Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Charlotte - Waynesville - Savannah - Charleston - Wilmington - Duck
100% customisable for you
Rise and shine: your USA holiday starts today. Make your way to the airport, speed through security and enjoy some nibbles in the lounge before hopping aboard your nine-hour direct flight to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Once you’ve touched down and whizzed through arrivals, pick up your hire car and drive 20 minutes to Charlotte’s downtown area. Check into your hotel and settle in for a quiet evening – your American adventure truly begins tomorrow.
After a good night's sleep and a hearty American breakfast (biscuits and gravy, anyone?), it’s time for a whistlestop tour of Charlotte. Stop by the high-octane NASCAR Hall of Fame to discover a few racing legends, rub shoulders with hip residents in the historic NoDa arts district and pause to pick up snacks for the road at the Market at 7th Street food hall.
Once you’ve explored Charlotte, hit the open road to Waynesville. Catch your first glimpse of rural North Carolina as you drive two hours westward along the I-40 W, passing through quaint towns en route.
Located at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, Waynesville is known for its incredible scenery, outdoor adventures and picturesque main street. Drop your bags off at your hotel and head out to eat in the city’s urban downtown area.
Waynesville isn’t just the largest town in western North Carolina – it’s also the most charming. Spend the next couple of days immersed in the Great Smoky Mountains’ wild beauty. Hike and horse ride to scenic lookouts, trade stories around crackling bonfires and indulge in wine tastings on sweeping lawns. There’s plenty to do in downtown Waynesville, too, from independent boutiques and bustling markets to craft breweries and electric theatres.
On your third afternoon, jump back in your trusty hire car and begin the five-hour drive to Savannah. Arriving in the evening, enjoy a hearty southern meal before hitting the hay.
This morning, hop out of bed bright and early, enjoy a tasty breakfast and make your way to Tybee Island. Only a 20-minute drive from Savannah, this cute coastal city is home to five miles of public beach and one of the nation’s oldest lighthouses. Soak in the salty sea air before treating your taste buds to fresh seafood at The Original Crab Shack. Continue your outdoor adventure at Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge. Reachable only by boat, this coastal barrier island is the perfect place to birdwatch, beachcomb and hike.
If it’s history you’re after, Savannah’s storied past will satisfy. Wander along rows of historic houses and colonial mansions, and visit the Telfair and SCAD Museum of Art. Feeling peckish? Sink your teeth into decadent southern staples such as peach cobbler and buttermilk biscuits – Savannah is nicknamed the ‘Hostess City of the South’, after all.
After three nights in Savannah, load up the car and embark on the journey to Charleston. Drive two-and-a-half hours along the scenic Route 17, an iconic 1200-mile stretch of road home to numerous seaside towns and historic Civil War plantations.
Just before you reach Charleston, we recommend stopping at Middleton Place. Beautifully preserved, this old plantation is today a memorial for the thousands of slaves who lived and worked here, complete with impressive architecture and manicured gardens. Then, journey onwards to Charleston, where you’ll spend the next three nights.
Your time in Charleston is all about rest and recuperation. Begin with an American-style brunch at a downtown diner, before heading out on a morning stroll through the grand churches, weathered cemeteries and Antebellum homes of the city’s historic district. If you fancy a foray into Charleston’s past, head to the city’s eponymous museum (the oldest in the US), or the Old Slave Mart Museum, believed to be the location of the last South Carolina slave auction.
Feeling adventurous? Spend an afternoon exploring the city by kayak. Weave through cypress-lined waterways, keeping an eye out for manatees and dolphins, and look over the city from the uninhabited Morris Island. Or, if you’d rather see the skyline with a tipple in hand, watch the sun set from one of Charleston’s rooftop bars.
On your last afternoon in Charleston, set off on the three-and-a-half-hour drive to your next destination: Wilmington, North Carolina.
Wilmington may not be as well-known as Charleston or Savannah, but that doesn’t make it any less worth visiting. You’ve only got one day here, so start with a morning mooch along the idyllic Riverwalk on the Cape Fear River. Fringed with bars, cafes and whitewashed boutiques, this walkway is the perfect place to stop for a scenic southern breakfast.
If you’re craving a bit of civil and world war history, visit Wilmington’s old Confederate Fort Fisher, the Cape Fear Historical Complex Museum or Battleship North Carolina. Fancy yourself a film aficionado? You might recognise the town from the myriad films and TV shows shot here, from Iron Man to One Tree Hill.
Come evening, hop back in your hire car and make the four-and-a-half-hour sunset drive up to your hotel in Duck, a quaint town on the state’s Outer Banks.
Duck is the northernmost town on the Outer Banks, a 200-mile stretch of barrier islands just off North Carolina’s coast. This beachside town earned its name from duck hunting, which was popular during the 20th century, but is now best known for its quiet coastal vibe. You have three nights here, so spend your first one relaxing after the drive from Wilmington.
The next two days are yours for the taking. Soak in Duck’s romantic, small-town atmosphere as you wander down its main street, ambling between galleries, artisanal gift shops and cosy cafes. If you feel like cranking up the speed, head out on an exhilarating airboat tour around nearby islands, inlets and lone lighthouses. End your evenings at one of Duck’s incredible eateries – we’d recommend Kimball’s Kitchen, Blue Point or Aqua Restaurant for the freshest local seafood.
Take advantage of the slow pace of life in Duck with one last morning beach walk and a hearty country breakfast at your hotel. Once you’re suitably stuffed, sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to the sea and begin the three-and-a-half-hour drive inland to Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Once you arrive, drop your trusty car off and check in for your eight-hour overnight flight. You’ll land in the UK the next morning, ready to regale your friends and family with colourful tales from your Carolinas adventure.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
