Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: London – Atlanta
Your Georgia fly drive holiday starts as you arrive into Atlanta, the gateway into the Deep South. Collect your Alamo car rental from the airport and drive on into the bustling cosmopolitan city. Atlanta offers something for everyone, with shopping, family attractions, world-class museums, fine art galleries and historical points of interest to see. Stay 2 nights at the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Atlanta Galleria(or similar).
Day 2: Atlanta
Atlanta will have you buzzing with excitement. The capital of the New South does modern glitz superbly well: not only dazzling skyscrapers and cutting-edge restaurants, but some fabulous attractions too - the biggest aquarium in the world for starters, plus tours behind the scenes at 24-hour news giant CNN, and more flavours of Coke to taste than you ever dreamed existed at the World Of Coca-Cola. There's also fantastic shopping and a great bar and club scene. In addition to that, Atlanta offers plenty of history too – visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and the home of Margaret Mitchell, the famous author of the Southern classic ‘Gone with the Wind’.
Day 3: Atlanta – Chattahoochee National Forest – Athens (approx. 149 miles)
Today, it’s time to head northeast for a scenic drive through the green and mountainous landscapes of Chattahoochee National Forest towards Athens, Georgia’s musical capital. Nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountain, this hip college town is where the band REM began. Visit the restored Victorian-era downtown area with its local art galleries and trendy shops, and take in the happening live music scene where you can hear the latest emerging bands waiting to be discovered. Stay 1 night at the Hilton Garden Inn Athens Downtown(or similar).
Day 4: Athens – Madison – Macon (approx. 90 miles)
Drive back in time today, following the Antebellum Trail through the charming town of Madison, where a number of stately homes remain from the Civil War era line the route towards the historic town of Macon. Famous for its soul food, nightlife and antiquated southern architecture, Macon is a southern gem, where the old south meets an urban downtown area where live music scene seems to be the trend in Georgia. Stay 1 night at the Courtyard Macon (or similar).
Day 5: Macon – Savannah (approx. 166 miles)
Enjoy a leisurely drive towards the coast and the beautiful city of Savannah, Georgia’s oldest city. A ‘must see’ part of any visit to the state, Savannah is a hip and historic town with a great blend of rich culture and magnificent architecture. Stay 3 nights at the Staybridge Suites Savannah Historic District (or similar).
Day 6-7: Savannah
Spanning a 250 year old history means there’s lots to see and do in this quirky town. Discover old-world southern glamour and romance combined with intriguing mystery and true southern hospitality. Hop on an Old Town trolley tour to take in the architecture, Civil War history, spooky cemeteries and many historic homes. Or go by horse drawn carriage along cobbled streets and through picturesque city squares, where the locals flock to and share their stories of a bygone time. Be sure to take a day trip out to Tybee Island, treasured for its long sandy beaches and peaceful ambience.
Day 8: Savannah – Brunswick/Golden Isles (approx. 79 miles)
Depart for a scenic drive down the coast towards the sunny climes of the Golden Isles, a favourite weekend retreat for the Georgians. Base yourself in the portside city of Brunswick where you can easily venture out to the many islands dotted off the coast. Stay 3 nights at the Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island (or similar).
Day 9-10: Brunswick/Golden Isles
Spend two full days discovering the scenic delights of Brunswick and the Golden Isles. Experience the unique art of shrimp fishing aboard the Lady Jane from Brunswick, or take the short drive to St. Simon’s Island, a captivating place from a bygone era with lovely beaches on offer and hidden island treasures found around every corner. Spend another day on Jekyll Island, once the preferred holiday island for America’s rich and famous, nowadays a quiet retreat. Enjoy afternoon tea at the famous Jekyll Island Club Hotel, or hop on a bike for your own self-guided exploration.
Day 11: Golden Isles – Augusta – Columbus (approx. 260 miles)
Today head northwest towards the thriving river-town of Columbus, with a lunch stop in Albany along the way, and where you can find a statue of Ray Charles playing the piano at the Riverfront Park. Arrive late afternoon with time to head out to enjoy the fresh air along the 15-mile Chattahoochee RiverWalk. Stay 2 nights at the Econo Lodge & Suites Historic District (or similar).
Day 12: Columbus
Steeped in historic sights, be sure to visit the fascinating National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus, and Roosevelt’s Little White House; explore the beautiful Historic District and the remarkable architecture of the MidTown Historic District; and for something completely different, learn where Cola-Cola was made at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center. Then there’s Uptown Columbus’ lively entertainment district, where you can taste local cuisines like buttermilk fried chicken and take in a performing arts show or simply dance the night away. For the thrill seekers out there, test your skills on the world’s longest white-water course on the river.
Day 13: Columbus – Milledgeville – Atlanta (approx. 229 miles)
Your Georgian fly drive nears its end today as you head back to Atlanta, stopping by Milledgeville, a true Southern Belle, where you can enjoy a bite to eat within its quaint downtown area before arriving back to the capital city. Take time to see the Centennial Olympic Park where the games where held back in 1996, for fantastic views of the city skyline, and where you can find 251 fountains that shoot water into the air in the shape of the Olympic Rings. Stay 1 night at the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Atlanta Galleria (or similar).
Day 14: Atlanta – London
On your final day, there’s time for some last minute shopping in the morning, so perhaps head to Lennox Square or Phipps Plaza to shop for your Georgia souvenirs and find a bargain or two, then it’s time to return your rental car to the airport before taking your onward overnight flight back to London. (read more...)