DAY 1 - UK/Atlanta
Depart on your scheduled flight to Atlanta in Georgia and transfer to your hotel in Chattanooga just across the state border in Tennessee for a two night stay. Surrounded by mountains and scenic forests, the area has a fascinating history.
DAY 2 - Chattanooga
A prosperous railroad city in the early 20th century, Chattanooga and its trains were sung about in the Glen Miller Band’s song ‘Chattenooga Choo Choo.’ Today we include a sightseeing tour of Chattanooga, where you will visit the Ruby Falls, Rock City Garden and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, the steepest in the world. The mountain towers 2,000ft above Chattanooga, and on a clear day you can see five states.
DAY 3 - Lynchburg
We leave Chattanooga and head for the tiny town of Lynchburg (population 361) where we stop to enjoy a guided tour of the Jack Daniel’s Whiskey distillery, which has been producing the famous tipple since the 1860s. There will be time for lunch before we continue along the route known as the Trail of Tears, named after the Cherokee Native American Tribe when thousands died during their forced relocation to Oklahoma in 1838. We arrive in the city of Memphis for a two night stay.
DAY 4 - Memphis
Memphis stands proudly on the bluffs of the mighty Mississippi. It is an old town with a new face, both ‘old south’ and modern metropolis. The city’s strongest association is with the legendary Elvis Presley, whose home, Graceland, has become a mecca for thousands of visitors every year. We include a full day sightseeing tour of Memphis, featuring the famous Riverfront, Beale Street, the birthplace of the blues, Sun Studios, where the rock and roll greats began their careers and, of course, Graceland, where you will enjoy a tour of the house and grounds. Graceland offers a fascinating insight into the life of Elvis, one of the 20th century’s most iconic and instantly recognisable figures. In the evening you can enjoy a special optional visit to a Blues Club on Beale Street.
DAY 5 - Tupelo
Included visit to Tupelo. Here you will see the house where Elvis was born and visit the museum and Memorial Chapel. Included afternoon panoramic tour to the church where the Presleys worshipped, Elvis’ first school, the Tupelo Fairgrounds and more.
DAY 6 - Nashville
This morning we depart for the easy drive to Nashville with a stop at the Casey Jones Village, a memorial to the railroad worker who lost his life saving all the passengers on his train. Transfer to your hotel in Nashville for a two night stay.
DAY 7 - Nashville
Nashville is both the capital of Tennessee and the country music capital of the world. We include a half day sightseeing tour visiting Fort Nashborough, the original site of the city’s pioneer settlement, the Parthenon, a full scale replica of the original to be found in the Greek city of Athens. The Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA Studio B, where so many of America’s greatest music stars have made recordings. This evening there is an optional visit to the Grand Ole Opry.
DAY 8 - Atlanta/UK
Transfer to Atlanta airport for your return flight to the UK.
DAY 9 - UK
Arrival in the UK.