Fly-drive - History and Rhythms of the Deep South - Part 1

This is a unique fly-drive that follows Native American, first immigrant settler and black history and celebrates the sounds, gospel and rhythms that this heritage gives to the southern states. Over 20 years I led many tours across these states with cultural groups, gospel church groups, music appreciators and Elvis fan clubs and when you scrape away the religion of the bible belt and politics you’ll encounter a warm southern welcome and friendly folk which is truly at the heart of these great states. I have many friends across the area, drivers, guides, hotel staff but all people through these meetings who have become lifelong friends and contacts…..maybe I can introduce a few to you!

Atlanta is the perfect gateway as it offers direct flights from Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh. However some may wish to have less stops and start in Nashville and finish in New Orleans which are both served direct from Heathrow. New Orleans is also a cruise port with twice weekly sailings for the Caribbean so for those with time that can be a great way to round off and relax after your fly-drive. There are numerous combinations and we should take time together to discuss your desires and ideas before we get to work. That’s the Travel Counsellor way…With us its personal!

Airport to downtown Atlanta – 45ms

Atlanta Georgia (two nights) – Setting for Margaret Mitchell’s epic novel Gone with the Wind based on events around the Civil War, yet be mindful that a southerner will often refer to ‘the war between the states’ and in a long drawl, remind us ‘there was nuthin civil about it!’ The Mitchell House is a small museum. Also, Atlanta was the home of the Civil Rights leader Rev Dr Martin Luther King and has a wonderful museum displaying the struggle of black America throughout history, the Ebenezer Baptist Church where he preached, his home and the memorial where he and his wife Coretta Scott King are laid to rest are well worth half a day and very moving.

Modern day Atlanta is home to music studios and is a commercial centre being the worldwide headquarters of CNN and Coca Cola. The CNN studio tour is certainly a consideration and for fun the World of Coca Cola depicting the history of the beverage with a tasting zone to fill up on Coca Cola’s various products sold across the globe…you may be a bit gassy afterwards but it’s a fun and nostalgic visit.

Atlanta to Chattanooga – two hours

Chattanooga (2 nights or straight to Nashville) – the famous Choo Choo Hotel is the former railroad station as featured in the famed song and has preserved original features with railroad cars as rooms and a host of restaurants and facilities themed around the 1940’s and 50’s and is a fun place to stay. Chattanooga is also home to Lookout Mountain with various attractions. The summit can be reached by one of the world’s steepest incline railways and there is a whole community at the top with sights such as Ruby Falls and Rock City Gardens that offers views across five states and the Smoky Mountains. Downtown Chattanooga is served by regular electric shuttles so allows you a night to have a drink and try one of the many excellent eateries, some playing live music. The North Shore across the river has a great vibe and quite a hip place that makes this small town a pleasant stop and one that you will remember and least expected.

Chattanooga to Nashville – three and a half hours (via Jack Daniel’s in Lynchburg)

Nashville (3 nights) – I suggest taking the country backroads through Moore County which lead to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Set in hundreds of acres of rolling Tennessee hillside country, where cows graze and dotted with liveries that breed the Tennessee walking horses, it’s some pretty scenery and the distillery tours are lead by real earthy characters with the best southern accents you will hear as they regale about the age old processes with real history. The towns Court Square has some quaint stores and places for lunch and is listed on the National Historic Register and I thoroughly recommend a stop here before arriving in the bright lights of Nashville.

Nashville, Music City USA, The Athens of the South and The Buckle of the Bible Belt are just a few of the city’s titles. There certainly is history here; from the Greek Revival statehouse, the site of the final slave auctions in the USA to the site on the river at Fort Nashboro where the first settlers (who were Scottish) arrived as deer and fur hunters. Today the city places its history into todays rightful modern context. Its music history is everywhere from the greats of the 60,s all the way to today’s modern artists. People who serve in restaurants, park your car, check you in or sing in one of the many bars and famous ‘honky tonks’ all have their own story of trying, or having tried, to make it in the music industry.

I’ll keep you close to Broadway to enjoy the nightlife so you can maybe spot the next big star or just enjoy some great music, boot scootin on the dancefloor and the mix of earthy locals and visitors who gather here. My favourite bar is Legends, close to the famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge but with more of a local feel and on occasions someone famous may just drop in and sing a song or two. By day it’s a must to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, Johnny Cash Museum, Musicians Hall of Fame, tour the Ryman Auditorium the original home of the Grand Ole Opry as well as RCA Studio B. Music permeates every brick. As well as many other artists Elvis recorded almost all his songs here and his spirit is in the building. Let us not forget the Grand Ole Opry, but we will plan your visit carefully as it plays on just three nights a week.