A thoroughly enjoyable holiday in a very interesting country.
The guide was fantastic - knowledgable, passionate and delivered the information in an inspiring way.
Accommodation was of varied types and in the majority of cases exceeded our expectations.
Food was simple but plentiful - occasionally outstanding (especially my surprise birthday cake).
Cycling is such a great way to see a country and this trip didn’t disappoint. There was a great range of cycling from tarmac roads to rough off road. Cycling experience and fitness is a must. The roads are undulating and on some days there were some long climbs, made all the more difficult in the heat. It also meant there were great views! In addition to the cycling there were great trips and even some free time to relax.
A wonderful trip across five states that immerses you in the music, cuisine and culture of America’s Deep South. This trip promised a lot on paper, and delivered so much more in reality, exceeding my expectations. Our group leader managed to cram so much in, while at the same time allowing a nice degree of freedom for us to do our own exploration and choose our own optional activities. The tour began with a deeply moving and affecting look at the civil rights movement, covering the life of Martin Luther King Jr (where he was born, the church at which he preached, his memorial garden and tomb; later on we would visit the place where he was assassinated); the slave trade and its role in creating wealth for the plantation owners and the country as a whole; and the continued oppression of the freed slaves after the Civil War and their struggle for basic human rights. As we went on, the focus shifted toward the music that was created on the plantations, the way it developed and seeped into mainstream culture in America before spreading across the world. While this was very informative and educational, there were plenty of lighter moments too and we were a great group who had a lot of laughs along the way. As well as visiting sites that were significant to the music history, there were opportunities to hear live music - jazz, blues and country - at many locations from New Orleans to Nashville. A wonderful experience that we will continue to savour for a very long time.