Music City to the Big Easy

We depart for Nashville, and upon arrival transfer to the Gaylord Opryland Resort where we will experience the finest in Southern hospitality.

Our city tour includes visits to the Country Music Hall of Fame, with its musical exhibits that showcase Nashville’s contribution to the songwriting and recording industry, and the Historic RCA Studio (Elvis recorded many songs here). We will also stroll down the Music City Walk of Fame and along Honky Tonk Highway! Tonight we enjoy a boot stomping dinner at one of Nashville’s historic Honky Tonks.

We begin with a visit of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage - a beautiful historic Tennessee farm, and learn about the humble beginnings of this man who became one of America’s most visionary Presidents. Then we step aboard The General Jackson Showboat - a paddlewheel riverboat (the largest showboat in the country) - for an afternoon of great food, entertainment and wonderful views. Tonight we enjoy dinner, a show at the Grand Ole Opry and then get behind the scenes with a Backstage tour of the other side of the Opry!

We begin with the new “Soul of Nashville” experience at the historic Ryman Auditorium (Mother Church of Country Music). Then we will drive through some of the most elite neighborhoods in Nashville and see the homes of the movers and shakers of this vibrant city.

We travel to Memphis with a stop at Graceland – home of Elvis Presley. Elvis has sold over 1 billion records worldwide – more than anyone in music history. We will tour his house, cars and jets before continuing to our hotel in central Memphis.

We begin with a special musical “Mojo tour” of Memphis, singing along with the guide. Included is a visit to Sun Studio, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum and the Civil Rights Museum. Then we will walk and explore the historic downtown including Beale Street - one of the world’s most interesting and infamous streets - rich with stories of musical legends, gangsters and Civil War heroes. Don’t forget to watch the famous “Peabody Duck March” near our hotel. This evening we return to Beale Street for dinner, music and lively street entertainment.

We proceed to beautiful and historic Natchez Mississippi - an antebellum town on the Mississippi River. After a horse-drawn Carriage Tour of the City, and then visit the historic Glenfield Plantation home. We will be welcomed by the 5th generation owner who will guide us through her fine Southern home and serve up a true Southern dinner.

Following our Southern Breakfast at our hotel, we drive to the river for a unique tour of Frogmore Plantation and Gin - designated one of the top Must See places in the south! Frogmore is a working cotton plantation that takes us from the 1850’s (when the plantation was worked by slaves), to a modern day computerized gin. Enjoy the stories and join in with the music, pick a bowl of cotton, visit the slave cabins and learn about plantation life. Back aboard the coach listen to specially recorded blues, ragtime and jazz music prior to our stop at the Delta Music Museum. Here we learn about the fascinating life stories of Jerry Lee Lewis, Aaron Neville, Conway Twitty, Fats Domino and others as we listen to their music. Then we proceed to the Jazz capital – New Orleans!

We begin the day with a lively Jazz Brunch at the landmark Court of Two Sisters. Then we’ll take a walking tour through the historic streets and alleys of the French District, including a stroll along the world famous Bourbon Street with its remarkable architecture and hidden courtyards. The colourful characters to be found here include musicians, magicians, voodoo practitioners and artists. We will stop at the French Market, take a trolley ride along River/Canal Street and enjoy a Tour and Tasting of the famous traditional Sazerac cocktail at the Sazerac House. Then, we’ll hop aboard Pedi-cabs that will whisk us to Preservation Hall where an acoustic Jazz concert awaits us. In 1961 this venue was founded to preserve Traditional New Orleans Jazz! This evening you may wish to enjoy one of the many local eateries or stop in at Pat O’Brian’s for a “Hurricane”.

Today we’ll experience how this melting pot of French, Spanish, African and Cajun peoples is reflected in the architecture, cuisine and culture of the city. We will drive through the beautiful Garden District, visit one of the unique above-ground cemeteries and learn about the supernatural beliefs of many of the city’s inhabitants. We will hear stories about Marie Laveau - known as the Voodoo Queen, and Anne Rice - the famous story-teller of New Orleans culture. We’ll finish the day with a visit to the Mardi Gras World and learn about the history of what the city is most famous for – the Carnival and Mardi Gras! This evening we’ll watch and learn about the local cuisine and enjoy dinner at the famous New Orleans Cooking School.

We embark on an adventurous Swamp Tour, and see the flora and fauna of this unique area, and the dense moss-covered trees that add to the atmosphere. Our included lunch will include the specialty of the area - Andouille Sausage! This evening is our Farewell Dinner at the legendary Tujagues Restaurant.

Air Canada takes us home.