Welcome to Atlanta, where you have two days to explore before you hit the road for your Great Smoky Mountains & Carolina Coast self drive.

While Atlanta is Georgia’s state capital, the city still welcomes visitors with the same southern hospitality of a small town. There are a range of museums and galleries, from the High Museum of Art to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and even the World of Coca Cola where you can try flavours from around the world and learn about the drink’s history. Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and Sweet Auburn District where you will find The King Centre and the historic Ebeneezer Baptist Church.

Quaint Midtown and luxurious Buckhead neighbourhoods are filled with interesting shops and lively restaurants, or visit Ponce City Market to sample food from local vendors and play mini golf on the rooftop at Skyline Park. The Atlanta BeltLine is the perfect place to a leisurely walk or cycle, connecting street art, food halls and green spaces.

Sheraton Atlanta (or similar)

Pick up your car this morning and drive north into the mountains. On your way, why not stretch your legs with the leisurely hike to Long Creek Falls, just off the Appalachian Trail.

Continue to the picturesque town of Blue Ridge, within the Chattahoochee National Forest. With more than 100,000 acres of woodlands, 300 miles of hiking trails and 100 miles of trout streams, Blue Ridge is the perfect place to get away from it all and enjoy nature.

You may like to ride the Blue Ride Scenic Railway, which travels alongside the Toccoa River, take in the view from the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge or you can sample some of the region’s local produce at Mercier Orchards, Bear Claw Vineyards or Grumpy Old Men Brewing.

Atlanta > Blue Ridge | 95 miles

Hampton Inn Blue Ridge (or similar)

As you drive toward North Carolina this morning, you will be surrounded by the natural beauty of the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains. Asheville is an inviting destination complete with architectural gems from several eras and a lively cultural scene. Here you will find Biltmore Estate, the 250 room French Renaissance style chateau built by George Washington Vanderbilt.

You can also visit the Cherokee Reservation to learn about this ancient culture that is the root of the Old South. Perhaps you’d like to attend the breathtaking outdoor Mountainside Theatre or visit the Cherokee Museum.

Blue Ridge > Asheville | 142 miles

Crowne Plaza Asheville (or similar)

Head for the coast today, and spend two nights in the carefree town of Myrtle Beach. Get your bearings on a leisurely stroll along the lively Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, along which you’ll find the SkyWheel, beachside arcades, dozens of restaurants and plenty of shops. Every Wednesday during the summer, the Second Pier Fireworks take place at 10pm, lightin gup the ocean and the boardwalk in brilliant colours.

Outside of the bustling Boardwalk, Myrtle Beach State Park boasts quiet beaches and maritime forest trails. You can kayak to nearby Waties Island that feels wonderfully remote, with nesting shorebirds and sea turtles swimming through the waters.

Ashevile > Myrtle Beach | 284 miles

Hampton Inn & Suites Myrtle Beach Oceanfront (or similar)

Continue exploring the traditions of the Old South as you drive toward Charleston.

You might like to explore some of the city’s eclectic architecture, taking a stroll past the pastel homes of Rainbow Row. Several of Charleston’s historic homes have now been transformed into museums, including the Nathaniel Russell House or the Aiken-Rhett House. Walking along the seawall at The Battery, you can also see the historic mansions, alongside the old cannons that defended the seafront. Slightly outside the city where the Magnolia Plantation provides an opportunity to learn about life on a plantation and wander the beautiful gardens.

Waterfront Park, with its iconic Pineapple Fountain, is a lovely place for a stroll, or you can head to Folly Beach for its laid-back atmosphere. On Johns Island, you’ll find the Angel Oak Tree, estimated to be 400 to 500 years old.

Myrtle Beach > Charleston | 98 miles

Holiday Inn Charleston Riverview (or similar)

Continue south to Savannah this morning. Along the way, look out for Beaufort, a little town that claims nearly a hundred historic and pre-Revolutionary houses. Southern hospitality is alive and well in charming Savannah; the Historic District has twenty-two squares and cobblestone streets that will take you back in time. Later, for some delicious southern cooking, visit the restored waterfront area which is lined with shops and restaurants.

Optional Experience – Ghosts and Gravestones Tour
Climb aboard the ‘Trolley of the Doomed’ as we journey back in time and explore the mystery and intrigue that surround the many well-known sights and historical places in Savannah. We’ll take a fascinating look at some of the city’s most haunted sights, exposing the stories that centre upon our most famous and infamous residents. Our Gravedigger Guides will thrill and delight you with their spooky and humorous accounts of the supernatural – and perhaps you’ll experience an encounter with one of Savannah’s lost…

Optional Experience – Savannah Old Town Trolley Tour

Hop on and off as you please aboard the Old Town Trolley, travelling between 15 interesting stops throughout the city.

Charleston > Savannah | 108 miles

Doubletree By Hilton Savannah Historic District (or similar)

Enjoy this final day, driving south along the coast via Brunswick before heading to Jacksonville Airport for your flight home, or to your next destination.

Savannah > Jacksonville | 140 miles