Southern Explorer

Southern Explorer

1,562 Views
14 Days From

$4286

$2357

Southern Explorer

14 Days Starting in New York, NY, USA and ending in Miami, FL, USA

Visiting: USA

Tour operator:

Travel Talk Tours

Tour code:

USE

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 55

Physical rating:

Low, Easy

Age range:

18-59

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing

From: $4286 $2357 Operator discount: -$1929 -45%

NB: Prices correct on 26-Jun-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

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

  • Visit a mixture of historic and cultural landmarks with your local guide in the most recognized cities of the eastern half of the USA in 14 days.

  • Stay in the comfort of 3 & 4-star hotels with central locations and great facilities. Spend less time on the road with the carefully designed itinerary.

  • Wander among the historic symbols of Washington D.C. for a visual tour of America’s revolutionary history and learn the stories from your guide.

  • Spend a night in the mountainous town of Gatlinburg watching the night sky revolve over the Great Smoky Mountains. Feel free to explore the picturesque alleys of the town at your own pace.

  • You can choose to immerse in the local culture with an optional cruise on an authentic Mississippi River Boat. The quirky charm of New Orleans will put a spell on you over 2 nights.

  • Take an optional and very much-needed tour of Graceland, the famed home of Elvis, or feel the memory of countless musicians as you stroll down Beale Street in the legendary Memphis.

  • Spend a free day in Orlando, pay a visit to Disneyland if you wish, and engage in the thumping atmosphere of the sun-kissed Miami beach.

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

Hyatt Grand Central New York - 4 Star (or similar)



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

Holiday Inn & Suites Orlando SW - Celebration Area - 3 Star (or similar)

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

Holiday Inn & Suites Orlando SW - Celebration Area - 3 Star (or similar)



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

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    No

  • 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 flights included in this tour?

    No

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • 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

Jessie Mae Sia  

My travel talk experience was great and memorable

24-Feb-2021

My travel talk experience was awesome and fantastic. Me and my husband was on their Morocco and Turkey tours in 2019, they operated their tours in a culturally fun manner and the tour guides were very nice and very approachable. It exceeded our expection, we love to come back with them in our future travel. Thank you travel talk you made our 2019 as one of our memorable year!

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Leigh Anaru (Google Reviewer)  

Just finished the 10 day...

30-Apr-2024

Just finished the 10 day ANZAC tour in Türkiye. Wow what an experience! The tour although busy was jam packed with amazing experiences made all the more richer by our highly knowledgable and very funny guide Aykut. The bus was full of 44 Aussies and Kiwis which would've been no easy feat to control. Aykut and our drivers Naci and Sevki were kind and patient making our long drives enjoyable. Gallipoli was a bucket list of mine, and what a beautiful humbling experience it was, especially the following day tour of the cemeteries. Other than that highlight, the early morning hot air balloon and all the other sites the Kapadokya offers was pretty special too. I will be using Travel Talk again. 5 stars!

Bec Wood (Google Reviewer)  

We did the 11 Day...

26-Apr-2024

We did the 11 Day Anzac Tour of Turkey. It. Was. Phenomenal. My husband and I absolutely love Turkey and were excited to explore the country. Highlights were definitely the Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia and the privilege of attending the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove. A bucket list item ticked off. This was my second Travel Talk in 2024 and I would absolutely do another one in the future. The tour was organised and our guide, Mustafa, was fantastic.

Scarlett Lily  

One of the best holidays I’ve had

25-Feb-2021

We went on a tour of the Balkans and it was above our expectations. Bojan was the best tour leader gave us so much information about the places we were visiting but also a great laugh! The tour ran so smoothly and was the perfect way to see the area in a little amount of time. It was one of the best holidays I have been on, I loved every minute of it and I can’t wait to book another tour with travel talk. They are great value for money!

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James Wilkins (Google Reviewer)  

Just completed the exotic Morocco...

29-Oct-2023

Just completed the exotic Morocco tour with our excellent guide Abdul! He was one of the best tour guides I have met, he brought so much energy and knowledge on the tour and could not imagine doing the tour without him. The tour itself was so diverse, seeing so many different landscapes. It has been one of the best trips I have done. Would highly recommend!

Danica Dee (Google Reviewer)  

I would 100% recommend the...

26-Apr-2024

I would 100% recommend the ANZAC Travel Talks tour, just finishing the 11 day tour here in Istanbul with our guide Mustafa. I travel alone and have done multiple tours with other well known and popular travel companies and this has hands down been the best!!! INFORMATION! Haha So much engaging history and knowledge from our guide, I found the tours of the palace and ruins with Mustafa very enjoyable. The freedom to skip a museum or tour to explore the city was encouraged. Meet back points and day plans were clearly communicated making it easy to have autonomy in a group setting. I felt like I was in charge of my own holiday and tour experience, which as a solo traveller who loves to do her own thing was perfect! We visited such amazing places on this tour that were bucket list items and once in a life time experiences! A hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia, walking the ruins in Ephesus & Troy. The dawn service at ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine Gallipoli. I am still in awe of the amazing things we have done and seen in these last 11days! The country of Turkey itself is absolutely beautiful and the people here even more so. Very generous and kind, I always felt safe as a female travelling alone. The food AMAZING! Baklava, doner kababs, rice stuffed muscles and Turkish delights to name a few, will make you fall in love! Accommodation was big beautiful mostly 4-5 star hotels in great locations on the beach, in the city! Comfortable beds, ample space and an abundance of food! Most of our accomodation provided buffet breakfast and dinner. Not having to worry about where to eat at the end of a long day or before an early start was very convenient. The work placed into the ANZAC service, security and protection was hands down phenomenal. Multiple check points for security, Turkish workers handing out water, offering first aid, and clearly communicating and directing crowds for the services. All my anxieties for the day were put at ease seeing the work and dedication put in by the Turkish people and government. I honestly cannot fault this tour and want everyone to experience Turkey the way I have gotten to experience this beautiful country. This ANZAC tour will forever be in my memories and my heart as one of the best trips I have ever done! Truely, thank you, teşekkür ederim, Travel Talks Tours.

Caroline Barrett (Google Reviewer)  

My partner and I thoroughly...

25-Dec-2023

My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed our 9 Day Essential Turkey tour with Mustafa as our guide. His attentiveness to the group's needs was amazing, going above and beyond to ensure an stress-free experience. Mustafa provided valuable local insights, guiding us on the best areas to visit and helping us find good local deals. Overall, we found the tour to be excellent value for money, and we were particularly impressed with traveltalks accommodation choices—clean, spacious, and offering great meal options. Additionally, the inclusion of two drivers for our safety during long journeys added an extra layer of reassurance to our memorable trip. Thank you to Mustafa!

Tegan Bull (Google Reviewer)  

Unforgettable Turkey Essentials: A Journey...

25-Dec-2023

Unforgettable Turkey Essentials: A Journey with Travel Talk I recently had the pleasure of embarking on the Turkey Essentials tour with Travel Talk, and let me tell you, it was an adventure like no other! From the bustling streets of Istanbul to the ancient wonders of Ephesus, this tour was a perfect blend of culture, history, and pure fun. Travel Talk ensured that every aspect of our trip was well-planned. The accommodations were comfortable, the transportation was smooth, and the itinerary was perfectly curated to showcase the best of Turkey's rich history and vibrant culture. If you're looking for an incredible adventure in Turkey, I wholeheartedly recommend Travel Talk. Their attention to detail, knowledgeable guides (Mustafa), ensure a seamless and unforgettable journey. Whether you're a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or simply seeking a thrilling travel experience, Travel Talk has got you covered. Thank you, Travel Talk for an extraordinary tour that surpassed all expectations. I'll cherish the memories and stories from this adventure for a lifetime.

Anne Blythe-Cooper (Google Reviewer)  

Travel talk Balkans is amazing....

15-Jun-2024

Travel talk Balkans is amazing. While there was a lot of travelling we saw heaps and the bus was very comfortable. Voijn was very knowledgeable and helpful. The best guide I have ever met for organisation, personality and knowledge. The food was amazing and very good value for money. Every day felt like the best day. Sarajevo blew my mind with the history of the aggression there (our guide lived through it). No harassment to buy in the souk (or anywhere). Every view of Kotor was a postcard. Trebinje was a mini Dubrovnik. Lake Ohrid was stunning with St Naum monastery a beautiful bonus. Hotels were all great. Photos to follow. I’m still on this tour and on my way to Greece tomorrow

Diane Horsman  

Fantastic tour, personable experiences

19-Oct-2021

My first tour with Traveltalk to Jordan was fantastic. Everything was very well planned, the itinerary was timed to perfection and jam packed with amazing experiences. The tour guide Issa went above and beyond to make everyone happy and have the best experience possible, taking us to local restaurants and telling us the best things to eat. Our bus broke down on the way to the Dead Sea and he dealt with it really quickly, and a replacement bus arrived in less than an hour. He treated us all like his friend rather than just a job which make the tour even more special. The hotels were fab and had everything that we needed, all I great locations to local attractions. I booked another tour but had to cancel due to Covid and Traveltalk have placed my deposit aside ready to use on the next trip. I can’t wait to book again with them.

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Friday - Thursday

Jul 19, 2024 - Aug 01, 2024
$4286 $2357

Operator discount: -$1929

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Aug 16, 2024 - Aug 29, 2024
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Operator discount: -$1929

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Operator discount: -$1929

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Travel Talk Tours allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 61 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Travel Talk Tours requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel talk tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 85% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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