Say yes to the open road: Virgin’s Head of Yes takes on the USA
Over the last six months, Virgin Red's Head of Yes, Chris Tomkins, has said yes to a lot.
A helicopter ride over New York with Virgin Gifts. A cruise around the Caribbean with Virgin Voyages. An inaugural flight to Seoul with Virgin Atlantic. A luxury escape in Mallorca with Virgin Limited Edition.
For his sixth and final trip, there was just one thing left to do: hit the open road.
Chris flew to New Orleans before embarking on a road trip through the American South, taking in three cities, hundreds of miles and more than a few unexpected stops along the way.
The adventure began in New Orleans, where Chris wasted no time getting stuck into the city's unmistakable energy.
One minute he was tucking into a jazz brunch at The Court of Two Sisters in the heart of the French Quarter, courtesy of Virgin Gifts. The next, he was skimming across Louisiana's swamps on an airboat adventure, spotting alligators from just a few feet away.
Between stops, he wandered through the French Quarter, listened to live music spilling out onto the streets and tucked into Southern classics like fried catfish and jambalaya. As night fell, there was only one place to be. Under the neon lights of Bourbon Street, Chris got a taste of the city at its liveliest before heading back to Virgin Hotels New Orleans to recharge for the next leg of the journey.
Hours on the road meant swapping city skylines for open highways, with Nashville, waiting at the other end.
If New Orleans is all about jazz, Nashville wears its love of music on its sleeve.
Chris set up camp at Virgin Hotels Nashville and then spent his time exploring Broadway's famous bars, discovering local neighbourhoods and, naturally, saying yes to a line dancing lesson at Stompin' Grounds.
"Turns out I was born to line dance," Chris joked after spending the afternoon learning how to properly do-si-do before taking his new skills to Nashville's iconic honky-tonks. Safe to say it quickly became one of the highlights of the trip.
Nashville really is the home of music and a good time. Live bands spilled out onto the streets, every bar seemed to have its own soundtrack and Chris quickly discovered that one night in Nashville is never enough.
Nashville also proved that it takes its hot chicken very seriously. One thing Chris wouldn't say yes to again in a hurry is Hattie B's 'Shut The Cluck Up' chicken – the hottest thing on the menu. While he may not have left with his taste buds intact, it was some of the best fried chicken he'd ever tasted.
The final stop was Atlanta, a city that surprised Chris from the moment he arrived.
He spent 24 hours exploring Ponce City Market, scooting along the BeltLine and wandering through Buckhead's beautiful tree-lined streets. By night, he headed to Blake's and experienced the energy that has helped make Atlanta one of the most exciting cities in the South.
It's easy to see why Atlanta was chosen as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The energy here is unmatched. And with Virgin Hotels Atlanta set to open in 2027, there's even more to look forward to.
And while each city brought something different, the moments Chris talked about most weren't necessarily the ones on the itinerary. They were the things he hadn't planned for. The recommendations from locals. The roadside stops. The conversations. The discoveries made simply by being open to whatever came next whether that be a spontaneous tattoo or an extremely spicy chicken wing.
After six months, six trips and countless adventures, Chris's time as Virgin Red's Head of Yes is finally coming to an end. From helicopter rides and Broadway shows to cruises, road trips and luxury retreats, every adventure started the same way: with a yes.
With Virgin Red, members can earn and spend Virgin Points on flights, hotels and experiences across the Virgin family and beyond.
So whether it's a road trip through the American South or a weekend closer to home, take this as your sign. Say yes to the trip. You never know where it might take you.