great sites in Memphis such as: Alex Haley's Home, Beale Street, and the W.C. Handy Home. Take a trip to the Memphis Zoo or jump on exiting amusement park rides at Libertyland Amusement Park.

Natchez

Natchez, perched 200 feet above the Mississippi River on the highest promontory north of the Gulf of Mexico, is the oldest civilized settlement on the river. The city boomed in the first half of the 19th century with the exportation of cotton by steamboat - cotton grown on plantations in Mississippi and across the river in the rich Louisiana lowlands. Enormous fortunes were made from the area's natural resources: the land and river. Cotton was king, money was plentiful and men spent it - particularly on dazzling mansions filled with the finest furnishings money could buy. Today with its tourism, industry and enormous wealth of natural resources - hospitality - Natchez is one of the most desirable small cities in the United States. Residents are proud to have the city included in Hugh Bayless' book, "The 100 Best Towns in America."

New Orleans

New Orleans is a happy, high-spirited city with the pulsing beat of Dixieland jazz. It delights visitors with its riverboats, Creole cuisine, quaint antique shops and narrow streets of the French Quarter. While here, be sure to take a ride on one of the picturesque trolley cars. Eccentric, elegant New Orleans is strongly connected to both the Mississippi River and the South, but its identity remains aloof from any regional or even national affiliation. It reminds some visitors of European cities, in part because French and Spanish colonial architecture adds an Old World backdrop to some streets. But the feeling of foreignness goes deeper: The celebrated New Orleans atmosphere, cuisine, music, traditions and lifestyle are rooted in an embrace of the decadent and assimilation of the unconventional. New Orleans welcomes all, but is familiar to none, and the result is a city which attracts the romantic, the spiritual, the wild and the inquisitive—all while successfully promoting itself as corporate America’s playground. No matter what is expected from a visit to New Orleans, no one goes home disappointed.

Montgomery, AL

The Civil Rights movement began in Alabama's capital, Montgomery, where a yearlong bus boycott ended in a Supreme Court decision to integrate public transportation in 1956. Today, you can watch a re-enactment of that historical event at the Rosa Parks Library and Museum.

The Civil Rights Memorial, the nation's first monument to the Civil Rights movement, honors those who died in the struggle. It was designed by Maya Lin (who also designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.) and features an interactive interpretive center that expands on the stories of the Civil Rights movement martyrs and the topic of social justice. Be sure to visit Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served as pastor in the 1950s, and the Dexter King Parsonage, where Dr. King and his family lived during many events of the Civil Rights movement.

The first capital of the Confederacy (where Jefferson Davis was sworn in as president in 1861), Montgomery is also where the first electric streetcar operated (in 1886) and where the Wright Brothers established the first school of powered flight (in the early 1900s). Alabama's Capitol building, built in 1853, has been extensively restored.

Another famous Montgomerian is country-music legend Hank Williams Sr. After Williams' meteoric career ended with his death in 1953 (at age 29), he was laid to rest in Montgomery's Oakwood Cemetery Annex. The Hank Williams Memorial there is one of the holy shrines of country music, though aside from the tombstones of Hank and his ex-wife Audrey, there's not much to see. Fans may also want to make the 60-mi/95-km drive to Georgiana, the small town where the singer spent his early years.

At the Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park, you can visit the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts or attend performances of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, which stages highly regarded performances year-round.

The final battle of the Creek War (during the War of 1812), led by Gen. Andrew Jackson, was fought at Horseshoe Bend in Daviston (65 mi/105 km northeast of Montgomery). At the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, you can tour the battlefield by car or hike the trail (phone 256-234-7111; http://www.nps.gov/hobe). Fort Toulouse/Fort Jackson, located in Wetumpka (10 mi/16 km northeast of Montgomery), was the site of the signing of the Treaty of Fort Jackson, the formal end of the Creek War. The 165-acre/70-hectare site hosts an authentic re-enactment, known as Alabama's Frontier, in November.

For more information about activities in Montgomery, visit the town's Web site at http://www.visitingmontgomery.com. Montgomery is 90 mi/145 km south of Birmingham.

Savannah

Savannah offers fun for all ages. The city overflows with Southern hospitality, striking historical landmarks and flourishing gardens. There are gorgeous beaches on nearby Tybee Island, museums, culture, and much more. Savannah is a city with a flair for luring thousands of visitors each year. Tons of beaches line Tybee Island's coastline, ranging from the surfer's beach to the family beach to the private romantic beaches hidden away from the crowds. Savannah has a little something for everyone. For the city lover, there are squares for strolling and expansive porches for rocking. For the athlete, there's a bustling Southside filled with recreational challenges. For seafaring guests, the rivers, slat-water creeks and glistening Atlantic Ocean beckon. For those who are just here to get away for the weekend and have a good time, Savannah offers an unbelievable nightlife with outrageous nightclubs, live concerts, professional sports, theatrical performances and more.

Charleston, SC

Charleston is one of America's favorite destinations with beautifully preserved architectural and historic treasure, and a rich heritage. There are exciting and educational amusements, museums, great dining, luxurious accommodations, golf, and outdoor recreation second to none. Tree lined streets, beautiful homes, and breathtaking parks and gardens abound in Charleston. Some of the more popular attractions are White Point Gardens and the Waterfront Park. Some other must see attractions include the new South Carolina Aquarium, Provost Dungeon, Gibbes Museum and the Old Exchange. Visitors are constantly amazed at the quality and variety of attractions, restaurants and shopping that can be enjoyed here.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a city full of entertaining and exciting activities. Visitors may choose to spend a day at one of Atlanta's golf resorts or day spas, browse through the Southeast's finest shopping malls or visit one of the many historical and family attractions. Evenings may be spent dinning in any of Atlanta's fine friendly restaurants and after that spend the remainder of the evening at one of Atlanta's many night spots. Atlanta has attractions and activities for a family on vacation, someone visiting for business, or a couple searching for romance. History buffs will find tours and museums, thrill seekers will find fast moving amusement park rides, sports enthusiasts will have plenty to choose from, and visitors searching for relaxation will find sandy beaches, luxurious accommodations, and great golf. Whatever the reason for visiting, anyone is sure to enjoy Atlanta's southern hospitality.