Southern Heritage: Charleston to Nashville
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Experience Overview
Uncover the history, culture and cuisine of the Southern states on this eight-day adventure from Charleston to Nashville. Hear stirring stories behind the landmarks of Charleston, learn about Gullah Geechee culture in the Carolina Sea Islands and walk the historic streets of Savannah with your passionate trip leader. Head to the Appalachian Mountains for a visit to Biltmore House in Asheville, the United States’ largest home, then finish your trip in the toe-tapping heartland of country and western music. If you want to do more than just see the sites, this immersive, historic journey is calling your name!
Highlights
- Wander the historic streets of Savannah, trying the local food on a walking tour that blends the city’s history with some of its most delicious eats.
- Learn about Charleston’s rich and complex past with an expert guide, visiting historic landmarks and hearing the stories behind the city.
- Visit Biltmore House and Garden, the United States’ largest home, and perhaps stop for lunch at the on-site winery.
- Taste the real Tennessee during a whiskey tasting at an award-winning distillery serving up a family recipe that’s been passed down from the late 19th century.
- Explore the Penn Center on St Helena Island to learn about Gullah Geechee culture, Sea Island history and the community’s enduring traditions of language, craft and resilience.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2618
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Comfortable
Transport: Private vehicle
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Explorer, Budget
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: SSKX
Starts: Charleston, United States Of America
Finishes: Nashville, United States Of America
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (2), Dinner (1)Accommodation: Hotel (7 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5695 ($712 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Charleston. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe go for a walk in the Historic District, where cobblestone streets wind through ornate homes, walled gardens and the pastel facades of Rainbow Row. Learn about Charleston’s complex Civil War history and the role of nearby Fort Sumter, then browse the local market for Gullah Geechee crafts, including the iconic handwoven sweetgrass baskets. Tonight, maybe sit down with your fellow travellers at a local restaurant for she-crab soup or shrimp and grits.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast this morning, join your group for a Black history tour with an expert guide. This insightful experience explores Charleston’s Black history, going beyond landmarks and reframing the city through the people who shaped it, including Black builders, artisans, enslaved people and free Black residents. The afternoon is yours to explore Charleston at your own pace. Perhaps book a food tour to discover more flavours of the South. Or, if you didn’t have time yesterday, maybe visit Fort Sumter, duck over to the Charleston City Market or walk through the Historic District with a new point of view after your morning tour.
Included Activities:
- Charleston - Black History walking tour with a local guide
Optional Activities:
- Charleston - Fort Sumter National Monument (39 USD)
- Charleston - Food Tour (3 Hours) (100 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Depart Charleston in the morning and make a stop at the Angel Oak – one of the oldest living trees in the eastern United States. The enormous tree, with its branches draping all the way to the ground, has long been admired as a symbol of endurance. Then, continue to St Helena Island in the Carolina Sea Islands. Gullah Geechee traditions, language and culture are well preserved here, and you’ll learn about the historical transition from enslavement to land ownership and community building. Join a local guide at the Penn Center – one of the first schools in the South for formerly enslaved people, which later became a key site in the Civil Rights Movement. Dr Martin Luther King Jr drafted his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech here, which he delivered during the 1963 March on Washington. After, have lunch and some free time in nearby Beaufort. Maybe walk in the historic district, visit the waterfront park or browse the shops, galleries and cafes. Later, head to Savannah, where the evening is yours to stroll, have dinner and explore.
Included Activities:
- Beaufort - Gullah Geechee cultural tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Take it easy this morning before meeting up with your group for a walking tour that blends the city’s history with some of its best and most delicious eats. You’ll visit a not-so-ordinary pub, an award-winning honey store and a traditional British pie shop highlighting dishes that were eaten by some of Savannah’s earliest settlers. This afternoon is all yours, so make the most of it! Maybe visit the famous Bonaventure Cemetery, widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful. Take in its Southern Gothic charm as you learn more about this famous spot that has inspired everyone from poets to nature lovers and filmmakers.
Included Activities:
- Savannah - Walking Food tour
Optional Activities:
- Savannah - Bonaventure Cemetery (Entrance only) - Free
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, make the drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains to the charming town of Asheville. Home to the country’s best breweries and some of North Carolina’s finest barbecue, Asheville also boasts an incredible folk music scene. When you arrive, you’ll join your leader for a guided walking tour of the downtown area, packed with galleries and artist studios. For dinner, your leader will be able to suggest some of the town's boutique brew houses.
Included Activities:
- Asheville - Leader-led orientation
- Blue Ridge Parkway - Scenic stops
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy an easy start to the morning, then join your group for a visit to Biltmore House and Garden. Tour the opulent Gilded Age mansion, famous for being America’s largest home, and perhaps stop in for lunch and a glass of wine at the on-site winery. With the afternoon free, you can then choose to keep exploring the extensive property or head back into town. Tonight, there’s also the chance to join your group for an optional dinner.
Included Activities:
- Asheville - Biltmore Estate House & Grounds
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Depart Asheville this morning, hitting the road headed for Nashville – the country music capital of the world. Check into your accommodation, then join your leader for an orientation walk around the famous ‘Music City.’ After, you’ll visit Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery for a whiskey tasting. Sample some of the award-winning Tennessee whiskey that’s brewed using a family recipe passed down from the late 1800s, with notes of brown sugar and vanilla. Tonight, join your group for a farewell dinner at a restaurant on Broadway – this street is the beating heart of live music in Nashville. Listen to some live tunes over dinner, then you’ll be perfectly located if you’d like to spend the rest of the night exploring the honky tonk bars that line this jam-packed music strip (and it’s highly recommended you do!).
Included Activities:
- Tennessee Whiskey Distillery Visit
- Nashville - Leader led walking tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Your trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you’d like to stay in Nashville for longer – which is recommended, as there’s so much to do here – just speak to your booking agent.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Greg - Traveled, October 2023
Recently, I completed my first ever group travel trip. I chose Intrepid based on what a family member thought may suit me, and could not have been happier. Our guide, Travis, was exceptional with his knowledge, responsibility, interpersonal skills, and energy. This trip was just what I needed, and can't wait to do another one!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/30/2023
Pauline - Traveled, October 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. I got a taste of some cities that were new to me, learned about them from knowledgeable guides, had enough time on my own and we were well taken care of during the entire trip. I enjoyed meeting new my fellow travelers and the small grp format was perfect for my preferences.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/14/2023
Rita - Traveled, October 2023
I didn't expect that the only day we were in Atlanta was to spend in a civil war museum and MLK memorial museum.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/04/2024
Samuel - Traveled, August 2022
If you like music, food, architecture and history then this tour is for you. The itinerary has the right balance between travel and non travel days; as well as good balance between group and individual activities. Happy to recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/09/2022
Jillian - Traveled, May 2024
Loved this tour. Learnt so much about the history of the Souther States. And the towns we visited were full of historic buildings and stories. Highly recommend this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/13/2024
Mark - Traveled, May 2024
This is an excellent trip for a whistle stop tour of the south. Food is great as long as you are not vegetarian!! The tour guide was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable, which really helped.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/08/2024
Tracy - Traveled, July 2024
This trip was amazing! Each stop was full of beauty, history and enriching experience. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for a true southern experience. Justin James was an exceptional guide! If booking this trip definitely book with Justin!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/14/2024
Lindsay - Traveled, July 2024
The Intrepid experience is fantastic and the people they select to lead are inspirational and the leader we have just experienced is exceptional
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/18/2024
ian - Traveled, July 2024
A short trip throughout the American deep south with food, history and culture. This is one amazing trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/12/2024
