Southern Sights and Sounds 1 to 13 Oct 2024

Join your tour group at the hotel.

Atlanta Marriott Marquis (4-star)

This morning, we begin our southern USA tour by exploring the city forever associated with ‘Gone with the Wind’, including a stop at the national memorial to Martin Luther King Jr. We then journey to Chattanooga.

Holiday Inn and Suites Downtown, Chattanooga (3.5-star)

Railway enthusiasts still flock to this town, which has the largest old-time steam railroad in the south. Today we board an equally exciting means of transport – The Incline Railway – which runs steeply up Lookout Mountain and affords wonderful views. The rest of the day is free.

Holiday Inn and Suites Downtown, Chattanooga (3.5-star)

Over 150 years, Jack Daniel’s charcoal-mellowed Tennessee whiskey has become the top-selling American whiskey in the world. Strange to think Jack was taught by a reverend in a county where alcohol is now prohibited (the law still exists in the area today). We take a tour of the distillery – where the sauce has been manufactured since 1866 – and discover what makes Jack Daniel’s so special. After, we continue our drive to toe-tappin’ Nashville.

Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville (4-star)

Welcome to the country music capital of the world, Nashville. Walk in the footsteps of musical greats on our guided tour, which ticks off Studio B and the Country Music Hall of Fame. This evening we’ll take a seat at the hottest show in town. The Grand Ole Opry is America’s longest-running radio show (they’ve never missed a show since 1925!). Every week, legendary and contemporary artists perform country, bluegrass, folk, and gospel hits in front of a live audience – Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and Elvis are just a few who have performed here in the past. You’ll be blown away by great performances in this magical venue.

Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville (4-star)

The sleepy town of Tupelo, Mississippi might not feature on this itinerary if the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll hadn’t been born here. At the Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum, we’ll have time to explore his humble two-roomed childhood home and browse the small museum. We head to Memphis this afternoon for yet more musical treasures. We’ll wander past the illuminated signs of Beale Street on our orientation tour. A real ‘pinch-me’ moment for music aficionados.

Hampton Inn Memphis-Beale Street (3-star)

“The walls have ears, ears that hear each little sound you make every time you stamp, throw a lamp,” sang Elvis Presley. A wish list-worthy moment for any Elvis fan, today we’ll visit Graceland. While you might not glean much from the walls themselves, there are plenty of stories to hear as you as you wander through the rooms of Elvis’ home, full of memorabilia about his life and career. Spend some time soaking up all the corners of his home and gardens. You’ll also have access to the Automobile Museum, where his lavish aeroplanes are kept. You’ll have a free afternoon in Memphis, so maybe spend it the way the music legends would want – listening to live music. Wander through Beale Street Entertainment District and you’ll hear the sounds of Delta blues, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, and gospel drifting from bars and clubs. Take your pick, order a drink, and take it all in.

Hampton Inn Memphis-Beale Street (3-star)

The pace slows slightly as we follow Ol’ Man River to Natchez, where historic antebellum homes and quintessentially Southern moss-covered trees offer small-town charm. A one-time central port for the cotton trade in the early 18th century, Natchez is home to grand old mansions and estates – an indication of the sumptuous scale of society life. We’ll visit the Frogmore Cotton Plantation, which really highlights the contrast of working as a planter or slave in the early 1700s.

Natchez Grand Hotel (4-star)

After visiting the palatial Greek Revival residence, Stanton Hall, we cross into Louisiana towards New Orleans – taking a shortcut over the spectacular Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, one of the world’s longest overwater bridges. Eating, drinking, and laughing – New Orleans puts a real emphasis on the best things in life, which is one of the reasons it’s such a popular destination. As the hometown of jazz, it’s a worthy stop on our itinerary, and you’ll have the afternoon to explore as you please.

Sheraton New Orleans (4-star)

Breakfast time in New Orleans means coffee and beignets. These sugar-dusted square doughnuts are served piping hot – and they’re bite-sized, so you can definitely justify more than one. Perhaps start your two free days at Café du Monde – renowned for serving some of the best beignets in the city (you can thank us later). Explore the French Quarter, where the colourful mix of culture and the lively bohemian atmosphere is too easy to fall in love with. Or head for a wander down vibrant Bourbon Street for bright neon lights and toe-tapping tunes. This evening, you’ll have the option to cruise, dine, and enjoy a live jazz band aboard The Natchez Steamboat, as its huge paddlewheel takes you along the Mississippi River.

Sheraton New Orleans (4-star)

Another day at leisure to explore New Orleans.

Sheraton New Orleans (4-star)

We waved goodbye to New Orleans early this morning as we set off for Montgomery. We stop along the way for a mooch around Monroeville town and its old courthouse, made famous by the film of Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. In Montgomery, your evening is free to spend as you please.

Renaissance Montgomery (4-star)

A tour takes you on a journey through Montgomery’s rich history, focusing on the 1960s American Civil Rights Movement and pausing at the restored parsonage that once served as the home of Martin Luther King Jr. We’ll also visit the Hank Williams Museum. We continue to Atlanta where you’ll say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.

Montgomery – Atlanta