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The trip starts in Atlanta and ends in Nashville. 

Joining point

Atlanta Marriott Suites Midtown
35 14th Street NE,
Atlanta
30309
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Description: Atlanta Marriott Suites Midtown is an upscale all-suite hotel located in the vibrant Midtown district of Atlanta. Offering spacious, well-appointed suites with modern amenities, it provides a comfortable stay for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel features an on-site restaurant, fitness center, and flexible meeting spaces, and is conveniently located near top attractions like Piedmont Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and the High Museum of Art.

Instructions: To get to Atlanta Marriott Suites Midtown from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), you can take a taxi or rideshare (Uber/Lyft). The journey typically takes 20-30 minutes and costs around $30-$40, depending on traffic. Alternatively, you can take the MARTA subway from the airport to the Midtown Station, which is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The MARTA ride costs around $2.75.

Finishing point

Hyatt House Nashville Downtown Convention Center
535 Rep. John Lewis Way S
Nashville
37203
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Phone: 615 2489888

Description: Hyatt House Nashville Downtown/Convention Center provides a vibrant and convenient stay for travelers exploring Music City. Located in the heart of downtown, this modern hotel offers spacious suites, making it ideal for extended stays. Guests can enjoy the rooftop pool and lounge area with stunning city views. The hotel is within walking distance of popular attractions like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Bridgestone Arena. With its contemporary design, complimentary breakfast, and attentive service, Hyatt House Nashville Downtown/Convention Center ensures a comfortable and enjoyable experience in the lively atmosphere of Nashville.

Instructions: The Nashville Airport (BNA) is 7miles/11kms from our hotel. A taxi to the airport will take 15mins and cost approximately $30USD one way. Please speak with the front desk for assistance with calling a taxi. Rideshare services Uber and Lyft also service the airport.

• The South gets mighty steamy in the summertime. Pack appropriately, drink plenty of water and you might even grow to love it. September to November is the rainy season, so you should pack a rain jacket and waterproof shoes if you’re travelling over this period.
• You're in the Deep South of the USA, so expect a lot of (delicious) fried food and barbecue. Vegetarians and vegans may have fewer options, as most Southern cuisine is meat-based.

PASSPORT
You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date.

We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends.

VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. 

INSURANCE

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses, including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region, please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative.

If you have credit card insurance, your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number, rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements. For example, some mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality. Travellers from the European Union, Switzerland or the USA who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

SPENDING MONEY
When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling.

USA
The most convenient way to access money is via ATMs, which are plentiful throughout the USA. Most optional activities can be paid for with a credit card.

TIPPING
Tipping can be an appropriate way to recognise great service when travelling. While it may not be customary in your home country, it is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many of our destinations and is greatly appreciated by the people who take care of you during your travels. It is always best to avoid tipping with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes, as this can be regarded as an insult rather than the goodwill gesture it is intended to be.

During your trip you may have a local guide for an included or optional activity. We suggest USD 5 – 10 per traveller per local guide.

We suggest tipping 18% to 22% of your bill at restaurants and USD 1 per drink at bars.

State and federal taxes aren’t normally listed on menus but will appear on your bill. Keep this in mind when your bill comes out slightly higher than the listed prices.

We recommend budgeting approximately USD 10 per traveller to tip local service providers for activities included in this trip. This doesn’t include a tip for your leader.

YOUR LEADER
You may consider tipping your leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, as a guideline USD 10 – 20 per traveller per day can be used. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length and involvement of your leader on your trip. Tipping is always appreciated.

CONTINGENCY FUNDS
We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. We are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred because of changes to itineraries, including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights.

Make sure you have access to an extra USD 500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved.

The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of all travellers; however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs. Please confirm with your leader on Day 1 if you need to carry this in cash, or whether access via card or electronically is sufficient.

All luggage is carried in trailers or inside the vehicle so please don't bring more than one medium sized bag, backpack or suitcase (20kg/44lb maximum) per person. Your suitcase/rucksack may get some rough handling, so make sure it's a tough one. A small daypack with your water bottle and camera may be carried with you inside the vehicle.

ESSENTIAL:
 Reusable water bottle. We recommend at least a 1.5 litre capacity. The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. Tap water in the USA and Canada is safe to drink and there are many places to fill up along the way, so please save plastic by bringing your own water bottle.
 Sun protection - hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
 Lightweight, breathable clothing you can layer. No matter the season, you should be prepared for changing temperatures and weather conditions. Make sure to have a warm outer layer even in summer months as well as a waterproof jacket.
 Closed-in walking/hiking shoes. We highly recommend that you take a pair of comfortable, closed-in/closed-toe walking shoes. Closed-in shoes will help to protect your feet from cuts and scratches when walking through bush/grass-lands, and will also act as a barrier protection in rare cases against bites or stings from dangerous animals in this environment.
 Personal travel documents which may include a passport, visa, driver's license, travel insurance, flight tickets and your Essential Trip Information. Photocopies of these documents stored separately from the originals will be handy. While not valid, a photocopy of your identification makes it much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.

RECOMMENDED:
 Cell phone, camera with spare batteries, charger, and power/plug adaptor (Types A & B are used in the USA and Canada. Voltage is 120V)
 Insect repellent (insects are present intermittently all over the USA and Canada depending on recent rainfall.)
 A cotton bandana or scarf. Can be wetted and worn around the neck to facilitate evaporative cooling in high temperatures, used as sun protection, or used to protect your neck and head from cold/rain.
 Swimwear
 Comfortable sandals/Recovery shoes. To put on after a day of hiking or during a long ride in the van.
 Personal medical kit. Your guide will carry a large kit but we recommend you carry items such as mild pain killers, electrolytes, anti-diarrhoeal, antibacterial gel, wet wipes, bandaids/plasters etc.

OPTIONAL:
 Travel pillow if you like to sleep during long drives
 Lip balm and extra moisturizer if traveling to arid desert areas.
 Ear plugs to guard against a snoring roommate
 A good book, a journal or headphones to listen to music with.

WINTER:
If you are travelling on one of our winter trips in North America be prepared for temperatures to drop to well below zero (Celsius). We recommend you bring shoes for walking across snow or ice (good waterproof walking boots with a good grip), a warm wind and waterproof jacket and trousers, gloves or mittens, thermals and base layers, fleece, good head wear and sunglasses.

WEATHER IN NORTH AMERICA
Due to the size and topography of the US and Canada, there's a huge amount of variation in the climate. We recommend you consider both the season and the part of North America you intend to visit, so that you can best pack for your adventure. We recommend you check the weather in your destination 10 days prior to your arrival to help guide your packing choices.

SOUTHEAST USA
The Southeastern USA generally experiences a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot and humid summers, mild winters, and a significant amount of rainfall.

Summer (June to August):
Temperature: Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching above 90°F (32°C) and high humidity levels. Heatwaves are common, so it's important to stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun.
Rainfall: Thunderstorms are frequent during the summer months, and rainfall can be heavy. Be prepared for sudden downpours and the possibility of flash floods.

Fall (September to November):
Temperature: Fall brings milder temperatures, with highs ranging from the 60s to 80s°F (15-30°C). Humidity levels generally decrease, making it a more comfortable time to visit.
Hurricane Season: The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 with its peak from September to October. While not every part of the southeastern USA is directly affected by hurricanes, it's essential to be aware of weather updates during this period.

Winter (December to February):
Temperature: Winters are relatively mild, with daytime temperatures ranging from the 40s to 60s°F (4-20°C). However, cold snaps can occur, particularly in northern parts of the region.
Occasional Frost: Some areas may experience occasional frost or freezing temperatures, especially in inland and northern locations.

Spring (March to May):
Temperature: Spring brings warmer temperatures, with highs ranging from the 60s to 80s°F (15-30°C). It's a popular time for outdoor activities and festivals.
Pollen: Pollen levels can be high during spring, causing allergies for some individuals. Consider this if you have allergies.

USA NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
The following national holidays are observed in the US, which can affect our itinerary as traffic can be extreme, and shops, restaurants and attractions can be closed:

• New Year's Day (01 January)
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday of January)
• Washington's Birthday (third Monday of February)
• Memorial Day (last Monday of May)
• Independence Day (4 July)
• Labor Day (first Monday in September)
• Columbus Day (second Monday of October)
• Veterans Day (11 November)
• Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November)
• Christmas Day (25 December)

Private vehicle

AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADA
We recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.

NORTH AMERICA VEHICLES
Our large fleet of 15-passenger vans are fully equipped with air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio or CD players. Your luggage is typically transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.

The vans are regularly serviced by a well-established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.

While your group will have a van for all included activities on the trip, the services of the van and leader may not be available for your use during free time, or after you have arrived for the day. If you need a special trip into town you may need to arrange transport or a taxi.