Alabama was at the forefront of the nation’s civil rights movement in the late 1950s and ’60s. Tourists today make pilgrimages to places such as Montgomery, Selma and Birmingham, where marches and protests galvanised the nation – and profoundly changed the world.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the American Civil Rights Struggles that shaped the world are highlighted in this road trip around Alabama and Georgia.

Day 1- Arrive in Atlanta, one of the top ten largest cities in America. 

Atlanta is the home of Coca Cola, Martin Luther King and the largest Aquarium in the world. See as much of the World of Coke, the Georgia Aquarium and the King Centre as possible.

Stay for two nights in Atlanta.

Day 3- Pick up your car and drive to Alabama's Capital City, Montgomery (approx. 150 miles). 

On your way you should stop to see the Tuskegee Airmen Historic site and learn about the brave African Americans that broke the race barrier during WWII. Later continue to Montgomery to enjoy The Alley entertainment area of downtown Montgomery which includes a baseball field, basement jazz club, two performance facilities, an outdoor riverfront amphitheatre, several restaurants, bars, a New Orleans-style alley and a riverboat cruise. Montgomery is very walkable - literally a few blocks wide for all of the main tourist attractions.

Stay for two nights in Montgomery.

Day 4- Montgomery is a true southern city. 

It is not only the capital city of Alabama, but also a place where the southern flavour runs as deep as the nearby Alabama River. Both Civil Rights and Civil War history were made here.

Tour the Rosa Parks Museum, named after the woman who refused to move to the back of a city bus. With the help of Dr. King and other civil rights activists, a yearlong boycott started the Civil Rights Struggle in America. Visit the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church – the 1883 church is a World Heritage Site nominee because of its status as the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement. It is the only church where Martin Luther King Jr., served as senior pastor. Enter through the ground-level doors to the basement where Rev. Ralph David Abernathy, NAACP activist E.D. Nixon, King and others vowed a bus boycott following the arrest of Mrs. Parks. A large mural depicts the struggles of the movement and landmark moments in King’s life. See the home where he and his family lived and tour the Civil Rights Memorial. Also downtown is the Alabama State Capitol where protesters marched to demand the right to vote. The Capitol has been restored to its Civil War era beauty and sits across from the First White House of the Confederacy.

Walking along the downtown streets of Montgomery you will pass the fountain where slaves were auctioned to plantation owners. Turning the corner, the buildings still have that old southern charm but now house the museum dedicated to America's first country music superstar, Hank Williams. At the end of the street are the Alabama river and the Harriott II, a riverboat named after the first steamship to make the trip up the Alabama River to Montgomery.

Day 5- Travel to Selma (approx. 50 miles)

American history was made during the Selma-to-Montgomery Civil Rights March. There are two US Park Service museums on this route, one at the midpoint and another in Selma. Tour the Museums dedicated to the march.

Stay for one night in Selma.

Day 6- Drive from Selma to Birmingham (approx. 100 miles)

Alabama’s largest city. Known worldwide for its role in America’s Civil Rights history, Birmingham has devoted an entire district to the historical events of that era, including the acclaimed Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park. Birmingham is also widely acknowledged for its vibrant and sophisticated food scene and live music. With three entertainment districts, award winning restaurants and unrivalled barbecue, Birmingham dining is hard to beat.

Stay for two nights in Birmingham.

Day 7- Explore Birmignham.

Other ‘must do’ attractions in Birmingham include Barber Motorsports Museum with the world’ largest collection of motorcycles and the oldest baseball park in America, Rickwood Field. Tour the city with a knowledgeable step-on guide with Milestone Bus Tours. Red Mountain park, just 10 minutes drive from downtown Birmingham offers miles of hiking, biking and outdoor recreation including a ‘mega-zip’ experience. Birmingham also has great shopping from outlet malls to upscale boutiques. Enjoy dinner and music at Five Points South in the centre of the town.

Day 8- Drive from Birmingham to Atlanta (2 hours 20 minutes, 150 miles).