Country, Soul and Rock’n’Roll: Deep South Road Trip

Wake up and indulge in an all-American breakfast – you're in Nashville, so be sure to order a plate of spicy fried chicken and waffles. The afternoon is yours to spend how you please, so check out hot spots like Lower Broad in Broadway, a lively street lined with honky-tonks (country music bars) and restaurants. Or head to the Civil Rights Room to see powerful photographs, videos and displays about Nashville’s role in changing the face of America during the civil rights movement.

Come evening, we’ve secured you tickets to a concert at the legendary Grand Ole Opry. For any lover of country music, nothing beats attending this radio-turned-television performance. It’s the oldest in the United States, and has seen names such as Dolly Parton and Hank Williams grace its stage. Toes will be tapping and hips will be swaying all night long, and the sounds of country music are sure to carry on into your dreams.

Bid farewell to both Nashville and Tennesse, because today you’re driving to Birmingham in ‘sweet home Alabama’. The drive is around 190 miles, giving you just under three hours to sing about how the skies are so blue. After you arrive at your hotel in one of Birmingham’s friendly suburbs, dump your bags and use the rest of the day to explore. Check out the surrounding suburb’s restaurants, galleries and bars, or head into Birmingham’s city centre to discover the hundreds of acres of green parks and to find out why it’s been dubbed the ‘Dinner Table of the South’ (spoiler: the food is to die for).

Today’s a full free day to explore Birmingham’s city sites. After breakfast, we recommend heading to Downtown to the Birmingham Museum of Art, where you can browse various exhibitions, a sculpture garden and a permanent collection of European, Asian and Native American art. Over in the Civil Rights District, educate yourself with historical exhibits on segregation and the Civil Rights struggle, then make sure to check out the nearby Kelly Ingram Park to see the dramatic sculptures depicting scenes from the movement.

Load your bags back into the car for today’s drive to Montgomery, Alabama’s charming capital. You’ll be on the road for around 90 minutes (90 miles), so soak in the Southern roadside landscape before arriving at your hotel. You’ll be staying in the quaint and cobblestoned downtown, where the tree-lined streets are ideal for an afternoon of shopping for clothing, crafts and collectibles. Make sure to visit the touching memorial, honouring those who died during the Civil Rights Movement.

Evening is the perfect time to explore Montgomery’s bar and lounge scene. Enjoy a local brew with a view from one of the many rooftop bars, or get involved in Tower Taproom, Alabama’s first self-pour taproom, where 57 taps dispense an exciting variety of craft beers, ciders and wines. Take your pick and savour every sip on your first night in Alabama’s capital.

With a rich history and vibrant culture, there’s plenty to do today in Montgomery. To learn more about the city’s connection to the Civil Rights Movement, head to the Rosa Parks Museum. Here you’ll find displays on her life and achievements, most notably her famous refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus in 1955. Animal lovers will want to head to the Montgomery Zoo, which houses roughly 750 animals from all over the world and has a whopping 40 acres of lush outdoor space.

Come dinner time, dive headfirst into Montgomery’s tasty food scene. Whether you fancy some Southern comfort food, Gulf Coast seafood or some simple soulful barbecue, the city’s wonderful restaurants will leave your stomachs wanting for nothing.

Roll out of bed and set your satnav for Mobile, because today’s 170-mile drive is to Alabama’s oldest city. This must-stop Southern spot sits on the shoreline of the Gulf Coast and is where America’s original Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday to us Brits) celebrations began. Your hotel is nestled in the heart of the city's small centre, close to the bustling Dauphins Street. This street is lined with restaurants, bars, art galleries and small shops filled with Mardi Gars themed souvenirs – plenty to keep you entertained for the remainder of the day. Stick around here for the evening and you’ll catch the sound of live jazz music as it spills from the bars and onto the streets.

Mobile is steeped in history, and today is all about discovering it. To experience some military history, check out the Battleship Memorial Park and step aboard a World War II battleship: the USS Alabama. Across the 12 decks, you’ll experience what life was like on board, and in the surrounding park there are various war-time planes to check out. Mobile also have seven National Register Historic Districts, which are perfect for an afternoon stroll past ancient oak trees and grand old buildings. After a day of history, head back to your hotel and freshen up ready for an evening of bar hopping and toe tapping to live music.

Today marks the final long drive of your holiday, so load the car and begin the 145-mile (two-hour) drive to New Orleans, Louisiana, the colourful capital of jazz. You’ll be spending the next three nights in a historic hotel, located just a few blocks away from the iconic French Quarter. Settle in and get ready to spend the day immersed in the soul, spirit and passion of New Orleans. Chat to locals, join in on a second line parade, make a wish at the Voodoo Queens tomb in St Louis cemetery and drink plenty of Abita Ambers. When you’re feeling peckish, try the local po-boy sandwiches – fried shrimp, oysters or roast beef on French bread with lettuce and tomatoes. Irresistible!

Over the next two days, dive into some iconic New Orleans activities. First up: a walking tour around the French Quarter, an area packed with history and culture. An expert guide will take you 300 years into the past, bringing to life the fascinating stories behind the different architectural styles and the reasons why jazz is so integral to New Orlean's culture.

Next, take a break from the city on a classic cruise along the Mississippi river with live jazz entertainment on board. Feast on a deliciously fresh lunch or brunch while listening to a live narration jam-packed with fun facts.Then, if you haven’t already, make sure to check out New Orleans’ night scene. After dark, the city is alive with people enjoying Southern music, hearty food and flowing drinks. For your last night before your journey home begins, enjoy one last hurrah by dipping into the city’s cocktail culture, tasting a selection of traditional Sazeracs.

Buckle up your seatbelts and wave goodbye to New Orleans, because sadly your final morning in the Deep South has rolled around. Head to the airport, drop off your trusty set of wheels, speed through security and board your nine-hour flight back to London. With a selection of new favourite music artists, you’ll have no problem drifting off to some rhythmic blues.