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YOUR TOUR DOSSIER

AMERICA’S DEEP SOUTH

TRIP OVERVIEW America’s , music heritage and space exploration all came to a head in the explosive and exuberant atmosphere of the nineteen sixties. Our unique Deep South Tour encompasses the highlights and tragic lows of this astonishing era through the country music of Nashville, the rock’n’roll and jazz of Memphis and the rhythmic of before concluding at the NASA Space Centre in Houston – the original mission control from those iconic days.

ITINERARY & DETAILS This document aims to give you all the information that you require for a smooth ‘jungle den’ where he used to watch football games and kung-fu movies. Then and comfortable trip to America. Please take the time to read this dossier we move onto Sun Studio where Elvis recorded his first hit and where you can to familiarise yourself with all the aspects of our tour. It includes important still see Jerry Lee Lewis’ piano. Admire architectural landmarks such as Court information such as flight details, visa requirements and travel insurance. Square Fountain, the Lincoln American Tower and Calvary Episcopal Church whilst your guide entertains you with entertaining tales about this rowdy riverside

Your included meal guide: town and its inhabitants. Tonight is at leisure for you to explore and experience B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner the many bars, restaurants and music scene of Memphis.

DAY 1: UK to DAY 6: Memphis to New Orleans D Your journey starts with a flight from London’s Heathrow on the scheduled Today, the tour leaves Memphis and follows the path of the mighty services of British Airways directly to Atlanta, where our coach and tour director River and travels deep into the heart of the via Jackson before will be waiting to transfer you to your city hotel. crossing the border into . Driving across Lake Pontchartrain on the longest causeway in the world you will arrive in New Orleans, a melange of D DAY 2: Atlanta to Nashville European style and flavours and a city full of flamboyance, festivities This morning, after breakfast, begin your day with a brief city tour of Atlanta and and a whole lot of soul. We’ve arranged to take you to the New Orleans School of then head off to Nashville. Stop along the way at the historic Lookout Mountain cooking this evening for an entertaining demonstration from one of their Creole/ with its fabulous views across terrain fought over during the America Civil War Cajun experts with dinner included and the chance to try a New Orleans speciality then later on visit the city of Chattanooga, the fourth largest city. After such as gumbo, jambalaya and pralines. a break for lunch continue on through Tennessee to ‘Music City USA’ Nashville, a town set amidst rolling farmland known worldwide as the home of country music. DAY 7: New Orleans In the evening join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner. In the morning, after breakfast visit some of New Orleans highlights including the famous French Quarter taking in Bourbon Street, the art galleries and antique

DAY 3: Nashville shops of Royal Street and Jackson Square with its many artists, museums and Following breakfast, begin the day with a visit to Studio B, Nashville’s oldest fortune tellers. From here you will take a visit to a local distillery. The rest of the surviving recording studio regularly used by stars such as Elvis Presley, Roy day and evening are for you to enjoy at your leisure, but make sure you live the Orbison, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and The Everley Brothers New Orleans’ motto “Laissez les bons temps rouler” – let the good times roll! to name just a few. For music listeners, your tour then continues with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame, a huge museum of all things Country and Western DAY 8: New Orleans with films, videos, costumes and home to Elvis Presley’s solid gold Cadillac. Next Today is a free day for you to enjoy and relax in New Orleans in your own time. continue to the Johnny Cash Museum to admire never-before-seen historical Stroll around the market in the French Quarter, stop for some lunch at one of the documents, awards and costumes. Your group will also have the chance to visit many oyster bars and restaurants, shop for antiques and trinkets or book yourself one of Nashville’s famous honky-tonks playing live country music as well as the a tour through the Louisiana bayou aboard an airboat. This evening you can take Ryman Auditorium and the impressive Parthenon – the only full scale replica of your pick of the many excellent bars, eateries and music venues for where this the Greek Parthenon giving reason for its nickname ‘Athens of the South’. Whilst laid back city, The Big Easy, is world renowned. in Nashville you have the option of attending a country music concert at the famous ‘Grand Ole Opry’ at an additional cost. DAY 9: New Orleans to Houston This morning, it’s time to leave New Orleans and travel to Houston to catch your DAY 4: Nashville to Memphis D return flight back to the UK the next day. There will be a stop along the way Following breakfast, head for Memphis, yet another highlight of this Southern in Lake Charles for an hour or so for you to stretch your legs and have some Musical Medley tour. On arrival in Memphis you will take a trip to the lunch. Arriving in Houston in the early hours of the evening there will be a short National Civil Rights Museum built on the spot where Martin Luther King was orientation tour before returning to the hotel. assassinated in 1968. Telling the story of the black fight for freedom from slavery through to the Civil Rights Movement of the early fifties and sixties, prepare DAY 10: Houston to the UK or Extension yourself for an emotional and unforgettable experience. This evening, after The final day includes a visit to Houston’s Space Centre, home to NASA and the checking into your hotel we’ve arranged dinner at BB Kings Blues Bar for a world’s largest collection of moon rocks and lunar samples on public view. You’ll great night of Southern food, musical sounds and hospitality amongst the lively also see Mission Control that guided the first moon landings as well as original atmosphere of Beale Street. Saturn, Mercury and Apollo rockets that have been at the forefront of space exploration since the early sixties. (We suggest you visit www.spacecentre.org for DAY 5: Memphis a full flavour of this fascinating experience). Sadly, your southern tour of music, Today features another first for the music lover – a visit to Graceland the home culture and history is at an end and it is time to depart for the airport to catch of Elvis, one of the most iconic houses in America and final resting place of The your return direct flight back to Heathrow with British Airways, or continue on to King. Enjoy an audio tour through the decadent and quirky rooms including the your chosen extension. For any further enquiries or for more information call us on 0843 224 0723 1 AMERICA’S DEEP SOUTH TOUR DOSSIER

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS & MAP

Hotel information 1 Number of nights  2 Nashville

Atlanta (1 night): 3H Holiday Inn Express & Suites Oklahoma Tennessee

Lynchburg

Address: 111 Cone St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, . Memphis 2 •

Contact number: 001 404-524-7000 • < Arkansas Lookout  (2 nights): H Nashville 3 Gaylord Opryland  Mountain Address: 2800 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214, United States. Atlanta 1 Contact number: 001 615-889-1000 Mississippi Memphis (2 nights): 3H Holiday Inn Memphis Jackson• Address: 160 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, United States.

Contact number: 001 901-525-5491 Louisiana 

Lake Charles New Orleans (3 nights): 3H Royal St Charles Hotel 

Address: 135 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States. Houston •  3 Contact number: 001 504-587-3700 1 North

Houston (1 night): 3H Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans< America Address: 5820 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX, United States. Coach Contact number: 001 713-869-9211 Boat

Accommodation Meals All accommodation is 3H and features an en suite bathroom, air-conditioning/ Breakfasts, lunches & most dinners are not included and will need to be heating, TV and tea/coffee making facilities. Mercury Holidays has visited budgeted for accordingly. and inspected all of the hotels to ensure that they meet the high standards of service which we require for our clients. If the hotels detailed are not available, alternatives will be used of a similar standard. Please note: the hotels listed are provided for guidance only and final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent in a document, along with your final flight information, approximately 10 days before you travel. ON YOUR ARRIVAL On your arrival in Atlanta you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Destination America, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Atlanta representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your national guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries. However, if you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are: Destination America Emergency contact information 801 E. Katella Avenue Please find below the emergency contact details for Destination America Anaheim Contact Telephone number CA 92805 Danielle Blanco Office: 001 714-935-0040 (ext. 5151) Contact number: 001 714 935 0040 Mobile: 001 714-552-3034 WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR TOUR Visas and Passport advice - Important information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from You will need to obtain an ESTA visa. This must be applied for at least 7 days country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as before you are due to land in the USA. Please advise if you would like us to early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information arrange this for you. All UK passport holders must have a bio-metric epassport include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, your and your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you are General Practitioner or a specialist clinic. expected to arrive back in the UK. Importants note: if you do not have a bio- metric epassport, you will be refused entry into the USA. Physical Accessibility This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal Insurance mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot, and includes some We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches. This tour is not suitable for insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you anyone with walking difficulties. must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you Group Size may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 20, and the maximum will this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To be 45. If in the unlikely event there are less than 20 people booked on your tour arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be and quote ‘WK830’ for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with made available to you should this alternative not be suitable. the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs Currency Exchange incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from The currency in America is the United States Dollar (USD). You will be able to the date of booking. change currency both before you travel and whilst you are away. You will also have access to ATMs during your tour where you can withdraw money in the Tour Guides local currency. This is a fully escorted tour, you will be met on arrival in Atlanta and will be accompanied by a tour director throughout your stay ensuring that you have first- Personal Expenses hand knowledge at all times. You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry and extra meals, drinks and snacks. Approximately £600-£800 Tipping per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour. Tipping is common practice in America. It is customary to tip your guides and driver, please allow approx. 8-11USD (£5-7) per person per day. All tips will be Itinerary Changes collected by your tour director on the last day. Tipping at restaurants, hotel staff The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for etc is discretionary. operational purposes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed Health and Vaccinations of them. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general however order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions. For any further enquiries or for more information call us on 0843 224 0723 2 AMERICA’S DEEP SOUTH TOUR DOSSIER

WHAT TO PACK • Sunscreen, insect repellent and hat • A plug adaptor - The official voltage for the USA is 120 and operates on a • Waterproof lightweight jacket 2 pronged North American outlet • Comfortable walking shoes • Personal toiletries and first aid kit containing travel pills, rehydration powder, • Camera and charger plasters, stomach settlers, antiseptic creams, aspirin, etc.

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Your flight is to Atlanta/from Houston with British Airways (BA), departing from London Heathrow Terminal 5.

IMPORTANT: Final flight details will be confirmed on your e-ticket and final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure.

Baggage Allowance Airport Extras Baggage allowance (per person): Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold If you wish to arrange Airport car parking, lounges or accommodation at luggage. There is also an allowance of one cabin bag not exceeding 56cm x 45 preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday cm x 25 cm and one personal bag not exceeding 45 cm x 36 cm x 20 cm that Extras - Tel. 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313. you can take on the aircraft as hand luggage. Weight restrictions will be finalized on E-ticket receipt. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure.

WEATHER AND CLIMATE Weather can vary quite considerably throughout the year, so please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below.

Average temperature: Nashville Average temperature: Memphis

Average temperature: New Orleans Average temperature: Houston

For any further enquiries or for more information call us on 0843 224 0723 3 YOUR TOUR DOSSIER

HOUSTON EXTENSION If you have not yet booked this fabulous extension, there is still time to do so. Please contact 0843 224 0723

TRIP OVERVIEW As Texas’ biggest city, Houston is home to some of the finest museums, performing arts and entertainment in the United States. Your 2 night extension in this sprawling city, gives opportunity to further experience the culture or treat yourself on a trip to one of the many shopping malls.

ITINERARY & DETAILS

This document aims to give you all the information which you will require Any alternative hotels or board basis will have been confirmed at booking. Please during your add-on to Houston. speak to our reservations department if you are unsure. Final confirmation of your hotel will be sent in a document approximately two Houston (2 nights) weeks before you travel. Houston is a sprawling, brash, friendly, prosperous city which is arguably Texas’s most cosmopolitan. There are over a staggering 8,000 restaurants Personal Expenses to choose from in the city, representing a huge diversity of cuisine – so you You will need to take money with you to cover any lunches and dinners, as well certainly won’t go hungry in Houston! Explore the history of NASA’s manned as personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and drinks. space flight program and the cultural districts of Chinatown and the Mahatma Gandhi District. Transformed after the discovery of oil in 1901, Houston’s sheer Tour Guides energy and relentless Texan pride have led to its showpiece skyscrapers and Your stay in Houston is not escorted by a tour guide and your time will be free to swanky art galleries, which include the Menil Collection, a staggering grouping explore the city at your own pace. Transfers are included. of ancient and modern artwork. Please note: Hotel Information This extension takes place after your main tour. Your stay will take place at: 3H Hampton Inn & Suites on Bed & Breakfast. Hotel address: 5820 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX, United States. Contact number: 001 713-869-9211

Average temperature: Houston

Hampton Inn & Suites FLIGHT INFORMATION Please note: Final hotel and flight details will be confirmed on your e-ticket and final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. For any further enquiries or for more information call us on 0843 224 0723