Overview
Itinerary
The beating heart of America's Music City will chart your pace as you prepare to embark on a leisurely pilgrimage to discover the tastes and sounds of the South.
This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner. (D) Stay: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
The famous Nashville Sound comes alive this morning as RCA Studio B reveals the legends of Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves and Roy Orbison. Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the life and music of Johnny Cash during a private performance of original Cash tunes with one of Johnny's family members. Our acoustic journey continues with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to see Elvis' Solid Gold Cadillac limousine and Jim Reeves' tuxedo jacket.
This evening, enjoy a live show at the iconic Grand Ole Opry. (B)
Continue your discovery of Nashville by exploring the Johnny Cash Museum. With the remainder of the day at your leisure choose to visit the Ryman Auditorium, where Johnny & June first met, a hop-on-hop-off trolley, or a memorable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® visit to the National Museum of African American Music - celebrating the music genres created, inspired and influenced by African Americans. Or perhaps you'll enjoy the opportunity to amble through Broadway's honky-tonk scene or enjoy the gut-busting flavours of homemade chicken or biscuits. (B)
Head to Memphis' famous Beale Street, the birthplace of Blues, Soul, and Rock 'n' Roll, for a tour where we'll meet a musician and Local Specialist to learn about the musical heritage of Memphis. Continue your Memphis sightseeing with a visit to the Lorraine Motel where civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was tragically assassinated and one of the most significant locations of the Civil Rights Movement.
Then MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® as you explore one of the most significant sites in town and one of the premier heritage and cultural museums, the National Civil Rights Museum. “Walk through history” in interactive exhibits that show how the heroes and lessons from the civil rights movement continue to impact equality all over the world. Enjoy a Regional Dinner of Southern cuisine this evening, capping off your tour of Memphis, past and present. (B/D) Stay: Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown
Worship at the altar of the King, Elvis Presley, and head to Graceland, paying tribute to the man who changed the face of American popular music and culture. Then, pay a visit to Sun Studios, which sought to immortalize the raw energy of Beale Street, recording the first Rock 'n' Roll single in 1951. This evening is free. (B)
Kick off the day's sightseeing with a musical morning at the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum exploring the blues, country, and gospel of the rural South before leaving for Natchez, Mississippi. You'll arrive in Natchez on the banks of the Mississippi, surrounded by the antebellum homes. The best way to experience Natchez is with a taste of Southern hospitality and you'll experience all this and more at tonight's memorable Be My Guest experience at one of the region's beautiful historic, private homes for a meal.
Connect With Locals as hosts who have lived in the area for generations open their doors and share their stories as you enjoy dinner and backyard cocktails like Planter's Punch paired with elevated Southern fare. (B/D) Stay: Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel
Today your travels take you deeper into an important part of Southern history. On this morning's visit to a working cotton plantation, Frogmore Plantation and Gins, learn about Natchez planters and slavery in the South. Tour the property boasting 19 restored antebellum structures and equipment dating from the early 1800's including a Smithsonian quality steam gin listed on the National Register. You'll learn how cotton was made and most importantly gain a better understanding of slavery in the South.
Your tour brings you back into the present with a stop at its currently operating 900 bales-per-day cotton gin. (B) Stay: Sheraton New Orleans
Let the good times roll in New Orleans today, tracing the cosmopolitan history of one of America's oldest cities with a Local Specialist, stopping at City Park and one of the ornate above-ground cemeteries. Spend the afternoon soaking up the laid-back vibes of The Big Easy. The afternoon is yours to explore on your own. (B)
Today is yours to explore the French, Spanish and Creole sights and sounds of New Orleans. Why not join an optional experience at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park exploring the scenic swamp and bayou. Perhaps visit Mardi Gras World for a peek into what makes the New Orleans festival so popular or take a stroll down Magazine Street for plenty of regional food and shopping.
This evening, join your Travel Director and new friends for a memorable Farewell Dinner including a private cooking demonstration hosted by a local chef showcasing Creole flavours at the New Orleans School of Cooking. (B/D)
For now, it's ‘Au Revoir' New Orleans, but not ‘Adieu'. Make your own way to New Orleans International Airport or extend your stay in New Orleans. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Explore RCA Studio B, Sun Studios on a guided tour led by a local musician, Memphis on a musical city tour, Frogmore Plantation, and discover how to make iconic dishes at the New Orleans School of Cooking
- Discover Nashville
- Visit Grand Ole Opry, The Johnny Cash Museum, Graceland, Rock N Soul Museum, and Country Music Hall of Fame for a private performance of original Johnny Cash tunes with one of Johnny's family members
- Nashville: The famous Nashville Sound comes alive this morning as RCA's Studio B reveals the legends of Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves and Roy Orbison. 'Dive Into Culture -' and gain insights into the life and music of Johnny Cash during a private performance of original Cash tunes with one of Johnny's family members.
Be My Guest
- Natchez: Join your host for an evening of true southern hospitality and an opportunity to explore the sights and sounds of two beautiful Natchez homes.
Dive Into Culture
- Nashville: You'll gain insights into the life and music of Johnny Cash during a private performance of original Johnny Cash songs with one of Johnny's family members. This is a unique opportunity to not only hear a family member play his music but to also have a private experience with them one on one to ask questions and connect.
- Natchez: Discover how they preserve their Mississippi Delta cotton plantation heritage with costumed guides at the Frogmore Plantation.
Iconic Experience
- See a live Performance at the Grand Ole Opry
- Nashville: See a live musical performance at the Grand Ole Opry - the show that made country music famous. The Grand Ole Opry is dedicated to honouring country music's rich history and dynamic present, showcasing a mix of country legends and the current chart-toppers who have followed in their footsteps.
- Nashville: Visit the Johnny Cash Museum which features the world's largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia in the world. Walk through the life of the 'Man in Black' through interactive exhibits, films, and displays.
- Memphis: Memphis is the home of blues, soul, and rock n' roll music. Enjoy a Music city tour including Beale Street, a National Historic Landmark and one of the most iconic streets in U.S. filled with restaurants, live music venues and shops - right in the heart of downtown Memphis.
- Memphis: Explore the lavish mansion and private retreat of Elvis Presley and get an intimate look into his Rock N' Roll life.
- Memphis: Take in the historic Sun Studios on a guided tour led by a local musician. Opened in 1950 this storied studio is where Elvis got his start, along with many other all-time greats.
- Memphis: Take a trip to the Memphis' Rock ‘n' Soul Museum and explore the birth of rock and soul music. The museum tells the story of musical pioneers who, for the love of music, overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create the music that shook the entire world.
- New Orleans: Get to know the city with a Local Expert - from the Garden District to the French Quarter, Uptown to Treme, you'll get to know and better understand what makes this vibrant city tick.
- New Orleans: Taste the melting pot of cultures of New Orleans in this hands on cooking experience. Learn to make iconic southern dishes such as gumbo, red beans, dirty rice, etoufee and a creole bread pudding. Don't worry you'll also get to dine on these dishes and more, leaving with a full stomach and the knowledge to make these authentic dishes at home for friends and family.
Make Travel Matter®
- Memphis: The museum is built around the former Lorraine Motel, which was the site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the most visible spokesman and leader in the American civil rights movement. The museum is devoted to the thousands of people who were a part of the entire American Civil Rights Movement. It is one of the nation's premier heritage and cultural museums. Your experience supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Trafalgar Difference
- Nashville: Located in the heart of Nashville, the Gaylord Opryland Resort is an icon of cultural heritage and entertainment. Within the expansive property, you can explore nine acres of lush, indoor garden atriums and join in activities and performances. You'll learn that the resort has witnessed iconic performances, including those by country legend Johnny Cash, and stands as the proud home to the world-renowned Grand Ole Opry right here in Music City.
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- All transport and transfers shown
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences (Additional Cost) and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
You’ll enjoy the icons and hidden gems with a Local Specialist by your side. Read more
With one on every itinerary, Be My Guest ensures your journey is truly one-of-a-kind, wherever it takes you. Read more
Find yourself overnighting in accommodations with stories as rich as the destinations you’re exploring. Read more
Trip Reviews (9) View All Most Recent 'Tastes and Sounds of the South' Reviews
The night at the Grand Ole Opry was great/we could have done without the piano recital in Natchez after a long driving day/the local guide in New Orleans was wonderful and made the day very enjoyable with his humour. We did 2 optional excursions - a night on a paddle steamer with dinner included $90pp. (the boat ride was nice but the food was very ordinary and not worth the money in my opinion), and a swamp tour in New Orleans about $24pp also not worth the money as it was very tame compared to Australian crocodile tours - we could not hear the commentary over the motor and only saw a couple of baby alligators. I would suggest you book your own swamp ride on one of the air boats which looked like great fun. This really is a tour for anyone who has a big love for all things music or it can be a little too much if you are not. Accommodations were all a high standard. I was very happy with Global Journeys help with booking this trip.
Brochure
Trafalgar USA (2025)
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Trafalgar. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Trafalgar. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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