Enjoy a finger-snapping, toe-tapping time on this tour of America’s most famed musical cities. Visit New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville as you revel in the sounds of the blues, jazz, country and good old rock ‘n’ roll. Experience the unique city of New Orleans, where jazz, food and fun are always on the menu. Have your choice on tour – either stroll through New Orleans’ famous French Quarter on a walking tour with a local expert or set out on a panoramic motorcoach tour for a different perspective of the city. Spend two nights in Memphis, “birthplace of the blues,” and tour Elvis Presley’s Graceland. At the historic Belle Meade plantation indulge in a culinary and wine tasting experience. Enjoy reserved seats at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Tour historic RCA Studio B and see where country legends recorded hit songs. A visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame is sure to have you humming long after you return home.
Inclusions
- 7 night guided tour with accommodation
- 11 Meals: 7 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners
- Sightseeing as listed in itinerary
- Transportation
- Services of professional Tour Manager
- All baggage handling (1 bag per person)
- Airport transfers
| September 25, 2022 – April 30, 2023 | |
| Double | from $3699 including tax |
| Single Supplement | add $1210 |
| Roundtrip airfare to Nashville and return from New Orleans (or reverse) is additional | |
Note: This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven grounds and cobblestone streets.
SAMPLE ITINERARY – some dates are reversed (arrive New Orleans and depart Nashville).
Day 1 – Nashville, Tennessee – Tour Begins
Journey to the “Music Capital of the World” – Nashville.
Meals:Dinner
Hotel: Gaylord Opryland Resort (or similar)
Day 2 – Nashville
Your day begins with a tour of the historic RCA Studio B for an up-close look at Nashville’s oldest remaining recording studio where Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Charlie Pride once recorded some of their classic hits! Learn the secrets of how each artist recorded their chart-topping music in this famous studio where you may even have the opportunity to record your own hit! Later, a local guide will share the history and lore of Music City during a sightseeing tour. View the State Capitol, Music Row and the Parthenon – a full scale replica of the Athenian original! Following your city tour, explore the Country Music Hall of Fame, the largest museum of popular music in the world. The museum’s vast collections of memorabilia, costumes, recordings and instruments are artfully presented in cutting-edge exhibits relaying the colourful histories of country music and its artists. This evening, take your reserved seat at the renowned Grand Ole Opry.* What began as a building where a local radio broadcast show aired once a week in 1925 has grown to become an entertainment complex that attracts music fans from all over the world.
Meals: Breakfast High
Day 3 – Nashville – Memphis
Your day begins with a visit the old Ryman Auditorium.** Then, step back in time and relive days gone by during a tour of the sprawling Belle Meade Plantation and indulge in a local wine tasting. Later, travel to Memphis, the birthplace of the Blues, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Soul. This evening, enjoy delectable Southern cuisine along with some of the best live music in town. Your dinner truly captures the essence of Memphis’ music and culinary scene.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: The Guest House At Graceland (or similar)
Day 4 – Memphis
This morning, embark on a one-of-a-kind tour of the city of Memphis. Local musicians board the coach and tell the story of Memphis’ musical heritage and history as you view the city’s many highlights…you may even be tempted to sing along! Then, don your blue suede shoes when you visit Graceland, the palatial home of Elvis Presley. Enter Elvis’ 14-acre estate and visit his home, original business office, trophy building with exhibits depicting Elvis’ life at Graceland, racquetball building, and the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and members of his family have been laid to rest. The rest of your day is free to enjoy this city’s vast musical offerings. Spend more time at Graceland*** or join an optional Memphis Musical History Tour with dinner. Tonight, dance to the live music or spend the evening exploring Beale Street’s vibrant musical clubs!
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 – Memphis – New Orleans, Louisiana
Step back in time to the “Jazz Capital of the World” – New Orleans! This soulful city abounds with rich history, mouth-watering Cajun and Creole cuisine, and an incomparable soundtrack.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Sheraton New Orleans (or similar)
Day 6 – Choose French Quarter Walking Tour or Motorcoach Tour of New Orleans
The choice is yours! Take a walking tour of New Orleans’ famous French Quarter where you’ll see the majestic St. Louis Cathedral, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks; continue to the bustling French Marketplace where you’ll explore Pirates Alley, the Cabildo, the Presbytere and the Pontalba. Or, set out on a panoramic motorcoach tour of New Orleans with a local guide; begin along historic Esplanade Avenue; see St. Louis Cemetrey #3 which opened in 1854 and holds some of the most elabourate crypts found in the city’s cemetreies; then, relax during a drive along the shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain; this romantic road eventually leads to St. Charles Avenue, whisking you past gorgeous mansions as well as Tulane and Loyola, two world-famous universities. Whichever you choose, stop to taste a true New Orleans favourite – beignets at Café Du Monde.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 – French Quarter
Journey through Louisiana’s swamp on a cruise**** narrated by your captain. Learn about the history and ecology of this fascinating ecosystem while keeping an eye out for wildlife including bald eagles, herons, turtles and alligators! Return to New Orleans. Tonight, roll up your sleeves and prepare to discover how to cook New Orleans-style! During a unique cooking demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking, your chef will indulge you in everything that Louisiana cuisine has to offer. Following dinner, enjoy a jazz revue at a local French Quarter jazz club.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 8 – New Orleans – Tour Ends
The country music of Nashville, the sounds of Memphis, and New Orleans’ jazz and food comprise a journey full of experiences that will have you humming and smiling long after you return home.
Meals: Breakfast
It’s Your Choice
- In new Orleans, enjoy a walking tour of the French Quarter or set out on a panoramic drive through the city with a local guide.
Must-See Inclusions
- Visit Graceland, the palatial home of Elvis Presley.
- Explore the Country Music Hall of Fame, the largest museum of popular music in the world.
- Visit the historic Ryman Auditorium.
Cultural Experiences
- Embark on a one-of-a-kind tour of Memphis where local musicians share the store of the city’s musical heritage and history.
- Enjoy reserved seats at the Grand Ole Opry, the “home of American music”
- Tour the historic RCA Studio B for an up-close look at Nashville’s oldest remaining recording studio.
Culinary Inclusions
- Discover how to cook New Orleans-style during a unique cooking demonstation at the New Orleans School of Cooking.
- Stop to taste a true new Orleans favourite – beingets at Cafe Du Monde.
- Indulge in a culinary and wine tasting experience at Belle Meade Plantation.
NOTES:
Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis.
This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven grounds and cobblestone streets.
Please be advised there is a 25 USD/CAD charge (per piece) for checked baggage on most trans-border flights. This is a fee levied by the airlines and may be subject to change.
To complete your tour, we include roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing our airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times.
Please be advised many airlines do not provide advance seat assignments until check-in at the airport. Advance seating will be subject to the airline’s terms and conditions.
Due to tour scheduling, flights must arrive into Nashville by 4:30 p.m. on Day 1.
*The Grand Ole Opry moves to the Ryman Auditorium during the months of November and December. **On some dates, the Old Ryman Auditorium may be closed for special events. ***Your tour price includes a Mansion Tour at Graceland. Other exhibits you wish to see are not included in the tour price. ****The swamp tour is subject to change due to severe inclement weather. These changes may include items being missed during the trip; however, every effort will be made to substitute for another attraction if possible.
New Orleans Jazz Afternoon – $129
New Orleans
Duration: 4.5 Hours
Your transportation is included
This afternoon, enjoy a jazz brunch at one of New Orleans’ most famous restaurants, The Court of Two Sisters. Relax and enjoy the live jazz music as you soak in the centuries-old atmosphere and the largest courtyard in the French Quarter. Indulge in the expansive brunch buffet, with over 60 items available, including made to order omelets and Eggs Benedict. After lunch, embark on a leisurely cruise aboard the traditional Steamboat Natchez, iconic in New Orleans. The ambience will transport you back in time to the 19th century when steamboats were the mode of transportation of choice to travel along the Mississippi. Sit back and take in your surroundings during your narrated harbour tour, listening to stories of days gone by along the way. As your paddlewheel boat makes its way back, it is time for a lively jazz band to take the stage for some toe-tapping fun!
If over a certain weight, there will be an increase of 0 increase in rate.
Memphis Musical History Tour with Dinner – $115
Memphis
Duration: 5 Hours
Your transportation is included
Begin with a visit to Sun Studio, perhaps the most famous recording studio in the world. A guided tour will introduce you to the location that began the careers of musical legends such as Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, and of course, Elvis Presley. It was here at Sun Studio in 1954 where Elvis first began recording commer cially, changing the music world forever. View the priceless memorabilia, listen to audio clips from recording sessions, and visit the record store and soda shop at this iconic recording studio. Next, visit the Rock N’ Soul Museum, located on the famous Beale Street. Explore the museum at your own pace, with a self-guided audio tour that highlights Memphis’ musical journey. Complete your tour with dinner at a local restaurant.
