Southern Charms & Florida

Day 1

NEW ORLEANS Welcome to New Orleans! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.

Day 2

NEW ORLEANS The morning is dedicated to the sights and sounds of this Old-World city with a guided tour. First, visit the French Quarter, including St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square. Next, learn about the city’s unique burial customs at an above-ground cemetery, followed by a leisurely drive down historic St. Charles Avenue to enjoy its stately mansions and clanging streetcars. A lavish optional brunch features many of New Orleans’ culinary classics as well as live music. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 3

NEW ORLEANS A day to explore at your own pace. Stroll through the centuries-old French Quarter or take a carriage ride while listening to tales of voodoo queens and pirates. History enthusiasts may venture out to a plantation to catch a glimpse of life the way it used to be in the Old South. Tonight, you might like to experience the city’s beauty and romance on a 2-hour cruise from the heart of the French Quarter.

Day 4

NEW ORLEANS–BATON ROUGE–NATCHEZ Drive through the heart of Cajun Country to Baton Rouge for an orientation tour that features the art deco State Capitol, the tallest in the country. Next, on to elegant Natchez, a thriving port in the golden years of the cotton trade. Visit a gracious Pre-Civil-War home featuring fine collections of period furniture and paintings. In the evening, relax and perhaps sip a refreshing mint julep on our optional dinner.

Day 5

NATCHEZ–MEMPHIS Drive through rural Mississippi to Memphis. On arrival, acquaint yourself with the town during an included orientation tour. Don’t miss the optional excursion to the Birthplace of Rock and Roll, Sun Studios, followed by dinner and a drink on Beale St where you’ll explore more of the melting pot that is delta blues, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, R & B, and gospel. (B)

Day 6

MEMPHIS–VISIT TO GRACELAND A trip to Memphis would not be complete without visiting Graceland, the palatial home of “The King,” Elvis Presley. Our guided audio tour focuses on the memorial garden and the opulent 15,000-square-foot mansion. Afterward, if you haven’t done so already, get a taste of Memphis with some authentic southern barbecue, visit the National Civil Rights Museum, or experience the world famous Duck March at the elegant Peabody Hotel. (B)

Day 7

MEMPHIS–NASHVILLE This morning, leave the “Home of the Blues” as you head for Nashville, the “Capital of Country Music.” Afternoon arrival in Nashville. This evening, you have reserved seating for an unforgettable show at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, a mecca for country musicians since 1925. (B)

Day 8

NASHVILLE Its association with country music has made the name “Nashville” world famous, but it’s not just music fans who will find this bustling Southern city a delight. Start your day with a visit to RCA Studio B, one of the country’s most revered, and Nashville’s oldest surviving recording studio. Afterward, sightseeing with a local guide includes the recording studios of Music Row, a lifesize reproduction of the Parthenon, the State Capitol, and Bicentennial State Park. Then, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame with its glittering costumes, rare instruments, and Elvis Presley’s “solid-gold” Cadillac.

Day 9

NASHVILLE–CHATTANOOGA–ATLANTA First stop today is Chattanooga, home of the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Then, enter the “Peach State” of Georgia and journey to its fast-growing metropolis, Atlanta, home of 1996 summer Olympics. An orientation tour, followed by a short visit to the grave and eternal flame dedicated to preserving the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Day 10

ATLANTA–SAVANNAH Head south through rich, rolling farmland to the historic seaport of Savannah for a 2-night stay. On this afternoon’s guided trolley tour, you will see attractions like the City Market, Forsyth Park, Mercer House, Madison Square (where General Sherman concluded his “March to the Sea”), Colonial Park Cemetery, and the world-famous River Street. The evening is free to explore this charming city on your own. (B)

Day 11

SAVANNAH A day at leisure. Shop on cobblestoned River Street or stroll among the many squares surrounded by elegant homes and gardens. Don’t miss the impressive Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum to learn about Savannah’s important role in maritime history.

Day 12

SAVANNAH–ST. AUGUSTINE–ORLANDO Travel into the “Sunshine State” of Florida, stopping first at St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States. You will see the Government House and the Spanish fortress, Castillo de San Marcos, on your orientation tour. Then, drive to magical Orlando.

Day 13

ORLANDO Your vacation ends this morning. You can extend your vacation with extra nights and explore the “Sunshine State” further.