Taste of the Deep South

Day 1 UK-Atlanta

Depart for your flight to Atlanta. Stay for one night at the locally rated 4-star Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel.

Day 2 Atlanta-Chattanooga

Take an included trip on the Incline Railway up Lookout Mountain – the world’s steepest passenger railway – where you can enjoy views over the mountains.

Stay overnight at the locally rated 4-star Hilton Garden Inn Chattanooga Downtown, which features a restaurant and bar, indoor pool, fitness area, convenience store and lounge area. Each of the 94 air-conditioned rooms has a television, telephone, fridge, microwave, coffee maker, iron and ironing board, complimentary Wi-Fi and hairdryer. B

Day 3 Chattanooga-Lynchburg-Nashville

Join an included tour, with tasting, of the Jack Daniel’s distillery in Lynchburg. Jack Daniel was born in 1850 and started work at the age of seven with a local Lutheran minister, Dan Call, who owned a whiskey still. In 1863, Call sold his still to the 13-year-old Jack, as members of his congregation urged him to get rid of it. Jack Daniel later developed a process of mellowing whiskey through hard maple charcoal – perfected in 1866 – giving the whiskey its smooth character and unique taste.

Continue to the locally rated 4-star Gaylord Opryland Hotel, where you stay for two nights. Take in a show at the Grand Ole Opry, where many country legends – from Patsy Cline to Dolly Parton – have performed. B

The Gaylord Opryland Hotel is located ten miles south of the city centre. The hotel is a vast complex with a choice of restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, gardens, waterfalls and even an indoor river with a replica steamboat! The 2,881 rooms have a television, direct-dial telephone, coffee maker, hairdryer and ironing facilities.

Please note: Departures on April 5, 2020 will enjoy the Nashville Night Life dinner show instead.

Day 4 Nashville

Enjoy an included morning tour of Nashville, known as the country music capital of the world. You’ll also visit the Country Music Hall of Fame. B

Day 5 Nashville-Tupelo-Memphis

Stop at Elvis Presley’s birthplace, Tupelo, and see the shack where the young Elvis lived, visit the museum with its collection of Presley memorabilia, as well as explore the greater complex which also houses a chapel and the Assembly of God church where the Presley family would worship.

Continue to Memphis for a two-night stay at the locally rated 3-star Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown. B

Day 6 Memphis

After a short included orientation tour this morning, visit Elvis Presley’s legendary home, Graceland and enjoy an audio tour of the mansion and grounds. The afternoon is free for you to spend at leisure. B

Day 7 Memphis-Natchez

Travel south and cross the border into Mississippi to Natchez. En route stop at the Delta Blues Museum.

Stay overnight at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Vue situated on the outskirts of the town, close to the river. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, outdoor pool, exercise room and free Wi-Fi. Each of the 91 air-conditioned rooms has a television, telephone, microwave, fridge, iron and ironing board, and hairdryer. B

Day 8 Natchez-New Orleans

Continue to New Orleans pausing en route to visit the Oak Alley Plantation.

Enjoy an included orientation tour in New Orleans and stay three nights at the locally rated 4-star Omni Riverfront Hotel, in the New Orleans arts district, just a few blocks from the French quarter. The Omni Riverfront has a bistro and bar, where you can eat throughout the day, and a fitness centre. All 202 rooms have a television, telephone, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, tea and coffee-making facilities, a safe and Wi-Fi (extra charge). B

Day 9 New Orleans

Enjoy the day at leisure. Perhaps shop at the Riverwalk, visit the Jackson Square museums or ride on the St Charles streetcar. Perhaps take an optional city tour. B

Day 10 New Orleans

Spend a further day at leisure exploring the city. Be sure to explore the historic French Quarter, the oldest neighbourhood in the city. Despite the name most of the buildings were built during Spanish rule, after two fires destroyed much of the original French architecture, but the charming area is still a joy to explore. The quarter is home to the celebrated 'House of the Rising Sun' and the delightful Cathedral of St Louis. Perhaps join an optional cruise around the Louisiana swamps and bayous. In the evening you might like to hop aboard a traditional paddle steamer on the Mississippi River for an optional jazz cruise with dinner included. B

Day 11 New Orleans-Birmingham

Leave New Orleans and head to Birmingham in Alabama. Martin Luther King pioneered the civil rights movement from Alabama and your coach tour includes the sights of the Civil Rights District and also takes in a replica of the Statue of Liberty.

Spend the night at the locally rated 4-star Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis. The hotel has a restaurant and lobby bar. B

Day 12 Birmingham-Atlanta

Travel back to Atlanta and in the afternoon enjoy an included city tour. The USA’s self-proclaimed ‘Capital of the South’, Atlanta was founded as a railroad town in the mid-19th century. Your tour includes a visit to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, which comprises King’s birthplace, the Ebeneezer Baptist Chapel where he preached, and his grave.

Your final night is at the locally rated 4-star Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel. B

Day 13 Atlanta-UK

Enjoy some time at leisure before travelling to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK overnight. B

Day 14  UK

Arrive in the UK for your included door-to-door travel service.