If you are longing to relive the magic of Dirty Dancing or just to visit a truly authentic American state, you now can as Virgin Holidays has launched a brand new programme to North Carolina.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina is the setting for some of the most famous Dirty Dancing scenes and one of the most diverse World Heritage Sites in North America. However your exploration of Dirty Dancing country will start in Asheville the gateway to the Smokey Mountains.

Asheville is an excellent base to explore the mountains and during the spring, summer and autumn the town's public areas turn into a haven for musicians and street entertainers while visitors and locals relax in street cafés, dine in classy restaurants, browse the many antique shops or admire some of the most impressive and historical buildings in the USA.

During the ‘fall’ the mountains offer an intensity of colour that is a truly awe inspiring kaleidoscope of colour. Throughout September, October and November the hues of 130 different types of tree gradually create one of natures true wonders.

If you’re looking for an adrenalin rush try white water rafting on one of the 7 rivers in the Mountains – you can choose from family fun to full on grade 5 surf!!!! Or perhaps drive the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, Llama Trek through Pisgah National Forest, take a hot air balloon over ancient forests or learn to basket weave with native Cherokee Indians.

The Deep South and the Carolinas are a unique American experience with a real home grown way of life that you can experience through every festival, town and attraction in the region with US travel specialists Virgin Holidays.