Southern Grace
9 Days from $3,750 per person
Nashville and Memphis, two legendary cradles of modern music, offer exceptional opportunities to immerse yourself in their heritage, from reserved seats at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry to the Jungle room at Graceland. Your unforgettable journey culminates in the multicultural melting pot of New Orleans, renowned for its unparalleled cuisine.
Explore Louisiana's distinctive culinary heritage, the history and ingredients of Creole cuisine at a New Orleans Cookery Class. Meet Elvis' close friend for a tour of Graceland before sitting down to a private dinner on the Grounds. In Natchez stay at Monmouth Inn. An early 19th-century antebellum mansion set in 26 acres of manicured gardens and a National Historic Landmark.
Overview
Nashville and Memphis, two legendary cradles of modern music, offer exceptional opportunities to immerse yourself in their heritage, from reserved seats at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry to the Jungle room at Graceland. Your unforgettable journey culminates in the multicultural melting pot of New Orleans, renowned for its unparalleled cuisine.
Explore Louisiana's distinctive culinary heritage, the history and ingredients of Creole cuisine at a New Orleans Cookery Class. Meet Elvis' close friend for a tour of Graceland before sitting down to a private dinner on the Grounds. In Natchez stay at Monmouth Inn. An early 19th-century antebellum mansion set in 26 acres of manicured gardens and a National Historic Landmark.
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Day 1: Welcome to Nashville.
Upon arrival at Nashville International Airport, you will be met and taken to your luxury hotel. Relax and settle in or start your exploration of the world's country music capital. At 18:00, join your Travelling Concierge for a Welcome Reception with drinks and a light meal. -
Day 2: Enjoy Nashville’s Musical History.
Enjoy a tour of historic Studio B, work with a professional sound engineer in a 30-minute, choir-style recording session. Take home your own copy of the recording as a one-of-a-kind souvenir. How many people can say they recorded a song in the same studio Elvis created so many of his hits? Then visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, full of memorabilia from stars such as Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn and Garth Brooks. Your Local Expert, a songwriter and singer will tell you the stories behind the biggest hits sung by well-known country music starts. No trip to Nashville would be complete without visiting the Grand Ole Opry. Attend a live taping of America's longest-running live radio program. -
Day 3: Memphis and Graceland, Home of the King.
Travel from the home of country music to the birthplace of blues and rock 'n' roll, where your day is at leisure to explore. In the evening visit Graceland, a place of pilgrimage as much as it is a museum dedicated to the great Elvis Presley. From the flowers and painted signs outside the gates, to the tear-streaked cheeks of fans inside, see the effect that Elvis and his music had on popular American culture.
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Day 4: Sun Studios and National Civil Rights Museum
Today visit Sun Studios, where artists like Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash recorded revolutionary albums. Later, visit the National Civil Rights Museum, tracing the history of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the 17th century to the present.
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Day 5: Mississippi Mystique in Natchez.
Continue to Natchez, founded by the French in 1716 when it became home to a flowering colonial culture. Check in to your charming, luxury country mansion hotel. Whet your palate before dinner during a mixology class to learn the 'science' of mixing a signature drink of the South, the Mint Julep. Then enjoy a delectable four-course Highlight Dinner in the stunning main house. -
Day 6: Frogmore, Houmas House and New Orleans.
Stop at Frogmore Plantation and journey back to a time when cotton was king. With your costumed hosts, tour a reconstructed 19th century plantation and compare it to the modern day operation that produces more than 900 bales of cotton each day. Get a glimpse into the sweet side of the South with a visit to Houmas House Plantation. Once the largest producer of sugar in the country, the mansion was often referred to as 'The Sugar Palace' during its antebellum heyday. In the evening, visit the New Orleans School of Cooking. Discover the flair of Creole cuisine during a lively cooking demonstration and enjoy the culinary creations with a special Highlight Dinner. -
Day 7: New Orleans Sightseeing.
Join a Local Expert for an atmospheric tour of the city. Wind your way through one of the above-ground final resting place of pirates, politicians and voodoo queens. Explore the French Quarter, Louis Armstrong Park and Jackson Square where you see the city's colonial heritage and cultured history. -
Day 8: Exploring New Orleans, the Big Easy.
Start the day up-close and personal with the rural side of the Cresent City, as you board a boat for a tour to meet the resident alligators and other flora and fauna. Enjoy some free time before gathering with your new friends and toasting to lifelong memories during a Celebration Dinner at the famous New Orleans restaurant Arnaud's. -
Day 9: Depart New Orleans.
Bid 'Au Revoir' to the Big Easy this morning. A complimentary transfer is provided to New Orleans International Airport.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Definite Departure
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Aug 18 | 8 Sep 18 |
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$3,750pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 8 Oct 18 | 16 Oct 18 | $3,750pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
| 19 Oct 18 | 27 Oct 18 |
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$3,750pp | Request Quote Book Now |
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Single Room Supplement: from $1,195.
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $101 per person.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
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Professional Travel Director
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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VIP Access
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
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Cultural Enrichment
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Hotel Tips
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Most Meals
Meal Summary
1 Welcome Dinner (WD), 8 Full Breakfasts (FB), 3 Highlight Dinners (HD) and 1 Celebration Dinner (CD).
Included Highlights
Signature Experiences
- Memphis: Enjoy a private after-hours tour of Graceland with Elvis' close friend, George Klein, before a private Highlight Dinner inside Elvis' car museum.
- Natchez: Learn to make the signature drink of the South, the Mint Julep. Before dining on an elegant, four-course Southern dinner served in the beautifully appointed dining room at Monmouth Plantation.
- New Orleans: Discover the flair of Creole cuisine during a cooking demonstration and special Highlight Dinner.
- New Orleans: Enjoy your grand finalé Celebration Dinner at 'Arnaud's', one of the Big Easy's prized restaurants
Sightseeing Highlights
- Nashville: Join the ranks of superstar musicians like Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson and record a song at legendary Studio B, take home the recording as a truly unique souvenir.
- Nashville: Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and get a behind the scenes look at the songwriting process.
- Memphis: Visit Sun Studios, where famous music icons like Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis and Johnny Cash recorded revolutionary albums.
- Natchez: At Frogmore Plantation, contrast early 19th century cotton plantation life with the modern processes of today.
- New Orleans: Cruise through beautiful marshlands and swamps in search of alligators, turtles, snakes and herons.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
Reviews
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Packing
We suggest bringing a variety of lightweight clothing items that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
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Gratuity
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend $4-5 per person/per day for your driver and $6-7 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 dollars per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
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Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
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Health and Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
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Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
