Southern Soul: New Orleans to Nashville

Welcome to the cultural melting pot of the Deep South, New Orleans, otherwise known as the Big Easy. The eclectic mix of European, Creole and Cajun cultures manifests in every aspect of the architecture, cuisine and musical scene. Depending on the group flight arrival time, a welcome briefing may be held this evening or tomorrow morning. Stay: Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter (or similar).

This morning, our leader takes us on a guided historical walking tour around the French Quarter, the oldest neighbourhood in New Orleans. We'll walk down historic streets, seeing different architectural styles of iconic homes, Jackson Square and listen to jazz as we learn about the history of this unique city. The afternoon is free for individual sight-seeing, then we come together in the evening to enjoy an included dinner cruise on the Mississippi River, dining on delicious local cuisine influenced by the myriad cultures that make up Louisiana. Stay: Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter (or similar) (B/D).

Today is free for you to take in the sights and sounds of Bourbon Street, relax in the Garden District or absorb more of the ambience of the French Quarter. There are several optional tours available, including a thrilling alligator swamp tour, during which you travel north to the town of Slidell to board the swamp boat for two hours, navigating on the West Pearl River and into the Honey Island Swamp. There are over a million alligators in Louisiana, so keep an eye out! You may also see turtles and exotic birds among the cypress trees of the swamp. Your tour leader will be able to help with any reservations you wish to make.

There is plenty to do in New Orleans come evening, not least enjoying some of the many live performances that take place nightly. This includes Preservation Hall, where top jazz musicians play every evening to a small audience in an intimate space – be prepared to wait in line. There will also be the chance to step out of the city and explore the wild river swamplands of Louisiana, where you can head out by boat beneath the cypress trees in search of alligators. See the Extra Expenses section of our trip notes for more information about optional activities. Stay: Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter (or similar) (B).

This morning, we visit Melrose Mansion within Natchez National Historical Park, completed in the mid-1800s and now one of the best-preserved estates in the Deep South. A guided tour of the mansion and self-guided tours of the grounds, which includes slave quarters, stables and a carriage house, provide an in-depth understanding of the region's deep-rooted links to slavery. Departing the estate, we follow the river road north to the first established settlement on the Mississippi.

Natchez, the original capital of the Mississippi Territory, was at the heart of the trade in enslaved people and is the birthplace of the Mississippi riverboat. There is free time to wander the historic district where there are more than 50 antebellum homes and historic churches. Also worthy of a visit is the Under the Hill area made famous by Mark Twain or discover one of the most interesting cemeteries in the South. Stay: Guest House Natchez (or similar) (B).

Next up is Clarksdale and the Hopson Plantation, the former home of legendary blues pianist Pinetop Perkins. It is also where they tested the International Harvester automated cotton picker. Your leader will tell you the history, explaining the system of sharecropping and the evolution of the cotton industry. Clarksdale is also home to the Crossroads, where legend says blues musician Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil. Within the town itself is the Delta Blues Museum, a shrine of blues artefacts and memorabilia, plus actor Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero Blues Club. Red's is definitely worth a visit for live music: an authentic juke joint showcasing the real heart of the South. Stay: Hampton Inn Clarksdale (or similar) (B).

Today we cross into Tennessee. Near the Mississippi River, Memphis has a long and colourful past. Legendary forefathers such as Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters and BB King put Beale Street on the musical map. Outside of music, the National Civil Rights Museum is located in the former Lorraine Hotel, at the site where Martin Luther King was assassinated. We pay a visit to understand better this vital part of US, and global, history. Stay: Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown or Comfort Inn Memphis (or similar) (B).

A highlight of your stay in Memphis is an included excursion to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. We spend several hours taking an audio-guided tour of the mansion, seeing the King of Rock ‘n' Roll's gold records, jewelled jumpsuits and famous Jungle Room with its green shagged carpets. We can pay our respects in the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and members of his family have been laid to rest. We also stop by Sun Studio, which opened in 1950 and is where many great names have passed through, from Howlin' Wolf to Johnny Cash. Stay: Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown or Comfort Inn Memphis (or similar) (B).

We leave Memphis today and head to Nashville, the undisputed capital of country music. Home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville is the perfect opportunity to try line dancing (select nights only). Broadway is lined with honky-tonks and intimate live music venues playing all genres of music. Stay: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Nashville (or similar) (B).

Today is free to explore Nashville, the capital of Tennessee and the largest city in the state. On the banks of the Cumberland River, it was established as a port by settlers in 1779 but is best known for music. There are many venues to visit, but most famous of all is the Opry House, 15mi (24km) east of the city. This historic concert venue is synonymous with country music, hosting regular live performances that showcase the best of the genre. Book before you arrive to avoid missing out as these shows are popular. See the Extra Expenses section of our Trip Notes for more information about optional activities. Stay: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Nashville (or similar) (B).

Our tour of the Deep South ends in Nashville. If you'd like to spend extra time exploring this country music Mecca, please speak to your sales representative (B).