Screen Shot 2014-09-16 at 1.19.34 PM

Hi James – I would recommend a road trip beginning along the Gulf Coast of Florida: Apalachicola, Panama City Beach, Seaside, Destin, Ft. Walton and Pensacola.  You will find some wonderful state parks and beautiful beaches (some even on the beach!).  Then as you cross in to Alabama, you must go to the world famous FloraBama which straddles the state lines and is considered one of the “last great roadhouses”.  As you continue,  Orange Beach, Gulf Shores,  Mobile and Fairhope are lovely stops with some beautiful homes and history. Your drive into Mississippi will take you to Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport and Bay St. Louis.  I would continue on with my final stop being the wonderful and one-of-a-kind New Orleans!  Or reverse the order, fly into New Orleans and rent a car.  You can stay on I-10 almost the entire way, I believe, but take the back roads when possible because that’s where you will see the “real” people and places.  Be prepared for some of the best food ever!