Country Travel Discoveries 2022
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The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel Discoveries Experience ____________________ 8 Days • 14 Meals Mar 1-8, 2022 Oct 4-11, 2022 Price per person: Double: $1,997; Single: $2,605 Pre/Post Hotel: $148/night Depart/Return: Atlanta, GA Highlights & Inclusions ____________________ • Learn the history of the civil rights movement in and around Montgomery, Birmingham, Selma and more • Two night stay in Gulf State Park with gulf view room • Walk in Jimmy Carter's footsteps • Meet Gee's Bend Quilt makers • Tour the USS Alabama warship • Spot wildlife on a scenic Nature Cruise in Gulf State Park • Explore Providence Canyon known as 'Georgia's Little Grand Canyon' • Free Airport shuttle and hotel parking • Bag handling (1 per person) at hotels • Fees/tips for included attractions and meals • Welcome reception, 24-hour emergency call service, free bottled water on coach Quality Accommodations ____________________ Night 1: Hotel Indigo Atlanta Airport, Atlanta, GA Night 2: The Tutwiler Hotel, Birmingham, AL Night 3: Holiday Inn, Mobile, AL Nights 4-5: The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel, Gulf Shores, AL Night 6: Drury Inn, Montgomery, AL Night 7: Best Western Plus Windsor Hotel, Americus, GA CountryTravelDiscoveries.com/GAL at least six generations. After lunch we call on the local Betty Anderson's Camden Shoe Shoppe Museum and the Black Belt Cultural Center. Wilcox County born and raised, Betty Anderson grew up surrounded by heritage arts that were created out of necessity from her family making their own soap and clothing, to furniture and quilts. At the nearby Black Belt Cultural Center, local artisans display their talents and their own unique art. Tonight we enjoy a comfortable stay in Mobile. B, L DAY 4—MARDI GRAS MUSEUM/USS ALABAMA USS ALABAMA/STORYBOOK CASTLE Feel the excitement of Mardi Gras in the city that started it all at the Mobile Carnival Museum. Located inside the historic Bernstein-Bush mansion, learn about the rich history and traditions of 300 years of Mardi Gras celebrations. Next, we tour USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park which features vintage aircrafts, tanks and artillery, the USS Drum submarine and more. As we head south toward Gulf Shores we will stop at the charming town of Fairhope and its antebellum homes, sprawling oak trees and quaint downtown with plenty of choices for lunch on your own. After lunch, Pagan and Dean Mosher will lead us on a private tour of their home. We'll be amazed by this storybook castle that was spotlighted on HGTV's "Extreme Homes". Tonight unpack for two nights and relax gulf side at The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel. B DAY 5—GULF STATE PARK/NATURE CRUISE/GULF SHORES Today a park naturalist will show us the extensive beaches and unique flora and fauna of Gulf State Park. At 6,150 acres, the park is world-renown for its size and diversity of preserved ecosystems. Gulf State Park is also home to two miles of white sugar-sand Gulf of Mexico beaches, which we can enjoy at our resort. After a delightful seaside lunch, take time to roam Gulf Shores' downtown shops or relax at our pool or beach. Later this afternoon, we embark on a nature cruise along the pristine waters of the Alabama Gulf Coast. Our vessel will allow us to experience up-close viewing of dolphins, seabirds, stingray, sea turtles, and a variety of other marine life. Tonight we enjoy another night on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. B, L DAY 6—ALLIGATORS/ALABAMA'S LITERARY CAPITAL This morning we depart Gulf Shores as we head back inland to visit Alligator Alley. Here we safely walk on elevated viewing platforms and walkways to view over 200 alligators from hatchlings to mature adults. The alligators thrive in this natural habitat along with turtles, ospreys, owls and bull frogs. Next, visit Monroeville, known as the 'Literary Capital of Alabama'. This town is home to Harper Lee, the Pulitzer-Prize winning Author of To Kill a Mockingbird. Here we visit the informative courthouse museum with its displays on Harper Lee and her childhood friend Truman Capote. Don't miss seeing the famous courtroom, restored as it appeared in the 1930s. Tonight we spend the night in Montgomery. B, L DAY 7—TUSKEGEE AIRMEN/LITTLE GRAND CANYON/CARTER HOME TOWN After breakfast, we travel to Tuskegee to learn about the famous Tuskegee Airmen, the men and women in the Army Air Corps who taught African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. Next, we return to Georgia for a visit to Providence Canyon, also known as the 'Little Grand Canyon'. Here a park naturalist will lead us on a tour around the rim of the canyon. Bring your camera for the amazing picture opportunities found here! Next, we discover there is nothing plain about Plains home of the 39th President of The United States, Jimmy Carter. Carter was born, raised and still resides in Plains. Our local guide will give us a private tour of the small town where we will see everything from Jimmy Carter's Boyhood farm, to the train depot, home of the 1976 Jimmy Carter Presidential Campaign Headquarters, to a giant Peanut Statue. Tonight we stay in the small historic town of Americus. B, L, D DAY 8—CALLAWAY GARDENS/HOME SWEET HOME After breakfast at the beautifully-restored Windsor hotel, we travel to Pine Mountain to take in Mother Nature's beautiful landscapes and colorful blossoms at Callaway Gardens. An experienced guide will take us through their abundant and colorful gardens. We savor a delightful lunch at Callaway Garden and reminisce on our amazing journey through Alabama and Georgia as we head back to Atlanta. B, L x ©2019-2020 Alabama Tourism Department 855-744-TRIP (8747) | 63 US — SOUTH | SPIRIT OF THE SOUTH: ALABAMA & GEORGIA