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Dixieland & Rhythms

Visit the capital of Dixieland, New Orleans

Explore America's musical heritage from the birthplaces of country music and the blues to bustling New Orleans, home of jazz.

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Dixieland & Rhythms + New Orleans - Staying at Holiday Inn French Quarter

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Itinerary
Map

Visit the capital of Dixieland, New Orleans
Chicago
St Louis's famous Arch
Grand Ole Opry, Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Beale Street, Memphis
Sun Studio, Memphis
Graceland, Memphis
Visit Elvis Presley's Graceland estate in Memphis
Meditation Garden, Graceland
St Louis Cathedral, New Orleans
Cruise aboard an authentic Mississippi riverboat
Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana

DAY 1: UK - Chicago.

Fly to Chicago where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for two nights.

DAY 2: Chicago.

Start the day with a sightseeing tour and see all the landmarks of the 'Windy City'. The afternoon is at leisure. Ride the lift to the top of the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower), or stroll in Grant Park along the waterfront. Perhaps this evening enjoy dinner on the Navy Pier.

DAY 3: Chicago - St Louis.

Travel across the fertile Illinois farmlands and cross the mighty Mississippi River as you enter St Louis, the 'Gateway to the West'. Your orientation tour includes the towering Gateway Arch, which commemorates the city's key role in westward expansion. Be sure to visit the museum under the arch, celebrating the famous expedition of Lewis and Clark two hundred years ago.

DAY 4: St Louis - Nashville.

Start today's journey by re-crossing the Mississippi River, and travelling to Paducah, on the Ohio River, by lunchtime. Late afternoon arrival in Nashville, in the heart of Tennessee.

DAY 5: Nashville.

Start the day with a sightseeing tour of Nashville's famous landmarks and the recording studios of Music Row. You'll tour historic RCA Studio B, the cradle of the 'Nashville Sound' in the 1960's. Hitmakers in Studio B include Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson. Afterwards visit the Country Music Hall of Fame with its glittering costumes, rare instruments, and Elvis Presley's solid gold Cadillac! Tonight you have reserved seats for an unforgettable show at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, a mecca for country musicians. Note: Wednesday departures will attend the Grand Ole Opry on day 4.

DAY 6: Nashville - Memphis.

Across Tennessee today to Memphis, the 'home of the blues', and a city with a distinct southern flavour. On arrival acquaint yourself with the town during the included orientation tour. An optional excursion includes a visit to Sun Studio, where Rock 'n' Roll was first recorded.

DAY 7: Memphis.

A good portion of the day is devoted to Graceland, Elvis Presley's beautiful estate. Your Platinum tour includes the splendid garden, private planes, and opulent 15,000-square-foot mansion. Return to Memphis mid-afternoon. Tonight, why not visit a blues club on famous Beale Street?

DAY 8: Memphis - Amtrak® City of New Orleans train - Lafayette.

The City of New Orleans, the famous train of story and song, provides the locomotion for today's trip through the state and into the Mississippi River delta. Cotton fields and catfish ponds slide past as the train enters Louisiana. In Hammond, board a coach for the short drive into the heart of Cajun country to Lafayette, first settled by French Acadian farmers expelled from Nova Scotia by the British in the 1700's.

DAY 9: Lafayette - Atchafalaya Basin cruise - New Orleans.

On to St Martinville to see the famous oak tree of Longfellow's poem 'Evangeline'. Next, board a boat for your cruise through the winding, swampy waterways of the Atchafalaya Basin. Then across bayou country into New Orleans, the capital of Dixieland and 'the city that care forgot'. The evening is free to begin exploring this lively city or perhaps join an optional Mississippi River dinner cruise aboard an authentic riverboat, where you'll enjoy a delightful buffet dinner, complete with live jazz - the perfect finale to a memorable touring adventure of the South.

DAY 10: New Orleans.

A full morning dedicated to the sights and sounds of New Orleans, featuring a tour that includes the French Quarter landmarks, St Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, and a visit to a unique above ground cemetery. The rest of the day is free.

DAY 11: New Orleans.

A free day with a wide selection of activities to choose from, including a visit to a beautiful plantation home. For shoppers, Canal Street and the French Quarter offer an extensive variety of speciality shops and boutiques.

DAY 12: New Orleans - UK.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK, or extend your stay in New Orleans.

DAY 13: Home landing in the UK.

Accommodation on Tour

Chicago: Essex Inn; St Louis: St Louis Union Station Marriott; Nashville: Radisson Hotel at Opryland; Memphis: Crowne Plaza; Lafayette: Holiday Inn; New Orleans: Holiday Inn French Quarter.

New Orleans Jazz Fest - 18 & 25 April 2012

The 'Dixieland' sound was made popular throughout the world by New Orleans' own Louis Armstrong. Why not join us and listen to the best sounds of New Orleans, by some of the hottest names in music from the USA and around the world. Don't miss the food, crafts and music, which make this festival one of the best of its kind and the best Louisiana has to offer.

Note: Your Jazz Festival package includes a one day pass to the Jazz & Heritage Festival plus roundtrip transportation to the Jazz Fest grounds. The Jazz Festival will be held on: April 27-29 & May 4-6.

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Dixieland & Rhythms

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