We know many savvy travelers who prefer to, if at all possible, avoid airports, packed flights, security checks and much of the general misery of modern day air travel and with this in mind we have arranged the ultimate spring and fall holidays which may be done without any flying, combining a number of wonderful features in one marvelous vacation. We begin with travel from Chicago aboard the storied City of New Orleans train to New Orleans over the famed route that was billed as 'The Main Line of Mid America' traveling down the great Mississippi River Delta. In New Orleans we enjoy an overnight stay at the Hilton Riverside Inn along with an up-close tour of the French Quarter. There is also plenty of time to enjoy the Crescent City be it shopping in the Rue Royale, a visit to the Garden District or sampling the great restaurants.

Another form of travel we find wildly appealing is passage aboard the spectacular American Queen, the largest, most opulent Steamboat ever built. To enjoy piping hot muffins, Bananas Foster French toast and freshly brewed coffee in the beautiful Riverview dining room as America floats past big picture windows is a marvelous way to start the day. In fact, we know of no better way to see America, in comfort, without packing and unpacking, than by a great Steamboat. While biased, when these two forms of travel are combined with great sightseeing, fine hotels and extra features both 'ashore' and 'aboard', we believe this qualifies, by any measure, as a Great American Vacation.

This holiday features port calls in lovely places like Oak Alley and St. Francisville, Louisiana, charming Natchez with its unrivaled collection of antebellum mansions and historic Vicksburg with its Civil War battlefield before arriving at the American Queen’s home port of Memphis.

View Dates and Prices Images & Route Map Tour Highlights and Inclusions View Itinerary

• Roundtrip coach class rail transportation from Chicago to New Orleans and from Memphis to Chicago aboard Amtrak's City of New Orleans (2 nights on train)
• 7-night American Queen river cruise from New Orleansto Memphis
• Meals and entertainment aboard the steamboat American Queen
• Hotel accommodations for 2 nights
• Sightseeing per itinerary
• Services of a professional tour manager
• Baggage handling

Scenic highlights include:

• Pink Palace
• Mud Island's River Walk
• Vicksburg National Military Park
• Natchez
• St. Francisville
• Baton Rouge
• Oak Alley
• French Quarter
• Café Du Monde

Day 1 - Depart Chicago aboard the City of New Orleans
Depart Chicago's Union Station this evening aboard Amtrak's City of New Orleans bound for New Orleans over the Illinois Central Railway. Overnight train.

Day 2 - New Orleans
This afternoon we arrive in New Orleans and transfer to our hotel with the balance of the evening is at leisure to enjoy the Crescent City. Overnight Hilton Riverside Hotel. (B)

Day 3 - Embark on the Steamboat American Queen
This morning, we enjoy a tour of the historic French Quarter including Jackson Square followed by a visit to fabled Cafe du Monde for the best beignets and cafe au lait in North America! This afternoon we depart the hotel and board the grand American Queen. At 8:00 pm the whistle blows, the calliope plays, and the big red paddlewheel turns as we begin our holiday aboard this legendary Steamboat. Overnight onboard vessel. (B, D)

Day 4 - Vacherie (Oak Alley)
Located in the Saint James Parish, the name of this bayou town derives from the French for dairy farm. It's pronounced VASH-uh-ree. It's the site of Oak Alley, a much-photographed plantation that combines architectural splendor and the natural wonder of its canopy of 300- year old oak trees. Overnight onboard vessel. (B, L, D)

Day 5 - St. Francisville
This quaint town located on the bluffs of the Mississippi River is your window to the past. With over 140 buildings on the National Register, beautiful plantation homes nestled in the rolling countryside, and bustling Main Street shops, you'll find plenty to keep you on the go in St. Francisville. Overnight onboard vessel. (B, L, D)

Day 6 - Natchez
Historic Natchez with its impressive collection of more than 200 antebellum homes is our destination today, and you'll want to have your camera handy. Explore the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, visit historic Jefferson College, or just amble down the Natchez Trace. Overnight onboard vessel (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Vicksburg
Discover a unique blend of old and new in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Take in the diversity from Vicksburg National Military Park to the Waterways Experiment Station. Billed as the “Red Carpet City of the South,” Southern hospitality is alive and well and awaiting your arrival. Overnight onboard vessel. (B, L, D)

Day 8 - On the River
All day Steamboating with plenty of time to catch up on reading, enjoy lunch on deck, fly a kite or perhaps nicest of all, a cool drink in the Calliope Bar as the American Queen toots her way up the River with the world's largest calliope playing merrily. Entire towns turn out along the riverbank to see her steam past and unlike an ocean cruise, there is great scenery around every bend in the river. Overnight onboard vessel. (B, L, D)

Day 9 - Helena
Mark Twain wrote in 'Life on the Mississippi' “Helena occupies one of the prettiest situations on the river”. The town was of strategic importance during the Civil War and nearby is the wonderful Clarksdale Blues Museum, the epicenter of the Blues world and well worth seeing. Overnight onboard vessel. (B, L, D)

Day 10 - Memphis
This morning we arrive in Memphis and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the rich musical and cultural history of the ‘Blues City’ before transferring to our hotel. Today there is time to see the famed 'Duck March' at the Peabody Hotel, visit historic Beale Street, the home of the Blues or even Graceland. Tonight enjoy a special Farewell Dinner at the Rendevous Restaurant. Overnight Memphis Marriott. (B, L, D)

Day 11 - City of New Orleans to Chicago
Guests have all day to enjoy Memphis. Later, we check out of the hotel and travel to Chicago this evening aboard the train. Overnight train. (B)

Day 12 - Return to Chicago
The City of New Orleans arrives in Chicago's Union Station this morning, where your great southern holiday comes to a close.