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Beale Street, Memphis

Deep South

America's musical heartland

Deep South tailor-made holidays

Introduction

Made up of the southern states of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, the Deep South is one of the most distinctive parts of the USA. Steeped in musical traditions, history, culture, sports and unique attractions, perhaps the greatest attribute of the home of jazz and blues is the warmth of its people.

Music of the Deep South

As you make your way through the green valleys of Georgia and the semi-arid tablelands of Alabama, expect America’s south to welcome you into honky-tonk bars, music halls and downtown diners. Music lovers will be truly at home in this iconic area of the USA. Chart the progression of Americana in Nashville, where mid-century hillbilly gave way to a more refined 1960s sound before plunging into the alternative rock scene of the 1990s. In Memphis, Elvis still reigns, while New Orleans dances to the rhythms of jazz, blues and rock & roll. This beating cultural heart of the Deep South combines weekly festivals and colourful parades with mouthwatering creole food and the colonial architecture of the famous French Quarter to create a carnival atmosphere that has to be seen, or heard, to be believed.

Musician in Nashville Tennessee
Nashville music scene

Amazing landscapes; unique culture

For a truly laid-back experience, a luxury cruise on the Mississippi takes in the history of the region's riverside plantation homes. There are also the leafy cities of Charleston and Savannah, both gateways to several key sites from the American Civil War, including Fort Sumter – the pentagon-shaped island where the first shots of the war were fired. Alternatively, the sweeping curves of Blue Ridge Parkway (so-called because of the blue isoprene haze released by its trees) take you through North Carolina’s mountainous east while its coast treats you to a classic combination of sand, sea and some excellent surf.

Mississippi River
Mississippi River

Mouthwatering food

Dining in these southern states is anything but ordinary. A complex history involving Native Americans, African slaves and the European colonies has led to a host of cultural influences shaping everything from the architecture to, of course, the food. Acadians in Louisiana left their mark in the warming stews, succulent crawfish and Cajun spices it's known for. In Georgia, locals still count grits as part of their staple diet, but it's the fried chicken and biscuits that you shouldn't overlook. In Mississippi, where the catfish reigns, soul food is also on the menu, through recipes handed down from the cotton plantations. The Deep South is about all intense flavours, cultural traditions, and most of the time, eating with your hands.

Bowl of Cajun Creole Jambalaya
Cajun Creole Jambalaya

 

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Special offers in Deep South

Country band, Nashville

All-American Music Tour

13-day tailor-made self-drive from £2,470 pp incl. flights

When it comes to American music, all roads lead to the Deep South. This fly-drive celebrates the very best of the region's musical heritage, from soulful blues and brassy jazz to riverboat calliopes and gospel choirs.

Top itineraries in Deep South

Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee

Rhythms of the Deep South Self-Drive

15-day tailor-made self-drive from £2,905 pp incl. flights

Discover a rich and innovative culture, history and heritage on this self-drive tour of the Deep South states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Alabama State Capitol, Montgomery, Alabama, USA

Alabama Music Self-drive

14-day tailor-made self-drive from £2,820 pp incl. flights

The Deep South has music running through its veins, and nowhere more so than in the state of Alabama. Explore its rich heritage, both musical and otherwise, on this tailor-made road-trip.

Charleston, South Carolina, USA historic downtown cityscape

Luxury Charleston & Coast

12-day tailor-made itinerary from £4,230 pp incl. flights

From city sights to sun-kissed islands, discover the highlights of the South Carolina coast, where antebellum mansions, historic plantations and neoclassical architecture contrast with a sublime natural world.

Outer Banks, North Carolina

Best of the Carolinas & Georgia

14-day tailor-made self-drive from £4,085 pp incl. flights

From atmospheric mountains to pristine beaches, discover a region off the beaten track where incredible natural beauty and vibrant cities set the scene for an unforgettable road trip.

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Top places to stay in Deep South

Bienville House

Bienville House

Historic hotel

Bringing quintessential French sophistication to the old-world design aesthetic of New Orlean's historic French Quarter, Bienville House offers more than just a prime location.

Doubletree by Hilton Lafayette

Doubletree by Hilton Lafayette

Contemporary hotel

Deep within southern Louisiana in the historic city of Lafayette, Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette is ideally located to discover what the Cajun Country has to offer.

Union Station Hotel, Nashville

Union Station Hotel, Nashville

Historic hotel

The Union Station Hotel is a characterful, central boutique hotel situated inside a beautifully-restored 19th-century railroad station in downtown Nashville. Its signature restaurant, Prime 108, is the proud recipient of the prestigious Forbes Four-Star award for culinary excellence.

Loews Atlanta

Loews Atlanta

Contemporary hotel

Situated in the centre of Midtown, near Piedmont Park, the Loews Atlanta combines contemporary Southern style with classic luxury. Rooms feature a sleek, modern scheme with floor to ceiling windows affording fantastic city views. The location is better than downtown, with a great selection of restau

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Where to go in Deep South

Blues guitarist, Mississippi

Mississippi

America's Mississippi mixes the very best in southern hospitality with legendary blues music, grand plantation homes and a history and heritage steeped in the civil rights movement.

Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

Tennessee

Tennessee is yet another southern state known for its immense contribution to music; in this case American roots music, from bluegrass, country, gospel, and blues to rockabilly, rock 'n' roll and soul.

Louisiana bayou

Louisiana

Louisiana is an exotic mix of nations and cultures and has one of the most colourful histories of any US state. World-class music and fabulous food - a mix of French, African, Spanish and Acadian combine to create a sensory overload.

Wormsloe Plantation, Savannah

Georgia State

From plantations and coastal islands to the Antebellum Trail, Georgia should definitely be on your mind. Charming towns deeply rooted in America's history give way to coastal regions of exceptional beauty and vast and protected scenic mountain areas dotted with cabins and cottages.

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When to go to Deep South

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Spring (Apr to Jun) and Autumn (Sep and Oct) are the best times to visit the Deep South and the Carolinas. Days are warm, nights are cool and you’ll avoid the hot, humid conditions of summer. On the coast, June to September can see heavy rain and the occasional hurricane, while winters, especially in the north, can be cold. Mardi Gras, which takes place in New Orleans each February, can be very busy so you’ll need to book well in advance.

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Deep South articles

Alabama State Capitol, Montgomery, Alabama, USA

The heart and history of Alabama

Alabama showcases both sides of its mid-20th-century history in equal measure – discover its musical and civil rights history in some of its major cities.

Nashville, Tennessee

British Airways announce non-stop flights to Nashville

How British Airways' new, non-stop flights to Nashville will affect travel to the Deep South and the best ways to take advantage of them.

Meet our Deep South experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0636

Meet the team

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0636 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

Expert advice & support

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Let our travel specialists curate the perfect holiday:

  • Inspirational ideas based on experience
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Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

  • Dedicated personal consultants
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  • Care and guidance pre, post and during holiday
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