Music Capitals of the South

Depart Dublin for our flight to New Orleans where we will be met on arrival by our expert guide who will accompany us on the transfer to our hotel.

Join us as we begin the morning with a walking tour of New Orleans. Stroll through the Vieux Carré part of town where we’ll see the French Market, Saint Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo, a remarkable Spanish building dating from the 18th century. 

Enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore the city of New Orleans further at your leisure. The city straddles the Mississippi River in the state of Louisiana and is famous for its abundance of unique architectural styles, most notably the Creole townhouses of the French Quarter with large courtyards and intricate iron balconies. St Charles Avenue is famed for its large antebellum mansions in various styles such as Greek Revival, Colonial and Victorian.

On this full free day, take the opportunity to relax at the hotel and catch up on some local sightseeing and souvenir shopping. Our expert guide will be happy to tell us of places of interest to see and visit.

Optional guided excursion, by boat, for a 1hour 45min tour through the heart of Southern Louisiana’s swamplands in the protected Jean Lafitte National Park and Barataria Preserve. Here we have the opportunity to view moss draped cypress trees, fascinating plant life and the many creatures who make their homes here.

This excursion is subject to minimum numbers.

We begin our day heading inland into the state of Mississippi and the historic town of Natchez overlooking the majestic Mississippi River. With over three centuries of fascinating history, Natchez has an extraordinary collection of historic buildings, homes and churches not forgetting the meticulously maintained antebellum mansions which survived the Civil War.

On arrival we will enjoy a guided tour of the town including a visit to one of the antebellum mansions.  Antebellum homes were large, elegant mansions built in the American South during the 30 years before the American Civil War.

Approximate distance: New Orleans to Natchez 275km (3 hours).

After a leisurely breakfast we rejoin our driver and guide for our onward journey to Tupelo, birthplace of the King, Elvis Presley. We will follow the historic & beautiful Natchez Trace Parkway before arriving out our destination. Join us as we visit the two room house where Elvis was born before exploring the town, with our guide, to view other sites of his childhood.

Approximate distance: Natchez to Tupelo 460km (5 hours).

This morning we say goodbye to Mississippi and travel to Memphis, Tennessee.

Memphis is often considered the home of the blues and rock ’n’ roll. The Delta Blues originated in the Mississippi Delta and artists such as B.B. King and Elvis Presley made their first recordings in Memphis.

Join us on a city tour of this fascinating and vibrant city! Highlights today will include Peabody Hotel, the Memphis Pyramid, Beale Street and the Lorraine Hotel where Martin Luther King was assassinated. Our tour will end at the famous Sun Studio, where several blues and rock “n” roll artists first recorded during the 1950s.  In 1954 an unknown Elvis Presley sang his heart out here making Sun the most famous recording studio in the world!

Approximate distance: Tupelo to Memphis 185km (2.5 hours).

This morning we visit Graceland, the last home of the 'King', which was turned into a museum after his death. Set on a 13.8 acre estate in Memphis the Colonial Revival style mansion with white columns was a cherished home for the King creating countless memories over 20 years.

This afternoon will be at leisure for some further sightseeing or shopping of your choice.

After a leisurely breakfast we will check out of our hotel and travel to Nashville, known as ‘Music City USA’.

Upon arrival in Nashville we will have a guided tour to include Riverfront Train Station, Ryman Auditorium, The Arcade/Avenue of the Arts, Bicentennial, The Partheneon at Centennial Park and Vanderbilt University.

Approximate distance: Memphis to Nashville 350km (3.5 hours).

Join us this morning for a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame, which is one of the world’s largest museums and research centres dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American vernacular music. Our excursion will include a tour of the Historic RCA Studio B, Nashville’s oldest remaining recording studio.

Enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure for some last minute souvenir shopping!

Time to say goodbye to the USA as we transfer to Nashville airport for our return overnight flight home.

Arrive home following our memorable trip to America’s Music Capitals.