Soundtrack of the south

Welcome to New Orleans. Nicknamed the “Big Easy” it’s known for its round-the-clock vibrant live-music scene, nightlife and spicy, singular cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures. After your arrival and check in at the hotel you will have free time to try out the bar and say hello to your fellow travellers before going out for an evening stroll through the French Quarter.

Spend the day exploring the city at your leisure. Perhaps you’d like to take a trolley ride through the tree lined streets or maybe a haunted house and “above ground” graveyard tour is more your thing? Take a Mississippi river cruise or just enjoy the famous Coffee and Beignet of Cafe du Monde while you watch world go by Whatever you want to do you’ll find it in NOLA – New Orleans, Louisiana – one of America’s most fascinating cities!

Today we wave au revoir to New Orleans and make our way to the white sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast. On our way to Pensacola Beach in Florida we will stop by the Mardi Gras Museum in Mobile, Alabama (Mobile hosts the oldest annual Carnival celebration in the United States) and pay a visit to the USS Alabama at Battleship Park. Once we arrive in our hotel you will be free to enjoy Pensacola Beach.

Today – chill out on Pensacola Beach or around the pool at the hotel. This evening we will take you to the FloraBama Roadhouse. On the state line between Florida and Alabama, Florabama has great food and hosts great live music for a wonderful music filled evening by the beach!

Take it easy again today – and enjoy the relaxation a beach resort brings to any holiday! Maybe spend time dolphin watching until this evening’s visit to a great little beach bar called the Pink Pony Pub where we can sing and dance the night away.

On our way to the USA’s Hit recording Capital of the World – Muscle Shoals, Alabama – we will make a stop at the State Capital, Montgomery and visit the black granite Memorial which Commemorates the Civil Rights Movement. After lunch we will have time to pay our respects at Country Legend Hank Williams’ final resting place before heading further north to “The Shoals”. This evening we will enjoy live music and dancing at Champy’s!

Today we will celebrate the music of Muscle Shoals. “The Shoals” is the collective name for the four cities that make up this hidden gem. We will visit all four of the cities – Tuscumbia, Florence, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals as we discover the music that made this little corner of Alabama so famous. This evening we head out for dinner and music at the Rattlesnake Saloon!

This morning we travel the short distance to Tupelo and the Elvis Presley Birthplace. Then, as we make our way back to Muscle Shoals, we will make a stop in Red Bay, Alabama – credited as being the home town of Tammy Wynette. Tonight, our last night in town, we will visit downtown Florence where we will have a bite to eat and visit one of the finest music bars in the area – Flobama!

Before waving goodbye to Muscle Shoals we have time to visit Alabama’s Music Hall of Fame (Look out – there may be mention of a few of the people you have met during your time here). We will then travel a short way north to Lynchburg, Tennessee and tour the world famous Jack Daniel’s Distillery before a special lunch at Miss Mary Bobo’s. After lunch you can stretch your legs in the little town square before boarding the bus and heading for Music City USA! Once we arrive in Nashville you will be free to enjoy the wonderful live music that can be found in the Honky tonks on Broadway!

Enjoy free time discovering all that makes Nashville such a special city. Be sure to visit music attractions like The Country Music Hall of Fame, RCA Studio B, Johnny Cash & Patsy Cline museums and the Ryman Auditorium before joining us for an evening of fabulous entertainment at The Grand Ole Opry!

Today is all yours to see more of Music City. Perhaps a visit to Nashville’s Parthenon, the fantastic Musicians Hall of Fame, a lunch cruise on the General Jackson or just a stroll down Broadway and a visit to Printer’s Alley.

This morning we bid a fond farewell to Nashville and make our way to Memphis…home of the Blues and Rock & Roll! Music landmarks include the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Today you will have free time to enjoy some of these great attractions.

Today, the final day of our tour, features a visit to the Legendary Sun Studio, founded by Sam Phillips in the 1950s. We will travel to the former home of The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll himself – Graceland Mansion – for a VIP tour of the home. Later we will come back to the downtown area and visit the Memphis Pyramid and the Peabody Ducks before enjoying a night of music and fun on Beale Street!

It’s time to say goodbye to your group and Memphis!