Back to Florida

Southern Charm and Coastal History

14 nights

From £2320 per person


Price Includes: Flights, accommodation and car hire

Day 1 - Fly into Miami and drive to Palm Beach, FL, approx. 75 miles

On arrival collect your hire car and head north to Palm Beach. With over 200 cultural attractions, The Palm Beaches has earned the name of Florida's Cultural Capital. Enjoy a variety of cultural opportunities that include nationally recognised performers and dozens of internationally renowned annual events at the many theatres, museums, art centres, indoor and outdoor auditoriums, and enchanting gardens. The dining options are dazzling, but the 47 miles of pristine beaches and countless waterways offer no shortage of liquid assets in The Palm Beaches as well.


Stay two nights in Palm Beach 


Day 3 - Drive to St Augustine, FL, approx. 250 miles

Founded in 1565, St Augustine is the oldest city in the USA, and is a complete contrast from the state of the art Orlando attractions. Enjoy the cobbled streets, quaint restaurants and boutique shopping. Discover attractions like the St. Augustine Lighthouse or dive into history at the Fountain of Youth and Castillo de San Marcos.Tour the Oldest Wooden School House in the United States and experience what school life was like in the 1700s. Marvel at the Tiffany windows and extravagant murals in the main building of Flagler College, formerly Hotel Ponce de Leon.


Stay one night in St Augustine.


Day 4 - Drive to Jacksonville, FL, approx. 70 miles.

Known as the "River City by the Sea", Jacksonville combines more than 20 miles of wide, uncrowded beaches with welcoming neighbourhoods, beautiful waterways and an exciting dining scene. From historic communities and riverside districts to laid-back beach towns, each area has its own personality. 


Discover authentic local flavours at independent restaurants, waterfront eateries and lively cafés, or sample fresh seafood, Southern specialities and locally crafted beers. Jacksonville’s neighbourhoods are ideal for exploring, whether browsing local shops, enjoying live entertainment or dining with views of the St. Johns River.


Beyond its neighbourhoods, Jacksonville boasts nearly 40 miles of the Intracoastal Waterway, the longest stretch of the beautiful St. Johns River and one of the largest urban park systems in the United States. Enjoy surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking and cycling, explore nature trails and parks, or simply relax on the beach and soak up the city’s laid-back coastal atmosphere.


Stay two nights in Jacksonville. 


Day 6 - Drive to Jekyll Island, GA, approx. 115 miles

The smallest of Georgia's barrier islands, Jekyll has a rich history that reaches back centuries. It offers 10 miles of beach, protected marshland, award-winning golf courses, wildlife experiences, kayaking, biking and horse riding adventures, a fun-filled water park, a 250-acre Historic Landmark District and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. A must see (or stay if you like) is the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel, a 19th-century winter retreat for the wealthy. Watch the sunset from the bay side dock or dine in style in the main house. 


Stay two nights on Jekyll Island.

Day 8 - Drive to Savannah, GA, approx. 140 miles

Stroll the streets of the charming port city of Savannah. Take a carriage tour through the gracious squares, visit the house of the film and book Midnight in the Garden of Good Evil, tour Old Fort Jackson built in 1808 and Georgia’s oldest brick fortification, visit the First African Baptist Church which was built by slaves during the night when they were not working and believed to be the oldest African American Church in America. Visit the museums, browse in the shops and dine in one of the many restaurants. One of the best ways to see Savannah is to take a walking tour of the city or an evening Ghost Tour. 


Stay two nights in Savannah.


Day 10 - Drive to Charleston, SC, approx. 105 miles 

Known as one of the South's best preserved cities, Charleston has survived the Civil War, major fires, an earthquake and hurricanes and still exudes elegance, charm and grace. Take a guided tour of the city either on foot or by horse and carriage, which will highlight the cobblestoned streets, historic homes and restored buildings, some with origins prior to the Revolution. Stop at the battery overlooking Fort Sumter where, on 12 April 1861, the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Charleston boasts some fantastic restaurants and you will have the opportunity to sample some authentic Southern cuisine. Make sure you visit Pawley's Island and some of the nearby plantation homes, including one of America's oldest working plantations, Boone Hall, set amidst moss draped oaks. 


Stay two nights in Charleston


Day 12 - Drive to Madison, GA, approx. 265 miles 

Madison is Georgia's "authentic southern town", with an array of ambient local dining options, speciality shops and over 160 antique dealers. It was voted in the top 10 of Southern Living’s South’s Best Small Towns in 2017. Located on Georgia’s 100 mile Antebellum Trail, Madison's pre Civil War and Victorian homes, as well as its tastefully restored downtown are testament to why it escaped Yankee General Sherman's burning march through Georgia.


Stay two nights in Madison.


Day 14 - Drive to Atlanta, GA, approx. 60 miles

Explore this city, home to the World of Coca Cola, the CTR Center, the world’s biggest television network and the Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the world. Visit the Martin Luther King Center where you can take the Civil Rights Walk of Fame, past the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, into the Visitor Center. Visit the Georgia State Capitol building, where Ray Charles played when honoured by the state, making his version of ‘Georgia On My Mind’ the official state song. See the house where Margaret Mitchell wrote Gone with the Wind or unwind in Piedmont Park or at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The city boasts some fantastic restaurants and array of nightlife including plenty of spots where you can find live music.


Stay one night in Atlanta.


Day 15 - Fly home from Atlanta.


*Please note there is a one-way drop off fee on the hire car of $300 payable locally.