MUST-SEE INCLUSIONS
- Discover historic Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry.
- Explore the Country Music Hall of Fame, the largest museum of popular music in the world.
CULINARY INCLUSIONS
- Enjoy Creole delights at a favorite French Quarter restaurant in New Orleans.
- Get a true taste of Southern barbecue tradition with a down-home lunch in Memphis.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
- Trace ties to the Civil Rights Movement in Memphis on a one-of-a-kind tour.
- Step inside history at RCA Studio B for an up-close look at Nashville’s oldest remaining recording studio.
- Take your seat at the Grand Ole Opry, the “home of American music.”
HOTELS
- Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, New Orleans, LA
- The Inn at Ole Miss, Oxford, MS
- The Guest House at Graceland, Memphis, TN
- Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville, TN
INCLUDED
- 8 Days
- 7 Nights
- 7 Breakfasts
- 1 Lunch
- 3 Dinners
New Orleans, Louisiana
Step back in time on a cultural getaway that opens in the “Jazz Capital of the World,” New Orleans! This soulful city abounds with rich history, mouthwatering Cajun and Creole cuisine, and of course, an incomparable soundtrack. Take in the sights, flavors, and sounds of New Orleans on your own today before meeting your group in the morning.
New Orleans
Explore the many sides of New Orleans and how jazz began and thrives here. Join a local guide for a panoramic city tour, seeing the famous St. Louis Cemetery #3 and Esplanade. Then, it’s on to a walking tour of the French Quarter viewing St. Louis Cathedral, Pirates Alley and more. Tonight, get to know your travel companions at a New Orleans-style dinner before continuing on to Maison Bourbon, a live jazz club in the French Quarter.
New Orleans - Oxford, Mississippi
Leave New Orleans on a high note and head to the next music landmark. Explore the history of one of the world’s most prestigious awards in music at GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. Later, arrive in the charming college town of Oxford.
Oxford - Memphis, Tennessee
Travel north to Memphis, the birthplace of the Blues, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Soul. Enjoy Southern hospitality at your hotel before jiving along to “Jailhouse Rock” as you visit Graceland, the stately mansion of the “King” himself, and tour Elvis’s 14-acre estate, including his home, private jets, and Meditation Garden.
Memphis
This morning, embark on a civil rights history tour via coach and follow the route of Martin Luther King Jr.’s last march, stopping at Mason Temple where he gave his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech the night before he was assassinated. Take time to explore how the era continues to shape equality and freedom to this day during a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum. Next, savor a lunch of down-home barbecue done Memphis-style: dry-rubbed and slow-smoked with sauce on the side! Get a taste of the Southern barbecue tradition and its deeply rooted spirit of community. Later, get acquainted with the musical history of Memphis with a visit to Sun Studio, perhaps the most famous recording studio in the world before continuing on to the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, highlighting the musical journey of this popular city.
Memphis - Nashville
Roll along Music Highway to Nashville – the “Music Capital of the World.” Arrive in Nashville and tour the historic Ryman Auditorium,* the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. What began as a building where a local radio broadcast show aired once a week in 1925 has grown to become an entertainment complex that attracts music fans from all over the world. This evening, take your reserved seat at the renowned Grand Ole Opry.**
Nashville
Explore the Country Music Hall of Fame, the world’s largest museum of popular music, and check out the vast collections of memorabilia, costumes, recordings, and instruments. Tour RCA Studio B and gain an insider’s look at Nashville’s oldest remaining recording studio, where Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and Charley Pride once recorded classic hits. You may even have the opportunity to record your own hit! After free time for lunch, it’s your choice! Join a hands-on chocolate-making lesson at the iconic Goo Goo Candy Shop -OR- visit the Johnny Cash Museum where you’ll be immersed in the life and legacy of Johnny Cash, a "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" honoree. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner.
Nashville - Tour Ends
Your rockin’ musical journey comes to a close today.