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Tastes and Sounds of the South

Everyday Price From

$6,275

10 days

No Countries

Overview

Join us for a little jazz, home cookin' from local Southerners, country music and a whole lot of Rock 'n' Roll on this inspiring American South tour showcasing the rich culture of Memphis, Nashville, Natchez and New Orleans, plus a trip to Elvis’ iconic Graceland.

Locations Visited

Nashville, Memphis, Graceland, Natchez, New Orleans

Countries Visited

United States

Travel Style

At Leisure

Accommodations

9 nights included

Age Requirements

Minimum age 5

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Itinerary

COLLAPSE ALL EXPAND ALL

Day 1

Howdy Nashville

The beating heart of America's Music City will chart your pace as you prepare to embark on a leisurely pilgrimage to discover the tastes and sounds of the South. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a dinner. 

  • Accommodation

    Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Nashville


  • Meals

    Dinner

Highlights

Gaylord Opryland Resort

Located in the heart of Nashville, the Gaylord Opryland Resort is an icon of cultural heritage and entertainment. Within the expansive property, you can explore nine acres of lush, indoor garden atriums and join in activities and performances. You’ll learn that the resort has witnessed iconic performances, including those by country legend Johnny Cash, and stands as the proud home to the world-renowned Grand Ole Opry right here in Music City.

The famous Nashville Sound comes alive this morning as RCA Studio B reveals the legends of Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves and Roy Orbison. Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the life and music of Johnny Cash during a private performance of original Cash tunes with one of Johnny's family members. Your acoustic journey continues with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to see Elvis' Solid Gold Cadillac limousine and Jim Reeves' tuxedo jacket. This evening, enjoy a live show at the iconic Grand Ole Opry.

  • Accommodation

    Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Nashville


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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RCA's Studio B, Nashville

The famous Nashville Sound comes alive this morning as RCA's Studio B reveals the legends of Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves and Roy Orbison. 'Dive into Culture' and gain insights into the life and music of Johnny Cash during a private performance of original Cash tunes with one of Johnny's family members.

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Cash on Cash

You'll gain insights into the life and music of Johnny Cash during a private performance of original Johnny Cash songs with one of Johnny's family members. This is a unique opportunity to not only hear a family member play his music but to also have a private experience with them one on one to ask questions and connect.

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Visit Grand Ole Opry Live Performance

See a live musical performance at the Grand Ole Opry - the show that made country music famous. The Grand Ole Opry is dedicated to honouring country music’s rich history and dynamic present, showcasing a mix of country legends and the current chart-toppers who have followed in their footsteps.

Continue your discovery of Nashville by exploring the Johnny Cash Museum. With the remainder of the day at your leisure choose to visit the Ryman Auditorium, where Johnny & June first met, or a hop-on-hop-off trolley.  Or perhaps you'll enjoy the opportunity to amble through Broadway's honky-tonk scene or enjoy the gut-busting flavours of homemade chicken or biscuits.

  • Accommodation

    Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Nashville


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Johnny Cash Museum

Visit the Johnny Cash Museum which features the world's largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia in the world. Walk through the life of the 'Man in Black' through interactive exhibits, films, and displays.

Head to Memphis' famous Beale Street, the birthplace of Blues, Soul, and Rock 'n' Roll,for a tour where you'll meet a musician and Local Specialist to learn about the musical heritage of Memphis. Continue your Memphis sightseeing with a visit to the Lorraine Motel where civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was tragically assassinated and one of the most significant locations of the civil rights movement. Then MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® as you explore one of the most significant sites in town and one of the premier heritage and cultural museums, the National Civil Rights Museum. “Walk through history” with a Local Expert who will show how the heroes and lessons from the civil rights movement continue to impact equality all over the world. Enjoy a dinner of Southern cuisine this evening, capping off your tour of Memphis, past and present.

  • Accommodation

    Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Visit The National Civil Rights Museum

The museum is built around the former Lorraine Motel, which was the site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the most visible spokesman and leader in the American civil rights movement. The museum is devoted to the thousands of people who were a part of the entire American Civil Rights Movement. It is one of the nation's premier heritage and cultural museums. Your docent-led experience supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

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Music Tour of Memphis

Memphis is the home of blues, soul, and rock n' roll music. Enjoy a Music city tour including Beale Street, a National Historic Landmark and one of the most iconic streets in U.S. filled with restaurants, live music venues and shops - right in the heart of downtown Memphis.

Worship at the altar of the King, Elvis Presley, and head to Graceland, paying tribute to the man who changed the face of American popular music and culture. Then, pay a visit to Sun Studios, which sought to immortalize the raw energy of Beale Street, recording the first Rock 'n' Roll single in 1951. This evening is free.

  • Accommodation

    Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Visit Graceland

Explore the lavish mansion and private retreat of Elvis Presley and get an intimate look into his Rock N' Roll life.

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Historic Sun Studio

Take in the historic Sun Studios on a guided tour led by a local musician. Opened in 1950 this storied studio is where Elvis got his start, along with many other all-time greats.

Kick off the day’s sightseeing with a musical morning at the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum exploring the blues, country, and gospel of the rural South before leaving for Natchez, Mississippi. You’ll arrive in Natchez on the banks of the Mississippi, surrounded by the antebellum homes. The best way to experience Natchez is with a taste of Southern hospitality and you’ll experience all this and more at tonight’s memorable Be My Guest experience at one of the region’s beautiful historic, private homes for a meal. Connect With Locals as hosts who have lived in the area for generations open their doors and share their stories as you enjoy dinner and backyard cocktails like Planter’s Punch paired with elevated Southern fare.  

  • Accommodation

    Natchez Grand Hotel & Suites


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Southern Hospitality at Natchez

Join your host for an evening of true southern hospitality and an opportunity to explore the sights and sounds of two beautiful Natchez homes.

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Rock n Soul Museum

Take a trip to the Memphis' Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and explore the birth of rock and soul music. The museum tells the story of musical pioneers who, for the love of music, overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create the music that shook the entire world.

Today your travels take you deeper into an important part of Southern history. On this morning’s visit to a working cotton plantation, Frogmore Plantation and Gins, learn about Natchez planters and slavery in the South. Tour the property boasting 19 restored antebellum structures and equipment dating from the early 1800's including a Smithsonian quality steam gin listed on the National Register. You’ll learn how cotton was made and most importantly gain a better understanding of slavery in the South. Your tour brings you back into the present with a stop at its currently operating 900 bales-per-day cotton gin. 

  • Accommodation

    Sheraton New Orleans Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Visit the Frogmore Plantation

Discover how they preserve their Mississippi Delta cotton plantation heritage with costumed guides at the Frogmore Plantation.

Let the good times roll in New Orleans today, tracing the cosmopolitan history of one of America's oldest cities with a Local Specialist, stopping at City Park and one of the ornate above-ground cemeteries. Spend the afternoon soaking up the laid-back vibes of The Big Easy. The afternoon is yours to explore on your own.

  • Accommodation

    Sheraton New Orleans Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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New Orleans Tour

Get to know the city with a Local Expert - from the Garden District to the French Quarter, Uptown to Treme, you'll get to know and better understand what makes this vibrant city tick.

Today is yours to explore the French, Spanish and Creole sights and sounds of New Orleans. Why not join an optional experience at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park exploring the scenic swamp and bayou, or take a stroll down Magazine Street for plenty of regional food and shopping. This evening, join your Travel Director and new friends for a memorable dinner including a private cooking demonstration hosted by a local chef showcasing Creole flavours at the New Orleans School of Cooking.

  • Accommodation

    Sheraton New Orleans Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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New Orleans School of Cooking

Taste the melting pot of cultures of New Orleans in this hands on cooking experience. Learn to make iconic southern dishes such as gumbo, red beans, dirty rice, etoufee and a creole bread pudding. Don't worry you'll also get to dine on these dishes and more, leaving with a full stomach and the knowledge to make these authentic dishes at home for friends and family.

For now, it's ‘Au Revoir' New Orleans, but not ‘Adieu'. Make your own way to New Orleans International Airport or extend your stay in New Orleans.

  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

Must-see Highlights

  • Explore RCA Studio B in Nashville, Sun Studios and a tour led by a local musician in Memphis, Frogmore Plantation in Natchez, discover how to make iconic dishes at the New Orleans School of Cooking

  • Discover Nashville

  • Visit Country Music Hall of Fame for a private performance of original Johnny Cash tunes with one of Johnny’s family members, Grand Ole Opry and the Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville, Graceland and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum in Memphis

Iconic Experience

  • See

    See a live Performance at the Grand Ole Opry

What's Included

Travel Director

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Hotels

  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities

  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.

Meals

  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Sightseeing

  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

Audio

  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

Transport

  • All transport and transfers shown

  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Optionals

  • Optional Experiences and free time

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Special Offers

Airfare is not included, but can be added to quote upon request.

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Terms & Conditions

Trip Notes: 

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Terms & Conditions: 

  • Prices listed are land only & do not include airfare to and from the start/end of the tour. 
  • Prices listed are per person, based on twin share. If you’re travelling solo, we can pair you with a same-sex roommate at no extra cost or you can upgrade to a single for an additional cost, subject to availability. Please note solo room share is not available on all trips. 
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