United States Tours & Holidays
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays
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Overview
From the spectacular mountains and glaciers of Alaska to the tropical beaches and volcanoes of Hawaii, there's no question that the United States offers some of the most diverse and visually stunning scenery in the world. Standing as the third largest country after Russia and Canada, the US is not only a geographical treasure trove, but also has one of the most diverse and complex cultural identities in the world. For centuries native communities lived off this vast land, before the 'New World' ...
From the spectacular mountains and glaciers of Alaska to the tropical beaches and volcanoes of Hawaii, there's no question that the United States offers some of the most diverse and visually stunning scenery in the world. Standing as the third largest country after Russia and Canada, the US is not only a geographical treasure trove, but also has one of the most diverse and complex cultural identities in the world. For centuries native communities lived off this vast land, before the 'New World' was discovered in the 17th century by European settlers, leading eventually to the founding of the United States in 1776.
Comprised of 50 states, one of the most culturally and historically-rich regions is without a doubt the Deep South, a region which has captured our hearts and minds and led us to launch our very first group tour in the United States. A cultural enigma to much of the rest of the country since the days of the American Civil War, the term 'Deep South' was first used to describe those states that were most dependent on plantations and slavery during the early years of the newly founded republic, namely South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
The Civil War brought defeat and economic hardship to the south, which in turn led to one of the most brutal chapters in U.S. history. This remarkable journey takes us through a landscape steeped in the cultural conflicts and contrasting characters of that pivotal moment in time. Beginning amongst the architectural grandeur of the antebellum period, we follow a trail that leads us on to the Civil Rights Movements of the 1960s and ends with the rich Creole heritage of New Orleans. A trip filled with landmark moments and historical heavyweights, we trace a journey that encompasses some of America’s most insidious and inspiring events. Events that not only helped to shape but continue to reverberate through the Deep South even today.
Start your journey
Group tours
Travel to United States with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.
Journey Through America's Deep South
Undertake an unforgettable journey from the rich architectural grandeur of the antebellum period through places synonymous with the Civil Rights Movement to finally the rich Creole heritage of New Orleans.HIGHLIGHTS OF UNITED STATES
BEST EXPERIENCES
Discover some of the world's best live jazz
Indulge yourself over a jazz lunch in the rich sounds and cuisine of New Orleans, and wander the streets where musicians stand on every corner.
Meet with a Civil Rights historian
Follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks and learn about the Civil Rights Movement in the company of a local historian
Learn about the slave trade and visit a plantation
Go beyond the façade and learn what life was really like on a Mississippi plantation, delving deeper into the history of the slave tradeDiscover more
WHEN TO GO
INSPIRATION
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to the US though you should be up to date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and may consider boosters for Diphtheria and Hepatitis A. Please note we are not medical professionals and so we highly recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In the US, the official unit of currency is the United States Dollar.
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours, we frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions.
The US is a very culturally diverse nation, but practising general respect, consideration and manners will suffice in most situations. If an activity calls for anything more specific, our guides will be able to advise you accordingly.
Language & Religion
The de facto official, and most widely spoken language, is English, but in the bigger cities you could hear more than 300 languages spoken!
There is no official religion in the US . It is often described as multi-faith, with the next most practised religions after Christianity being Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and Buddism, and a large number of individuals claiming to have nominal or no religious affiliations.
Time
Given the size of the US, it is split into 6 different time zones, with Eastern Standard Time being -4 GMT and Pacific Standard Time being -8 GMT, but also utilising daylight savings of GMT+1. A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
American cuisine is a true reflection of the history of the United States and boasts foods from all around the world. Often associated with fried and greasy food, not to mention extra large portions, the US also offers an incredible array of global cuisine as you travel from state to state.
Southern food has a long history and encompasses a diverse range of regions, cultures and techniques, many of which were based purely on survival and preservation methods. While there are many influences to consider, the three main ones are Native American, West African and European.