Rhythms of the South - Atlanta, Nashville, New Orleans

So, three fab cities, three states...how do you go about getting to see all of them in one trip? The answer's one of the most beautiful, interesting road trips in America. Start at the gateway city of Atlanta, at the busiest airport in the world.

Atlanta to Nashville
A journey of less than 250 miles, so an easy day's drive. Head north west on Interstate 75 past the rust-coloured soil of Red Top Mountain State Park, up through the Chattahoochee National Forest and down into Tennessee and the charming riverside town of Chattanooga. Glen Miller sang about the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, and now the town's glorious station is a hotel and the trains are bedrooms.

Riverside walks through the art district atop a bluff and Civil War battle monuments atop Lookout Mountain. From here take I-24 over Mont Eagle Mountain straight to Nashville or take a detour along the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains to find Pigeon Forge, America's factory outlet mall capital and home to Dollywood, Dolly Parton's family fun park. Drive up to Newfound Gap for the classic hazy, purple-tinged view of the Smokies, the most popular National Park in the US. Point your car west on Interstate 40 for the 180-mile cruise to Nashville.

Nashville to New Orleans
From Nashville take I-40 west for the pleasant, tree-lined 210-mile drive to Memphis. Stop in the city to gaze at the wide, serene Mississippi, listen to the blues as you walk down bustling Beale Street and visit the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum. But whatever you do, don't miss Graceland, Elvis Presley's home.
South from Memphis can either mean the fast, straight I-55, just under 400 miles to New Orleans, or the slower, meandering Highway 61, the River Road, shadowing the river on its journey south through the cotton fields of Mississippi...the legendary Mississippi Delta. Stop at little Clarksdale, home of the blues where Muddy Waters used to play on street corners, birthplace of John Lee Hooker, Ike Turner and Sam Cooke.

Visit Vicksburg's Civil War memorials then call in at pretty Nachez, sitting on a bluff above a bend in the river. Cross over into Louisiana and visit Baton Rouge, the state capital. From there it's an easy drive down I-10 past the bayous and swamps to the heart of the city.

New Orleans to Atlanta
From New Orleans head east, swiftly passing into Mississippi. I-10 takes you along the sultry coast for less than 100 miles, past evocative Gulfport and Biloxi, before crossing into Alabama, for a 30-mile hop up to Mobile, a busy port and one of the state's oldest cities. Take a 50-mile detour east and you're in Florida at the historic seaside resort of Pensacola. Back to Mobile then I-65 takes you across Alabama, past Montgomery, about a 250 mile run, before reaching Georgia.

GETTING THERE

There are over 60 UK tour operators and travel companies offering programmes, hotel bookings, fly-drive tours, escorted motorcoach tours, attraction tickets and tailor-made holidays to the region. Your travel agent can help you decide which tour operator will be the most suitable for your requirements. The listed Tourist Offices will also be pleased to help you with information, advice, maps and general literature

Atlanta Convention And Visitors Bureau
In the United Kingdom: Stella Photi CompassAlliance Marketing 258 Belsize Road London, NW6 4BT, UK Phone: 011 44 207 328 4832 E-mail: Email Atlanta CVB (UK)	In the United States: 233 Peachtree Street NE Suite 100, Atlanta GA 30303 Phone: 404 521 6600 Fax: 404 521 6562 E-mail: Email Atlanta CVB (USA) WWW: Visit Atlanta CVB

Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau
In the United Kingdom: Woodlands, Park Street Hitchin, Herts SG4 9AH Phone: 01462 440784 Fax: 01462 440783 E-mail: Email Nashville CVB (UK)	In the United States: 211 Commerce Street, Suite 100 Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: 615 259 4700 Fax: 615 244 6278 E-mail: Email Nashville CVB (USA) WWW: Visit Nashville CVB

New Orleans Metropolitan Convention And Visitors Bureau
In the United Kingdom: 33 Market Place Hitchin, Herts SG5 1DY Phone: 01462 458696 Fax: 01462 455391 E-mail: Email New Orleans CVB (UK)	In the United States: 2020 St. Charles Avenue New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: 504 566 5011 Fax: 504 566 5046 E-mail: Email New Orleans CVB(USA) WWW: Visit New Orleans CVB

Additional Information can also be obtained from the following office:
RHYTHMS OF THE SOUTH
PO Box 184, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, TR11 5FA
Phone: 01326 250213
Fax: 01326 250274
E-mail: rhythmsofthesouth.uk@btinternet.com
WWW: www.rhythmsofthesouth.com

TRANSATLANTIC AIRLINES

The following airlines all offer services from the UK into Atlanta, Nashville & New Orleans.
American Airlines - 0845 778 9789
British Airways* - 0845 773 3377 (Atlanta only)
Continental Airlines - 0800 776 464
Delta Air Lines* - 0800 414 767
KLM/Northwest Airlines - 0870 507 4074
United Airlines - 0845 844 4777
USAirways - 0845 600 3300

* indicates non-stop service to Atlanta

WEATHER

Atlanta enjoys, for the most part, a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Although extremes in temperature have been recorded during summer and winter months in the past few years, these two seasons are relatively short, giving way to long, gentle springs and autumns. Annual rainfall is about 48 inches. Summer temperatures show an average of 69°F minimum, and 86°F maximum, while winter temperatures vary between 37°F and 42°F minimum: 55°F and 62°F maximum.

Nashville typically enjoys a mild and pleasant climate. Only a few days in the year does Nashville experience either very hot or very cold conditions. Most of the city's rain is confined to the spring months, but a shower is not unusual. Summer temperatures in Nashville show an average of 68°F minimum, and 88°F maximum, with daytime humidity levels around 54%. Winter temperatures vary between 32°F and 40°F minimum: 47°F and 60°F maximum.

New Orleans' subtropical climate enjoys normally pleasant weather with an average mean temperature of 70°F and midday temperatures range in the 80's. Summers are long, often with high humidity; average temperature 82°F and winters are mild and short; average temperature 48°F. The driest months are April/May and October/November.

These temperatures are, of course, only a guide for sharp variations can occur.

	Atlanta Atlanta boasts more than 8,000 restaurants...whatever your appetite, it's here, from the smart Savannah feel of the Atlanta Fish Market to the ritzy Buckhead Diner to the swish contemporary Southern food of Anthony's. Nashville Get out of town...and savour the feel of the South at the delightful mansions. New Orleans Swamp tours are best in the morning when alligators are friskiest. No paddling!