Music City to the Big Easy
Moderate pace with leisurely intermittent walks up to 2 hours on a variety of terrain, including cobblestones and moderate hills. Must be able to climb at least two flights of stairs, negotiate steps without railings and tolerate periods of standing during guided tours. Some days may include 3–5 km of walking over the course of the day.
We depart for Nashville, and upon arrival transfer to the Gaylord Opryland Resort where we will experience some of that famous 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 song-writing and recording industry, as well as the Historic RCA Studio, where Elvis recorded many songs. We’ll 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, renowned for their lively and contagious music.
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 a dinner and show at the famed Grand Ole Opry and then get behind the scenes with a backstage tour.
We begin with the new “Soul of Nashville” experience at the historic Ryman Auditorium, known as the Mother Church of Country Music. Then we will drive through some of the most elite neighbourhoods in Nashville and see the homes of the movers and shakers of this vibrant city.
En route to Memphis we’ll stop at Graceland - home of Elvis Presley. We will tour his house, cars and even 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 are visit to Sun Studio, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum and the Civil Rights Museum. Then we’ll walk and explore the historic downtown including Beale Street - famous for blues music and one of the world’s most interesting streets - rich with stories of musical legends, gangsters and Civil War heroes. Don’t forget to watch the famous “Peabody Duck March”. This evening we return to Beale Street for dinner, music and lively street entertainment.
We proceed to photogenic and historic Natchez, Mississippi - an antebellum town on the Mississippi River. After a horse-drawn carriage tour of the city, we’ll 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 an authentic Southern dinner.
Following our Southern Breakfast at our hotel, we drive to the river for a tour of Frogmore Plantation and Gin - designated one of the top must-see destinations 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 on our way to the Delta Music Museum. Here we learn about the unforgettable lives 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, and our hotel in the heart of the French Quarter!
We begin the day with a lively Jazz Brunch at the landmark Court of Two Sisters, followed by a walking tour through the historic streets and alleys of the French District, including the world-famous Bourbon Street with its remarkable architecture and hidden courtyards. Bourbon Street abounds with colourful characters including musicians, magicians, voodoo practitioners and artists. We’ll 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 – founded over 60 years ago to preserve New Orleans jazz - where we’ll enjoy an acoustic Jazz concert. This evening you may wish to enjoy one of the many local eateries or stop in at Pat O’Brian’s for a famed “Hurricane” cocktail.
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’ll hear stories about Marie Laveau - known as the Voodoo Queen - and novelist Anne Rice, the famous story-teller of New Orleans. We’ll finish the day with a visit to Mardi Gras World and learn about the history of the city’s claim to fame: 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.
Today’s highlight is an adventurous Swamp Tour - an oppportunity to see the flora and fauna of this special area, and the dense moss-covered trees that add to the atmosphere. Our included lunch will feature the specialty of the area - andouille sausage. This evening is our Farewell Dinner at the legendary Tujagues Restaurant.
Air Canada Rouge flies us back to Canada.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
