Welcome to Atlanta, Georgia. During the Civil War, Atlanta was one of the most important Southern Cities as it provided war materials to the South. In 1864, General Sherman marched into Atlanta and burned the entire city. The city recovered from its losses and today is one of the most dynamic in the South, boasting a successful cultural and business hub. Transfer independently to your hotel where you will meet your Tour Director.

This morning, enjoy a comprehensive city tour of Atlanta, including a visit to the boyhood home of Martin Luther King. You will also learn about another of Atlanta’s most famous residents, Margaret Mitchell, who wrote the historical novel that became a masterpiece of American cinema, “Gone with the Wind.” Visit the Road to Tara Museum and Stately Oaks Plantation, which was the inspiration for plantation in the film. You will have the opportunity to see memorabilia from the movie including costumes worn by the stars Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh. In the evening, enjoy a welcome reception which will give you the opportunity to meet your fellow travelers.

Leave Atlanta today and head west to Augusta. Augusta is the second oldest city in Georgia and is home to the prestigious Masters golf tournament. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Charleston one of the most historic and charming cities of the South. For evening activities, you may wish to enjoy a romantic carriage ride through the historic district or a sunset cruise in the harbor (optional).

This morning, take a guided tour of Charleston, where you will see historic homes with their characteristic porches, known as ‘Piazzas’. See the Battery, a historic defensive seawall and promenade, and the famous city market. From Charleston, your journey continues south to the beautiful city of Savannah, Georgia. En route, stop to visit a historic antebellum plantation (optional). Arrive in Savannah and enjoy the historic district, renowned for its beautiful squares, cobblestone streets and historic buildings.

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Savannah at your own pace. You may choose to stroll through Forsyth Park, famous for its magnificent live oak trees draped in Spanish moss, or take a scenic trolley tour to learn about the city’s rich history and architectural heritage. Alternatively, you can visit the nearby Tybee Island to enjoy its beautiful sandy beaches and historic lighthouse!

Leave Savannah this morning and travel west across Georgia into Alabama. Arrive in Montgomery, the capital of Alabama and a city deeply rooted in American history. Montgomery played a pivotal role in both the Civil War and the modern Civil Rights Movement. Spend the evening at leisure exploring the city’s historic downtown and dining at a local restaurant.

Today your tour takes you to some of the most historic sites of the Civil Rights Movement. Visit the Edmund Pettis Bridge where the historic March from Selma to Montgomery began and where the brutal events of Bloody Sunday took place. Experience another historic site of the Civil Rights Trail, the Brown Chapel AME Church before heading south through Mississippi to New Orleans, a city immersed in Creole culture. The city today is a unique blend of Spanish, French, Caribbean, African and Anglo-Saxon influences. This is obvious in the food, architecture and of course, the music. Experience this melting pot aboard a Riverboat Dinner Cruise (optional) and enjoy the rhythms of a Dixieland jazz band.

Today your tour takes you to some of the most historic sites of the Civil Rights Movement. Visit the Edmund Pettis Bridge where the historic March from Selma to Montgomery began and where the brutal events of Bloody Sunday took place. Experience another historic site of the Civil Rights Trail, the Brown Chapel AME Church before heading south through Mississippi to New Orleans, a city immersed in Creole culture. The city today is a unique blend of Spanish, French, Caribbean, African and Anglo-Saxon influences. This is obvious in the food, architecture and of course, the music. Experience this melting pot aboard a Riverboat Dinner Cruise (optional) and enjoy the rhythms of a Dixieland jazz band.

Your ATI Tour Director will be available to assist you in arranging individual transfers to New Orleans International Airport. We hope you have had a memorable journey through America’s Deep South!