June 26, 2013
Thanks to our great new codeshare agreement with Delta, a whole new world of American cities are now within easy reach, including the self-proclaimed ‘capital of the South’, Atlanta.
Atlanta has many nicknames: The Big Peach, Hotlanta, The New York of the South. Following the civil rights movement, it earned a reputation as the city “too busy to hate” for the progressive views of its citizens. Like its varied monikers, a holiday in Atlanta will expose the city’s various personas, showcased through colourful neighbourhoods brimming with history, culture and classy Southern style. From the quaint to the grungy to the upscale, this city’s mixed character makes it a difficult place to label. Discover Atlanta with the help of our beginner’s guide…
Officially incorporated in 1847, Atlanta began as a railroad terminus connecting Georgia with Chattanooga, Tennessee. Coined “Terminus,” the town expanded beyond the train depot and was renamed Marthasville, in honour of the Georgia Governor’s daughter, Martha Lumpkin. In 1845 it garnered the name it carries today, thought to have come from the feminine form of Atlantic.
Skyline view over downtown © Kevin C. Rose
Little Five Point’s Junkman’s Daughter is an emporium of hipster clothing and pop-culture knick knacks © Kevin C. Rose
A jogger at Piedmont Park © James Duckworth
Head north on Peachtree Road and you’ll hit the shopping and dining hotspot of Buckhead, where power suits and old Atlanta money fill the high-rises and homes. Other neighbourhoods worth visiting include West Midtown – home to some of the top restaurants in the city – and family oriented Decatur. A jaunt through the historical Sweet Auburn district will take you past Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birth home and Ebenezer Baptist Church, where the civil rights leader preached.
Virginia-Highland, Atlanta © Kevin C. Rose
Downtown skyline at Christmas © James Duckworth
Travelling to Atlanta? Then book a flight with Virgin Atlantic and Delta to one of over 80 US cities.
Have you ever been to Atlanta? What did you think? Where are your favourite city hangouts? We’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments below.
Giannina Smith Bedford is a travel and business writer whose work has appeared in a number of national and regional publications, including Condé Nast Traveler, Delta SKY Magazine, AirTran Airways GO Magazine, and Atlanta Business Chronicle, among others. Born in Miami, she grew up in Brazil, Chile, Hawaii and Australia and continues her worldwide adventures—always traveling with a pen in hand. Her published work can be viewed at www.gianninasmith.com.
