Deep South & Delta Blues

Welcome to Atlanta and the southern state of Georgia! Today is free for you to explore before a welcome meeting at 6pm in your hotel. A self-guided walking tour of downtown Atlanta is highly recommended and if you fancy a bite of Southern cuisine, stop by Empire State South. Optional activities: Atlanta History Centre: US$17 Atlanta Botanical Garden: US$19 Accommodation: La Quinta Atlanta Airport North (or similar)

This morning, we start with a visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta. Learn more about his life and activism at the visitor centre, and then there is time to explore the area, including the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Jr.'s tomb, and the house where he was born and raised. From here, we head west into Alabama and to the largest city in the state, Birmingham. This city was the primary site of the Civil Rights Movement and where Martin Luther King Jr. began his campaign of civil disobedience. We recommend a visit to the Civil Rights Institute for an excellent introduction to the volatile history of the region as you start your journey through the Deep South. Optional activities: Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama: US$15 Accommodation: Hampton Inn Birmingham Colonnade 280 (or similar)

Welcome to the cultural melting pot of the Deep South, New Orleans, otherwise known as the Big Easy. The eclectic mix of European, Creole and Cajun cultures manifests in every aspect of the architecture, cuisine and musical scene. Take in the sights and sounds of Bourbon Street, relax in the Garden District and absorb the ambience of the French Quarter. Founded by French traders in 1718, there are many layers of history in this city, and the many attractions combined make it one of the most visited cities in the USA. Step back in time to when life was gracefully slow and enjoy an included dinner cruise on the Mississippi, dining on delicious local cuisine influenced by the myriad cultures that make up Louisiana. There is plenty to do in New Orleans come evening, not least enjoying some of the many live performances that take place nightly. This includes Preservation Hall, where top-drawer jazz musicians play every evening to a small audience in an intimate space – be prepared to wait in line. There will also be the chance to step out of the city and explore the wild river swamplands of Louisiana, where you can head out by boat beneath the cypress trees in search of alligators. Optional activities: Alligator swamp tour, New Orleans: US$25-US$40 Various historical walking tours eg French Quarter, Garden District: US$25 Haunted French Quarter ghost tour: US$25 New Orleans voodoo and graveyard tour: US$20 New Orleans Preservation Hall: US$15-US$20 New Orleans jazz clubs: US$10-US$20 Mardi Gras World in New Orleans: US$22 Accommodation: The Blake Hotel (or similar)