Southern USA Road Trips & Vacations

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers 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 travellers 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

America is mostly a safe destination for travellers 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.

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 travellers 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.