Overview

1. Day 1: Chicago, the Jewel of the Midwest.

   Welcome to Chicago. Upon arrival at Chicago International Airport, you will be met and taken to your exclusive retreat high above the Magnificent Mile. At 18:00, join your Travelling Concierge for a Welcome Reception with drinks and a light meal.

   meal(s):WD

   hotel:The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel (2 nights).

2. Day 2: Scaling Chicago.

   Start your discovery with one of the Windy City's greatest highs, the 360 Chicago Observation Deck where you get to see what many call Chicago's best view. Complete with interactive telescopes, this 1,000 foot (300 metre) high vantage point is an experience you'll never forget. Continue your exploration during a 90-minute architectural river cruise and discover how the Great Fire of 1871 paved the way for the birth of the skyscraper. Enjoy a Highlight Dinner at Gibson's Bar and Steakhouse, a classic Chicago style chophouse.

   meal(s):FB, HD

   hotel:The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel.

3. Day 3: St. Louis, the Gateway to the West.

   Journey to St. Louis, where you join an exclusive guided tour of the stunning Fox Theater, opened in 1929. This vibrant city played host to the 1904 World's Fair and the Olympics in the same year, and both were held at St. Louis' prestigious Washington University. 

   meal(s):FB

   hotel:Four Seasons St Louis.

4. Day 4: St Louis Arch to Louisville.

   Get a bird's-eye view of the city with a visit to the top of the famed St. Louis Gateway Arch standing 630 feet (190 metres) tall. Then, head east through the Hoosier National Forest to Louisville. In the evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

   meal(s):FB, D

   hotel:The Brown Hotel, Louisville (2 nights).

5. Day 5: Spirited Residents and Resident Spirits of Louisville.

   Continue your immersion into Louisville culture with an up-close look at some of Kentucky's most spirited residents during a visit to a thoroughbred farm. Enjoy a guided tour of the grounds where you will learn the science of breeding champion racers and meet some of the prize horses. Visit a bourbon distillery and discover the secrets and details involved in the making of the South's signature spirit before indulging in a sampling. The evening is yours to enjoy.

   meal(s):FB

   hotel:The Brown Hotel, Louisville.

6. Day 6: A Corvette on the Honky-Tonk Highway to Nashville.

   The fun continues with a guided historic walking tour of Churchill Downs to learn about the history of the Kentucky Derby, followed by a visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum. Browse through over 20,000 collectible items and artefacts. Get a closer look during a private 'Inside the Vault' tour and spend some time gaining an insider perspective during a private visit with Charles Woods Jr., a retired Kentucky Derby jockey. Then, discover the history behind one of America's favourite sports cars at the National Corvette Museum. Explore the rows of display vehicles including vintage models and contemporary styles before having lunch at the Corvette Cafe. Arrive in Nashville and settle into your hotel.

   meal(s):FB, L, D

   hotel:Gaylord Opryland Resort (2 nights).

7. Day 7: Enjoy Nashville’s Musical History.

   Enjoy a tour of historic Studio B and 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. 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 a visit to the Grand Ole Opry. Attend a live taping of America's longest-running live radio program.

   meal(s):FB

   hotel:Gaylord Opryland Resort.

8. Day 8: 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 museums, shops and maybe try some Memphis barbecue. 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. 

   meal(s):FB, HD

   hotel:The Westin Memphis Beale Street (2 nights).

9. Day 9: 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. 

   meal(s):FB

   hotel:The Westin Memphis Beale Street.

10. Day 10: Mississippi Mystique in Natchez.

    Depart for Natchez, founded by the French in 1716 when it became home to a flowering colonial culture. Check into your charming, luxury country mansion hotel. Whet your palate before dinner during a mixology class to learn the 'science' behind the signature drink of the South, the mint julep. Then enjoy a delectable four-course Highlight Dinner in the stunning main house.

    meal(s):FB, HD

    hotel:Monmouth Historic Inn & Gardens, Natchez

11. Day 11: 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.

    meal(s):FB, HD

    hotel:Hotel Monteleone New Orleans (3 nights).

12. Day 12: 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.

    meal(s):FB

    hotel:Hotel Monteleone New Orleans.

13. Day 13: 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.

    meal(s):FB, CD

    hotel:Hotel Monteleone New Orleans.

14. Day 14: Depart New Orleans.

    Bid 'Au Revoir' to the Big Easy in the morning. A complimentary transfer is provided to New Orleans International Airport or choose to extend your stay in New Orleans.

    meal(s):FB