Walking the USA's Southern Sights

There is no doubt that if you enjoy walking, USA holidays can offer you fantastic opportunities to see the country as it really is. Of course, you really can't 'walk the USA' - at least not unless you have several years to spare! It's simply too big and you not only need a lot of time but you would also need to buy a significant number of pairs of boots.

Head Down South

What you can do though, is to concentrate on a theme or perhaps a geographical region.

Let's consider one such opportunity - the South. The South of the USA is sometimes called 'Dixieland' although not everyone agrees on its exact geographical definition. Broadly speaking, it comprises states running down the eastern seaboard from Virginia (some may say Maryland) to Florida and westward to include states such as Texas up to West Virginia.

This is a vast area, and one that contains many different and diverse US cultures.

Florida - The Sunshine State

For example, Florida has long been known as the 'sunshine state' and is a great destination for holidaymakers. However, many of its attractions are really best explored on guided walks, and that may include areas such as the Cape Canaveral Space Centre or the incomparable beauty of the Everglades.

New Orleans

If you like history and want a unique opportunity to explore Creole culture, you may want to try a guided walk around some of the older areas of New Orleans where you can experience superb cuisine and jazz culture.

Texas

Texas was once an independent republic and is a vast area. Many Texans still regard their state as being a little bit different to the rest of the USA. Your holiday can include guided walks that will allow you to see things such as working ranches and desert areas and you can get a real taste of the 'Old West'.

Go With the Wind

If your idea of the old South is based very heavily on 'Gone With the Wind' then you may be able to find examples of magnificent mansions and the 19th-century cotton culture in places such as Alabama and Georgia - often best explored through guided walking. USA walking, by virtue of the size of the country, often involves intermediate transport from site to site and that will certainly be true on some of these itineraries.

A Taste of History

Moving further north, if you like military history there are excellent guided walks around many of the great American Civil War battlefields that can be found in much of the South and particularly in Northern Virginia. You can visit locations such as Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg to see where the major clashes of culture took place which led to the formation of the modern USA.

Your USA Walking Holiday

Although the language of the USA is, of course, English, finding the key locations and making your own logistical arrangements can be time-consuming. If you enjoy walking, USA holidays can be arranged where set itineraries are in place to meet your interests.

For example, if the South appeals to you, you can be assured of excellent accommodation in one or more centres, and the provision of an expert tour leader who will take you on guided walks each day to explore the local attractions. For walking, USA centred holidays offer a huge range of potential experiences within a framework of the ultimate of comfort.