Music Capitals of the South

Music Capitals of the South

Music Capitals of the SouthUSA
Fully GuidedFully Guided
1010 Nights
Nights
-
B&B
Transport: Flights & TransfersFlights & Transfers

    Your Guided Group Holiday To USA

    Let’s explore the southern states of the U.S.A and discover how various cities contributed to different music genres. Our tour will begin in New Orleans, the "Big Easy," known for its vibrant live-music scene and spicy, singular cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures. On the way to Memphis, we’ll visit Natchez to see Antebellum mansions, these plantation houses are an icon of the southern states and a reminder of their historical ties to slavery. In Tupelo, we’ll see the birthplace of Elvis Presely and learn about his childhood. In Memphis, listen to blues, jazz and rock 'n' roll spill out from the clubs along Beale Street. We’ll take a guided tour of the legendary Sun Studio, where Elvis Presley, B.B. King and Johnny Cash recorded albums there and we’ll learn more about the ‘King of Rock & Roll’ with an excursion to Graceland. Our final city will be Nashville, widely considered the spiritual home of country music and we’ll learn more at the Country Music Hall of Fame, which has the biggest collections of country music artefacts and memorabilia in the world. Join us on this musical USA tour, uncover some of the most vibrant and historical cities in America. 

    Tour Map

    Trip Itinerary

    Activity Level 4

    Activity Level: Busy

    What does this level mean?

    Day

    Travel to USA

    1

    Depart for New Orleans

    Time: Full DayFull Day

    Depart Dublin for our flight to New Orleans where we will be met on arrival by our expert guide who will accompany us on the transfer to our hotel.

    New Orleans

    2

    New Orleans City Tour

    Time: MorningMorning

    Join us as we begin the morning with a walking tour of New Orleans. Stroll through the Vieux Carré part of town where we’ll see the French Market, Saint Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo, a remarkable Spanish building dating from the 18th century. 

    At Leisure

    Time: AfternoonAfternoon

    Enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore the city of New Orleans further at your leisure. The city straddles the Mississippi River in the state of Louisiana and is famous for its abundance of unique architectural styles, most notably the Creole townhouses of the French Quarter with large courtyards and intricate iron balconies. St Charles Avenue is famed for its large antebellum mansions in various styles such as Greek Revival, Colonial and Victorian.

    New Orleans at Leisure or Optional Excursion

    3

    Day at Leisure in New Orleans

    Time: Full DayFull Day

    On this full free day, take the opportunity to relax at the hotel and catch up on some local sightseeing and souvenir shopping. Our expert guide will be happy to tell us of places of interest to see and visit.

    Optional Swamp Tour

    Time: Half DayHalf Day

    Optional guided excursion, by boat, for a 1hour 45min tour through the heart of Southern Louisiana’s swamplands in the protected Jean Lafitte National Park and Barataria Preserve. Here we have the opportunity to view moss draped cypress trees, fascinating plant life and the many creatures who make their homes here.

    This excursion is subject to minimum numbers.

    Natchez

    4

    Travel to Natchez

    Time: Full DayFull Day

    We begin our day heading inland into the state of Mississippi and the historic town of Natchez overlooking the majestic Mississippi River. With over three centuries of fascinating history, Natchez has an extraordinary collection of historic buildings, homes and churches not forgetting the meticulously maintained antebellum mansions which survived the Civil War.

    On arrival we will enjoy a guided tour of the town including a visit to one of the antebellum mansions.  Antebellum homes were large, elegant mansions built in the American South during the 30 years before the American Civil War.

    Approximate distance: New Orleans to Natchez 275km (3 hours).

    Tupelo

    5

    Travel to Tupelo

    Time: Full DayFull Day

    After a leisurely breakfast we rejoin our driver and guide for our onward journey to Tupelo, birthplace of the King, Elvis Presley. We will follow the historic & beautiful Natchez Trace Parkway before arriving out our destination. Join us as we visit the two room house where Elvis was born before exploring the town, with our guide, to view other sites of his childhood.

    Approximate distance: Natchez to Tupelo 460km (5 hours).

    Memphis

    6

    Travel to Memphis

    Time: MorningMorning

    This morning we say goodbye to Mississippi and travel to Memphis, Tennessee.

    Memphis is often considered the home of the blues and rock ’n’ roll. The Delta Blues originated in the Mississippi Delta and artists such as B.B. King and Elvis Presley made their first recordings in Memphis.

    Memphis City Tour

    Time: AfternoonAfternoon

    Join us on a city tour of this fascinating and vibrant city! Highlights today will include Peabody Hotel, the Memphis Pyramid, Beale Street and the Lorraine Hotel where Martin Luther King was assassinated. Our tour will end at the famous Sun Studio, where several blues and rock “n” roll artists first recorded during the 1950s.  In 1954 an unknown Elvis Presley sang his heart out here making Sun the most famous recording studio in the world!

    Approximate distance: Tupelo to Memphis 185km (2.5 hours).

    Graceland

    7

    Graceland

    Time: MorningMorning

    This morning we visit Graceland, the last home of the 'King', which was turned into a museum after his death. Set on a 13.8 acre estate in Memphis the Colonial Revival style mansion with white columns was a cherished home for the King creating countless memories over 20 years.

    At Leisure

    Time: AfternoonAfternoon

    This afternoon will be at leisure for some further sightseeing or shopping of your choice.

    Nashville

    8

    Travel to Nashville

    Time: MorningMorning

    After a leisurely breakfast we will check out of our hotel and travel to Nashville, known as ‘Music City USA’.

    Nashville City Tour

    Time: AfternoonAfternoon

    Upon arrival in Nashville we will have a guided tour to include Riverfront Train Station, Ryman Auditorium, The Arcade/Avenue of the Arts, Bicentennial, The Partheneon at Centennial Park and Vanderbilt University.

    Approximate distance: Memphis to Nashville 350km (3.5 hours).

    Country Music Hall of Fame

    9

    Country Music Hall of Fame

    Time: MorningMorning

    Join us this morning for a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame, which is one of the world’s largest museums and research centres dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American vernacular music. Our excursion will include a tour of the Historic RCA Studio B, Nashville’s oldest remaining recording studio.

    At Leisure

    Time: AfternoonAfternoon

    Enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure for some last minute souvenir shopping!

    Depart USA

    10

    Depart USA

    Time: Full DayFull Day

    Time to say goodbye to the USA as we transfer to Nashville airport for our return overnight flight home.

    Arrive Home

    11

    Arrive Home

    Arrive home following our memorable trip to America’s Music Capitals.

    * We aim to operate your tour itinerary according to the format shown. Occasionally, local conditions and unexpected events may result in adjustments to the planned schedule. We kindly ask for your understanding and flexibility in the event of any changes.

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    Know before you go

    What if there is an emergency?

    We have local representatives in all of our destinations who are available 24/7 as well as an emergency contact number for our offices in Ireland should you ever need it.

    Do I need a Visa?

    Please visit our visa page for information on requirements for each country's entry requirements

    Will I be met at the airport?

    You will be met on arrival at your destination airport and transferred to your accommodation. You will be accompanied on all included excursions by your Travel Department guide. Your expert local guide is also available to give you tips and advice on any aspect of your holiday.

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