Coasts and Mountains of the South Road Trip

Day 1 - Arrive Atlanta

Welcome to Atlanta, the capital of Georgia and one of the most influential cities in the Southern United States. Upon arrival, pickup your rental car and proceed to your hotel.

In Atlanta, spend a fun day touring the impressive Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola (be sure to enjoy free samples of Coke’s beverages from around the world).

Explore the city’s rich history at places such as the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, filled with artifacts from the Civil Rights movement.

Relax at an evening concert at one of the city’s many live music venues, from major concert halls to intimate clubs. Refuel with ‘hash brown’ potatoes, and waffles at the iconic Atlanta-based diner chain Waffle House. Burn off the calories with a tour around the lush Atlanta Botanical Garden, a sprawling oasis of smaller gardens.

Day 2 - Atlanta to Asheville

Travel north across the state line into Tennessee, then North Carolina, to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is the most visited national park in the USA, and it is known world-wide for its rich Southern Appalachian culture as well as the beauty of the mountains in every season.

Visitors will find activities for all skill and fitness levels. Some choose scenic drives such as the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where you can see waterfalls from your car.

Others embark on more active adventures, enjoying hikes to spectacular waterfalls. Discover scenic Little River Road, with its many worthwhile stops, including the Sinks waterfall, which is an easy hike from the main road. It was formed where the river makes an S-turn; the natural pools here are surrounded by enormous boulders.

Later, head to Asheville, North Carolina, which is an ideal place to access the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the USA’s most scenic drives. Visitors will discover beautiful mountain views, as well as opportunities to go hiking, biking and horseback riding amidst lovely scenery.

The Parkway connects several Asheville-area attractions, including the Biltmore Estate, a French Renaissance-style chateau with its accompanying gardens and winery.

Nearby, Asheville’s city centre is ideal for experiencing a vibrant food and beverage culture, with locally owned cafes (many emphasising organic ingredients), tucked between galleries and craft breweries.

Day 3 - Asheville to Charlotte

Experience a pit stop simulation at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, in Charlotte, North Carolina, then watch a race, or drive a race car at nearby Charlotte Motor Speedway. Sports fans also can enjoy Carolina Panthers football, Charlotte Hornets basketball and Charlotte Knights baseball.

For adventure seekers, visit the U.S. National Whitewater Center, and select your choice of activities from white-water rafting, zip-lining and rock climbing.

Charlotte also offers cultural opportunities such as the international Craft + Design collection at the Mint Museum Uptown, or the oral histories and other thought-provoking exhibits at the Levine Museum of the New South.

Day 4 - Charlotte to Myrtle Beach

In the classic beach town of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, explore the golden sands of the Atlantic coast for seashells, then visit Broadway at the Beach, a diverse selection of open-air shops and restaurants specializing in local flavours.

Activities include a water park, helicopter tours and Ripley’s Aquarium, where you can glide through a tank filled with stingrays and sharks.

Take one of the many tours to experience wildlife in a natural setting, such as dolphin watching cruises and wetland tours offering the possibility of alligator and bird sightings.

Visitors may want to plan to stay several nights to enjoy this beachside resort area and the many activities it has to offer.

Day 5 - Myrtle Beach to Charleston

 Depart Myrtle Beach and head 30 minutes south along the coast to the southern end of the Grand Strand. Here, you’ll arrive at friendly,tranquil Pawley’s Island. Famous for its cypress wood cottages, and home to large expanses of marshland, rivers, and oceanfront state parks, this is a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Continue south along the pristine coastline through Francis Marion National Forest until you arrive in Charleston, with its signature antebellum mansions painted in a rainbow of colours and featuring elaborate ironwork. Join a walking tour for the best view of these homes, their gardens and the Battery, Charleston’s historic waterfront promenade.

Shop at City Market for souvenirs, including sweetgrass baskets, an essential tool on former rice plantations. Tour a plantation at Middleton Place, featuring the 18th century House Museum and Stable yards.

History also comes alive at Fort Sumter National Monument, where the American Civil War began. The site looks over Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island with wide beaches, locally owned restaurants and activities such as surfing and kayaking.

Day 6 - Charleston to Savannah

Travelling south from Charleston to Savannah, golf enthusiasts may wish to add a night or two at either Kiawah Island or Hilton Head Island, both in South Carolina.

Kiawah Island is just 21 miles (34 kilometres) from Charleston, and it is known for its tranquility and natural beauty. Here, five championship courses challenge golfers.

About a two-hour drive from Charleston, Hilton Head Island offers pretty beaches, more than 20 world class golf courses and more than 300 tennis courts. 

Savannah’s historic district is a collection of pretty town squares and preserved architecture. Join a history or ghost tour to acquaint yourself. Later, linger at landmarks such as Forsyth Park, where residents and visitors have gathered for generations around a spectacular fountain.

Heading toward the Savannah River, pause for a self-guided tour of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist; its towering twin steeples are a fixture on the Savannah skyline. 

Continue to City Market’s, courtyards and squares with restaurants, shops and galleries.

For a side trip, visit Tybee Island for a lighthouse tour, paddling excursion or charter cruise.

Day 7 - Savannah to Atlanta

Head east today to Macon, Georgia to visit the Tubman Museum, named for Harriet Tubman, one of the USA’s most famous abolitionists and a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, which helped slaves find freedom in the pre-Civil War era. Here, visitors can learn about African American life during this time.

Later, explore Macon’s art galleries and boutiques, and try some of the city’s signature dishes.

After lunch head, head to Atlanta.

Day 8 - Depart Atlanta

Return your rental car prior to your departure flight