USA Guide
The South
Mark Twain put it best: "In the South, the [Civil] war is what AD is elsewhere; they date everything from it." Several generations later, the legacies of slavery and "The War Between the States" remain evident throughout the southern states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
Although it's debatable whether the much-vaunted "New South" truly exists, the last few decades have unquestionably seen considerable change. The inspirational campaigns that finally secured black participation in Southern elections have resulted not only in the prominence of black political leaders but also in the emergence of liberal white counterparts like Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. High-tech industries have moved in, luring considerable inward migration, while urban centers such as Atlanta, the birthplace of Dr Martin Luther King Jr and venue for the 1996 Olympics, are booming.
For many travellers, the most exciting aspect of a visit to the South has to be its music. Fans flock to the homelands of Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Robert Johnson, Dolly Parton, and Otis Redding, heading to the country and blues meccas of Nashville and Memphis.
Other major destinations for visitors include the elegant coastal cities of Charleston and Savannah, frenzied beach resorts such as Myrtle Beach and the historic Mississippi River ports of Natchez and Vicksburg. Away from the urban areas, much Southern scenery consists of fertile but sun-baked farmlands, the undulating hillsides dotted with wooden shacks and rust-red barns, and broken by occasional forests. Highlights include the misty Appalachian mountains; the subtropical beaches and tranquil barrier islands; and the river road through the tiny settlements of the Mississippi Delta.
Unless your primary goal is the coastline, it's better to avoid visiting during midsummer. In July and August, the daily high temperature is mostly a very humid 90°F. May and June are more bearable, and tend to see a lot of local festivals, while the fall colours in the mountains are at their headiest during October.
Highlights
1 Blue Ridge Parkway, NC A tortuous but exhilarating wilderness highway that makes a destination in itself.
2 Martin Luther King Birth Home, Atlanta, GA Engaging tours take you around King's childhood home, in the South's most dynamic city.
3 Savannah, GA With its romantic overgrown garden squares and busy waterfront, this gorgeous, atmospheric town is a dream to walk around.
4 Memphis, TN Especially exciting for music fans, who could spend days checking out Beale Street, Sun Studio, the Stax Museum, Al Green's church, and, of course, Graceland.
5 Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville, TN At once a fascinating interactive museum and a treasure trove of memorabilia, including Elvis's gold Cadillac.
6 The Mississippi Delta, MS The birthplace of the blues holds an irresistible appeal, with Clarksdale as the obvious first port of call.