The Deep South - Mardi Gras Special Departure

​Combine the music of New Orleans during Mardi Gras with the Deep South. A must for music fans, this journey clocks up visits to places graced by the likes of Johnny Cash, BB King and Elvis and also includes a ticket to the Mardi Gras parade in the company of a Tour Manager.

What's Included:

• Return flights
• 12 nights in hotels of a great quality plus 1 night in flight
• 6 breakfasts, 1 brunch, welcome drink
• Travelsphere Tour Manager and Specialist Local Guide
• Overseas transfers, other transportation and porterage

Included Holiday Highlights:

• ​Atlanta, including the Martin Luther King Museum
• Chattanooga, historically a major railroad hub
• Nashville, the city that "calls music home"
• Home of the blues, Memphis
• Elvis' former home Graceland and Sun Studios
• New Orleans tour
• Unique performance by members of Waylon Jennings' band
• Explore the BB King Museum
• Country Music Hall of Fame and Studio B
• Tickets for the Mardi Gras parade

Day 1: UK/Atlanta

You'll fly to Atlanta, Georgia, today. On arrival we'll transfer you to your overnight hotel, which is located downtown.

Day 2: Atlanta

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before beginning your exploration of the Deep South in the company of your Tour Manager. Atlanta has been through many incarnations since it was founded as a railroad terminus in 1837. On your tour of the city you'll see its main highlights, including the Martin Luther King Museum. This afternoon we're going to drive to Chattanooga, where the famous Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel is our unique base for the next two nights.

Meals included: B

Day 3: Chattanooga

You've a free day to explore Chattanooga at leisure. You could take a walk along one of the waterfront trails or explore downtown on foot. There's a wealth of historic buildings to discover and the Bluff View Art District is full of restaurants, coffee houses, art galleries and gardens.

Meals included: B

Day 4: Nashville

Leaving Chattanooga, we're bound for Nashville today. On arrival in Tennessee's capital, a short orientation tour with your Tour Manager will help you to find your bearings. You'll see plenty more tomorrow, when a full day of exploration is planned. If you want to experience a night out in the city that "calls music home", why not join an optional excursion which gives you the chance to enjoy dinner and an evening of live entertainment Nashville style!​

Meals included: B

Day 5: Nashville

We've a fabulous music themed day in store for you today. It begins as you step inside the hallowed halls of Studio B, which became famous in the 1960s for its part in the Nashville Sound. Here, more than 35,000 songs have been recorded by artists including Elvis Presley, and you'll step inside the studio where he recorded 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?' As the lights are dimmed, just as they would have been for the King of Rock 'n' Roll, and you hear his incredible voice flowing from the speakers, you will be sharing a truly special moment. This is followed by a unique performance by two members of Waylon Jennings' band. A legend in the world of country music, Jennings helped to start the outlaw movement, which changed the sound and style of the genre in the 1970s. ​To round off the day you'll visit the Country Music Hall of Fame. There's one more exciting experience to come if you choose to join an optional excursion – an evening of live music at the Grand Ole Opry. This is one of the most important venues for live country music in the world.​

Meals included: B

Day 6: Memphis

The next great musical city you'll visit is Memphis, standing proudly on the bluffs of the Mississippi River. On arrival in the afternoon, we're going to set off together to discover some of its many highlights. They include the Riverfront and Beale Street, the home of the blues. On this iconic street, music emanates from every open door, and street performers entertain the crowds.​

Meals included: B

Day 7: Memphis

Memphis is synonymous with Elvis Presley, and today we're going to find out about this connection. Our first visit is to Sun Studios, where the 'King of Rock 'n' Roll' made his first recordings back in 1954. This is followed by Graceland, where we'll take a fascinating guided tour of the opulent mansion that was his home from 1957 until his death in 1977. Here you can fully immerse yourself in his life and career as you go back to his roots. You'll see the living room, kitchen, TV room, pool room and the famous Jungle Room among other highlights. The tour ends at the Meditation Garden, where Elvis is buried alongside his parents. This is sure to be a wonderful highlight of your holiday, and there's more to come tomorrow.​

Day 8: Memphis

Today has been left free for you to explore more of Memphis at leisure. Maybe you'll choose to visit one of the city's fascinating museums, which include the National Civil Rights Museum and the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum. Alternatively, if you enjoyed your visit to Graceland yesterday, today's optional excursion is sure to be tempting. Why not come with us to Tupelo, where you'll see the house where Elvis was born. You'll also get to visit a fantastic museum displaying one of the most remarkable collections of Elvis memorabilia in the world.

Day 9: Vicksburg

We're going to take to the road today, leaving marvellous Memphis behind, and crossing the border into Mississippi. On the way to our base for the evening, Vicksburg, we're going to visit the BB King Museum. Here you'll learn all about the life and music of the legendary 'King of the Blues'.

Day 10: New Orleans

Our ultimate destination today is the 'Big Easy', or New Orleans, home to another musical genre – jazz. Your hotel here is just steps from the famous French Quarter. This is the oldest district and the cultural hub of the city, so you're well placed to make your own discoveries.

Meals included: B

Day 11: New Orleans

​Your day begins with a buffet brunch accompanied by live jazz music, which is served in a pretty outdoor courtyard in the French Quarter.​ Prepare to see even more of New Orleans' highlights on an included tour this morning. As we drive around the city we'll see St Louis Cathedral and cemeteries full of above-the-ground tombs, known as Cities of the Dead. The rest of the day is all yours to do just as you wish. You could discover the art galleries and boutiques of the French Quarter, stopping at a pavement café to enjoy a spot of people-watching. However, if you're still keen to discover more, your Tour Manager is hosting an afternoon optional trip on an authentic paddle steamer. Once the only way to travel along the waterways of the South, this trip will take you on a glorious journey back to the 19th century heyday of these iconic vessels.​

Day 12: New Orleans - Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is music, parades, picnics, floats, one big holiday in New Orleans! Everyone is wearing purple, green, and gold, and adorned with long beads caught from the beautiful floats. Your Tour Manager will issue you with your ticket for the special parades of Mardi Gras.​

Day 13: New Orleans/UK

​Today we'll transfer you to the airport for your return flight to the UK via Atlanta.​

Day 14: UK

You'll arrive back in the UK today.​