Day 1 Fly from the UK to Chicago

On the shores of Lake Michigan, the ‘Windy City’ has something for everybody. A great destination at any time of the year, Chicago has a beautiful lakefront, breath-taking architecture, world-class shopping, wonderful museums, great theatres, gourmet restaurants and fantastic nightlife. Discover the delights of the Magnificent Mile, get a bird's eye view of the city from the 360 Chicago Observation Deck or from the Ledge at the Skydeck. If heights aren’t your thing take a stroll in Grant Park for a more relaxing option, visit the Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, take a boat tour or walk on the beach. Restaurants and nightlife abound throughout the city, with live music venues, theatres, world class restaurants and bars. 

Stay two nights in Chicago. 

Day 3 Drive from Chicago to Indianapolis, approx. 185 miles.

Traveling south on I-65 you will soon reach Indianapolis with the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A city known for fast cars and blockbuster events has also gained acclaim for a flourishing culinary and brewing scene, thriving cultural institutions, cool neighbourhoods, and so much more. Downtown is home to White River State Park with a cluster of museums, attractions, and green space that is only step from hotels. The scenic Central Canal runs through the park and connects with the Indianapolis Cultural Trail which spans ten miles and can carry you to the city's neighbourhoods. 

Stay one night in Indianapolis.

Day 4 Drive from Indianapolis to Louisville, approx. 115 miles.

As you continue southward, Kentucky invites you to delve into bourbon and its equestrian heritage of the Kentucky Derby in Louisville held each May at Churchill Downs. There is racing at Churchill Downs in April, May, June, October and November and the track is open for tours year-round. The next-door Kentucky Derby Museum is an excellent hands-on experience and has a magnificent audio-visual display that captures the Derby Day atmosphere on a 360o screen. Make sure to visit the fascinating Ali Center in downtown Louisville which details the life and legacy of the great Muhammad Ali. And don’t miss the Slugger Museum and Factory where you can see genuine baseball bats being made. After you’ve built up a thirst, sample the Urban Bourbon Trail along Whiskey Row. 

Stay one night in Louisville.

Day 5 Drive from Louisville to Nashville, approx. 175 miles.

Known as ‘Music City’, Nashville’s music history goes back to the late 1700s, but is more recently associated with country music. Today you can hear all genres of music in the variety of venues in the city, from the back-street honky-tonks to the newly constructed Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Take a free dance lesson at the Wild Horse Saloon, tour the Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA’s Studio B. Visit the Grand Ole Opry, the world's longest running radio show and a recommended highlight, and also the Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry.

Stay two nights in Nashville.

Day 7 Drive from Nashville to Huntsville, approx. 115 miles.

By day, visit the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the world’s largest space museum, featuring a full-sized Space Shuttle, a Saturn V rocket, and the actual Apollo 16 capsule. By night, Huntsville’s social scene offers the variety and excitement of a big city, combined with the charm and convenience of a close-knit community. Whether it’s live music at Stovehouse, a range of entertainment options at MidCity, the unique atmosphere of the “coolest middle school in the country” at Campus No. 805, or the hustle and bustle of the picturesque Downtown Huntsville square. Make time for the Huntsville Botanical Garden, where you can soak up the Alabama sunshine while exploring 112 acres of flora and fauna. For a step back in time, visit Alabama Constitution Village, the actual site where forty-four delegates gathered in 1819 to pave the way for Alabama’s statehood.

Stay one night in Huntsville.

Day 8 Drive from Huntsville to Muscle Shoals, approx. 70 miles

The northwest corner of Alabama known as ‘The Shoals’, brings you a cluster of cities bursting with musical talent – Tuscumbia, Florence, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals lining the banks of the Tennessee River. Visit the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia which showcases some of the state’s famous music icons including WC Handy, Jimmie Rodgers, Sam Phillips, Hank Williams, Nat King Cole, The Temptations, Alabama and the Commodores. The Shoals region also boasts some of the most influential recording centres in America. Renowned for their huge contribution to rock, country and R&B music throughout the 60’s and 70’s, the Muscle Shoals Sounds Studio and FAME Recording Studio were used frequently by superstars like Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon and Otis Redding. Both studios are active recording studios but are open for public tours (check ahead for visiting times). Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones even called the area “Rock ‘N’ Roll Heaven.”

Stay one night in the Muscle Shoals area. 

Day 9 Drive from Muscle Shoals to Birmingham, AL, approx. 115 miles

Alabama's largest city was named after Birmingham, England, and is known for the Barber Motorsports Museum showcasing the world’s largest collection of motorcycles, the fascinating Birmingham Civil Rights Institute which details the city’s role in the movement which changed America. Also visit country music legend Hank Williams’ Museum and gravesite, and a whitewater adventure park.

Stay one night in Birmingham.

Day 10 Drive from Birmingham to Montgomery, AL, approx. 95 miles

Moving south, take a detour via Selma, which marks the starting point of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March, a landmark moment in the US civil rights movement. Hundreds of civil rights advocates marched over 50 miles along Highway 80 from Selma to Montgomery. Visit the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma, see the march’s starting point at the Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church and King Monument, and follow the route that Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. led across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. He preached, marched, and changed history throughout Alabama, including in Montgomery, where Rosa Parks famously challenged segregation by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man. Montgomery, Alabama’s state capital, is known as the birthplace of both the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. The state of Alabama played a key role in the ongoing struggle for equality between Black and white Americans.

Stay one night in Montgomery. 

Day 11 Drive from Montgomery to Gulf Shores, AL, approx. 195 miles

Relax on 32 miles of white-sand beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. These two beachside cities are a spring and summertime haven for families seeking fun in the sun and a winter playground for the annual influx of snowbird travellers. The destination is a mecca for world-class food with award-winning chefs, culinary festivals and international food sport competitions. Outdoor activities abound with nature trails, back bays and eco-tourism opportunities. The Alabama Gulf Coast is also steeped in military history and is home to a masonry fort built in 1819, where several significant battles took place.

Stay two nights in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach.

Day 13 Drive from Gulf Shores/Orange Beach to Mobile, AL, approx. 55 miles

The historic port city of Mobile is one of the oldest cities in America. Part of Mobile Bay, the city offers an abundance of history and entertainment and boasts the original Mardi Gras which started in 1703 and is still celebrated every year two weeks before Lent. Learn more about the tradition and see some amazing floats and costumes at the Mardi Gras Museum. Admire the buildings on Cathedral Square or take a drive through the nearby Oakleigh Garden Historic District allows you to look at some of the city's finest late 19th Century residences. History and military fans will enjoy touring the USS Alabama at Battleship Memorial Park. 

Stay one night in Mobile. 

Day 14 Drive from Mobile to New Orleans, LA, approx. 145 miles

New Orleans is a city that marches to the beat of its own drum. A visit to the French Quarter Visitor Centre, part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, introduces you to the traditions and lifestyle of the area. Rangers lead daily walks to tell the story of this unique place and its ties to the Mississippi River. Music plays every evening in the French Quarter. Explore the Garden District, named for the grand homes and gardens that fill block after block. Try the Maison Bourbon Jazz Club or the House of Blues for live music. Also, check whether there are performances scheduled at Preservation Hall. Magazine Street is an excellent place for shopping, including antiques.

Stay one night in New Orleans 

Day 15 Return your car in time to check in for your flight to the UK.