Savour the Deep South

Outbound international flight to New Orleans

Stay: Soniat House (3 nights)​​

Your Stay

Soniat House

New Orleans' finest boutique hotel: a trio of restored French Quarter townhouses at the quiet end of Chartres Street, where picture-perfect rooms are filled with historic books, antiques and unique objects d'art.

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New Orleans

This is a town that knows how to party, and while it’s renowned for being the birthplace of jazz, it’s also a city that can also hold its own against the beauties of Boston and Charlotte. Architecturally, it has a cosy, lived-in feel; it’s a delight to explore on foot; and is a total assault of the senses – a vibrant, bursting-at-the-seems melting pot that famously inspires indulgence, from the awesome food and street performances, to its might Madri Gras. ​​

New Orleans to Natchez

Drive Time: 2 hours 45 minutes | Distance: 177 miles

If you'd like to experience even more of Louisiana, then set off slightly early and visit Lafayette – the heart of Cajun and Creole Country, known as the Happiest City in America and an undiscovered gem, with a bustling culinary scene, and lots of interesting locally-owned stores.

Stay: Monmouth Historic Inn (2 nights)​​

Your Stay

Monmouth Historic Inn

Immerse yourself in antebellum splendour at this Greek Revival mansion, where 26 acres of grounds are laden with foliage, and lawn chairs are dotted around for guests to soak up the scenery.

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Natchez

Some 668 18th-century antebellum homes pepper this, the oldest civilised settlement on the banks of the Mississippi (beating New Orleans by two years). It's also the end of the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile drive through exceptional scenery and 10,000 of North American history (it's heaven for cyclists and a host of recreational fun too). It's also where you'll find Emerald Mound, the second-largest Indian Temple Mound built and used between 1300 and 1800 AD.​​

Natchez to Memphis

Drive Time: 4 hours, 25 minutes | Distance: 302 miles

With such a long drive, you definitely somewhere to stop and stretch your legs, and Clarksdale is perfect – a must for anyone who has a love for the Blues. It's an authentic, truly-American town from its grits to its gun ammo; the birthplace of the Blues; and home to the Delta Blues Museum. 

Stay: The Peabody (2 nights)​​

Your Stay

The Peabody Memphis

Memphis' most famous hotel with numerous eateries and stores, including Elvis' favourite, Lansky's, The Peabody is one of those rare places that's more landmark than hotel – mainly for its five North American mallard ducks.

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Memphis

Memphis doesn't attract tourists, it draws pilgrims. Graceland is of course the main attraction, luring in millions of visitors each year, but also not to be missed is the National Civil Rights Museum, where Reverend Dr Martin King Jr was fatally shot. Food lovers meanwhile can enjoy great smokehouse barbeques, but there's a fabulous choice of slightly more sophisticated eats and treats too.​​

Memphis to Nashville

Drive Time: 3 hours, 5 minutes | Distance: 209 miles

The drive from Memphis to Nashville is very easy, but set off a little earlier and head further south to Lynchburg for a visit to the Jack Daniels Distillery. It's the oldest registered distillery in the United States but ironically, Moore County is a still a dry county, which means no alcoholic beverages can be sold here, and no bars selling alcohol either (including the hometown favourite!).

Stay: Hutton Hotel (3 nights)​​

Your Stay

Hutton Hotel

Expect the unexpected at The Hutton Hotel, one of Nashville's most modern – industrial on the outside, eco-friendly and super-swish on the inside, and right in the heart of the buzzing West End with its hip nightspots and lively cafés.​

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Nashville

Thanks to a fresh style of music from the likes of Taylor Swift, and the phenomenally-popular TV show, Nashville is a place that's really changing its tune. Yes the 'cowboy boots and honky tonks' vibe is still very much alive and kicking, but with a dynamic food scene drawing in a more international clientele and chefs from larger cities; historic buildings and old neighbourhoods receiving a new lease of life, and an influx of enticing shops and stylish hotels popping up, there's now a more youthful and sexy side to this musical metropolis too.​

Nashville

Depart Nashville for your flight via Charlotte back to London Heathrow​