Mountain Hikes and City Sites: A Road Trip through Southeast USA

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 as you dance arm in arm with your partner, and the sounds of country music are sure to carry on into your dreams.

Rise bright and early, line your stomachs with coffee and waffles – you'll need the energy for the first drive of the holiday – and pick up your hire car. The drive is just two hours (130 miles) to Chattanooga, a small city that sits on the banks of the sparkling Tennessee river. Check into your chic hotel located in downtown Chattanooga and then head out to explore Coolidge Park, where you can unwind with a picnic against the splashing sounds of the water fountain. When evening rolls around, head to the Bitter Alibi, a dimly lit bar with enough board games and draft beers to see you well into the night.

With a nickname like ‘Scenic City’, Chattanooga knows how to impress with its riverside location and surrounding views of the Appalachian Mountains. So, spend your time in nature at Lookout Mountain – here, you can explore Rock City’s ancient rock formations, cross a 180ft-long suspension bridge, scale a climbing wall and look out over seven different states from a single viewpoint at Lover’s Leap (a fitting name if you’re on a romantic road trip). Back in the city, check out JJ’s Bohemia, a lively watering hole that hosts up-and-coming Nashville rock bands and weekly open mic nights.

Jump back in your car for today’s drive, a leisurely two-and-a-half hours (145 miles) to the eastern Tennessee city of Pigeon Forge, home to Dolly Parton’s aptly named ‘Dollywood’ theme park. Your hotel sits just ten miles from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, putting you in an ideal location to explore Pigeon Forge’s city sites and its surrounding areas.

The next three days are all about experiencing what Pigeon Forge has to offer. Known as one of the gateway cities to the Great Smoky Mountains, begin your stay with a visit to this epic force of nature. Watch rushing waterfalls, spot black bears and elk, picnic with a mountain view or hike along one of the many scenic trails. As you’ll have your car, we also recommend a drive along Cades Cove Loop Road for mighty views of the mountains and an opportunity to spot even more wildlife.

No trip to Pigeon Forge is complete without a day at Dollywood. Whether a Dolly Parton superfan or simply a lover of roller coaster rides, the theme park is sure to impress with its range of rides, live music, museums and theatre shows.

You’re sure to have worked up an appetite after mountain hikes and roller coaster rides, and Pigeon Forge is home to a tasty selection of local specialties. Just ask our local Concierge to book you into one of the restaurants serving BBQ pulled pork, southern fried chicken and Appalachian classics like cornbread and greens.

Feast on a hearty all-American breakfast before you buckle up and begin your next drive to Asheville. Wave goodbye to Tennessee as you head east and cross over the state line into North Carolina, arriving at your downtown hotel around two hours after you set off. Check in, dump your bags and freshen up before heading out for a mooch around Asheville. Known for its historic architecture, eclectic culture, vibrant arts scene and an abundance of trendy breweries, the hours spent exploring will fly by.

Discover Biltmore Estate Biltmore Estate is the United States’ largest home, and today we’ve secured you tickets to explore it. Built in 1895, the house is an architectural marvel, with sumptuous clothing, works of art and decadent interiors to be discovered. The gardens are just as grand, with miles of walking trails, a rose garden that's home to over 250 varieties of rose, green forests and the open grasslands of Deer Park. After exploring the 8,000 acres, ask our local Concierge to snag you a table at one of the restaurants with a sunset view over the Blue Ridge mountains – a perfectly romantic end to your three nights in Asheville.

Hit the road for your journey into the third and final state of your holiday, the gorgeous Georgia. With satnavs set for Blue Ridge, you’ll arrive at this mountainous town after around three hours. Your home for the next two nights is located just a few miles outside of downtown Blue Ridge, so check in and cosy into the cabin nestled in the heart of the Aska Adventure Area. The region is packed with hiking trails and sweeping vistas, so spend the remainder of the day getting to grips with your surroundings. As evening falls, gather around the outdoor fireplace, snuggle up to your partner and enjoy the night’s sky as it comes to life with a dusting of stars.

Wake up to the aroma of a home-cooked breakfast, fill your bellies to the brim and get stuck into the day’s activities. Options today include tubing down Toccoa River; kayaking and fishing at Lake Blue Rudge; spotting wildlife along one of the many hiking or biking trails; and simply indulging in the visual feast of the mountains. If you fancy popping into Blue Ridge town, make sure to wander down Main Street to browse the antique shops, galleries and quality restaurants. Back at the lodge, gather around the fireplace for one last night under the stars and raise a glass to the final night of your adventure.

Your final morning in the States has rolled around, so pack your bags and begin the 90-mile drive to Atlanta. Your flight isn’t until the evening, so drop off the car and head into the city for one last lunch. At the airport, relax in the lounge before boarding your home-bound flight, where you can spark a debate over which of the three southeastern state was your favourite. If you can’t decide, fear not – you have an eight-hour journey to mull it over.