DAY 1
Atlanta
Fly to Atlanta and pick up your hire car and check into your hotel for the night.
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
DAY 2
Atlanta - Charleston (305 miles)
Before setting off on your Deep South road trip, it's worth spending some time in Atlanta, to visit the Atlanta History Centre and to visit the excellent Martin Luther King Junior Historical Site. If you've time (you could always add on an extra night in this city) you could also visit the home of the Gone with the Wind author Margaret Mitchell, explore the Jimmy Carter Library and maybe even take a movie tour. Then drive eastwards to Charleston, perhaps stopping off in Augusta en route to visit the Augusta Museum of History, which has a fascinating section devoted to the soul legend James Brown. You can also visit the boyhood home of Woodrow Wilson here.
Overnight: HarbourView Inn Charleston
DAYS 3 & 4
Charleston
You have two full days to enjoy the charms of Charleston and we recommend that you start with a walking tour to get your bearings. Take in sights such as St Phillip's Church, White Point Gardens, Dock Street Theatre and the Battery, and learn about Charleston's colourful histori as one of the earliest cities in the USA and its role in the Civil War. You can also take a horse-drawn carriage tour, which is a lovely way to enjoy the historic district and it's beautiful old buildings. Another great way to see Charleston is from the water, and there are regular harbour cruises which will take you to see antebellum houses along the Cooper River and various forts along the coastline.
A great place to stroll is along the waterfront and through Battery and White Point Gardens, where you will learn more about the history of Charleston and South Carolina in really lovely surroundings. In the evening there are a plethora of restaurants for you to choose from, and you'll probably want to sample local southern cuisine including barbeque, pulled pork, corn pudding, peach cobbler - all washed down with lashings of craft beer.
Overnight: HarbourView Inn Charleston
DAY 5
Charleston - Savannah (108 miles)
Before leaving Charleston, you should visit a plantation house, and a popular choice is the beautiful Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. It's not a long drive to your next over night stop, so when you're ready you can meander down the coast to Savannah. Enjoy an evening walk through the atmospheric historic district, with its iconic oak trees draped in Spanish moss, cobbled streets and stately homes.
Overnight: Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District
DAY 6
Savannah
A full day to experience this lovely city, Visit the American Prohibition Museum for a unique insight into this era, walk around pretty Forsyth Park with it's lovely fountain, admire the Cathedral of St John the Baptist with its interesting architecture, and explore the Bonaventure Cemetery which had a central role in the film Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Overnight: Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District
DAY 7
Savannah – St Augustine (176 miles)
Today you'll be driving south to the pan handle of Florida, a million miles away from the theme parks of Orlando. This is the oldest European settlement in America! Highlights of this historic city include, Flager College, the Cathedral of St Augustine, the Mission of Nombre de Dios with it's beautiful and serene grounds and the Lighthouse & Maritime Musuem. The latter is a special and unique place to visit with a number of historic buildings and the lighthouse which you can climb for panoramic views.
Overnight: Best Western Historical Inn St Augustine
DAY 8
St Augustine – Tallahassee (203 miles)
The penultimate leg of your tour takes you to the state capital of Florida - Tallahassee. There are so many attractions to this city, that you might want to extend your stay. Choose from the Museum of Florida History, the Florida Historic Capitol Museum, the Antique Car Museum and the gorgeous mansion - Goodwood Museum and Gardens.
Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Tallahassee
DAY 9
Tallahassee - Atlanta (261 miles)
Depending on your flight time home, you may be able to enjoy a leisurely morning walking in one of the lovely parks before heading to the airport and dropping off your hire car.
