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Southern Heritage: Charleston to Nashville

Southern Heritage: Charleston to Nashville

From $ 5,795 AUD

Description

Uncover the history, culture and cuisine of the Southern states on this eight-day adventure from Charleston to Nashville. Hear stirring stories behind the landmarks of Charleston, learn about Gullah Geechee culture in the Carolina Sea Islands and walk the historic streets of Savannah with your passionate trip leader. Head to the Appalachian Mountains for a visit to Biltmore House in Asheville, the United States’ largest home, then finish your trip in the toe-tapping heartland of country and western music. If you want to do more than just see the sites, this immersive, historic journey is calling your name!

Trip Name
Southern Heritage: Charleston to Nashville
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
8
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Wander the historic streets of Savannah, trying the local food on a walking tour that blends the city’s history with some of its most delicious eats.
  • Learn about Charleston’s rich and complex past with an expert guide, visiting historic landmarks and hearing the stories behind the city.
  • Visit Biltmore House and Garden, the United States’ largest home, and perhaps stop for lunch at the on-site winery.
  • Taste the real Tennessee during a whiskey tasting at an award-winning distillery serving up a family recipe that’s been passed down from the late 19th century.
  • Explore the Penn Center on St Helena Island to learn about Gullah Geechee culture, Sea Island history and the community’s enduring traditions of language, craft and resilience.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Charleston
Welcome to Charleston. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe go for a walk in the Historic District, where cobblestone streets wind through ornate homes, walled gardens and the pastel facades of Rainbow Row. Learn about Charleston’s complex Civil War history and the role of nearby Fort Sumter, then browse the local market for Gullah Geechee crafts, including the iconic handwoven sweetgrass baskets. Tonight, maybe sit down with your fellow travellers at a local restaurant for she-crab soup or shrimp and grits.
Day 2 - Charleston
After breakfast this morning, join your group for a Black history tour with an expert guide. This insightful experience explores Charleston’s Black history, going beyond landmarks and reframing the city through the people who shaped it, including Black builders, artisans, enslaved people and free Black residents. The afternoon is yours to explore Charleston at your own pace. Perhaps book a food tour to discover more flavours of the South. Or, if you didn’t have time yesterday, maybe visit Fort Sumter, duck over to the Charleston City Market or walk through the Historic District with a new point of view after your morning tour.
Day 3 - Savannah
Depart Charleston in the morning and make a stop at the Angel Oak – one of the oldest living trees in the eastern United States. The enormous tree, with its branches draping all the way to the ground, has long been admired as a symbol of endurance. Then, continue to St Helena Island in the Carolina Sea Islands. Gullah Geechee traditions, language and culture are well preserved here, and you’ll learn about the historical transition from enslavement to land ownership and community building. Join a local guide at the Penn Center – one of the first schools in the South for formerly enslaved people, which later became a key site in the Civil Rights Movement. Dr Martin Luther King Jr drafted his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech here, which he delivered during the 1963 March on Washington. After, have lunch and some free time in nearby Beaufort. Maybe walk in the historic district, visit the waterfront park or browse the shops, galleries and cafes. Later, head to Savannah, where the evening is yours to stroll, have dinner and explore.
Day 4 - Savannah
Take it easy this morning before meeting up with your group for a walking tour that blends the city’s history with some of its best and most delicious eats. You’ll visit a not-so-ordinary pub, an award-winning honey store and a traditional British pie shop highlighting dishes that were eaten by some of Savannah’s earliest settlers. This afternoon is all yours, so make the most of it! Maybe visit the famous Bonaventure Cemetery, widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful. Take in its Southern Gothic charm as you learn more about this famous spot that has inspired everyone from poets to nature lovers and filmmakers.
Day 5 - Asheville
Today, make the drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains to the charming town of Asheville. Home to the country’s best breweries and some of North Carolina’s finest barbecue, Asheville also boasts an incredible folk music scene. When you arrive, you’ll join your leader for a guided walking tour of the downtown area, packed with galleries and artist studios. For dinner, your leader will be able to suggest some of the town's boutique brew houses.
Day 6 - Asheville
Enjoy an easy start to the morning, then join your group for a visit to Biltmore House and Garden. Tour the opulent Gilded Age mansion, famous for being America’s largest home, and perhaps stop in for lunch and a glass of wine at the on-site winery. With the afternoon free, you can then choose to keep exploring the extensive property or head back into town. Tonight, there’s also the chance to join your group for an optional dinner.
Day 7 - Nashville
Depart Asheville this morning, hitting the road headed for Nashville – the country music capital of the world. Check into your accommodation, then join your leader for an orientation walk around the famous ‘Music City.’ After, you’ll visit Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery for a whiskey tasting. Sample some of the award-winning Tennessee whiskey that’s brewed using a family recipe passed down from the late 1800s, with notes of brown sugar and vanilla. Tonight, join your group for a farewell dinner at a restaurant on Broadway – this street is the beating heart of live music in Nashville. Listen to some live tunes over dinner, then you’ll be perfectly located if you’d like to spend the rest of the night exploring the honky tonk bars that line this jam-packed music strip (and it’s highly recommended you do!).
Day 8 - Nashville
Your trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you’d like to stay in Nashville for longer – which is recommended, as there’s so much to do here – just speak to your booking agent.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
29-10-202605-11-2026AUD $ 6,560-
11-03-202718-03-2027AUD $ 5,795-
01-04-202708-04-2027AUD $ 5,795-
15-04-202722-04-2027AUD $ 6,195-
06-05-202713-05-2027AUD $ 5,970-
20-05-202727-05-2027AUD $ 6,160-
03-06-202710-06-2027AUD $ 5,795-
01-07-202708-07-2027AUD $ 5,970-
15-07-202722-07-2027AUD $ 5,970-
19-08-202726-08-2027AUD $ 5,795-
02-09-202709-09-2027AUD $ 5,795-
30-09-202707-10-2027AUD $ 5,795-
14-10-202721-10-2027AUD $ 5,970-
28-10-202704-11-2027AUD $ 5,970-
11-11-202718-11-2027AUD $ 5,795-
02-12-202709-12-2027AUD $ 5,795-
09-03-202816-03-2028AUD $ 6,085-
30-03-202806-04-2028AUD $ 6,085-
13-04-202820-04-2028AUD $ 6,085-
04-05-202811-05-2028AUD $ 6,270-
11-05-202818-05-2028AUD $ 6,270-
18-05-202825-05-2028AUD $ 6,270-
01-06-202808-06-2028AUD $ 6,085-
15-06-202822-06-2028AUD $ 6,085-
29-06-202806-07-2028AUD $ 6,085-
13-07-202820-07-2028AUD $ 6,270-
03-08-202810-08-2028AUD $ 6,270-
10-08-202817-08-2028AUD $ 6,270-
17-08-202824-08-2028AUD $ 6,270-
31-08-202807-09-2028AUD $ 6,270-
14-09-202821-09-2028AUD $ 6,085-
28-09-202805-10-2028AUD $ 6,085-
12-10-202819-10-2028AUD $ 6,270-
26-10-202802-11-2028AUD $ 6,270-
09-11-202816-11-2028AUD $ 6,085-
30-11-202807-12-2028AUD $ 6,085-

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle

Map