The Beautiful Carolinas and Beyond
This itinerary idea features the extraordinary Carolinas, including the unique mountains of the Southern Appalachians and the captivating coastal highlights of South Carolina and Georgia. It also features the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. As with all our itineraries, please see this as a starting point for discussion; it be amended to suit your exact wishes.
Day 1: Atlanta
Fly to Atlanta where you will have a full day to explore some of its diverse attractions which include the Margaret Mitchell House & Museum, the Global CNN headquarters and the Martin Luther King Junior National Historic Site
Two nights Atlanta
Days 3: Highlands
Pick up your hire car and head through the North Georgia Mountains to North Carolina and the resort town of Highlands, the perfect introduction to your mountain retreat.
Two nights Highlands
Day 5: Asheville
Drive north to the Asheville, the gateway to the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. From here you can visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, explore Historic Biltmore Village and explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Wildlife viewing (white-tailed deer, black bear, raccoon and turkeys…), waterfalls, hiking and cycling are all on offer at this, America’s most visited National Park. Discover the village of Bat Cave, the Hickory Nut Gorge and Chimney Rock Park, backdrop for much of the film “Last of the Mohicans”. Drive west into the Pisgah National Forest which feature some of the most rugged and beautiful mountain scenery, the real Cold Mountain area.
Three nights Asheville
Day 8: High Country
Enjoy a morning on the Blue Ridge Parkway – spectacular mountain and valley vistas, sparkling waterfalls and colourful displays of flower and foliage throughout. Wind along Grandfather Mountain (a UNESCO International Bio-sphere). From the High Country, day trips could include a visit to the spectacular Linville Gorge Wilderness Area and Linville Caverns.
Two nights High Country area
Days 10: Charlotte
Today you will head eastwards breaking your journey to the coast in the cosmopolitan city of Charlotte.
One night Charlotte
Days 11: South Carolina Coast near Charleston
Drive to the South Carolina coast. Here you can relax for a few days at the end of your holiday at one of the gorgeous coastal resorts in the Charleston area; Kiawah or Seabrook Islands, Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach.
Three nights Charleston area
Day 14: Depart Atlanta
With direct flights into both Charlotte and Raleigh from Gatwick you may prefer to begin your adventure there
All photographs by kind permission of North Carolina Division of Tourism
