Classic Touring
Day 2 Atlanta - Nashville
Atlanta has been through many incarnations since it was founded as a railroad terminus in 1837 and on your morning tour you'll see its main highlights. Later we'll drive to Nashville for a two night stay. On your free evening be sure to explore the city's Broadway and Honky Tonk Highway, a strip of venues where there is live music 365 days a year.Day 3 Nashville
We've a fabulous music themed day in store for you today. It begins as you step inside the hallowed halls of Studio B, which became famous in the 1960s for its part in the Nashville Sound. Here, more than 35,000 songs have been recorded by artists including Elvis Presley, and you'll step inside the studio where he recorded Are You Lonesome Tonight? As the lights are dimmed, just as they would have been for the King of Rock 'n' Roll, and you hear his incredible voice flowing from the speakers, you will be sharing a truly special moment. To round off the day you'll visit the Country Music Hall of Fame.
There's one more exciting experience to come if you choose to join an optional excursion, an evening of live music at the Grand Ole Opry. This is one of the most important venues for live country music in the world.
Meals included: BDay 4 Memphis
The next great musical city you'll visit is Memphis, standing proudly on the bluffs of the Mississippi River. On arrival in the afternoon, we're going to set off together to discover some of its many highlights. They include the Riverfront and Beale Street, the home of the blues. On this iconic street, music emanates from every open door, and street performers entertain the crowds.
Meals included: BDay 5 Memphis
Memphis is synonymous with Elvis Presley, and today we're going to find out about this connection. Our first visit is to Sun Studios, where the 'King of Rock 'n' Roll' made his first recordings back in 1954.
This is followed by Graceland, where we'll take a fascinating guided tour of the opulent mansion that was his home from 1957 until his death in 1977. Here you can fully immerse yourself in his life and career as you go back to his roots. You'll see the living room, kitchen, TV room, pool room and the famous Jungle Room among other highlights. The tour ends at the Meditation Garden, where Elvis is buried alongside his parents. This is sure to be a wonderful highlight of your holiday, and there's more to come tomorrow.
Day 6 Memphis
Today has been left free for you to explore more of Memphis at leisure. Maybe you'll choose to visit one of the city's fascinating museums, which include the National Civil Rights Museum and the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum.
Alternatively, if you enjoyed your visit to Graceland yesterday, today's optional excursion is sure to be tempting. Why not come with us to Tupelo, where you'll see the house where Elvis was born. You'll also get to visit a fantastic museum displaying one of the most remarkable collections of Elvis memorabilia in the world.
Day 7 Vicksburg
Leaving Memphis we'll travel in to the Mississippi Delta stopping in Indianola to visit the BB King Museum. Here we'll learn about this blues legend and the history, literature, music and race relations of this area that gave birth to the Delta Blues.Day 8 Natchez - New Orleans
As we head deeper south we're going to make a stop today in Natchez, a historic river town on the banks of the Mississippi. This laid back destination is filled with grand mansions and we’ll visit one today to learn about southern life in the “antebellum” period, before the civil war. Our ultimate destination is the 'Big Easy', or New Orleans, home to another musical genre & jazz. Your hotel here is just steps from the famous French Quarter. This is the oldest district and the cultural hub of the city, so you're well placed to make your own discoveries. We'll explore New Orleans' highlights on an included tour this afternoon. As we drive around the city we'll see St Louis Cathedral and cemeteries full of above-the-ground tombs, known as Cities of the Dead.
Meals included: BDay 9 New Orleans
Your day begins with a walking tour of the French Quarter, taking in Jackson Square, Pirate's Alley and the world-famous Bourbon Street. We'll end our walk at a restaurant for a buffet brunch accompanied by live jazz music, which is served in a pretty outdoor courtyard in the French Quarter. The rest of the day is all yours to explore the galleries and boutiques of the French Quarter, or join an optional Louisiana swamp and bayou tour.
Meals included: BDay 10 New Orleans - Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is music, parades, picnics, floats, one big holiday in New Orleans! Everyone is wearing purple, green, and gold, and adorned with long beads caught from the beautiful floats. Your Holiday Director will issue you with your ticket for the special parades of Mardi Gras.
Day 11 New Orleans/UK
Today we'll transfer you to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
