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Southern United States

Our Southern USA tours offer charm and choices that include gracious architecture, formal gardens, warm beaches, vestiges of bygone eras, and the cultural influences from many destinations.

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Welcome to the South

Warm and gracious, Southern hospitality transcends time. You'll experience it at a traditional Madeira tasting in Savannah... in the sharing of folktales, Gullah-style... in Mississippi River country... and in the jazz music and flavors of étouffée that emanate from the French Quarter of New Orleans.

New orleans, louisiana, the birthplace of jazz and so much more....

"Every time I close my eyes blowing that trumpet of mine – I look right in the heart of good old New Orleans... It has given me something to live for." These are the words of New Orleans native and jazz giant Louis Armstrong. "Satchmo" cut his teeth in his home town's celebrated French Quarter – an iconic place that will be forever identified as the capital of jazz, and just one of the fabled sections of this truly unique Louisiana city at the mouth of the mighty Mississippi River. To us, New Orleans is a very special place… and our travels here offer a host of Tauck Exclusives including a private culinary demonstration & lunch at the New Orleans School of Cooking; a private streetcar tour along Canal Street and St. Charles Avenue, joined by a New Orleans resident; a private presentation on the unique environment of the New Orleans' basin; and a private jazz experience for Tauck guests only at Preservation Hall.

Charleston and Savannah

Explore two of the south's most elegant and intriguing cities – charleston, south caroline and savannah, georgia.

As one of America's oldest towns, Charleston, South Carolina is a history lover's delight, chock full of stories, secrets and mysteries. Search for them along her cobblestone streets lined with centuries-old homes that lead to the harbor, past walled gardens that whisper tales of pirates, soldiers and statesmen. Charleston's also a culinary hotspot, where you can dig into Low Country cooking in historic settings. A bit further south, Savannah – Georgia's "First City" – holds forth with a mix of warm Southern charm, elegant architecture, and a geometric city design featuring 24 park squares graced by live oaks draped with Spanish moss. One of the first planned cities in America, Savannah preserves more than a thousand significant buildings in its National Historic Landmark District, the country's largest… with Tauck, you'll visit it with an expert.

Blue Ridge Mountains

"almost heaven, west virginia... blue ridge mountains, shenandoah river...".

Part of the larger Appalachian Mountains range on the eastern seaboard of the United States, the Blue Ridge Mountains extend between Pennsylvania and Georgia, and encompass two major national parks – Shenandoah in the north, and Great Smoky Mountains in the south. The most visited national park in the US, Great Smoky Mountains comprises one of the most beautiful and oldest places on Earth – one of the world's best examples of a deciduous hardwood forest. In fact, the park is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an international biosphere reserve. Scenically, from its mist-shrouded "smoky" mountains to its fresh streams and miles of forests, it's not only gorgeous, but the very definition of the word "vista." Learn more about these mountains and 19th-century wilderness life with period interpreters at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitors' center.

Washington, DC

Join us where the heart of american democracy beats....

More than a capital city, Washington, DC is where the ideas that founded our government and bind us together as a nation are forever expanded, redefined and debated… where America's key institutions, landmarks and monuments reflect the motto "E Pluribus Unum" – "out of many, one." Tauck's travels in the nation's capital offer perspectives on American democracy with views of such iconic Washington sights as the White House, Capitol Hill, the National Mall, the Washington Monument, and the Jefferson Memorial; a visit to the Lincoln Memorial and the poignant memorials to those who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War; a tour of the fascinating Newseum, exploring the role of a free press in a free society; and a Tauck Exclusive, early admission, behind-the-scenes experience at the National Archives, including a private viewing of America's founding documents… where the cornerstone of American democracy lies...

Preservation Hall, New Orleans

A tauck exclusive, private performance at new orleans' legendary preservation hall.

Situated in the heart of the French Quarter on St. Peter Street in New Orleans, Preservation Hall was established in 1961 to honor one of America's truest art forms – Traditional New Orleans Jazz. Operating as a music venue, a touring band, and a non-profit organization, Preservation Hall continues its mission today as a cornerstone of New Orleans music and culture – presenting intimate, acoustic traditional jazz concerts over 350 nights a year, featuring ensembles of local master musicians. And during the Tauck Jazz Event, you'll enjoy the rare privilege of a private performance for our guests only at legendary Preservation Hall!

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Experience the American South

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Timeless Charms of the American South

The history of the South, old and new, comes alive in its architecture, restored and preserved… in the historic districts of Savannah and Beaufort… on a private Charleston Harbor cruise… from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Grand Ole Opry… in "Cajun Country" and the French Quarter's continual party… from old colonial capitals to the heart of American democracy...

Southern charms: savannah, hilton head & charleston, new orleans & mississippi river country, bluegrass and blue ridges: louisville to nashville, one nation: the tauck washington, dc event, traveling with tauck, never settle for ordinary.

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Southern USA Road Trips & Vacations

While you may be traveling far from home, you're never far from home cooking when you're in the South.

When it comes to snacking and sipping in the USA , you won't find anywhere more indulgent than the South. With biscuits and gravy, po'boys and pimiento cheese on the menu, these road trips will help you discover the soul in soul food . Whether you're nodding your head to the blues in  Nashville , sipping Sazeracs in  NOLA , or strolling around historic Atlanta , you'll never have to worry about what's for dinner. 

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Southern USA highlights

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Tennessee Music Trail to New Orleans

Georgia History Trail to Nashville

Articles of Southern USA

Navigating history, culture and power through travel: Reflections on Intrepid’s Gullah Geechee heritage trip 

8 new USA experiences that amplify and celebrate BIPOC culture

8 things to do on an Atlanta to New Orleans road trip

Atlanta breweries: 6 of the best spots to enjoy a beer in

New York to New Orleans: 6 things not to miss

Spooky stories: a guide to the most famous cemeteries in New Orleans

Vegan? Vegetarian? Food intolerances? Here’s how to eat well in America’s southern states.

Southern hospitality is a thing. Here’s what to expect on a trip through America’s southern states.

Southern USA travel FAQs

Do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

How do I get to the South?

Depending on which state you travel to in the South, getting around is fairly easy, with each state having at least one major airport.

Atlanta is a huge hub for international travel, and the Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Airport sees the most passengers per year worldwide (we weren't joking when we said huge!)

Select trains and buses will travel between the major cities, and you can use a website like BusBud to help you choose the best route for your itinerary.

If road-tripping is your mojo, Southern road trips can be a blast! There are tons of exciting cities to drive between, a myriad of entertaining roadside stops, and plenty of delicious food to keep your metaphorical tank as full as the tank of your car. All you need is a map and a good playlist and adventure awaits.

What is the weather like in the South?

The South can get mighty steamy, especially in the summertime where you can expect high humidity for the majority of the day.

Since the Southern USA is made up of 16 of the 50 states, the climate can vary, but keep in mind that all of the states in the South are subject to hurricanes and tropical storms from June 1-November 30.

If you plan on traveling during this period it's wise to pack a rain jacket and waterproof shoes and keep an eye on the forecast.

When is the best time to visit the South?

Since the Southern states can have oppressively hot summers and cold, wet winters, the best time to visit is typically shoulder season: either April-May or September-October.

If you thrive in the heat and want to visit during the summer months, you can catch a cool breeze at one of the beaches outside of the coastal cities of Charleston or Savannah, or enjoy some cooler temps in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

In major cities, accommodations with air conditioning are almost ubiquitous. If you pack the right clothing and hydrate properly, you might just come to love the sweet, sweltering heat of the South.

What do I pack to travel to the South?

The heat and humidity in the summertime can be extreme, so we recommend loose layers and a light jacket for rain or cooler evenings. If you're planning on spending time in the mountains, proper hiking gear, good footwear, and rainproof clothing are a must. Folks in the South typically dress casually but are known to up their game at fancier events or restaurants, so make sure to check for a dress code before you head out to a certain spot.

I'm a vegetarian, what can I eat in the South?

Soul food is at the epicenter of the Southern experience, and a visit would only be complete with sampling the local fare. You might expect exclusively heavy, meat-focused dishes when you think of Southern cuisine. Still, it's a common misconception that vegetarians and vegans won't be able to find nourishing foods. Culturally, there are long-standing generalizations that, historically, Black foods are unhealthy when in reality, most recipes are rooted in farm-to-table cooking with fresh produce and heritage grains.

Some larger cities, like Atlanta, New Orleans, and Nashville, have burgeoning and diverse vegan/vegetarian scenes with dishes like jackfruit bbq ribs, collard greens, and alternative meat burgers. You'll even be able to find vegan versions of some of the classics like shrimp and grits and po'boys. The folks down South are friendly and welcoming, so if you've got a dietary restriction, just let 'em know, and chances are they'll happily find a way to feed you.

Is the South a safe destination for LGBTQIA+ travelers?

America is mostly a safe destination for travelers who identify as LGBTQIA+. Same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states, and there are some anti-discrimination laws to protect sexual orientation and gender identity. However, more rural areas tend to be conservative and overt displays of affection can attract negative responses.

Larger cities like Charleston, Nashville, New Orleans, and Atlanta have thriving gay communities and plenty of queer-owned businesses to support.

Are Intrepid trips accessible for travelers with disabilities?

We are committed to making travel widely  accessible , regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

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Southern Charm

About this tour.

Embrace the leisurely pace and charming allure of America’s southeast as you explore cobblestone streets, historic homes and unspoiled coastline. Discover antebellum Charleston and the history of Savannah with 2-night stays in each city. Visit Charleston’s City Market, one of the oldest public markets in America. Enjoy a trolley or walking tour of Savannah's sprawling Historic District. Spend two nights at the exclusive Jekyll Island Club, once described as “the richest, most exclusive club in the world.” See sea turtle rehabilitation in action at Jekyll Island’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Experience the unique charm and singular hospitality of America’s “Low Country” in South Carolina and Georgia.

Your Tour Includes

• 3 Handpicked Accommodations
• 4 Choice on Tour Options

Included Highlights

• Historic Charleston
• Choice on Tour: Walking Tour or Fort Sumter Cruise in Charleston
• Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens

Your Tour at a Glance

6 Breakfasts

2 - Moderate

Travel Style

Customize your tour.

Optional Excursions

Starting at $120.00

Activity Level

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Extension Style

Travel styles, highlights and inclusions.

Must-See Inclusions:

Step back in time at the luxurious Jekyll Island Club.

• Get to know Charleston's cobblestoned streets, historic homes and restored buildings.

Cultural Experiences:

• Explore Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens just outside of Charleston.

Visit the intriguing Mercer Williams House in Savannah.

See rehabilitation in action at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island.

Culinary Inclusions:

Enjoy a cooking demonstration and dinner showcasing regional specialties in Savannah.

• Choice on Tour: Savannah Trolley City Tour or Walking Tour
• St. Simons Island
• Jekyll Island
• Sea Turtle Hospital

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• Choice On Tour

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In Charleston, you have the choice between two activities. Your first option is to stroll through the historic center with a local guide, exploring hidden alleyways and quaint areas that are only accessible by foot. Your second option is to take a harbor cruise to Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Meet with a ranger to learn about the history and then enjoy time to explore on your own. You will return to the mainland later in the afternoon. During the cruise portion, enjoy views of Battery Park, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and Fort Moultrie.

In Savannah, you have the choice between two activities. Your first option is to stroll through the historic center with a local guide, exploring the city's beautiful squares and stunning antebellum arcitecture up close as your guide provides you with stories of Savannah's past and present. Your second option is to take a guided trolley tour covering a larger portion of the city from the comfort of an openair vehicle.

Hotel-Emeline Hotel Charleston

Discover beautiful Charleston on a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Historic District. Settle into a relaxed pace of life as you absorb the timeless charm of this enchanting city. Your carriage driver will make the stories of Charleston come alive with commentary throughout your journey. Complete your Charleston experience with lunch at a local restaurant.

Get to know Charleston's cobblestoned streets, historic homes and restored buildings.

Explore Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens just outside of Charleston.

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Pre Night: Emeline Hotel Charleston From $175 per night

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10 Day USA Food and Music Tour of Nashville, Memphis & New Orleans

10 days, 1 country and 5 cities

Accommodation

9 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners

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Join us for a little jazz, home cookin' from local Southerners, country music and a whole lot of Rock 'n' Roll on this inspiring American South tour showcasing the rich culture of Memphis, Nashville, Natchez and New Orleans, plus a trip to Elvis’s iconic Graceland.

Looking to book in a group of 9 or more?

Deals, savings and exclusive private touring options available plus if you need a different date or itinerary change we can create a custom trip. Contact us for more details

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10 days itinerary trip from Nashville to New Orleans visiting 1 country and 5 cities

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About this trip

Sightseeing highlights.

Explore RCA Studio B, Sun Studios on a guided tour led by a local musician, Memphis on a musical city tour, Frogmore Plantation and discover how to make iconic dishes at the New Orleans School of Cooking

Discover Nashville

Visit Grand Ole Opry, The Johnny Cash Museum, Graceland, Rock N Soul Museum, and Country Music Hall of Fame for a private performance of original Johnny Cash tunes with one of Johnny's family members

RCA's Studio B, Nashville

The famous Nashville Sound comes alive this morning as RCA's Studio B reveals the legends of Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves and Roy Orbison. 'Dive into Culture' and gain insights into the life and music of Johnny Cash during a private performance of original Cash tunes with one of Johnny's family members.

Travel highlights

Specific transfer information can be found here:

Airport Transfers

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

All porterage and restaurant gratuities

All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

All transport and transfers shown

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Optional Experiences and free time

On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences

Every one of our tours includes at least one conscious travel experience that supports one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Look out for yours within the day-by-day trip itinerary.

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Net-zero by 2050

Travel knowing our 4-point climate action plan will ensure net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Support Local

Your tour directly supports local communities by visiting family-run businesses, UNESCO sites and places of cultural significance.

Sustainable Practices

Every part of our business, from trip design to how we run our offices, aligns to our 5-year sustainability strategy which ensures a positive impact on people, the planet and wildlife.

Philanthropic Efforts

Our not-for-profit, the TreadRight Foundation, invests in nature-based solutions to address climate change.

You’ll make a positive impact to people, planet and wildlife on this tour

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Southern United States Tours

Southern USA

The South falls from the granite, forested fists of Kentucky and Tennessee into craggy hill country and thick woods. This rugged landscape slowly changes as the waters of its rivers – including North America's greatest, the Mississippi – saturate the land into boggy, black-water blankets and sun-seared marsh, all thinning into the salty membrane of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The story of the Smoky Mountains began in primordial times when clashing supersized continents created a chain of mountains that are today among the…

In Appalachian parlance, a cove means a valley, but Cades Cove is far more than that. One of the most popular destinations in the Tennessee section of…

Chattanooga

Myriad songbirds of the avian variety call Tennessee home, but Chattanooga's newly revamped Songbirds – an innovative interactive learning space devoted…

Jackson Square

French Quarter

Whatever happens in the French Quarter usually begins here in Jackson Square, at Decatur and St Peter Streets. It's a gentle, carnivalesque scene,…

Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Downtown & the Gulch

This monumental museum, reflecting the near-biblical importance of country music to Nashville's soul, is a must-see whether you're a country music fan or…

New Orleans

Live oaks, Spanish moss and lazy bayous frame this masterpiece of urban planning. Three miles long and 1 mile wide, dotted with gardens, waterways and…

Bonaventure Cemetery

Less than a 10-minute drive east of Savannah’s Historic District you’ll find one of the most peaceful, quiet, green escapes tucked away next to the…

Lookout Mountain

Just ten minutes from downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee, rising along the upper rim of the city, Lookout Mountain is rich in both Civil War history and…

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Discover the best that Southern USA has to offer! Hidden gems, vibrant cities and more!

20 Epic Places To Visit In The South, USA

February 11, 2021 //  by  Southern Trippers

There are so many amazing, beautiful, and unique places to visit in the South of the United States. The southern states consist of a large chunk of the U.S. so if you plan on doing any major traveling in this country, you are bound to end up in the South at some point. And you are in for a treat once you arrive!

Whether you are taking a southern road trip, exploring a specific state, or want to cross off another U.S. National Park, whatever brings you to the South will be well worth the trip! There are so many things to do here from fun, history-rich cities to gorgeous natural landscapes. You are sure to make some great memories as you discover what these states have to offer.

Providence Canyon, Georgia

Providence Canyon State Park provides one of the best landscapes in Georgia and is 100% worth the visit if you are in the state. Known as Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon,” the Providence Canyon makes a great day trip for nature lovers and hikers.

With over one thousand acres to explore, you will have so much fun searching out the best photo spots. The soil here is an array of pink, orange, red, and purple, creating an otherworldly appearance you will fall in love with.

If you want to check out the hiking trails, there are many to chose from with varying levels of difficulty. There are many scenic overlooks that give a view of the many gullies, the deepest of which is at 150 feet. If you visit in July or August, look for the rare Plumleaf Azalea flower blooming. You can camp at this park as well if you want to stay longer in the pretty area.

Ginnie Springs, Florida

Ginnie Springs is truly a beautiful hot spring oasis in Florida! With shockingly blue, crystal clear water, you will feel as if you have traveled to paradise. If you are looking for a place to relax, this is one of the best places in the South.

Spend time swimming, tubing, or paddle boarding in this consistent 72 degree Fahrenheit water. If you are scuba trained, this is a great place to go diving as well as there are many caves to explore.

Ginnie Springs can get quite busy in the summer due to its popularity, but if you visit in the spring or fall, you can avoid the worst of the crowds. The area is also fairly good-sized, so it is possible to find a little corner to yourself. If you want to make a weekend out of visiting the springs, you can stay at the campground.

Jacob’s Well, Texas

The Jacob’s Well Natural Area is about an hour southwest of Austin, Texas, and can be visited as a day trip from the city. Jacob’s Well is the second-largest completely submerged cave in Texas. This 81-acre area is free to visit unless you plan on swimming, in which case you need to pay a fee and reserve a time. Taking a dip here is a great way to cool off in the summer heat. The water stays at a constant 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Swimming is allowed from May until September.

Along with swimming, Jacob’s Well is a great place for hiking and bird watching. It is also possible to go on an hour-long tour with a naturalist guide. This is a great way to learn about the nature of the area along with the history of Jacob’s Well and the aquifer system. Tours are by request only on two Saturdays each month. You can also stop by the Nature Center any weekend.

Cummins Falls State Park, Tennessee

About an hour and a half from Nashville, you will find the pretty and tranquil Cummins Falls State Park. This is a great stop to make if you are doing a Tennessee road trip and love exploring nature. The beautiful Cummins Falls is a 75-foot waterfall that cascades down a cool rock base before ending in a swimming hole.

It is important to note that you do need to get a Gorge Access Permit before you begin your hike to the waterfall. The hike itself is relatively strenuous and involves traversing uneven ground, crossing water, and climbing rocks.

Because of this, it is not recommended for really young kids. However, the hike is very much worth it when you get to see the falls and cool off with a dip in the water. If you do not want to hike into the gorge, there is a viewpoint above it where you can get a great look.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is a must for any Georgia road trip! This is a city full of Southern charm, from its cobblestone streets to the Spanish moss covering the oak trees. This is the perfect city to escape to for people with any hobby or interest. History buffs will love exploring Old Fort Jackson or learning about the city’s past on an Old Savannah Trolly Tour.

If you are into architecture, you will really love checking out the Victorian district, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, or the Mercer Williams House. If you are traveling with kids and want some family-friendly fun, head over to pretty Forsyth Park or consider booking a river cruise on an iconic steamboat. No matter what you do in Savannah, you are sure to have a great time!

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is a vibrant, fun city where you can easily spend a couple of days or over a week. There is just so much to do and see! Start your stay here by familiarizing yourself with the city by walking the pretty streets and exploring the famous French Quarter. If you love photographing beautiful streets and buildings, then you will adore NOLA! There are so many balconies and amazing, Southern-styled architecture.

New Orleans is also one of the best cities in the South for food! It is really a destination for foodies who want to try French Creole cuisine, check out cute cafes, or even just bar hop.

When you are not stuffing your face with beignets, you can ride the streetcar, walk along the Mississippi River, or visit the Saint Louis Cathedral. When night falls, head to Bourbon Street to soak in the party atmosphere.

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

In Arkansas, you will find Hot Springs National Park, which has some of the best hot springs in the U.S. Take a dip in the natural, thermal hot springs from inside one of the historic bathhouses.

While you can’t soak outside, you can still touch the fresh water in a couple of outdoor pools. The 4,000-year-old, protected spring water is drinkable so make sure to stock up on water by filling bottles at some of the many fountains.

While you are here, make sure to check out the Fordyce Bathhouse Museum and Visitor Center to learn about the history of the baths. The Hot Springs Mountain Tower is another thing to check out is you love great views. The open-air observation deck will provide views of the mountains and forest. There are also a few hiking and biking trails that will weave you through the nature of the park.

Stephens Gap, Alabama

The Stephens Gap Callahan Cave Preserve is one of the best places in the Southeast and can be found about two hours north of Birmingham, Alabama.

It is a very cool place to visit if you love exploring unique nature locations. Stephens Gap is one of the most photographed caves in the country and it is no wonder why! It is so pretty here! The cave features a waterfall that cascades into a deep pit.

The cave has two entrances, one for hikers and one for people who are trained in repelling. Because of the position of the entrances, there is often light streaming into the darkness, creating an awesome scene. The hike is about a mile and a half round trip and is moderate difficulty. There are steep and slippery areas, so be careful and wear appropriate shoes. If you are repelling, you must bring your own gear. However you plan to visit, you must get a free permit.

Helen, Georgia

Helen, Georgia is hands down one of the cutest small towns in The South and you will instantly fall in love with its charm. This tiny town has German roots, a fact that will quickly become apparent by the architecture.

You will feel as if you are walking through an Alpine village. Come in summer to enjoy the surrounding great outdoors or plan your visit for December for European Christmas market vibes.

Even though the town only holds a population of about 550 people, it also home to a ton of fun activities. You can go zip-lining in the trees, tubing in the river, fly into the sky in a hot air balloon, or even pan for gold. In town, shopping is a great pastime, especially if Christmas is soon. Make sure to check out all of the cute, local artisan and treat shops.

Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Tennessee

There is a reason the Great Smokey Mountains are the most visited National Park in the U.S. The over half million-acre park is absolutely gorgeous, especially in the fall when the foliage is set ablaze.

If nature is your happy place, then you are sure to love the Great Smokey Mountains! Spend a few days here hiking scenic trails, horseback riding, exploring historic sites, and spotting wildlife, including the possibility of black bears.

You can camp in the park or you can stay in one of the cute, mountain towns on the park’s outskirts. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are two popular options. These towns act as a gateway to the surrounding nature and have a host of fun things to do as well. The Great Smokey Mountains are not only one of the best places to visit in the South, but the U.S. in general. It is a popular road trip destination that you simply must visit at least once!

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina is a lovely coastal city with plenty of Southern charm, pretty architecture, and historic points of interest. There is truly something here for everyone, making this city a top place to visit in the South. Also, did we mention the food?! This is a city full of great eats and we suggest taking a food tour to get a bite of all the best Southern food the city has to offer!

When you are full from eating your way through Charleston, relax on a horse-drawn carriage tour of the city or a boat cruise of the harbor. If you are into history or architecture, then check out the Fort Sumter National Monument, the McLeod Plantation Historic Site, or the Citadel. If you are traveling with kids you might have fun at the Joe Riley Waterfront Park, the South Carolina Aquarium, or the Magnolia Plantation & Gardens.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Shenandoah National Park is a great Southern getaway found in the wilderness of Virginia not far from Washington D.C. This is the perfect place to escape the city and become one with nature. There are over 500 miles of hiking trails to explore. Discover beautiful fields of colorful wildflowers, flowing waterfalls, and a plethora of wildlife including deer, birds, and black bears.

Along with hiking, you can spend your time in the park driving the scenic Skyline Drive, riding your bike, fishing tranquil mountain streams, rock climbing, or stargazing. Pretty much the list is endless! There is so much to see and experience here that you can easily spend a day or three here. If you are staying the night, you can camp or stay at a lodge.

Upper Caney Creek Falls, Alabama

The hidden gem of Upper Caney Creek Falls is like a scene from a fairy tale. The hike to discover this sight is just under two miles round trip and is pretty easy. After wandering through the forest like a Disney princess, you’ll catch your first glimpse of the tiny, 20-foot waterfall dropping into the perfect swimming hole. Another cool feature of this waterfall is the fast that you can actually walk behind it because of the shape of the cliff. This gives you a new perspective and a great place to take photographs.

If you visit in the summer, the forest will be bright green and full of wildlife. The pool under the falls is usually a pretty, blue-green color. After enjoying the upper falls, you can choose to continue down the creek to find the Lower Caney Creek Falls. To find the trailhead to this secret place in Alabama, drive about an hour and twenty minutes northwest of Birmingham to the small town of Ashridge.

Everglades National Park, Florida

If you are planning a Florida road trip you have to go to the Everglades National Park ! Whether you want to check another National Park off your bucket list, are an avid birdwatcher, or just love to discover cool and unique landscapes, the Everglades are for you! This park features over two million acres of wetlands, saw-grass marshes, and mangrove forests. It is the only place in the wild where you can spot both American alligators and American crocodiles. It is also home to a ton of species of beautiful birds, snakes, and manatees.

While in the Everglades, enjoy waking scenic trails, taking an airboat ride , finding all of the best observation towers, and visiting the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. If you are exceptionally keen to see wild alligators , hike the short Anhinga Trail, which is one of the best places in the park to find these amazing creatures. Just be careful not to get too close!

Austin, Texas

A Texas road trip is sure to bring you to Austin, one of the best cities in the South. Known as the Live Music Capital of the World and with a slogan of “Keep Austin Weird”, this city is very hip. diverse, and full of music culture. Spend a couple of days here taking in the sights and just overall having a blast. Head to Sixth Street to soak in the vibe of the city as you bar hop and listen to live bands.

If you are into art or history, make sure to visit some of the city’s museums, including the Bullock Texas State History Museum, the Blanton Museum of Art, or the Mexic-Arte Museum. If you are looking for a place to relax and cool off, the Barton Springs Municipal Pool is the place for you. The natural, spring-fed pool is found in the pretty Zilker Park.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville, North Carolina is another Southern city worth visiting! This is a popular travel destination for a number of reasons. For one, the cute city is surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy “America’s favorite drive” on the Blue Ridge Parkway as you twist through the mountains to find hiking trails and gorgeous scenic vistas. The nearby French Broad River gives tourists a place to go tubing, boating, or fishing.

When you are not exploring the encompassing nature, you will want to wander the cool city. Known for its art scene, Asheville is a hip city full of unique shops, outdoor markets, craft breweries, and local art galleries. Take a trolley tour to learn the history of the city or enjoy a delicious food tour. Another way to step into the past is to visit the Biltmore mansion, which was built by George W. Vanderbilt in the 1890s.

Orlando, Florida

Orlando, Florida is one of the top tourist destinations in the country! Besides being home to Disney World and Universal Studios, this city is where you can find a ton of fun things to do to fill a couple’s weekend or a week-long family vacation. No matter who you are traveling with, there is something for everyone! Thrill seekers will want to go skydiving, ride in a hot air balloon, or go up in the 400-foot high Ferris wheel at ICON Park.

If you are traveling with kids, you will probably check out the many theme parks, but don’t forget to take them to Gatorland, Wonder Works, or Discovery Cove. Anyone interested in science or space will want to take a day trip to the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. When you are ready to relax and unwind, head out of the city to Blue Springs State Park or Rock Springs at Kelly Park.

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Big Bend National Park is another place to stop in Texas . Since it is found on the border with Mexico, make sure to pack your passport if you want to make a stop in another country and visit some cute, small towns. The park itself is a prime desert and mountain location. This is a great place to camp, hike, and photograph nature.

One of the best hiking trails is found at Santa Elena Canyon. This two mile round trip hike will provide amazing views. This park also has historic ruins to discover, including a mine, a house, and a post office. When your muscles start to ache from hiking and adventuring, head to the Hot Springs Historic Trail by the Rio Grande to soak in natural hot springs while taking in great views of the river.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville is a great place to visit in the South if you love music or having fun in general! It is, of course, known as the Music City and is drenched in music culture. The entertainment district on Low Broadway is full of honky-tonks, themed restaurants, bars, and shops. You will also find the Country Music Hall of Fame here as well. If you want to learn the history of the area, consider taking a walking tour.

While in Nashville, you can also check out the historic Ryman Auditorium, explore pretty parks, or learn about science and history at museums. If you are up for an hour and a half drive, you can head down to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Nashville is a great city to explore as a family or as a friend’s getaway. No matter what you are interested in, there is something for you!

Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia

The gorgeous Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia is where you will find the ridge of Yonah Mountain, whose name translates to Bear in Cherokee. The hike to this mountain’s summit is just over two miles one way and is relatively easy. The views are to die for from the top! Come to this area in the fall to catch the mountain peak drenched in lovely golden foliage .

There are plenty of other things to do in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest as well. There are over 800 miles worth of hiking trails to explore. Search for ancient petroglyphs and gorgeous waterfalls. You can also go canoeing, horseback riding, or camping. The Scull Shoals Historic Site features the state’s first paper mill dating back to 1811. Chattahoochee National Forest is near Helen, Georgia, so you could easily make a day trip from the small town.

If you did not know beforehand, you have learned that the South is home to a ton of amazing places to visit! There are so many cool cities to visit in the South as well as National Parks, hidden nature gems, and diverse landscapes. We suggest planning a road trip or two in order to hit some of these spectacular places!

USA's Southern Charm & Farm

Experience the famous charm and hospitality of the Southern United States, as we travel the countryside and visit farms growing crops unique to the south.  See tobacco, sweet potato, and pickle farming in North Carolina. In Georgia, visit a cotton farm and gin, a pecan farm, and hear the story of Vidalia Onions at an onion farm in Vidalia, Georgia.  Alabama is the #1 producer for peanut production, so we tour a farm and the National Peanut Buying Point, where the area peanuts are inspected. Enjoy the lovely and historic city of Charleston, South Carolina, where the seafood is as fresh as you will find, and rock ’n roll in Memphis, Tennessee, as we visit Elvis’ Graceland Mansion and museum, as well as his childhood home in Tupelo, Mississippi.  We finish the tour in Arkansas, where we see and learn about the interesting rice crop, of which 40% of U.S.A.’s production is grown in the state.  Us folks from the north always get a kick out of seeing the rice farms, which are uncommon in our neck of the woods.  We will be traveling during their harvest time for many crops, adding to the excitement of both the farm visits, as well as the scenery throughout the countryside. And don’t forget about the amazing southern cooking!  You’re sure to have fun on this informative tour!

• August 21 - 30, 2024

What's Included

Day 1: Arrive in Raleigh, North Carolina Shuttle to your included hotel and enjoy an overnight stay.

Day 2: Nashville, NC After breakfast, meet-up with Larry Rupiper for the start of your farm tour. Our deluxe motorcoach will be ready at 8:00 AM. We’ll travel a short distance to Nashville, North Carolina, to meet a farmer who shows us his sweet potato operation. We are here during the sweet potato harvest timeframe, so you can learn the entire process - and even how to choose the right sweet potatoes for cooking that special dinner at home. Sweet potato farming is big business in the south, and you’ll see how dependent they are on the migrant workers that you’ve read about. The workers come back each year to help in the fields. You may learn a little about migrant workers from the farmer, who has spent a lifetime hiring and employing them. Enjoy great southern cooking and overnight near Nashville, NC. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Nashville, NC / Fayetteville, NC Today we visit a pickle farm and perhaps witness their complicated pickle harvester, as well as learn the ins and outs of the pickle business. Next we visit a tobacco farm and hope to see them harvest the leaves and transport them to their drying facilities. Growing tobacco is still big business in the south, even if it has shrunk substantially over the last decade. It’s quite interesting how the whole system works. The old tobacco barns of years gone by don’t cut it any longer for the big operators. They have scores of tobacco dryers all lined up to wheel in whole racks of tobacco leaves to dry. You’ll be surprised at the size of a tobacco seed. Tobacco farms in the US produced approximately 533 million pounds of tobacco in the year 2018. To reach this total, tobacco was grown in about nineteen states in the US. Of these, the states of North Carolina, Georgia, and Kentucky combined grow nearly eighty percent of the production. Even though the tobacco crop has dropped substantially, the tobacco lobby is quite strong and continues to lobby its cause. North Carolina has 12,095 farms producing tobacco for commercial sale. 320,599 acres are devoted to tobacco production in NC, with the average size of land dedicated to tobacco covering 26.5 acres per farm. If you think the corn and soybean farmers are subsidized, wait until you see the southern-grown crop subsidies! It’s eye opening! (B, L, D)

Day 4: Fayetteville, NC / Charleston, South Carolina Visit the charming port city of Charleston, founded in 1670. The city is defined by its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and pastel antebellum houses, particularly in the elegant French Quarter and Battery districts. The Battery promenade and Waterfront Park both overlook Charleston Harbor, while Fort Sumter, a federal stronghold where the first shots of the Civil War rang out, lies across the water. Our horse-drawn carriages will provide a comfortable city tour with commentary while meandering through the scenic streets of Charleston. This is the only night that dinner will not be included, so you can enjoy your choice of seafood or any other cuisine while staying in Charleston. It’s a great experience! (B, L)

Day 5: Charleston, SC / Vidalia, Georgia Today we depart Charleston and drive west past Savannah and on to Vidalia, Georgia, where we enjoy a break and a great southern-style lunch. While in Vidalia, we’ll visit the Vidalia Onion Museum and an onion farm. They should be planting at the time of our tour, so you can see how the professionals plant their onions. Along with being a sweet onion we all take for granted, the story behind Vidalia onions is really interesting. Learn this story and much more while in Vidalia. Time permitting, we may visit the nearby college field trial plots. After this engaging tour, we check-in to our hotel and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Vidalia, GA / Americus, GA Today our tour takes us to a large pecan operation in the heart of Georgia. It will be pre-harvest time during our tour, so you will be able to see the actual orchards of nearly ripe pecans, as well as the facility used for shelling, preparation, packing, and shipping. Next we learn more about the peanut industry, including a visit to a peanut farm and a large shelling and processing facility. Georgia grows nearly 50% of all peanuts grown in the USA. The harvest should be in full swing, so you may be able to see just how peanuts are harvested. You’ll also learn how they are planted, and everything in between! In the same area, we visit a large cotton gin and cotton farm. It will be the very start of the cotton harvest, so many of the cotton bolls should be open, showcasing their fluffy-white beauty. Tonight we stay in Americus, GA in a lovely and historic hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Birmingham, Alabama We travel to Plains, Georgia, where President Jimmy Carter was born and still makes his home. Take a quick look around this small town that raised USA’s 39th president. We also visit one of the peanut buying points in Plains, and then we travel northwest toward Birmingham, Alabama, the center of the civil rights movement in the 60s. Traveling along this route, you’ll be exposed to a territory that perhaps you’ve not seen the likes of - different crops, different landscape, and different demographics. Our goal is to show you as much southern farming as possible, mixed with some fun events and sights. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Birmingham, AL / Memphis, Tennessee Our southern journey continues as we head northwest via Tupelo, Mississippi, the childhood home and birthplace of Elvis Presley. If you’re an Elvis fan, today is your day to lavish in the history, the nostalgia and the incredible music of Elvis Presley as you visit Graceland. Elvis’ mansion, museum of costumes, cars, motorcycles, his 707 Boeing customized jetliner, and his smaller private jet are all on display for you to enjoy. He truly was a mover and a shaker! Time permitting, we’ll make a stop at Sun Studios the very place Elvis recorded all those early hits. We’ll stay the night in Memphis and enjoy some good BBQ. The night is yours to explore world-famous Beale Street, where you can catch some live music, have a drink, or simply people watch. (B, D)

Day 9: Memphis, TN / Little Rock, Arkansas Travel west to Arkansas, ranking first among rice-producing states, accounting for more than 40% of U.S. rice production - primarily long and medium grain varieties. Rice production is concentrated in the eastern half of the state, stretching from Louisiana to the Mississippi border. We visit a couple of large rice farmers and later a rice mill that processes rice and gets it ready for the grocery shelf. The harvest should be in full swing at this time - sure to be fun! Overnight in Little Rock. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Little Rock, AR / Arrive Home After breakfast, your tour will come to a close. A hotel shuttle will take you to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Rupiper Tours reserves the right to make minor adjustments to the itinerary if necessary.

All Hotel Accommodations • Most Meals (B, L, D) Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation All Admissions to Events Listed • Driver Gratuities Multiple Farm Visits • Rupiper Tour Manager Throughout

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Southern USA Tours for Seniors

Explore Southern USA with other Seniors. These 41 tours include popular destinations like Asheville and Nashville.

41 trips for 'over 50s' in Southern USA with 687 reviews

• In-depth Cultural
• Food & Culinary
• Coach / Bus

Tastes and Sounds of the South (10 Days)

Our guide Austin Coop was excellent. He was attentive and knowledgable. One man on the trip could not speak or hear. He wrote out all key information to make the man's trip good for him.

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Sightseeing

Best of the South: Atlanta to New Orleans

• Christmas & New Year

Georgia History Trail to Nashville

Rhythms of the Road

Would’ve loved it to have been longer! An extra night in each main city would’ve been great for extra activities

Rhythms of the South (11 Days)

The trip was wonderful. The itinerary was excellent and there was a good balance between structured tours and free time. Our tour guide and driver were professional, personable and helpful.

Southern Charms & Florida

I can only rate the hotels as good, because, some did not have safes or fridges and one was in a VERY noisy area

America's Musical Heritage

Excellent organization in all respects, Peter was overwhelming.

America's Musical Heritage with Extended Stay in New Orleans

• Local Living

Deep South & Delta Blues

Loved everything about the tour, great itinerary, transport, hotels, food and most of all our guide was wonderful with amazing knowledge of places we visited and the music we experienced.Fabulos vacation.

• Hiking & Trekking

Mount Sterling Appalachian Loop

Trip was amazing. Really well organised and planned. John was a brilliant guide - incredibly knowledgeable about the area, the physical geography and the historical and cultural connections. Everything ran smoothly from beginning to end. Cannot recommend this trip (or John as a guide!) highly enough

Asheville Inn Based Hiking Tour

My wife and I are very grateful to Kyle for his professional thoughtful service. We are so glad for Wildland trekking and Kyle to make this 45th wedding anniversary wonderful.

Journey Along the Civil Rights Trail (9 Days)

Spectacular National Parks of Eastern USA (Small Groups, 10 Days)

Country Roads of the Deep South (Classic, 12 Days)

Southern Grace (Small Groups, 9 Days, Door To Door)

What people love about southern usa tours for seniors.

A well planned and executed tour. Great way to see Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans and learn the history of music during the day and listen to it at night.

Best Southern Road Trips in the U.S.

By CNT Editors

New Orleans to Houston

When most people talk about making the drive from New Orleans to Houston, they do so begrudgingly—that needs to change. You can make this trip year-round, and see everything from antique bookstores to distilleries to contemporary art. Or do it for the food alone (we won’t judge).

Where to stop: Don’t miss the Texas Travel Information Center in Orange, right over the border. There’s a great photo op here with a giant lone star sculpture.

Where to eat: Order half a dozen buttermilk drops to go from the decade-old Buttermilk Drop Bakery in New Orleans’ Treme neighborhood. They will change your life—or at least how you think about doughnuts.

Where to stay: Check into the two-year-old Watermark Baton Rouge, a 144-room hotel housed in the former headquarters of the Louisiana Trust & Savings Bank. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi, the hotel is a three-minute walk to Louisiana's Old State Capitol, famed for its Gothic architecture and jaw-dropping stained glass rotunda.

We planned your five-day road trip through French Louisiana.

Atlanta to Jekyll Island

Hollywood has officially descended upon Georgia—making it the third-busiest filmmaking location behind Los Angeles and New York City. You probably knew you could eat fried green tomatoes like Jessica Tandy did in Juliette, Georgia, but what about tracing the zombie trail in the town from The Walking Dead ? Here, how to take a road-trip through your favorite scenes.

Where to stop: Stop about an hour southeast of Atlanta in Jackson, or as you may know it, Hawkins, Indiana. You’ll recognize the main square from various scenes in Stranger Things —the general store where Joyce Byers works, the alleyway where Jonathan fights Steve, and the public library where Dustin studies up on demogorgons.

Where to eat: Zesto Drive-In was featured on Atlanta for a reason: spring for the famous double-pattied Fat Boy burger with a giant Pibb-infused ice cream float.

Where to stay: Chateau Elan in Braselton is a must for Ozark fans—you’ll recognize it from episode eight, when Jason Bateman and Laura Linney go to visit their drug lord. But if that doesn’t entice you, the four golf courses, grand, newly-renovated wine-tasting room, and spa should do the trick.

We planned your three-day tour of Georgia's best filming locations.

Civil Rights Trail: Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana

There’s nothing like running a late-summer thunderstorm on a two-lane highway in the American South, roof pummeled by hail the size of golf balls, to test your nerves behind the wheel. But it’s only one small part of a put-me-in-my-place drive everyone should do, following a stretch of the Civil Rights Trail from Memphis to New Orleans by way of Alabama, where some of the country’s best social-justice museums confront the past head on—prompting those who pass through to look at the present in the same way.

Where to stop: After a visit to the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, pass through Montgomery, where the brand-new National Memorial to Peace and Justice has been making headlines as the country’s first memorial to lynching victims, before parking for a weekend in New Orleans. A different kind of education happens here, where local artists like muralist Brandan Odums feed a national conversation on race and class.

Where to eat: Stop in Birmingham to decompress at the James Beard-winning Highlands Bar and Grille .

Where to stay: Once you get to your final destination in NOLA, there are plenty of hotel options, but we'd pick the Henry Howard Hotel or the Pontchartrain Hotel , both just far enough removed from the craziness of the French Quarter.

Houston to El Paso

What we’re going to tell you is not surprising: Texas is a big state. By the time you drive from east to west, you could have passed through five European countries. But as diverse as France is from the Czech Republic, South Texas is from West Texas. You may not be able to hit up the whole state in one road trip—unless you have a month to spare—but our 1,022-mile itinerary from Houston to El Paso, with an optional stop in New Mexico, will cover all of the highlights.

Where to stop: Marfa has become a bucket list trip for anyone who's tapped into culture. Here, there are 16 galleries, one for every 124 residents of this isolated town, in addition to the Chinati Foundation, which holds hundreds of works by Dan Flavin, John Chamberlain, Donald Judd, and more. The key to tackling Marfa is timing, as restaurants have odd hours and can be closed unexpectedly. Your best bet falls between Thursday and Sunday.

Where to eat: On the way to Austin, make a lunch pit stop in Lockhart. With three standout barbecue restaurants, you’ll have to leave your ego at the door and join the ranks of brisket and rib enthusiasts eating with their hands off butcher paper “plates.” Stop at least one joint from the town’s holy trifecta: Kreuz Market , Black’s Barbeque , or Smitty's Market .

Where to stay: San Antonio’s Pearl District should be your starting point, with home base at the offbeat Hotel Emma , which itself is plenty of reason to visit San Antonio.

We planned the ultimate Texas road trip.

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Southern United States Bike Tours

Southern united states bike tours in arizona, texas, natchez trace, savannah, ga, charleston, south carolina, and the florida keys..

Experience the best of the South on a Southern United States bike tour! From Arizona’s Saguaro National Park , the rolling hills of Texas Hill Country , the open roads of Mississippi’s Natchez Trace , the incredibly scenic  Florida Keys and Everglades , to the deep roots of the Lowcountry’s Savannah to Charleston , these trips are steeped in historical significance and awe-inspiring beauty.

Bike Tour Savannah and Charleston

Savannah, GA / Charleston, SC

On our Savannah to Charleston bike tour, cycle along a 200-mile stretch of coastal South Carolina and Georgia and enjoy Southern hospitality. This relatively easier cycling trip will take you through and around the historic Savannah, GA, Gorgeous Beaufort, and Charming Charleston, SC. Explore a region with an aristocratic charm draped in southern hospitality, fascinating history, charming Victorian and Antebellum architectures, delectable cuisine, and a quintessential scenic character.

Give us a Call: 800-730-4771

Texas Hill Country Bike Tour

San Antonio, Texas

On our Texas bike tour, explore one of the best places in the country for scenic and peaceful bicycling - The Hill Country. Tour the historic and beautiful LBJ Ranch by bike. Cycle to the legendary country music hamlet of Luckenbach. Visit famous historic sites, including the Alamo, El Mercado, and La Villita, and ride the Mission Trail.

Natchez Trace Bike Tour

Jackson, MS

Our Natchez Trace bike tour begins and ends in Jackson, the state capital of Mississippi. The trip is centered around the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 440-mile route steeped in history that is now part of the National Park System, with many historical sites along the way to pause and catch your breath. Tour Antebellum mansions that date back to the Civil War discover the deep roots of this region on visits to monuments and historic sites, savor some of the south’s most delectable cuisine and enjoy the famed “Southern Hospitality.” Welcome to Mississippi!

Florida Bike Tour

Miami, FL / Key West, FL

Discover the best of the Keys and Everglades on this Florida Bike Tour. Home to crystal clear blue waters and rich plant and wildlife diversity, Florida Keys and the Everglades National Park have the additional distinction of being an International Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. Enjoy scenic riding and fun in the sun on this relatively easy bike tour.

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Middle East Crisis Hamas Resists Israel’s Latest Cease-Fire Offer

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• Israeli military vehicles on the border with Gaza. Atef Safadi/EPA, via Shutterstock
• Demonstrators in Tel Aviv demanding the return of hostages on the day that Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and President Isaac Herzog of Israel were meeting. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
• Displaced Palestinians next to a placard thanking pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses in the United States. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• A funeral for an Israeli soldier in Ashdod, Israel. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
• Walking past the rubble of a destroyed building in Rafah, Gaza, on Tuesday. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Follow live news updates on the crisis in the Middle East .

Hamas says its position is ‘negative’ on Israel’s offer but signals willingness to keep talking.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said on Wednesday that Hamas leaders could save Palestinian lives by accepting a proposed deal under which they would free 33 hostages in exchange for a six-week cease-fire and the liberation of many Palestinian prisoners.

“We are determined to get a cease-fire that brings the hostages home and to get it now, and the only reason that that wouldn’t be achieved is because of Hamas,” Mr. Blinken said at the start of a meeting in Tel Aviv with Isaac Herzog, the president of Israel. “There is a proposal on the table, and as we’ve said, no delays, no excuses. The time is now, and the time is now long past due to bring the hostages home to their families.”

But on Wednesday night, a spokesman for Hamas, Osama Hamdan, said in an interview on Lebanese television, “Our position on the current negotiating paper is negative.”

The Hamas press office later clarified Mr. Hamdan’s comments, saying that while Hamas’s leaders would not accept the current Israeli proposals without changes, they were willing to keep negotiating. “The negative position does not mean negotiations have stopped,” the press office said. “There is a back and forth issue.”

Mr. Blinken’s comments were part of a concerted campaign by President Biden and his top aides to press Hamas leaders to accept the six-week halt in fighting and possibly lay the foundation for a longer-term cease-fire.

Mr. Blinken made similar comments to reporters the previous evening outside a humanitarian aid warehouse in Zarqa, Jordan. Earlier this week, Mr. Biden urged the leaders of Qatar and Egypt to push Hamas to accept the terms, after Israel agreed to lower the required number of hostages released in the initial round to 33 from 40.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has said he supports the latest proposed deal, but at the same time he has vowed to carry out a major ground offensive in the city of Rafah “with or without a deal.” Israeli officials say their objective is to eliminate four battalions of Hamas fighters in Rafah.

Mr. Hamdan, the Hamas spokesman, said in his comments on Al Manar television, “If the enemy carries out the Rafah operation, negotiations will stop.”

Biden administration officials are opposed to a major ground assault in Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians have sought refuge during the war.

Mr. Blinken discussed the hostage and cease-fire deal on the table in a nearly three-hour meeting with Mr. Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Wednesday, according to a summary from the State Department. He also spoke about efforts to increase humanitarian aid in Gaza and the U.S. government’s “clear position” on Rafah, the summary said.

Israeli officials said a new crossing into northern Gaza, near the Erez kibbutz, had just opened to allow aid deliveries, and that 30 trucks with goods from Jordan had rolled through the crossing earlier on Wednesday. The opening was promised weeks ago, but the Israeli military said it had to build inspection facilities and pave roads on both sides of the border before the crossing could be used by aid trucks.

Hwaida Saad contributed reporting from Beirut, Lebanon.

— Edward Wong traveling in the Middle East with the U.S. secretary of state

Israel has softened some demands in cease-fire negotiations, officials say.

After a monthslong standoff, Israel is softening some of its demands in negotiations over a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held there.

As part of its latest proposal, Israel would allow displaced Palestinian civilians to return to northern Gaza, according to two Israeli officials, which is a sharp reversal on an issue that has been a sticking point in the talks.

For weeks, Israel has demanded that it be allowed to impose significant restrictions on Palestinians going back to the north because of worries that Hamas could take advantage of a large-scale return to strengthen itself. Now, Israel has consented to Palestinian civilians’ going back en masse during the first phase of an agreement, according to the officials, whose account was confirmed by a non-Israeli official familiar with the talks.

One of the Israeli officials said those returning to the north would be subject to no inspections or limitations, while the second said there would be nearly no restrictions, without elaborating. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to share details of the proposal.

It was not clear whether Hamas would accept the most recent Israeli proposal, which is part of negotiations that the two sides are conducting indirectly through mediators from Egypt and Qatar. As of Wednesday afternoon, the group hadn’t officially issued a response.

The cease-fire talks were a focus of Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken as he visited Israel on Wednesday. “There is a proposal on the table, and as we’ve said, no delays, no excuses,” Mr. Blinken said before meeting with President Isaac Herzog. He later discussed the talks and other issues in a nearly three-hour meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hamas has long demanded that any deal include a permanent end to the war, which has forced most of Gaza’s more than two million people to flee their homes. The Israeli offer, according to one of the Israeli officials, doesn’t include language that refers explicitly to an end to the fighting.

Hanging over the negotiations is Israel’s threat to invade Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza where roughly a million civilians are sheltering, along with what Israel says are thousands of Hamas fighters. But even as it vows to carry out its plan for a ground invasion there, in defiance of pleas from world leaders and humanitarian groups, it is showing some willingness to make concessions in talks to stop the fighting and free hostages.

On Monday, The New York Times reported that, as part of its proposal, Israel had reduced the number of hostages Hamas would need to release in the initial phase of a deal. For months, it had been insisting on the release of 40 hostages, but in the new offer, the Israeli government said it would agree to 33.

That change was prompted in part by the fact that Israel now believes that some of the 40 have died in captivity , one of the officials said.

As details of Israel’s latest offer have emerged, Mr. Netanyahu has come under increasing pressure from his right-wing coalition partners to reject compromise. If they withdraw from the government over a deal, Israel could head to early elections, threatening Mr. Netanyahu’s political future.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a hard-line member of the coalition, has said that if Mr. Netanyahu gives up on invading Rafah immediately, a government under his leadership doesn’t have “the right to exist.”

On Tuesday, Mr. Netanyahu said an invasion of Rafah would take place, without saying when.

“The idea that we will halt the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question,” he said in a meeting with the families of hostages, according to a statement from his office. “We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there — with or without a deal — in order to achieve the total victory.”

If Israel and Hamas strike an agreement, it would be the first cease-fire since late November, when a short-lived pause in the fighting allowed for the release of more than 100 hostages and 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas and its allies captured roughly 240 Israelis and foreigners in their attack on Oct. 7, which prompted Israel to go to war in Gaza. More than 130 hostages are believed to still be held in Gaza, but some are thought to have died.

Aaron Boxerman contributed reporting.

— Adam Rasgon reporting from Jerusalem

Israeli settlers attacked aid trucks headed to Gaza, Jordan says.

Israeli settlers attacked several aid trucks on the way from Jordan to Gaza around dawn on Wednesday, including some that were headed for the newly opened border crossing on the north edge of the Gaza Strip, Jordan’s foreign ministry said.

The ministry said that the settlers dumped some of the aid onto the street . It condemned the Israeli government’s failure to protect the aid as a violation of its legal obligation to safeguard the flow of food and other humanitarian necessities to the devastated Palestinian enclave, and said the attack undermined Israel’s claim that it was working to allow more aid into Gaza.

Asked about the attack, the Israeli military said in a statement that overnight, Israeli civilians had “caused damage” to aid on several trucks from Jordan “secured” by Israeli forces.

Details about the attack, including where it happened and how much aid was dumped or damaged, were not immediately released by the Israeli military or the Jordanian foreign ministry, though both said the trucks ultimately managed to reach Gaza.

Honenu, a right-wing legal aid group that often represents Israeli extremists accused of violent crimes against Palestinians, said that four people had been arrested for blocking aid trucks near Ma’ale Adumim, one of the largest Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The trucks were part of two convoys, one of which was headed for the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza, the Jordanian foreign ministry said. The other convoy was the first to enter northern Gaza through the Erez crossing, according to the Jordanian foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, who called the attack “despicable” on social media and called for global condemnation and international sanctions against Israel.

Israel agreed to open the Erez crossing on Wednesday, after some of its closest allies, including the United States, pressured it to allow more aid into Gaza in the aftermath of the Israeli military’s killing of seven World Central Kitchen workers in April. For months beforehand, United Nations officials and aid organizations had been pleading with Israel to open the crossing to allow aid to move directly into northern Gaza, in hopes of averting famine.

Honenu said on Wednesday that it had provided legal counsel to the four arrested individuals, and that they had been released after being issued a restraining order requiring them to stay away from aid convoys and not participate in illicit gatherings.

Israeli civilians have repeatedly blocked the passage of aid trucks — sometimes as Israeli security forces stand by — with many demanding that no aid reach Palestinians in Gaza until hostages held in the enclave are released.

The U.S. secretary of state, Antony J. Blinken, who has been on another wartime tour of the Middle East, was in Jordan on Tuesday at the warehouse where medical and food aid was being loaded onto the convoy heading to the Erez crossing. He praised Israel’s opening of the crossing as “real and important progress,” adding that “more still needs to be done.” On Wednesday, during a visit to Israel, Mr. Blinken included the Kerem Shalom crossing among his stops.

— Anushka Patil and Johnatan Reiss

Blinken’s visit to the Kerem Shalom crossing puts aid for Gaza front and center.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken visited an inspection checkpoint at the Kerem Shalom border crossing in Israel on Wednesday, part of an effort to prioritize the issue of humanitarian aid for Gaza during his Middle East tour.

Under pressure from President Biden after an Israeli airstrike killed seven aid workers , Israel announced last month that it would open more avenues for aid to enter Gaza . Israel has since expedited the flow of aid into Gaza amid intense international scrutiny, though humanitarian organizations say more is urgently needed to alleviate the severe hunger that is gripping the enclave.

Here’s a look at where things stand .

Border Crossings

Israel imposes stringent checks on incoming aid to keep out anything that might help Hamas, which it has pledged to eliminate. Since the start of the war, most of the aid for Gaza has been transiting through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.

Israel opened the crossing at Kerem Shalom in December after pressure from the United States to speed up the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, Israeli protesters have regularly gathered at the crossing, trying to block aid convoys from entering the enclave in the hopes of raising the pressure on Hamas to release the hostages.

The Rafah and Kerem Shalom checkpoints both touch southern Gaza. Aid officials pleaded with Israel for months to add additional entry points — especially in the north, where the risk of famine was deemed greatest by the United Nations.

Under pressure, Israel said last month that it would reopen the Erez border crossing into northern Gaza and that shipments bound for the enclave would be accepted at the Israeli port of Ashdod. On Wednesday, Israel said that the first aid trucks, 30 in total, had passed through the crossing after being inspected.

But the Erez crossing, which was primarily used for pedestrian traffic before the war, was badly damaged during the Hamas-led raid on Israel in October. As international officials and humanitarian agencies looked for signs that Israel was making good on its pledges, Israel said it would be opening another crossing into northern Gaza — not Erez.

Other Efforts

U.S. Army engineers also are working to construct a floating pier off the coast of Gaza. The pier — which Mr. Blinken said Tuesday would be operational in about one week — could help relief workers deliver as many as two million meals a day.

And the Jordanian military and government have in recent weeks increased the amount of aid arriving in overland convoys, which travel from Jordan through the West Bank and across part of Israel before reaching the southern Gaza border crossings. The Jordanian military carries out its own inspections. Government trucks are inspected by Israel.

Situation on the Ground

There are widespread food shortages in Gaza, and the United Nations has warned that a famine is looming . Aid groups and United Nations officials have accused Israel of systematically limiting aid delivery. Israel denies the assertion, blaming the shortages on logistical failures by aid groups, and has recently increased the number of trucks entering the strip.

In recent weeks, Israel’s efforts to increase the flow of aid have been acknowledged by the Biden administration and international aid officials. More aid trucks also appeared to be reaching Gaza, especially in the north.

On Wednesday, Mr. Blinken discussed how aid delivery has improved when he met with Mr. Netanyahu and “reiterated the importance of accelerating and sustaining that improvement,” according to the State Department.

— Cassandra Vinograd

‘Thank you, American universities’: Gazans express gratitude for campus protesters.

Thousands of miles away from the campus protests that have divided Americans, some displaced Palestinians are expressing solidarity with the antiwar demonstrators and gratitude for their efforts.

Messages of support were written on some tents in the southern city of Rafah, where roughly a million displaced people have sought shelter from the Israeli bombardment and ground fighting that Gazan health officials say have killed more than 34,000 people.

“Thank you, American universities,” read one message captured on video by the Reuters news agency. “Thank you, students in solidarity with Gaza your message has reached” us, read another nearby.

Tensions have risen at campuses across the United States, with police in riot gear arresting dozens of people at Columbia University on Tuesday night and officers across the country clashing with pro-Palestinian demonstrators who had erected encampments and seized academic buildings at other institutions. The protesters have been calling for universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel, and some have vowed not to back down.

The protests have come at a particularly fearful time in Rafah, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel vowing to launch a ground invasion of the city to root out Hamas battalions there despite glimmers of hope for a temporary cease-fire.

Palestinians “are very happy that there are still people standing with us,” said Mohammed al-Baradei, a 24-year-old recent graduate from the dentistry program at Al-Azhar University who spoke by phone from Rafah.

“The special thing is that this is happening in America and that people there are still aware and the awareness is growing every day for the Palestinian cause,” he added.

Akram al-Satri, a 47-year-old freelance journalist sheltering in Rafah, said Gazans were “watching with hope and gratitude the student movement in the United States.”

“For us this is a glimmer of hope on a national level,” he added in a voice message on Wednesday.

Bisan Owda, a 25-year-old Palestinian who has been documenting the war on social media, said in a video posted to her more than 4.5 million Instagram followers that the campus protests had brought her a new sense of possibility.

“I’ve lived my whole life in Gaza Strip and I’ve never felt hope like now,” said Ms. Owda.

Nader Ibrahim contributed reporting and video production from London.

— Hiba Yazbek reporting from Jerusalem

Colombia’s president says the country will sever ties with Israel, calling its government ‘genocidal.’

Colombia will sever diplomatic ties with Israel over its prosecution of the war in Gaza, President Gustavo Petro announced in Bogotá on Wednesday, describing the Israeli government as “genocidal.”

His announcement came in a speech in Colombia’s capital city in front of cheering crowds that had gathered for International Workers’ Day.

“The times of genocide, of the extermination of an entire people cannot come before our eyes, before our passivity,” Mr. Petro said. “If Palestine dies, humanity dies.”

Colombia is the second South American nation to break off relations with Israel after Bolivia, which cut ties in November over its strikes in Gaza. On the day that Bolivia made its announcement, Colombia and Chile both said that they were recalling their ambassadors to Israel, and Honduras followed suit within days. Belize also cut diplomatic ties with Israel that month.

The Israeli government denounced Mr. Petro’s move on Wednesday.

“History will remember that Gustavo Petro chose to stand at the side of the most abominable monsters known to man, who burned babies, killed children, raped woman and abducted innocent civilians,” Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, wrote on X . “Israel and Colombia always enjoyed warm ties. Even an antisemitic and hateful president will not change that.’’

Mr. Petro, Colombia’s first leftist leader and a critic of U.S. drug policy toward his country, had threatened to cut ties with Israel in March if it did not comply with a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. And he called on other countries to do the same. In response to that threat, Mr. Katz wrote on X that Mr. Petro’s “support for Hamas murderers” who carried out massacres and committed sex crimes against Israelis was shameful.

“Israel will continue to protect its citizens and will not yield to any pressure or threats,” he added.

In February Mr. Petro suspended Colombia’s purchase of Israeli weapons in February after Israeli forces opened fire while a crowd was gathered near a convoy of trucks carrying desperately needed aid to Gaza City, part of a chaotic scene in which scores of people were killed and injured, according to Gazan health officials and the Israeli military.

“Asking for food, more than 100 Palestinians were killed by Netanyahu,” Mr. Petro wrote on X at the time, comparing the events to the Holocaust “even if the world powers do not like to acknowledge it.”

“The world must block Netanyahu,” he added.

— Genevieve Glatsky reporting from Bogotá, Colombia

Netanyahu’s pledge to invade Rafah could undermine efforts to reach a cease-fire deal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel once again pledged on Tuesday to launch a ground invasion into the southern Gazan city of Rafah, a move that could undermine efforts to negotiate a cease-fire agreement after seven months of war in the Palestinian enclave.

The United States, Qatar and several countries have been pushing to get a cease-fire deal, with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken visiting the region and expectations rising that Hamas and Israel might be edging closer to an agreement.

But with Hamas arguing that any agreement should include an end to the war, and with right-wing politicians in Israel threatening to leave the government coalition if the long-planned incursion into Rafah is delayed, Mr. Netanyahu made clear that Israel would reserve the right to keep fighting.

“The idea that we will halt the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question,” he said in a meeting with the families of hostages held in Gaza, according to a statement from his office. “We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there — with or without a deal, in order to achieve the total victory.”

Israeli officials have said repeatedly that they plan to move into Rafah, but over the weekend, they made clear they were open to holding off if it meant they could secure the release of hostages taken when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. One official also suggested that Israel was using the threat of an imminent military maneuver to press the armed group into a hostage deal.

In anticipation of an offensive, some families in Rafah have been moving north into areas of Gaza that had already been attacked by Israeli forces, but on Tuesday, the scale of the evacuation remained unclear. As of last week, more than one million Gazans, many of them previously displaced from other parts of the territory by Israeli bombardment, were still sheltering in the city in makeshift tents.

American officials and other allies have been pressing Israel to either avoid an assault on Rafah or develop specific plans to adequately minimize civilian casualties.

On Tuesday, Mr. Blinken met with officials in Jordan to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas, and to press for peace and an increase in humanitarian aid. There was no immediate reaction from the State Department to Mr. Netanyahu’s remarks.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain spoke to Mr. Netanyahu on Tuesday, his office said in a statement. The British leader “continued to push for an immediate humanitarian pause to allow more aid in and hostages out” and said that Britain’s focus was on de-escalation, it said.

For weeks, cease-fire talks had been at a standstill. But Israeli officials have said that negotiators have reduced the number of hostages they want Hamas to release during the first phase of a truce, opening up the possibility that the stalled negotiations could be revived.

A senior Hamas official said on social media on Monday that the group was studying a new Israeli proposal.

A Hamas delegation met with officials in Egypt’s intelligence service on Monday, according to a senior Hamas official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about sensitive discussions between Hamas and Egypt.

Adam Rasgon contributed reporting.

— Damien Cave

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