Day 1
Nashville
Upon arrival transfer independently to your hotel and enjoy some time to relax before meeting your Travel Director and other travellers at 6pm. There will be a welcome dinner with wine.
Overnight: Renaissance Hotel, Nashville. Dinner included.
Day 2
Nashville
Your day begins with a fun orientation tour of the city, taking in sights such as Riverfront Park, Centennial State Park, street performers on Broadway and Ryman Auditorium. In the evening, you’ll head to Grand Ole Opry, the famed country music stage.
Overnight: Renaissance Hotel, Nashville. Breakfast included.
Day 3
Nashville
Enjoy the excitement of going behind the scenes of a Nashville recording studio. You’ll then head to Nashville’s Farmers’ Market and Market House to shop for artisan produce and crafts. Next up is a choice between enjoying a beer at local distillery Green Brier, or visit the fascinating National Museum of African American Music to see its interactive technology. Dinner tonight is at Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant – we recommend trying the crabmeat cheesecake.
Overnight: Renaissance Hotel, Nashville. Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 4
Nashville – Memphis
In the morning you’ll travel to Memphis, starting your day with a sightseeing tour of the city. The afternoon will be spent enjoying a Make Travel Matter® Experience at the National Civil Rights Museum, where you’ll learn about the poignant Civil Rights Movement history.
The evening comes with another Make Travel Matter® Experience, this time a private evening at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Part of The Soulsville Foundation, the museum helps inspire future young artists and prepare them for life success.
Overnight: The Guest House at Graceland, Memphis. Breakfast included.
Day 5
Memphis
The day begins with a visit to Sun Studio. Known as the ‘birthplace of rock and roll’, this studio has seen music legends sich as B.B. King, Johnny Cash and Elvis walk through the doors. You’ll then visit Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley. Dinner is enjoyed at The Beauty Shop, a former parlour turned New American diner where Elvis’ ex-wife Priscilla was rumoured to get her hair done.
Overnight: The Guest House at Graceland, Memphis. Breakfast and dinner with wine included.
Day 6
Memphis – Greenwood
Today you will travel through the Mississippi Delta down the Mississippi Blues Trail. Once in Greenwood, you’ll have time to explore the Delta town at your own leisure, before a fun afternoon at the Viking Cooking School for a hot tamale cooking class. The evening will be spent enjoying dinner at a James Beard Award finalist restaurant.
Overnight: The Alluvian, Greenwood. Breakfast and dinner with wine included.
Day 7
Greenwood – Natchez
Head to Natchez, where you’ll visit historic antebellum mansions and learn about the story of the African-Americans through the decades.
Next up, you’ll add mixology to your list of skills by learning to make a Southern staple cocktail, the Mint Julep. The evening is free for you to enjoy.
Overnight: Monmouth Historic Inn and Gardens, Natchez. Breakfast included.
Day 8
Natchez – Lafayette
You’ll move on to Lafayette next, learning more about Cajan culture at the Acadian Cultural Centre. You’ll then meet a local accordion maker and musician to learn more about the Cajan music experience.
Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Lafayette. Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 9
Lafayette
Start your day in Lafayette with a crawfish farm tour. Located just outside the city, you’ll learn how to catch your lunch the old-fashioned way using hand nets, as well as learning how to prepare a traditional boil. After you’ve had your fill, spend some timing exploring on your own, or go on an optional swamp tour.
Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Lafayette. Breakfast and lunch included
Day 10
Lafayette – New Orleans
During your journey to New Orleans, you’ll stop by the Tabasco Factory for a self-guided tour. The afternoon will be spent at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum to learn more about the cuisine with a guided tour and lunch.
Overnight: Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, New Orleans. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 11
New Orleans
Join a Local Expert for a tour of the city’s architecture and art scene, before choosing from a selection of optional activities, including a jazz music experience or voodoo specialist. Later, you’ll meet back with your group for a celebration dinner at the Palace Café, a Creole restaurant in the French Quarter.
Overnight: Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, New Orleans. Breakfast and dinner with wine included.
Day 12
New Orleans
Today your tour comes to an end. Enjoy breakfast before departing independently to the airport. Breakfast included.
