Tastes and Sounds of the South
Escorted Tour
Join us for a little honky-tonk, home cookin', hot-footed hoedown and a whole lot of Rock 'n' Roll on this inspiring At Leisure jaunt through the Deep South.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- City tour of Memphis
- Visit Graceland, Country Music Hall of Fame, Rock 'n' Soul Museum and more
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Your Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Nashville
The beating heart of America's Music City will chart your pace as you prepare to embark on a leisurely pilgrimage to discover the tastes and sounds of the South. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception.
Day 2 : Nashville
The famous Nashville Sound comes alive this morning as RCA's Studio B reveals the legends of Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves and Roy Orbison. 'Dive into Culture' and gain insights into the life and music of Johnny Cash during a private performance of original Cash tunes with Johnny's granddaughter (or another family member). Our acoustic journey continues with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to see Elvis' Solid Gold Cadillac limousine and Jim Reeves' tuxedo jacket. Discover the iconic and unexpected on a your choice sightseeing experience, exploring either the Johnny Cash Museum or the Ryman Auditorium.
Day 3 : Nashville at Leisure
Today is a free day for you to explore. Amble through Broadway's honky-tonk scene or perhaps enjoy the gut-busting flavours of homegrown hot chicken and biscuits. This evening, the sounds of country music fill the air as we head to the Grand Ole Opry to watch a performance of America's longest running live radio programme.
Day 4 : Nashville - Memphis
We head for the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll and meet a musician and Local Specialist amidst the sounds of Blues on Beale Street. This afternoon, perhaps visit the National Civil Rights Museum, home to the former Lorraine Motel, where civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Enjoy a Regional Dinner this evening.
Day 5 : Graceland
Worship at the altar of the King and head to Graceland, paying tribute to the man who changed the face of American popular music and culture. Then, pay a visit to Sun Studios, which sought to immortalise the raw energy of Beale Street, recording the first Rock 'n' Roll single in 1951. This evening is free.
Day 6 : Memphis - Natchez
Kick off this morning's musical interlude at the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum before saying so long to Memphis, bound for the city of Natchez. With a little French flair and a flowering antebellum culture, Natchez is the perfect showcase of Southern history and hospitality, which you'll have an opportunity to experience when you 'Connect with Locals' in their gracious homes. Meet Joe Stone in his 1850s home and visit the 1804 residence of Esther Carpenter, a former Four Seasons chef, with whom you'll enjoy a traditional three-course Deep South 'Be My Guest' dinner with wine.
Day 7 : Natchez – Oak Alley – New Orleans
'Dive into Culture' at Frogmore Plantation and Gins and 'Make a Difference' as you learn about efforts to preserve the cotton plantation heritage of the Mississippi Delta. Continue through the Louisiana countryside to Oak Alley Plantation along a quarter mile canopy of 300-year-old oak trees. The spicy scents of Creole cuisine linger long after this evening's visit to the New Orleans School of Cooking where we enjoy a fun cooking demonstration and a Regional Dinner of Creole cuisine.
Day 8 : New Orleans Sightseeing
Let the good times roll in New Orleans today, tracing the cosmopolitan history of one of America's oldest cities with a Local Specialist, stopping at City Park and one of the ornate above-ground cemeteries. Spend the afternoon soaking up the laid-back vibes of The Big Easy.
Day 9 : New Orleans
Today is yours to explore the French, Spanish and Creole sights and sounds of New Orleans. If you're feeling adventurous, visit Marie Laveau's Historic Voodoo Museum. This evening, join your Travel Director and new friends for a Farewell Dinner at the famed Court of Two Sisters.
Day 10 : Depart New Orleans
For now, it's 'Au Revoir' New Orleans, but not 'Adieu'. Take a transfer to New Orleans International Airport or extend your stay in New Orleans at the Sheraton New Orleans.