Itinerary

Arrive in one of the USA’s most iconic southern cities: Nashville! The capital of country music, the city is known for striking a chord with music lovers of any genre. Meet your private transfer on arrival to take you to your hotel and get settled in. Spend the rest of the day getting introduced to Nashville’s legendary music scene by heading to the heart of the city: Broadway. There’s plenty to see and you can sit back and relax to the sounds of live music in one of the area’s many honkytonks.

Whether you are unsure what to visit while in Nashville or you are a Country music aficionado, getting a Nashville Pass before you head out can’t be beat. You’ll get to visit museums and attractions at your own pace while skipping the queues. Start with the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum where you can follow the evolution of Country music in the context of American history and see an expansive collection of Country music memorabilia from the likes of artists such as Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift and more. Afterwards, head next door to tour the renowned Studio B where Country artists still record to this day.

During the afternoon, take a self-guided tour of the Ryman Auditorium, where some of the greatest talents in Country music have performed. Then head back to Broadway for more live music in the evening.

Spend the morning continuing your musical journey by exploring the extensive collection and interactive exhibits at the National Museum of African American Music. The only museum devoted to the contributions of African-American musicians and artists from Gospel, Rock n Roll, Blues, Pop and Jazz, you can even take a collection of your favourite songs home from your visit.

Come afternoon, take a guided backstage tour of the mecca of Country music itself, the Grand Ole Opry before attending an evening concert there just a short while later. A legendary music hall, the Grand Ole Opry is where Country legends and upcoming stars still perform to this day. You never know just who you’ll get to see until you attend!

Alabama’s music capital, Muscle Shoals is the place where the Soul and R&B sounds of the Sixties and Seventies were born. Drive over after breakfast – the journey is 2.5 hours – and spend an incredible day visiting the two recording studios used by icons such as the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, Sonny & Cher and many others: FAME Recording Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. Many of the music industry’s greatest hits were and still are recorded here, and a visit means standing where the Rolling Stones found their harmony and walking through the padded booths where Aretha Franklin recorded some of her finest work. You might even find out where the local speakeasy is in which Willie Nelson was said to have frequently partied.

End the day with a stop by the nearby Alabama Music Hall of Fame boasting music and memorabilia from Alabama’s extraordinary number of famous musicians. You’ll get to see a whole host of Alabama natives, including Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, Lionel Richie, Nat King Cole, and Percy Sledge, just to name a few.

Leave Muscle Shoals after breakfast for the 2.5 hour drive to Memphis. You’ll get settled into your beautiful hotel, the Napoleon, then start your time there with a tour of Graceland, the home and refuge of Elvis Presley during his incredible career. Left just as it was when he died that fateful August in 1977, the Graceland complex is extensive and carefully curated. You will get to visit his mansion and the various museums on the site showcasing his cars, clothes and private jets. If you still have time or energy after this expansive tour, stop for a visit at Sun Studio, where some of the greatest Rock n Roll and Country musicians, including Elvis recorded their songs.

Start your morning with a bit of local history by visiting the National Civil Rights Museum, housed in the former Lorraine Hotel where civil rights activist, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Tracing the history of the American Civil Rights Movement from the 17th century to the present, this museum offers a better understanding of the struggles African Americans – including many of the USA’s most famous musicians – encountered during this difficult period in American history.

Spend the rest of the day exploring historic Beale Street – the literal birthplace of the Blues – whose musical heritage dates back to the 1920s when bars and clubs first experimented with musical genres. Located just around the corner from your hotel, you’ll hear the sounds of sweet tunes and find plenty of joints where you can stop for a drink or dinner come evening.

After breakfast make the short 1.5 hour drive from Memphis down to Clarksdale. You’ll be arriving at the eclectic Travelers Hotel, boasting an excellent location for experiencing the town’s musical heritage.

Start with a visit to the Delta Blues Museum. A must-visit for any Blues aficionado, its many exhibitions will take you on a musical journey of the Blues from its inception to the present day, leaving you with a better understanding and new appreciation of the art form.

Come evening head to Ground Zero, the famous Blues Club owned by actor Morgan Freeman for an evening of live entertainment. Considered the authentic Blues club in the Mississippi Delta, don’t miss out on this incredible musical experience.

On the nearly 3 hour drive from Clarksdale to Vicksburg, stop for an hour or two at one of the most acclaimed music museums of the Deep South, the BB King Museum, to learn all about this accomplished musician.

When you finally arrive in Vicksburg, you’ll be staying at the grand 1830s Anchuca Mansion – one of Mississippi’s finest antebellum homes that has been turned into a luxury bed and breakfast inn. Once a crucial site in America’s Civil War, Vicksburg is now home to some of the most fascinating historic sites, including the Vicksburg National Military Park, which you can spend the afternoon visiting, as well as numerous impressive examples of architecture, like the Duff Green Mansion.

On your way to New Orleans this morning, take a detour on the 3 hour drive to learn more about life before the American Civil War by stopping at one or two renowned plantations for a tour. Houmas House & Gardens, once one of the largest sugar plantations in the South, has majestic gardens filled with fountains and lush vegetation – perfect for strolling through – and an excellent restaurant for lunch called Carriage House. The other is America’s most famous and most photographed plantation and historic mansion, Oak Alley, with its breathtaking beauty that is a must-see in person.

Arrive late afternoon in the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans and after getting settled into your hotel – which has a fascinating history in and of itself – enjoy a VIP jazz show at one of New Orleans’ most authentic jazz clubs, Fritzel’s.

New Orleans is a feast for the senses, so start the day with a French Quarter Walking Tour to discover the typical narrow streets, laced balconies and private courtyards of this iconic part of the city. If you’re looking to get further immersed in the local culture, have lunch on a Mississippi River Cruise or take a Creole cooking class.

Spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure – you’ll find interesting museums, historic sites and excellent shopping throughout the city – before heading back to your hotel to get dressed up for a Jazz Dinner at one of the oldest and most reputable establishments in New Orleans, Arnaud’s.