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Whether you’re an old soul or a child at heart – we’ve got you covered on this all-encompassing adventure full of big city sass and warm southern charm.

Take a bite out of the Big Apple, swing through to the Big Easy and wind up the Big Peach. This is one juicy adventure full of theme-park thrills, beach-side vibes, old-school jazz and a huge slice of southern hospitality. Share stories around the campfire in the shadows of the Appalachian Mountains, indulge in Creole cuisine and round-the-clock nightlife on buzzing Bourbon Street, discover the museums and memorials along the American History trail and re-enact your favourite Forrest Gump moment in Savannah’s Chippewa Square – life may be like a box of chocolates, but we’ve made sure you know exactly what you’re going to get on this tour – and we’ve selected all the best flavours.

This trip is for 18 to 29-year-olds

Some of our under-30 travellers prefer to get around with people their own age. If that’s you, you’re in the right place!

Over 29? We’ve got over 900 other great adventures to choose from for solo travellers, friends, families, food lovers, hiking enthusiasts, and more.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Newark, United States
Finish
Atlanta, United States
Destination
United States
Style
Basix
Theme
18 to 29s
Code
SSYMC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 18, Max 29
Group size
Min 1, Max 13

Travel solo, together

You're never alone when travelling solo with Intrepid

Why you'll love this trip

  • Discover the museums, memorials and monuments along the American History trail – from the small-town charms of Philadelphia to the capital-city icons of Washington DC.

  • Get into the groove of Memphis and indulge in the kitschy glamour and over-the-top Southern charisma of this musical metropolis.

  • Explore New Orleans’ distinct old-school jazz vibes, delicious food and French-inspired architecture in a true Deep South experience.

  • Release your inner child at one of Orlando’s range of theme parks, from the thrills of Universal Studios to the comforting throwback to your favourite cartoons at Walt Disney World.

  • Discover the history and tradition of the oldest city in Georgia: Savannah. Ghost tours, wholesome home-style cuisine and recreating movie moments are all possible.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Less time spent in a vehicle; more time to explore each destination. This trip has been carefully designed to give you the best experience of a region by reducing the number of one-night-only stops, giving you extra time in the places that matter.

  • This trip involves either a partial or full camping experience, giving you access to more remote destinations at close proximity, and the joy of camping under the night skies and beside a campfire. This is a participatory trip – a fancy way of saying you’re not just along for the ride, but you are part of a team! Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and help out with camp activities like food prep and washing up. It’s all about giving your new travel mates a hand, and everyone knows there’s nothing worse than trying to put up a tent on your own!

  • Although our private vehicles do have air conditioning, it has to work pretty hard to keep a full group cool. Expect to feel hot during summer and cold at other times of the year, especially at night. Please consider the season and research the weather conditions to determine the best time to travel for you. Remember to come prepared with adequate clothing.

  • That teamwork also extends to our optional food kitty of approximately USD 10 per day to cover the cost of meals. This means you don’t have to worry about stuff like where to get food or what exactly sales tax is, and actually helps keep your costs down. Instead of paying individually as you go, it means we can bulk purchase items and cook our own food – though there’s always the chance to use it for the occasional pizza night or s’mores by the campfire! The kitty is optional and for your convenience, so if you've got specific dietary requirements you can opt out to purchase (and cook) your own food.

  • This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.

  • As we’ll be travelling between multiple locations at a fairly quick pace, there won’t be too much time spent at Panama City Beach. While there will be some time to relax on the beach, you won’t get a full day here.

  • The United States is a world of endless possibilities – that’s why our trips are designed so they fit together as (not quite endless) combinations. That means while you might just be starting your trip, some of your new travel mates may have been travelling together for a week or more, and probably have some great tips for you.

Map of Real New York to Atlanta including United States Of America
SSYJ_USA_Memphis_Beale_street_pax_walk
Great food, drink, company and music in Nashville, USA
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USA_New-Orleans_Fried_Catfish_Plate
A small trek in the Appalachian mountains in worth the view
washington_bike_riding
atlanta_city_georgia
usa_florida_orlando-lake-sunset
savannah_georgia
panama_city_skyline-beach-coast

Itinerary
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Welcome to New York AKA the Big Apple! There are no activities planned today until your welcome meeting in the hotel lobby at 6 pm, so if you arrive early perhaps check out Central Park and the Empire State Building or take a walk around Times Square – in fact we recommend arriving a couple of days earlier to make the most of what this incredible city has to offer. For the inside scoop on all the famous landmarks and local eateries, consider doing the half-day Midtown Sights & Bites Food Tour with Urban Adventures (for more info visit urbanadventures.com). After your welcome meeting, why not join your new friends for dinner and grab yourself a slice of pizza, New York style.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

This morning, kickstart your journey along North America’s history trail and drive south towards the nation's capital, stopping at Philadelphia on the way for a quick look at some of the highlights of the Old City, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the 'Rocky' steps. After touring around Philly, continue on to DC where your leader will point you in the direction of all the major sights on an orientation tour of the city. The total driving time from New York to Washington DC will take about 4 hours, so in the evening why not stretch out your legs on H Street – an artsy and energetic two-and-a-half kilometre (one-and-a-half mile) corridor in Northeast DC, renowned for its communal atmosphere and buzzing nightlife!
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Philadelphia - City highlights stop
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Today is free to explore Washington DC, a city easily discovered on foot – we suggest grabbing a map and planning your day to ensure that you maximise your time in this iconic city. Choose from any of DC’s almost 100 world-class museums – the National Air and Space Museum, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Museum of Natural History and the Newseum are just a few. There are also many other small fascinating museums hidden around the city. The city is overflowing with famous monuments and buildings, so don’t miss the White House, Capitol Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Monument, FDR and Jefferson Memorials (some places charge an entrance fee, so make sure you bring some spare cash along). You’ll most likely do a lot of walking today, so maybe reward yourself with a relaxing evening.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Washington DC - Arlington National Cemetery - Free
  • Washington DC - Bike and Roll Tour - USD45
  • Washington DC - International Spy Museum - USD21
  • Washington DC - National Air & Space Museum - Free
  • Washington DC - National Archives - Free
  • Washington DC - National Gallery of Art - Free
  • Washington DC - National Museum of American History - Free
  • Washington DC - National Museum of Crime and Punishment - Free
  • Washington DC - National Museum of Natural History - Free
  • Washington DC - Newseum - USD22
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Escape the city grind and venture into the breathtaking scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountains. Stop by Shenandoah National Park, one of the highest and most scenic portions of the Appalachians. Continue your journey along Skyline Drive – a famed mountain highway which winds through deep woods and past spectacular vistas. Stop to stretch your legs under the impressive oak trees and admire the gorgeous views. Later in the afternoon, drive to your campsite and pitch your tent in the heart of the great outdoors, share stories with your fellow travellers around the campfire and make s’mores (a traditional night time campfire treat in North America) – you may even learn some new skills! Total drive time today will be around 5 hours.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Shenandoah National Park
Optional Activities
  • Shenandoah National Park - Hiking - Free
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Head south this morning on a 4-hour drive to the USA’s Country Music Capital - Nashville, Tennessee. Once settled into the campground, join your leader on a short orientation tour of Nashville’s Downtown area – focusing on the bustling entertainment hub of Broadway – a famed strip renowned for the honky tonk bars which offer live music every day of the week. The rest of the day is at your leisure, so perhaps visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, which contains the golden Cadillac that once belonged to Elvis or check out some iconic music venues like Grand Ole Opry House and the Ryman Auditorium. The Wildhorse Saloon is a great spot in the evening to experience authentic southern food and live music.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Nashville - Country Music Hall of Fame - USD26
  • Nashville - Ryman Auditorium Tour - USD14
  • Nashville - Tennessee State Museum - Free
  • Nashville - Wildhorse Saloon cover charge & line dancing - USD10
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Say goodbye to the glitz and glamour of ‘Nashvegas’ this morning as you continue your musical pilgrimage to the birthplace of rock and roll: Memphis, Tennessee (approximately 3.5 hours driving time). Join your leader on a short walking tour to familiarise yourself with the city. You’ll head down bustling Beale Street, where traditional blues clubs and ritzier tourist traps rub shoulders – but don’t worry, your leader will give you the lowdown on which bars are worth a look. After an included world-famous fried chicken lunch, the rest of the day is free to explore. If you have time, a must-see in Memphis is Sun Studio, the 'Birthplace of Rock', which boasts the first recordings of legendary performers like Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. For those with an interest in history, there's the National Civil Rights Museum (at the former Lorraine Motel) where Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated. This evening, why not head out for a famous Memphis-style barbecue.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Memphis - World Famous Fried Chicken Lunch
Optional Activities
  • Memphis - Graceland Museum - USD35
  • Memphis - Sun Studio tour - USD14
  • Memphis - National Civil Rights Museum - USD16
Meals Included
  • Lunch

With no activities planned today, consider heading out of the city to visit Graceland, Elvis Presley’s former home and the site of his tomb. Exploding with kitschy glamour and over-the-top Southern charm, here you can see the famous jungle room, as well as Elvis’s cars, private planes and much more. For an unusual and local experience, check out the popular Duck Parade at the famous Peabody Hotel – where ducks that live in the hotel perform waddle from their rooftop palace to splash in the lobby fountain (and then back again) at 11 am and 5 pm daily.
In the evening, get into the groove of Memphis and consider heading back down to Beale Street's traditional blues clubs, made famous by legends such as WC Handy, Howlin' Wolf and BB King.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Memphis - Peabody Hotel Duck March - Free
  • Memphis - Rock 'n' Soul Museum - USD11
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

It’s a long drive today as you head across the state of Mississippi and prepare to get down in New Orleans AKA the ‘Big Easy’ (approximately 8 hours). Get back to nature with a stop at Honey Island and perhaps opt for a tour down one of the least-altered river swamps in the country. It's pretty much in its original condition, almost a pristine wilderness and home to a variety of critters. Residents include nutrias (river rats), snakes and wild boars – spot alligators sunbathing on the banks and absorb the incredible scenery as you cruise through the eerie marshland. Continue your drive into New Orleans – with a mix of Creole, Cajun and European culture reflected in the city’s architecture, cuisine and music there’s plenty to explore and do. On arrival, your leader will point you in the direction of all the major attractions on a short walk of the eclectic French Quarter, the historic heart of the city, famous for its cast-iron balconies and vivacious nightlife. The rest of the time is yours! Perhaps take a walk down rowdy Bourbon Street or through the former plantation area of the Garden District, or head out for a typical Cajun-style dinner and toast to your adventure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Honey Island Swamp Tour - USD25
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Enjoy a free day to fit in as much of New Orleans as you can! Perhaps cruise the Mississippi on a riverboat or visit the fascinating little Voodoo Museum. This evening, gather together for another meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet your new group leader and welcome some new travellers on the next stage of your adventure. After the meeting, why not get to know your new travel buddies by checking out a jazz show and dancing the night away in the bars along Frenchman Street.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
As this is a combination trip, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary so please attend, and this is also a great chance to meet the new group. It’s important that you attend the welcome meeting as your new group leader will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

It's quite a long drive today from New Orleans to Panama City Beach (around 6 hours), but once there, the best way to recover is to relax on some of the 14 kilometres (9 miles) of pristine white sand beach, and take a swim in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Panama City Beach is also renowned for its night clubs and parties and is a popular spring break destination, so if you have enough energy left at the end of the day, definitely hit the town and live a carefree life like you’re back at school.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Head from Panama City Beach to the heart of Florida. The third largest city in Florida, Orlando has a lot going on, including a heap of shops and outlet malls to check out and an exciting and varied nightlife. If there's time on arrival, you may like to go out and explore International Drive, have a walk around Lake Eola, or spend some time working out what theme park to hit up tomorrow.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Today is a free day to explore Orlando's famous amusement parks and attractions. Most people opt for Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Orlando Resort as they are the two of the most well known and both feature multiple theme parks, but there are over a dozen other parks that might take your fancy. If you’re graced with nice weather, Orlando has some water parks such as Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, for those who love to get soaked. Each park is a full day's worth of action, so choose wisely. If theme parks aren’t your thing, do not fear! Your group leader can suggest other, less thrill-seeking activities to fill your day.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Orlando - Walt Disney World Day Pass - USD110
  • Orlando - Walt Disney World Park Hopper - USD140
  • Orlando - Universal Studios - USD100
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Head away from theme park mania and into the historic Georgian town of Savannah. Antebellum mansions, towering oak trees and colonial buildings coexist alongside dive bars, mingling university students and delicious down-home cooking. Enjoy an included lunch on arrival at the traditional Mrs Wilkes Dining Room, known for its traditional Southern cuisine. Afterwards, explore the historic district of town, take a seat with a box of chocolates in Chippewa Square and recreate the famous Forrest Gump scene, or learn more about southern plantations at the Wormsloe Historic Site.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Savannah - Southern Style Lunch at Mrs Wilkes
Meals Included
  • Lunch

With the flexibility to explore Savannah at your own pace, allow yourself time to wander the streets of the oldest city in Georgia. Later be treated to a slice of traditional peach cobbler - a classic Southern dessert!  A popular optional activity in Savannah is a ghost tour, which will be sure to prickle the skin and spook even the most courageous at heart.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Savannah - Peach Cobbler tasting
Optional Activities
  • Savannah - Ghost Tour - USD25
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

On your way to Georgia’s capital, Atlanta, stop by the Lane Southern Orchards: a peach and pecan plantation where you can check out the farm, take a free tour (season depending) and indulge in the homegrown produce. Upon arriving in Atlanta, say farewell to your group leader. There is no accommodation provided for tonight, however there is so much to do and explore in happening Atlanta if you have the time. Learn more about North American history at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, visit the CNN Center, sample more than 100 different beverages at the World of Coca-Cola, or find out everything you ever wanted to know about the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Meals

2 breakfasts, 2 lunches

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (11 nights), Hotel (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Philadelphia - City highlights stop
  • Shenandoah National Park
  • Memphis - World Famous Fried Chicken Lunch
  • Savannah - Southern Style Lunch at Mrs Wilkes
  • Savannah - Peach Cobbler tasting

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Important notes

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A Single Supplement to have your own room is available on this trip however excludes night 10 (Los Angeles) where you will be in shared accommodation.

Essential trip information

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