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Georgia
Gone with the Wind territory, the Southern state of Georgia is full of charm, history and gracious columned mansions. Atlanta, the capital city, was almost destroyed during the Civil War. Today, it is a vibrant city that gracefully blends cosmopolitan sophistication with traditional Southern hospitality. Landmarks include Stone Mountain Park, Six Flags Over Georgia theme park and the Martin Luther King Junior Center. There are also museums galore, botanical gardens and art galleries. Malls to vintage neighbourhood shops characterise the diversity of shopping, with Lenox Square Mall and Phipps Plaza being particular favourites. 80 miles southeast of Georgia is Macon, one-time home to Little Richard, Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers. Check out their heritage in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, or head to the Museum of Arts and Sciences for interactive exhibits. The coastal region of Georgia, featuring sultry and romantic Savannah, is a treasure trove for nature lovers. Great for families, Savannah is packed to bursting with history and features ghost tours, harbour cruises, championship golfing, parks and gardens. One-time millionaire playground, Jekyll Island is still a romantic retreat with fine dining, historical sights and sports galore.
Tennessee
Blues, country, soul, rock 'n' roll - you name it - Tennessee is home to it! A gracious Southern state with a rich and varied heritage, there are battlefields to explore, monuments, museums, zoos and historical towns. In the heart of Memphis is Beale Street, the Memphis Rock N Soul Museum, the Gibson Guitar Factory and FedEx Forum. Elvis Presley's Graceland, the National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis Zoo and the Stax Museum of American Soul are nearby, too. The Peabody Hotel is another popular attraction - get there around 11.00am or 5.00pm to see the Peabody ducks march through the grand lobby in time-honoured tradition! When travelling between Nashville and Memphis, be sure to stop at the famous Casey Jones Village in Jackson. Tell them you're with Virgin Holidays for some FREE home-made fudge. In Nashville, tour an antebellum home, take a ride downriver on a showboat. There's also the Country Music Hall of Fame and, of course, the Grand Ole Opry House. Fine dining can be enjoyed in Tennessee with restaurants, bars and cafés to suit all tastes and budgets, whilst shoppers will enjoy bargain hunting at the Opry Mills complex in Nashville.
Louisiana
New Orleans is a city like no other in the United States. Bars have no closing times, the food is spicy and music pulsates from almost everywhere. The birthplace of jazz, every night is music night on Bourbon Street, with everything from traditional and Dixieland jazz to funky and Latin jazz. You can also enjoy dinner and jazz at Arnaud's Jazz Bistro - choose between a special table d'hôte menu or Arnaud's famous full-dinner menu and dine under sparkling chandeliers. Creole cuisine is sublime, with local crab, shrimp, oysters and crawfish in plentiful supply. The Palace Café's crabmeat cheesecake is a must-eat and at Pat O'Brien's there's a cocktail - aptly entitled The Hurricane! Antique lovers should head to Royal Street and Chartres Street in the French Quarter, and Magazine Street in the Garden District for shops galore. There's also a French market offering the perfect package of shopping, dining and music in an old world atmosphere.
Carolinas
Carolina is one of the original American colonies with a rich history and culture shaped by European, African and Caribbean influence. Sunny beaches, crystal lakes, historic towns and scenic mountains can be found in abundance along with championship golf courses, unique shops and fantastic dining. Charleston embodies Southern charm and is one of the best preserved cities in the United States. There are old plantation houses to discover and numerous museums dedicated to the Civil War and the Old South. Fine restaurants feature gourmet cuisine and downtown, fashionable boutiques line the streets. Hilton Head Island is a playground for the sports enthusiast with more than 25 golf courses. Just off the coast of South Carolina, water sports are also popular with sailing, dolphin and nature cruises on the agenda. The Sea Pines Forest Preserve offers a close-up look at a swamp and Harbourtown Lighthouse is the island's icon. 2008 will see the opening of the world's first rock 'n' roll theme park, Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, home to Led Zeppelin - The Ride. The 140-acre park will boast more than 40 attractions for rockers of all ages.
Alabama
Nestled in the heart of the Deep South, Alabama sweeps down from the heights of the Appalachian Mountains to the sun-drenched beaches of the Gulf Coast. Come and experience Alabama?s musical heritage which has had such an impact on the music of today, indulge yourself in our great cuisine and visit the Civil War battlefields and beautiful antebellum mansions of a long-gone era. The North of the state is renowned for its awe-inspiring scenery of lakes, mountains, canyons and caves offering a diverse range of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, horse-riding and fishing. The very southern tip of the State is best known for Mobile Bay and the Gulf Coast beaches. All year long the port city of Mobile features the taste of the coast with fresh, delicious seafood and a diverse array of bars, restaurants and live music venues. Just across the bay are the coastal towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach where 32 miles of sugary white sands await you as well as a fantastic array of bars and restaurants and some of the best outlet shopping in the State.