Music of the South

Your vacation begins as you make your way independently to our hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. With its tree-lined neighborhoods, diverse dining, and proximity to both mountains and beaches, Charlotte is the perfect city to introduce us to the Southern charm we'll experience over the next two weeks.

This morning we travel by coach to our next destination, Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We stop en route in Ashville, in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Up among this iconic American landscape, part of the Appalachian Trail, is Biltmore House - the largest stately home in the United States, once the home of the railroad magnate, George Vanderbilt and his family. We have lunch at the Stable Café before a self-guided tour of this grand, historic estate.

We continue by coach to Gatlinburg, a characterful mountain resort town at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After checking in to our hotel, close to Gatlinburg's downtown area, the remainder of the day and evening is free to get acquainted with the town. Eating options in Gatlinburg are typical of southern states: steakhouses, Cajun-style restaurants and pizzerias. The town also has a brewery, a cider house and a 'moonshine' distillery, plus highly-rated coffee shops.

• Lunch

Today's excursion is one of our tour highlights - a journey into the Smoky Mountains National Park on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad*. Travelling aboard a restored heritage railway, our route follows the Tennessee and Nantahala River, crossing a historic bridge over the expansive Fontana Lake and into the stunning Nantahala Gorge. There is a choice of onboard dining options or you could choose to pre-purchase a packed lunch to dine as we travel. This four-and-a-half-hour round-trip through the Gorge includes a stop to relax along the river.

We transfer back to our hotel in Gatlinburg and have another chance this evening to savor some great Southern food in one of the town's restaurants. Local specialties to try are the clam chowder, crab stuffed with shrimps, and seafood hush puppies.

*Please note: for the Mardi Gras departure on February 7th 2026, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will not operate. Instead, we will drive through the Great Smoky Mountains, making scenic stops in the National Park.

• Breakfast

Today we make our way to the city of Chattanooga, famous as the site of several battles in the American Civil War and for its railways which were vital for the South. Set on the banks of the Tennessee River and surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains, Chattanooga's official nickname is 'Scenic City'.

After free time over lunch to dine independently, we board the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway for a trip on one of the world's steepest passenger railways. As we travel up among the steep forested hillsides above the Tennessee River to the mountain ridge, we look out across the sprawling city of Chattanooga. At the top of Lookout Mountain is a battlefield site and the Visitor Center there explains the significance of the site. At the bottom of the Incline Railway is a collection of trading outlets including a coffee shop, ice cream bar and an outdoor restaurant.

We return to Chattanooga and, after checking into our downtown hotel for the night, you are free to explore the city and its many eateries. The city is also known for its bluegrass music and you may hear strains of this as you wander through downtown.

• Breakfast

This morning we leave Chattanooga by coach, heading to the world's capital of country music, Nashville. On our way, we stop off in Moore County, Tennessee - an area which has been 'dry' since the days of prohibition, which is extraordinary, given that this is the home of the Jack Daniel's Distillery. During our visit, we are taken on a tour and tasting of the iconic whiskey.

We then continue to Nashville, where we check into our downtown hotel for three nights. This afternoon and evening you are free to soak up the city's unique atmosphere and history and to enjoy dinner independently. Besides its reputation as a music city, Nashville is also known for its vibrant neighborhoods packed with great indie coffee shops, breweries and boutiques. Plus, there's some outstanding cuisine to be enjoyed across the city. While you can take your pick from a fantastic variety of international dishes, from ramen to ravioli, the meals that Nashville does best are traditional Southern comfort foods. Maybe head to a café and order some fiery hot chicken, rich mac and cheese, or a plate of mouth-watering barbecue ribs - you won't regret it.

• Breakfast

This morning we delve further into Nashville on a guided tour. The city has been synonymous with country music since the 1940s, thanks to its collection of famous recording studios on 'Music Row', which is in downtown Nashville.

After this morning's memorable music experience, the rest of the day is free to enjoy at leisure until this evening's entertainment.

In the early evening, we visit one of Nashville's most famous institutions, the legendary Grand Ole Opry*, an excellent introduction to Nashville's music heritage. Founded as a radio station in the mid-1920s, this popular venue still hosts a regular live music broadcast, in addition to its stage shows. We take our seats for this extraordinary performance, featuring a line-up of eight or more artists, from legendary music stars to upcoming talent. In 2025 the venue turns 100, so be prepared for a sensational night of live music on 'Country's most famous stage'. At the end of the evening, we're transferred back to our downtown hotel - the city's bars and venues will still be humming, if you'd like to keep on partying.

*Please note: for the Mardi Gras departure on February 7th 2026, we will visit the Grand Ole Opry on Day 7 instead.

• Breakfast

Today we visit the legendary RCA Studio B, where artists including Elvis, The Everly Brothers and Dolly Parton once cut records and wrote songs. Our guided tour ends at the fantastic Country Music Hall of Fame, the world's largest music museum where we are free to explore and find out more about the stars and superstars that have shaped the history of country music, from its roots until today. There are various interactive exhibitions here, and the center has an unrivalled collection of country music recordings dating back to the 1930s.

After our tour of this famous institution, the remainder of the day is free to explore Nashville at your own pace.

Other Nashville attractions are the Johnny Cash museum, which has a beautifully curated collection of memorabilia on 'the Man in Black'. A treat for vinyl lovers is to browse in the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, which has an amazing collection of bluegrass, gospel and country music. Another 'not-to-be-missed' experience is to walk down 'Honky Tonk Highway', a vibrant stretch of Broadway which buzzes with live music and honky tonk bars.

• Breakfast

Leaving Nashville this morning our journey through Tennessee continues. On our way to Memphis, we stop at Jackson, famous for its railway culture and as the birthplace of rockabilly music. The city is also the title of a well-known song sung by Johnny Cash and June Carter. We have free time to find lunch independently in this interesting town.

From Jackson, we continue to the Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in the historic town of Brownsville, for a guided tour. The center is dedicated to the diverse history of the southern states; from the rich musical traditions to the area's infamous history of slave labor in the cotton fields. The exhibits also pay tribute to music legends like Tina Turner.

We complete our journey to Memphis and check in to our accommodation at The Guest House, right next to Elvis Presley's legendary home, Graceland. This evening, we have Memphis-style barbecue dinner at the hotel. Well known for being cooked 'low 'n' slow', this three-course feast is presented to us in traditional family-buffet style.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we set off on today's excursion - a visit to Graceland, the mansion Elvis Presley called home. We get an insight into the King of Rock' n' Roll as we experience his preserved living quarters with an eclectic mix of memorabilia on display, and admire his incredible car collections.

This afternoon we're introduced to the main attractions of Memphis' musical history. We visit the iconic Sun Studio, where legendary blues artists Howling Wolf and BB King first cut records. The studio also claims the title of 'the birthplace of rock 'n' roll' - and who are we to dispute that - as both Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash recorded here during their careers.

We're transferred back to our hotel and the rest of the day is free. After some time to unwind and enjoy the hotel facilities, you could step into the past on a trip to downtown Memphis. Beale Street is the heart of the city, known as rock'n'roll street and the birthplace of the Blues, the colorful shops and music bars pay tribute to artists including B.B. King, Muddy Waters and Louis Armstrong. With live music in every bar, the street has an upbeat energy and fun atmosphere.

• Breakfast

This morning we take another trip into the past aboard Amtrak's City of New Orleans train service. The stories go that blues music spread along this route by rail, and we retrace the journey from Tennessee through Mississippi to Louisiana. The views from the train are captivating, as the pretty, floral towns of Brookhaven and McComb lead into the peaceful Cajun creeks of the Louisiana Bayou.

In the afternoon our train arrives in the Louisiana town of Hammond, where a coach takes us to the Oak Alley Plantation for a guided tour. We learn the history of this grand house with its beautiful grounds which stands as a testament to the privileged lives of Louisiana landowners and to the awful suffering of those who were enslaved to work on the sugar cane fields of the plantation.

We continue to New Orleans, where we check into our hotel in the historic heart of this sensational city, right in the French Quarter, for three nights. Our hotel is just around the corner from Bourbon Street, which only simmers with activity during the daytime but comes alive at night with the blast of jazz trumpets, lively cocktail bars and flamboyant dance shows.

• Breakfast

On a guided tour this morning, a local expert introduces us to the surrounding neighborhood. Officially a National Historic Landmark, the renowned French Quarter is one of the best-known areas of New Orleans, and the hub of the party during Mardi Gras. During our tour, we stop at the hugely popular Café Du Monde - an open air café and a great spot for people watching - and enjoy a beignet, a delicious, deep-fried choux pastry, and a café au lait.

After some free time to get to know the city, we regroup for an afternoon excursion. We board a traditional paddle steamer for a sightseeing cruise along the Mississippi River, taking in the Battle of New Orleans site. Our cruise takes place on board the Creole Queen, an authentic steamboat which offers a view of the 'Big Easy' that only the river can provide. After disembarking, you are free to enjoy your evening in this exciting city. As you will have already discovered, this is a carnival city, and during the Mardi Gras the party never stops!

Please note: for the Mardi Gras departure on February 7th 2026, today is the parade day and you have tickets to enjoy the show. The French Quarter guided tour and the Mississippi River sightseeing cruise will take place on Day 12 instead.

Your day is free to soak up New Orleans. Known the world over as the South's party city, due to its Mardi Gras celebrations, there's a year-round sense of spirited adventure and playfulness. A wander through the colourful streets offers an introduction to NOLA's eclectic architecture that stretches back centuries. For example, the stunning St. Louis Cathedral, North America's oldest cathedral. For an authentic New Orleans experience, you could hop on a streetcar on St Charles' Avenue, taking in the city sights as you travel from uptown to downtown, or you could spend some time in the peaceful green space of one of the city's great parks.

As you'll have discovered, the French Quarter has an endless choice of eateries for your last evening in the South. Most places offer traditional Southern food, from po-boys (meat, seafood or crawfish-filled bread rolls) and jambalaya to fresh oysters - served raw, baked or char-grilled.

On your final morning in New Orleans, spend time revisiting your favorite spots or simply relaxing before making your way home. On your way, think over the many unforgettable memories of this musical tour of the South. From the beautiful Smoky Mountains and musical heritage in Nashville and Memphis to the exciting streets of New Orleans - every moment has showcased the very best of the South.

• Breakfast