Day 1 - UK/Atlanta

Today you will fly to Atlanta, Georgia, today. On arrival we'll transfer you to your overnight hotel.

Day 2 - Atlanta - Nashville

Atlanta has been through many incarnations since it was founded as a railroad terminus in 1837 and on your morning tour you'll see its main highlights. Later we'll drive to Nashville for a two night stay. On your free evening be sure to explore the city's Broadway and Honky Tonk Highway, a strip of venues where there is live music 365 days a year. Meals included: B

Day 3 - Nashville

We've a fabulous music themed day in store for you today. It begins as you step inside the hallowed halls of Studio B, which became famous in the 1960s for its part in the Nashville Sound. Here, more than 35,000 songs have been recorded by artists including Elvis Presley, and you'll step inside the studio where he recorded Are You Lonesome Tonight As the lights are dimmed, just as they would have been for the King of Rock 'n' Roll, and you hear his incredible voice flowing from the speakers, you will be sharing a truly special moment. To round off the day you'll visit the Country Music Hall of Fame.

There's one more exciting experience to come if you choose to join an optional excursion, an evening of live music at the Grand Ole Opry. This is one of the most important venues for live country music in the world. Meals included: B

Day 4 - Memphis

The next great musical city you'll visit is Memphis, standing proudly on the bluffs of the Mississippi River. On arrival in the afternoon, we're going to set off together to discover some of its many highlights. They include the Riverfront and Beale Street, the home of the blues. On this iconic street, music emanates from every open door, and street performers entertain the crowds. Meals included: B

Day 5 - Memphis

Memphis is synonymous with Elvis Presley, and today we're going to find out about this connection. Our first visit is to Sun Studios, where the 'King of Rock 'n' Roll' made his first recordings back in 1954.
This is followed by Graceland, where we'll take a fascinating guided tour of the opulent mansion that was his home from 1957 until his death in 1977. Here you can fully immerse yourself in his life and career as you go back to his roots. You'll see the living room, kitchen, TV room, pool room and the famous Jungle Room among other highlights. The tour ends at the Meditation Garden, where Elvis is buried alongside his parents. This is sure to be a wonderful highlight of your holiday, and there's more to come tomorrow. Meals included: B

Day 6 - Memphis

Today has been left free for you to explore more of Memphis at leisure. Maybe you'll choose to visit one of the city's fascinating museums, which include the National Civil Rights Museum and the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum.
Alternatively, if you enjoyed your visit to Graceland yesterday, today's optional excursion is sure to be tempting. Why not come with us to Tupelo, where you'll see the house where Elvis was born. You'll also get to visit a fantastic museum displaying one of the most remarkable collections of Elvis memorabilia in the world. Meals included: B

Day 7 - Vicksburg

We’re going to take to the road today, leaving Memphis behind and crossing the border into Mississippi. We’ll travel through the Mississippi Delta, said to be the birthplace of the Delta Blues – a style of Blues music that developed in the early 20th century. Making a stop in the small town of Indianola, we’ll visit the BB King Museum to learn about the life and music of the legendary ‘King of the Blues’.

After time for lunch, our journey will continue to Vicksburg. Meals included: B

Day 8 - Natchez - New Orleans

As we head deeper south we're going to make a stop today in Natchez, a historic river town on the banks of the Mississippi. This laid back destination is filled with grand mansions and we’ll visit one today to learn about southern life in the “antebellum” period, before the civil war. Our ultimate destination is the 'Big Easy', or New Orleans, home to another musical genre & jazz. Your hotel here is just steps from the famous French Quarter. This is the oldest district and the cultural hub of the city, so you're well placed to make your own discoveries. We'll explore New Orleans' highlights on an included tour this afternoon. As we drive around the city we'll see St Louis Cathedral and cemeteries full of above-the-ground tombs, known as Cities of the Dead. Meals included: B

Day 9 - New Orleans

You’re going to uncover the charm of the French Quarter and learn all about its history on a walking tour this morning. A Local Guide will lead us through the historic streets and point out highlights including Jackson Square, Pirate's Alley, and the world-famous Bourbon Street. The walk ends at a restaurant, where we’ll enjoy a buffet brunch accompanied by live jazz, in a pretty outdoor courtyard.

The rest of the day is yours to explore the galleries and boutiques of the French Quarter, or if you prefer, you could perhaps head to City Park and discover the Botanical Garden or the New Orleans Museum of Art. We also offer an optional swamp and bayou tour, where you’ll glide through the tranquil beauty of Louisiana’s waterways by boat, looking out for alligators, raccoons and more. Meals included: B

Day 10 - New Orleans

With so much to discover in New Orleans, you can spend the day exploring at your own pace. Perhaps take a stroll through the open-air French Market and shop for souvenirs to take home before stopping for coffee and beignets - French-style doughnuts - at the famous Café du Monde.

If you’re still keen to discover more, your Holiday Director is hosting an optional afternoon trip on an authentic paddle steamer. Once the only way to travel along the waterways of the South, this trip will take you on a glorious journey back to the 19th-century heyday of these iconic vessels. Sit back and listen to a live jazz band play as you sail along the mighty Mississippi taking in views of New Orleans from the water.

Day 11 - New Orleans - UK

Today we'll transfer you to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Day 12 - UK

You'll arrive back in the UK today.

To book call Travelsphere on 01858 415 405. To book online click here. Request a brochure click here.