8 Day Musical Journey Through the South

DAY 1, Monday - Nashville Welcome to Nashville, lovingly called the "Music City" with its charming mix of music, history and culture. Transfer to your hotel. Time to settle in and get acquainted with this spirited city that's the wonderland of American music and gracious Southern hospitality. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers during a briefing about the fabulous journey through American music that lies ahead. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7PM on the day of arrival. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in your destination no later than 5PM on Day 1 of the itinerary or earlier, if possible Overnight: Nashville DAY 2, Tuesday - RCA Studio B, Music Row, Walk of Fame, Evening at the Grand Ole Opry Your Nashville discovery begins with a tour of historic RCA Studio B, the oldest remaining recording studio in the U.S. where legends such as Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton once recorded their hit songs. Hear about the secrets of their success and even record your own CD in the same studio. On to the heart of Nashville's entertainment industry at Music Row, home to hundreds of businesses solely related to country, gospel and Christian music. Then follow in the footsteps of great musicians on the Walk of Fame on Music Mile, a landmark tribute to those who have made a significant contribution to the industry. Travel past the Tennessee State Capitol, stopping at Centennial State Park with the world's only full-scale reproduction of the ancient Parthenon in Athens. Time for lunch on your own on Broadway Street, packed with live music, dive bars and dance halls. After, get ready for your fabulous evening! A celebratory Welcome Dinner is followed by a performance at the renowned Grand Ole Opry*, iconic home of country music Overnight: Nashville Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY 3, Wednesday - Country Music Hall of Fame, Memphis Morning visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the world's largest popular music museum, offering ever-changing exhibits highlighting the performers of country music past and today's hottest stars. View the museum's huge assemblage of costumes, recordings, instruments and memorabilia in exhibits that tell a tale of the history of country music and its artists. Because of its unrivalled collections, the museum is called the "Smithsonian of Country Music". After lunch on your own, you are off to Memphis; known for its Blues, Jazz and Rock ‘n' Roll music that can be heard from numerous clubs on Beale Street. Enjoy your evening at leisure to try some of Memphis' fantastic BBQ and soul food Overnight: Memphis Meals: Breakfast DAY 4, Thursday - Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, Graceland A tour of glitzy Memphis begins with a scenic drive along the Mississippi past Victorian homes, historical statues and cultural landmarks such as the Pyramid Arena. Arrive at the corner of legendary Highway 61, "The Blues Highway", and world famous Beale Street to visit the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, an exhibition highlighting the birth of rock and soul music. Then, a highlight of the day as you depart for Graceland, the palatial mansion of American legend Elvis Presley. Tour the mansion on his gorgeous 14-acre estate that includes several rooms of the home, as well as other buildings. Continue with a visit to the Meditation Garden where Elvis and members of his family have been laid to rest. You can also explore exhibits that display his well-known jumpsuits and collection of gold records, awards and other memorabilia. Lunch on your own at Graceland with time to linger before returning to Memphis Overnight: Memphis Meals: Breakfast DAY 5, Friday - Indianola's BB King Museum, Travel to Natchez Travel to Indianola, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, to tour the BB King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. Hometown of the legendary musician, this museum honors his life and music, and preserves the rich cultural and musical heritage of the Delta. At the guitar studio, you can try some of the instruments he actually used! After a lovely lunch at a nearby club with live music, your day continues with a drive to Natchez, the charming and quaint Southern town with a rich cultural heritage shaped by people of African, French, British and Spanish descent. Free time to explore on your own, relax at the hotel or join the optional Natchez dinner at a local restaurant with entertainment Optional: Natchez Dinner with Entertainment Overnight: Natchez Meals: Breakfast, Lunch DAY 6, Saturday - Frogmore Plantation, Baton Rouge, New Orleans Today, tour the Frogmore Plantation where you learn more about one of the state's premier cotton plantations situated along the back roads of east-central Louisiana. Still in use after more than 200 years, this area once had a front-row seat to Civil War battles. After, on to Baton Rouge, the jewel of Louisiana settled by French explorers, a blend of extraordinary history and contrasting cultures. Lunch at leisure before departing to New Orleans, birthplace of Jazz and home of the Mardi Gras, lovingly referred to as the "Big Easy". As you approach New Orleans, drive through Lake Pontchartrain. Known for its slow flowing rivers and bayous, tranquil swamps, and lush hardwood forests, the Basin provides necessary habitat for numerous types of flora and fauna. See trunks of bald cypress trees covered in thin bark that changes in color from gray to reddish-brown when it peels off of the tree in strips. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is at your leisure Overnight: New Orleans Meals: Breakfast DAY 7, Sunday - French Quarter Walking Tour, Jazz National Historic Park On this morning's walking tour of the iconic French Quarter, the oldest neighborhood in the city, delight in the sights and sounds of vibrant New Orleans. At historic Jackson Square, enjoy gorgeous views of the timeless Mississippi and the city's lovingly preserved historic buildings including the majestic St. Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo, once seat of the colonial government. Visit the unique Presbytere, with a colorful past of its own, built on the residence (presbytere) of Capuchin monks. On to the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park created to commemorate this city's memorable musical legacy by offering performances, films and visual displays. Balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight, a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers and Tour Manager Overnight: New Orleans Meals: Breakfast, Dinner DAY 8, Monday – Return Home Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast *Location of the Grand Ole Opry performance may change due to special performances and events.