14-Day Southern Explorer Tour from New York: Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Great Smoky Mountains, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando and Miami  

Arrive in New York, the city that never sleeps, and transfer independently to your hotel, where you will meet your Tour Director in the evening.

Today our journey begins by leaving the city of Manhattan and travel to Washington, D.C. via Philadelphia, the birthplace of the nation, where you will stop to see Independence Mall and Liberty Bell.

Enjoy a city tour with such highlights as the U.S. Capitol Building, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, the F.B.I. Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House and Arlington National Cemetery, site of the JFK Memorial.

Spend the remainder of the day exploring some of the many museums comprising the Smithsonian Institute or stroll the banks of the Potomac River.

Depart this morning for Williamsburg, Virginia's colonial capital. Walk along the Duke of Gloucester Street to visit some of the impressive public buildings, colonial houses and the College of William and Mary (admissions not included).

Travel along portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway/Mountains before entering the breathtaking scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains and National Park, before arriving in Gatlinburg in the afternoon and explore some of the unique restaurants on main-street, during this evening leisure time.

Continue today through Knoxville, the state's third largest city before you arrive in the early afternoon in Music City USA, Nashville.

Travel across the countryside and arrive in Memphis, the city known for blues music, cotton and home of Sun Records. Take a city tour including Beale Street, the heart of the blues music scene. This afternoon, fans of "The King of Rock and Roll" have the opportunity to tour Graceland, former home of Elvis Presley (optional).

Today's tour takes you to Mississippi, the Magnolia State. Pass through Jackson, the state capital, and continue to Louisiana and New Orleans, the home of the infamous Mardi Gras celebrations.

Tonight, immerse yourself in Creole culture on board an authentic Mississippi Riverboat dinner cruise and enjoy the rhythms of a Dixieland jazz band (optional).

A full day at leisure to take in the French flavor and grandeur of New Orleans. Explore the French Quarter with its trademark wrought iron balconies overlooking the narrow cobblestone streets. Stand atop one of the infamous New Orleans levees and gain the perspective of how these unique feats of architecture guard the city.

Travel along the Mississippi Gulf Coast through Mobile, AL to the city of Pensacola. Visit one of the rose gardens in America at the Bellingrath Home (admission included). While visiting Pensacola Beach, walk along side the swaying sea oats, dipping your toes in the warm waters of the emerald green Gulf of Mexico.

Travel along the Florida panhandle to Ocala, known for thoroughbred horse ranches. Continue through central Florida, heart of America's citrus industry, and on to Orlando for an evening arrival at your hotel.

Day at leisure. Revitalize by the pool or visit one of Orlando's attractions: such as Disney World, SeaWorld, or Universal Studios (admissions not included).

Visit Kennedy Space Center, home of America's space program (admission included). Continue to the cultural melting pot of Miami Beach.

Transfer independently to the airport for your return flight.