Guided
walking tour of the historic French Quarter
Dinner
Jazz Cruise on the New Orleans Steamboat,
SS Natchez
Biloxi
Biloxi
Shrimping Tour
A
tour of Beauvoir, the home of Confederate
President Jefferson Davis
Mobile/Point
Clear
Admission
to Bellingrath Gardens - 65 landscaped acres
& Mansion
Tour
of historic Fort Gaines built after the
war of 1812
Pensacola
The
beautiful white sand beaches and emerald
waters of the Gulf
The
National Museum of Naval Aviation
Montgomery
Admission
to Old Alabama Town
Tour
of Rosa Parks Museum
Tour
of the Alabama State Capitol
Admission
of the First White House of the Confederacy
Atlanta
The
World of Coca Cola
CNN
Studio Tour
Jimmy
Carter's Presidential Library
Home
of Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With
The Wind
Suggested
Itinerary
Day
1
- New Orleans. For the next
two days you can travel through three centuries
of history and romance as you encounter "The
City That Care Forgot." Here you have the
chance to absorb the sights and sounds of the
famous French Quarter and historic Jackson Square.
You will even be able to walk through one of
the unusual aboveground "Cities of the
Dead."Overnight New Orleans
Day
2 - New Orleans Today take a guided
walking tour of Vieux Carre, the historic
French Quarter, one of the oldest and most extraordinary
neighborhoods in the U.S. This vibrant enclave
of shops, hotels, clubs, restaurants and residences
is often called the "Heart of New Orleans."
Within the French Quarter is the exciting Bourbon
Street, referred to as the playground of the
South. Nearby is the famous Royal Street, best
known for its upscale art galleries and world-class
antique shops. Many of the Vieux Carre restaurants
have become global attractions and serve incredible
food, everything from oyster bars to 5 star
dinning. You can also enjoy the special sounds
of Jazz, Cajun, and Zydeco music in addition
to Rock 'n' Roll, Rhythm 'n' Blues and Gospel.Overnight
New Orleans.
Day
3 - New Orleans
All Aboard the SS Natchez, one of a handful
of steamboats that still navigate the swift
currents of the mighty Mississippi River. The
SS Natchez dinner cruise leaves from the city
dock near the French Quarter. While on board,
you will hear the nostalgic sounds of the authentic
steamboat calliope. The Natchez is an old-fashioned,
steam-driven paddle wheeler, and on its top
deck, beneath tall smokestacks and waving flags,
sits its calliope. This shiny instrument from
a bygone era resembles a pipe organ with 32
brass whistles. Your paddlewheel adventure will
take down the Mississippi River south of New
Orleans, passing old factories, rusty barges,
and Civil War battlefields.Overnight
New Orleans.
DAY
4 - New Orleans to Biloxi
(85 miles / 137 Kilometers) Weather permitting,
don't miss the Biloxi Shrimping Trip! The pride
and heritage of Biloxi comes alive aboard this
unique cruise and exposes our guests to the
spectacular world of sea life caught on a real
shrimping expedition. Upon leaving the harbor,
the shrimping
net is set out with full details of how and
what makes the net spread and operate correctly.
The net will catch any and all sea creatures
in its path along with the shrimp. The varieties
range from Blue Crabs, Flounder, Stingray, Oysterfish,
Squid, Pufferfish and numerous other species
of local marine life. The entire catch will
be identified and presented for your inspection
by the Captain. This 70-minute Living Marine
Adventure Cruise is navigated in the calm, protected
waters between Deer Island and the Biloxi shoreline.Be
sure to visit Beauvoir, the retirement estate
of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Encompassing
nearly 500 acres and dominated by an imposing
Louisiana raised cottage-style residence, Beauvoir
was constructed between 1848 and 1851. Unscathed
by the war, this is where Mr. Davis wrote his
memoirs. His wife, Varina Davis sold the central
portion of the estate to the United Sons of
Confederate Veterans in 1902 for use as a memorial
to her husband and a Confederate veteran's home.
The veterans home operated on site from 1903
until 1957, caring for a total of approximately
2,000 soldiers and widows.Overnight
Biloxi.
Day
5 - Biloxi to Mobile to Point Clear (85
miles / 137 km) Founded in 1710, Mobile has
a definite French flair and served as the capital
of French Louisiana until 1719. Periods of British
and Spanish occupation followed before the city
became part of the United States in 1814. Mobile
was one of the last Confederate ports to be
captured by the Union during the Civil War,
and its fall led to the demise of the Confederacy.
Today Mobile is an active port and shipbuilding
center. The first Mardi Gras celebration in
North American was held in Mobile in 1703 and
continues to this day.At Mobile's Battleship
Memorial Park, you don't have to look very far
to find heroes. From the mighty USS Alabama,
the submarine USS Drum and dozens of combat
aircraft, the spirit of military pride still
shines brightly. Voyage through time and revisit
an era of courage and adventure.Visit the Bellingrath
Gardens and Home. Magnificent in any season,
this 900-acre estate features 65 landscaped
acres and a mansion. With more that 250,000
plants, some originally brought from France
in 1754, the garden contains one of the largest
collections of azaleas in the country. Overnight
Mobile.
Day
6 - Mobile/Point Clear Go bird watching
at the wonderful Audubon Bird Sanctuary, where
there are miles of habitat for neotropical migrants.
Or you may want to try one of the great Robert
Trent Jones golf courses located nearby. Consider
touring the historic Fort Gaines, which dates
from the mid 1800's and played a significant
role in the War Between the States.Overnight
Mobile.
Day
7 - Point Clear to Pensacola
(50 miles / 80 km)Pensacola is the American
South with red sunsets, white sand beaches and
Blue Angels. This is both the New South and
Old Florida, Pensacola is a resort town with
a unique history. Try saltwater fishing or beachcombing
over miles of sugar-white sand caressed by the
sparkling emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
With water temperatures averaging 70° year
round, anytime is the perfect time to bike,
hike or trek.Overnight Pensacola.
Day
8 - Pensacola A stroll through the
restored downtown will show you a city with
a colorful background spanning more than 300
years and government under five flags. Step
into the past by visiting Historic Pensacola
Village with its museums, historic homes, and
colonial archaeological trail.Drive over to
the Navy Base and tour the National Museum of
Naval Aviation, one of the three largest aviation
museums in the world. Here you can view beautifully
restored aircraft, equipment, artifacts and
memorabilia that tell the story of U.S. Navy,
Marine and Coast Guard Aviation. Kids of all
ages love climbing into the many cockpit trainers
for pretend test flights or trying their hands
at defending the ship from Cabot's anti-aircraft
gun battery. And (for an extra fee) you can
experience the thrill of flight in their 15-passenger
full-motion flight simulator.Overnight
Pensacola.
Day
9 - Pensacola Spend a leisurely day
enjoying the beautiful beaches and warm ocean
waters of Pensacola.Overnight Pensacola.
Day
10 - Pensacola to Montomery (165 miles
/ 265 kilometers) Much more than the capitol
of Alabama, Montgomery is known as the Cradle
of the Confederacy because Jefferson Davis was
sworn in here as president of the Confederate
States of America. Tour the State Capitol. Montgomery
is recognized as the birthplace of the US Civil
Rights movement. The city is also honored to
have the only Shakespeare festival in the US
allowed to fly the official flag of the Royal
Shakespeare Company.Stop by the First White
House of the Confederacy. This former home of
President and Mrs. Jefferson Davis is completely
furnished with period pieces from the 1850s.Don't
miss the Rosa Parks Museum. The Museum is a
major landmark in downtown Montgomery. Constructed
on the site of the old Empire Theater, this
is where Mrs. Parks made her courageous and
historic stand for Civil Rights in 1955. The
interpretive museum includes space for permanent
and special exhibits as well as a 103-seat,
2200 square foot multimedia auditorium. Six
distinct and unique areas inside the museum
tell the story of the bravery and courage of
early civil rights activists.Then visit Old
Alabama Town. Thirty restored historic houses;
some in their original locations and others
moved here, make up a three-block village, which
portrays Alabama life between 1800 and 1930.Overnight
Montgomery.
Day
11 - Montgomery to Atlanta (165 miles
/ 265 kilometers) Atlanta may be the capital
of the Peach State, but it is also the reigning
capital of the Southeast. Atlanta has more sports
teams, restaurants, entertainment venues and
attractions than any other city in the region.
Surrounded by the beautiful Georgia countryside,
Atlanta is home to four professional sports
teams, more than 200 entertainment and cultural
attractions, and thousands of restaurants. Atlanta
mixes old fashioned southern charm with all
of the excitement of a large, modern city for
an unforgettable vacation experience.Consider
a visit to Underground Atlanta, where six city
blocks in the heart of Atlanta have been transformed
into a spirited urban marketplace featuring
12 spectacular restaurants, over 100 specialty
shops, and entertainment emporiums, as well
as street-cart merchants.Located in a three-story
pavilion adjacent to Underground Atlanta, the
World of Coca-Cola details the rich history
of the refreshing beverage that was created
in Atlanta over 110 years ago. While Coca-Cola
was first served at a small pharmacy soda fountain,
this soft drink can now be purchased in over
200 countries around the world. In fact, it
is now served over 850 million times a day!
Visitors move at their own pace through an easy-to-follow
series of fun and fascinating exhibit galleries.Overnight
Atlanta.
DAY
12 - Atlanta Experience World News
live on the CNN Studio tour. The global headquarters
of the CNN News Group and Turner Broadcasting
is also an entertainment-shopping-dining-hotel
extravaganza. The crown jewel of the Center
is the CNN Studio tour, a must-see for an impressive
behind-the-scenes look at global news in the
making. Immerse yourself in CNN by taking the
guided tour that offers a dramatic look into
the history of the CNN News Group networks and
their coverage of the events that shape our
world. Tour the state-of-the art studios responsible
for bringing the news to over one billion people
around the globe!Be sure to visit the Margaret
Mitchell House and Museum. Tour the home that
is on the National Register of Historic Sites
and see where Margaret Mitchell wrote her Pulitzer
prize-winning novel, Gone with the Wind. Discover
how this champion of human rights came to write
the world's most popular book that still sells
a copy once every 2 1/2 minutes!Next, explore
the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum at 441 Freedom
Parkway. The only presidential library in the
southeast United States honors the early life,
political career, and presidency of Jimmy Carter.
The Museum is open to the public 7 days a week
and is designed for a relaxed, leisurely visit.
Enjoy a 30-minute historical film on the Presidency,
visit the Oval Office and enjoy an exact replica
of the beautiful Crown of St. Stephen, a gift
from the people of Hungary. Stroll through the
lovely gardens, sit by the pond, and take photos
of Atlanta's skyline.Overnight Atlanta
historic
French Quarter, one of the oldest and most extraordinary
neighborhoods in the U.S. This vibrant enclave
of shops, hotels, clubs, restaurants and residences
is often called the "Heart of New Orleans."
Within the French Quarter is the exciting Bourbon
Street, referred to as the playground of the
South. Nearby is the famous Royal Street, best
known for its upscale art galleries and world-class
antique shops. Many of the Vieux Carre restaurants
have become global attractions and serve incredible
food, everything from oyster bars to 5 star
dinning. You can also enjoy the special sounds
of Jazz, Cajun, and Zydeco music in addition
to Rock 'n' Roll, Rhythm 'n' Blues and Gospel.Overnight
New Orleans.
net is set out with full details of how and
what makes the net spread and operate correctly.
The net will catch any and all sea creatures
in its path along with the shrimp. The varieties
range from Blue Crabs, Flounder, Stingray, Oysterfish,
Squid, Pufferfish and numerous other species
of local marine life. The entire catch will
be identified and presented for your inspection
by the Captain. This 70-minute Living Marine
Adventure Cruise is navigated in the calm, protected
waters between Deer Island and the Biloxi shoreline.Be
sure to visit Beauvoir, the retirement estate
of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Encompassing
nearly 500 acres and dominated by an imposing
Louisiana raised cottage-style residence, Beauvoir
was constructed between 1848 and 1851. Unscathed
by the war, this is where Mr. Davis wrote his
memoirs. His wife, Varina Davis sold the central
portion of the estate to the United Sons of
Confederate Veterans in 1902 for use as a memorial
to her husband and a Confederate veteran's home.
The veterans home operated on site from 1903
until 1957, caring for a total of approximately
2,000 soldiers and widows.Overnight
Biloxi.
headquarters
of the CNN News Group and Turner Broadcasting
is also an entertainment-shopping-dining-hotel
extravaganza. The crown jewel of the Center
is the CNN Studio tour, a must-see for an impressive
behind-the-scenes look at global news in the
making. Immerse yourself in CNN by taking the
guided tour that offers a dramatic look into
the history of the CNN News Group networks and
their coverage of the events that shape our
world. Tour the state-of-the art studios responsible
for bringing the news to over one billion people
around the globe!Be sure to visit the Margaret
Mitchell House and Museum. Tour the home that
is on the National Register of Historic Sites
and see where Margaret Mitchell wrote her Pulitzer
prize-winning novel, Gone with the Wind. Discover
how this champion of human rights came to write
the world's most popular book that still sells
a copy once every 2 1/2 minutes!Next, explore
the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum at 441 Freedom
Parkway. The only presidential library in the
southeast United States honors the early life,
political career, and presidency of Jimmy Carter.
The Museum is open to the public 7 days a week
and is designed for a relaxed, leisurely visit.
Enjoy a 30-minute historical film on the Presidency,
visit the Oval Office and enjoy an exact replica
of the beautiful Crown of St. Stephen, a gift
from the people of Hungary. Stroll through the
lovely gardens, sit by the pond, and take photos
of Atlanta's skyline.Overnight Atlanta
