Self-Drive: Exploring the Musical Heritage of the Deep South
Self-Drive: Exploring the Musical Heritage of the Deep South
12 days from £1850 per person
The fabulous Deep South comes alive on this exciting 12-day musical holiday. The self-drive trip encompasses various cities and locations that have played an important role in the evolution of American music. Begin your journey in Chicago, the ‘Windy City’, where you can enjoy sightseeing, shopping and sampling live music at one of the city’s legendary blues clubs. Continue to St. Louis in Missouri for two nights before travelling to Tennessee to the country music capital of the US, Nashville. Next up is Memphis – this rock and blues city is famous as the home of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and B.B. King who all recorded albums at the legendary Sun Studios. After two nights in Memphis, stop en route in historic Vicksburg before finishing your trip in the vibrant and iconic city of New Orleans, known for its soulful jazz bars and clubs.
Chicago – St. Louis – Nashville – Memphis – Vicksburg – New Orleans
Itinerary Highlights
Soaring skyscrapers and glistening Lake Michigan make up the spectacular skyline of Chicago. Explore the city’s excellent range of museums and art galleries and enjoy some world-class cuisine and jazz and blues music venues.
Explore two of America’s greatest music cities – Nashville and Memphis. Nashville is the heart and soul of country music whereas Memphis is a hub for blues and rock and roll. Spend time in both cities uncovering their iconic musical landmarks.
Delve into the soulful city of New Orleans where you can soak up the eclectic atmosphere in the French Quarter. Enjoy live jazz in one of the city’s famous bars or clubs and sample the mouth-watering Creole or Cajun cuisine.
Itinerary: Self-Drive: Dixieland Rhythms and the Deep South
Today board your non-stop international flight from the UK to Chicago and on arrival make your own way to your centrally located hotel. Spend the next two days exploring the vibrant and multicultural city of Chicago. You may wish to spend the evening eating at one of the city’s excellent restaurants or enjoying live music at a famous blues club. (N)
Accommodation in Chicago: Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile (or similar)
Upgrade option: The Peninsula Chicago (or similar)
Spend the day at leisure to explore vibrant Chicago. As America’s third largest city, Chicago offers an excellent range of museums and art galleries, world-class shopping, sightseeing and endless choices of jazz and blues music venues. Explore the Art Institute of Chicago, shop and dine in the history-packed stretch ‘The Magnificent Mile’, wander through the landscaped gardens in Millennium Park or take a relaxing boat trip on Lake Michigan. We can also help arrange any sporting or entertainment tickets. (N)
Accommodation in Chicago: Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile (or similar)
Upgrade option: The Peninsula Chicago (or similar)
Depart early this morning and cross state lines between Illinois to Missouri as you travel to St. Louis. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, St. Louis welcomes visitors with its famous Gateway Arch, commemorative of Thomas Jefferson and his quest for the westward expansion of the USA. (N)
Accommodation in St. Louis: Hampton Inn Gateway Arch Downtown (or similar)
Upgrade option: Four Seasons St. Louis (or similar)
Today explore St. Louis at leisure. Head to the top of the iconic Gateway Arch for fantastic views of the city and visit the museum under the Arch which celebrates Lewis and Clark’s famous expedition over 200 years ago. You may also wish to wander through the Gateway Arch National Park which is home to lovely grounds or take a trip to the excellent Missouri Botanical Gardens. (N)
Accommodation in St. Louis: Hampton Inn Gateway Arch Downtown (or similar)
Upgrade option: Four Seasons St. Louis (or similar)
Say goodbye to St. Louis this morning as you depart Missouri and continue your musical journey to Nashville. There are many small towns you may wish to stop at en route, or why not visit the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area located in Kentucky and Tennessee. Here you can enjoy a gentle hike admiring the beautiful forest and lake scenery, see elk and bison in the wild or stop at the Planetarium and Observatory. Continue to Nashville – the heart and soul of country music – and head to your centrally located hotel. (N)
Accommodation in Nashville: Residence Inn Vanderbilt – West End (or similar)
Upgrade option: The Hermitage Hotel (or similar)
Nashville is a welcoming metropolis where cowboy culture and music flow through the city streets. You might choose to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, one of the world’s largest museums and research centres dedicated to the preservation of country music and musicians, followed by the iconic RCA’s Studio B recording studio. Other Nashville sightseeing recommendations include the Johnny Cash Museum and the Ryman auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry and the birthplace of bluegrass music. In the evening you may wish to explore Printers Alley, where you will find local musicians performing the likes of country, blues and jazz. (N)
Accommodation in Nashville: Residence Inn Vanderbilt – West End (or similar)
Upgrade option: The Hermitage Hotel (or similar)
From country music to rock and roll, today you will drive for around three and a half hours to Memphis, the iconic city that Elvis Presley called home. Memphis has a musical soul and deep-rooted history. The city has been at the heart of the American Civil War and the Civil Rights movement, creating an intriguing mix of old and new. (N)
Accommodation in Memphis: The Guesthouse at Graceland (or similar)
Upgrade option: The Peabody (or similar)
Spend today at leisure exploring the sights and sounds of Memphis. We would recommend visiting Graceland, Elvis Presley’s former mansion, as well as the iconic rock-and-roll recording studio, Sun Studio. The National Civil Rights Museum is also worth visiting. The museum is built around the former Lorraine Motel, the location of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr in 1968. Take a trip to Beale Street in the evening as it comes alive with blues clubs and rock bars. (N)
Accommodation in Memphis: The Guesthouse at Graceland (or similar)
Upgrade option: The Peabody (or similar)
Depart Memphis in the morning and travel south to the historic city of Vicksburg. It is best known as being a key site of a Civil War battle. Tour the Vicksburg National Military Park to see the infamous battle site of 1863, embark on a walking tour along the Heritage Walking Trail to see some of the 35 historical landmarks or explore one of the city’s many museums. (N)
Accommodation in Vicksburg: Courtyard by Marriot (or similar)
This morning depart Vicksburg and travel to New Orleans via the beautiful Great River Road. You might choose to make a slight detour via the New Orleans Plantation Country en route. Here you can learn about the history of the plantations or join a swamp tour before continuing your journey to central New Orleans. On arrival to this colourful city you may wish to explore the historic French Quarter and enjoy some Cajun or Creole food such as jambalaya and beignets. (N)
Accommodation in New Orleans: The Higgins Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade option: The Roosevelt – A Waldorf Astoria Hotel (or similar)
Spend today at leisure in New Orleans. Discover one of the city’s diverse neighbourhoods including Treme which is home to colourful Creole cottages and gumbo restaurants, the arty Warehouse District or manicured Garden District. If you would prefer to get out of the city, take a traditional steamboat cruise along the Mississippi River. We highly recommend visiting Bourbon and Frenchmen Street in the evening to enjoy the smooth jazz beats and laid-back atmosphere. (N)
Accommodation in New Orleans: The Higgins Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade option: The Roosevelt – A Waldorf Astoria Hotel (or similar)
Enjoy your final morning at leisure in New Orleans before making your way to the airport to drop off your hire car and board your international flight back to the UK. (N)
**KEY: N = No meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
What To Do Next?
We design unique, tailor-made holiday itineraries to suit you, by combining your ideas with our knowledge and experience. Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, or if you require some advice, please call us or complete the enquiry form online for a quotation.
The above price is based on two people travelling together and sharing accommodation in low season. The price is only a guide and can vary according to selected airlines, hotels and date of travel. If you wish to travel with your family, friends or on your own we will be very happy to assist you with your arrangements.