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Savour the sounds and flavours of America’s musical heartland. In Nashville, hear live bands in legendary honky-tonks, tour Studio B and explore the Country Music Hall of Fame. In Memphis, delve into the soul-stirring sounds of the Stax Museum and walk in the footsteps of Elvis Presley at Graceland. Further south, enjoy authentic Southern cuisine, from Cajun specialities to fresh seafood. In New Orleans, explore the French Quarter with a Local Expert before stepping behind the scenes at Mardi Gras World, where artists craft the city’s famous parade floats.
Locations Visited
Nashville, Memphis, Jackson, Destrehan, New Orleans, Indianola
Countries Visited
United States
Accommodations
8
nights included
Age Requirements
Minimum age 5
Itinerary
COLLAPSE ALLEXPAND ALL
Day 1
Arrive in Nashville
Welcome to Nashville, the capital of Tennessee and the USA’s glittering center stage. From the Everly Brothers' “Bye Bye Love," to Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman," the streets are paved with talent. Tonight, head to the famous Grand Ole Opry, the world-renowned country music stage and longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history for even more Country fun.
Accommodation
Hotel Fraye, Nashville
Highlights
Grand Ole Opry
Nashville is a treasure trove of country music. See where it all started, taking in a live performance at the Grand Ole Opry, the show that made country music famous. Discover how the Grand Ole Opry is dedicated to honouring country music’s rich history and dynamic present, showcasing a mix of country legends -- including Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson -- and the current chart-toppers who have followed in their footsteps. Learn how the Opry has been the home to country music’s growth and change, from the first broadcast in the National Life Building on WSM’s Barn Dance in 1925 to the move into the new Opry House in 1974 and on to host the 55th Annual ACM Awards in 2020.
Day 2
Take centre stage in Nashville
Start your day with an orientation tour of music city. You'll visit the picturesque Riverfront Park, Tennessee State Capitol and the 132-acre Centennial State Park, where you'll encounter an exact replica of the Parthenon. Pass by the city's lively honky-tonks and street performers on Broadway. Make your way to historic RCA Studio B, Nashville’s oldest remaining recording studio for a guided tour. We then continue to another home of Nashville royalty, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum for a self-guided tour. The museum helps to preserve, celebrate, and share the important cultural asset that is country music. Along with changing exhibitions, you'll discover the enlightening "Sing Me Back Home: Folk Roots to the Present." which tells the story of country music from its pre-commercial roots in the 19th century through its life today. See original artifacts, photographs and recordings. Tonight meet your Travel Director and fellow guests for a welcome dinner.
Accommodation
Hotel Fraye, Nashville
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Highlights
Welcome Dinner in Nashville
Relax and unwind before meeting your Travel Director and fellow guests to mingle before sitting down to a Welcome Dinner with wine.
Visit RCA Studio B
On a guided tour walk the hallowed halls of Historic RCA Studio B, Nashville’s oldest remaining recording studio. It became a cradle of the Nashville Sound (country) in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Over 35,000 songs were recorded here by artists such as Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and even more recently, Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The famous Nashville Sound comes alive as guests learn about the country music legends, such as Jim Reeves and Roy Orbison, at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on a self-guided tour. The museum helps to "preserve, celebrate, and share the important cultural asset that is country music."
Day 3
Choose your Nashville Exploration
Today we make a stop at the Nashville Farmers' Market to explore its artisanal crafts and produce. You decide how to discover Nashville this afternoon with Insight Choice. Choose to visit Nelson’s Green Brier, a local Tennessee distillery and home of the Original Tennessee Whiskey for a guided tour of the distillery and tasting of the product. Or visit The National Museum of African American Music, the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced and inspired by African Americans. This is for music lovers of all generations, inspiring, educating and transforming your appreciation of American music - all while celebrating the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack.
Accommodation
Hotel Fraye, Nashville
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Visit Nelson's Green Brier Distillery in Nashville
Visit Nelson’s Green Brier, Nashville's most historic distillery and home of the Original Tennessee Whiskey. Learn more about the process that creates this drink's unique taste.
Visit the National Museum of African American Music
Visit the National Museum of African American Music, the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. For music lovers of all generations, this museum inspires, educates, and transforms the appreciation of American music all while celebrating the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack.
Day 4
Heading back home to Memphis
This morning, you’ll travel to Memphis, a city that pulses with rhythm and history. Whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth, the soulful sounds of Beale Street are sure to draw you in. Later, join civil rights activist Elaine Lee Turner for a walking tour through pivotal sites of the 1960s movement, including Mason Temple and the Lee Sisters Marker. As Elaine shares personal stories of protest and resilience, you’ll gain rare insight into Memphis’ role in the fight for justice. This evening, enjoy private access to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, housed in the original Stax Records studio. Explore more than 2,000 artefacts and exhibits celebrating the artists who defined Southern soul, including Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes and Carla Thomas. The Soulsville Foundation behind the museum empowers young people through music and education, keeping the legacy alive.
Accommodation
The Guest House at Graceland
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Private Visit to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis
End your day with an exclusive after-hours private tour at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Stax Records and American soul music. The museum is part of The SoulsvilleFoundation, which aims to help young people prepare for life success and inspire future artists. Your experience advances UN Global Goal 4: Quality Education.
Memphis Heritage Tour with Civil Rights Activist Elaine Lee Turner
Explore Memphis with civil rights activist Elaine Lee Turner, one of the famed Lee Sisters who led over 30 sit-ins during the 1960s. See Mason Temple, Beale Street and the Lee Sisters Marker, as Elaine shares powerful personal stories of the protests. Discover how Memphis became a flashpoint in the civil rights movement, from student-led protests to the tragic assassination of Dr King, making this city a lasting symbol of courage, resilience and change.
Day 5
A day dedicated to the King
This morning it's off to Graceland, where you will get to explore the mansion, the private retreat of the King of Rock 'n Roll, where he went for reprise when not on the stage or in the movies. The tour of Graceland Mansion includes the living room and the famous Jungle Room. Then visit the Entertainer Career Museum with hundreds of artifacts and photos from significant events in Elvis’ life as well as the Presley Motors Automobile Museum. Then we continue onto Sun Studios for an authentic guided tour led by a local musician. Learn all about the recording studio where Elvis got his start along with so many of the greatest and therefore known as "The Birthplace of Rock'n'roll." Dinner this evening will be served at The Beauty Shop, a former hair parlour turned whimsical New American eatery where Elvis’ ex-wife, Priscilla, was said to get her hair done.
Accommodation
The Guest House at Graceland
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Highlights
Visit Graceland Mansion in Memphis
Explore the mansion which served as the private retreat for royalty, the King of Rock 'n Roll himself, Elvis Presley. Graceland, a National Historic Landmark, is an exciting opportunity to get to know the personal side of "The King" in his most intimate setting. Seeing Graceland Mansion’s living room, his parents’ bedroom, the kitchen, TV room, pool room, the famous Jungle Room, his father’s office, the newly enhanced Trophy Building, the Racquetball Building. See where he and his family lived their daily life. If only the walls could talk.
Visit Sun Studio in Memphis
Visit Sun Studio, also known as the “birthplace of rock and roll," where music legends, including B.B. King, Johnny Cash and Elvis recorded some of their iconic hits.
Highlight Dinner in Memphis
Dinner this evening will be served at The Beauty Shop, a former beauty parlour turned whimsical New American eatery, where Elvis’ ex-wife, Priscilla, was said to get her hair done.
Day 6
Memphis to Jackson via The Mississippi Blues Trail
Follow the legendary Mississippi Blues Trail, where markers tell the stories of the artists who shaped America’s most influential music. In Indianola, a Local Expert leads you through the B.B. King Museum, where you’ll see his guitars, explore interactive exhibits, and visit the restored cotton gin where he once worked. Pay your respects at his final resting place before heading to the iconic Club Ebony, a historic stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit, a network of venues that provided Black musicians with safe performance spaces during segregation. Here, a local musician will share the club’s storied past and guide you in writing your own blues song before a private concert over lunch brings the music to life.
Accommodation
The Westin Jackson
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Highlights
BB King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center
In his hometown of Indianola, deep in the Mississippi Delta, explore the life and legacy of B.B. King. A guided visit to the B.B. King Museum reveals the story of the “King of the Blues,” from his early days in the cotton fields to international stardom.
Lunch and Private Concert at Club Ebony
Experience the soul of the blues over a delicious lunch at the legendary Club Ebony, a cornerstone of the South’s African-American music scene since the late 1940s. Built by Indianola entrepreneur Johnny Jones, this storied venue hosted icons like Ray Charles, Count Basie and B.B. King, who later purchased the club to preserve its legacy. A local musician will guide you through the 12-bar blues, share tales of the club’s vibrant past and help craft an original song before bringing the music to life in an intimate performance.
Day 7
Jackson to New Orleans
Step into the rich history of Louisiana with a guided tour of Destrehan Plantation, exploring the lives of both the free and enslaved who lived here. In the original mule barn, Local Expert Spuddy shares the traditions of Cajun cuisine through a live cooking demonstration, followed by lunch showcasing the bold, smoky flavours of the region. Continue to New Orleans, founded by the French in 1718 and later shaped by Spanish rule before becoming part of the United States in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Later, go behind the scenes at Mardi Gras World, where artists craft elaborate floats that bring the city’s biggest celebration to life. A Mardi Gras World artist will guide you in designing your own vibrant mask to take home as a unique keepsake.
Accommodation
New Orleans Marriott
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Highlights
Destrehan Plantation Visit
Visit Destrehan Plantation, the oldest documented plantation home in the Lower Mississippi Valley. On a guided tour, explore the main house and a restored slave cabin while learning about the lives of both the free and enslaved who lived here.
Cajun and Creole Cooking Demonstration
In the historic mule barn at Destrehan Plantation, join Local Expert “Spuddy” for a live cooking demonstration featuring his signature smoked Cajun meats. As he shares the rich history and origins of Cajun cuisine, you may even have the opportunity to join him in the cooking process. Afterwards, sit down together to a hearty lunch showcasing authentic dishes from the region.
Mask Making on the Mississippi at Mardi Gras World
Enjoy an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Mardi Gras World, where the magic happens and the extravagant, vibrant floats are built each year. One of the Mardi Gras World certified artists will lead you through designing your very own Mardi Gras mask and creating your masterpiece, premium felt backed mask with glitter, feathers and more to take back as an eclectic memento of your time in The Big Easy.
Day 8
Festivities in New Orleans
Discover New Orleans with a Local Expert, from the grand mansions of the Garden District to the lively French Quarter. In the afternoon, choose to explore the National WWII Museum, home to immersive exhibits and personal stories from the war, or take a swamp tour, gliding through bayous teeming with wildlife while learning about Louisiana’s disappearing wetlands. Celebrate your final evening with a VIP jazz experience at Fritzel’s Jazz Club, followed by a Creole dinner at Tujague’s, a New Orleans institution since 1856.
Accommodation
New Orleans Marriott
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Highlights
New Orleans City Tour
Discover what makes New Orleans—the birthplace of jazz legend Louis Armstrong—so unique with a Local Expert. Stroll through the Garden District beneath shady oak trees, where charming cottages stand alongside grand mansions and lush gardens along the Mardi Gras parade route. Then, take in the energy of Bourbon Street, lined with lively jazz clubs and authentic Cajun eateries.
Fritzel's Jazz Club
Discover the heart of New Orleans’ jazz scene at Fritzel’s Jazz Club, the city’s oldest continuously operating venue on the famous Bourbon Street. Jazz has been the soundtrack of the French Quarter for over a century, and here, musicians keep that tradition alive. With VIP front-row seating, enjoy a pre-dinner drink and interact with the performers as they improvise, just as early jazz pioneers once did.
Celebration Dinner in New Orleans
End your day with a Celebration Dinner with your fellow travellers.
Day 9
Depart New Orleans
It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers as your adventure comes to an end. Departure to the airport will be at leisure.
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
What's Included
On Road Team
Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
Vox Headsets
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Porterage
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
Gratuities
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
Touchpoints
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
Wifi
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
Dates & Prices
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Soul of the Deep South - Classic Group
£4,095
Soul of the Deep South - Small Group
£4,595
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Trip Notes:
A deposit of £100 must be paid at the time of booking.
International Air: Please note that airfares are not included. We will quote you the lowest possible airfare available on the day you book.
Travel to the USA and Canada often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1 of the itinerary.
Terms & Conditions:
Prices listed are per person, land only and based on double occupancy (twin room). Single room supplements are available.
'Price with Current Deals' reflects current applicable 'Early Payment Discounts' or 'Last Minute Deals.' Early Payment Discounts (land only) savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all vacations/departure dates and are subject to availability; not valid with all other promotional offers. Last Minute Deals are available on select departures only; not combinable with Early Payment Discounts or any other promotional offers; full payment due at time of booking. All discounts are for new bookings only, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Call or request a quote for complete details.
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*Temporary changes to standard terms and conditions apply to bookings until further notice. In accordance with travel restrictions imposed by government advisories worldwide, Insight Vacations has temporarily suspended all guided vacations across the globe for trips departing up and until 30 November 2020. For any new bookings being made, we are temporarily offering a fee waiver on the land portion of the trip until 30 days prior to departure should guests wish to change their dates or travel to a different destination. Airlines may have different policies and penalty charges, which are the guest’s responsibility. This applies to land bookings only and does not apply to group bookings. If the guest chooses a trip or departure that is more expensive than the original, they are responsible for the difference in price; if the trip or departure is less expensive than the original, a future travel credit will be issued for the difference. Please note guests are responsible for any airline penalties imposed due to trip changes and/or cancellations. View full details, along with terms and conditions here.
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