Delve into the romance of the South and discover Margaret Mitchell’s Atlanta - it is extraordinary. Take the road to Tara to the Gone with the Wind Museum that captures the movie magic of this historic film. Explore Biltmore, America’s largest home, with breathtaking views and glorious historic gardens. Take a tramway to Lookout Mountain with views of seven states and walk through history of the Civil War. Be part of the great American spirit that is the charm of the South.
Why you’ll enjoy this trip:
♦ What do a Civil War soldier, the wealthy, and Scarlett O’Hara have in common? You! Walk in their footsteps, see where they fought, they lived and how a Civil War story came to life.
♦ From the beautiful gardens, the winery, to the mansion itself ~ tour one of the largest private homes in North America, the Biltmore Estate. Once the summer mountain retreat of the Vanderbilt family, is now open for you.
♦ The Civil War and the fight for Chattanooga ~ walk where the soldiers walked, see where they fought, and the beauty which surround it today.
♦ Spend time at the Civil War Museum, take pictures and enjoy lunch along Chattanooga’s Riverwalk before traveling into Atlanta. Your stay here will have you stepping back in time fifty years, to Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, and Margaret Mitchell.
♦ Spend the day with Margaret Mitchell as her historical romance novel comes to life. You will step back in time to 1939 and visit Stately Oaks, the Gone With the Wind Museum, and travel the road to Tara.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Charlotte, NC
If you’ve ever wondered what it was like for Scarlett O’Hara or John Wilkes, this tour is for you! Transfer to the airport for the flight to Charlotte, NC. Upon arrival, we will be greeted by our awaiting motor-coach and check into our hotel, in Gastonia, NC. Dinner is included this evening. (D)
Day 2 - Gastonia - Asheville - Chattanooga, TN
After breakfast our destination is Chattanooga, stopping in Asheville, NC along the way. We will visit the Biltmore House and Gardens. This is the largest private home ever built in North America. Once the mountain retreat of the wealthy Vanderbilt family, today’s tour will include the magnificent mansion, a visit to the Biltmore Estate Winery and a stroll through some of the most beautiful formal gardens in the South. This afternoon we continue our journey into Chattanooga, TN. We check into our hotel, the historic Read House. Built in 1847, the original building survived the ravages of the Civil War, and served as a Civil War hospital, to later burn to the ground and be rebuilt as the Read House . With many misfortunes and a storied past, the hotel was purchased in 2016 and once again has become Chattanooga’s most luxurious property. Dinner is included this evening. (B,D)
Day 3 - Chattanooga
This morning after breakfast, we meet with our local guide for a full day of sightseeing. We will take the Incline Railway, trolley-style cars that climb through the beautiful surroundings of historic Lookout Mountain. Enjoy the panoramic views from the observation tower at the top. Located on Lookout Mountain, the entrance to historic Point Park, learn about The Battles for Chattanooga, one of our country’s greatest struggles fought in November 1863. There is a paved walking path that takes you by by several historic monuments, Confederate artillery positions, and scenic overlook. Located atop lookout Mountain is Rock City, spend time this afternoon marveling natures massive ancient rock formations and gardens with over 400 native plant species. On a clear day you can see 7 states. Lunch in included at Rock City’s Big Rock Grill. There is time to freshen up at the hotel before dinner this evening on a beautiful, scenic cruise down the Tennessee River on Chattanooga’s Southern Belle Riverboat. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Chattanooga - Lookout Mountain - Atlanta, GA
Breakfast is again included, before we will meet our guide. This morning, before leaving Chattanooga, we visit the Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park. The Visitor Center has exhibits on the Civil War era, as well as, exhibits specifically on the 1863 Campaign for Chattanooga. There will be free time for lunch along Chattanooga’s Riverwalk, before heading into Atlanta. After checking into our hotel, the historic Georgian Terrace, the remainder of the day is free. The Georgian Terrace opened its doors in 1911, and in its life time has taken part in quite a few notable events, such as, this is where Arthur Murray started his dance studio, the producer of ‘Gone With The Wind’ brought all of the stars for the gala premiere party, and even President Calvin Coolidge was a guest. (B)
Day 5 - Atlanta
After breakfast, we meet our guide ‘Margaret Mitchell’, she author of ‘Gone With The Wind’. She will take us on a tour of Margaret Mitchell’s Atlanta, where we will visit the Oakland Cemetery, the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library and the Margaret Mitchell House. Our true southern lunch is served at Pitty Pat’s Porch, in the heart of Atlanta. This afternoon we take the Road to Tara Museum tour, tour Stately oaks, we travel to Marietta to the Gone With the Wind Museum. After a long day of touring with Margaret, dinner is served at the Colonnade Restaurant before heading back to the hotel for the evening. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Depart Atlanta
Breakfast is included this morning before we head off to the airport for the flight home. (B)
