The beautiful state of Mississippi is tucked between Alabama, Louisiana (separated by the river from which the state gets its name) and Tennessee, with a tiny stretch of Gulf Coast right in the south, is often overlooked by tourists seeking a taste of the American Deep South.

The 'Magnolia State' has plenty of scenic beauty, and rich history, particularly associated with the Native American tribes that pre-dated European occupation and the battles of the American Civil War. Culturally the state has generated a wealth of talent, spawning such greats as Tennessee Williams, Elvis Presley, Jimmy Rodgers and B B King, not to mention the Blues, the music style that was born in the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta. The state also has more than its fair share of architectural treasures, particularly the huge concentration of magnificent antebellum mansions in Natchez.

Mississippi is a state full of quaint towns, where wide-open spaces and porch swings combine with down home hospitality to yield many rewards for visitors.