New Orleans French Quarter
Grand Ole Opry
Beale Street, Memphis
Natchez Trace Parkway
Old Plantation Homes
Mississippi Paddle Steamers
Civil War Sites
Days One to Three - New Orleans
Arrive in New Orleans, one of the most exotic cities in the world, famous for riverboats, jazz, Creole cuisine and a seemingly endless parade of festivals. On arrival, pick up your car and proceed to your hotel where the remainder of your evening is at leisure. You have three nights to enjoy here.
Today is at your leisure to explore New Orleans on your own. Take a walking tour of the Vieux Carre, popularly known as the French Quarter, a place of narrow streets and iron gateways, wonderful old buildings and beautiful courtyards. You may want to eat dinner at one of the citys' many famous Cajun or Creole restaurants.
Take a full day bayou and swamp tour (admission not included), spend some time in the Riverwalk development; a waterside shopping and restaurant complex. Later on enjoy a nostalgic paddlewheeler cruise on the Mississippi with dinner and dancing to live jazz or cajun music.
Stay 3 nights.
Day Four - Birmingham (343 miles)
Drive north through Mississippi and the highlands of Alabama with dark, fertile soil, perfect for growing cotton. Stay overnight in Tuscaloosa, the "Black Warrior" town, established by Creek Indians and state capitol for 20 years. Many of the city's antebellum homes can be found in the Druid City District, near Queen City Avenue.
Stay 1 night.
Day Five & Six - Nashville (193 miles)
Today your journey leads you to Birmingham, where immense stores of red iron ore in the northern mountains turned the city into a sprawling population centre overnight. A "must-see" atop Red Mountain is the colossal 55-foot tall Vulcan Statue, the largest iron statue in the world. Continue to Nashville, known worldwide as the Country Music Capital where you will be staying for two nights.
You have today to discover the variety of attractions that Nashville has to offer, such as the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, Opryland USA and the world famous Printers Alley. Spend the evening mastering line dancing at the Wildhorse Saloon - lessons are free!
Stay 2 nights.
Days Seven & Eight - Memphis (212 miles)
Depart the capital of country-western music for the Home of the Blues, Memphis. This city combines the charms of the Old South with the exciting pace of a modern metropolis. You may wish to tour downtown Memphis with its historic Beale Street, a vibrant, restored area with music venues and rib restaurants and bars. Spend two nights here.
Spend today relaxing around the city. Take a paddle wheeler sightseeing excursion on Old Man River, visit the inspiring National Civil Rights Museum, or visit Elvis Presley's palatial home, Graceland.
Stay 2 nights.
Days Nine & Ten - Greenwood(130 miles)
Today you will be driving to Greenwood, the country's second largest cotton exchange after Memphis. Graceful mansions line the pretty Grand Boulevard of this sleepy town which comes alive every October for the Cotton Capital Blues Festival held here. Enjoy some good Italian/Cajun cooking at 'Luscos' Restaurant once the haunt of cotton barons who came here to drink moonshine. Each table is still hidden away in a smooth booth veiled by chintz curtains dating back from this time. You have two nights in Greenwood.
Nearby Vicksburg boasts several antebellum mansions that survived the Civil War Siege, including the Duff Green Mansion, which served as a hospital, Cedar Grove and McRaven. Most mansions are open for daily tours. You could also tour the many markers, statues and monuments which were given to Vicksburg by every state that sent soldiers to battle here.
Days Eleven & Twelve - Natchez(74 miles)
Drive south on the Natchez Trace Parkway which evolved from an Indian Trail into a post road and pioneer highway, fringed with cool green forests, and on to Natchez, the oldest settlement in the state of Mississippi, where the meeting of old and new is the essence of its charm. Stay in Natchez for two nights.
You may want to visit many of the plantations and homes in the Natchez area such as Burn, Dunleith, Melrose, Monmouth or Longwood; reputedly the largest octagonal house in the country. Round the day off with a horse drawn carriage ride through the city.
Stay 2 nights.
Day Thirteen - Lafayette(138 miles)
Today you will travel back into Louisiana and to Lafayette, the heart of Cajun country where the Acadians, or Cajuns started arriving in this swampy area in 1765. Today these French Canadians are famous for their joie de vivre which is reflected in their lively dancing, music and spicy food. Enjoy a walking tour of downtown or a take a short drive to Acadian Village overlooking the bayou and filled with authentically restored Cajun homes and churches. Overnight in Lafayette.
Stay 1 night.
Day Fourteen - New Orleans(155 miles)
A short drive from Lafayette takes you to New Iberia and Avery Island, the birthplace of Tabasco sauce! Other attractions include a Jungle Garden and Bird City, a sanctuary filled with snow-white egrets.Continue to Morgan City, the "Shrimp Capital of the World" and Houma, where you may want to take some time for an optional boat tour into the deep swamp and bayou to see alligators! Perhaps stop at Terrebonne or Southdown Plantation, before arriving into in New Orleans where you'll be spending your last night.
Stay 1 night.
Day Fifteen - New Orleans/Home
Today you will be leaving so you will need to drop your car off at the airport on your way to catch your flight home.
Total Mileage - 1245 miles
Package Includes:
- 14 nights accommodation and tax
- A travel packet with itinerary, maps, suggestions, brochures
Not Included:
- Flights to and from the UK
- Meals unless mentioned
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