Big Easy to Big Apple

Embark on a road trip through one of the most colourful, musical and hospitable parts of the US, cross stunning natural landscape, and end in ‘The Capital of the World’. Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans are notorious for their rich music and nightlife scenes. See live performances of blues, jazz, country and rock in celebrated music venues

Washington DC was built with the blocks of American history. See its famous monuments and memorials lit up in lights, then by day discover the White House, Capitol Hill and the National Mall, and feel small next to the statue of Abraham Lincoln

Round off this trip in the perfect place – the Big Apple. Take some time after the trip to get a slice of New York pizza, head to a Broadway show, or explore some of the city's famous landmarks and nightlife

This is a participatory trip. That’s a fancy way of saying you’re not just along for the ride – you’re part of a team! You know the phrase ‘the more you put in, the more you get out’. Well that’s extra true on this trip. 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 – everyone knows there’s nothing worse than trying to put up a tent on your own!

That teamwork also extends to our optional food kitty of approximately US$10 per day, run to cover the cost of meals. This kitty saves you worrying 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! The kitty is optional and for your convenience, so if you've got specific dietary requirements you can opt out and purchase (and cook) your own food.

The United States is a world of endless possibilities – that’s why our Basix 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 so have some great tips for you). You can see how our trips fit together and all the different possible combinations at www.intrepidtravel.com/brochures. Simply click view/download on the North America brochure and look at the combo map on page 12.

Traffic in and out of the big cities can be hectic, especially during holiday periods. There may be delays, so be prepared to take part in car games to keep you entertained.

Road tripping is the ultimate way to see the US – you'll be travelling in a van with a group of travellers, so conditions may feel a little cramped. This is all part of the adventure though, and long driving days are perfect for soaking up the spectacular scenery, breaking out that new book or album, and maybe making some lifelong friends.

Washington DC is a city that's best explored on foot, which means a lot of walking. A moderate level of fitness will help, but there are also optional city bike tours available if you’d prefer.

This short trip only allows for one night in Nashville and one night in Memphis. Although you'll get more or less a full day to explore these great cities, you might have to move quickly to see everything on your to-do list.