Rhythms of the South Your itinerary Start Location Visited Location Plane End Location Cruise Train Over night Ferry Day 1 a fond farewell to the Home of the Blues, Soul, and Rock­n­Roll. With your day at Arrive Nashville (3 Days) leisure, perhaps consider an African American History & Culture tour including the National Civil Rights Museum. This museum is a complex of two historic buildings Good old­fashioned Southern hospitality, charm and big smiles from locals will and houses extensive cultural exhibits that trace five centuries of history. Your visit welcome you to 'Music City', otherwise known as Nashville. A place of pilgrimage for will leave you nothing less than a moving experience from the tragic history of those country music enthusiasts, Nashville attracts musicians, song writers and that fought tirelessly for equality at this tribute and in­depth dive into American performers and this city is certainly responsible for the evolution and popularity of history. the country genre we know and love. The careers of some of the biggest names in the music industry started right here in the basement studios of Music Row or on Day 7 stage at the famous Grand Ole Opry, and you'll notice this legacy is apparent all Memphis – Natchez across town. Settle into your hotel and meet up with your Travel Director this Follow the path of the famous Natchez Trace today. Under the guidance of your afternoon, then retire to your room to enjoy a relaxing evening at your leisure. passionate Travel Director, you’ll soon understand how, and why, this important thoroughfare was originally established as a footpath by Native Americans and was Hotel - Clarion Downtown­Stadium later used by explorers, traders and travelers, including the Ohio River Valley Day 2 boatmen who were known as 'kaintucks'. We’ll arrive on the banks of the Mississippi Nashville sightseeing and free time as we pull into Natchez, where the unique architecture of the South could be further understood as you explore the antebellum homes that are scattered here on our Get your bearings this morning on a tour that will take you to Riverfront Park, Optional Experience. These large mansions were originally built as plantation homes Tennessee State Capitol and Centennial State Park, where you'll be transported and remained untouched throughout history. If you feel like taking a closer look, straight to Athens as you admire the Parthenon, a jaw­dropping exact replica of the you’ll have the chance to visit an Antebellum Classical Revival mansion, Stanton original. Icons visited, you'll then delve into the incredible musical history of the city Hall. with a visit to Music Row, stopping off at RCA Studio B where industry legends like Dolly Parton and the Everly Brothers have all recorded albums. No Nashville musical Hotel - Hotel Vue tour would be complete without a snoop around the Country Music Hall of Fame, which traces the history of country music and proudly displays priceless Day 8 memorabilia from Hank Williams and Loretta Lynn. Scout out the tastiest hot Natchez – New Orleans (3 Days) chicken and biscuits on your own this afternoon, then this evening you're off to the Heading further south today, travel over the world's longest continuous bridge over Grand Ole Opry to listen to a live show of America's longest running live radio water as you journey towards 'The Big Easy'. Famed for its Mardi Gras celebrations program. and diverse culture, everything in New Orleans is a little larger than life. The Included Meals - Breakfast weddings are bigger, the funerals are louder, the food is unique, and every single day is a cause for celebration. Meeting up with a Local Specialist on arrival you'll head Day 3 out on a city tour. You'll also visit one of the city's many unique cemeteries, taking a Nashville free time peek around the elaborate stone crypts and mausoleums. Tonight, we recommend you sample some good Creole cooking, and in our opinion there's only one place to Ready to continue your country music education today on your own? If so there's no go for the best food in town ­ the New Orleans institution, Dooky Chase. better option than the Ryman Auditorium, where you can take a self­guided tour and watch music magic come to life through the 'Soul of Nashville' theatre Optional Hotel - La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham New Orleans Downtown Experience. Jonny Cash fans have the option to make a beeline to the museum that delves into the personal story of one of the best­selling music artists of all time. The Included Meals - Breakfast night is young! If you’re feeling in the mood, get out into the action and experience a honky tonk under the neon lights of Broadway! Day 9 New Orleans sightseeing and free time Included Meals - Breakfast Waking up with an extra NOLA induced spring in your step, today is entirely free for Day 4 you to explore and perhaps try an Optional Experience. For those that are ready to Nashville – Memphis (3 Nights) get right into it, there’s no chance you’ll miss joining our Optional Experience this morning. You'll dine at the iconic Court of Two Sisters restaurant for their famous From one music obsessed city to another, you'll leave Nashville this morning and Creole inspired Jazz Brunch. With the rest of the day ahead of you, there’s no travel to Memphis. Home to "The King" who needs little introduction, music is the shortage of ways to spend your time. Head back to the cute cafes and decadent life blood of this toe tapping city with bluesy Beale St. a fine example of this. Arriving mansions of the Garden District, have your fortune told in Jackson Square or eat here you'll dive straight in with an orientation tour viewing the impressive Memphis your way around the many incredible restaurants and cafés that dot around the city Pyramid and the historic Peabody Hotel. Next, see the Lorraine Motel, perhaps one as you refuel from your adventures. If the swamps and bayous are on your list, of the most significant site of the entire Civil Rights Movement, the very place where there’s the Option to get out on the water with a boat trip through the Jean Lafitte Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. With an afternoon and evening National Historical Park and Preserve. Led by a local guide who’ll share their in­ free, you might want to check out our Optional Experiences. You could visit the depth knowledge of the region they’ll keep a keen eye out so you can, spot 'gators, Rock N' Soul Museum, which displays wonderfully curated exhibits that tell the eagles, snakes and egrets as you cruise these wild wetlands on this afternoon story of the birth of rock and soul music before grooving on over to Beale Street for adventure. dinner at a lively joint that serves up Southern treats accompanied by live music, naturally. Included Meals - Breakfast Hotel - Doubletree by Hilton Memphis Downtown Day 10 New Orleans free time Included Meals - Breakfast It’s your final full day in NOLA and the final day of your trip, so make sure you go out Day 5 in style. Why not join an Optional Experience cooking demonstration to learn how Memphis sightseeing and free time you can recreate some of the city’s tastiest dishes once you return home. The New Orleans School of Cooking is hosted by local chefs who share tips and stories, plus Prepare to start your morning with a taste of the local Memphis cuisine that is sure there are plenty of tasters to keep appetites at bay. Jazz fans can opt into a Jazz to have your mouth watering. We hope you didn't peak too soon on last night's Dinner Cruise on the Mississippi River, accompanied by the sounds of the Grammy dinner, because this morning's Iconic Breakfast is Southern food, served with the nominated band Dukes of Dixieland, played by a live band. same hospitality you'll find all throughout this city. You'll likely find yourself rolling out of a classic all­American diner, full of good eats and ready for all the excitement Included Meals - Breakfast your next stop has to offer. Arrive at Sun Studio, where Elvis was first discovered back in 1954 and where you'll experience the legacy left behind by the 'King of Rock Day 11 n' Roll' himself. Today will be a special one for Elvis fans as you have the chance to Depart New Orleans make the pilgrimage to Graceland. With the bluesy beats of Beale Street and the smiles of Nashville still fresh in your Included Meals - Iconic Breakfast mind, your trip will come to an end today. Delicious Southern food still fresh in your thoughts and undoubtedly richer in memories, you'll say goodbye to your new Day 6 friends as you head your separate ways. If you can't bear to leave NOLA just yet, Memphis free time you can also choose to extend your stay. It's your final day in Memphis today so be sure to make the most of it before bidding Included Meals - Breakfast historic cemetery that first opened in 1789. " Approx. Duration: 2 hours HERE'S A SAMPLE OF YOUR CHOICE OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES Adult Price: $29.00* AVAILABLE ON DAY 3 Soul of Nashville AVAILABLE ON DAY 9 Take a self­guided tour through the hallowed halls of Ryman Auditorium. Ghosts and Spirts Walking Tour Immerse yourself in the Ryman’s magical history during “Soul of "Hear ghostly stories about our haunted hotels and the courthouse where Nashville,” a one­of­a­kind theater experience which puts the spotlight on our state supreme court is based.